No need for the judges’ scorecards: Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier swiftly took down San Jose Sharks forward Ryan Reaves in a heavyweight brawl during a 5-2 Blue Jackets’ loss.
In the final minute of the second period, Reaves dropped his gloves on center ice and invited Olivier to spar. After seconds of dancing and weaving, Olivier fired the first punch with his right fist, which caused the two players to grab each other’s collars and exchange quick, violent haymakers.
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After Reaves’ helmet swung off his head from the momentum of the tussle, Olivier threw back a trio of jabs that sent Reaves to the floor in a decisive takedown.
Both players received five-minute major penalties for fighting. On hockeyfights.com, fans voted Olivier the winner 102 votes to none, with two fans voting for a draw. Olivier has been voted 21-0 in fights over the last two years, according to the website.
Almost a year ago, the two had sparred in Toronto when Reaves was with the Maple Leafs, a less dramatic bout between two of the biggest bruisers in the sport.
Jan 6, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right winger Mathieu Olivier (24) and San Jose Sharks right wing Ryan Reaves (75) fight in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
“It was the first time I’ve been caught knocked down by that,” Reaves told reporters after the game. “…I had to memorize some words. Cotton, honey, arrow I think was there. The months of the year backward. … Passed with flying colors.”
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You can watch the fight below.
October
Oct 9: @ Nashville, 2–1, Loss
Oct 11: @ Minnesota, 7–4, Win
Oct 13: vs New Jersey, 3–2, Loss
Oct 16: vs Colorado, 4–1, Loss
Oct 18: vs Tampa Bay, 3–2, Win
Oct 21: @ Dallas, 5–1, Win
Oct 24: vs Washington, 5–1, Loss
Oct 25: @ Pittsburgh, 5–4 SO, Win
Oct 28: @ Buffalo, 4–3 OT, Win
Oct 29: vs Toronto, 6–3, Win
November
Nov 1: vs St. Louis, 3–2, Win
Nov 2: @ Islanders, 3–2, Loss
Nov 5: @ Calgary, 5–1, Loss
Nov 8: @ Vancouver, 4–3, Loss
Nov 10: @ Edmonton, 5–4 OT, Loss
Nov 11: @ Seattle, 2–1 SO, Win
Nov 13: vs Edmonton, 5–4, Win
Nov 15: vs Rangers, 2–1 SO, Loss
Nov 17: vs Montreal, 4–3 SO, Win
Nov 18: @ Winnipeg, 5–2, Loss
Nov 20: @ Toronto, 3–2 OT, Win
Nov 22: @ Detroit, 4–3 OT, Loss
Nov 24: @ Washington, 5–1, Loss
Nov 26: vs Toronto, 2–1 OT, Loss
Nov 28: vs Pittsburgh, 4–3 OT, Loss
December
Dec 1: @ New Jersey, 5–3, Win
Dec 4: vs Detroit, 6–5 SO, Win
Dec 6: @ Florida, 7–6 OT, Loss
Dec 7: @ Washington, 2–0, Loss
Dec 9: @ Carolina, 4–1, Loss
Dec 11: vs Ottawa, 6–3, Loss
Dec 13: vs Vegas, 3–2, Loss
Dec 16: vs Anaheim, 4–3 OT, Win
Dec 18: vs Minnesota, 5–2, Loss
Dec 20: @ Anaheim, 4-3 Loss
Dec 22: @ Los Angeles, 3-2 Win
Dec 28: vs Islanders, 4-2 Win
Dec 29: @ Ottawa, 4-3 Win
Dec 31: vs New Jersey, 3-1 Loss
January
Jan 3: vs Buffalo, 5-1 Win
Jan 4: vs Pittsburgh, 5-4 OT, Loss
Jan 6: @ San Jose, 5-2 Loss
Jan 8: @ Vegas, 10:00 PM
Jan 10: @ Colorado, 4:00 PM
Jan 13: vs Calgary, 7:00 PM
Jan 15: vs Vancouver, 7:00 PM
Jan 17: @ Pittsburgh, 7:00 PM
Jan 20: vs Ottawa, 7:00 PM
Jan 22: vs Dallas, 7:00 PM
Jan 24: vs Tampa Bay, 7:00 PM
Jan 26: vs Los Angeles, 7:00 PM
Jan 28: vs Philadelphia, 7:30 PM
Jan 30: @ Chicago, 8:30 PM
Jan 31: @ St. Louis, 7:00 PM
February
Feb 3: @ New Jersey, 7:00 PM
Feb 4: vs Chicago, 7:00 PM
Feb 26: @ Boston, 7:00 PM
Feb 28: vs Islanders, 6:00 PM
March
March 2: @ Rangers, 7:00 PM
March 3: vs Nashville, 7:00 PM
March 5: vs Florida, 7:00 PM
March 7: vs Utah, 7:00 PM
March 10: @ Tampa Bay, 7:00 PM
March 12: @ Florida, 7:00 PM
March 14: @ Philadelphia, 7:30 PM
March 17: vs Carolina, 7:00 PM
March 19: vs Rangers, 7:00 PM
March 21: vs Seattle, 5:00 PM
March 22: @ Islanders, 7:00 PM
March 24: @ Philadelphia, 7:00 PM
March 26: @ Montreal, 7:00 PM
March 28: vs San Jose, 5:00 PM
March 29: vs Boston, 5:00 PM
March 31: vs Carolina, 7:30 PM
April
April 2: @ Carolina, 7:00 PM
April 4: vs Winnipeg, 7:00 PM
April 7: @ Detroit, 7:00 PM
April 9: @ Buffalo, 7:00 PM
April 11: @ Montreal, 7:00 PM
April 12: vs Boston, 6:00 PM
April 14: vs Washington, 7:00 PM
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mathieu Olivier, Ryan Reaves exchange blows in heavyweight NHL bout