#hockey #sports #entertainment
Superman Punch in the NHL? Oh, it happened—and it was wild.
During the 2024–2025 NHL season, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit pulled off a move straight out of a comic book: a full-blown Superman punch on Utah Hockey Club’s Michael Kesselring. It went down during a heated second-period fight in a March matchup, and it instantly became one of the most talked-about moments of the season.
🧊 What Went Down
Benoit jumped into the air and threw the punch at Kesselring’s helmet.
Despite the dramatic flair, the punch didn’t land as effectively as Benoit hoped—Kesselring shook it off and took control of the fight.
Benoit dislocated his thumb during the scuffle but reset it himself in the penalty box. No medic. Just grit.
💬 Benoit’s Reasoning
He later explained that he wanted to energize his team and protect teammate Bobby McMann, who had been targeted earlier in the game. “I felt I had an opening there, and I just took it,” Benoit said.
🎯 Impact
The Leafs had been on a losing streak, and Benoit’s goal and fight helped shift momentum.
The game ended in a shootout win for Toronto, making Benoit’s first goal of the season—and his airborne punch—a memorable combo.
