For about 90 minutes, as I stood in Dave and Busters last night - I really thought that the Isles were done.  Everything that they tried to do - was swatted, poke checked away; just basically eliminiated by the Sabres.  This team did not win the President’s trophy for nothing.  They are so strong and so fast, that it just did not seem in the cards for us to get anything going.  I was starting to feel as if I was giving up.

Well - not so fast.  The Isles caught some lightning left in that proverbial bottle.

Miro made up for his defensive miscue and got the team on the board.  Then Trent Hunter - probably my Islander MVP for the series got a goal as well.  Then Chris Campoli rushes in and gets one too.  The crowd is quiet - the Isles are rolling.  We have a chance - we pull DP and swarm Miller.  Can we get it?  Can we tie this thing up - swing the momentum back, and maybe get a game 6 Sunday?

Unfortunately - about two inches away.

It was just like the wind went from gale force to calm in a matter of seconds.  That is what I felt like when it was over.  What started out as stuff you dont even see in soap operas, to a lousy west coast start, to a time in first place in the division, to a lull to start 2007, to a fantastic 15 game stretch in February, to the DP injury, to the “Dubie” show, to the non-called goals, to those two inches away from a tie game, the Islander season is now a complete story.

As Howie and Billy said after the game - this team has NOTHING to be ashamed of.  They were not supposed to even get this far.  According to the brain surgeons in the media, we were probably going to get the first pick in the draft this year.  However, we were better than 14 other teams in the league, and two others were even eliminated before we were.

Am I proud of this team?  Dumb question THAT is!

These guys never gave up, and showed all that a Ted Nolan team will never quit and leave it all on the ice.  There have times that I have been more elated (obviously - the cup years, the upset of the Pens in 93 come to mind), but this season, for the all of the controversy and “us against the world” mentality, I have never been proud to say I am an ISLANDER!

I am going to take some time, and reflect on some things.  I will come up with a final report card for the team, and talk about what is next for the organization.  I will chime in with a playoff thing or two.  I will start to change gears, and get into my two baseball teams that I will be watching:  the Mets and the Ducks (Long Island Ducks for those of you outside the area that don’t know who they are).  I will also put in some banter, some soccer stuff, even some other ramblings that may enter my mind.

This is a fun, but tough time for me.  It is sad, but in a way, good.  Now - I have some time to do other things.  Spring cleanup for one, outside things (now that we are finally getting spring temperatures around here).  Spring is the time for renewal - and I like seeing the flowers coming up and colors on lawns other than white snow and dark lifeless grass.  Well - it always cheers me up a bit.

At this time, I want to thank the thousands that have looked at my little corner of the world, and read my blog.  From all over Long Island, New York, the USA, and other parts of the world, I appreciate that you all have taken the time to visit this site, and read my ramblings.  I also enjoy the comments that you have given to me as well.  Everyone has an opinion, and I respect all of them.  It may not be the ones I have, but the banter has been fun.  Please keep it up - it makes me feel that my words mean something, and will keep me going.

Have a great off season - and we will talk to you soon.  Thanks again!

Gary