Dec. 29 (UPI) — Mason Marchment tripped Matthew Schaefer, triggering a Mathew Barzal slash and on-ice brawl between the Columbus Blue Jackets-New York Islanders.
The incident occurred about 1:30 into the second period of the Blue Jackets’ 4-2 comeback victory Sunday in Columbus, Ohio. Marchment, who logged an assist, and Barzal were penalized.
They could draw further discipline from the NHL, which reviews all games through its department of player safety.
“We are never going to blame a teammate for trying to defend a teammate,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy told reporters.
Marchment tripped Schaefer and Barzal was NOT having it slashing him in response.
CHAOS in Columbus right now. pic.twitter.com/8AiarchwXN— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 28, 2025
The Blue Jackets and Islanders were tied 1-1 at the time of Marchment’s trip. Schaefer, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, skated up and released a pass from behind the Islanders’ blue line. Marchment then came flying into the area and tripped the rookie, sending him into the air and onto the ice.
Marchment proceeded to slide into Blue Jackets territory as they held the puck. Barzal then skated toward the veteran forward, pulled back his stick and struck Marchment on the top of his right skate.
Blue Jackets players surrounded Barzal after the slash. Players from both teams then joined the melee until they were eventually separated. Barzal received a game misconduct penalty and was ejected. Marchment was given a two-minute tripping penalty.
Marchment’s trip of Schaefer was his second penalty of the night against the rookie defenseman. He received a two-minute penalty for roughing against Schaefer in the first period.
Defenseman Ryan Pulock assisted forward Bo Horvat for a 2-1 lead about 12 minutes after the brawl, but the Islanders didn’t score again.
Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov tied the score with 4:33 remaining in the third period. Kirill Marchenko lit the lamp with a go-ahead goal about a minute later. Fellow forward Cole Sillinger scored the final goal of the night with 66 seconds remaining.
Marchenko scored twice for the Blue Jackets. Defenseman Denton Mateychuk logged two assists. Goalie Jet Greaves totaled 24 saves.
The Blue Jackets (16-15-6) will take on the Ottawa Senators (18-14-5) at 7 p.m. EST Monday in Ottawa. The Islanders (21-14-4) will play the Chicago Blackhawks (14-18-6) at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in Chicago.
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