We need to score some freaking goals! 

Not a lot more to say about the game, except the fact that Tim Peel and Rob Shick did not perform well as the officials in this game.  So many missed calls and some real questionable clunkers for us.

However, this should NOT be the excuse as to why this team lost their game.

To this reporter, the intensity seems to show up in the wrong places.  I just don’t see 100% effort in all the lines.  Unfortunately guys are just not stepping up.  Maybe his newborn son is keeping him awake, so is it just me, or does Miro Satan seem to be running in pergutory?  Passes to no one, shafting shots, and just looking clueless on the ice.  Don’t get too comfortable, especially since our GM is looking for a sniper.  Miro is picking the wrong time to be on his annual slump.

Also - I am so tired of our fans being so two faced.  When Alexei is playing well, they all say that they loved him, and knew all along that he would be the man.  However, yesterday, in the second period, Alexei seemed to re-injure his knee, and in the third period, you can see the pain in his skating, and his energy level was just short of what was needed.  Then, these same fans that were ready to create a shrine, were tearing it down just like the US Army did with the sculptures of Saddam in Iraq.  I just wish these idiots can get foot-in-mouth disease in a few months, when Alexei will come through.

The Devils played hard, and were on their game.  Martin Brodeur got his 86th shutout of his career, and does not show ANY signs of aging. 

THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. Rick DiPietro - played a great game. Just an unfortunate bounce off Allan Rourke’s glove, gave the Devs the only goal of the game, before the empty netter.
2. Viktor Kozlov - despite complaints from some anti-russian fans in my section, he had some great moves and beat Brodeur on a couple of occasions.  However, the post played the villain
3. Chris Campoli - his play has improved since his return.  As well as the pasting of Sergei Brylin, got the last of the crowd a little happier upon leaving.

GOLD STAR AWARD - Rick DiPietro, upon the end of the game, passed the final puck over to Marty Brodeur, as the rest of the players were in the final scrum.  As Brodeur got the puck, “Rico” gave a congratulations gesture to #30.  Classy move Ricky!

TIN TWIT AWARD - When your team is down, and you, as a fan, scream “DEVILS SUCK”, then you are a complete and total TWIT!  If you were tied or ahead - that would be a different story.

To everyone, I wish for you, a year twice as better as 2006, but only half as good as 2008.  Be happy, be safe, and if you are out, make sure that you get home from your party safe and sound.

Talk to you NEXT YEAR!

0 wins in 15 tries.

That is the streak of not winning in a game in the Great White North.  A 2-0 loss to the Sens, and my stomach is queezy.

Did we play a bad game?  I wouldn’t call it a stinker, but not a good game?  Stretches that I thought the team was cycling well, had their legs going, but not that many quality scoring chances, and just did not pepper Ray Emery enough.

Eventually, Ricky had to give up a goal.  He still had a solid effort.  He kept the team in the game, and made some moster saves when he needed to step up.  The second goal was just a hairy deflection that he just did not see.  And after killing nearly four minutes of killing penalties, with a 5 on 3 for two minutes of it, they give up the goal with one tick remaining.

Is this another case of PRGS?  No, I don’t think it is. 

Is it the case of not winning in Canada?  No.

What do I think it is, you might ask?  Just a loss.  Nothing more than that.  I think that we will get our legs back after a couple of days between games, and be solidly ready for the Devs on Saturday night.  You can bet every Loony you have on it.

Wow - I think I saw the most anger and displeasure from Ted Nolan that I have seen this season.  As I type this, I have not seen or heard the post game comments.  I am curious as to how it looks.

Well - get the stinky cheese effort out the window, and get fresh again.  A little febreeze goes a long way.

All the blueshirt faithful put their collective tails between their legs and left the building.

It was much joy in Islander Country last night.  A 2-0 victory; another home shutout for Ricky, and a total DOMINANCE of a hockey game, especially when our boys needed to play an effective game.  They did JUST THAT!

Forget about Rory Fitzpatrick, get Radek Martinek on the ballot!  He has become such an OUTSTANDING player, one that I now do not get uneasy when he hits the ice.  He plays physical when he needs to, brings up the puck so smartly, works real well with Brendan Witt, and his deceptive speed can fool a lot of forwards.

