With three different goal scorers, and nine players recording points in the New York Islanders’ 3-2 win over Anaheim Ducks there were several candidates for Player of the Game Awards.
Mitchell Chaffee took home the hardest worker helmet following his Islanders debut and Ondřej Palát won the team oar as the player of the game.
After being recalled on Monday, Chaffee made his debut with the Isles, playing his signature physical brand of hockey, tallying a hit and dropping the gloves against A.J. Greer in the win. The 6-foot, 197 lbs. Chaffee gave up some size and weight to the 6-foot-3, 224 lbs. Greer.
"I think that's just kinda how we [Chaffee and Kyle MacLean] play," Chaffee said on his physicality. "I think that's part of our games and our identity. I thought as the game went on, we got better, and I thought that we were pretty good tonight, and we'll continue to grow."
Chaffee played six games with the Hamilton Hammers this season, recording six points (4G, 2A) ahead of his call up. Coming into the game, played 108 NHL games between the Minnesota Wild and Tampa Bay Lightning. Chaffee played on the fourth line, skating alongside MacLean and Casey Cizikas.
"They [Chaffee and MacLean] did a great job," Islanders Head Coach Pete DeBoer said. "I didn't have to hide them. They had some shifts against their big guys. I thought they gave us energy, they gave us some physicality, they some really good puck possession shifts, especially in the third period."
