Good Morning, Islanders Country.
It’s a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).
We’re back with our first episode during the 2025-26 season, which was our first opportunity to verbally marvel at what Matthew Schaefer has done on and off the ice for the team and the franchise. Chris and Joe discuss what’s impressed them the most about his media persona. Later, the importance of Ilya Sorokin, the Islanders’ balanced scoring attack led by Bo Horvat’s hot stick, and the initial impact of Mathieu Darche’s summer acquisitions.
Later, Chris shares his perspective on Mathew Barzal being disciplined for missing the team bus (and yes, it has happened to other Islanders before, but maybe not so publicly) and what Kelly Cheeseman means for the business of the Islanders as their President of Business Operations.
Listen and enjoy!
🙅🏻♂️ Suspended
Prospect Kayshawn Aitcheson has been suspended for two games by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) after an altercation with a fan following the Barrie Colts’ game against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds this past weekend.
The incident occurred after the Greyhounds’ shootout victory, when Soo forward and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Marco Mignosa waved toward the Barrie bench as his teammates celebrated, appearing to taunt the Colts with a “Go home” gesture. Emotions flared briefly between the two teams, but officials managed to separate the players and send them off the ice.
As the Colts made their way toward the tunnel, tensions spilled into the stands. Fans at the Soo rink reportedly heckled the visiting team as they exited, and before stepping off the ice, Aitcheson tossed a water bottle toward a fan in the crowd. It’s unclear what may have been said to provoke the exchange, and while fan behavior at junior games can at times cross the line, the league determined Aitcheson’s response warranted discipline.
📚 SOUND SMART: Per Eric Hornick in The Skinny, Ilya Sorokin was 2-4-1 (.868 and 3.75) in his first seven games this season; he is 3-0-1 (.949 and 1.46) since October 30th giving him the 2nd-lowest goals against average and 2nd-highest save percentage of any NHL goalie who has made at least three appearances in that span (Yaroslav Askarov .972 and 1.32).
🎥 ISLES REWIND: On November 12, 1978, Hall of Fame goaltender Billy Smith earned his 100th career victory as the New York Islanders beat the New York Rangers 5-3 at Madison Square Garden. Smith stopped 14 of 15 shots in the first period, allowing the Islanders to build a 4-1 lead after two periods on second-period goals from Lorne Henning, Clark Gillies, and Bob Bourne. Stefan Persson led the scoring with a goal and two assists. Smith finished with 31 saves.
🔗 NY Islanders’ prospect Kashawn Aitcheson receives 2 game OHL suspension by Mike Stahurski, Eyes on Isles “If things had ended there, there’d be no issue. But as the officials got both teams off the ice, the Soo fans were giving it to the Colts. Heading down the tunnel to the locker room, Aitcheson dumped a water bottle on a Soo fan.”
🔗 NY Islanders balanced scoring attack reaching levels not seen in decades via Eyes on Isles “According to the team’s public relations staff, the Islanders entered Monday night’s game against the New Jersey Devils with eight players already in double digits in points, the most of any team in the league. It’s the first time since the 1987-88 season that the Isles have had that many players reach the 10-point mark this early, and the first time since 1993-94 that six players have surpassed 10 points through 15 games”
And we leave you with this…Barzal and his bobblehead, which will be the team’s giveaway on November 26th (Thanksgiving Eve!) at UBS Arena.
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