<p>Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves entered his first fight of the year, squaring off against Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier early in the first period of Wednesday&#8217;s game.</p>
<p>Reaves asked Olivier to fight during the faceoff, and the two enforcers dropped their gloves in a heavyweight tilt that was reminiscent of a previous age.</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s a video of the fight:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Reaves vs Olivier <a href="https://t.co/BsbeSVlKbu">pic.twitter.com/BsbeSVlKbu</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Omar (@TicTacTOmar) <a href="https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1882228596665876795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Reaves had not participated in a fight all season, with some calling into question what his purpose is in the Maple Leafs&#8217; lineup, with just two assists on the season. There wasn&#8217;t an inciting incident but it may have fired the Maple Leafs, who quickly gained a power play shortly thereafter.</p>
<p>As for the fight, Olivier dropped Reaves early, but he got back up and the two players landed a number of crushing blows, before the referees intervened. Reaves seemed to appreciate Olivier for taking on the fight, as both players headed to the penalty box.</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Jay Rosehill Breaks Down Ryan Reaves vs. Mathieu Olivier Fight 🔥🥊" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HFLXi8A5eZc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>&#8220;Yeah, it’s the longest I’ve gone without one. I would like one, for sure,&#8221; Reaves said to Sportsnet&#8217;s Luke Fox on <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/ryan-reaves-is-puzzled-he-hasnt-fought-anyone-in-2024-25">January 14</a>. &#8220;I mean, that’s what I’m here for. Or part of the reason I’m here. To not have one this late in season is new for me. So, I would definitely like one or two soon.&#8221;</p>
<p>Reaves previously challenged Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathway to a fight and Montreal Canadiens enforcer Arber Xhekaj appeared to decline an invitation on Saturday night, after the first period, which may have provided the Leafs with some inadvertent momentum, rallying back for a 7-3 victory.</p>
<p>&#8220;When you’re a younger guy and you do that to somebody who’s been in the league for that long, maybe that guy’s not going to give you one when you need one,&#8221; Reaves said of Xhekaj on <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/ryan-reaves-arber-xhekaj-turning-down-his-invitation-fight-its-a-tough-look-leafs-canadiens">Monday</a>. &#8220; Anytime there’s a fight now somebody needs some momentum. If he needed momentum and asked me and I give it to him, then I expect it back and I would have obliged if he would have done it there.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">thats a good poke check </p>
<p>Reaves may have had him five-hole <a href="https://t.co/kCtgTfpt7F">pic.twitter.com/kCtgTfpt7F</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Omar (@TicTacTOmar) <a href="https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1882233463971180700?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Reaves almost scored on his first shift out of the box, and perhaps it may have reinvigorated a more complete effort overall. Who do you think won the fight? We&#8217;ll let you be the judge.</p>
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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves entered his first fight of the year, squaring off against Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier early in the first period of Wednesday's game.

Reaves asked Olivier to fight during the faceoff, and the two enforcers dropped their gloves in a heavyweight tilt that was reminiscent of a previous age.

Here's a video of the fight:

https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1882228596665876795

Reaves had not participated in a fight all season, with some calling into question what his purpose is in the Maple Leafs' lineup, with just two assists on the season. There wasn't an inciting incident but it may have fired the Maple Leafs, who quickly gained a power play shortly thereafter.

As for the fight, Olivier dropped Reaves early, but he got back up and the two players landed a number of crushing blows, before the referees intervened. Reaves seemed to appreciate Olivier for taking on the fight, as both players headed to the penalty box.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFLXi8A5eZc

"Yeah, it’s the longest I’ve gone without one. I would like one, for sure," Reaves said to Sportsnet's Luke Fox on <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/ryan-reaves-is-puzzled-he-hasnt-fought-anyone-in-2024-25">January 14</a>. "I mean, that’s what I’m here for. Or part of the reason I’m here. To not have one this late in season is new for me. So, I would definitely like one or two soon."

Reaves previously challenged Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathway to a fight and Montreal Canadiens enforcer Arber Xhekaj appeared to decline an invitation on Saturday night, after the first period, which may have provided the Leafs with some inadvertent momentum, rallying back for a 7-3 victory.

"When you’re a younger guy and you do that to somebody who’s been in the league for that long, maybe that guy’s not going to give you one when you need one," Reaves said of Xhekaj on <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/ryan-reaves-arber-xhekaj-turning-down-his-invitation-fight-its-a-tough-look-leafs-canadiens">Monday</a>. " Anytime there’s a fight now somebody needs some momentum. If he needed momentum and asked me and I give it to him, then I expect it back and I would have obliged if he would have done it there."

https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1882233463971180700

Reaves almost scored on his first shift out of the box, and perhaps it may have reinvigorated a more complete effort overall. Who do you think won the fight? We'll let you be the judge.
<div>
<h2><strong>Join us for the first-ever TLN Nation Vacation!</strong></h2>
</div>
<a href="https://nationgear.ca/products/nation-vacation-toronto-to-nashville-2025"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-115002" src="https://publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2099/08/TLN_Nashville_article-1.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" /></a>
<div>

Alright, hockey fans, this isn’t just a trip—it’s the <a href="https://nationgear.ca/products/nation-vacation-toronto-to-nashville-2025">Nation Vacation</a>, and we’re heading to the Music City from March 20th to 23rd! Get ready to watch Toronto take on Nashville in their own barn, soak up the honky-tonk vibes, and make unforgettable memories with the Nation crew. Whether you’re all in for a flight package or prefer a non-flight option, we’ve got you covered. Just don’t wait—spots are limited, and this trip is going to be electric. Book your spot NOW at <a href="https://nationgear.ca/products/nation-vacation-toronto-to-nashville-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://nationgear.ca&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1734810980719000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0_i7FzyATbvkLHQ3ApMxZH">nationgear.ca</a>. Let’s go, Toronto! Nashville is calling!

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Ryan Reaves enters heavyweight tilt vs. Blue Jackets’ Mathieu Olivier for 1st fight of season

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