Dustin Stevenson and Aaron Schmit settle their differences with their fists. (Video via Suzanne K.)

On Saturday, during the third and final scrimmage of the Caps’ Development Camp, the prospects turned the physicality up notch in front of a capacity crowd at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. There were three fights, each of them featuring a different combatants.

In the first period, 2009 sixth-round draft pick Garrett Mitchell got in his third throw-down of the week, challenging Group B’s Mike Bovin after a rough run. The two traded a few punches before Mitchell lost his balance and were separated by officials.

In the second stanza, Dustin Stevenson — a 6’5” behemoth — got in his second fight of camp and did so with a bit of flair, bending over and chucking his helmet through his legs before engaging Aaron Schmit. Stevenson got the upper-hand of the altercation, despite absorbing several heavy shots from Schmit at center ice.

Finally, in the third, ‘Dirty’ Danick Paquette looked for blood after being hit in open ice by Karl Stollery (video can be seen at 8:17 here). The fight, however, was a hugfest as neither landed any good punches.

Below the jump, check out my photos from all the bouts.

First Period: Garrett Mitchell (White) vs. Mike Boivin (Red)

Garrett Mitchell goes after Mike Boivin after being knocked to the ice.

Second Period: Dustin Stevenson (White) vs. Aaron Schmit (Red)

Hike!

Third Period: Danick Paquette (White) vs. Karl Stollery (Red)

Paquette initiates the bout after taking a hit from Stollery.

Danick Paquette dishes out a hit along the boards.

After participating in workouts for first two days of the Capitals’ annual Development Camp, 19 of the organization’s prospects and 25 free agent invites took to the ice for the first intra-squad scrimmage of the summer on Wednesday.

Group B — wearing the red sweaters — controlled the play throughout the game at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, taking it by a score of 4-2. Caleb Herbert, Stanislav Galiev, Travis Boyd and Aaron Schmit scored for the winning team while Andrew Cherniwchan and Garrett Mitchell tallied in the losing effort.

“The thoughts were is they played hard,” Caps head coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters after the game. “I think there was a lot more physical contact than the last two development camps, at least early on for the first game. … They’ve gotten better every day, I expect them to be even better tomorrow and by Saturday I’ll be a pretty good game.”

Forward Cody Eakin, a third-round draft pick in 2009 and a veteran of three camps, attributed the style of play to the players desire to make an impression on Washington’s brass.

“They’re some big guys out here and everyone is fighting for a job, a second chance and a second look so it was pretty physical. Guys are stepping up and there wasn’t a lot of room out there.”

Below, I recap the game in photos.

(All photos by Chris Gordon — Click to enlarge)

Caleb Herbert opens the scoring

Andrew Cherniwchan ties the game from Group A

Free agent invitee Wade Epp goes down hard into the boards, leaves game with possible shoulder injury.

Taylor Stefishen gets hit hard by Dmitry Orlov, injuring his knee.

Group B celebrates Galiev’s goal

Mattias Sjogren throws his weight around.

Travis Boyd gets on the scoreboard.

Group A celebrates Garrett Mitchell’s goal.

Group B walks away victorious.