I have said all along that the key to preseason is to make sure that the systems that a coach wants to put in place, are not only implemented, but are running at full steam once the regular season is in full swing.

In Monday’s game at the Garden, I saw the beginnings of that system looking good.  I really did not care what the score was (well – you ALWAYS do when it is a Ranger/Islander Game, but…), but when October 5 starts, I hope that the Isles are in ’100% shape’ and ready to take on Gretz’s Coyotes.

But tonight – the word was TOTAL DOMINATION!

Yes – again – it is preseason, but when it comes down to the Rangers, I want to win at all costs.  And last night – they were in TOTAL control.

This team does not look like the one that fans in 317 were complaning about.  The one that caused Chi Chi to grace us with her presence.  In all aspects of the game, the Islanders looked like the better team.  Forechecking, clearing the crease, one touch crisp passing, checking, everything!  And a great fight too!

And yes Joe, it was almost the entire team….

Ricky did NOT have much work.  Only fourteen saves out of fifteen.  The only goal was a fluke and he had no chance to really take charge of that.  Other than that mishap, he performed well.

Yash looked like a new player.  Forechecking, making hits, being around all aspects of the game.  I think the message from Nolan is getting through.

Things are very positive right now, as the team heads to Bridgeport to face the Devils tonight.  With a win, it would make a 3-2 preseason, as the regular season gets its start on Thursday night.

Now – on to some logistical stuff.  At each and every game that I attend (whether it is home or away), I will be handing out 3 star ballots in the section, and have the section provide their 3 stars of the game.  In addition, I will supply a GOLD STAR AWARD.  This will be to something (player, fan, or event), that made the game good to me.  Also, there will be the TIN TWIT AWARD, which will be the opposite of the GOLD STAR. 

So, without further adieu, here we go.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME

• 3 – Jason Blake – usually I am complaining about his puck hogging.  Tonight, he was brilliant with it.  Made some great checks – played like he is supposed to be.  A real PAIN IN THE ASS!
• 2 – Miro Satan – scored the first goal – looked like his old self.  Is in regular season form
• 1 – Alexei Yashin – great game from all aspects.  If he keeps this up, we may see some great things.

The GOLD STAR AWARD – goes to the new video screen.  You can see a great picture of the game.  In essence, so good that you may not need to watch any of the game.  But why would you not do that???

The TIN TWIT AWARD -goes to all the idiots that still need to scream POTVIN SUCKS, over a quarter of a century after the play actually happened.  It was a LEGAL hit.  Even the man that got the hit says so.  GET OVER IT!  Now, Islander fans, just say POTVIN’s CUPS, instead…

Well – I am happy. Have a great day, ISLANDER FANS!

Gary

Posted under Islanders 06-07

Finally – a game to go to live…. Been waiting for this since April.

I will give an my update of the game the next day.  I will provide you with my 3 Stars of the game – as opposed to the ones announced at the game.  These will be a compilation of votes that I get from my comrades in the section.  I will also give my Gold Star (to the one exceptional play of the game) and my “Tin Twit Award” (well – you figure it out).

Some observations as well will come tomorrow.  At times, I will have some of my comrades in 317 provide their own commentary, and that will be put on the site too….

Let’s Go Islanders!  Whoosh, it’s behind ya!  1, 2, 3 THAT’s CRAP!  I have the fever, and the only remedy is MORE COW BELL!  I cant wait to scream again….

Report tomorrow. 
G

Posted under Islanders 06-07

Tune us in tonight….

Should be interesting if Joe gets on his shoebox tonight.  I actually may have to get ugly (although I hate playing that role, but I must, if I must…)

Two more nights until HOCKEY IN UNIONDALE.  Should be fun.

Talk to you on the show.

Gary

Posted under NY Hockey Report

Yes, I know, it is PRESEASON.

Yes it is a meaningless game, about eight or nine days before the season actually starts.

Yes it does not give you a real two points in your standings grid.

BUT I WILL TAKE IT!

