Why The Islanders Are Special To Me: A Fan’s Perspective

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Middletown, N. J. – In our continuing series of fan posts relating to what the New York Islanders 2013 season meant to them, below is another contribution that we received through our facebook page.

If you would like to contribute please send your thoughts to eyesonisles@gmail.com and we will post each and every one we receive at a pace of one per day.

As always, we thank you for reading and for taking us up on this opportunity to engage you, the reader, and hear your thoughts.

Submitted by: Anna Mossini, Brentwood, NY

I would like to tell you how I felt about this season.

I have been a fan of the Islanders since I was a little kid & these last couple of seasons people thought they were a joke & would never make it to the playoffs. On top of that, they would be moving to Brooklyn.

Then, this season happened. They had the short season & no one thought they would be anywhere near playoffs. I watched games where they got blown out of the water, but I still loved them. All of a sudden at the end of March, something clicked for them. Nabokov was a brick wall, other lines were scoring and the defense was working together: I mean they looked like a real team & family.

When they got closer to the playoff clinch I knew in my heart this was a different team. They were driven, resilient, & they played with their hearts & put out everything they had. When they started playing the Penguins the first game we got creamed. Everyone thought we were done for. I did not. I knew they would fight with everything they had. I believed they could do it. Everyone said I was crazy & they would get blown out. Then game 2 happened. Okposo’s fight was a game changer!! They won in Pittsburgh!! No one could believe it. They were determined to win & they did!!

Then games 3 & 4 at the barn were amazing!! The atmosphere was exciting!! Everyone was supporting them & the fans overpowered every other fanbase!! It was phenomenal!! To win 2 games against the Pens was crazy!! They played with heart and grit & so much determination that they gave them a run for their money & made everyone have respect for them!!

Even though they lost, they still won in every other way. The way they played was unbelievable & they should have gone to the second round, but I know next season we will. They are just going to keep getting better & better!! I believe in the Islanders & always will!! I know they will get that cup & that team is going to be special.

The Islanders will always be special to me.