Thanks For The Ride

Yes, the dream ended last night, but it was still a hell of a ride. One us Islanders fans will never forget. After coming off a conference finals appearance last season, the expectations were high. And with everything that the team went through this year, the fact that they got where they did speaks volumes about the heart and desire of this hockey team.

Things had been looking good from the get go with this team. For the first couple of months they stayed right in the hunt at the top of the division with Washington. Then, early in March, Andres Lee goes down with the knee injury. There was a little of that fear of who's going to score. That wasn't helped when the offense slumped late in the season.

By the time the playoffs had started, the Islanders had managed to find their game again. It started with Pittsburgh. Then Boston. And finally pushing to a game seven against Tampa. This team did so much for not only itself but for the fanbase as well. They gave the fans one hell of a final run at the old barn at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike.

What this team did was show character and heart beyond description. They gave the fans and the team memories that will last a lifetime. Did it end in a championship? No. But did it leave a lasting legacy on the way to a new Era in Islander hockey? Hell yes. Nobody will ever forget this season and what it means to all involved from ownership, to the players, to the fans and everybody around the team in between.

To the boys in the blue and orange, thank you for a hell of a run and for all the memories this year. It was worth it and then some.