While fighting is generally a thing of the past in the NHL, it hasn't gone away for good.
That point was proven Thursday night in Winnipeg when the Jets played host to the Dallas Stars. Dallas captain Jamie Benn and Winnipeg defenseman Dustin Byfuglien threw down the gloves at Bell MTS Place after Byfuglien slammed Alex Radulov into the wall early in the second period.
Boom. 💥 pic.twitter.com/xLsaW0tiTD
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) November 3, 2017
After that, the fight was on.
This is a heavyweight fight. Jamie Benn vs. Dustin Byfuglien. pic.twitter.com/NIeQoIfcfK
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) November 3, 2017
The Stars' Twitter account certainly seemed proud of the captain for stepping into the bout.
JAMIE BENN IS FIGHTING DUSTIN BYFUGLIEN! Show me a better Captain. #GoStars
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) November 3, 2017
The Jets won 5-2 on the strength of first-period goals by Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine and Tyler Myers. Scheifele scored again early in the third period, and then a third time with less than a minute to go in the game to complete the hat trick.