On this Thanksgiving Day, it’s important to reflect on all the good that’s transpired over the past year on both Long Island and Brooklyn.
The New York Islanders (11-8-3) may have an AHL coach at the helm of the team and an underwhelming presence in the Metropolitan division standings, but there is much to be thankful for.
The move to Brooklyn, the 7-game series with the Washington Capitals and Matt Martin’s fighting ability headline some things to be thankful for.
On Thanksgiving eve, with a brief one-day hiatus to reflect on all that’s transpired over the past year, it appears to be a good time to review some of the glass-is-half-full moments of the 2015 calendar year.
A Team in Brooklyn
Rationally, Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York isn’t Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. But the Islanders are still playing in New York, which beats Kansas City or Quebec if you ask me.
Sure, the “Barc” isn’t an ideal hockey arena. The commute for many is a hassle that wasn’t experienced in Nassau County, the scoreboard is evidently over the blueline and there is a car five feet away from the ice. But the Isles still play in New York, and they do so in a stadium that isn’t proclaimed a s—hole.
Cal Clutterbuck’s ‘Stache
The subject of quite a few bits of satire, @ClutterStache is a human enigma. You gotta love his fighting prowess, goal-scoring ability and hitting expertise. And oh yeah, there’s also that mustache.
Matt Martin’s Fighting Ability
Fans have placed less and less emphasis on the fighting aspect of the game since the Isles began seriously contending in 2012-13, but a Matt Martin tussle once-in-a-while is greatly appreciated. He’s had some nice bouts as an Islander.
Also, he’s got a pretty hot girlfriend.
John Tavares
Oh Captain, my captain. The 2009 first rounder is the best thing to happen to the Isles in a very long time. You may look at it like New York is wasting his talent and potential, but just think about all the great moments such as that displayed below that Tavares has provided us with.
Dan Boyle Refusing To Sign
Back in March of this year, I explored all the great things Boyle has done for this franchise by rejecting a contract.
Some of them include:
- If Snow had inked Boyle, he would have never dealt for Leddy and #JohnnyRocket. The two combined for a large chunk of the teams goals, and have been the few sparks on an otherwise nonexistent powerplay unit this season.
- If Snow had employed Boyle, the Isles would have never traded for Boychuk or Leddy, and likely wouldn’t have been in a playoffs position last season. And that would have been bad. Like really, really bad. Like Isles Twitter’s reaction to the change in goal horn times fifty.
- If the Isles didn’t make the playoffs last season, fans wouldn’t have been as optimistic. Anyways, as a loyal believer in the franchise, I craved a reason to be optimistic in the team while not being called a “Kool-Aid” Drinker.
- If fans weren’t optimistic, there would never have been a “Yes! Yes! Yes!” revolution to hit the Barn. Frankly, I can’t imagine showing up to the Barc and not hearing that chant after Islanders goals.
Thomas Greiss
Greiss has been a godsend for New York this season. After struggling to find a legitimate backup goaltender for quite a few seasons, Garth Snow signed Greiss, who has posted a 2.26 GAA and .927 SV% in 10 games.
The former Coyotes netminder has helped fans forget about guys such as Chad Johnson, Michal Neuvirth and Kevin Poulin, and that is quite a good thing.
Kate Murray Is Unemployed
“I feel we got something accomplished,” longtime Isles fan Tom Liodice said. “Better late than never.”
Three years after a referendum to keep the Islanders on Long Island failed, fans of the team that called Nassau County home for 43 years made sure to take their wrath out on former politician Kate Murray, a Republican who unsuccessfully ran for Nassau County District Attorney in early November.
Citing her lack of qualifications and persistent push for the Isles to ditch talks of the Lighthouse Project, writers like me called out the lifelong politician. Thanks to Islanders fans, who united and exerted a lot of energy into the fight against Murray, she was defeated by roughly 16 percentage points.
“Islanders fans, you did well,” I wrote in an article after it was declared that her opponent, Madeline Singas, won the election.
Travis Hamonic
The fact that “Hammer” requested a trade due to family concerns further solidifies the need to recognize the things he’s done for this franchise.
Viewers of ESPN’s investigative show chronicling his father’s death and community outreach felt awfully sympathetic, and in my case, their were tears shed.
Additionally, it helps that he signed an extremely team-friendly contract and embraced the ownership, his teammates and the history and traditions of the formerly Long Island based team. He has never been afraid to protect his teammates, and has had only nice things to say about the Islanders organization.