Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for slashing Florida Panthers defenseman Uvis Balinskis between the legs during Tuesday's game.
The major penalty was upheld after review.
Mathieu Olivier has been accessed a five-minute major for slashing. https://t.co/a07jojEDWU
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 13, 2026
"It looked bad, it was bad, and that's on me," Olivier said postgame. "I could sit here and try to tell you I was trying to get a reaction out of him, but at the end of the day, I can't even explain it. I apologized to my teammates for putting them in that spot. It's happened a couple times this year. It's not usually what I do, but it's been happening. I need to look in the mirror and figure it out. That's all on me."
Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe scored on the ensuing power play.
Olivier had two goals and 12 penalty minutes in four games entering Tuesday's contest. He has 491 penalty minutes in 315 career games and has racked up over 100 PIMs in back-to-back seasons.
