NY Islanders Head Coach Patrick Roy doesn't pull Ilya Sorokin, drawing comparisons to his own trade saga

Last night was rock bottom for the NY Islanders this season. They lost to a Buffalo Sabres team that had been winless in its previous 13 games, allowing seven goals. The team is now in last place in the Metro Division heading into the Christmas break.

Much of the fanbase's blame has been directed at GM Lou Lamoriello for not improving the roster during the off-season, with a similar lineup rolled out year after year.

Patrick Roy's comments earlier in the season essentially saying this is the roster Lamoriello gave him and this is what he has to work with, began conversations about whether or not there was a rift between the two. Most fans decided to back Roy in this situation, but after last night's debacle, the tide seems to be shifting.

Roy's decision questioned

Roy has been doing what he can with a roster depleted by injuries, but one decision from last night has drawn comparisons to one of Roy's most memorable moments from his playing career.

Heading into the third period trailing 5-1, Roy decided to leave Sorokin between the pipes in a game already out of hand. Sorokin, who has started 11 straight games for the Islanders, has been pulled for the third period twice during his streak, spelled by Marcus Hogberg - but last night wasn't one of those nights

Sorokin let up six goals on the night, with Roy leaning on the advice of his goaltending coach to leave his goaltender in for the third period.

"I spoke to Piero after the second," said Roy in his postgame press conference. "He thought that Ilya had to fight it through. At the end of the day, he's the goalie coach, and I will respect his decision."

While Roy is well within his right to trust the advice of his coaching staff, he was the center of one of the league's biggest controversies after not being pulled himself in 1995.

After being shelled for nine goals by the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens Head Coach Mario Tremblay finally pulled his netminder, but the damage had already been done. Once getting to the bench, Roy leaned over the glass and told Habs Team President Ronald Corey, stating he had played his last game for the Canadiens.

Roy was soon after traded to the Colorado Avalanche.

If there is anyone who has earned the respect to make decisions about his goaltender it's Patrick Roy. Sorokin is nowhere near the fiery player that Roy was so don't expect him to demand a trade, but it's still an interesting decision by Roy who had his career shaped by a similar decision by a coach.