Arber Xhekaj gave fans at the Bell Centre something to roar about on Wednesday night, dropping the gloves with Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry in a fiery centre-ice showdown.
The spark came moments after Lowry laid a heavy hit on Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier. Xhekaj wasted no time stepping in, making it clear he wasn’t about to let a teammate get run without an answer. What followed was a tense scrap between two tough competitors, not overly long, but absolutely filled with purpose.
The crowd erupted the moment the linesmen stepped in, and Xhekaj fed off every decibel.
As he skated back to the bench and then down the tunnel, he pumped the crowd on his way to the Canadiens dressing room. For a team in need of momentum, it was a moment that shifted the entire mood in the arena.
Whether you see it as leadership, accountability, or simply Xhekaj being Xhekaj, one thing is certain: the Canadiens’ young blue liner made a statement.
After a few games of fans wondering where was his fire, he stood up for a teammate, challenged the opposing captain, and electrified the building, all in one sequence.
Watch the fight below:
