The Scene:  A doctor’s office, specifically, the office of Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist.  There is a fan on the couch, and we enter in the middle of a session.

Dr. Katz:  Now tell me, why do you think you feel this way?

Fan:  I don’t know Doc, it just kills me.  Every time, I get my hopes up, it seems that “SLAM”, they come crashing like a crumbling rock formation!  It just happens after every occasion.

Dr. Katz:  (In a very reassuring voice)  You are making yourself so sure that the worst is going to happen, that it will occur in your mind, no matter whether it actually did or not.  When this situation happens again, you have to think of happy thoughts and positive things, and just try to overpower your mind, and take control.

Fan:  This has happened to me three times so far since early November, and sure enough, I end up crawling in the fetal positiion, crying for the pain to stop!

Dr. Katz:  You have to will yourself to know that it will not happen.  Just keep saying to yourself, “It won’t happen again… It won’t happen again.”

Pause, then phone rings

Dr. Katz:  Excuse me a second, while I answer that (picks up the phone).  Hello, Dr. Katz.  (a few seconds of phone noise)  Yes, (pause) uh, huh, (pause), no, I understand.  Let me just finish here, and I will be there to see you in a few minutes. (pause)  OK, relax and I will see you soon.  Good-bye. (hangs up the phone)

(a few second pause, then Dr. Katz, takes a long cleansing breath)

Dr. Katz:  I know you will be fine tonight, you just have to believe it yourself.  But I am sorry, I have to end this session, I have to take the train to Manhattan.  It seems that a man wants to jump off of Madison Square Garden.  He needs some serious help.  Just hang in there sir!  Things will be good.

____________________________

I know that was totally fictional, but we have to beleive that all bad things will eventually have to come to an end.  The Isles will find a way to win after a Ranger game.  Tonight will be a good test.  The Bruins arecoming off a horrible loss the other night to Ottawa.  After being up 2-0 after 2, the B’s gave up 5 straight.  The Isles must come out with intensity, and keep it going.  For a lot of the guys with Boston influences, they already have it.  It is up to the others to match and play a full 60 minute game.  We say that always, but now it is a chance to make a big move up the standings ladder.

We then get a 2 game home stand with a match against the Devils (another Metro Mug Test) on Saturday, and a noon time matinee on Monday against the Bolts.

Thanks for th help, Dr. Katz!  I am sure we will be fine tonight.  If not, see you back on the couch!

Posted under Islanders 06-07