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NHL Makes Decision on Hurricanes Player's Illegal UFC Fight Move

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Treppedi | Last updated Apr 3, 2025 1:00 PM ET

Things got chippy down the stretch in the Carolina Hurricanes' 5-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

In the third period, there was a seven-minute window where 120 penalty minutes were distributed.

This included Hurricanes' defenseman Jalen Chatfield dropping the gloves with Capitals forward Connor McMichael. During the scuff, Chatfield used a dangerous takedown move that is not kosher to hockey fighting.

Chatfield grabbed McMichael's jersey from both the front and back and used his leg to throw McMichael, who had no helmet on, off balance and slam him down to the ice.

McMichael did not get injured in the fight.

Both players received 10-minute game misconducts, but Chatfield's UFC-like move stirred controversy across the hockey world with many calling for a suspension.

According to the Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli, the league is not expected to discipline Chatfield.

Not expecting any supplemental discipline for #Canes Jalen Chatfield from @NHLPlayerSafety for his takedown of #allcaps Connor McMichael during their fight on Wednesday night.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 3, 2025

Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery disagreed with many of the calls that were made during the loss.

"There were just a few plays before [the Chatfield takedown] that, you know... player safety is a big thing," Carbery said. "Guys are so good at policing each other on what's dangerous or what's not and there were a few dangerous plays that start to get... you can feel the temperature raising.

"There's a couple subtle instances in that game, when the game is the score that it is, that's where the refs, if they miss something, that's where players start to police themselves and go, look, this went on here. I feel like player safety becomes an issue and obviously guys are going to stick up for one another."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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