1 minute read
LAUREN FELDMAN
lfeldman@antonmediagroup.com
After a rousing and tense matchup, the Islanders lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in an overtime game by a score of 2-1 in Game 6 of their first playoff round, killing their chance at the Stanley Cup for the first time in two years. The loss came as an abrupt end to the efforts of a team who truly fought for a playoffs shot, with the final blow coming as a steep-angled side shot at 6 minutes into OT by Paul Stastny.
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Things had been looking strong for the Islanders, who led the game by 1-0 by midway though the opening period. However, despite outshooting the Hurricanes 28-19, they were unable to build on their lead. This proved fatal as the third quarter saw the Hurricanes outshooting the Islanders 19-5, ultimately leading to the goal which tied up the game. Big saves from goalie Ilya Sorokin kept the Islanders in the game well into the third period, though without another point, both teams headed into OT, where ultimately the Hurricanes came out victorious.
The loss was hard for the Islanders, particularly for Sorokin, who earned some extra good spirits from his teammates following the game. While the goal was an unusual one for Sorokin, his team is confident that they would not have made it so far without him.
“The goalies... we wouldn’t be here without them,” said Scott Mayfield, of Islanders defense, in a statement. “They know that. They know how special they are.” Defenseman Ryan Pulock concurred. “[Sorokin] was spectacular for us all season and all playoffs.”
Many members of the Islanders have played together for a long time, leading to not only a cohesive team but a brotherhood. While the end of the playoffs was disappointing, this was a large improvement from the 2022 season, in which the Islanders did not make the playoffs. Left wing Matt Martin is disappointed, but hopeful for the future. “We put a lot of work into getting here and battled adversity throughout the year,” Martin said in a statement. “At the same time it hurts, it hurts bad and we’ll sit on this one for a little while and then get ready for next season.”
Onwards and upwards for the Islanders next year!
