Mathew Barzal’s response to Mason Marchment on Sunday night immediately became one of the most talked-about moments surrounding the New York Islanders this season – and not because of a goal or assist on the highlight reel.
When the Islanders faced the Columbus Blue Jackets, things got out of hand after Marchment appeared to stick his leg out at rookie Matthew Schaefer, sending the 18-year-old to the ice. Some called it a trip, others a deliberate attempt to stick out his leg and possibly injure the star rookie. Whatever the case, Barzal certainly seemed to believe it was intentional.
He wasted no time in reacting, delivering a heavy blow to Marchment that immediately led to a scrum, including a gamer in Schaefer.
The officials gave Barzal a five-minute major and a game misconduct, ending his night early. Marchment, meanwhile, escaped with only a minor penalty, a decision that left Islanders fans and observers unhappy. Some will say they weren’t surprised, even though the play posed a potential risk to Schaefer, one of the organization’s top young pieces. The NHL has arguably not been very good at protecting its stars.
Despite the expulsion, Barzal’s response received widespread support in the islanders’ chamber. “We will never blame a teammate for trying to defend a teammate,” said head coach Patrick Roy. “That’s what you want to see from your group.”
Islanders fans strongly supported Barzal’s actions. One noted that he may never wear the ‘C’ for the Islanders, but that his actions reflected exactly what teams expect from their leaders. Recognizing a cheap shot, he immediately intervened and sent a message, even though he knew the consequences would be serious.
There could be additional discipline. Given the power of the slash and the automatic major, the league may take a closer look, and a suspension isn’t out of the question.
Marchment has long had a reputation as an agitator, and the New York bench’s response spoke volumes about how protective this group is of Schaefer. The Islanders may have lost Barzal for the rest of the evening — they ultimately lost the game — but they gained something just as important: proof that this team is willing to stand together when it matters.
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