{"id":391906,"date":"2026-01-06T22:21:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T22:21:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/391906\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T22:21:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T22:21:08","slug":"spencer-carbery-calls-fights-by-brandon-duhaime-and-dylan-mcilrath-the-most-important-part-of-the-game-as-players-give-enforcers-standing-ovation-in-locker-room","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/391906\/","title":{"rendered":"Spencer Carbery calls fights by Brandon Duhaime and Dylan McIlrath \u2018the most important part of the game\u2019 as players give enforcers standing ovation in locker room"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coming into Monday night\u2019s games against the Anaheim Ducks, Spencer Carbery said that he didn\u2019t expect any carryover from Jacob Trouba\u2019s blindside hit on Ryan Leonard<\/a> that injured the rookie forward in December and causing him to miss seven games. The coach\u2019s actions suggested otherwise, however, as he opted to give heavyweight enforcer Dylan McIlrath a jersey for just the sixth time this season.<\/p>\n

Shortly after puck drop, Brandon Duhaime avenged the hit by fighting Trouba in the first period<\/a>, while McIlrath dropped his gloves with Ross Johnston<\/a> for a heavyweight tilt in the second.<\/p>\n

The Capitals throttled the Ducks in the actual hockey game, too, as Justin Sourdif scored his first professional hat trick and registered a career-high five points<\/a>; Connor McMichael had four assists, and Alex Ovechkin scored twice. <\/p>\n

Inside the Capitals\u2019 victorious locker room, Carbery gave a shoutout to several players, including Sourdif, presenting the forward his milestone hat-trick goal puck. But the former minor-league enforcer also had some special praise for Duhaime and McIlrath, which led to a standing ovation from the players.<\/p>\n

Video<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most important part of the f***ing game: Brandon Duhaime, Dylan McIlrath,\u201d Carbery said at the end as the players rose to their feet in acknowledgment. \u201cNice job.\u201d <\/p>\n

Carbery then walked over to each side of the locker room, where he extended fist bumps to McIlrath and Duhaime. \u201cStuck up for their teammates, nice f***ing job.\u201d<\/p>\n

McIlrath responded non-seriously with a finger-gun standoff with Nic Dowd.<\/p>\n

Everything before that final moment was special, too.<\/p>\n

Transcript<\/p>\n

Spencer Carbery: Heck of a job closing it out for the win. And Chuckie that\u2019s not an easy f***ing game to play. Good job.<\/p>\n

(Players clap)<\/p>\n

Spencer Carbery: Someone had their first career hat trick.<\/p>\n

(Carbery walks over as the players yell \u201cCuzzzz\u201d and presents the goal puck to Sourdif. They hug.)<\/p>\n

Spencer Carbery: Congrats, Sourdy.<\/p>\n

(The players then yell \u201cSpeeeeeech\u201d)<\/p>\n

Justin Sourdif: Thanks, boys. You guys make it so fun to come to the rink and when we\u2019re all having fun, I think we\u2019re the best team in the league.<\/p>\n

(applause)<\/p>\n

Spencer Carbery: How many helpers did Mikey have? You had four f***ing helpers.<\/p>\n

Tom Wilson: Savior! The Savior!<\/p>\n

Alex Ovechkin: The savior of the franchise.<\/p>\n

Worth noting: Injured centerman Pierre-Luc Dubois sat with his teammates inside the locker room during the speech. Brian MacLellan also stood and watched at the entrance. The Capitals also received the day off on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

SCHEDULE UPDATE: #Caps<\/a> will be off on Tuesday. The team will hold an optional morning skate on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 10:30 a.m. at @MedStarIceplex<\/a> prior to their game against Dallas.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) January 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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