Zdeno Chara Scores, Gets Love From Lightning Players In Potential Final Game

In possibly the last game of his storied NHL career, New York Islanders defenceman Zdeno Chara scores in the final minute against the Tampa Bay Lightning, then gets handshakes from his Tampa opponents after the game.

[@giancarlocorlazzoli5527]

Chara is like “guys what’s going on here?!? I still got 4 more years”

[@JohnnyBuschi]

That's exactly what happened. He's not done.

[@CarlosMensuckass]

Man, I hope so. I'mma miss Big Z whenever he does hang em up.

[@anthonydurante1149]

There are 32 teams. You'd think ONE of them would pay league minimum to have his presence in a locker room. I know he'd prefer to stay on the east coast. Can't Philly or NJ use him? Why not NYI again? Hell, Buffalo could use veteran leadership too.

[@topiheimola69]

Yeah he really looked like it

[@trvman1]

I don't see a team giving him a contract, even at league minimum. His age has him just too slow in today's NHL. Agree with others, in as an Islander, out as an Islander. He has his Cup and his ticket to the Hall of Fame. Time to retire.

[@Lynx-lh9it]

45 years old still playing in the NHL - unbelievable... I just turned 40 and I can barely walk down the stairs.

[@erickouniakis5722]

Lol 😅 I'm not far behind !!👍

[@lloydmarshalljr1951]

@@erickouniakis5722 I don't think I've even been casually athletic myself, but I've taken an active interest in the 1980s *20 MINUTE WORKOUT* shows in recent years. I've done that, and walking... and recently came to discover I have arthritis... and I'm 51(I shouldn't have been coy about my age before; please forgive as I set it right).

[@erickouniakis5722]

@@lloydmarshalljr1951 I'm 58 and i need new knee caps. Everytime the weather changes the pain increases. I was very active most of my years but the last decade has been a nightmare. The pain at time's gets so bad i have to stay in bed. I definitely can feel what you're saying Lloyd. All the best to you!!👍

[@lloydmarshalljr1951]

@@erickouniakis5722 Thanks, bro

[@Lynx-lh9it]

@Darkness Gaming lol... I played AAA hockey and major junior.. 20 plus years ago... back then the hockey was a little rougher than it is now... I didn't feel it then , but I feel it now :(

[@adamlewis5700]

Class by the Lightning there. Nice moment.

[@frankiebluethgen4291]

got his first as an islander, got his last as an islander, even with all the teams in between. gotta love that

[@trvman1]

IF he wants it, I think some team will hire him as an assistant coach for defense.

[@mrbriggs3074]

Sens no??

[@frankiebluethgen4291]

@@mrbriggs3074 he was drafted by the isles and scored his first nhl goal with them in 1999. he went to the sens a couple seasons later tho

[@mrbriggs3074]

@@frankiebluethgen4291 right on by!

[@YANILLIONAIRE]

@@mrbriggs3074 Chara is one of many Victims of Milbury sucking at GM

[@insertgenericusernamehere2402]

If it is big Z's last game good on him for scoring a goal. In the one season he was a caps player he helped us on the D line significantly. Will be missed around the league for sure. Dude is a legend.

[@kevinkarbonik2928]

he's a goon and a skating orangutan.

[@BrettfordBolts]

Forgot he played there last season lmao

[@insertgenericusernamehere2402]

@@BrettfordBolts cause everyone always knows him as a Bruin, it's like many people seem to forget he played for ottowa too

[@michaelchipman1832]

Zedeno Chats is a Bruin...he played for a few other teams but will be remembered for what he did in Boston

[@ChrisBrown-pz2gu]

@@insertgenericusernamehere2402 Ottawa had to decide between keeping Chara or Wade Redden...they kept Redden...because Sens

[@goose5462]

That was beautiful. This is what makes hockey so special. (among a 100 other things)

[@Donny_Double_Dip]

They do whole retirement tours in other sports 😂

[@goose5462]

@@Donny_Double_Dip that sounds sad.

