WATCH: Flyers vet Nic Deslauriers goes punch-for-punch with Dylan McIlrath in heavyweight tilt
Hockey fans were treated to an old school heavyweight tilt between veteran Nic Deslauriers of the Philadelphia Flyers and Dylan McIlrath of the Washington Capitals. The two tough guys dropped the gloves and traded punch for punch in a lengthy fight during the first period of Tuesday's matchup.
Watch the video here:
It was nearly a minute of punches being thrown as the big men teed off on each other. McIlrath relied on his size advantage and landed several early right hands to Deslauriers. But the Flyers' enforcer recovered quickly and held his own, landing a series of overhand lefts to McIlrath.
The linesmen watched the action closely but allowed the fight to continue as the crowd cheered for them. Ultimately both combatants ran out of gas and were separated to the applause of both benches.
This is the first game of the season for Nic Deslauriers.
The Flyers lost the game 4-1 against the Capitals.
Fans react to Nic Deslauriers fighting with Dylan McIlrath in heavyweight tilt
Fans were buzzing after the heavyweight tilt between Nic Deslauriers and Dylan McIlrath.
Fans took to social media to react to the rare battle between two enforcers.
One fan noted,
"Draw IMO. Fight of the season so far."
Another fan wrote,
"That’s hockey baby."
Here are some fan reactions:
"Man I know DMac can handle himself but damn I always get nervous when one of our guys squares up with Deslaurier. Dudes tough as nails. Great tilt. Way to chuck em boys" one fan wrote on X.
"What a tilt, love to see a good fight like this!" another fan wrote.
"love when the refs let the fight go on instead of breaking it up as soon as someones helmet pops off" a user commented.
"need more of this in the game." another user wrote.
Travis Sanheim scored for the Flyers. John Carlson, Jokob Chychrun, Nic Dowd and Andrew Mangiapane scored for the Capitals.
Charlie Lindgren stopped 17 shots while Samuel Ersson stopped 25 shots for the Flyers.
The two teams meet again on Wednesday night at Capital One Arena.