NY Islanders rally late to stun Columbus Blue Jackets at UBS Arena

After 58 minutes on Sunday night, it looked like the New York Islanders might run out of time. Then Matthew Schaefer and Simon Holmstrom made sure they didn’t. The Islanders completed one of the best comebacks in UBS Arena history, stunning the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2.

With the Islanders trailing 2-1 late in the third period, the 18-year-old rookie defenseman tied the game with just 1:07 remaining, sending a bouncing puck toward the net that tipped off the stick of a Columbus defender and bar down into the net for his 10th point in his first 12 NHL games — to ignite UBS Arena. Just 29 seconds later, Holmstrom crashed the crease and jammed in a loose puck for the winner, sealing a dramatic comeback victory. "It's fun hockey to play and fun hockey to watch, too, when your team goes to work and gets a couple of big goals there," said Schaefer.

"I thought that was a solid 60 minutes, said head coach Patrick Roy after the game." I was happy for our fans. We need some games like this, a little bit of drama at the end. I thought we were the best team on the ice, the better team."

Columbus had taken a 2-1 lead midway through the third when defenseman Denton Mateychuk scored on a backhand, but the Islanders refused to fold. Their persistence paid off with two goals in 29 seconds that sent the UBS crowd into bedlam — and Elvis Merzlikins’ stick crashing against the crossbar in frustration.

David Rittich stopped 20 shots for his second straight win, while Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri added assists on Schaefer’s opening goal, a power-play blast just 5:53 into the first period. Horvat, who now leads the team with 13 points, continues to drive the Islanders’ offense alongside the dynamic Schaefer.

The Islanders take the ice next on Tuesday night at home against the Boston Bruins.