New York Islanders win final home game 5-4 over Winnipeg Jets - NHL Update
In an action packed game full of twists and turns the New York Islanders managed to run out the winners in their final home game of the season as they defeated Winnipeg Jets 5-4 on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Both teams managed to score a total of nine goals as both goaltenders struggled to keep out the puck from ending up in the back of their nets.
Michael Grabner’s third period brace secured a much needed win for the Islanders as they ended a three-game losing streak in front of 13,048 fans.
The win however, does nothing to change the fact that it has been five whole seasons since the Islanders last played a playoff game.
Right Wing Kyle Okposo said after the game.
"It was a good game to end the season with. Of course, it wasn't the season we wanted to have. But at least we played well tonight and dominated a good part of the game."
The Winnipeg Jets fought right till the end but could not send the game to overtime as Grabner stepped up with just seconds left to net the winner past goaltender Chris Mason.
Jets coach Claude Noel was disappointed that even after battling back three times during the game they could not take home at least a point.
"It's disrespectful the way we start games. Yes we battled back, but we shouldn't have had to."
The Islanders started off with purpose and were up by two goals in the first eight minutes thanks to good finishes from Matt Moulson and Okposo.
Just a minute later though the Jets Tobias Enstrom pegged back New York’s lead by a single goal and Andrew Ladd equalised the score at 2-2 just three minutes from the end of the first period.
New York ran out in the second period full of purpose as Okposo scored his second of the night to give the Islanders a one goal lead at 8:41.
The game was just starting to get crazy and both teams started a goal fest in the final period of the match.
Zach Bogosian made it 3-3 seven minutes into the final period but once again the Jets failed to build on their goal and allowed Grabner to put the Islanders ahead by a goal at 11:45.
Less than a minute later Byfuglien brought Winnipeg back on level terms with the game seeming destined to go to overtime.
However, Grabner scored his second of the night and the game winner at 19:13 to make it 5-4.
Winnipeg will now look to win its final home ice game of the season on Saturday, April 7 with the visit of Tampa Bay Lightning while the Islanders will hope for another win to end the season on a high against Columbus Blue Jackets.
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