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Daniel Bryan attends New York Islanders home opener, starts ‘Yes’ chant after Josh Bailey OTGWG goal

By Ian Oland

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October 17, 2016 12:24 am

Beloved three-time WWE champion Daniel Bryan went to his first ever hockey game Sunday. Bryan flew to Brooklyn for the New York Islanders home opener against the Anaheim Ducks at Barclays Center. There was good reason.

Over the last two-plus seasons, the Islanders have celebrated wins by gathering at center ice, pointing their index fingers skyward, and pumping their arms up and down while the crowd chants “YES! YES! YES!”

The Isles’ tradition was adopted from the underdog wrestler who would do the same before and after victorious WWE matches.

Wearing a number one Islanders jersey and scarf (that I can only assume he got from Chris Jericho), Bryan was introduced to the crowd and started his first YES! chant early in the game.

He looked very excited.

Speaking to MSG Network’s Shannon Hogan during intermission, Bryan explained that he was first made aware of the Islanders tradition through a friend.

“A buddy of mine called me who was a huge hockey fan,” Bryan said. “He just called me and said, ‘Hey, did you know the Islanders are doing the Yes! chant?’ I was like, ‘No!’ Then I looked it up online and I was like ‘Wow! That’s super cool.’”

Bryan also explained where the chant initially came from.

“It really was just a celebration,” Bryan said. “I had just won a championship. I was out celebrating. I was like ‘Ah, I’m a champion. Yes! Yes! Yes!’ I was trying to be obnoxious about it. But it’s fun, right? I think that’s why it catches on. Because it’s a fun way to celebrate.”

Bryan would get to lead another chant later after Josh Bailey gave the team a sudden-death victory. Bailey scored after carrying the puck past several Ducks players and deking around goaltender Josh Gibson for an easy tap-in. The tally gave the Islanders their first victory of the season. Bryan knew exactly what to do next.

In addition to the glass-side seats, Bryan got a free Zamboni ride and took a blurry picture on the Barclays Center ice.

“What incredible athletes these guys are,” Bryan said, later joking, “I’m a little too short” to be a hockey player.

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