Watch: Flyers’ Travis Konecny Fights Jets’ Neal Pionk, Gets Gordie Howe Hat Trick

Philadelphia Flyers All-Star Travis Konecny kicked things off against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night with an all-star beatdown.

Konecny tried creating a little bit of magic by himself on the rush when Jets defenseman Neal Pionk impeded him, getting his mitts up high and around Konecny’s back. The Flyers winger took offense, and after one shove, threw the gloves to the floor. Take a look in the clip below:

Travis Konecny and Neal Pionk have a go at it. 👀 pic.twitter.com/EIEx1CKxX3

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 9, 2024

The two exchanged some body shots, twisted, turned, shoved, and switched grappling positions a few times. It was ultimately Konecny who got the best of the fight, landing a few more body shots before slinging Pionk to the ice and falling on top of him.

Konecny ultimately got the last laugh, too; with 5:57 remaining, Konecny got a lucky bounce off Pionk’s stick, allowing him to score and double the Flyers’ lead to two goals late in the first period. Before that, it was Tyson Foerster who scored on a beautiful one-two with Ryan Poehling on the rush to open the scoring.

This fight with Pionk was Konecny’s first fight for the Flyers in nearly two years. His last came on Nov. 12, 2022, when he dropped the gloves with Ottawa Senators defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker. This was Konecny’s eight-career NHL fight, and only his third since 2019.

Konecny completed his Gordie Howe hat trick attempt with time winding down in the first period. With the goal and the fight already in the bag, the 26-year-old picked up a secondary assist on Morgan Frost’s goal with less than two minutes to go before the first intermission.

Konecny now has 24 goals, 21 assists, and 45 points on the season after his first period performance against the Jets.

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