Islanders: Top 5 Moments At Barclays Center

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 28: A general view of the arena prior to the game between the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Barclays Center on April 28, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The New York Islanders would’ve played their final game at the Barclays Center on Sunday evening. Here are the top five moments of their tenure.

From the beginning, the Barclays Center and the New York Islanders had a rocky relationship. After the 2011 referendum failed, the Islanders were forced to find a new home and the Barclays Center was the only option.

Fans, myself included, would admit that Brooklyn was way better than Kansas City but there’s no way around the major issues that the building presented.

First, the commute was tough. Fans in Suffolk County didn’t have it very easy as they were forced to schlep into Brooklyn on weeknights to take in their team. It also didn’t help that the Barclays Center didn’t seem to want to acknowledge the Isles historic past.

The only banners that made the trip were the Stanley Cup banners and retired numbers and on top of that, they attempted to change the goal horn to an irritating horn that was supposed to emulate the Long Island Rail Road.

It was a major flop, and along with the off-centered scoreboard and SUV in the corner behind the boards, the Islanders were a laughing stock.

Although, over five seasons some pretty memorable moments happened in that building. Today, we’ll look at the five best moments from the Barclays Center.

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 14: Nikolay Kulemin #86 of the New York Islanders celebrates the game winning goal by Cal Clutterbuck #15 against Roberto Luongo #1 of the Florida Panthers at the Barclays Center on March 14, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Panthers 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Islanders 3 Unanswered Goals vs Florida

On March 14, 2016, the New York Islanders found themselves trailing 2-0 late in the third period. It felt like a game they had no business winning but they would get a goal from Kyle Okposo with 7:10 remaining to give them life.

Less than two minutes later, Thomas Hickey has the puck along the boards and is able to get one out to John Tavares who lets one go from the point. Roberto Luongo lets up a big rebound and Josh Bailey is right there to clean up the mess.

From dead to looking like they would at minimum secure a point in this game in a matter of two minutes. The Isles had all the momentum on their side and the Barc was into it.

With less than two minutes left in the game, the fourth line was out on the ice and they got a great shift from Matt Martin – Nikolai Kulemin – Cal Clutterbuck. Off an aggressive forecheck Cal Clutterbuck found the back of the net to give the Islanders the lead.

Clutter was so good that year finding clutch goals for the Islanders. He had numerous game winning goals in 2016 and this one was one of the big ones. The Isles would complete the comeback winning 3-2.

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 16: Josh Bailey #12 and the New York Islanders celebrate his game winning overtime goal at 54 seconds against the Anaheim Ducks as Andrew Cogliano #7 watches the celebration at the Barclays Center on October 16, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Ducks 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Josh Bailey wins 2016-2017 Home Opener in OT

The home opener is always one of the biggest games of the year and the start of the 2016 season was a perfect example of that. For one, the Islanders had high expectations on the season after advancing in the playoffs for the first time in 23 years.

Also, it was Brendan Burke’s first year behind the microphone for the Islanders and his first home opener. Well, Josh Bailey gave him a pretty memorable first home opener with the Isles.

First of all, great call from Brendan. That’s the moment I knew the Islanders had a special talent behind the mic doing play by play. Also, what a play from Mr. Josh Bailey who would have a then career season.

He literally did all the work himself and made it look pretty in the process. For that first month of the year, Josh Bailey was the Islanders best forward and he ended up finishing with 56 points which was his coming out party.

Also, how can we not mention Daniel Brian being in the building for the Yes Chant, such a cool moment all around.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 21: A general view during the game between the New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Barclays Center on November 21, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Islanders 4 Goals on 5-minute power play vs Detroit

In February of 2018, the New York Islanders found themselves trailing 5-2 with the third period winding down. When you’re down by three goals in the second half of the third period you are usually just waiting for the game to be over so you can get out of there.

Well, not this time. The Islanders were granted a five-minute power play and boy did they capitalize on it.

The first goal came with 5:26 remaining in the game when Mat Barzal ripped one that was deflected in front from Brock Nelson. It was good to see them score but still, two goals down the momentum didn’t change just yet.

The next one came from Anders Lee, on his way to a 40 goal season by the way. Now, down by one with nearly three minutes of the man advantage remaining the Isles were in business.

With 3:21 left in the game, and 1:49 left on the power play Nick Leddy tied the game from the high slot. Somehow, this team came all the way back to tie it up after trailing by three goals just 3:11 seconds earlier.

They weren’t done. With 17 seconds left on the power play and 1:50 in game time, Josh Bailey gave the Islanders the lead. The Barclays Center went ballistic.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 17: The New York Islanders celebrate the game winning overtime goal by Thomas Hickey #14 against Roberto Luongo #1 of the Florida Panthers during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Barclays Center on April 17, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Panthers 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Thomas Hickey Game 3 OT Winner

Game 3 of the Panthers series was one of the more crazy games I ever remember. I happened to be in attendance for this one so excuse me for being a little biased. Early in this game, the Islanders looked to be heading down by three goals but after a challenge, it was once again a two-goal game.

The Isles would head to a five-on-three where a young Ryan Pulock was waiting and ready to blast a one-timer home. The Panthers would add one more before the Isles would tie it up from Shane Prince and Frans Nielsen after two.

After a hectic second, things quieted down in the third and we were headed to overtime tied at three goals a pop.

In overtime, a shot snuck up on Roberto Luongo, the puck went in behind the net and Brock Nelson was able to see a streaking Thomas Hickey

This game gave the Islanders a 2-1 series lead and it was a nice come from behind win after Reilly Smith nearly murdered our souls right before our very eyes.

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 24: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders scores the game winning goal at 10:41 of the second overtime against Roberto Luongo #1 of the Flrorida Panthers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Barclays Center on April 24, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders won the game 2-1 in double overtime to win the series four games to two. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

John Tavares Double Overtime Winner in Game 6

Before he was a villain, he was the Islanders biggest hero. For 23 years the New York Islanders couldn’t escape the first round of the playoffs. Whether it was a Game 7 loss in Toronto or a disappointing performance in Washington in 2015 they just couldn’t get it done.

When JT was drafted he was supposed to be the Islanders savior, someone to take them back to the glory days. While that never truly happened he was able to get them out of the first round by putting the team on his back.

The Islanders trailed Game 6 1-0 for most of the way. It looked like they would limp to a Game 7 after having a chance to advance on home ice.

JT was gifted a cookie with under a minute to go putting home the equalizer to send the game to overtime. Halfway through double OT, it finally happened.

Without a doubt, this was the top moment in the history of the Barclays Center. It’s an absolute shame this couldn’t happen at the Coliseum but this felt like their first moment of the new era, an era that would last just five years.

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In 2021, the Isles will have a brand new arena to call their own and everyone should be thrilled but let’s not forget these moments from Brooklyn, as their important memories in our history.

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