Also - Brendan Witt is now on my top 5 defensemen of all time for his WONDERFUL job, keeping that wimpy #68 off the scoresheet for the first time since 1995 on Long Island.  He did not play nasty, he just did his job; keeping Jagr to the outside, and not allowing him much time behind the Islander net.  When Witt put some good checks on Jagr, he started to get pissy and began playing with a chip on his shoulder.  That took him off his game, and subsequently, on his arse!

Every Islander played physical, gave the body, without losing focus of their assignment.  Trent Hunter was a one man wrecking crew.  He hit anything in white, and with reckless abandon.

Is Aaron Asham becoming the next Fulton Reed?  1 in 5?  I would take that.  He hit a laser that I do not think Lundswiss even saw!

The only thing that I will put a damper on, is that the Isles really needed to get some men in front of the net and pepper shots that way.  Although Lundswiss had a 950 or so save percentage on the evening, he was shaky at best.  He did make some great stops, especially that glove save on the power play.  However, he had real juicy rebounds, and we did not have our forwards up high enough to rattle him.  However, we got the job done?

Jason “Rocket” Blake?  Who knows - he is only four (4) behind Ovechkin.  Hey Garth, sign him up. Lock him in; especially when he wants to STAY here!

Well - THREE STARS….  Actually, screw it, all twenty Isles are the collectiive FIRST STAR of the game!

GOLD STAR - anyone that wore their Islander jersey with pride!

TIN TWIT - I can bash anyone I want, but I will take the high ground.  But I will nominate all the fans (both sides of the fence) that think this game is worth fighting about.  Yes, we love our teams, we root hard, and we dislike the fans on the other end.  But beating each other seneless is not cool.  It is a GAME!  Relax, root for your team, and move on.

In this case, thank goodness for the schedule maker - he got the team on a plane after the game, and off to Ottawa for a date with the Sens.  The bad news, is that the Isles are woeful in Canada, specifically on a 14 game winless streak.  The good news is this is another back-to-back game, our seventh this season.  We are 6-0-0 in these games so far.  Momentum has to switch our way.

Voice from the chartered plane after the game:

“Gentlemen, you may now move about the cabin, and please take your Airborne pills that are located in the pocket of the seat in front of you.  These will help you remove the anticipated letdown after a Ranger game, and let you play to your full potential tomorrow night.”

The Race Palace is having another game watching party tonight.  Right off exit 48 on the LIE.  Go cheer the boys on! 

Folks, I have to apologize for not writing in the last few days.  We all know that for obvious reasons, many people were not doing what they would normally do.  Christmas has a tendency of doing that.

And I hope that everyone had a great holiday weekend!  I know that mine was great, thanks for asking!

Saturday night was just what the doctor ordered to stop the PRGS from spreading further.  The coach denies it exists, the players do to, but we fans know it happens.  We do not blame the boys one inch, but it just happens.  After the ’stinker’ in Raleigh, the boys came back home and ’spanked’ the Blue Jackets 4-0 in another complete game win.  The team looked sharp with contributions from all the guys. 

Is it just me, or is Radek Martinek our unsung player of this year?  He has been EXCELLENT!  He brings the puck through the defensive zone so swiftly and has a great shot.  In Saturday’s contest, he had two helpers and was the 2nd star of the game.  I know that some questioned it when it was announced, but that is our Marty in a nutshell.  He is at his best when you really don’t know he is even there.  He does the simple things so nicely, allowing the ‘hi exposure’ players to do their job.

BTW - my 3 STARS on Saturday

1. Rick DiPietro - as if….
2. Radek Martinek - see above
3. Alexei Yashin - had an outstanding game

GOLD STAR - FSN for the hats given out - it looked festive in the stands.

TIN TWIT AWARD - the security and honchos that operate the building.  NHL rules dictate the the buildings need to be open 90 minutes before game time.  These dingbat yahoos that run the building just lollygag around and BS, then decide to open at 5:55 - 25 minutes late.  And they just look at you like you don’t even exist.  Hey Charles, buy these IDIOTS OUT and take over the building like you should!  And while your at it, get a cattle prod and shoot it at Mr. Suozzi to get his head out of his ASS and move the new arena situation forward for a change.  2007 should be our year!  Make it start well, by getting the grubby ‘all about me’ politicians that run the Nassau County show, and bang them over the head with a shovel.  ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Now - to tonight - we all know how motivated the fans will be (unfortunately, for both sides).  As we have done in the last few games, we have to motivate and get the boys moving hard, and even if we let up the first one, stay focused and stick to the game plan.  I know that Ted, in his own way, will get these guys to breath fire, and we know that listless will not be a word even uttered tonight.

