Kurtis MacDermid (23) and New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) fight – Source: Imagn

The game between the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils saw tensions boil over after a massive hit by Kurtis MacDermid on Alexander Romanov. In the second period, Romanov had the puck at center ice when MacDermid swiftly advanced to deliver a shoulder-to-shoulder hit to the Islanders defenseman.

Romanov’s teammate Scott Mayfield was visibly upset by the hit and immediately engaged to fight with MacDermid near the net of the Islanders team.

Watch the video here:

Kurtis MacDermid LAYS OUT Alexander Romanov and Scott Mayfield took exception 😱🥊 pic.twitter.com/uT6ikbOVtu

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) October 26, 2024

MacDermid landed a couple of punches while Mayfield pushed him down. The refs stepped in to break it up. Both Mayfield and MacDermid received 5-minute majors for fighting on the play. At the end of the third period, the Islanders and the Devils tied 3-3.

Fans react to Scott Mayfield fighting after Kurtis MacDermid’s massive hit on Romanov

There was a lot of reaction from fans after Kurtis MacDermid delivered a massive hit on Alexander Romanov of the New York Islanders, which led to Scott Mayfield fighting MacDermid in response.

Many fans took to social media to give their take on the incident.

One fan tweeted:

“MacDermid with a massive hit and fight in one game played for the Devils this season. Reaves has played 6 games and has 0 fights”

MacDermid with a massive hit and fight in one game played for the Devils this season. Reaves has played 6 games and has 0 fights

— RGF (@rgfray1) October 26, 2024

Another fan noted:

“Clean hit. Retaliation should be penalized. Only thing about the game that needs to be changed.”

Clean hit. Retaliation should be penalized. Only thing about the game that needs to be changed

— Ginger Cop (@MnCop) October 26, 2024

Here are some fan reactions:

“That was shoulder to shoulder. No reason for him to get mugged.” one fan wrote on X.”If I had a nickel for every time someone currently or formerly associated with the avs to send Romanov’s helmet flying this season, I’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot, but weird it happened twice” another fan wrote.

“Why??!! Why the f**k can’t we play good hard hockey without getting mugged in an ally??” a user commented.”That’s a clean hit I think. We may need to bring the instigator penalty if every time someone makes a clean big hit they have to fight.” another user wrote.

The fans continue to debate about the role of fighting and physical play in hockey.