Former New York Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey had a flair for the dramatics, scoring a huge goal 11 years ago today.
Former New York Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey had a flair for the dramatics, scoring a huge goal 11 years ago today.
Former New York Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey had a flair for the dramatics.
Joining the team after being claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings on Jan. 15, 2013, he made his NHL debut on Jan. 27 and would become a key piece to the backend that season and for seasons to come.
On this day 11 years ago, Hickey sparked a run that got the Islanders back into the postseason.
The Islanders faced the Montreal Canadiens on the road and trailed by 2-0 and 3-1 deficits before storming back and forcing overtime.
Hickey earned the trust of head coach Jack Capuano to play in the sudden death frame and he rewarded his coach by potting the game-winner:
Following the victory, New York went 17-8-6 in their final 31 games to finish with 55 points and qualify as the final representative in the Eastern Conference in what was a shortened season.
The Islanders were back in the playoffs for the first time in six years.
As for Hickey, he became no stranger to scoring big goals.
His Islanders career later saw him score five more overtime goals, including a pair in the 2015-16 season in short order.
Not only did he punch the team's ticket to the playoffs against the Washington Capitals, but he also scored the game-winner in the Islanders' first playoff game at Barclays Center in 2016.
It's also fitting the Islanders are in a similar situation all these years later.
Prior to their victory on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, it seemed New York was at rock bottom. The team collapsed late in their Stadium Series matchup with the New York Rangers, leaving them in a do-or-die position.
Despite losing the lead late in the third, it was yet another defenseman and former teammate of Hickey in Adam Pelech who stepped up and scored the game-winner in overtime.
While it's unknown whether the victory will give the Islanders the run they need to get back to the playoffs for the second-straight year, the parallels of Hickey's heroics are uncanny. Both teams needed a spark and had a defenseman step up to deliver a much needed victory.
Hickey today now serves as a member of the Islanders' MSGSN broadcast team. With him beloved by his colleagues and fans for his analysis and contributions to the team, his heroics 11 years ago began his legacy as someone who doesn't score often, but does in the biggest spots.