Kyle Okposo reacts to Olympic snub with OT winner vs. Blackhawks (Video)

Among the list of those players not named to Team USA's Olympic roster for Sochi who some thought might have a chance was New York Islanders forward Kyle Okposo. The belief among the staff selecting the team felt he would have issues playing on the big ice; this despite the fact he played two years at University of Minnesota's Mariucci Arena which, you guessed it, is an Olympic sheet.

Via Arthur Staple of Newsday, Okposo took the high road Thursday saying, "Obviously, it's disappointing that I didn't get selected but they put together the best team they felt was going to go over there and win a gold medal. I'm disappointed I'm not going to be part of that."

So as you can imagine, Okposo took the Olympic snub and used it to his and the Islanders' advantage Thursday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. After setting up a Thomas Vanek goal in the second period, Okposo netted the overtime winner for a 3-2 win.

Via Islanders Point Blank, the goal caused the Nassau Coliseum crowd to break into a loud "U-S-A" chant:

The two-point night gives Okposo 16 points in his last 11 games and points in eight straight. The current chip on his shoulder is something the Islanders will certainly take if his production keeps up.

Afterward, Islanders captain John Tavares had a theory about Okposo's OT goal:

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Sean Leahy

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