Islanders fans throw garbage on the ice
(Screenshot/ NBCSN)

This is one way to celebrate forcing a Game 7.

Islanders fans littered the ice with garbage after their team scored in overtime to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of their third-round NHL Playoffs series. Anthony Beauvillier was the OT hero.

The passionate fans at Nassau Coliseum threw beer cans and plastic water bottles onto the ice to celebrate the big victory. At one point, forward Cal Clutterbuck knocked down one of the beer cans.

NBC commentator Eddie Olczyk took exception to the littering by the fans. “I’m not sure why the Islanders fans are peppering the ice with whatever it is on the ice”, stated Olczyk. “You’re team just won an overtime and you’re going to Game 7. You’re one win away from going to the Stanley Cup Final. I can’t understand this. I mean they are throwing them from all sections. This is dangerous to the players. This is YOUR TEAM.”

Video:

Here’s how the littered ice looked from way up in the press box:

There was some online outrage on social media after the celebration, but the bottom line is no player got hurt and it was fairly harmless. The Islanders simply have one of the most passionate fan bases in the NHL. This was a weird way of displaying that passion, but it’s passion nonetheless.

This is also the Islanders’ final season at Nassau Coliseum. If Tampa Bay wins Game 7, this post-game celebration will be the last memory for fans in their old building.

Beauvillier, the OT hero, leaned into the unique celebration during his post-game. “Going into OT the building smelled like cigarettes, now it smells like beers”, said the Isles forward.

Former Lightning forward Ryan Callahan wasn’t a fan of the garbage throwing, however. “Good thing the Islanders won that game”, Callahan tweeted. “Fans tried injuring them with beer cans after the game. Imagine if they lost what would have happen…. #dumb #Tampain7.”

Game 7 of this epic Eastern Conference series is set for Friday, June 25th at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay.