On March 12, Radko Gudas ended Auston Matthews’ season with a nasty hit. On Monday, Gudas played through an injury to face the consequences against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now, he is also being praised for how he handled the fight.
Monday’s game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Toronto Maple Leafs ended in a 5–4 overtime win for the Maple Leafs, keeping them from being mathematically eliminated from the playoff race for another day.
READ MORE: Radko Gudas’ first words on Auston Matthews injury
Radko Gudas hit on Auston Matthews
The Ducks remain in first place in the Pacific Division despite the loss. But most of the focus last night was on Radko Gudas. When the Leafs and Ducks last met on March 12, Gudas hit Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews in the knee. Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and a quad contusion in his left leg, sidelining him for 12 weeks. Afterward, Gudas expressed regret about the hit, which resulted in a five-game suspension.
“I respect the league’s decision, I didn’t like the point of contact either, I have to respect it, learn from it, and be better as a hockey player. I never want to go out and hurt anybody. It’s very unfortunate. I reached out to him as well—we spoke—and I never want to see anyone get hurt, so I feel terrible about that,” Gudas said.
Radko Gudas fight against Max Domi
Last Thursday, Radko Gudas suffered a lower-body injury against the Calgary Flames and missed one game on Saturday. But he was determined to play on Monday to face the consequences of the Matthews hit.
“Stand behind my own mistakes. I want to address it myself, so that’s one of the reasons, 100 per cent. That’s one of those games where I have to play,” Gudas told reporters before the game.
Just three seconds into the game, Maple Leafs forward Max Domi went after Gudas, who answered the bell in his own way. He dropped the gloves but didn’t fight back. Instead, he grabbed Domi’s jersey and held on until Domi took him down with a few punches.
Praised by fans
Now, fans are praising Radko Gudas online for how he handled the fight.
“I loved it, to be honest. It showed a lot of respect for the game. He knew what he did was wrong, and he also knew he should get punched in the face for it. Things happen—it’s how you respond,” one fan wrote on X.
“I do have more respect for him, he took his licks like a man. He knew this would happen and still wanted to play even though he was injured,” another wrote.
“He showed courage and lived by the code by not backing down and taking one for his team, as a proper captain should. Think whatever you want about his actions, but this is what a leader does. Full stop,” a third added.
You can watch the fight below.
READ MORE: Max Domi’s promise to Radko Gudas after Auston Matthews’ injury
