The New York Islanders refused to let a controversial goal decide their night, even if it never should have counted in the first place.
Tage Thompson’s second-period tally — a goal that neither replay nor camera angle ever clearly confirmed crossed the line — ultimately became a footnote in a game the Isles clawed back, tied late, and had multiple chances to win before falling 3-2 to the Sabres in a shootout Saturday night at KeyBank Arena. That doesn’t make it right, though, and it doesn’t make it easier to swallow.
Thompson cut down the left wing midway through the second period, faked a shot and appeared to tuck the puck near David Rittich’s pad.