Pain. The New York Islanders Have Been Eliminated.
Brutal. The Islanders lose in overtime and they are eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Just a brutal ending to what was the longest, craziest, most fun season of hockey I've ever experienced. From the 17 game point streak in the beginning of the year with the coliseum packed to the rafters each night and then this playoff run it was an unforgettable season. The worst part is that this team plays so hard for each other and so well together that you can't be happy with beating out 28 other teams. You have to win it all. Sure, it was a crazy situation...the players have been locked in a hotel for 2 months and haven't seen their families while they play inside a bubble but so were the Lightning. We can't celebrate Eastern Conference Finals Losses. This team is too good for that. And just because we can't settle for losing, that doesn't take one thing away from what this team has accomplished. 2 years since losing our franchise player/captain to free agency the Isles have won 4 playoff series and have set a new standard for what Islanders hockey is. This team played their goddamn heart out every single fucking night and never once stepped off the gas. The Isles have proven they belong and that they are here to stay. Speaking of a good team...the fucking Tampa Bay Lightning are ridiculous. They don't let up for a goddamn second. Every player on the ice can make a play in the blink of an eye that blows your mind.
Huge shoutout to my Dad for just being himself on all these streams for the past few weeks. I've been acting like a crazy person watching this team night in and night out since for like 20 years now and he doesn't bat an eye. That guy is the fucking best man, they really don't make them like that anymore.
Well, thats it. Fuck me. I'm sure my loss and sadness brings happiness to many people who have had to watch me dance around and scream in your face every night, and that's totally fair. 27 years and counting. We're not going to Borrelli's. (although, we still should because we should support small business and my Dad would love that)