I will preface this next statement by saying that in this rivalry, feud, whatever, called the Ranger-Islander rivalry, I usually (about 99% of the time) take the HIGH ROAD.  I will usually be easy going (even some will say it looks like a poker face) about these things.  Just another game, yada yada yada!

NO WAY – WE BEAT THOSE GUYS!

I know – no Jagr, Straka, Nylander, Prucha, Lundqvist what-freaking-ever.  You damn well know that if we played our FULL squad, and the Rangers had all rookies and they won…..

We would never hear the end of it!!!!

So for once, I am going to say, “WE RULE THE DAY!!!!” 

Plusses:

1. Jason Blake – strong game – 2 goals
2. Tom Poti – 2 helpers with 10,000 + people letting him have it with evert touch of the puck.
3. Yashin – was definitely ‘in it’ today.  Played well – 1 assist, doing the PK – he looked like he WANTED to play
4. Dunham – some great saves in the 3rd.  Looks like he is in.
5. Asham – is this the good year?  I hope so.

Questions:

1. Simon – looked like a lollygagger…. However, he is a 13 year vet and may be saving it a little… Will give benefit of the doubt.  He will be a guy come the end of the season who will show that he will eat fire for Ted Nolan
2. Witt – see #1
3. Zhitnik – hope he is still kicking the rust out…

I like that the guys kept pouring it on, even when the lead was strong.  They lacked that last year – with both coaches. (Yea – Keith even Chi Chi couldn’t help).

Wonder how Joe is going to be with me tomorrow night on the NY Hockey Report.  Should be fun.  However, Joe likes to start confrontations.  I am just not that way, no matter how much he wants me to be.  I know it is good radio, but you just can’t be someone that you are not.

But I will say, for one night, WE ARE THE KINGS OF NEW YORK!

Word up!

G

Posted under Islanders 06-07

Well – we are 0-2.

Please people, do NOT jump off the bridge. 

We are not doing well – we have scored just three goals in two games.  Our defense, the one thing that would make us a better team, according to the media, has looked terrible, sluggish, and quite frankly, like CRAP!

The media would probably want to say that, but can’t.

But do I worry? 

No!

I believe in 2000, we had one of the best records in the NHL during the preseason.  Mariusz Czerkawski led the NHL in points in the preseason.  The first of two consecutive seasons that he would do this?

How did we do?

Well – we did not make the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.

But thankfully, the team is home.

For the season ticket holders, the Islanders held a get-together at Eisenhower Park where the fans got to meet the 2006-07 team.  Well wishes were shared, pictures taken (including this one thanks to my friend Keith… RRRRRRR!) and autographs were given to the faithful.  The Islanders are doing a great deal this season for their season ticket holders to show their appreciation for their loyalty (for me – this is my 18th season).  There is Islanders TV, a concept set up my Charles Wang’s wife, as part of their IP TV systems.  Lots of video and audio, to basically have a 24hour a day Islander network.  The Islanders are also providing special parking for season subscribers and other benefits for being a loyal fan.

Monday, tomorrow, the Isles travel to the Garden to take on their crosstown rivals.  To me, this is when hockey starts.  I can not wait to see te guys on the ice. 

Am I expecting to see Lord Stanley to Uniondale? 

As a realist, no.  As an optimist, nothing is impossible.

Bring it on! 

Posted under Introduction

Evgeny Malkin.

Todd Bertuzzi.

Sergei Fedorov.

Wow!  The emergency rooms around hockey rinks are getting crowded. 

Thank God that my team has not played a real game yet!

This is something that put the fear in coaches throughout the game of hockey.  The point of preseason games is something that we all understand.  It is getting the players in game situations and evaluating which talent should be playing on the big club, in the case of the younger players; or in the case of the experienced players, the matter of whether or not a guy still has the tools and skiils to make it.

However, having guys at full speed knocking into each other, before a regular season game gets into the books will really give heartburn marketers and extra raise in their pay.  We have heard that Malkin left the arena in Halifax on his own power, and did not have a sling on his shoulder.  We hear that he will be ok, and will probably continue on to his Calder Trophy season.  But with all the hype that was put on him, it just is not the way to have is career start.

