Hilary Knight on mentoring young teammates
5x Olympian Hilary Knight shares how it feels to play alongside younger teammates who grew up idolizing her.
Sports Seriously
The New York Islanders have shown they have rookie Matthew Schaefer’s back when someone takes liberties with the defenseman.
But Mathew Barzal went too far in his response in on-ice officials’ eyes and was ejected from the Islanders’ game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday, Dec. 28.
Columbus’ Mason Marchment stuck out his leg and tripped 2025 No. 1 overall pick Schaefer early in the second period. It was his second penalty of the game against Schaefer after he was called for roughing in the first period.
Barzal responded with a vicious two-handed slash to Marchment’s leg. Barzal received a five-minute slashing major and a game misconduct.
Will Mathew Barzal be suspended?
No, NHL Player Safety announced on Monday, Dec. 29 that Barzal will be fined $5,000, the maximum amount, for his slash.
What did Islanders, Mason Marchment say about the play?
“We thought it was a knee on (Schaefer),” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said after the game. “Teams seem to be physical on (Schaefer). I like the response by (Barzal).”
Marchment, who received two minutes for tripping, and Schaefer were able to continue playing in the game.
“It’s part of my game to kind of get in the other team’s head a little bit,” Marchment told reporters afterward. “I was never trying to hurt him there in the middle, kind of just get in his way. Probably not smart by me.”