The Best From Barzal’s Eventful Game of Hide-and-Seek

Growing up, my twin brother and I used to play hide-and-seek all the time. When it was his turn to hide, you might as well just call “game” right then and there, as he would stay hidden for hours. Some may call that an over-exaggeration but I’m being as serious as Lou Lamoriello during a press conference.

New York Islanders forward Mat Barzal finally decided to put an end to his hide-and-seek game on Thursday. Although he was not actually missing, there was no clear information on where the 23-year old forward was after being placed on in COVID protocol the morning of Dec. 14, prior to a game against the Detroit Red Wings.

On Dec. 18, Islanders head coach Barry Trotz gave his answer as to where Barzal was quarantining (20-second mark):

“It’s a hell of a career for an undrafted player. It will be a special day for Andy and his family and it’s a credit to a really good career. He had to earn everyone’s respect, earn his ice time and it should be a real proud day for his family.”

Trotz ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XvTJHUV9Od

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 18, 2021

Barzal announced on his Instagram story that he was indeed okay after nine days of radio silence.

In the time that Barzal was “missing”, you people had your creative juices flowing.

Here are my favorite memes, GIF’s and whatever the kids call them these days surrounding the disappearance and the finding of Mat Barzal:

Where is Barzal?

When Barry Trotz says he's not sure if Mat Barzal is in Michigan or New York pic.twitter.com/6kAIFd3Zvu

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 19, 2021

the face you make when they still haven’t found your bff mat barzal pic.twitter.com/292yT7agZk

— Caitlyn (@nyltiaccc) December 20, 2021

Mat Barzal on road trips from now on #Isles pic.twitter.com/LQiTQiQjt6

— Nicole Shirman (@nicolefshirman) December 19, 2021

the NHL: Mat where are you?
Mat Barzal: pic.twitter.com/fheIenlb3C

— rach 🌸 (@rach__mz) December 19, 2021

please come home @Barzal_97 pic.twitter.com/FL8UDbs3ss

— tucker (@lovedamiani) December 23, 2021

how do you lose mat barzal? pic.twitter.com/XTlpmMmMa9

— piper (@sunflowercellys) December 19, 2021

So uh, any updates on Mat Barzal? pic.twitter.com/5LZC2lvNcH

— Anne Namocatcat (@annenamocatcat) December 21, 2021

the nhl is shutting down to do a league-wide search for mat barzal

— kelly (@26WAHLSTROM) December 21, 2021

do we have a mat barzal update? pic.twitter.com/x1JylGxqop

— holiday emily ☃️✨ (@johnmarinoh) December 19, 2021

did they ever find mat barzal

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) December 23, 2021

He’s Been Found

mat barzal coming back like pic.twitter.com/NjXi9JP781

— mary 🦌 (@barzyhsx) December 24, 2021

Found pic.twitter.com/RT0vNKe2ZF

— Mat Barzal Word Of The Day (@MatBarzalWOTD) December 24, 2021

mat barzal has been found, christmas ain’t cancelled anymore letS GO-
pic.twitter.com/FC89T76ctf

— mary 🦌 (@barzyhsx) December 24, 2021

The bar was set pretty high with these. Next time Barzal is “lost” or any other player, I’m expecting ever better.

Merry Christmas Eve.