Fights erupt at Devils-Blue Jackets game after scary Brenden Dillon fall

In what was supposed to be a celebratory accomplishment for Brenden Dillon instead turned into a series of melees surrounding the New Jersey Devils' defenseman.

Dillon played in his 1,000th-career NHL game on Dec. 1 in a contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the 35-year-old became involved in a scuffle with Dmitri Voronkov in front of the Devils net during the second period. Dillon then went down face-first into the ice.

He appeared wobbly going off the ice, also needing assistance:

This set off of a series of fights between the two teams, with a brawl involving multiple players being the main event:

Jonas Siegenthaler would be ejected from the game following his tilt with Adam Fantilli for not having his jersey secured.

There would later be fights between Paul Cotter and Brendan Smith, and then Cody Glass and Sean Monahan to close out the period.

Dillon briefly returned to the game in the second period, but did not return to the bench for the third period.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Fights at NJ Devils vs Blue Jackets game after Brenden Dillon fall