The Bell Centre was electric, but it wasn’t just the roar of the crowd or the clash of sticks that made last night unforgettable. It was a single, heart-stopping moment—a flash of raw courage and fierce loyalty—that sent a surge of adrenaline through every seat in Montreal. The ice was littered with the echoes of a brutal hit, bodies colliding, tempers flaring, and then, like a bolt of lightning, Ivan Demidov was there. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t flinch. He saw a teammate in trouble, and in the blink of an eye, he transformed from skilled forward to fearless enforcer.

The sequence unfolded faster than anyone could process. Juraj Slafkovsky, vulnerable and exposed, was leveled by the towering Rasmus Ristolainen—a hit that reverberated through the boards and left fans gasping. But before the Flyers could celebrate, Demidov launched himself into the fray. With a cross-check that seemed to shake the very foundation of the rink, he stood up to the big Finnish defenseman, sending a clear message: this team protects its own. The penalty that followed was almost beside the point; it was the intent, the fire, the unmistakable pulse of leadership that set the arena ablaze.

Social media erupted. Clips of Demidov’s intervention ricocheted across Twitter, Instagram, and every corner of the hockey world. Fans and analysts alike weighed in, some praising the young forward’s guts, others debating the wisdom of putting his team at a disadvantage. But one thing was certain—no one could ignore what had just happened. The image of Demidov, undaunted and unyielding, defending Slafkovsky against a notorious bruiser, was instantly iconic. It was the kind of moment that transcends statistics and box scores, the kind that forges legends and bonds teams in ways that can’t be measured.

Inside the locker room, the mood was different. Players nodded with respect, a silent acknowledgment that Demidov had done something special. Slafkovsky himself, still feeling the sting of Ristolainen’s hit, wore a look of gratitude that needed no words. Even as the Canadiens regrouped, down a man but up in spirit, the significance of Demidov’s gesture was clear. It wasn’t about revenge; it was about standing up, about heart, about the unwritten code that binds hockey players together.

As for the coaches, opinions varied. Some questioned the risk, others applauded the passion. But for the thousands who watched, who cheered, who felt the surge of pride as Demidov took on a giant, the verdict was unanimous: this was a moment to remember. The Canadiens may have faced adversity on the scoreboard, but in that instant, they showed the kind of unity and resolve that defines champions.

What happens next? How will Demidov’s bold stand shape his reputation, his future, and the team’s destiny? The answers lie ahead, but one thing is certain—the echoes of last night’s drama will linger long after the ice has been cleared. To truly understand what this means for Montreal, for Demidov, and for the game itself, you’ll need to read on.

Dec 16, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadians forward Ivan Demidov (93) gets a penalty for crosschecking Philadelphia Flyers (55) during the first period at the Bell Centre.

Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

The young Montreal Canadiens forward, Ivan Demidov, generated a lot of buzz last night.

And for the right reasons.

We know he is a talented player, but last night against the Philadelphia Flyers, we also saw that he is a player with character and someone who is absolutely ready to stand up for his teammates.

Ivan Demidov immediately rushed to defend Juraj Slafkovsky after a hard hit by defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen

Here is the footage:

We love it! And let’s be honest, Ristolainen is not exactly a small customer.

“Slafkovsky gets rocked by Ristolainen. Furious, Demidov steps in to defend him and delivers a cross-check to the big Finnish defenseman.”

– Nicolas Cloutier, TVA Sports

“Ivan Demidov showing an aggressive side, avenging Juraj Slafkovsky who got rocked with an open ice hit.”

– Marco D’Amico

It’s pretty easy to see just how much the players and fans loved seeing that from the young Demidov.

“Ristolainen obliterates Slafkovsky who had his head down, Demidov takes exception and goes to have a word. He gets two for cross checking”

– Karine Hains, The Hockey News

Personally, I really liked seeing that from the young Demidov.

There’s no doubt the players appreciated it, there’s no doubt Juraj Slafkovsky appreciated it, and let’s say it was quite something to see big Rasmus Ristolainen go down so easily on the ice after Demidov’s hit.

Not his most glorious moment.

As for Demidov, some are saying that Martin St-Louis did not appreciate it because it put his team shorthanded, but I don’t really agree with that.