Player to watch:  Trent Hunter - “T” got a goal the other night and is back to his hitting ways.  His “O” numbers have not been stellar, but his overall game has been strong enough to make up for the lack of scoring.  Getting Mike York off his line has been a help.  He looks more of a two way threat.  Expect good things from Mr. Hunter tonight.

On the Ranger side, we have to contain #14 and #68.  The Rangers have 7 goals in the 2 games, and all from Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Twit.  Have to keep these guys to the outside.  Try to provide them with low percentage chances, and get the puck out of the zone as quickly as possible.

Pepper the Lund”Swiss” as much as possible.  He has not played well, no matter what Joe (the Lundqvist flunkie) says.  He is NOT all world, and looks like he has confidence issues.  Nothing would make Islander fans more happier than giving the Ranger$ their sixth straight loss, and then overtake them in the standings, with three games in hand.  No one took this Islander team seriously, and it is total pleasure to watch these morons change their words.  Maybe Larry Brooks will do the same…. Is it just me, or do you want to fire a flame thrower at his head and watch him cry like a wimpy baby?  God I do…..

Well - tomorrow is another game watching party at the Race Palace in Plainview to see the Isles head up to Ottawa to face the Sens.  Come join us, won’t you???

Gary

It is just like the feeling when you are excited for the holidays, your spirits are up, and then you get that 2 pound fruitcake you get from Aunt Selma that could double for a paking lot cement stopper.

Well - for our sake, I hope that the Islanders did not get this lovely piece of fruitcake for their pre-game meal.

The Isles head to Tobacco Road, to take on Carolina tonight before they head home to face the Blue Jackets!  A two game piece that will define how the Isles will feel at Christmas.  Will this be a great present, to be even close to the top of the division, or will we succumb to the same fate after the last Ranger game.

Randy Robitaille was playing with Kozlov and Satan and probably will be the faceoff man - since he is among the top 20 in faceoff percentage in the league.

The team needs to get the same energy level and passion that they had in the Ranger game tonight.  My hope for the player of the game is Trent Hunter.  He needs a breakout game and tonight would be a chance to showcase.

I wonder if Dunny will be net tonight, or tomorrow against Columbus.  Ricky has done well, but it will be good to get Mike some work.  I expect to see him on Wednesday against Ottawa as well.

This will be a short entry, as I will be leaving the office early today, and try to get some last minute shopping (first Christmas as husband and wife, I can not disappoint).

Talk tomorrow to preview the Jackets.

Gary

Well - a day after the Isles pulled the win over the Rangers, I wanted to get at Joe - my colleague on the NYHR.  However, he was sick as well and to be honest, I would not do that.  Even though he probably would use the fact that so many guys were out and injured, a loss is still a loss.

The Rangers are an injured and hurting team right now - and better this happens now than in April.  But the one thing that is a major exposure to this team, is the lack of a real #1 or #2 man on the defensive side of the puck.  Michael Rozsival is logging 23 minutes a game.  He is a good D-man, can help on both sides of the game, but he is not the guy that you want to depend on to be your #1 for the whole year.  Marek Malik is injured, and you could have counted on Darius in 1999, not 2006/7.  They are thin, and have to rely on their forwards to help out.  Pock and Tutin are still ‘in the making’ but should not be relied upon to eat major minutes.  This will be their achillies heal.

