It’s not always about how you start a fight, it’s about how you finish. John Hayden will be celebrated in the Chicago Blackhawks locker room after landing the hardest hitting punch this season.
In a spirited tilt between Minnesota’s Marcus Foligno and Chicago’s John Hayden, both skaters started the fight guns blazing. The energetic combat of fists had the crowd on their feet. Foligno looked to have the early lead in the bout, but it would be Hayden’s right hand that would be the difference maker.
It was only Hayden’s first fight since the 2012-2013 season (in the USHL) but he looked like a veteran as the fight wore on. After receiving some good shots from his counterpart, the 22-year-old started with left-handed jabs. Hayden then threw his entire body weight behind one punch to buckle and drop Foligno to one knee.
It happened after Foligno removed the helmet of Hayden, seconds before Hayden would swing around and connect with the right-hand to the side of the head of Foligno.
After the haymaker was landed, the officials stepped in and stopped the fight, and it’s safe to say Hayden (who was playing in only his 16th career NHL game) won this tilt.
Hayden certainly made a name for himself after that fight, and I wouldn’t be surprised if his hands are tested later in the season.
