Fight: Bruins Clifton Feeds Aube-Kubel Right Hands

Midway through the first period of tonight’s Boston Bruins-Philadelphia Flyers battle for first place in the East Division at the Wells Fargo Center, Bruins defenseman Connor Clifton laid a thunderous hit on Philadelphia Flyers forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel. Kubel didn’t like the hit apparently, challenged Clifton to a fight and the Bruins rearguard obliged.

Connor Clifton more than held his own as he got three right uppercuts in on Aube-Kubel, the second hitting him in right in the kisser on the chin. Kubel was definitely stunned but kept it together to come back and make it a fight. Clifton lost his balance at the end but on the BHN scorecard, he got the decision.

This was the second fight in a Bruins uniform for Connor Clifton after dropping the gloves with then Dallas Stars center Jason Spezza in his NHL debut on November 16, 2018. The 5-11, 175-pound rearguard continues to show that he can play physical, stand up game at the NHL level, and could be establishing a regular spot in the lineup even when Matt Grzelcyk returns from injury.

TThe Boston Bruins were tied 0-0 after one period of play and were able to kill off a 4-on-3 Flyers power play and 5-on-4 man advantage consecutively at the end of the opening frame. They will try to carry the momentum that penalty kill and Connor Clifton could give them into the second period and The Boston Bruins sweep a two-game set with the Flyers for the second time this season. If the Bruins win, they take over sole possession of first place in the East Division