HOCKEY fans in Toronto witnessed what is being called the "fight of the year." <br /><br />Toronto Maple Leafs star Ryan Reaves traded blows with Columbus Blue Jackets rival Mathieu Olivier. <br /><br />Reaves, 38, is known for being involved in fights during hockey games. <br /><br />Olivier, 27, also has a reputation for not shying away. <br /><br />And it took less than two minutes of the game at Scotiabank Arena for them to be dragged into a brawl. <br /><br />The heavyweights swung punches at his rival as they went at it for almost a minute. <br /><br />The pair were separated by officials after the fight ended in a stalemate. <br /><br />Fighting is a common part of National Hockey League encounters. <br /><br />But it has slowly become less frequent in recent years. <br /><br />Toronto captain Auston Matthews was disappointed with the response from the crowd. <br /><br />He said, "Would've liked a little more energy from the crowd after that. <br /><br />"It was a little quiet tonight, especially after two guys like that go at it. <br /><br />"But it was a great moment for him. I thought gave us some energy on the bench." <br /><br />Columbus took advantage of the subdued atmosphere to score a huge 5-1 road win. <br /><br />Adam Fantilli, who grew up a 40-minute drive from Toronto, scored his first NHL hat trick. <br /><br />He said he had around 70 friends and family in attendance and footed a large bill for their tickets. <br /><br />"A lot of [my money] is gone now, so I’m just happy with the win,” Fantilli laughed. <br /><br />“It means the world to be able to do that in front of my friends and family, everybody made the trip out. <br /><br />"I’m super grateful they all came out and I was able to pull one off there. <br /><br />"I was really lucky, they had some great seats so I was able to make eye contact with a few of them after the first and second periods. <br /><br />"So it was pretty special to be able to see their faces.” <br /><br />Toronto is top of the Atlantic Division in the NHL's Eastern Conference. <br /><br />Columbus, meanwhile, sits fourth in the Metropolitan Division.
