Hamilton returns Nelson's head tap as series, game of tag end

The Carolina Hurricanes won the Eastern Conference Second Round and the game of tag against the New York Islanders.

Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton gave Islanders forward Brock Nelson a tap on the head during the handshake line after Carolina's series-clinching 5-2 win in Game 4 at PNC Arena.
Nelson started the symbolic game of tag during the second period of Game 3 when he tapped Carolina goalie Curtis McElhinney on the head after Josh Bailey tied the game during the second period.

But Hamilton ended it Friday, capping a busy day where he played 18:26 and also posed for a picture with Hurricanes mascot Stormy the Pig in a wagon.

Carolina hosted a single-game franchise record crowd of 19,495, including Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera, who hyped up the fans before the game by sounding the siren. The Hurricanes announced Rivera as the siren sounder Thursday, with a picture that delighted fans everywhere.

Rivera, known as "Riverboat Ron" for his daring in-game decisions, tweeted his appreciation.