Throughout “The Ship’s Log,” Dylan Burhans will chronicle top moments in New York Islanders history, picked by members of HNiNY. Starting off is Burhans’s pick: John Tavares Game Six Magic
Discovering Hockey
When trying to find a favorite Islanders memory, so many come to mind. From Robin Lehner’s brief, but dominant stint as #1 netminder to UBS Arena’s home opener, to consecutive Easter Conference Final appearances, it is hard for me to choose.
However, one moment in particular stands out.
To provide some context, I joined the hockey train much later than most people—it was 2015 when I first started watching the NHL, and I had just started high school. Growing up in North Florida, I had little opportunity to learn about ice hockey. That did not stop me from falling in love with the sport— and more specifically, the New York Islanders.
The game that got Dylan Burhans hooked on hockey
The Moment
My family is from New York–my mom grew up in Westbury and my dad in Huntington. My parents loved watching the Islanders. Mom’s favorite was Pat LaFontaine, while my dad enjoyed the Dynasty-era team led by Mike Bossy. When we moved to Florida, the miles now between us and the Coliseum made it difficult to continue watching them. Fast forward to the 2015-2016 season, and we’re watching the Islanders in the playoffs.
The memory that most sticks out to me is John Tavares’s two-goal game against the Florida Panthers on April 24, 2016—the game that ended the Islanders’ 23-year playoff series win drought. It was my introduction to playoff hockey, and the rush of excitement I felt when Tavares netted the Double OT winner is something I vividly remember.
“When Barclays Center erupted, so too did my household. Being able to witness the Islanders break their first-round drought as a relatively new fan was exhilarating.”
The Memories
The series against the Panthers was hard-fought. Three games went to overtime, including two Double OT games to close out the series. With Jaromir Jagr leading the way for Florida, alongside budding stars Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, this was going to be tough and grueling for the Islanders. However, unlikely hero Alan Quine won Game 5 in Double OT in Sunrise to bring the series back to Long Island.
In Game 6, Florida got on the board first with a goal from Huberdeau. The score remained unchanged until Tavares tied the game in the last minute of regulation. With goaltender Thomas Greiss pulled, Nikolai Kulemin fired a shot towards Roberto Luongo that was blocked down. Tavares tapped in the loose puck, and the game headed to OT. The game was then deadlocked at one apiece when Tavares scored on a backhand wraparound to clinch the series.
When Barclays Center erupted, so too did my household. Being able to witness the Islanders break their first-round drought as a relatively new fan was exhilarating. It marked my first time experiencing playoff hockey, and seeing the arena celebrate alongside the team was something truly special. This win meant a lot for both the fanbase and the organization as a whole, especially after several frustrating seasons.
The Islanders are a team that prides itself on its “blue-collar” identity. The name of their game is hard-nosed hockey, sticking to the fundamentals and playing the “right way.” The Islanders developed a reputation for grinding out games and being the team no one wanted to face in the playoffs. The so-called “pesky” Islanders typically play with an underdog tenacity that many teams fear. This resilience was on full display against the Panthers.
For new and old fans alike, the playoff victory over Florida was an unforgettable moment in recent Islanders’ history. Tavares’s goal rang across the Island. It united fans from all walks of life, whether it be a longtime season ticket holder or some random kid from Florida.
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Lasting Impressions
Overall, it provided a spark that the organization desperately needed. While the team has had up and down playoff appearances as of late, this moment showed the hockey world the true Islanders.
When I first started watching hockey, rooting for the Islanders was never a question–it was in my blood. My parents’ love for the Islanders never wavered, no matter what state we lived in. The Islanders are our team, as they are for so many other people. For that particular moment on April 24, 2016, I was so proud to be cheering alongside everyone, albeit from a tad bit farther away.
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