The NHL has seen its fair share of fights so far this season, both between young enforcers trying to make a name for themselves and veteran fighters. Last night, however, witnessed the knockout of the season, when Brian Halonen of the New Jersey Devils sent Simon Benoit of the Toronto Maple Leafs crashing to the ice.
According to the website Hockeyfights.com, the NHL has seen 27 fights so far this season—both from veterans like Ryan Reaves and Nick Foligno, and from younger enforcers trying to earn a permanent spot on their team’s roster.
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Brian Halonen vs. Simon Benoit fight
Last night, the New Jersey Devils defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 for their fifth straight win, but what fans reacted to most was the fight between Brian Halonen and Simon Benoit. Both known fighters but not yet considered top tier in the NHL, the duo dropped the gloves with just 16 seconds left in the game.
After exchanging a few punches, Halonen pinned Benoit along the boards and delivered a crushing right-hand punch, sending Benoit to the ice.
”Nighty-night”
Fans are loving the massive hit.
“That right cross… nighty-night!” one fan wrote on X.
“That right hook from hell!” another commented.
“He got absolutely rocked, bye Benoit,” a third added.
Next up, the Devils will play the Minnesota Wild and the Leafs will play the Buffalo Sabres.
You can watch the fight and the heavy knockout below.
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