When the final buzzer sounded on Game 6 between the New York Islanders and the Boston Bruins, the 12,000 fans in attendance at the Nassau Coliseum erupted. With a 6-2 win, the Islanders had eliminated the Boston Bruins to move on to the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
It was bedlam at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike.
Remember, this was only the second time since 1993 that the Isles won a series on home ice. The only other time was two weeks prior when the Islanders eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins. Not to mention this is the last playoff run that the Nassau Coliseum will see. Or that the Islanders are finally a good team after being basement fodder for decades.
But none of that should matter. The Islanders won a playoff round dammit. It’s time to celebrate. Or at least it should be.
New York Islanders fans can’t celebrate series win? Why the hell not?
Ask Barstool’s Ryan Whitney what he thinks about celebrating a series win and he’d tell you Islanders fans should only ever celebrate when they achieve their final goal and hoist a Cup over their heads.
First off. If you’re a fan you’re a true fan. There nothing I hate more than gatekeeping fandom. It doesn’t matter if you started following the team yesterday or have been one since 1972. All of you are fans.
Now, did I miss a memo where fans shouldn’t celebrate a series win? Becuase I’m pretty sure Montreal fans celebrated pretty hard after they swept the Jets. Same for the Tampa Bay Lightning when they beat the Hurricanes in five games. And I bet if Vegas wins tonight their fans will celebrate too.
And rightfully so! Only four teams go to the Conference Finals every year. Four. Being one of those four teams is a big deal. These opportunities come seldomly. Islanders fans know this all too well.
Again, I’m not sure what Whitney’s problem is. To me, it feels like some misplaced anger and jealousy at the Bruins being out of the playoffs.