The Toronto Maple Leafs almost blew another lead on Monday night in a late game against Utah HC. Thanks to goals by Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner in the shootout, the Leafs prevailed 4-3 to end a disastrous road trip for the Leafs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a highlight of the year play during the second period of Monday night's game, and it had nothing to do with a goal or a goaltender making a great save. The highlight was Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit doing his best version of the Superman Punch, which WWE superstar Roman Reigns regularly performs.
For those not familiar with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) or Roman Reigns, he is one of the wrestling company's biggest stars, but he had not been seen since losing at the WWE Premium Live Event - Elimination Chamber in Toronto on March 1st. Reigns made a surprising return on Monday Night Raw to interfere with the main event, which was a steel cage match between CM Punk and Seth Rollins. His interference will surely set up a triple-threat match between Reigns, Punk, and Rollins at Wrestle Mania 41 in April.
The fact that the Leafs Benoit used the move on the same night as Roman Reigns' return is pure drama. After dragging Seth Rollins out of the steel cage, Reigns hit him with the Superman Punch. As a fan of the Leafs and WWE, getting to witness a Superman Punch during both on the same night was highly entertaining.
Toronto Maple Leafs Simon Benoit is a Tough Customer
While sitting in the penalty box, Benoit was caught on camera resetting his thumb, which he dislocated during the fight with Michael Kesselring. People always say that hockey players are a different breed than most athletes and Benoit proved it on Monday night.
Regarding the Superman Punch, here is what a few of the players and head coach Craig Berube had to say about it.
For Benoit, he said he had an opening and just went for it. Benoit's opponent Kesselring said it was a fight, so you know something is coming. I don't think he was expecting a Superman Punch though. Leafs goaltender Jose Woll said he was so taken back by the move that he spaced out for a minute. William Nylander said it was something he wasn't expecting, and head coach Craig Berube said he's taking notes.
Hopefully, the fight and the shootout win will help the Leafs go on a winning streak after losing three in a row. They will be in action on Thursday night at home against the Florida Panthers.