| On December 23, 1979, in what remains as one of the most memorable fan-athlete confrontations in sports, Boston Bruins defenseman Mike Milbury whacked a New York Rangers fan with the fan's own shoe during an altercation in which several Bruins players went over the glass and into the stands at Madison Square Garden. The incident resulted in three Boston players being suspended. Of the three Bruins who were suspended, Terry O'Reilly had engaged in a career-high 22 fights during the season, Peter McNab had had only four penalty minutes during the previous season, and Mike Milbury had never before whacked anyone with a shoe. |