[@Donny_Double_Dip]

@@goose5462 yeah tragic…

[@goose5462]

@@Donny_Double_Dip glass bubble resembling a pope tour?

[@Donny_Double_Dip]

@@goose5462 nah….

[@jfayiii]

From a Tampa fan, couldn't have been a better ending for big Z. Very nice moment.

[@PimpinNProgress]

The amount of pain this guy has unleashed on my heart over the years has me traumatized. 2011 anyone🤕 Anyway, I couldn't help but tear up for this moment when i was watching the game.

[@BH-xp8ic]

Classy move from Tampa. Would like to see Chara get a front office position with the Isles

[@proffeine2383]

More likely gonna choose Boston

[@BH-xp8ic]

@@proffeine2383 Hopefully stays in NY, such a big mentor for Dobson this season.

[@BH-xp8ic]

@Jesse Champagne Ya definitely. I feel bad for anyone sitting in the first 5 rows behind the bench if he gets a coaching gig lol

[@ferrallderrall6588]

Yes man class

[@JeffONeillOverdrive]

He could be Lou’s button man.

[@CryptbloomEnjoyer]

As much as im sick of tampa winning, theyre a class act and this proves it. As an Bruins fan i am going to really miss seeing chara around.

[@FrenchToast_28]

Not that I think Tampa isn’t classy but it’s hilarious to see Tampa win the cup and everyone call them classless jerks then have this pop up a year later with everyone praising their classiness

[@deusvult6920]

@@FrenchToast_28 literally no one calls Tampa that.

[@FrenchToast_28]

@@deusvult6920 did you not see twitter or nhl media after they won the cup last year 😂 everyone was freaking out about it

[@michaelchipman1832]

@@FrenchToast_28 just the babies

[@moappleseider1699]

@@FrenchToast_28 It's not the team so much that's a bunch of classless jackasses. More so a large amount of their fanbase.

[@tylerwintrow4372]

THIS is why the NHL is the best professional sport in NA. You have such a broad, global community of teammates and then things like this happen.. just makes me appreciate that I've gotten my 9 year old involved in playing hockey and the traditions that come with it.

[@trollnoobs178]

Played ice hockey from 9-14 best sport ever

[@davsauvage1976]

Hedman is the only one who could almost look Chara in the eyes.

[@davidrobins4025]

What a special way to conclude his professional career in hockey. Respect from the Lightning players showed just how great the game of hockey really is. Congratulations on a great career

[@thegourmetgolfer5544]

Absolute legend. He's been a force ever since I was a kid. Can't believe he'll be gone. Very classy from Tampa too, you love to see it

[@vanhattfield8292]

Awesome to see sportsmanship and respect, it never gets old.

[@jeronkir]

This is why I love the game of hockey. So much class

[@JD-re3cj]

That’s the biggest joke ever mate hahaha there’s a difference between showing respect and class. You’ve confused those words. Hockey players are generally the most trashiest trailer park bruisers in sport.

[@jeronkir]

@@JD-re3cj That's your opinion! I hope you have a great day :)

[@DanielNYR]

Rangers fan here, nothing but respect for Chara. Man has been a solid player for my entire life it seems, and I'm 31. If he doesn't play another game he will never be forgotten.

[@samperkey3471]

Coming from a Wings fan, ill miss seeing him play but wont miss him playing against my wings ;)

[@kpowers9215]

Islanders fan, first time I ever saw chara play was my first ever game, I was 7, I’m 30 now.

[@krazejeff]

The world needs more attitude like this from EVERYONE... INCLUDING MYSELF TOO

[@jingleoctopus4160]

Legend of the sport

[@tylerolson5860]

Very classy from Lightning. ❤

[@royw14]

Chara was a thorn in the side of Tampa for many years, I can't count how many times I have seen TB vs BOS in the playoffs and its always a war. Great on Chara to get a goal in what is likely his last game.

