Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf had a couple of run-ins with the Staal brothers on Monday night during their 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Midway through the third period with his team trailing by three goals, Phaneuf flattened Jordan Staal directly in front of Carolina's captain -- and Jordan's older brother -- Eric Staal.
That resulted in this.
Over the weekend I wrote about how teams don't always feel the need to respond to big hits, whether they're dirty or not, and I still believe that to be true. But there are definitely instances where players do step in. And when it involves a couple of brothers, well, that is probably going to be one of those times where somebody steps in.
That is also a pretty decisive win for Phaneuf when it comes to the fight.
But Eric would get some revenge later in the game. Not only because the Hurricanes picked up the win, but because Eric added an empty net goal in the final minute by blasting a slap shot right through Phaneuf. And then he gave him quite a look.
