San Jose Sharks veteran forward Ryan Reaves was knocked out cold during a one-on-one center ice fight with Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier in a late-game altercation that drew immediate attention across the league.

The fight took place late in the second period and unfolded at center ice, with both players squaring off in a planned exchange. Reaves and Olivier are widely known around the NHL for their willingness to fight, and the matchup featured two players recognized for their physical roles and past confrontations.

The altercation marked a rematch between the two players, who previously fought earlier in the season in January.

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That earlier bout set the stage for another confrontation when the two teams met again, and the second encounter escalated quickly once the gloves dropped.

During the exchange, Olivier landed a punch that knocked Reaves to the ice.

Reaves was down momentarily following the blow, prompting officials to intervene and bring the fight to an end.

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Following the game, Reaves addressed the fight and the outcome, acknowledging Olivier’s reputation and the result of the exchange.

“He’s one of the toughest in the league,” Reaves said after the fight.

“It’s the first time I’ve been caught knocked down like that. But when you go up against a guy like that, I’m 38 and getting a little older, so eventually I was gonna get caught. Today was the day, so we’ll get him back next time.”

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Reaves further explained how the fight came together during the game, saying that Olivier initiated the confrontation as a way to shift momentum for Columbus.

“You know, they had no momentum, and Olivier asked me,” Reaves explained.

“If I say ‘No’ and I need one later, he’s going to say ‘No.’ There’s not a lot of guys that are willing to give guys anymore. And I know in the future, one day, I’m going to need one from him, and I’m sure he’ll give it to me. That’s all that was.”

According to Reaves, the decision to accept the fight was based on a mutual understanding between players who fill similar roles and have faced each other before.

The exchange followed the informal code that still exists among a small group of NHL players willing to engage when asked.

After being knocked down, Reaves was evaluated by team medical staff under the NHL’s concussion protocol.

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He was later cleared to return to the game after the evaluation was completed.

The Sharks confirmed that Reaves did not require further medical attention following the assessment and was able to resume play.

The fight added another chapter to the ongoing history between Reaves and Olivier, who had already established a familiarity through their earlier meeting in January of last year.

Both players have built reputations as physical enforcers, and their willingness to engage remains a defining part of their roles on their respective teams.

The incident occurred late in the second period, with both teams continuing play after officials restored order at center ice.

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Reaves’ comments following the game focused on respect between players who agree to fight and the understanding that such exchanges can serve a purpose within the flow of a game.

He emphasized that his decision was based on maintaining that understanding for future situations.

The Sharks and Blue Jackets completed the remainder of the game following the incident, with Reaves available after being cleared under league protocol.

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