Islanders right wing Leo Komarov fights with Vancouver Canucks center Adam Gaudette in the second period as referee Brandon Schrader takes in action on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The Islanders had just cut their deficit to one and thought they were going back on the power play when Adam Gaudette's stick went into Mathew Barzal's skates at 17:58 of the second period in the Canucks' 4-3 overtime win on Saturday afternoon at Barclays Center.
Instead, referee Brandon Schrader, 25, also called a diving penalty on Barzal, leaving the teams skating four-on-four. Islanders coach Barry Trotz was visibly upset on the bench and both he and captain Anders Lee spoke to the rookie ref coming off the ice for the second intermission.