Thrilling Match Recap
In a thrilling match that ended in a 5-4 shootout victory for the New York Islanders over the Vegas Golden Knights, forward Bo Horvat made headlines by netting two goals.
Postgame Highlights
Following the match, Horvat took the spotlight during a postgame chat with TNT’s panel where he fielded questions from commentator Paul Bissonnette about up-and-coming teammate Matthew Schaefer, affectionately nicknamed Schaef Daddy.
Horvat expressed his admiration for Schaefer, saying, “Schaef Daddy has been great. I listened to the podcast, and I heard that name come up. I don’t know if it caught on as much as he hoped, but he’s been phenomenal for us. He’s an incredible kid and a fantastic hockey player, completely transforming our team in the best way possible. We’re really fortunate to have him.”
Schaefer’s Impact
In the game, Schaefer contributed significantly by providing a secondary assist on Horvat’s initial goal, bringing the young defenseman’s season tally to 22 points in 31 games, comprising eight goals and 14 assists. This achievement marks a milestone for Schaefer as he surpassed the previous record set by Petr Svoboda, who recorded 21 points back in the 1984-85 season with the Montreal Canadiens, making Schaefer one of the top 10 scoring 18-year-old defensemen in NHL history.
Future Prospects
Since joining the Islanders, Schaefer has proven to be a dynamic force, influencing various aspects of play and accelerating the team’s trajectory towards potential Cup contention. As Horvat noted, Schaefer’s arrival has dramatically reshaped the Islanders’ gameplay and future prospects, showcasing the impact of fresh talent in the league.
