Over the last calendar year, the New York Islanders and their fan base suffered more heartbreak than comfort. But despite the negative that filled the 2021-22 season, there were some magical moments. And so far in 2022-23, there have been many more positive performances and showings.
Here’s what New York Islanders fans chose as their favorite memories from the 2022 calendar year:
Chara’s Final NHL Game
Once thought to be a prized possession lost, the New York Islanders and their fan base got Zdeno Chara back. Despite being 45 instead of a young lad, Chara brought his leadership, knowledge of the game, and a work ethic that no one could top.
On Sept. 20, 2022, Chara called it a career after 24 seasons in the NHL.
His last NHL game was the final game of the 2021-22 season when the New York Islanders hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning, ending what was a nightmarish season.
In what was expected to be his farewell game, Chara scored in the final minute, sending the UBS Crowd into an absolute frenzy.
Chara scores in what could be his last game in the NHL and is saluted by the #Isles fans pic.twitter.com/SBTSMLRag1
— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) April 30, 2022
“I was getting chills. It was just a spectacular moment, and I will cherish that for the rest of my life,” Chara said postgame.
Dobson’s First Career OT Winner
The New York Islanders’ first memory of 2022 came on New Year’s Day. And that was when the Islanders hosted the Edmonton Oilers in a fantastic game.
After the game went to overtime after a 2-2 tie through regulation, Noah Dobson lit the lamp for the overtime winner, his first career overtime tally.
WICKED WRISTER, WICKED ENDING.
Noah Dobson beats Koskinen to score a @SUBWAYCanada Overtime Winner for the @NYIslanders! pic.twitter.com/hpzmessy7h
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 1, 2022
“Yeah, it was obviously a cool moment,” Noah Dobson told NYI Hockey Now. “I think it was New Year’s Day (it was). There was a lot of energy in the building, an afternoon game, the place was packed, and it was a cool moment to score a big goal against a good team.”
Sorokin’s Save at MSG
On Mar. 17, the New York Islanders faced the New York Rangers, where netminder Ilya Sorokin made one of the more ridiculous saves you will ever see.
After Anders Lee and Brock Nelson collided at the New York Rangers’ blue line, the New York Rangers had numbers going the other way. Because of the collision, the Rangers had a two-man advantage entering the Islanders’ zone, and their passing created a wide-open net for the elite Artemi Panarin.
The net was, in fact, wide-open…until it wasn’t.
OH MY GOSH ILYA SOROKIN 😱 @NYIslanders pic.twitter.com/Wa9jP0QIse
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 17, 2022
“Holy f (he didn’t say the word). It might have been one of the best, if not the best, save I’ve seen in a long time, and I’ve been around a long time,” Barry Trotz said.”
Third-Period Avalanche Against Colorado
After trailing 3-1 against the Colorado Avalanche halfway through the second period on Oct. 29, the New York Islanders scored once before the second came to a close and another three in the third period on their way to a 5-4 win.
It was the lowest UBS Arena had ever been since it opened to start the 2021-22 season.
In 17 seconds, the Islanders erased the three-goal deficit thanks to a Mathew Barzal pass to Scott Mayfield before Anthony Beauvilier scored short side to give the Islanders the lead.
WHAT. A. SHIFT. pic.twitter.com/ImXxQWcJX6
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 30, 2022
BEAUVILLIER GIVES US THE 4-3 LEAD.
4 UNANSWERED GOALS FOR THE ISLES. pic.twitter.com/I9knRxTXWG
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 30, 2022
Brock Nelson added an empty-netter which served as the game-winner, with the Avalanche adding one more with 29 seconds to play in the third.
This win was the first of three straight third-period comeback wins.
Räty’s First NHL Goal
Every kid that laces up the skates dreams that one day, their skates would step foot on NHL ice for an NHL game but very few ever get to experience it.
New York Islanders prospect Aatu Räty, at 20 years old, got that opportunity to live that dream against the Florida Panthers on Dec. 23. Not only did he play well without the puck, but the organization’s top prospect also scored his first NHL goal.
Achievement Unlocked: “You’ll never forget your first”
Aatu Raty scores his first career goal in his first career game to give the #Isles a 3-1 lead! pic.twitter.com/j2bWPr6Wl1
— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) December 24, 2022
“I was kind of watching at the jumbotron, and I didn’t even realize I made a move there. I just thought I got the puck and shot it. I felt like I almost blacked out,” Räty said following the game.
