Unfortunately, I did not see much of the game last night.  On Tuesday nights, if I am not at a home game, I am bowling at Farmingdale Lanes in my Tuesday night Nite Owls mixed league.

It was a great night on the lanes for me.  I shot a 715 series last night (246-267-200).  I have been struggling all season, and for the last two weeks, I have had my “A” game going.  I had a 620 last week.

I got to listen to the last 10 minutes of the game.  I was watching on the big screen in the bar every chance I got.  However, I really did not see a lot of the game.  From what I heard from Steve and Chris, the team did play well, and Marc-Andre Fleury was definitely the difference.  Andy Hilbert got a shot off (one of his 8 of the day) and the puck was literally millimeters away from tying the game.

Viktor Kozlov, replacing Yashin on the top line, got his 5th of the season, with Jason Blake extending his point scoring streak to six games.  Arron Asham, promoted to the 3rd line, got his second to give the Isles a 2-1 lead in the second stanza.  Colby Armstrong scored his first two goals (one in the first and one in the second) to have the game knotted at two after two.

Newcomer Chris Thorburn got a fluky bank shot past Rick DiPietro early in the third period, which held up for the game winning shot.  Fleury stopped 14 of his 33 saves in the last period.

The team played well, but unfortunately for them, they remain in second in the division, one point behind the Rangers, who got another point via an overtime loss to Atlanta.  The Rangers are two points ahead of the Islanders with two more games played.  The Isles get back to work with the Flyers coming to the Island.  Then back to the Steel City for a Saturday night affair.  The Isles are having a game watching party at the Race Palace in Plainview on Saturday.  Why don’t you stop by and watch the game with some close Islander fan friends.

Listen to the NY Hockey Report tonight.  It will be an Islander themed show. Joe McDonald, the host, is off being the official Rangers Mascot, so Patrick Hickey, the blog writer of the DriveForFive blogspot, will be guest hosting with Derek and myself.  We should have a great time busting on Joe, talking about the Isles, and other stuff.  Hope you can listen.  Also - check out the Face Off Hockey show, which follows us.  Go to www.allinbroadcasting.com and check it out.  They are funny, and always provide some good insight.

See ya.

Gary