Overshadowing tonight’s win was the heartbreaking news that Clark Gillies has passed away. As someone born after the dynasty years, I’ve always heard stories that felt more like myths about the Islanders top line of the 1980s. It feels surreal that one of the men of those myths has passed away so soon, at just 67 years old.
It always felt energizing when Gillies was in the building, and of course, if you’re a post-dynasty kid like me, the Gillies highlight you’ll remember most is when he started a trend that got the Coli rocking, of course outdoing the classic beer chug by smashing the can on his head after.