Corey Perry Joe Veleno Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images

Top Oilers Fights of 2024-25: Corey Perry scraps with Joe Veleno

Originally posted on Oilersnation | By Ryley Delaney | Last updated Jul 11, 2025 11:00 AM ET

The early 2024-25 Edmonton Oilers needed every spark they could get.

The previous season had started disastrously, with a 2-9-1 record before the Oilers caught fire, rattled off a 16-game winning streak, and pushed all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Their 2024-25 start wasn’t quite as grim, but it still left plenty to be desired. They dropped their first three games and entered their October 27 matchup against the Detroit Red Wings with a 3-4-1 record.

Just 3:30 into the game, they were down 1-0 after J.T. Compher scored his third of the season. Edmonton registered the first shot just 15 seconds in, but then allowed the next 10. By the 15-minute mark of the opening frame, they were being outshot 11-2.

Earlier in the period, Joey Veleno delivered a high hit on Derek Ryan. After some heated words and anticipation, Veleno and Corey Perry finally dropped the gloves near the Oilers’ blueline. Veleno landed three of the first four punches, but Perry responded with five consecutive uppercuts while Veleno was in a vulnerable position. Once Veleno regained his footing, Perry delivered a staggering right hand before the two exchanged a few more along the boards. After about 30 seconds, the officials broke up the scrap.

With a quick tap on Perry’s shoulder, any lingering animosity dissipated, a textbook example of players policing themselves. According to the incredible resource HockeyFights.com, 67% of voters picked Perry as the winner, while 26% sided with Veleno, and 8% called it a draw. The bout earned a 6.56 rating, the fifth-highest for any Oilers fight that season.

Over the final five minutes of the first, the Oilers outshot Detroit 3-2, then dominated the second period, outshooting the Red Wings 16-7. Leon Draisaitl tied the game 8:46 into the frame, only for Andrew Copp to restore Detroit’s lead less than a minute later.

Midway through the third, during a stretch in which the Oilers outshot Detroit 12-6, Evan Bouchard tied things up with his third goal of the season, a booming slapshot. Then, just 18 seconds into overtime, Draisaitl struck again, netting his second of the night to bring the Oilers back to .500 for the first time that season.

The Red Wings would eventually snap their losing skid against Edmonton with a 3-2 win on January 30. In three of their last four meetings, the final score has been 3-2, either in overtime or a shootout.

This game didn’t exactly launch the Oilers into another heater. They were crushed 6-1 by the Blue Jackets in the following contest, which also saw Connor McDavid suffer his first injury of the season. Still, by early November, the team found its stride once more and made a return trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

This article first appeared on Oilersnation and was syndicated with permission.

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