Matt Martin takes one for the team in fight with Zdeno Chara
Zdeno Chara of the Bruins fights with Matt Martin of the Islanders during their game at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Tuesday. Credit: Getty Images/Al Bello
Matt Martin tried to inject some life into both the Islanders and the sellout crowd at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum, challenging towering Zdeno Chara to a fight to start the second period of a 5-0 loss to the Bruins on Tuesday night.
At the time, it was only 1-0.
“We didn’t get the response but the respect Marty has in the room, you can’t put a value on that,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said.
“It wasn’t a good period by us,” added Martin, sporting a swollen left eye after the game. “We didn’t give our fans a reason to be in the game. I was just trying to put some life into the building.”
The 6-foot-9, 250-pound Chara eventually got the 6-3, 220-pound Martin to the ice after they exchanged some blows. Chara helped Martin back to his skates and appeared to give him a pat on the back.
Per hockeyfights.com, it marked the third fight between the two.
Plan for Dal Colle
Trotz said he wants to play forward Michael Dal Colle, 22, again soon. Dal Colle was a healthy scratch for the fifth straight game, a decision Trotz said is partly based on needing penalty killers, which Dal Colle has not done regularly in his 23 NHL games this season.
“If we get healthy in some areas, I think I’ll be a little more flexible with Michael,” Trotz said.
Isles files
RW Leo Komarov played in his 400th NHL game and D Adam Pelech played in his 200th…D Johnny Boychuk remained a healthy scratch for the fourth straight game after missing one game with an apparent left shoulder injury. Given the lopsided loss, Boychuk’s return Thursday night at Montreal would seem likely…There was a first-period video tribute and loud ovation for Bruins’ backup goalie Jaroslav Halak, with the Islanders from 2014-15.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
