Editorial

‘No Touch’: Hurricanes Goalie Pyotr Kochetkov Gives Hilarious Quote After Getting Caught Up In Postgame Donnybrook

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Carolina Hurricanes v Arizona Coyotes

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Robert McGreevy Contributor
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Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov gave a hilarious quote about his participation in his team’s post game scrum Thursday night with the Florida Panthers.

“I don’t want to fight. I just want control. Panthers, six boys. My team, five boys … These guys no touch my guys,” Kochetkov said after the game, according to the Hurricanes‘ team reporter Walt Ruff.

TORONTO, CANADA – MARCH 17: Pyotr Kochetkov #52 of the Carolina Hurricanes warms up prior to playing against the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 17, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

What a hilariously Russian thing to say.

Kochetkov meandered into the kerfuffle that formed immediately after time expired in his Canes‘ 1-0 win against the Panthers.

Kochetkov would end up on the ground, getting yanked to the ice by a referee who was trying to keep the goaltender out of the skirmish.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 19: Pyotr Kochetkov #52 of the Carolina Hurricanes sprays water onto his face during the third period of the game against the Vegas Golden Knights at PNC Arena on December 19, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Goalies typically steer clear of brawls like this one, but Kochetkov, coming off of a historic 44-save performance, was clearly feeling himself and decided to jump in.

Kochetkov’s teammates no doubt appreciate him having their back, but if I’m the Hurricanes coach, I am definitely gritting my teeth seeing him jump in. The Canes currently sit at second place in the Metropolitan Division and are primed to earn a playoff spot if they can hold on.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 08: Pyotr Kochetkov #52 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during the first period of the game against the Colorado Avalanche at PNC Arena on February 08, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Kochetkov has been a major factor in that success, so they can hardly afford to lose him to something so silly as a fight. (RELATED: Salty Radio Host Bashes Rival NHL Team’s ‘Fat’ Fans After Loss)

Since Dec. 12, he’s led the league in goals against and is top three in save percentage in what has been a resurgence for the 24-year-old Russian keeper, according to Ruff.