The Islanders reversed a 3-0 deficit in the second period but promptly fell behind by two in a sloppily played second period by both sides that typified their Tuesday night in Winnipeg. The result was a 5-4 regulation loss — the Isles got one back with a sixth attacker after several never-give-up efforts to prevent […]
The Islanders reversed a 3-0 deficit in the second period but promptly fell behind by two in a sloppily played second period by both sides that typified their Tuesday night in Winnipeg.
The result was a 5-4 regulation loss — the Isles got one back with a sixth attacker after several never-give-up efforts to prevent an empty net goal — and the best news of the night was seeing Matthew Schaefer survive it after needing to leave the ice twice due to impacts.
Ilya Sorokin and Connor Hellebuyck, two of the best goalies in the league, were largely the victim of loose play in front of them, although Hellebuyck should’ve stopped Anthony Duclair’s shot that helped get the Isles back in the game.
In the end, in addition to leaky play in the neutral zone that led to a second-period track meet, the Isles suffered also from another vacant power play (0 for 1) while giving up one on the Jets man advantage, and nearly two.
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Schaefer took a hit to the ribs or chest or possibly stick to the head on the Jets opening goal and fell to the ice, needing trainer’s help to eventually get up. Talk about a heart attack for Islanders Nation, especially before we saw the replay and realized it wasn’t a leg or knee issue. Schaefer was forced to leave the rink for a bit for concussion protocol, but that did not seem like a real concern by that point.
On that goal, Ilya Sorokin left an easy rebound, but that was likely because two Islanders were right there. Mathew Barzal picked up the rebound and turned to go, but Isles killer Kyle Connor was there to lift his stick from behind and sweep the puck into the open net.
The Isles gave up two in quick succession in the second period: The first was a Josh Morrissey point shot after a rush and mad scramble where Sorokin had made a couple of good saves and tried to fight through screens.
That made it 3-0 just 6:23 into the second period, which felt like it was already 10 minutes of pond hockey with back-and-forth rushes. Duclair got them on the board just over a minute later, and then a soft penalty shot call for Emil Heineman — who hit the crossbar on the live-action play — allowed the #51 to do Frans’ work. His successful penalty shot was a thing of beauty, and Thomas Hickey rightly recalled to the Feast of St. Frans for inspiration.
Kyle MacLean — yes, that guy! — finished the three-goal comeback 90 seconds later after a great Casey Cizikas forecheck, takeaway and pass to the slot. But the loose play returned, or should I say continued.
Dylan DeMelo’s point shot found its way in for a Jets 4-3 lead two minutes later. Sorokin’s blocker was clearly impeded by a Jet in the crease and the Isles challenged but were denied. It’s a 50/50 since the Jet didn’t initiate contact, but he was in the crease which did keep Sorokin from getting his stick arm/blocker set. Patrick Roy was puzzled by the decision and shared his opinion with officials during the next TV timeout.
The Isles survived the ensuing power play — though a goal had to be called off after Mark Scheifele knocked it in with his glove. An easy call, but also symptomatic of the Isles being exposed by multiple Jets left free on the doorstep during several man advantages.
Hockey gods provided the insurance goal, with another screen shot changing direction just enough off Adam Lowry’s leg to elude Sorokin.
After a tame third period, Schaefer finally got one back to get the Isles within one with 45 seconds left. It was his 13th goal at age 13, and Barzal’s 26th assist of the season. The Isles made one more push, but it wasn’t meant to be on this night.
Still, it was good to see Schaefer out there again in critical minutes and contributing. If the protocol exit wasn’t scary enough, he took a shot later off the side of his knee that left him limping off. The officials blew the whistle before the Isles got real possession, prompting boos from the Jets crowd and a rant from Scott Arniel.
Up Next
The Isles stay in Canada a bit as the seven-game trip continues. Next stop: Alberta, with Edmonton on Thursday and Calgary on Saturday.
Category: General Sports
