Islanders Pageau Fights Gallagher, Stands Up For Pelech: 'JG's An Unbelievable Teammate'
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The only thing that was on the New York Islanders’ minds heading into Thursday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens was two points.
But if the Islanders had the chance to get back at Montreal forward Brendan Gallagher, who threw a vicious elbow to the head of defenseman Adam Pelech on Jan. 25, leading to a five-game suspension, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them take it.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau got that chance along the Islanders’ bench, finishing a hit on Gallagher before the gloves came off at 10:15 of the second period with the score tied at 1-1:
After the game, The Hockey News caught up with Pageau.
“We all remember what happened, and we were not happy with it,” Pageau said. “It kind of just happened in the moment. Nothing more. I was happy that he answered. I think he knew why. But it just happened.”
It seemed like Gallagher threw a cheap shot with Pageau on the ice, but the Islanders forward couldn’t recall.
“I don’t know if he tried. I haven’t really had the time to look back at it, and I probably won’t,” Pageau said. “He didn’t hit me, so I’m all good. We won the game. That was our mindset, and that was a good time in the game when it happened to keep that momentum going.”
Pelech appreciated Pageau’s actions.
“Well, JG’s an unbelievable teammate. Great teammate,” Pelech said. “So, I appreciate it, but I also think it was at a time in the game where we needed a little pick me up, and he provided that for the guys.
“So, like I said, great teammate, big moment in the game there.”
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy discussed the character of his team.
“Well, Pageau is a character player, and I don’t know what exactly happened in the play, but it was energy for our team, and that just shows the type of team we have. We got character on this team and guys are battling hard out there.
“They play for each other, so I really love how all together we are right now.”
Pageau, standing at five-foot-11 and weighing 185 pounds, has never shied away from anyone.
He showed exactly what kind of teammate he was in his first game as an Islander back in 2020.
New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba hit Michael Dal Colle up high, and with zero hesitation, Pageau jumped in, leading to an ejection.
Pageau is always willing to do what it takes for his teammates, so much so that he was practicing fighting earlier this season with Matt Martin, learning some tricks.
Pageau has been the subject of trade speculation this season, given his $5 million cap hit and the number of centers on the roster. He hasn’t produced offensively and has struggled on the penalty kill, which hasn’t helped.
But regardless of Pageau’s struggles, doing what he did on Thursday night shows something that numbers can’t measure: being a standup teammate.