Weekes has been not helping (10 goals in 54 shots in the last 2 games).  And Lundqvist, and sorry Joe, still has not looked like he is an all-world goalie to me.  He has good numbers, and that helps, but when he struggles, he is not even all pee-wee league.  He gets real soft, and seems to let his skills drop as fast a block of cement in the water.  I think that the second half of the season, if the defense stays the same, he needs to be Sawchuk like, instead of someone else…

Well - back to the Isles.  Welcome Randy R back to the Isles family.  Thanks Garth, for clearing over $5,000,000 in salary off the cap.  Two things will happen here.  One - the ‘bad parts’ of the Ted Nolan system have been removed from the team, and second, there has to be a move in the making once the trade freeze ends on the 27th.  Interesting who may be available.  There are 3 high priced guys in Tampa….  There is a captain in Vancouver playing in a system that does not work for him… There are lots of options to work with.  And c’mon folks, would you have ever thought that in January, we could be making a major potential deal???  Wow!  Also - you figure that some of that money is going to be saved for getting a new deal for Jason Blake.  He has said that he wants to remain an Islander, so sign him up.  I think if you double his pay, he will stay (1.5 to 3.1).

Now my 2 cents about the Pens.  I enjoy the history of the Isles and Pens.  The 4 game comeback in the 75 playoffs.  The win in 93.  Yes, those are the positive ones, but the Isles and Penguins have a history. With this season, and the team that they have, it would make the rivalry even more fun.  Now that the Isle of Capri casino did not get the bid, it could very well mean that the Pens may have to move.  Their lease ends in May with SMG (familiar name, eh?) and without new ownership in place, and no financing on a new building for Pittsburgh, it could mean the end of an era.  It could also be the first time that a team that has won a Stanley Cup will move their team to another city.  Sad situation indeed.

Where will the Pens go?  Kansas City has a new arena and has already sold ALL their skyboxes. Interesting…  Houston, and Portland, are major TV markets with NHL capable arenas with over 17,000 seats that can start immediately.  Winnipeg, a clear choice for Canada, is also capable of starting now.  They do have a new building, but it only has 15,000 seats.  There is talk that they can expand by 2,500 to 3,000 more.  We also know that a Canadian city will virtually sell out the building without blinking an eyelash.  Could make for an interesting spring; crowning a new Cup champ, and seeing where the Pens will go.  And if they move West, who will take their place in the Atlantic Division (or the East).  Will the Wings move over?  Logically, it is a no brainer.  Why should they have to make two trips to the west coast each year.  It is just not logical.

4 days left till Christmas, did you get all your shopping done?  If not - stop reading this and get to the mall!

Talk tomorrow - CHEERS!

Gary

Well - the dreams of many fans in Section 317 has now come true.  Mike York is gone!

YEA - it’s about FREAKING time.

York, and his $2.85 million dollar contract has been shipped to Philadelphia (now known as Islander retread city), for Randy Robitaille.

This is the article from www.sportsnet.ca (a great site for hockey information).

Sportsnet.ca — In the wake of trading Alexei Zhitnik to Philadelphia, Sportsnet has learned the Islanders have shipped former Edmonton Oiler Mike York to the Flyers for centre Randy Robitaille.

The trade adds to the cap positioning started by GM Garth Snow last week, when he traded Zhitnik to the Flyers. Zhitnik has two years and US$7 million left on his contract while York makes $2.85 million.

York has six goals and seven assists in 32 games this year, while Robitaille has five goals in 28 games.

The two moves may signal a trade/signing in the future for the Islanders.

Nice - Over 5 million in cap space cleared in 72 hours.  Is something coming on the horizon?  Good chance!  We will see after the deadline on Dec 27th.

Merry Christmas Islander fans!  You got another waste off the roster.  I don’t wish ill will on the guy, but he never 100% clicked and looked lifeless on many occasions.

We are NO LONGER pushovers and wastes!  And gee, Garth Snow will not be able to handle the job….

Start backtracking you hypocritical media!  I feel great now!

Well - Christmas came early for Islander fans.

Two wins at the Garden in the month of December.  It is a pleasure to wake up in the morning, knowing that we got 4 out of 4 vs the Rangers, and they have a big GOOSE EGG.

The Jason Blake show, a natural Hat Trick, provided the spark as the Isles held on to win 4-3 at MSG.  Alexei Yashin got his second goal in consecutive games.  All 20 players did a nice job and performed admirably.  Viktor Kozlov was off the scoresheet, but he played a tremendous game, and made some incredible moves, and got off shots that wowed the crowd at the game, and at the Race Palace, where I watched the game with a lot of Islander fans, including Mike Bossy.

