10 years ago today, the Islanders hit the great outdoors.
On this date in 2014, the New York Islanders headed to the great outdoors for the first time in franchise history.
Battling the New York Rangers at Yankee Stadium, the Islanders ultimately fell 2-1, with Brock Nelson scoring the lone goal for the Blue & Orange in what was a frigid...
The Islanders' roster was much different than it is today, with just four players remaining from that roster: Nelson, Casey Cizkas, Matt Martin, and Cal Clutterbuck:
For the Rangers, the changes over these last 10 years only left one player from that team on the roster, and that's Chris Kreider:
"It's such a unique experience at that point of my career," Nelson told The Hockey News earlier in the season. "Getting to be at Yankee Stadium is pretty awesome. We have to check it out, use the facilities, and wear the stadium series jerseys. Everything, the buzz, everything around it, I think, it's so unique and something that you get to hang on to forever."
[gallery ids="3523,3524,3525,3526"]
For Martin, it was the aura of Yankee Stadium and the legends that donned the pinstripes that made the outdoor game ultra special.
"The experience is incredible. Obviously, it's a pretty special place, just walking out to the rink, kind of getting a look during warm-ups, and realizing that you're playing in that stadium for a hockey game," Martin told THN. "And we got ready in the Yankees room. A lot of history there."
More quotes from an earlier Stadium Series lookback piece below:
The Islanders and Rangers are heading outside real soon, on Feb. 18, this time at MetLife Stadium, the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets.
This past week, the NHL released the sweaters for the outdoor game, with the Islanders going with a navy blue and orange uniform that resembles a rugby kit.
Regardless of what is being worn, the Islanders are pumped to get back outside but have some work to do before then after going 3-7-3 in the month of January.