Russian Columbus forward Dmitry Voronkov sparked a mass confrontation during a preseason clash against Buffalo.
Late in the second period, Voronkov tussled with a Sabres opponent in the corner, then touched Buffalo goaltender Devon Levi after the whistle before tipping to the ice. Levi’s teammates rushed to defend him, setting off a chaotic brawl that drew linesmen and players into a high-energy melee.
The game concluded with Buffalo earning a 4-3 victory. Buffalo carried the night with two goals from Jeff Skinner, a secondary marker from Zach Benson, and tallies from Henri Jokiharju. For Columbus, Patrik Laine found the back of the net twice, while Justin Danforth added the guests’ third goal.
Voronkov, a fourth-round pick by Columbus in the 2019 NHL Draft, has been with Ak Bars since 2018. His pre-Olympic resume includes a silver medal with the Russian team at the Beijing Games, underscoring a career that has built its profile across both the KHL and international play.
Columbus has history with several Russian players on its roster, including goalie Daniil Tarasov and forwards Kirill Marchenko and Egor Chinakhov, all of whom were part of the organization in various seasons.
Voronkov’s preseason appearance and the ensuing incident are part of a broader narrative about his path from youth leagues to the professional stage, marked by international competition and a steady climb within the sport.
In related coverage, Washington’s recent game with Detroit highlighted how pre-season matchups can ripple into broader conversations about team depth, momentum, and the evolving dynamics of rosters as preparations for the regular season proceed. [Source attribution: league game reports and team press notes]