NY Islanders' Matthew Schaefer stays grounded after a sensational night against the Maple Leafs, deflecting praise

After his sensational performance that earned the NY Islanders a 4-3 OT victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, all the praise and spotlight were directly on the 18-year-old Matthew Schaefer.

The kid deserved it. A spectacular third-period goal that tied the game at two, and the OT winner, it was Schaefer’s signature performance in his short but impressive career.

Schaefer gives praise to staff and family after sensational night

Despite all the headlines surrounding the rookie, Schaefer made sure to pass credit on to staff and family, while feeling under the weather. 

“I put some ice packs on me, tried to get as many fluids as I could,” Schaefer said on Hockey Night in Canada. “All of our training staff here has helped me out so much - just giving me anything I need. They’re always here with me.”

Still a kid despite his newfound stardom, kids typically turn to their mother when not feeling well, and Schaefer believes his late mother, Jennifer, gave him the extra boost he needed to get through last night's game.

“When you’re not feeling at your best, I know my mom's going to have my back - no matter what,” Schaefer said. She’s a strong woman, and she did a lot of things in life for me and my brother. She was a big role model for me. I wish I could be as strong as her, but I will never because moms are the strongest people around. She definitely gave me a little bit of that strength tonight.”

Schaefer continues to impress on and off the ice, as he’ll be a player the Islanders and the NHL can build around for a very long time.