"Sourdif's ornery first period started when he received a cross-check to the head from Senators forward Drake Batherson right before Tom Wilson put the Capitals up 1-0 in the contest. Sourdif had just put a rebound attempt off of goaltender Leevi Merilainen's pads when Batherson ran him over. The 23-year-old centerman earned his seventh assist of the season on Wilson's marker."
"Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot went back in his own zone to make a clear on the penalty kill, but kept his head down as he came around the net. Sourdif, now in a testy mood, demolished the veteran blueliner, sending him flying to the ice as if he were runover by Tom Wilson. Chabot got up slowly, sporting a cut on his cheek from where his visor impacted his face."
"Batherson and Sourdif then became reacquainted with 5:35 remaining in the opening frame. With Rasmus Sandin holding the puck behind Washington's net, Batherson challenged Sourdif to a fight, forcing him to answer for the big hit on Chabot. Sourdif took a few blows from Batherson, but got up and continued in the bout, receiving huge stick taps from the Capitals bench. The two combatants each received five-minute major penalties for fighting."
Justin Sourdif recorded his first career multi-goal game and then became physical early in the 2026 calendar year. He was cross-checked to the head by Drake Batherson after a rebound attempt off Leevi Merilainen's pads. Sourdif responded 1:28 later by drilling Thomas Chabot on a power play, sending the veteran defenseman to the ice and causing a cut from a visor impact. Batherson and Sourdif fought with 5:35 remaining in the first; both received five-minute majors. The fight was Sourdif's first in the NHL; he had two prior pro fights last season with the AHL Charlotte Checkers. He finished the period with one hit, one shot, one assist and five penalty minutes, raising his season total to 17 PIMs.
Read at RMNB
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]