It’s not often that goalies drop the gloves and start duking it out on the ice, let alone during the pre-season.

But on Sunday night, in a game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabres, that happened. Jonathan Bernier and Ryan Miller. It was the final fight on a wild fight card – a full line brawl.

It started after a nasty fight seconds after a fight between Leafs forward Jamie Devane and the Sabres’ Corey Tropp that left Tropp bloody and looking dizzy.

On the next faceoff in neutral ice, the Sabres send out 6-foot-8, 270-pound enforcer John Scott, who lined up opposite Leafs’ star Phil Kessel. Scott went for retribution against the sniper – a no-no under the NHL “code” – and all hell broke loose. Kessel, who probably would rather live than die in a fight with Scott, wouldn’t fight, and instead slashed and slashed at Scott, earning a match penalty.

Kessel spoke after the game about his almost fight.

But new Leaf David Clarkson wouldn’t let his team’s star shooter go down, and jumped off the bench and into the fray.

Voila – 10-game suspension for Clarkson, the forward signed to a seven-year deal worth US$36.75-million over the off-season. And line brawl.

“We’re not proud or happy with what went on,” Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle told reporters after the game. “I think David Clarkson made a mistake and now we pay for it.”

Kessel ended up fighting after all, bloodying Brian Flynn – earning huge cheers from the crowd.

When all the fighting had settled down, Bernier got Miller’s attention at the opposite blue line. The new Leafs goalie challenged Miller, who is a feisty competitor himself, they both peeled off their masks, gloves and blockers and met at centre ice, with all the on-ice officials still trying to settle the other fights.

You can bet Bernier is now a cult hero for Leafs fans, who started the “Miller sucks” chants early in the pre-season tilt.

You will want to watch this a few times. Scotiabank Game In Six: #Leafs vs. #Sabres bit.ly/1fs7PGo #TMLtalk— 

Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 23, 2013

Ron Rolston said the #sabres were upset about Corey Tropp getting knocked out by 6'5 Jamie Devane. The #leafs say Tropp started that fight.— 

Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 23, 2013

Well… that escalated quickly. #oldtimehockey #eddieshore— 

Ryan Miller (@RyanMiller3039) September 23, 2013

Who's ready for the regular season? #Sabres #IsItOctoberYet— 

Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) September 23, 2013

Yup, clarkson's penalty was for leaving the bench… Automatic suspension of 10 reg-season games. Oopsy.— 

David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) September 23, 2013

Last Leafs goalie to fight was Potvin vs Hextall. He did well too #tmltalk— 

Fraser McDonald (@FrasSpaz) September 23, 2013

Mayhem!! Goalie fight!! #toronto #buffalo #tmltalk #hockey #fight #goalie #acc instagram.com/p/elbuoMSQTy/— 

Adam Ridler (@aridler) September 23, 2013

Goalie fights anyone? #Leafs #Sabres #Toronto #Buffalo #Bernier #Miller http://t.co/ziiRs3BDZ2— 

Alexander Broad (@BroadiWithABody) September 23, 2013

When I heard that Clarkson jumped off the bench and got a ten game suspension, oh man you should have seen how hard I shrugged my shoulders.— 

Justin Fisher (@thejustinfisher) September 23, 2013

And, because we know you want it, here’s the last great Leafs goalie fight. Yep, Felix Potvin and Ron Hextall from 1996, ranked as the best goalie fight ever by the Hockey News.

Tags: Ryan Miller, Jonathan Bernier