[@otaviofrn_adv]

Y'all were part of the greatest, most nerve-wrecking game I can remember (game 7, eastern final, 2011). Both teams fought as much as a fan can demand in a playoff game. A total war between Thomas and Roloston on the nets, the goal happened because it was an impossible shot to catch. Thomas won the game, but Roloston, imo as a Bruins fan, played more. Great sportmanship today with Chara

[@hagamapama]

@@otaviofrn_adv That game, game 7 ECF, was te single greatest game of hockey I've ever personally seen. Few stoppages, no major penalties, both teams playing almost mistake free for most of the game. Amazing hockey.

[@otaviofrn_adv]

@@hagamapama same for me

[@greyk610]

Deffenitly his last game based on his smile and the reaction from the bench. Gonna miss this guy.

[@FrenchToast_28]

Certainly his last as an islander wouldn’t be shocked to see him return to Boston for a true final game and retirement in Boston

[@boland73]

@@FrenchToast_28 if he does that it’ll likely be on a 1 day contract

[@Rex73777]

@@boland73 Yeah I think that is what will happen and they will retire his number in Boston. As an Islander fan I love Chara, we had him first and we had him for his last but he spent 14 of his best years in Boston.

[@FrenchToast_28]

@@boland73 that’s what I’d expect tbh

[@otaviofrn_adv]

Bruins fan, he was the best captain a team could ask for. I know the Islanders fanbase will claim him as one of their own (and rightfully so) but we cannot let him go without saying nothing. One of the greats in height and game. And RIP to both Clark Gilles and Mike Bossy

[@monicadaniels784]

Classy post! (From an Islander fan.)

[@craigstanley3680]

The respect by Lightning to Chara is good karma for them heading into their playoff series with Leafs.

[@ultimatebasses]

Chara will most certainly be voted into the hockey hall of fame and deservedly so.

[@nickpoucher9067]

that's a great show of sportsmanship for an excellent hockey player. hall of famer 1st ballot forsure.

[@928frogman]

Incredible player, teammate, opponent, man and member of any society he happens to be. Chara=Legend.

[@BDawgCrypto]

Love this sportsmanship

[@not2tees]

Sincere congratulations from one and all, beautiful to see.

[@noahwhiteside]

Gotta love how the whole point and title of the video gets cut after 5 seconds of them shaking his hand. Great job SN. I miss when TSN had the Canadian rights.

[@richardmourdock2719]

Another reason why hockey is my favorite sport. Class shows itself.

[@zembleton9789]

For such a high energy game, its nice that these players and people can come down and be so humble. Hockeyftw.

[@Axeom]

Never thought I'd see the day Tampa show any class...Big Z, forever a legend. The hockey lineup will always be what stands it out from other sports. The nastiness put aside for a few moments to show respect knowing how hard these players worked for 82+ games each year.

[@RunningMan-9905]

This is why I love hockey and is my favorite sport.

[@theschof96]

Love to see the respect for one of the most unique NHLers of the modern era. Well deserved.

[@drnick647]

Gonna miss big Z. He’s a warrior

[@ChrisJones-pi5mh]

Loved him in Ottawa. Still remember that McCabe ragdoll fight like it was yesterday! 😂

[@ThunderHockeyTFL]

Wish they kept him. Still can't believe he just walked and got absolutely nothing for him in the prime of his career

[@rickmossop3733]

Yeah, and McCabe wasn't small either. But Chara usually went out of his way to not injure people too. He had that bomb of a shot and often would take a little off of it if someone was in the way (at least it looked to me).

[@benvasilinda9729]

Well in all fairness, we just won back to back Stanley Cups and already made the playoffs so showing Chara some respect is also out of respect for how great we and he has been. Plus, we won the game and Stamkos got a net trick in their house.

[@jakebakker8224]

Very classy. Big Z played the game the right way. Hall of famer.

[@chrisk6540]

Don't see too many class acts, but wow the whole TB Lighting team deserves a kudos for what they did. Great stuff!

[@semiretired6033]

Nice sportsmanship moment.

[@hakug2587]

Habs fan here. It's hard for me to love him after what he did to Pacioretty, the guy was a nightmare during his prime but I respect the player a lot and all his accomplishments. I will always remember his spin-o-rama goal against the Panthers. *6'9 and he's a ballerina* The guy is a legend.

