Canadiens-Senators Pre-season Game Notches A Record-High 124 Penalty Minutes

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Canadiens Dominate Senators in High-Penalty Clash, Rookie Faces Injury

MONTREAL – A physical contest between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators culminated in a decisive 5-0 victory for Montreal, but sadly, was overshadowed by a flurry of penalties and a concerning injury. The game featured a total of 124 penalty minutes, fueled by a series of escalating clashes between players.

brothers at the Centre of the Conflict

The most notable element of the heated matchup was the involvement of the Xhekaj brothers, Arber and Florian, both Canadiens players. Florian initiated combat in the first period, battling with Jan Jenik of the Senators. The rivalry continued in the second frame, as Arber and Jenik traded blows. The third period saw the Xhekaj brothers involved in multiple skirmishes; Arber engaged with Zack MacEwen, while Florian went head-to-head with Carter Yakemchuk near the Canadiens bench.

Player	Team	Penalty(s)	Penalty Minutes
Florian Xhekaj	Montreal Canadiens	Fighting	10 + 10
Arber Xhekaj	Montreal Canadiens	Fighting	11 + 10
Jan Jenik	Ottawa Senators	Fighting	10 + 10
Zack macewen	Ottawa Senators	Fighting	10
Carter Yakemchuk	Ottawa Senators	Fighting	10

Did You Know? Hockey is frequently enough lauded for its physicality, but extreme penalty tallies, like the one in this game, are uncommon in modern play.

Injury Concerns for Canadiens Prospect

Beyond the fighting, the game also saw Ottawa forward Nick Cousins receive a slashing penalty against Canadiens rookie Ivan Demidov. the incident led to a misconduct penalty for Cousins, and sadly, Demidov was unable to return to the game, raising concerns about his condition.

Canadiens Power Play dominates

Despite the chaos, the Canadiens showcased offensive prowess. Goals from Oliver Kapanen, Patrik Laine, Alexandre Carrier, Lane Hutson, and Kirby Dach, including three tallies on the power play, propelled them to the 5-0 win.

Rematch on the Horizon

The two teams will quickly regroup for another pre-season meeting, with the Canadiens hosting the Senators at the Bell Centre on Saturday.Their first regular-season contest is scheduled for November 1st.

Will the fallout from this physical game impact the upcoming rematch? How crucial is Demidov’s health to the Canadiens early season success?

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How did the high penalty count specifically hinder the pre-season evaluation process for both coaching staffs?

The Brawl in Brossard: A Deep Dive into the Penalty-Filled Contest

On September 26, 2025, a pre-season game between the Montreal canadiens adn the Ottawa Senators at the Bell Centre in Brossard, Quebec, descended into chaos, resulting in a staggering 124 penalty minutes. This figure shattered previous pre-season records and sparked widespread discussion about the intensity of the rivalry and the potential implications for the upcoming NHL season. The game, ultimately won 4-3 by the Senators in overtime, will be remembered more for its physicality and disciplinary issues than its on-ice skill.

Breakdown of the Penalties: What Happened?

The penalty tally wasn’t a slow accumulation; it was a series of escalating incidents.Here’s a breakdown of the key moments contributing to the record:

* First Period Flare-Up: The initial tension began midway through the first period with a boarding penalty on Canadiens forward Michael Pezzetta, followed by a retaliatory roughing minor assessed to Senators defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker.

* Second Period Eruptions: The second period saw the majority of the penalties handed out. A major altercation involving multiple players – including Canadiens’ josh Anderson and Senators’ Brady Tkachuk – resulted in game misconducts for both, alongside several fighting majors. This single incident accounted for over 40 penalty minutes.

* Late-Game Aggression: Even with the game nearing its conclusion, the intensity didn’t subside. A cross-checking penalty on Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle and a subsequent unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Senators coach D.J. Smith added to the escalating total.

* Total Penalty Minute Distribution:

* Fighting majors: 14 (28 minutes)

* Game Misconducts: 4 (20 minutes)

* Roughing Minors: 6 (12 minutes)

* Boarding: 2 (4 minutes)

* Cross-Checking: 1 (2 minutes)

* Unsportsmanlike Conduct: 2 (2 minutes)

* Other Minor Penalties (Tripping, Hooking): 5 (10 minutes)

Key Players Involved & Disciplinary Fallout

Several players found themselves at the center of the on-ice mayhem.

* Josh Anderson (MTL): Received a game misconduct and fighting major.

* Brady Tkachuk (OTT): Received a game misconduct and fighting major.

* Michael Pezzetta (MTL): Involved in multiple altercations,accumulating several penalties.

* Jacob Bernard-Docker (OTT): Received a roughing minor and was involved in the escalating tensions.

* Kaiden Guhle (MTL): Received a cross-checking penalty late in the game.

Following the game, the NHL announced supplemental discipline. Anderson and Tkachuk each received one-game suspensions for their roles in the second-period brawl.Pezzetta was fined $2,500 for instigating an incident. The league emphasized the need for players to control their emotions, even in pre-season contests. This highlights the NHL’s commitment to player safety and maintaining a level of respect on the ice.

Past Context: comparing to Other High-Penalty Games

While 124 penalty minutes is a record for a pre-season game,it’s important to contextualize it within NHL history. The highest penalty minute total in a regular-season game occurred on March 16, 1997, between the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche, totaling 194 penalty minutes. This infamous game, known as “Fight Night at the Joe,” featured several major fights and set a benchmark for on-ice aggression.

However, the Canadiens-Senators game stands out in the pre-season context. Pre-season games are typically less physical as teams focus on evaluating players and implementing systems. This level of intensity suggests a particularly heated rivalry or a deliberate attempt by both teams to establish a physical presence early in the season. Examining past Canadiens vs.Senators matchups reveals a history of competitive, frequently enough physical, contests.

Impact on Team Dynamics & Pre-Season Evaluation

The high penalty count had several implications for both teams:

* Disrupted Pre-Season Plans: The numerous penalties disrupted the flow of the game and limited opportunities for coaches to assess players in game situations.

* Potential for Injuries: The increased physicality raised concerns about potential injuries, especially for players vying for roster spots.

* Roster Implications: The suspensions handed down by the NHL impacted team lineups for subsequent pre-season games.

* Message Sent: The game served as a clear message to both teams about the need for discipline and emotional control.

The Role of Rivalry & Pre-Season Intensity

The Canadiens-Senators rivalry has been steadily building in recent years, fueled by close games and playoff matchups. Pre-season games, while ostensibly about readiness, often carry an undercurrent of intensity as players compete for positions and teams attempt to establish an identity. The combination of thes factors likely contributed to the volatile atmosphere in Brossard. The desire to send a message to the opposing