In the case of Columbus, this preseason has been nothing but disaster for President Doug Maclean, and head coach Gerrard Gallant.  First you have the Zherdev scenario (in my opinion – a loser!).  Then to see Sergei Fedorov, a man expecting a real good season, separate his shoulder, requiring him to sit out from four to six weeks.   Last season, a lot of good things were expected from the Jackets.  However, the injuries to Gilbert Brule, Rick Nash, and Radislav Klesla, caused them to struggle out the gate last season.  Missing two more offensive options to start another season, may be another big hole to dig out of.

In addition, but not directly related, 2006 1st round selection Derrick Brassard, was hit from behind in a QMJHL game recently, suffering a torn labrum.  Will this slow his progress?  Only time will tell.

Todd Bertuzzi, a story within itself, suffered bruised ribs, and is listed as day to day.  However, a slow down to fitness, is always a stumbling block for a player, especially when he is with a new team.  Even more, with Bertuzzi wanting to prove a great deal.

Preseason is always a time where you want to see what your team is made of.  However, a key player suffers a key injury a week before the season is to start, and the major word called momentum tends to bend and stretch the wrong way.

Islander fans – lets say our prayers and hope that this does not happen to us this weekend.

Gary

Posted under Ramblings

I listen to the FAN590 in Toronto every once in a while.  It is nice to hear about hockey from a Canadian perspective.  They give my favorite sport a great deal of coverage.

Doug Farraway – the sports director of FAN590 is doing the 10-12 shift today, and they were talking about the NFL and how teams that have started out of the gate at 0-2 are in trouble of even making the playoffs.  He mentioned that no 0-2 team made the playoffs in the previous season. 

Then he started to talk about hockey.  He mentioned that he felt that just about every team at this point has playoff aspirations.

“Except for those New York Islanders who have already sealed their fate!”

What an ASS!

The last TWO CUP WINNING TEAMS came off previous seasons that frankly, STUNK!

Remember Tampa and Carolina?  Do you?

The crosstown team was predicted from just about every media outlet to finish 30th.  We all know what they did….

We will see what happens, but I would just love if Ted Nolan can take this quote from Indians manager Lou Brown in the movie, “Major League.”

Every newspaper in the country has picked us to finish last. The local press seems to think we’d save everyone a lot of time and trouble if we just went out and shot ourselves. Me, I’m for wasting sports writers’ time. So, I’d like to hang around and see if we can give ‘em all a nice big sh**burger to eat.

And now this IDIOT from the FAN is predicting the Rangers to win the East.  Another reason for me to absolutely HATE this ding-dong!

Just bring it along – media people.  Most of you wished you were athletes in the first place.  You always love to find someone to make fun of.  For decades, my team was just that.  All I hope, and I pray for this every night before I go to sleep, is that my team finds away to do something, so that all of you media will have to recant your words….

Nothing would make my spring of 2007 end nicely.  Yes, I am dreaming so far out in left field.  But that is what camp does for fans.  However, I just HATE the media right now!

UGH!

Gary

Posted under Islanders 06-07, Ramblings

We are all familiar with the fact, that a certain goaltender will be able to sleep real well over the next fifteen years, knowing that he has a contract and will be able to step up as the number one goaltender for the NY Islanders.

Who will be number two?

Mike Dunham, a ten year veteran between the pipes for a number of NHL teams was brought in by his former college roommate, Garth Snow, to take a job at the backup job.  We all know that he is a capable goaltender, with the ability to give the number one a blow. 

Wade Dubielewicz, two years removed from his AHL record performance, has waited a long time to get his chance.  He struggled after that season, and in 05-06, seemed to bring his game back and did a yeoman’s job, spelling the Islanders in their goaltending difficulties last year.

There you have it – the two contenders for the number two spot.

Who would YOU choose?

