The Night Radko Gudas Let Me Live

Credit: Radko Gudas (© Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)

Radko Gudas once showed mercy on my soul. And I’m forever grateful.

It was a classic minor league line brawl, and it happened during the last game of the 2011-12 AHL season. I was with the Binghamton Senators, Gudas the Norfolk Admirals. And the entire event played out before a sold-out crowd at the Scope Arena.

That season was one for the record books – if you were on the Admirals. They’d already won 24 straight games coming into the contest. That night they made it 25. Norfolk, coached by a young Jon Cooper, earned 28 consecutive victories along with a Calder Cup championship before it was all said and done that year.

But I’m not here to tell you about how good Norfolk was. I mean, they were. The Admirals were scary good that season. They couldn’t lose. But holy smokes: they were also tough.

Norfolk had some serious beef on that club. Guys like P.C. Labrie and Eric Nielson could absolutely pulverize people. And Gudas? He hit like a Mack truck. His shot was a missile. And he had a dark, bushy beard way before it was en vogue to grow one. No one wanted to open that door.

So anyway, it was midway through the first period and we were winning 1-0. Things were pretty calm. That is, until one of Norfolk’s players drove the net and clipped me on the way past. And even though the impact wasn’t very severe, it did knock my mask off.

I didn’t really think much of it, but I knew it probably looked bad. Any time a goalie mask goes skittering across the ice, it catches peoples’ attention. The next thing I knew, players from both teams were grabbing one another behind the net. It was your typical ‘don’t touch our goalie’ moment.

Back then, a fracas like that was pretty normal. Sometimes a fight or two would break out. And occasionally I’d get involved if it felt warranted. I liked to defend my crease. But admittedly, I didn’t like the idea of fighting.

I’m not tough at all. I’d probably have a hard time punching my way out of a wet paper bag. But I had one rule during my playing career: if two opposing players were attacking a teammate, I was getting in there. To me, it was non-negotiable.

Well, this brawl went from normal to wild in the blink of an eye. And a lot of it had to do with our defenseman, Tim Conboy.

Now, you might remember Tim from his time with the Carolina Hurricanes. He played 62 games in the NHL and amassed 121 penalty minutes. Tim was a defenseman by trade. But in the NHL, where his fists did more than his stick, Conboy suited up on right wing.

I want to make this very clear. I love Tim Conboy. He was so much fun to play with. And we had similar interests off the ice. But Tim was completely unstable once the puck dropped. He once vowed to fight either a referee or a fan before his career was over. And none of us doubted him.

Everyone around the AHL was aware of Tim’s propensity for chaos. And somewhere in the gaggle of humanity that night in Norfolk, Conboy really pissed someone off.

I was standing there in my crease, helmet already off from the impact, casually surveying the scene that was unfolding. Conboy already had one Admiral player hanging off him. Which was fine. Tim could handle himself.

But then another Norfolk player hopped on his back. And I knew what had to happen. I was going into the pile.

Now, my hastily crafted plan didn’t account for an actual fight. I just wanted to pull the guy off Conboy. I didn’t even think to drop my glove and blocker because it didn’t seem necessary.

One problem. I couldn’t tell who the Admirals player was. I just knew Tim needed help. So I grabbed the Norfolk player’s jersey at the back of the neck and pulled as hard as possible with my blocker hand.

Talk about instant regret. Because staring back at me was an enraged Radko Gudas. And my glove and blocker were still on. My face was exposed and I was in no position to defend myself.

I was in deep shit.

At that point I thought it was all over. My career. Maybe my life. Gudas was an absolute killer back then. He had 195 penalty minutes that season.

I don’t know if Gudas could sense my fear, or maybe he just didn’t feel like beating up a goalie. But in that moment, the anger drained from his face. He let me go.

I’ve never been so relieved. And truthfully; thankful. Gudas didn’t have to let up. I was the aggressor in the situation. But in the heat of the moment, Radko showed a level of humility that I didn’t expect. I’ll never forget it.

What’s funny about the entire tale is that, years later, Gudas and I became teammates with the Philadelphia Flyers. And he was one of the first people to greet me coming through the door.

I had to remind him about that night in Norfolk, but it was a great ice breaker. We laughed about it and formed an instant bond. In many ways it was such a typical hockey story. Two dudes that were ready throw down, only to end up buddies later.

I’ve really enjoyed watching the Panthers during the 2022-23 Stanley Cup playoffs. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been unbelievable. And I’m very happy for fellow St. Louisan Matthew Tkachuk. But if Florida hoists Lord Stanley’s chalice, I’ll be most happy for Gudas.

There are some players that – when you get to know them on a personal level – you can’t help but root for. Radko Gudas is one of them.

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The Night Radko Gudas Let Me Live

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