A new torch is lit as Matthew Schaefer and the NY Islanders defeat John Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs

UBS Arena erupted. Schaefer’s name roared down from every corner of the arena. But in typical Islanders fashion, there was a letdown right around the corner as Nick Robertson regained the lead for the Leafs 1:02 later, silencing the crowd.

The Isles tied the game with 2:45 remaining on an Emil Heineman one-timer, re-injecting some life back into the crowd as we headed to overtime.

With 49 seconds remaining in the extra stanza, Schaefer did it again. After Mat Barzal drew two defenders, dishing it off to Schaefer, the 18-year-old showed the poise of a grizzled veteran, burying the game-winner.

The crowd exploded in what was likely one of the loudest moments in the short history of UBS Arena. Schaefer was mobbed by his teammates and serenaded once again.

“I love this place,” Schaefer said, wrapped in his HNIC towel. “I mean, I’ve said it before, and it sounds repetitive, but I really do love this place. It feels like home as an 18-year-old coming in. Just from our whole team, our whole staff, all the fans, and everyone here on Long Island - you know, you go anywhere and everyone’s greeting you everywhere. It feels like home. Even for my dad and my brother - and my mom too, watching, it’s easy for everyone to be happy where I am, because everyone makes me feel so welcome.”

At the end of the night, it was two points for the Islanders, the same as two points against any other opponent. But this one felt different. While Tavares will still hear the boo-birds every time he steps on the ice at UBS Arena for the rest of his career, this one felt like a step in a new direction. A new star to build around. A new future captain. And a new superstar to call the Islanders' own.