3 Years Later: The Night JT Returned To The Coli

John Tavares is one of the greatest Islanders ever and the greatest to suit up for the team in the 21st Century. However, it is the way he left the Island that led to a fan reaction that was much different than he otherwise would have received.

Source: AP

February 28th, 2019. A game that saw Toronto Maple Leafs Forward John Tavares return to the Island also quickly became one of the most memorable games I had ever seen in person.I attended the game with my uncle and cousin and it is still joked about today. It was a game that every Islander fan had marked on their calendar the minute the schedule was released for the 2018-19 season and boy oh boy did it deliver on the ice and with the antics that ensued in the stands and all over the arena.

But how did we get to the point that John Tavares, the first pick in the 2009 NHL Draft by the Islanders and player responsible for capping off the Islanders first playoff series victory since the 1990s with his game winner against the Florida Panthers, became public enemy Number 1 in every Long Islanders mind and hearts? The vitriol was not because of the fact that Tavares left, but instead because of HOW he left. Islanders fans, myself included, felt jaded that Tavares left the Island in free agency without giving us an opportunity to get any sort of compensation such as picks or quality players in return (William Nylander or Mitch Marner would likely have been a part of the package). It didn't help matters that soon after Tavares posted a picture of himself in Maple Leaf pajamas following his decision. Of course, it made sense that Tavares was excited to go back to his hometown team. But, there was something about the post that irritated Islanders fans leading to the infamous nickname "Pajama Boy".

The game itself was memorable due to how the Islanders whooped the Leafs 6-1. But the even sweeter taste came in the form of how Tavares as held scoreless. The arena grew louder and louder with each goal scored, as the Islanders scored the six goals unanswered following the Leafs jumping out to a 1-0 lead.

Every time Tavares touched the puck he was granted with BOOs raining down from the Coli Faithful. Fans took delight in raining down jeers of "A**HOLE, A**HOLE, A**HOLE" throughout the festivities (I will avoid commenting on whether I participated). My personal favorite antics that the fans carried out were placing a cutout of John Tavares face on the women bathroom sign so that it looked like he was wearing a dress and all the creative nameplates such as "GORING" and "TRAITOR". The Coli offered to replace the stitching of Tavares with Goring for a lower price than purchasing a new jersey. The coli is full of passionate Islanders fans and an overall "your fine if your quiet wearing an opposing jersey" attitude. However, I wouldn't have advised wearing a Leafs jersey of any kind that night. Following the game, my family and I all enjoyed the traditional "Let's Go Islanders" BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP horn chant. There was something extra special and satisfying about it, as we had sent the snake home with an 'L'. The Islanders would drop the next home game against the Leafs, but it was only that first one that really mattered.

In the years that have followed, the Islanders have experienced much more on-ice success as the Leafs have felt pressure to get out of the first round once and for all. This has eased the pain of losing Tavares. The disparity in success has been highlighted by the Islanders back to back Final Four appearances and the Leafs consistent losses in the first round (the latest a blown 3-1 lead to Montreal).

At the end of the day, John Tavares will always be a great hockey player. But, on the night he first came back to the Coli and in the years that have followed, the Islanders and their fans have gotten their rightful revenge.