Islanders star responds to huge hit from Leafs defenceman but gets destroyed in fight

Early in the second period of tonight's game between the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs, a fight broke out after a huge hit against star player Matthew Barzal.

With the Islanders on the powerplay early in the second, Leafs defenceman Simon Benoit lined up Barzal for what turned out to be an awkward hit. Immediately, Bo Horvat went after Simon Benoit to fight, but instead he got filled in.


After the two players got a hold of each other at Center ice, the fight didn't last long as the much bigger Benoit hammered Horvat with huge right hooks. After Benoit landed a few particularly hard punches that popped off Horvat's helmet, Horvat made the move to wrestle Benoit to the ice.


Surprisingly, Benoit didn't get a penalty for his awkward knee-leading hit on Barzal, and Horvat actually did get the extra penalty for instigating. The Leafs scored on the ensuing 4-4 to tie the game.

Honestly, it's great to see a player of Horvat's caliber stick up to defend his teammate from a big hit, especially while on a power play. Even though he lost the fight, Horvat will solidify the respect of his teammates for that battle.