Scott Mayfield vs Elmer Soderblom: heavyweight fight sends game into chaos
|
Vincent Carbonneau
Mar 30, 2026 (9:52 PM)
|
|
Photo credit: Screenshot
Scott Mayfield and head coach Patrick Roy saw tensions boil over as the Islanders defenseman dropped the gloves with Elmer Soderblom in a heated third period moment.
This wasn't just frustration. It came after a long shift where Mayfield had been leaned on heavily in his own zone.
Roy has kept Mayfield in a shutdown role lately, matching him against bigger forwards and asking him to clear the crease. That assignment showed up here.
Soderblom, listed at 6'8", brought size and reach, and the matchup quickly turned physical along the boards before spilling to the ice.
Officials stepped in fast, but not before both players got a few punches in and sent a message to their benches.
Here is the full fight :
The Islanders bench reacted immediately. Teammates stood up, tapping sticks, sensing a spark in a game that had been slipping away.
Roy sticks with Mayfield's edge
Roy didn't shorten Mayfield's leash after the fight. Instead, he sent him right back out on an important defensive-zone faceoff.
That tells you everything about trust. Mayfield isn't there to produce offense; he's there to stabilize chaos.
The timing matters. The Islanders were trailing, and the pushback looked like an attempt to reset momentum late in the period.
On the other side, Soderblom showed he's not just a net-front presence. He answered the challenge without hesitation.
Moments like this can shift roles. If Roy keeps leaning on Mayfield in these matchups, expect more physical assignments down the stretch.
And inside that locker room, this kind of response doesn't go unnoticed. It's the type of play that can secure your spot when lineup decisions tighten.
Also read on Puck Reporter :
Leafs face Radko Gudas for first time since hit that ended Auston Matthews' season
Leafs face Radko Gudas for first time since hit that ended Auston Matthews' season