A controversial major penalty assessed to Islanders forward Casey Cizikas led to two Dallas Stars power-play goals in New York's 4-3 loss on Sunday. The call, which was made in the second period, befuddled the Islanders, who thought it was a clean hit. Cizikas was given a five-minute major for interference, and the Stars capitalized on the opportunity, scoring two goals during the power play.
According to the Islanders, the hit was a routine check, and they did not think it warranted a major penalty. However, the referees saw it differently, and the call ended up being a turning point in the game. The Islanders had been playing well up until that point, but the two power-play goals seemed to take the wind out of their sails.
The loss was a tough one for the Islanders, who had been playing some of their best hockey of the season. They had won several games in a row and were looking to continue their streak against the Stars. However, the controversial penalty call changed the momentum of the game, and the Islanders were unable to recover.
After the game, the Islanders were still trying to make sense of the call. They thought it was a clean hit, and they did not understand why it was penalized so severely. The team's coach was diplomatic in his comments, saying that the referees have a tough job to do, but he also made it clear that he disagreed with the call.
The Stars, on the other hand, were thrilled with the outcome of the game. They had been struggling lately, but the two power-play goals seemed to energize them. They played with more confidence and intensity after the penalty call, and they were able to hold off the Islanders' late rally.
The controversy surrounding the penalty call will likely continue to be debated in the coming days. The Islanders will probably be unhappy with the call, and they may even consider appealing it. However, for now, they have to focus on their next game and try to put the loss behind them.
The game was an exciting one, with plenty of action and drama. The Islanders and Stars are both talented teams, and they played a fast-paced and physical game. The controversial penalty call added an extra layer of intrigue to the game, and it will be interesting to see how it affects the teams in the long run.