What is the story about?
All of us want that elusive fifth Stanley Cup — which for many will be the first in a lifetime — but however the next decade or so goes, it looks like there will be pure joy thanks to Matthew Schaefer.
The latest kid who won the Calder has officially won the Calder, after the league and the Islanders conspired to make the otherwise not-surprising-and-in-fact-unanimous news a surprise on network TV with a presentation during his interview on Good Morning America Wednesday.
More than anything in at least
a generation (surely?), the outstanding, talented, grounded and lovable Schaefer is the gift Islanders fans have been waiting for. May he remain glorious and not jaded by traffic.
Islanders News
- We celebrate the Schaefer surprise. [LHH]
- How the surprise was pulled off, with him thinking he was just doing another media hit and his dad was back home rather than 14 floors above. [NHL]
- Shock and emotion from Schaefer. [Newsday | Post]
Elsewhere
- Not had enough good-story tears for one day? This Willie O’Ree Award candidate runs the Central Park North Stars and brings some light and happiness to kids and adults with disabilities and their oft-overburdened parents and families. [NHL]
- And in the playoffs, it was going to be a tall order for the Wild to come back from a 3-1 series deficit, but they were close to accomplishing a big step by grabbing a 3-0 lead in Colorado in Game 5. Alas, they lost, after two late Avalanche goals forced overtime. The Wild are out, and the Hurricanes-Avalanche final is set. (Not really or yet on that last part, but…come on, really.) [NHL]
- The Avs made another goalie switch after falling behind 3-0. Scott Wedgewood did not give up a goal. [Sportsnet]
- Brayden McNabb gets a one-game suspension for his interference penalty that sidelined Ryan Poehling. [TSN]
- Lindy Ruff says the Canadiens are diving. [Sportsnet]
- After a quick organizational evaluation that says nothing about Craig Berube’s coaching abilities, they assure you, the Leafs have fired him. His replacement will face some challenges. [NHL] But at least now the Leafs will be able to figure out what they are. [Athletic]
