In a normal event at a home game, I spend the 45 minutes or so before the game, selling 50/50 raffle tickets.  The proceeds go to the Islanders Children’s Foundation.  We have been involved for the past five games and we have raised a couple of thousand dollars.  It is a great thing to do, and they use me for my loud, hi-decibel scream that I can use to get the message out.

Anyway, I get to my seat and the bloke that sits next to me says that Detroit is flying - we are in trouble.  I then performed a quote from Kurt Russell in the movie “Miracle”.  If you know the quote, say iy along with me:

But I also know there is a way to stay with this team. You don’t defend them, you ATTACK them! You take their game and you shove it right back in their face. The team that is finally willing to do this is the team that has a chance to put them down.

I really felt that way.  I thought that if they attacked Hasek, and kept shoving their game down the Wings’ throat, we could beat these guys.  And for about the first 35 minutes, I felt that way.  With a few minutes left in period 2, I went down to the Booster Club table to sell more raffles.  From what I heard after the game, this was the point where the Isles seemed to ‘rest on their laurels’ a bit, and change their performance.

Basically this was where the downfall began!

Three goals (two on the powerplay) within the first nine minutes, and the game was tied.  Where was the team that came out like gangbusters?  The first goal in 28 seconds!  The team that blasted two slappers from 30+ feet.  One from the short handed by Shawn Mr. Mouthpiece Chewer Bates, and the other from Jason Blake.  Things looked good.

Well - we just saw why the Red Wings are where they have been for the past 2 decades or so.

If you still told me that we would get 4 out of 6 from the Wings, Sabres and Thrashers, I would have told you to get the bong out.  But try to spin it a little nicer.  We  are getting points.  We lost that extra one, but as long as we keep getting points, we will be fine.

I wonder what practice was like today????

Should make for a fun flight to Georgia today.  The guys go back on the road for three.  Atlanta tomorrow - Montreal on Saturday and Washington on Saturday.  Hope for at least 4 out of 6 again.  I think the team will be better prepared this trip to Atlanta.  Montreal will be the toughest one of the three.

THREE STARS

1. Shawn Bates - stronger game than he has had lately - nice SH Goal (sorry Keith)
2. Brendan Witt - On ice for all 3 goals for - hitting like a crazoid
3. Radek Martinek - back to his solid play

GOLD STAR

1. Best of luck to the Junior Islanders who head to Quebec to the big Pee Wee Tournament.  Benoit Hogue and Steve Webb will lead these 12 year olds onto a potential victory.  GO GET EM BOYS

TIN TWIT

1. You know it is understandable that fans yell “Insert Team Name Here” SUCKS! chants.  However, these (and pardon the expression) ASSHOLES in the back of sections 316 and 317 last night were saying “Detroit Sucks” when the Isles were slowly sinking in the 3rd period.  How about rooting your own team on, and forget about the opponent??  If you guys think you are real fans, you are SORELY MISTAKEN.  Why don’t you go to Dog show, and root for the Toy Poodle