#22 was a guest of the Race Palace, and I had the opportunity of getting a VIP reception with the Boss before the game.  He talked about the rivalry, and how much he still feels about it, every time that the Isles and Rangers get it on.  Although he feels that the old Quebec/Montreal rivalry was stronger, due to the fact that it took an entire province, this local matchup is great for the game, as well as the region.  It brings up the passion of the fans.

Mike talked to the crowd at the Race Palace before the game, and went over the first game that he played against the Rangers at the Coliseum. “I am at the bench, and the Islanders scored a goal.  I look out into the stands on the other side of the ice, and I see a couple in their Islanders jerseys out of the seats, celebrating.  A few minutes later, the Rangers come down the ice, and they get a goal.  I look back at that same couple, and they are standing and cheering.  I thought it was wierd, and all of a sudden, I see them lift the Islander jerseys over their heads and I see Rangers jerseys on.  I never thought I would see something like that.”

And Mike, you will never see that now.  The lines are definitely drawn.  He commented that he really likes this team, and knows that with Ted behind the bench, that they will work hard every game and be responsible in their assignments.  He is also so thrilled to be able to be back working for the Islanders.

But back to the game….

This team just looks so much different when Alexei Yashin is back on the ice.  His confidence is highly addictive to the rest of the team.  Blakey now his ‘buddy’ back on the ice, and their chemistry looks like it never was lost.

But let’s look at the Rangers?  The flug bug hit, and King Henrik (or so people call him), really was afraid of losing to the Isles again.  So at 4:00, he proceeded to throw up and claim that he could not play.  So Al Montoya was helicoptered in from Hartford, and Kevin Weekes stepped up.  He has let in 10 goals in 54 shots over the last two games.  Let’s leave it at that.

Jagr and Shanahan were honored for their 600 goal plateaus this season.  I think it was a nice gesture by the Rangers to bring in Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman to help celebrate the event with the guys.  With Mark Messier there to present the Silver sticks, brought it all together.  It was a nice event, but it is the Rangers…..

So after a five game winning streak, that made media and Rangers fans get the parade going, 19 goals in three games scored on them has brought them not only back to earth, but there is a huge crater at MSG, which makes Islanders fans feel sad and depressed.

NOT!

The next job for Ted Nolan, is to convince the Islanders to not play a stinker after such a great game last night.  PRGS (Post Rangers Game Syndrome) is a known factor, and Ted has to make sure that the boys play hard, and not to have a serious letdown.  Hmm, maybe if they see what the Rangers did, and do the EXACT Opposite, they should be fine.

However, the Rangers have a real serious problem on their hands.  Their DEFENSE BLOWS!  They have lost guys (Ozolinsh waived and Malik out with an injury), and guys like Kasparitis are just not the same players they were years ago.  Maybe that is why there is such talk around the rumor mills about the return of Brian Leetch.  But you know, why would a team spend money to get a 38 year old that has not played any organized hockey since April to be the savior of the franchise?  Makes you go hmmmmm?

Now the Isles sit in 3rd place in the Atlantic, three points behind the first place Rangers.  However, the Isles have played three less games than the blueshirts.  They are one point behind the Devils with one game in hand on them as well.  The Isles take on the Canes in Raleigh on Friday night, and then fly back home and face a up and coming Columbus Blue Jacket team that is 6-3-1 in their last 10 under new coach Ken Hitchcock.  They are gelling at the right time, and the Isles need to get these two games in the W column before the Christmas break to gain even more momentum to the Isles Rangers game number three at the Coliseum on Boxing Day.

Glad to be an Islander fan today.  Stick out your chest and show your pride.  Also - if you can, tune into the New York Hockey Report tonight at 8:05 PM, to see what I do to Joe.  Last week, he was claiming to be the king of the NHL world.  Now - let’s see what he is like tonight.  Do I go on a verbal assault?  Do I be cool and hang loose?  Tune in and find out.  www.nyhockeyreport.com or www.allinbroadcasting.com.  Have a great day, and will blog again tomorrow.  Make sure you get your Chirstmas shopping done.  It is only five (5) days to go.

Is it just me, or do you get a little more stomach acid moving around when the Isles played the Rangers?  It is ok.

