NY Islanders "rally bird" released into the wild after hitting ice before Schaefer goal

The Pittsburgh Penguins weren’t the only birds on the ice at UBS Arena on Tuesday night — and somehow, that felt perfectly on brand for a season that keeps finding new ways to surprise.

Late in the first period, with the Islanders pressing and the building buzzing, a small songbird swooped down from the rafters and landed on the ice behind the Penguins’ net. Yes, an actual bird. And yes, it nearly collided with Bo Horvat as play continued, briefly giving Pittsburgh what amounted to an extra, airborne defenseman.

Horvat’s reaction said it all. Mic’d up for the night, he could be heard muttering a stunned “holy…” as the bird darted past him, just moments before Matthew Schaefer blasted home a buzzer-beating goal to give the Islanders a 2–1 lead after one. Coincidence? Maybe. But Islanders fans know a rally sign when they see one.

The game itself followed the same chaotic energy. The Isles surrendered the lead, clawed back, gave it up again, and refused to fold — exactly the kind of push-and-pull that has defined their season in the Metropolitan Division. Through it all, the building stayed loud, the stakes stayed high, and the bird — quickly dubbed the “rally bird” — lingered somewhere above the action.

Eventually, Islanders staff tracked it down, safely placed it in a box, and released it back into the wild. Mission accomplished.

Then came the fitting finish. In overtime, Horvat — who earlier dodged feathers — flew down center ice on a clean breakaway and buried the winner, snapping the Islanders’ two-game losing streak and delivering two massive points in the Metro. Confidence restored. Course corrected.

Now, the Islanders head to New Jersey for their final game before the Olympic break, carrying momentum, belief, and maybe a little extra luck. Fans and birds alike, meanwhile, will have to wait nearly a month to see them again at UBS Arena, with the next home game not until March 1.