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.
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.
“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.”
You can watch the fight below.
October
Oct 9: @ Nashville, 2–1, LossOct 11: @ Minnesota, 7–4, WinOct 13: vs New Jersey, 3–2, LossOct 16: vs Colorado, 4–1, LossOct 18: vs Tampa Bay, 3–2, WinOct 21: @ Dallas, 5–1, WinOct 24: vs Washington, 5–1, LossOct 25: @ Pittsburgh, 5–4 SO, WinOct 28: @ Buffalo, 4–3 OT, WinOct 29: vs Toronto, 6–3, Win
November
Nov 1: vs St. Louis, 3–2, WinNov 2: @ Islanders, 3–2, LossNov 5: @ Calgary, 5–1, LossNov 8: @ Vancouver, 4–3, LossNov 10: @ Edmonton, 5–4 OT, LossNov 11: @ Seattle, 2–1 SO, WinNov 13: vs Edmonton, 5–4, WinNov 15: vs Rangers, 2–1 SO, LossNov 17: vs Montreal, 4–3 SO, WinNov 18: @ Winnipeg, 5–2, LossNov 20: @ Toronto, 3–2 OT, WinNov 22: @ Detroit, 4–3 OT, LossNov 24: @ Washington, 5–1, LossNov 26: vs Toronto, 2–1 OT, LossNov 28: vs Pittsburgh, 4–3 OT, Loss
December
Dec 1: @ New Jersey, 5–3, WinDec 4: vs Detroit, 6–5 SO, WinDec 6: @ Florida, 7–6 OT, LossDec 7: @ Washington, 2–0, LossDec 9: @ Carolina, 4–1, LossDec 11: vs Ottawa, 6–3, LossDec 13: vs Vegas, 3–2, LossDec 16: vs Anaheim, 4–3 OT, WinDec 18: vs Minnesota, 5–2, LossDec 20: @ Anaheim, 4-3 LossDec 22: @ Los Angeles, 3-2 WinDec 28: vs Islanders, 4-2 WinDec 29: @ Ottawa, 4-3 WinDec 31: vs New Jersey, 3-1 Loss
January
Jan 3: vs Buffalo, 5-1 WinJan 4: vs Pittsburgh, 5-4 OT, LossJan 6: @ San Jose, 5-2 LossJan 8: @ Vegas, 10:00 PMJan 10: @ Colorado, 4:00 PMJan 11: @ Utah, 7:00 PMJan 13: vs Calgary, 7:00 PMJan 15: vs Vancouver, 7:00 PMJan 17: @ Pittsburgh, 7:00 PMJan 20: vs Ottawa, 7:00 PMJan 22: vs Dallas, 7:00 PMJan 24: vs Tampa Bay, 7:00 PMJan 26: vs Los Angeles, 7:00 PMJan 28: vs Philadelphia, 7:30 PMJan 30: @ Chicago, 8:30 PMJan 31: @ St. Louis, 7:00 PM
February
Feb 3: @ New Jersey, 7:00 PMFeb 4: vs Chicago, 7:00 PMFeb 26: @ Boston, 7:00 PMFeb 28: vs Islanders, 6:00 PM
March
March 2: @ Rangers, 7:00 PMMarch 3: vs Nashville, 7:00 PMMarch 5: vs Florida, 7:00 PMMarch 7: vs Utah, 7:00 PMMarch 10: @ Tampa Bay, 7:00 PMMarch 12: @ Florida, 7:00 PMMarch 14: @ Philadelphia, 7:30 PMMarch 17: vs Carolina, 7:00 PMMarch 19: vs Rangers, 7:00 PMMarch 21: vs Seattle, 5:00 PMMarch 22: @ Islanders, 7:00 PMMarch 24: @ Philadelphia, 7:00 PMMarch 26: @ Montreal, 7:00 PMMarch 28: vs San Jose, 5:00 PMMarch 29: vs Boston, 5:00 PMMarch 31: vs Carolina, 7:30 PM
April
April 2: @ Carolina, 7:00 PMApril 4: vs Winnipeg, 7:00 PMApril 7: @ Detroit, 7:00 PMApril 9: @ Buffalo, 7:00 PMApril 11: @ Montreal, 7:00 PMApril 12: vs Boston, 6:00 PMApril 14: vs Washington, 7:00 PM