For those of us who never put on skates in a game, I think we get more nervous than the players.  The nervous energy would light up a small New Hampshire town square.

Well - round 2 of the rivalry ensues again this evening in the Garden.  Hopefully there will be just as many orange shirts as there were at the beginning of the month.  The fans are ready, the guys I know will be ready, but as we have seen with this team, you can talk the game, but you have to come out flying, to win the game.

Last game at MSG shows that 1000000000%.  Four on “Queen” Henrik, and the Rangers were crying to Momma.  After she scolded them, they came back, but the boys in white that night would not fully allow the evil empire to get even.

This HAS to be the M.O. tonight!  Come out, do not allow Jagr and Shanahan to get inside.  Keep the play to the boards.  Now that “Z” is out of the lineup, maybe we will see the penalties come down.  Campy had a decent game the other night, not something to write home about, but adequate.  He must continue to step his game up, if he wants to stay here.  Also - that Rangers suck line at the postgame show may get him in a little trouble…. There may be more about that, but we will see…

Tonight will also be a gathering at the “RACE PALACE” in Plainview to watch the game.  Mike Bossy will also be there.  If you can hang with other faithful, please come!  It is cool setting to see the game in.   Join us, won’t ya?

Lots of things happening in Islander land…

First, as I endured the Christmas shopping experience, I get a call.

Did you hear, Zhitnik is Gone…. Freddy Meyer and a pick.  That’s $3,000,000  off the books!

Yea - we hear GM Garth Snow saying that he like Alex, and was a good player, and he said that we have to get younger and faster. Hmm, did the  FOUR (4) penalties he took in the Pittsburgh game give you the last straw?

He (Garth) said that he and Flyer GM Paul Holmgren were talking for weeks about this?  Wow - that had to be stimulating conversations….

We got Freedy Meyer - a younger defensemen - a lot smaller and faster than Zhitnik, but currently out with some lower body issues (back).  So - Snow had to bring up a player.  And he recalled Chris Campoli.

But what about Bouchard?  He has been with the team and has been a healthy scratch for the last five games.  However, from a source close to the team, I find out that Bouchard was placed back on the IR.  Do you feel that we will not see him in an Islander uniform anymore??? Hmmmm.

So, they brought back Campy, who has been a -11 for Bridgeport - worst on the team with 10 less games played.  I hope that the experience has humbled him a bit.   From the body language and tone of the coach and GM, it seemed that #14 just assumed he was on this team, and just did not play like he should be.  The problem with a lot of kids (and I don’t think that Chris is this type), is that they get fed information and get their heads stuffed with a lot of garbage.  And believe me, it is not the parents that are doing this.

Then, we hear that Alexei was cleared to play.  Thank God!  Then we hear that Trent is a game time decision.  Wow - what a boost.  After a tough loss the night before, we just needed to see the team come out strong, make a stand and keep on it.  Although Ricky let in six the night before, his defense in front of him, basically dropped their defenses like a burlesque act and left him out to dry!  He needed a stellar performance.

He did it - that’s for sure.

The Isles came out, and took it to the Thrashers.  Miro got the guys on the board with his 10th from a nice pass from Koz.  Then three goals in the 2nd made the game get out of hand.  With the second coming from Alexei Yashin.  Five minutes after Andy Hilbert’s third made it 3-0, Shawn Bates had a breakaway at the end of a penalty kill.  After Johan Hedberg made the save (and Bates had a look like some bully took his Devil Dogs), Richard Park got the puck and got it to Bates who put a high left shot past the goalie to make it a 4-0 lead.  Kozlov and a shorty by Mike Sillinger closed the scoring.

Ricky was strong. He made some excellent stops on the top line of Hossa and Kovalchuk, denying all 37 offerings for his second shutout of the season.

Next - an easy game with the Rangers tomorrow at MSG.  Well - maybe not - but with the good game on Saturday, along with the Ranger collapse over the weekend, it would be nice for our boys to mimic the first period of the last Ranger game tomorrow night.  I will be at the Race Palace to watch it - if you can make it - stop by with some Islander clothing and hang out.  Should be fun!

Gary

PS - the trade moratorium for the Christmas Holiday is tomorrow evening at midnight.  Do we see a trade coming??? Time will tell…