Toronto Maple Leafs: Top Five Fights 2014-2015

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Mar 21, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Zach Sill (22) fights with Ottawa Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki (74) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Maple Leafs 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs had their lowest fight total (24) in a single season since 2006-2007 as the in-game combat continues to decline around the league.

The fine folks over at hockeyfights.com don’t miss a single one.

In this post we’ll look at the Toronto Maple Leafs top five scraps of the 2014-2015 NHL season based off of the voting on hockeyfights.com.

The voting for the fights doesn’t necessarily mean the Leafs player won, so if you’re not a Leaf fan and want to see a few bouts resulting in losses for the buds then stick around.

Without further ado, here are the top five rated fights involving Toronto Maple Leafs players.

Next: 5. Holzer v. Wilson (5.3)

Korbinian Holzer v. Tom Wilson (5.3) – November 29th, 2014

After a shoving match along the boards behind the goal line, Wilson and Holzer had enough of each other – or perhaps just Wilson had enough of Holzer – and dropped the mitts.

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Unfortunately for Holzer, Wilson is a tough customer – and well out of Holzer’s fight realm. Wilson isn’t liked by many people, but he can throw punches.

It’s pretty safe to say that Holzer bit off more than he could chew – even though he might not have had much of a choice – so good on the referee’s for getting in as quick as possible without receiving their own feeding of Wilson’s punches along the way.

Next: 4. Brodie v. Clifford (5.4)

Troy Brodie v. Kyle Clifford (5.4) – January 12th, 2015

Kyle Clifford is a hard hitter who likes to drop the gloves. After a mutual agreement between the two the shenanigans began. A couple soft jabs to start, followed by Clifford taking control of the fight with a few big connections.

Clifford’s big wing span was able to keep Brodie at bay for the bout.

Ultimately, this fight went slightly better for Brodie than the previous fight for Holzer went. The result was the same, another loss for the Leafs – which, being in January, was nothing out of the ordinary.

Next: 3. Panik v. Smith (5.8)

Richard Panik v. Brendan Smith (5.8) – December 13th, 2014

This is my favorite fight of the post.

Panik was enraged and it was a completely emotional fight between unlikely partners. A hit by Panik, a slash by Smith and a cross check that broke over Panik’s arm preceded the bout.

These two were not happy with each other – which usually results in good entertainment.

Panik tugged the jersey over Smiths bucket and started feeding him. Chalk this one up for the good guys.

Next: 2. Sill v. Ott (6.2)

Zach Sill v. Steve Ott (6.2) – March 7th, 2015

The classic ‘this shift is a wash, fight off the draw’ battle.

The best part about this fight is how smoothly Sill transitions from fighting right handed to going southpaw.

When Sill switched mid-fight it was too much for Ott to handle and Sill caught him with a hard left hand to end the fight. Sill was a throw in for the Daniel Winnik trade but he did provide some truculence – much to the delight of former GM Brian Burke, I’m sure.

Another ‘W’ for the Leafs.

Next: 1. Sill v. Borowiecki (6.3)

Zach Sill v. Mark Borowiecki (6.3) – March 21st, 2015

Mark Borowiecki clobbered Panik at the blueline after Panik was chasing a suicide pass from Dion Phaneuf. It was a clean check but, as the announcers said, these days clean checks are sometimes ones that require answering.

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Sill got busted up a little during the fight but it was a good, even, scrap for both sides. Both players can throw big punches and both are tough fighters.

There was no hesitation by Borowiecki – who never backs down from an altercation – after the hit as he knew who was on the ice at the time. Good scrap, I’ll call it even.

Toronto finishes the top five rated fights with a 2-2-1 record – which is considerably better than their actual record in the standings this year, so there’s a positive.

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