Watch: Bellows Sticks Up For Himself, Greene, Fights Pacioretty

New York Islanders forward Kieffer Bellows has not received a ton of playing time recently. But due to a lower-body injury to Kyle Palmieri, Bellows was back in the lineup against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday.

At 17:58 of the middle frame, Bellows laid a strong hit on Vegas forward Chandler Stephenson in the Islanders zone. Moments later, Vegas forward Max Pacioretty returned the favor as he hit Islanders defenseman Andy Greene hard into the end-boards.

Bellows and Pacioretty came together along the boards and after a few seconds, Pacioretty threw Bellows down to the ice. Rather than heading off the ice, Bellows decided to do something he has not done at the NHL level.

And that was to drop the gloves.

The Islanders 23-year old forward decided to stand up for himself, and his teammate Greene, as he dropped the gloves with Vegas’ alternate captain.

With 1:44 to go in the middle frame, Bellows headed off the ice to the dressing room. Before he could get down the tunnel, teammate Casey Cizikas gave him a hug to show his appreciation for Bellows’ action.