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Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas may not be the cleanest player in the NHL, but nobody can argue that the 35-year-old Czech player isn’t a man of honor.
Gudas, who has a lengthy history of dirty hits on his resume, was suspended for five games recently for a knee-on-knee hit to Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews that tore Matthews’ MCL, requiring surgery and ending his season.
On Monday night, the Ducks and Maple Leafs squared off for the first time since the incident, and despite battling an injury that kept him out of Saturday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers, Gudas opted to suit up.
“Stand behind my own mistakes. I want to address it myself,” Gudas said on Monday about the decision, per Jonas Siegel of The Athletic.
Radko Gudas on why he’s playing through injury to face the Leafs tonight: “Stand behind my own mistakes. I want to address it myself.”
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) March 30, 2026
But Gudas didn’t just suit up and play against Toronto. He took things one step further.
Radko Gudas Seemingly Let Max Domi Beat Him Up At Repayment For Dirty Hit
Heading into the game, everybody knew that the Maple Leafs would be out for blood after Gudas’ hit on Matthews. That is why Gudas not only played, but started the game on the ice to get matters settled as quickly as possible.
Shortly after the puck dropped to start the game, Maple Leafs forward Max Domi dropped the gloves and began fighting with Gudas.
DOMI AND GUDAS DROP THEM AT THE OPENING FACEOFF! 🍿🥊 pic.twitter.com/eACoHXPf3K
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 31, 2026
But as several fans pointed out, Gudas didn’t even throw a punch in the fight. Instead, he just stood there holding on to Domi while the Toronto player rained down right-hand shots before throwing him to the ground.
“Hockey players are like no other athlete(s). Gudas comes back from an injury just to openly get his a– kicked because he knew he deserved it. Doesn’t even try to fight back, just eats it,” one fan said of the scrap.
Gudas was also the subject of several cheap hits throughout the contest from Maple Leafs players.
Does his willingness to pay for his actions make up for Matthews’ injury? Of course not. But you have to admire that he didn’t just hide behind an injury and let his teammates take the heat for him.