20 animal-human matchups we’d like to see besides Michael Phelps vs. a shark

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 19: Zdeno Chara

15. Zdeno Chara vs. a bruin

Zdeno Chara is a literal giant in the NHL, standing at 6-foot-9 with a massive 250-pound frame. He has the hardest slap-shot in the league, and is a man that could probably crush you with your bare hands if he tried, given his sheer size and strength.

Chara has been the captain of the Boston Bruins for a long time now, and his leadership and physical presence can’t be matched on the ice by many other players. His fights are like watching a grown man fighting a child, and he dwarfs anyone he goes to hit when he’s skating and looking to retaliate. However, maybe he wouldn’t look so tough if he came across the actual version of his team’s mascot.

It’s pretty telling when you search for a bruin fighting on the Internet, and Chara is one of the first things to pop up in your search results. However, bruins can get incredibly aggressive, and it’d be incredibly interesting to see Chara’s huge frame in pads up against a physical bear in the wilderness.

Honestly, it wouldn’t even be surprising if Chara has fought a bear at some point, as he seems like the type of guy who has done it and lived to tell the tale. However, let’s get it on film, and see what would actually happen when the two square up in an enclosed environment.

Chara is getting up there in age in his NHL career, and likely doesn’t have a ton left in the tank as a 40-year old defenseman. What better way to go out and put a nice stamp on the end of your career than going full “goon” and fighting an actual bear?