I know that the fans in Dallas are not saying:

Y’all come back now, ya here?

The Islanders played a great game, playing a full 60 minute effort, as they record their first shutout of the season as they got a 3-0 victory of the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Arena.

With Mike Ribiero in the penalty box, Mike York got a pass from Miro Satan, to notch his fourth on the season, to give the Isles a 1-0 advantage.

After that goal, the Isles killed a critical 5 on 3 disadvantage for nearly a minute and fourty five seconds, and only allowed one shot on net.

In the second frame, after a struggle in front of DiPietro, Jason Blake gets the puck from Chris Simon and comes racing down the right wing.  After the blue line, he passes to Alexei Yashin, who immediately fires the biscuit back to Blake, who gets to push a shot to a nearly empty net.  Blake’s ninth of the season, gave the Isles a 2-0 lead, virtually taking the air out of Dallas’ sails.

Late in the 3rd, Trent Hunter got on the scoreboard, icing the victory.  He got the goal from another excellent pass.  This one was from Victor Kozlov, who has seemed to play a lot better lately with York and Hunter.

Rick DiPietro was solid in net, making 35 stops.  He seemed quite disciplined in net, not wondering too far and keeping the rebounds to a minimum.

It was also a special time for the players fathers and mentors, who are accompanying the players on the entire road trip, compliments of Charles Wang.  Trent Hunter’s dad was actually dancing after his son scored his goal in the third period.

My THREE STARS tonight.

1. Rick DiPietro - as if anyone else would be…
2. Alexei Yashin - why the hell is he NOT on the All-Star Ballot?  Let’s start a write-in campaign.
3. Brendan Witt - he played in a great deal of pain, and did a great job helping his goalie

Now the team is off to Florida for back-to-back games with the Lightning and Panthers.  I think we will see Dunny in Sunrise, even though Ricky has been impressive in the last six periods.  Just to keep him sharp and focused, as well as save him for the important matchup on Monday against the MapleLoafs.

Hey Arron - #27 in Blue on Monday night - find him and say HELLO!

I am off from work for the next 10 days, so I may have some extra ramblings to do.  See you in cyberspace.

Gary