Brock Nelson fulfills special request for young cancer survivor in NY Islanders win

New York Islanders center Brock Nelson has scored bigger goals throughout his decorated 12-year NHL career, but none have meant so much to one fan in particular than the one he scored on Hockey Fights Cancer night at UBS Arena.

During the Islanders pre-game show, MSG host Shannon Hogan and analyst Thomas Hickey met with Henry Schafer, an eight-year-old who battled leukemia for over three years. They put the headset on him and asked who he wanted to see score a goal, and he said "Brock," as Nelson is his favorite player. Hogan relayed the message to the Isles' center after the first intermission.

"I'm feeling good tonight, I had a look there, I'll get one for him," Nelson said confidently.

And get one for him he did.

After taking a check in the back, Nelson one-timed a Maxim Tsyplakov pass from his knees on the power play past Jordan Binnington, giving the Islanders a 2-0 lead. "I think positive energy and manifesting is a real thing," Nelson, a rare repeat guest, said to Hogan after the second intermission. "It's special for Henry to be here and honor those that are fighting. He wanted a goal, and he got one."

Hogan had Nelson sign an Islanders Hockey Fights Cancer cap that read "To Henry, Thanks for the luck!" and she presented it to Henry back on the set. Hogan shared a photo of the full circle moment on social media. “I said I’ll do my best,” Nelson said after the Isles 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues. “What a night to go out there and do that. It was positive energy and a little bit of manifestation. It’s special that it was a request from him, and I was able to deliver."

The goal, Nelson's 283rd of his career, put him into the Islanders' top-10 all-time in points with 543. It was a special goal on a special night at UBS Arena, one Nelson and Henry will never forget.