"Olivier shows Xhekaj how to be a real tough guy": NHL fans react to Ryan Reaves fight with Mathieu Olivier

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves dropped the gloves for the first time this season on Wednesday night, engaging in a highly anticipated heavyweight bout against Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier. The crowd at Scotiabank Arena erupted as the two enforcers clashed near the neutral zone in the early minutes of the first period.

The intense 40-second fight saw Olivier land rapid right-handed punches, momentarily sending Reaves off balance. However, Reaves quickly regained his footing and delivered his own crushing blows before the referees intervened.

Ryan Reaves, who had played 30 games for the Leafs without a fight, finally got his chance to drop the gloves. He had previously attempted to initiate a fight with Montreal Canadiens' enforcer Arber Xhekaj on Saturday but was declined.

Following Tuesday's practice, Reaves shared his thoughts on the lack of willing opponents, saying:

"There's just not a lot of takers out there," he added. "And when we play those teams, just they haven't been in the lineup. And then in the last game, I thought for sure it was going to happen. And I guess not."

The fight between Ryan Reaves and Mathieu Olivier generated significant excitement among hockey fans, with many taking to X to express their enthusiasm.

"Finally Reaves finds a dance partner this year!", one fan wrote.

"Some big boys chucking knuckles there", another posted.

"Yeah that's the fight of the year so far", a fan said.

Olivier, who recorded his 10th fight of the season and second this month, had previously commented on the timing of fights, telling Sportsnet's Luke Fox:

"You hear all these things about timing. I don't believe in that, personally. I think there's never a bad time for a fight.... So what is timing? It's not an exact science. So I don't believe in that."

The 27-year-old enforcer has impressed fans with his performance this season, tallying 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points in 48 games. His dominant showing in the fight against Ryan Reaves earned praise from fans on X.

"Olivier took that one, he fed Reaves a couple more love it," one X user posted.

"Damn, Reaves got some good ones in but Olivier definitely got the best of that fight, he was throwing Reaves around at two different points," another noted.

"Olivier shows Xhekaj how to be a real tough guy," a fan wrote.

Ryan Reaves' season-debut fight can't spark Leafs in 5-1 loss to Columbus

NHL: JAN 22 Blue Jackets at Maple Leafs - Source: Getty

The Toronto Maple Leafs' three-game winning streak came to an end on Wednesday, as they suffered a 5-1 defeat at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The highly anticipated matchup began with a bang, featuring a heavyweight clash between Leafs' enforcer Ryan Reaves and Jackets' forward Mathieu Olivier in the early minutes of the first period.

However, it was 20-year-old Jackets' center Adam Fantilli who stole the show, scoring his first career hat-trick to propel his team to victory. Fantilli's impressive performance helped the Blue Jackets improve to 7-1-1 in their last nine games.

Additional goals from Luca Del Bel Belluz and James van Riemsdyk sealed the win for Columbus, while Auston Matthews scored the lone goal for Toronto.

Despite the loss, the Maple Leafs (30-17-2) will retain their position atop the Atlantic Division. Meanwhile, the two points secured by the Blue Jackets on Wednesday will prove crucial, as they improve their overall record to 23-18-7 and move into the Eastern Conference's first wild-card spot.