Earlier in Saturday’s preseason game, Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander targeted Montreal Canadiens defenseman Florian Xhekaj with a run. The confrontation did not end there. Toronto defenseman Marshall Rifai continued the dispute by challenging Florian near center ice, and the ensuing fight exceeded 30 seconds in length.
During a stoppage in play, Arber Xhekaj, the Canadiens defenseman known as “Wifi,” got a phone from a staff member while he was sitting out a two-minute roughing penalty in Montreal. It showed his brother in the fight, and the Sportsnet cameras caught Arber watching the footage before he handed the phone back with a smile. He said the guy just pulled his phone out and showed him the fight, and it was a sick fight.
A clip posted to Reddit captures Arber checking in on his brother from the penalty box, and the moment had already made its way around Canadiens fans before the clip went live. Here is what happened during the incident:
- Arber got a phone from a staff member while serving a two-minute roughing penalty in Montreal
- The phone showed his brother, Florian, in the fight in Toronto
- Sportsnet cameras caught Arber watching the footage before he handed the phone back with a smile
- Arber described it as a sick fight
Playing in Different Cities
The Canadiens divided their roster between simultaneous games at Montreal’s Bell Centre and Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. That meant the Xhekaj brothers were playing in different cities, with Arber in Montreal and Florian in Toronto. The team beat Toronto 4-3 in overtime at home and 4-1 on the road, according to the official game recap.
Arber was in the penalty box when the fight broke out. He did not have to look far to see it — a staff member simply handed him a phone. The moment was caught on camera, and it quickly spread among Canadiens fans. A clip posted to Reddit shows Arber checking in on his brother from the penalty box.
What Arber Said After the Game
The manager mentioned the pause that took place once the match concluded. He explained that there was some time left after the final whistle, which allowed the other man to take out his phone and show him the fight. Arber described it as a sick fight, and he said it’s good for him.
Arber took the phone, observed the fight, smiled, and handed it back. The whole transaction was short and plain.
The Fight That Started It
Prior to the bout, Florian had charged down Nylander during the game, which earned Nylander a slashing penalty. Toronto defenseman Marshall Rifai then came after Florian near center ice, and the two engaged in a fight that went on for more than 30 seconds.
A Familiar Pattern on the Penalty Minutes Leaderboard
While playing for the Laval Rocket last season, Florian was the leader of the team with 182 penalty minutes over 64 games. He is currently looking to earn a full-time spot on Montreal’s roster, a goal he is working towards after making five appearances in NHL games last season.
The 26-year-old led the Montreal Canadiens with 116 penalty minutes during the 2025-26 season, which meant his own trip to the penalty box was a particularly fitting spot to watch his brother throw down.
The Reaction on Reddit
The clip, posted to Reddit, captures Arber checking in on his brother from the penalty box. The moment had already made its way around Canadiens fans before the clip went live.
The Fight’s Whole Story
The bout was a genuine occurrence. It ran for over 30 seconds, and Sportsnet recorded the whole of it. The oddity of the moment grew from the fact that Arber was watching from the penalty box in Montreal, while Florian was taking part in the fight in Toronto.
No one should have been shocked by the encounter, since Nylander’s slashing penalty earlier in the game. The fight itself was a spectacle, and Arber’s reaction — a small, human detail — made the moment more memorable.
The Family Factor
The bond between the Xhekaj brothers is one that few fans ever get to see on the ice. Arber watched his brother battle from the penalty box. That connection lies at the center of the story.
The instant was brief, yet it was captured on camera and quickly spread among Canadiens fans. The image of Arber smiling as he watched his brother was one that fans shared.
Source material: “NHL’s “Wifi” watches brother’s fight from penalty box in bizarre Canadiens moment,” Dexerto.
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