Denis Potvin, jersey-tossing fan save Islanders’ watch party

The Islanders hosted a watch party during Game 5 of their NHL semifinal series against the Lightning. While there was not much worth watching — the Islanders were stomped by the Lightning 8-0 — there were some highlights.

As the Lightning piled on the goals, one Islanders fan went viral for their over-the-top reactions. First, they threw their hat to the ground in frustration and belted out a scream after a Lightning goal. Moments later, their No. 44 Jean-Gabriel Pageau jersey became the next casualty, as they tore it off and dropped it to the ground, as well. With their possessions sitting on the Nassau Coliseum stairwell, the fan stormed off.

However, they made a return shortly after. Unfortunately, the Islanders offense did not, and the Lightning continued their onslaught. So, like before, they ripped off their jersey in an encore performance.

Former Islander great Denis Potvin walks out to drop the puck for a ceremonial first face-off
Denis Potvin, honored at the 2014 Islanders game.
Paul J. Bereswill

But the evening wasn’t entirely lost. Franchise legend Denis Potvin, in town to attend Games 3, 4 and 6 of the series, decided to attend the watch party, too. John Tonelli — a left wing on the Stanley Cup teams Potvin captained — joined him at the storied Coliseum.

“The building means so much,” Potvin said. “Yeah, there’s so many changes, but I did a walk-through and the things that were coming out of my mind — I was standing right here when John Ziegler handed me the [Stanley] Cup, and Bobby Nystrom was in the corner, and [Tonelli] was all over the place.”

Potvin retired after the 1987-88 season and became a color commentator. He started with the Senators, before joining the Panthers for two decades. He retired from his second profession in 2019.

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