The last time the New York Islanders faced the Colorado Avalanche was on Dec. 19, 2022, in the mile-high city. Something happened late in the first period that hockey fans and professional sports fans rarely see.

EAST MEADOW, NY -- The last time the New York Islanders faced the Colorado Avalanche was on Dec. 19, 2022 in the mile-high city.

It was a game in which Ilya Sorokin played his best game in quite some time but was matched by Alexandar Georgiev as the game was scoreless heading into overtime.

After a back-and-forth extra frame, Evan Rodrigues was the lone scorer in the shootout as the Islanders fell 1-0.

However, there was something that occurred during regulation that is rarely seen, not just in hockey but in professional sports.

With just a few minutes to play in the first period, Mathew Barzal was called for a trip on Cale Makar and skated over to the box, as one would do. 

But after a quick discussion, the penalty was waived off, and Barzal skated back to the bench.

It turns out Makar told the referee who called the penalty that Makar fell on his own, negating what would have been an Avalanche power play.

A true gamesmanship moment for Makar, but one that certainly impacted the game because no goals were scored in regulation. That's not to say that the Avalanche would have found the back of the net on the man advantage, but they were top five at that moment in time, operating at 27.7 percent through 29 games. 

"I honestly didn't even know he waved it off until I saw it after," Barzal said postgame. "I thought the ref just made the call, but yeah, obviously good sportsmanship on his part not taking that. 

"I don't know if I would have done the same, to be honest with you."

Makar felt guilty in the moment, given there was no trip on the play, but felt more guilty postgame.

"The ref that called it wasn't the one at center ice. I don't think he had a good angle on it," Makar said. "I think I would have felt a lot less guilty if I didn't say anything than if I did. 

"I apologize to (my teammates). I don't plan on doing that again."

Islanders head coach Lane Lambert gave credit to Makar.

"Just an honest player who wants to beat you fair and square," Lambert said.

But then, when Lambert was asked how he would feel if one of his players did that, he pleaded the fifth. 

"Well, that's irrelevant because none of my players did do that."

The Islanders host the Avalanche on Tuesday night at 8 PM, and one would think Makar will leave his gamesmanship at the hotel.