For the first 20 minutes of this game, the Isles were looking strong.  They were creating chances, skating and passing the puck with authority.  Things just appeared to be going the Islanders way.

But, we play 3 + periods in hockey…

Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy…

Don’t give all the blame to the Isles, the Preds looked like garbage too…  One of the most sloppiest games around…

To make matters worse, a lot of Islander fans just simply did not make the game.  The announced crowd of just over 9,000 seemed a lot sparser.  Perhaps about 7,000 or so.

This gets to my beef about Islander fans.  Let me preface this by stating that this is a GENERAL statement.  This does not apply to a specific person, but nevertheless, it is my feelings. 

Islander fans have ZERO loyalty!

Mostly that is due to the fact that we Islander fans have been so abused since the glory years.  Phantom owners, imprisoned owners, gangs of owners that wanted the team for a real-estate tax write off; and now the Wang show (not to be confused with the Gong show).  We are too quick to judge; we are, in may cases, too freaking negative!  We can not handle the fact that we are the third team in NY right now.  We have rebuilt too many times…

I can go on and on….  I have those feelings at times as well.  But I learned a valuable lesson from my father at a very young age.  I was playing organized baseball as a young kid in Levittown.  I was on a real crappy team.  I was the largest and oldest kid on the team, and pitched (I threw a no-hitter and lost…. I broke my catcher’s finger).  Our team was 0-13.  I was very discouraged.  I wanted to quit.  My father, after a tough loss, looked me straight in the eye, and told me: (paraphrasing)

…that without dedicated people, nothing in our world would be good.  You have to learn to stay the course.  Learn that things will be better, and never give up.

Unfortunately, the season was ending, so I needed something else to do.  Living in Levittown, and growing up directly across the street from a town pool, I decided to join the swim team.  I knew I could swim OK, I just never thought that I could do it competitively.  I decided to take my dad’s advice and stick with it, and try as hard as I could, no matter what was said or done.  Bottom line, not only did I do real well, but I actually competed in county competitions, placing highly, and even winning a few events.  I really liked it, and stay dedicated to it throughout high school.

What I am trying to get at, is that I tend to stay the course.  I know that things are not great.  We have not won much lately.  It is easy for people to stay away (and the lesser dedicated ones are).  You all know what will happen when we begin to win again….. They will say that they have been there all along.  But we all know that is all ‘cock-a-del-toro’!

Well - I got that off my chest…

Anyway - I did not do three stars last night, but I think that I can say that it would be the correct list.

BTW - my lists are always ONLY Islander, irregardless of the score

Star 3 - Brendan Witt - although he got ANOTHER penalty (11 minors in 6 games), his physical play has been splendid.

Star 2 - Mike Sillinger - The only goal scored last night - played well

Star 1 - Mike Dunham - Stood on his head (and took a puck there too…)

Spot a trend here???

Gold Star award - The young girl that did the national anthem, did a great job.  She has been doing it at the Coliseum for at least 5-6 years now, and her voice is real good.  (BTW - Chicken Little was good at opening night too).  I think her name is Jill.

Tin Twit Award - To the left of the Booster Club table, there is a kosher stand.  Nice guys that run the booth.  However, during intermission 2, a bunch of other fellas just stood by the booth, (basically in the Booster Club’s laps), and proceeded to chant prayers for about 10 minutes.  Let me say for the record, that I do not deny them their religion, and what they do, I think it is great, that they are true to their religion and beliefs; however, to do it right on top of people trying to do business is another thing.

Well - Thursday night - is that start of the 32 divisional matchups that the Isles have this season.  The Pens come with their ”Teen Corps”.  The night before, Evgeny Malkin will play his first game of the season, which was delayed by a messed up shoulder in the 2nd period of the 1st preseason game.  Let’s see how long he lasts THIS TIME! 

Until then….

 Gary

PS - By the way, tune into the New York Hockey Report Wednesday night.  Our guest will be Steve Mears.  Please check it out, won’t ya?

Posted under Islanders 06-07