Sun 4 Mar 2007
What a game - Ryan gets Isles goal # 1 - 6-2 over Washington
Posted by Gary Harding under Islanders 06-07
Best line at the game - when a Caps fan starts ringing a bell at the 60+ of us sitting at our seats, Roger Farina, the former NHL 7th Fan, asked nicely,
Hey Good Humor Man, Can I get a Chocolate Eclair?
We definitely had a good time last night. The crowd was quiet (Pat Sajak from Wheel of Fortune fame has first row tickets there). We did have a redneck threatening us, but our offensive prowess quieted him into his beer.
Is Marc-Andre Bergeron the real deal? God I love watching him play, and every game makes the Edmonton fans scream with displeasure. He still has more goals than the rest of our D combined, and he scored a beautiful power play goal which gave him 10 on the year. He also broke another pane of glass. I hope he has insurance for all of the glass he has shattered this season.
Ryan has been absolutely brilliant since he has come over here. I think he has spent more time at the front of the net, than the rest of our team combined. He is fearless, and makes all the players around him even better.
Ricky had a 2 minute brain fart, but came back and did a nice job.
The Verizon Center is a nice play to see a game. Good sight lines. Some fans are ding dongs - but that is the modus operandi at every arena.
Then we had a hang out at this place called R&R’s after the game. Got a little stupid, but fun nevertheless.
Notes: Yashin was seen at the arena, and we hear that he is back on Thursday. Who will sit out??? Interesting things for the coach to have to ponder over. Bates is out for the year - honestly, we don’t miss him. Is this his last season as an Islander? I think so. Bergenheim blew out his MCL yesterday and probably will NOT be ready to start next season. See Sean, should have stayed here and signed. D’oh!
Well - got to get on the bus for the trip back home. This was fun! I like winning.
March 4th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Other than that couple minutes of losing focus, it was a great game. Every win is a Big one, but this kept us with sole possession of 7th place and 2 points out of 5th. Yes, Bergeron is truly proving the value of that trade, and Ryan Smyth’s impact on the confidence and scoring is definitely evident. We just Have to play 60 minute games. It was fortunate that we had five goals on them when the minor disruption of concentration occurred, but if we make the playoffs, this is a trait I’d like to see Gone by then.
Well, the Rangers are up next for back to back games. Again, Big games. They simply won’t go away, so this is our chance to distance ourselves and put us solidly in a top 8 position. Let’s hope we come to play both nights and don’t give them any room to make a game of either night.
March 4th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Hey Gary,
Like I said I was at the game yesterday (if anyone remembers the kid in the mickey mouse denim jacket, that’s me). I was sitting in the section to your right and up. That bel ringer was funny. Loved it when he got taken away.
Anyway, keep up the good work.
March 5th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
[...] Let’s backtrack to Saturday’s win in Washington. I missed the game because of men’s league playoffs (1-1 tie, won in shootout 2-0). I’ll point you over to Gary Harding of The View From Section 317 who attended the game with the NY Islanders Booster Club, and Eric from Off Wing Opinion who live blogged the game from the press box. [...]
May 18th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
att wireless 56…
Hi! http://1.otrptfel.info/137_0.html . Thanks!…
August 28th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Gary….
Don’t think you would remember me, but in the early 90s I had season tix with my grandma Ruthie (217) and we were in the Booster club. I remember you and Cherylanne and Robin and their mom and Maryanne and Chris and all the fun we had going to Montreal, Hartford, Philly and Tampa…It was a great time. We are in rural PA now (Scranton/Wilkes Barre Penguins: closet hockey) and enjoying life. I am married and have 2 great kids and wanted to let you know that Islander fans are everywhere……..write back if you can
Colleen