Logan Stankoven got into the first fight of his career after a brawl broke out between the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes in the first period of Tuesday’s game. Nic Dowd ignited the melee after crashing into goaltender Frederik Andersen behind Carolina’s net.
After failing to corral or hold back Brandon Duhaime, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound Stankoven skated from the other side of the net and grabbed Martin Fehervary (third man in, rule 46.16) as the Capitals defenseman wrestled Hurricanes forward Jackson Blake down to the ice.
Both players landed punches and bloodied each other before being sent to their respective penalty boxes. While some might be shaken by the prospect of violence and hand-to-hand combat, Stankoven seemed giddy about the experience.
“Honestly, I really enjoyed it,” Stankoven said per The Hockey News’ Ryan Henkel. “You can’t be afraid of getting in there and getting your hands dirty sometimes.”
He added to WNCN’s Sara Holland, “I’ve never had a fight in my life, but I think things change over time, and I think people change. And I think when you see a teammate down like that and they try and push us around, I’m not going to stand for that. Just tried to jump in there, and next thing you know, gloves are off. And yeah, I thought it was a great fight. ”
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Feheravary held a massive size advantage in the tilt, standing 6 inches taller and weighing 50 pounds heavier. Though Fehervary has little experience fighting, dropping the gloves only twice before with Niko Mikkola of the Rangers and Dylan Cozens of the Sabres.
Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour suggested postgame that the previously fight-less Stankoven was the most physical player on the ice for his team during the scrum.
“It was a tough one because that was the line that was out there,” Brind’Amour said. “You know, he might be the toughest guy we had out there with those groups. But he’s not gonna back down. We know that.”
As for Stankoven, while he was very sure he enjoyed the fight, there was one thing he wasn’t certain about.
“I’m not sure if you can call this a rivalry or not,” he said.
As the 2025 NFL season intensifies, Geno Smith has made one thing abundantly clear: he’s not interested in the off-field chatter, the opinions of critics, or the narratives being spun by the media.
Smith has faced his fair share of criticism throughout his career, with his time with the Seattle Seahawks and now his tenure with the Raiders providing plenty of moments for pundits to weigh in. After a series of inconsistent performances, there’s no shortage of narratives being built around his future in the NFL. But Smith isn’t concerned with the noise — he’s determined to prove himself on the field.
A New Focus: One Play at a Time
For Smith, it’s all about his next opportunity to lead his team to victory. Despite a rough start to the season with the Raiders, Smith is focused on putting the past behind him and moving forward. His statement is a clear indication that he’s choosing to focus on what he can control — his performance, his leadership, and the results on the field.
“I’ve learned to block out the distractions,” Smith continued. “At the end of the day, it’s about what happens when you step onto that field. The rest doesn’t matter. I’m here to play ball, and that’s where my focus is.”
This mindset comes at a critical juncture for Smith. The Raiders are looking for consistency from their quarterback, and Smith knows that he needs to step up and lead this team. With a solid supporting cast around him and a coaching staff committed to his success, Smith is ready to show the world that he’s capable of more than the ups and downs he’s been labeled with in the past.
The Opportunity Ahead
Week 11 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Smith’s season. As the Raiders face a tough opponent, the quarterback’s ability to block out the noise and deliver on the field will be crucial. With his statement, Smith is making it clear that he isn’t going to be defined by the criticism or the narrative that surrounds him. His focus is laser-sharp, and he’s determined to let his play do the talking.
For the Raiders, Smith’s commitment to his role and his no-nonsense approach could be the spark they need to get back on track. His leadership will be key to executing the game plan and finding success in the high-stakes moments. And for Smith, his chance to prove himself on the field has never been more important.
No More Excuses
At this point in his career, Geno Smith has nothing left to prove to anyone except himself. He’s already overcome plenty of obstacles, and now it’s all about taking responsibility for his role in the offense and leading his team with conviction. The past is behind him, and the future is in his hands. Smith has the chance to rewrite the narrative — and he’s doing it with one clear focus: football.
As the Raiders head into the second half of the season, the pressure is on. But with Geno Smith’s mindset firmly on the field, the distractions of the outside world won’t be a factor. The only thing that matters now is what happens when he takes the snap. No distractions, no excuses — just football.