[@AWCTB]

Getzlaf, Brown, Chara, all the vets retiring.

[@ennardsnacks257]

I feel there all hall of famers

[@SimplyTheBestCSGO]

thorton next

[@zayinghui6282]

Getzlaf, Chara……my childhood is vanishing

[@screamingbanana4391]

Brown

[@UncleAnaesthesia]

Big respect for big Zee. +1

[@pavelkostar5202]

Yes Big Z!!! He was a great captain for my Bruins.

[@ronzilla3296]

Awesome show of respect by the lightening players

[@raha1277]

Awesome showing, proud to be a hockey fan

[@floydthompson9332]

Sweeney was a fool to part ways with this sure fire Hall of Famer. He's not the dominant defender he once was but he's still better than any defenseman the Bruins have not named McAvoy, Lindholm or Carlo. Imagine having that guy as a mentor, which he could have done while still playing.

[@cptVLK]

Zdeno "Ciaraaa" je pan, klobuk dole pred tebov Zdeno dakujem ti a myslim aj cele Slovensko pre to co si dokazal, si ten spravny chlap, ktoreho kroky by mal ansleodvat kazdy jeden mlady hokejista soprtovec !!! DAKUJEME ! ;)

[@ElkStirrinTheHoney]

Such a classy player, and a classy move from Tampa!

[@arensaraydarian4648]

So great to see him score in what was probably his last NHL game. I’ll miss him for sure

[@brandonreimer1041]

Awesome to see sportsmanship like this.

[@samperkey3471]

Love this, gotta respect your elders. You know you had a good career when opposing teams fans hate playing against you! Coming from a Wings fan. Had a great run Chara!

[@samperkey3471]

But it's still F Marchand and Lucic

[@kothejunglist]

The guy started with the Islanders over 22 years ago, and he is calling it quits with the same team that drafted him. I'll always remember him as Boston's tank.

[@caidenteague2592]

Lots of legends taking off this season. A new era is beginning

[@anthonyriche552]

I noticed that too and I hate it.

[@caidenteague2592]

@@anthonyriche552 Believe me I hate it too

[@elvisisalive2716]

Hedman didn't look much smaller... two big boys would be nice to see Big Z return to Prince George his hometown JR team and help them turn it around

[@Wayf4rer]

I think he probably goes back to europe to play for another year or two

[@elvisisalive2716]

@@Wayf4rer nah, Z is done, time to go home and the WHL

[@ScoobieSwisher7413]

Prince George is in Slovakia? Huh....

[@Wayf4rer]

@@ScoobieSwisher7413 He played in Europe before that you dunce

[@ScoobieSwisher7413]

@@Wayf4rer Slovakia is part of Europe by the way.

[@MLKraszewski]

and that's why I love Hockey

[@Jacob-gw4nh]

As a Tampa fan gonna miss seeing the isles in the playoffs they always make a good matchup but knowing them they wont be gone for long.

[@7evive]

Absolute legend

[@MacPNW]

Hockey: the sport where bare knuckle fighting and sportsmanship are time honor traditions.

[@dnasty312]

Love ya, Big Z 🖤💛🐻🏒🏆🇸🇰 If this is it, thank you and we'll see you in the Hall 🙋🏼‍♂️

[@augustussohn893]

Z the Giant. Thanks for the memories.

[@erickouniakis5722]

Congrats on his spectacular hockey currier. Great athlete great person, Hope he takes another position in the NHL so we can still see him around.!!❤️

[@bbeaup]

This was really awesome man. I hope big Z plays one more. Grown to really like him.

[@mercure441]

Well deserved. Class act too by TB.

[@СтаниславУдалов-ы9в]

Здено здоровья удачи красавец друг Демитры жаль что так случилось всё равно молодец

[@nathanmcdonald8891]

Congrats big guy! Hated watching my team play against you but would have loved to have you in your prime playing behind Sid and geno! Hell of a career!

