In an exciting match that extended into overtime, young defenseman Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders became the youngest player to score an overtime goal in an NHL regular season game. Schaefer’s shot, a powerful slap shot, sealed the Islanders’ victory over the Utah Mammoth with a score of 3-2.
Jonathan Drouin and Emil Heineman also contributed goals for the Islanders, who achieved their fourth consecutive victory. Tony DeAngelo stood out with two assists, while goaltender David Rittich stopped 27 shots, showing a solid performance, especially after the first period.
Schaefer, selected as the number 1 in this year’s NHL draft, has proven his worth with 15 points, the most among the league’s rookies. At 18 years and 70 days old, he surpasses the previous record of Sidney Crosby, who scored an overtime goal at 18 years and 101 days.
From the Utah Mammoth, Dylan Guenther and JJ Peterka scored the goals in the franchise’s 100th game. Goalie Karel Vejmelka made 18 saves.
The game remained contested until the end, with the Islanders tying the score at 2-2 in the final minutes of regulation time. The goal, initially disallowed, was validated after a video review.Heineman opened the scoring for the Islanders, while Peterka tied the game. Guenther, for his part, scored a goal in the first period, temporarily giving the Mammoth the lead.
The Islanders, who were coming off a win against Las Vegas in overtime the previous day, showed great resilience and effectiveness in defense, neutralizing five of the Mammoth’s six power play opportunities.
