As the game enters the first period, with just under 5 minutes left on the clock, the Maple Leafs' veteran forward, Wayne Simmonds, who was recently called up for this game, engages in a physical altercation with Michael Pezzetta, a young forward from the Montreal Canadiens. The two players drop their gloves, signaling the start of a fight.
Simmonds, known for his physicality and strength on the ice, quickly gains the upper hand in the fight and lands a powerful punch that knocks Pezzetta to the ice. The crowd erupts in cheers as Simmonds is declared the victor of the scuffle. This altercation serves as a reminder of the intense rivalry between the two teams and sets the tone for the rest of the game.