In a tremendous display of speed, strength, and hockey skills, Sparky the Dragon defeated two other mascot hopefuls in the finals of a competition for the Islanders mascot job, and has been named the new official mascot of the New York Islanders hockey club. Sparky won in convincing fashion, to the cheers of a sellout Nassau Coliseum crowd prior to the first period of the Islanders' game vs. the Buffalo Sabres.

The competition was set up as a chance for three mascot candidates to showcase their talents in front of the paying public. Each character had one chance to skate in alone on a breakaway, with a goalie in place, and to perform to the best of their mascot abilities throughout the contest. Sparky, who was selected to shoot first in a random drawing, converted on his attempt to take the lead. At this point, he realized that being a great mascot is about much more than skating and shooting, and he seized the opportunity before him. In an effort to get the crowd excited, and show his acute sense of timing and humor, Sparky laid a flying check on both the Turkey and the Lobster, as each of those characters attempted their own breakaways.

A fracas ensued, as neither fowl nor crustacean was expecting this brilliant stroke of improvisation. However, Sparky's superiority came to light during the "extra-curricular activity," as well. Neither the wings of the Turkey nor the claws of the Lobster was any match for Sparky's overwhelming desire to be the best. As the dust settled, it was clear to all in attendance who the winner should be.

And so it was – Sparky was crowned victor, and took over the job of Islanders mascot immediately. After quickly changing both his colors (to Islander blue and orange) and his jersey (he'll wear #0), Sparky celebrated the successful conclusion to his campaign to become the Islanders mascot by rappelling onto the ice from the rafters of the Coliseum. In so doing, Sparky proved to everyone on his very first night at his new job, that he is and will continue to be a daring, crazy, and fun-loving mascot for the New York Islanders.