Before the hockey season was cancelled, there were important games that took place. The New York Islanders went into Saturday’s game against the Hurricanes on a five-game losing streak. This was a must-win contest for both teams.

Going into puck drop, the Islanders and Canes previously played this season and each have a loss. The Islanders fell 5-2 during their first road trip of the season and in January, they lost 2-1 after eight rounds of a shootout.

During the first period, the Islanders accumulated six shots. With around six minutes left in the first the Carolina Hurricanes were the first on the board. Right wing Justin Williams notched his fifth goal of the season giving the Canes a 1-0 lead.

During the second period, Ryan Pulock tied the game at one with his third consecutive game with a goal. The Islanders recorded nine shots for the period but definitely brought their game.

The Islanders outplayed the Canes in the third period. The Canes ended up striking first to take back their single goal lead. Defenseman Joel Edmundson scored his seventh of the season with six minutes into the period. The Islanders did not let the Canes lead get to them. They continuously threw puck on net, played hard defense and looked for open lanes. Eventually, as the crowd sang “Hey Josh Bailey”, he tied the game with a little under five minutes to go. Noah Dobson recorded his fifth assist setting up the goal and Andy Greene recorded his 12th.

The Islanders entered overtime down a man due to Mat Barzal taking a double minor high sticking penalty against Jordan Staal. As the Islanders were close to getting Barzal back, Andrei Svechnikov gives his teammate Vincent Trocheck a clear high stick pass to score the game winning goal. After the Canes celebrated and the referees reviewed the extremely clear high stick, the Canes ended up getting the win anyways.

But that was the past. With the NHL season now suspended, there are more important things to worry about. May everyone stay healthy and be well.

John Smark