Epic Center Ice Shot Earns Islanders Fan $1,000 in Viral Moment
Imagine being in the spotlight during an intense hockey game, and then nailing a shot that could change your night. That’s exactly what happened to Sean Umhafer, a dedicated Islanders fan who became an overnight sensation after sinking a jaw-dropping shot from center ice. This electrifying moment occurred during an intermission of the New York Islanders' nail-biting 2-1 overtime loss to the Oilers on Friday night.
An Islanders fan just made a center ice shot for $1K pic.twitter.com/uHWuwb6Eh6
— Alex V. Mitchell (@AMitchReporting) March 15, 2025
Umhafer, who walked away with a $1,000 Ticketmaster voucher, expressed his excitement, saying, “Every single dollar will probably go to more Islanders tickets.” He made the shot into a net that was almost entirely covered, with only three tiny prize slots visible. “That was electric,” he added, referring to his impressive five-hole shot that landed him the jackpot.
At 29 years old, Umhafer is no stranger to the ice. A legal tech salesman from Massapequa Park, he plays in three men’s leagues and has even skated on the UBS Arena ice before. However, the events of Friday night felt like destiny as he found himself in the right place at the right time between the second and third periods.
“My friend and I took an earlier train than we normally do,” Umhafer recalled. While hanging out at a bar in the arena, a team representative approached them and asked, “Do any of you play hockey?” Suddenly, all eyes were on Umhafer, who admitted that the crowd of 15,879 was a bit larger than what he was used to at Belmont.
“I kept thinking, I play three nights a week,” he said, reflecting on the pressure of the moment. “I better at least get close.” His first attempt, however, went way off target, sliding to the right of the net as the already frustrated fans—upset about the Islanders trailing 1-0—let out a chorus of boos. The noise was so loud that it was captured on video by his friend, Brett Ansbacher.
In his defense, Umhafer had to use an oversized stick that was awkwardly poking his chest. Sensing the tension in the air, Islanders public address announcer Andrew Sykora offered some sage advice before Umhafer took his second shot. “He said, ‘Take your time’ because I was trying to rush it,” Umhafer explained. “Then I thought, ‘You know what, I am going to take my time—I’m going to play with the puck a little bit.’”
And just like that, magic happened. The Isles fans erupted as he scored the first home goal of the night, and the moment quickly went viral, catching the attention of major hockey social media pages like Bardown and the Islanders’ own Instagram account.
In the heat of the moment, Umhafer celebrated in his signature style, dropping to one knee and fist-pumping to the astonished crowd. But this time, he added a twist by pulling out a pair of sunglasses, looking “cool, calm, and collected” for the cameras. “You’ve gotta act like you’ve been here before,” he said, adding that the glasses were the cherry on top of an unforgettable experience.
Umhafer’s incredible shot not only won him a hefty prize but also solidified his status as a fan favorite, proving that sometimes, the best moments happen when you least expect them.