[@suzyfabry9911]

Hi there everybody hated him playing against your favorite team, but they would love him to play for your team. He protected his team players, and even with broken jaw he came to play instead call in sick. Not everybody will do it, he did.

[@cjay6664]

As a lifelong bruins fan this is so sad that hes gone now ever since he left boston things havent been the same without him

[@DG-le7eu]

It's not his final game in NHL, he is still a young athlete (born in 1977).

[@luigismushrooms5701]

ALL CLASS! love this.

[@Meowface.]

Love moments like this in hockey

[@williampatterson5125]

Big penguins fan here enjoy your retirement Big Z you had a very nice time in the nhl and enjoyed watching your games with all of the teams you played with. In the end players are just people too like the fans that watch the teams.

[@timduff6128]

Love to see good sportsmanship like that

[@dronlaa]

Great career, Zdeno! 👏 Last time we see Hedman looks small )

[@hannessunno2532]

Lovely to see😊

[@FrenchToast_28]

This is what hockeys about not the money not the fame a love for the game and it’s greats. Z will be missed even as a Minnesota fan I loved watching chara, growing up modeled my defensive play after him in my far less significant “career”

[@radiationraven]

As if we needed more evidence of the glorious Big Z, and the respect he has earned, and how classy and pure the sport of hockey is as a game, right? ❤️

[@spankeyguitars8457]

Never did like Chara, because he was too good and wasn't on my team. But this clip made me happy that he had a good career and made the games exciting....

[@MicBergsma]

Nice goal to end the career!

[@brucelee2607]

I like seeing these good sportsmanship moments. Feeling some kinda way about it

[@baze3SC]

I grew up in the same area as Zdeno. He wasn't one of those players who were truly gifted when it comes to technique or coordination of movement. In fact, he was quite awkward on skates as a junior. Even respected coaches were making fun of him. What I'm trying to say is that whatever he achieved was because of dedication and hard work. Kudos to him, what a career. And what a classy gesture by Tampa's players.

[@jamescaliendo1030]

Even as a Ranger fan, I love seeing this. Stuff like this is why our sport is the greatest in the world

[@FloridaHockeyFan]

The greatest defensemen since Lidstrom hung em up in Detroit. He was without a doubt the nastiest player of his era. Size, strength and leadership. Sprinkle in a nasty disposition and you had a monster. I cannot say I'm glad to see him go though. He absolutely rocked my Lightning for the past 15+ years.

[@shredder5214]

.

[@Jinjee_YamYam]

What a sportsmanship

[@hectikhector8482]

Big Z what a legend

[@LHSquishys]

I can’t stop watching this

[@A-Woman-in-Every-Kitchen]

Awsome stuff right there ♥️

[@TheRealJohnJ10]

That was awesome. Next stop for big Z is the Hall.

[@josephhowell8158]

Canes fan here, good on big z getting his last goal

[@rjwood6314]

Classy move for a classy player. Thanks for all the years chara. Go B's

[@Grandtrunk]

Z: One of the most respected players ever

[@donziperk]

Congratulations Big Z. I was working in Prince George the winter he played for the WHL Cougars and went to all the games. He was impressive then but I had no idea he would have the career he’s had. One more year one more year………….

[@suzyfabry9911]

Hi there, most people were laughing and made him like he should play basketball he is to tall. Most important that he did what he liked and proved everyone wrong and got respect. He worked very hard with heart and loyalty. I wish there is more people in this world like him. Not even broken jaw turned him around. Not many can do it, he did.

[@gastondeveaux3783]

Class !!! I've always liked the Big Z

[@Max-oo8yo]

really want him to do a oneday with Boston

[@ronsdad3736]

Chara was drafted in '96... that is absolutely nuts

[@danlewis1885]

Unloading Leddy and picking up Chara sounded death knell for another Isles run ...

[@ronniejamesdio4468]

Love him or hate him that's poetic

[@stoneysopranoyukon9398]

Absolute class.

[@markhoward3803]

I love hockey players....lots of class!!!!!

[@CribNotes]

I think every player's dream would be to score a goal in the final minute of their 23 season career.