The showdown that had everyone talking finally lived up to the hype.
In a thrilling Saturday night game, the third period brought the moment all hockey fans were eagerly anticipating. The New York RangersMatt Rempe and the Toronto Maple LeafsRyan Reaves finally decided it was time to settle their scores, engaging in one of the most awaited fights of the season.
The build-up to this fight was intense, with Rempe initially showing little interest in taking Reaves up on his challenge during their first encounter in the opening period.
However, the dynamics shifted dramatically after Rempe's hit on Maple Leafs defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin towards the end of the second period. With Lyubushkin not returning for the third, speculation was rife that he might have been injured from the hit, setting the stage for Rempe and Reaves to go at it at center ice.
Check out the video for a closer look at the action: