Without realizing it, we experienced a first on Saturday afternoon during the game between the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers.

As the broadcasters of the game mentioned, for the very first time in his career, Arber Xhekaj refused to drop the gloves.

Martin St-Louis must have been proud, and it shows that the Sheriff really didn’t want to put his team in trouble. (Especially since the officiating was horrible during this game, as St-Louis pointed out).

«We hear the whistle Xhekaj is involved here.. Oh wow!

I’d like this to continue, because Xhekaj rarely, if ever, refuses an opportunity to drop the gloves.

He never refuses! Wow!

– Play by play announcer

Rewatching the scene, it’s clear that Xhekaj completely let it happen and allowed himself to be pushed around by Carrick.

An unusual scene involving Arber Xhekaj and Sam Carrick

Personally, I have absolutely never seen this before.

Xhekaj being classless, as per usual. #NYR pic.twitter.com/Xj5qbH2nvE

— Snark Messier (@NYRFanatic)

November 30, 2024

Sam Carrick really instigated it, but the Sheriff never flinched.

He showed great self-control by refusing the invitation, and that’s to his credit.

That likely explains why Martin St-Louis hasn’t been sending him to the press box recently.

Xhekaj is truly focusing on his play between whistles, and that’s a great thing as long as he doesn’t lose too much of his identity.

Personally, would you have preferred if the Sheriff dropped the gloves, or do you believe he made the right decision?

The young 6-foot-4, 240-pound defenseman, Xhekaj, 23, has tallied 2 points in 20 games this season while maintaining a -7 rating with 25 penalty minutes.

Last season, he accumulated 81 penalty minutes in just 44 games, so we’re seeing a big difference compared to 2023-2024.