NHL stars Jonathan Toews and Joe Thornton drop gloves in rare fight for team captains

San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton, left, and Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

CHICAGO - Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks and Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks got into a rare fight Friday night.

Toews skated up to Thornton with about 4 1/2 minutes left in the first period, jabbed him with his stick and then dropped his gloves. The star captains tangled up for a minute before Thornton dragged Toews to the ice and the referees skated in.

It was believed to be the first fight for Toews since December 2011, and the first skirmish for Thornton in about a year.

The Blackhawks led the Sharks 1-0 after one.