NEW YORK — Matthew Schaefer added one other milestone to his quick begin with the New York Islanders on Sunday.
Schaefer had two objectives in a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Schaefer, who turned 18 on Sept. 5, grew to become the youngest defenseman in NHL historical past with a multigoal sport, transferring in entrance of Corridor of Famer Bobby Orr (18 years, 248 days on Nov. 23, 1966).
Schaefer, the No. 1 choose on this yr’s NHL draft, has 5 objectives and 5 assists in his first 12 video games with New York.
“It has been enjoyable to observe. He is nice skater. He is tremendous poised,” Islanders teammate Simon Holmstrom stated. “He was in a position to rating two large objectives for us tonight.”
Schaefer scored a power-play purpose when he transformed a booming shot 5:53 into the primary interval. He tied it at 2 with 1:07 left within the third, and Holmstrom tapped a free puck previous goaltender Elvis Merzlikins for the successful rating with 38 seconds remaining.
“Oh wow, it is enjoyable hockey to play and enjoyable hockey to observe,” Schaefer stated after the victory. “A few large objectives within the final minute.”
Schaefer as soon as once more heard his title chanted by the house crowd at UBS Enviornment. It was an analogous scene when he scored his first NHL purpose in the course of the Islanders’ dwelling opener on Oct. 11.
“That was an enormous shift. That is what occurs whenever you put pucks on internet,” Schaefer stated of his tying purpose as Islanders captain Anders Lee screened Merzlikins. “An enormous grind out of the fellows.”
Schaefer grew to become the third-youngest participant within the NHL’s enlargement period, for the reason that 1967-68 season, to report two objectives in a sport. Solely Jordan Staal (18 years, 41 days on Oct. 21, 2006) and Pierre Turgeon (18 years, 54 days on Oct. 21, 1987) completed the feat at a youthful age.
Schaefer performed junior hockey final season for the Erie Otters. Now he’s manning the purpose on New York’s energy play, usually logging main minutes and contributing nicely past the scoresheet.
He’s fast to deflect reward, crediting Lee with efficiently impeding the view of Merzlikins.
“Teammates, I simply need to depend on them,” Schaefer stated. “I do not assume that is entering into if Leezy shouldn’t be there screening the goalie. I do not assume he actually noticed a lot.”