Holy Makela! Religion and Hockey

I've written about this a few times in the past, usually in springtime when either Passover or Easter appear on the Islanders' schedule.

This time though it is in fall, because for the first time in Islander history they will play a home game on Yom Kippur Day.

Technically, Yom Kippur will end at sundown -- so the home opener will occur (at a special 8pm starting time) just after the holiday concludes.

It's only the 6th time that the Isles will play on either Kol Nidre (the beginning of Yom Kippur) or Yom Kippur night.

The others:

1981 - a 4-1 win on Kol Nidre in Los Angeles
1989 - a 5-1 win on Yom Kippur Day in Vancouver (it was Canadian Thanksgiving/Columbus Day)
1992 - a 4-3 loss on Kol Nidre in New Jersey
1997 - a 3-1 loss on Yom Kippur Day in Washington
2005 - a 5-3 win on Yom Kippur Day
in Washington

This won't occur again anytime soon.  Unless the schedule changes significantly, the holiday will occur before the season starts for the next four seasons.

There will be no "Easter Epic" this spring for the Islanders.  Easter Sunday is on April 8th, the day after the Isles (and the other 29 NHL teams) end their regular season.  Passover starts on April 6th, which is also Good Friday... and also an off-day for the Isles.

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick