It just doesn’t roll off the tongue like it should. 

It doesn’t, because simply, we are not used to it.  It almost sounds like it is gibberish, or zwahili (forgive spelling).

But after 12 games, the Islanders are in a tie for FIRST PLACE, with a sound 5-2 trouncing of the Devils.  The Isles are back home tomorrow for two games, until heading on a road trip to Dallas and Florida.

Just about EVERY portion of their game was solid.  Ricky played well, although he only had 16 shots to contend with.  Defensively, the team was quitely good.  When you are not screaming at Sean Hill, it usually means that he is playing ok.

The forwards…. well, the Hunter, York, Satan line is back!!!  What an angle Satan scored on!  That is just the thing that he needs to get his scoring touch back.  Let’s hope that this is the case.  Great toe drag by TT (leading the NHL in hits).

And would the folks that keep screaming at Yashin do me a favor and just SHUT YOUR PIE HOLES!  What a great pass he made to set up the Blake goal.  I am sure that thousands of people were yelling SHOOT, SHOOT, but he got the puck through the legs of the young defensemen Brooks right to Blakey who put it home!  12 points in the last 6 games, and fans are STILL yelling at him when he coughs up a puck when three players are all over him.  Maybe this will silence these dingdongs for a while. 

Most of the players are commenting that the one factor that fired up the team, was the fight between Asham and Janssen.  It was a good even fight, Asham started well, and Janssen got a little at the end (although he was hitting AA’s helmet a lot).  I thought it was real nice, that Asham gave Janssen a pat in the butt when it was over.

The Isles are looking like a real together team, and all the cylinders collectively are moving, although in some cases, the statistics are not there.  Imagine how many of the ‘egg in their face’ media may have to back check when the Isles stay in the top 8 for a while….  I love to see TSN, Larry Brooks and other Islander slammers have to reverse themselves.  I can’t wait.

Fireworks after the game tomorrow, and hopefully we get more in the arena as we barbucue the Thrashers!

And Islander fans, if you have the means, SHOW UP!  Give these guys your undivided support.