Mon 12 Mar 2007
Right now - I feel like I am talking at the point in the old time 70’s police drama’s of Quinn Martin, where you would see the word Epilogue. For years, I had no clue what that meant….
Inate rambling over…
I know that every media outlet is making the Islanders into a bunch of hell raisers and hell’s angels. Enough!
Here is my 2 cents.
I talked about 5-10 games initially. From what has happened in the past, (i.e. McSorley, Bertuzzi), I figured that it would be that many games would be just desserts. However, time will say that the NHL HAD to do what they did. I think 25 games is fine. It may have been more, but I think that was enough.
Time to move on.
As far as Saturday goes, nice effort by the Isles, spanking a Caps team that is down for the count and getting ready to hear 10. Blake, Bergeron, and Smyth had real good games, and Ricky had a nice outing.
But the road beckons, and the two games in Canada are critical. Tuesday, they enter Montreal and have another chance to lay the smackdown on the Habs. Getting the trip off the right foot and head down to the Quebec/Ontario border for a clash with the Sens. This game is HUGE! We need this second one, to make some justification on the playoff push. We then head to Florida for a Saturday showdown with the kitty cats, and then the following Tuesday, to Tampa for a big game against the Lightning, who are also fighting for big fish as well, as in the South East division lead with Atlanta.
Yes - it is a cliche that you hear that this game is the biggest game of the season, but in the case of the Isles, every game is bigger than the previous one and the next one will be even bigger.
It should make for a fun week — enjoy it Islander fans! We need the diversion from last week side show…
March 12th, 2007 at 11:06 am
I have been waiting to hear your “take” on the suspension. I guess it’s fair but…I expected less time.
These next games are so important especially since those d_ _ _ Rangers won yesterday and are getting close!!! That’s thing last thing I want!!!!
March 12th, 2007 at 11:32 am
YOu know what Betty - I am so tossed on this…. I know from the hockey fan in me - he got what he deserved. However, the Islander fan in me is going to miss his presence. He hasnt been a world beating scoring machine, but his presence has been a help, and supposedly he is like EF Hutton. People listen when he talks.
As a fan, you cant look at the rear view mirror. As they told us in the Coast Guard, “HEAD AND EYES IN THE BOAT, and look forward!!!”
March 12th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Sorry, but I refer to previous comments about the NHL and their a** backwards philosophies. Chris got what he got because it was done to a Ranger. As I said, he, indeed, deserved to sit, but this came as no surprise as to the reaction from the “gentleman” who is in charge of disciplinary actions. I’m not saying that it was a “nice thing” that happened on the ice, but based on the recent history of the NHL and handing down rulings, well, it is as crappy as the officiating seen on most nights in the league.
Saturday evening was a nice response to the week’s events. We needed to win and win soundly. Thus, we have this week, and as Gary said, each and every game at this point will just get bigger. We are not a shoe in, so we have to play with the desperation of a team who needs the next one to get them into the playoffs.
March 13th, 2007 at 12:16 am
I will just echo Gary’s sentiment regarding the Simon suspension handed out. To respond to the last person, did you watch what Simon did? He could’ve killed Hollweg there. Then what would have happened? Heavy lawsuits. That’s what.
Cause it happened to a Ranger has zilch to do with it. That was inexcusable!
I can’t believe I’m saying this but beat Montreal tonight.
See ya Wednesday Gary.
March 13th, 2007 at 5:56 am
I tthink Simon’s previous record had something to do with the length of his suspension. If he had not been suspended before, I do not think the suspension would have been as long. But the fact that he has been suspended 4 or 5 times before only added to the length of it.