The Philadelphia Flyers are hosting the Chicago Blackhawks at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night, and things did not get off to a great start in South Philly.
Lukas Reichel and Philipp Kurashev potted first period goals to grant Chicago a shocking 2-0 lead early.
With the Flyers again looking lifeless, similarly to Thursday’s defeat in Montreal, Scott Laughton stepped up to the plate, dropping the gloves with Hawks forward Ryan Donato.
Laughton is not really known to be a fighter, but he’s been a Flyers player for long enough to know when the team needs a kick in the pants. Laughton is also one of the most well-respected and tenured players on the Flyers, and this fight shows his leadership by example.
The grizzly Flyers forward scored a couple of hits on Donato as the two grappled closer and closer to the glass nearby. This fight was more of a lightweight fight than what most are accustomed to seeing with Nick Seeler and Nick Deslauriers, but Laughton still got the job done for the Flyers. Easy decision in favor of No. 21.
For Laughton, this was his first fight of the season, and first fight in over two calendar years. Laughton last fought for the Flyers back on Feb. 17, 2022, dropping the mitts with Washington Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk.
Laughton did not record a fight last season, and has not had more than one fight in a season since the 2017-18 season when he was involved in two.
To start the second period against Chicago, Tyson Foerster ripped a goal from the high slot to get the Flyers back in the game at 2-1. This was the 20th goal of the season for Foerster, who now trails Connor Bedard by one.
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