Islanders' Bo Horvat takes hard shot at Vancouver
New York Islanders center Bo Horvat skates toward goal in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at UBS Arena on Saturday. Credit: Corey Sipkin
Maybe Bo Horvat didn’t like Vancouver as much as he professed.
MSG Networks host Shannon Hogan conducted a postgame, on-ice interview with Horvat after he had two assists in Saturday night’s 4-0 win over the Flyers. Horvat, acquired from the Canucks on Jan. 30 after spending his first eight-plus NHL seasons in Vancouver, was asked about the atmosphere at UBS Arena during the playoff chase.
“It’s been unbelievable,” Horvat said. “It’s a lot better than Vancouver, I’ll tell you that for free.”
Horvat then skated off the ice to cheers.
Cizikas hurting
Casey Cizikas blocked Rasmus Ristolainen’s power-play slap shot at 5:16 of the third period and literally had to drag himself off the ice, unable to put weight on his left leg.
But Cizikas never retreated to the Islanders’ room, eventually walking off the pain in the tunnel behind the Islanders’ bench. He tested his leg during a TV timeout and wound up not missing a shift.
Coach Lane Lambert did not have any further update.
“He’s not going to quit unless it’s necessary,” Cal Clutterbuck said. “He’s been a favorite here for a long time because of his will and determination.”
Isles files
Defenseman Alexander Romanov (upper body) missed his third game and has yet to resume skating . . . Mathew Barzal, out since Feb. 18 with what is believed to be a knee injury, has been skating on his own for a week but still has yet to rejoin his teammates. He did not participate in Saturday’s morning skate . . . Josh Bailey was a healthy scratch for the ninth time in 11 games. Ross Johnston and Parker Wotherspoon also remained healthy scratches.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
