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Arber Xhekaj settles Zack MacEwen’s account (again)

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 2:42 AM ET

Late in the second period of the game between the Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators, fans were treated to a bloody spectacle. It all started with tough-as-nails Hayden Hodgson checking the stunned Newhook in the back. Carrier was close to the action and rushed to Hodgson to give him a message, but Hodgson didn’t hesitate to throw down the gloves and land several big punches. And soon after, there was some big talk including Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble, Zack MacEwen and Jan Jenik. Struble took a stick to Jenik’s face, and Xhekaj settled the score with MacEwen (for the second preseason in a row). Things are hopping in Quebec City.Here are the furious fights involving the Habs’ two defensemen:

Jayden Struble caught Jan Jenik with a cross-check to the chin, Zack MacEwen got involved, Arber Xhekaj gave him the business, and then Struble dropped Jenik in a scrap….

And all this coming during a stoppage after another scrap pic.twitter.com/o2cF4FToOv– Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) October 1, 2025

There were numerous penalties on the sequence. But it was a complete five-on-three for the Habs: a two-minute minor and a five-minute major. Unfortunately, the Habs couldn’t capitalize on this five-on-three late in the second period, with Struble and Xhekaj heading back to the dressing room late in the second. Hodgson, MacEwen and Jenik also left, Jenik with a bloodied face and MacEwen knocked out (again) by Arber Xhekaj, just like in last year’s preseason. spacer title=’Prolongation’] In a game like this, you had to expect a lot of shuffling. There were already stories from the past (Xhekaj vs. MacEwen) and Hodgson’s dirty move broke the camel’s back.Florian Xhekaj was also seen fighting with Jan Jenik in the first half, and this also carried over into the third period.

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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