March 11, 2025 5: 10 pm ET
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit broke the internet Tuesday night when he attempted a Superman punch during a center-ice fight.
With his team up 3-0 early in the second period, Benoit obliged a challenge from Utah Hockey Club defenseman Michael Kesselring. The two dropped the gloves and squared off before Benoit leaped high up off the ice with a mid-air swing toward Kesselring.
The move generated a critique from someone who knows the move better than anyone as UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre loved the attempt but was not impressed with Benoit’s performance.
“Superman Punch in the NHL last night,” Pierre wrote on X on Tuesday. “He missed the target because he telegraphed too much but the picture is awesome.”
Despite the whiff, Benoit and Kesselring still threw down in a quick, spirited scrap. Benoit definitely connected with something – potentially helmet – as he was seen resetting his thumb in the penalty box thereafter.
The supe