Dylan McIlrath lets himself be played after defeating Matt Rempe in heavyweight bout

Matt Rempe It didn't take long to avenge his loss Dylan McIlrath in the AHL.

The two heavyweights dropped their gloves at center ice 2:37 minutes into the first period, drawing enthusiastic cheers from fans at Capital One Arena.

Both players landed right jabs and several lefts, but McIlrath seemed to get the better of Rempe again, ending the fight with a takedown.

Rempe was covered in blood during the fight and had a cut under his left eye. The Rangers forward left the ice and went into the tunnel for repairs.

McIlrath flexed and let out a loud roar after the fight, earning him loud blows from his teammates' sticks. (The moment can be seen at the end of the video below.)

The two players last fought in the 2022-23 AHL season, when McIlrath played for the Hershey Bears and Matt Rempe was a member of the Hartford Wolf Pack. McIlrath won decisively and Rempe later turned down McIlrath's request for another fight later in her career.

Rempe drew the ire of the Capitals in last season's playoffs and made his mark in the first-round series with several controversial plays. He injured Trevor van Riemsdyk and TJ Oshie with hits and declined Tom Wilson's invitation to fight.

Maybe he should have rejected this one too. Alex Ovechkin would score 46 seconds into the contest and the Capitals would take a 3-1 lead at the first intermission.

Rempe was back on the roster after being sent down to the AHL over the weekend. He has no points in 3 games this season in the NHL.