With a bug going around the Islanders dressing room, Jean-Gabriel Pageau had come down sick and the 25-year-old Gatcomb was in line to make his NHL debut. He used the 90-minute ride from Bridgeport to Long Island to call up his family and as many friends as he could, learning in the car that he would indeed be playing against the Senators.

New York Islanders forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau was scratched prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Ottawa Senators with an illness and is considered day-to-day, the team announced. In his place, the team emergency recalled Marc Gatcomb from AHL Bridgeport.

Although he was held pointless, Gatcomb has collected nine goals and eight assists for 17 points in 35 games with Bridgeport. Having turned pro at the end of the 2021-22 season, Gatcomb is in his first season with the Islanders organization.