Put a gun to my head, and I would say that DOOBIE deserves the chance.  In his appearances wearing the BLUE and ORANGE, he has not disappointed.  However, loyalty and friendship has shown, by bringing Dunham to Long Island.  However, it has been said through the local papers that Dunham has not done too well.

Pretty interesting that Robert Nilsson has not stepped up.  After the positive end to last season, I really thought that number 21 would be picking up the slack.  However, Ted Nolan has said that he has not done so well.  However, camp always seems to have players do exceptionally well to make a case for themselves. 

Enter Jeff Tambellini.

With a 2 point game in the blue-white scrimmage yesterday, Tambellini is making a stance to stay with the big club.  From the quotes, Nolan is not giving anyone an automatic.  This makes people a little concerned, and hoping that their game is taken to another level.

Talk soon.

Gary

 

Posted under Islanders 06-07

Three days into camp – and Jason Blake gets into a FIGHT!

For a coach who does not allow fights in camp – Ted Nolan let it go….

Victor Kozlov looks like the Anti-KVASHA so far… That will be nice.  A Russian with a clue!

Dunham has looked good.  A nice backup.

Camp seems to be going well this week.  It will be nice to hear that the team is getting into action….

I saw that the Devils won today against the Bruins.  Hockey is BACK!

I missed it… Didn’t you?

Posted under Islanders 06-07

Usually when someone is with an organization for 25 years, it is customary for the employee to receive something exceptional for the length of service that that person endured.

For Pat Foley, he got NOTHING.  Actually, he got the BOOT!

The long time voice of the Chicago Blackhawks did not receive a new contract, and subsequently was let go.  Foley, who for years shared the calling of Hawk games with their current GM, Dale Tallon, was an institution in Second City Sports, and a member of the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame.

Bill Wirtz, the long time owner of the BlackHawks is quite a frugal man, and one who does not like to be disrespected.  He has let many of his employees go, he does not provide the Chicago fans television coverage of their team when they are at the United Center, and I am sure that I could get hundreds of other examples of just plain ‘cheapness’.  He is probably one of the most hated men in the city of Chicago today.

As a fan, you have a special relationship with your team’s broadcasters, without even knowing them personally.  You identify with them.  You understand them.  You feel that every word they say is important.  Chicago fans have a LOVE of Pat Foley.  He brought the games to life.  He has the midwestern ‘accent’, and calls a great game.  However, he is now gone, and many fans there are quite upset.

Just to bring the point home, the following was found on a Chicago Sports web site from a fan by the name of Bill Haddad.  He conveys the feeling of thousands of Hawks fans that identify the team by the person that lets him know what is going on:

The Hawks did not simply “sever ties” with Pat Foley. They ignored his 25th anniversary of broadcasting Hawks games. Then they tossed him to the curb. How can I support this team now? How can I think of this franchise as anything other than ungrateful and uncaring? There are no words that can describe what I feel about the Blackhawks. And I can’t even begin to think how I could ever listen to a Blackhawks broadcast again.

Just like the memorabilia that remains of the first woman I loved, I am going to take everything I own that displays the team’s logo and put in a box. Just like the scores of people who have lost others that they’ve loved (and I have no right to compare sports to the loss of a family member), I can only conclude that Pat Foley is going to a better place. There is no worse place on this earth to be a hockey fan than Chicago. Compared to this place, any other place is heaven.

We fans anywhere can relate.  The new radio voice of the Hawks, John Weideman, for the last five years, provided the play-by-play for my Isles.  I totally enjoyed his passion, his excitement and what he brought to the team.  When the team was struggling, he let you know about it, but tried to make you feel better about the team.  Chicago, hopefully, will treasure John as much as I and many Islander fans did.  He is going ‘home’ to do his hometown team, and you can’t fault him.

Pat Foley will be doing the AHL Chicago Wolves this season.  At least he gets to stay home.  Although he will not be in the NHL, he will get to do HOME games.  The Wolves will broadcast all of their games, home and away on Comcast Chicago.  I feel glad for him, and I know that he will do a bang-up job.

Good luck Pat!

Gary

 

Posted under Ramblings