Watch: Pat Maroon and Michael McCarron trade heavy blows in fiery center ice tilt

Chicago Blackhawks forward Pat Maroon and Nashville Predators tough guy Michael McCarron got into a tussle during their matchup on Friday night.

The fisticuffs took place during the first period, with both players exchanging a few choice words at center ice. Before long, the conversation escalated into a full-out brawl with both pugilists showcasing their best shots.

Check out the fierce action right here:

Both players got fighting majors at the 10:12 mark of the first. The time in the penalty box helped both players cool down, but it remains to be seen if there could be a rematch at some point down the road.

Pat Maroon's leadership and voice key to the Chicago Blackhawks

Entering this season, Pat Maroon has registered a single point in six games. While he’s not known as a gifted goal scorer, the Blackhawks would like to get more out of him offensively.

Last season Maroon notched four goals and 16 points in 51 games between the Minnesota Wild and Boston Bruins.

But the lack of offensive production is not the main reason why Pat Maroon was signed by the Hawks. His role is to be both a leader and a mentor. Chicago has been adamant about surrounding their top prospect Connor Bedard with proven veterans that know what it takes to win.

Maroon, along with other veterans like captain Nick Foligno know what it takes to be successful in the NHL. That’s the spirit and attitude the Hawks would like to see Maroon transmit to the other younger players on the Blackhawks lineup.

NHL.com caught up with Maroon earlier this season, capturing his sentiments about how important leadership is. In particular, Pat Maroon expressed how impressed he was with the team dynamic in Chicago and how Bedard’s work ethic set the tone for the entire club.

Maroon underscored the importance of his role by stating:

“Bring that veteran leadership, that voice that maybe they haven’t had in a while.”

Maroon has certainly brought that voice to the Chicago Blackhawks. The organization will hope this could be the beginning of a new era in which the Hawks return to the Stanley Cup Final.