Okposo Net

Kyle Okposo put an end to his 18 game goalless drought in spectacular fashion on Saturday (12/26) night. Having already assisted on two earlier Islanders goals (by Frans Nielsen and Blake Comeau, respectively), Kyle added the game winner with 47 seconds left in overtime. After letting a 2-0 lead slip away late, the Islanders rebounded to beat the New York Rangers by a 3-2 final.

For Okposo, not only did he break his drought, which must come as a huge relief to him, but he recorded the first three point game of his career and earned the first star of the game. The winner was a long wrist shot that appeared to hit Ranger defenseman Marc Staal and a post before it found the back of the net. It was a just reward for another terrific game effort from the 21 year old budding star.

Even the opposing announcers praised Kyle's effort, calling him the "best Islander on the ice all night."

With the win, the Islanders move to 3-1 versus the Rangers this season, with two of the wins coming in Madison Square Garden. Dwayne Roloson made 36 saves to help earn the win.

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Notes:
Islanders prospect Travis Hamonic (2008, Round 2) had a goal and an assist in Canada's 16-0 rout of Latvia as the 2010 IIHF World U20 Championship got underway.

American Matt Donovan (2008, Round 4) had a goal of his own against Slovakia.

Lastly, Russian winger Kirill Petrov (2008, Round 3) had a goal and two assists to help his country to an opening 6-2 win over Austria.