The game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets was just one minute and 32 seconds old when Ryan Reaves dropped the gloves with Mathieu Olivier. Fans were thrilled by the heavyweight tilt but loved even more what Reaves did right after the officials intervened.
Ryan Reaves had his first fight of the season on Wednesday, squaring off against the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Mathieu Olivier. Reaves, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound forward, dropped the gloves with Olivier less than two minutes into the game, and the two heavyweights didn’t disappoint.
Ryan Reaves’ great gesture
Trading haymakers for nearly 40 seconds, the fight showcased both players’ grit. While it was clear Reaves was shaking off some rust in his first fight of the season, he eventually found his rhythm against Olivier, who gave him a fair and spirited battle. Officials eventually stepped in to separate the two combatants.
Fans enjoyed the tilt between the two big men but were even more impressed by Reaves’ sportsmanship afterward. It appeared that Reaves was the one initiating the fight, as he gave Mathieu a little tap of appreciation, that didn’t go unnoticed by fans.
While it was Reaves’ first fight of the 2024-25 season, it was far from Olivier’s. The Blue Jackets forward has now dropped the gloves ten times in 47 games this campaign, including twice in January.
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