Very few players from the starting lineup for New Jersey were sitting in the stands.

Not the case for the “Home” team.  Guerin, Comrie, Fedotenko, Sim, Hunter, Sillinger, Bergeron, Gervais, Campoli, Sutton.  All of them wearing suits, and hanging out in the hallways.

Oh yea - don’t forget the goalie, too.

However, Doobie was doobie doobie good!

The shots were nearly two to one in favor of the boys in white and red, and Dubielewicz stood upto the competition well.  The only two that got by the goalie were from short range, while the Isles were shorthanded.  One as a 5 on 3. 

Good signs - the constant emergence of Bryan Berard.  He WILL make this team.  But at the expense of who???  He looks smooth and fluid.  In the few power plays and limited time he saw on the PP, I feel comfortable with #4 quartaerbacking.  He isn’t the #4 in Green and Gold playing football (Brett Favre), but he can handle the job with authority.

Who will be out?  Freddy Meyer is a victim of the numbers game.  Aaron Johnson - has some skills, but in many situations seems to be back on his skates.  In my guestimation, I think the Isles will take 7 D up.  With some serious cap room, they can afford to keep 7 up for now.

On the forwards, I really do not see that many surprising scenarios playing.  Tambellini and Nielsen are on the fense, and may be looking in rather than out.

The one thing that I notice, is that this team will show it is larger up front.  In the past, the Isles have had size, but were as powerful as a hiccup.  This season, with Vasicek and Fedotenko, that hiccup can turn into a tsunami.

The Isles are 2-4-2 with one game remaining in Boston this afternoon.  These guys (the main 20) have not been close to all playing at the same time this preseason.  Today may be the day that this may happen.

I think that all 4 lines up and down will make the Ted Nolan team become even more apparent this season.  To me, Comrie must have a ridiculous start.  He needs to come out of the gate smoking.

Ricky needs to make another bold step forward.  Last year he went a few steps on the goaltending ladder.  He now needs to get to the top rung this year.  Playing smart is paramount.

The countdown to the season, is under 6 days now.  Get excited Islander fans!!!

Can someone please put the muzzle on this mutant?

Just when you think that he is going to stay out of the limelight - the dingbat shows his colors again…

The following is quotes from Newsday on Wednesday:

I didn’t expect it [the fighting]. It’s an exhibition game,” said Avery, who grumbled in the press box during the 5-4 OT loss and clearly would have been in some of the scrums. “But I wish I had played.”

Why?

“For a very obvious reason, as obvious as reasons can get,” he said.

Maybe he should have played during the SLAPSHOT era.  I guess tonight should be a little donneybrook action going on, and guess who is going to be the main culprit….’

Hmmm.

I do not believe that Andy Sutton and Chris Simon will be playing tonight, so “Shawna” will have to wait until October 10th at the Coliseum.  Sutton should give him a little HELLO……

Will be at the game tomorrow night in Bridgeport, as the Isles take on the Devils.  Will have a commentary to follow on Sunday.

Have a good weekend everyone.  Hockey starts FOR REAL in a few days.

Oh - by the way, Steve Mears, will be our guest on the New York Hockey Report on Wednesday, October 3rd.  Make sure you join us.

As Rodney Dangerfield would say…

I went to a fight — and a hockey game broke out!

That is what it felt like last night.  The time machine went back about 20+ years, when I remember all of those WARS at Islander-Ranger games.  This one took me back.

The Rangers were back to their underhanded, confrontational selves.  Hitting and slashing when the refs were not looking (and dont get me started on those idiots!).  Late and nasty hits.

Oh - by the way - Ryan Hollweg is a cheap shot artist who is really going to get his someday, and I won’t be 1% sorry about it.

Over 160 minutes in penalties, 6 misconducts, and the goalies even fought.  Although Al Montoya looked like the little nerd that was getting bullied at school.  Ricky sure gave him a what’s up!

Oh - by the way - they did play a hockey game…

All of the new Isles contributed in the game.  Ruslan Fedotenko scored on the power play to make the score 1-0.  After four Ranger power plays (thanks to the wonderful officiating) gave the visitors a 4-1 win, and the crowd expecting a Ranger triumph, Mike Comrie and Bill Guerin scored nearly a minute apart late in the second frame, with the Captain’s crossing the line with 4.4 seconds remaining.

Half way through the 3rd period, Josef Vasicek did something we have not seen much of from this team.  Vasicek, the former Hurricane came down the slot like a category 4, and moved around the Ranger defense, getting the puck by the replacement Ranger netminder, to even the score at 4.

In Overtime, Brendan Shanahan, went into crybaby mode.  He did not like the way that Freddy Meyer was moving around him and proceeded to get a penalty called on him.  Shanahan, turning to a total ‘cry baby’, proceeded to slap around Freddy Meyer like he was complaining that he did not get the proverbial cookie from the cookie jar.  Meyer was called for roughing, but Shanahan got a second minor, giving the Isles the power play.  Mike Comrie stuffed in his second goal of the game, giving the Isles the victory.

While I am not the stuanchest supporter of fighting, this game was a little entertaining to say the least.  I wonder what it will be like on Friday, when the teams meet again at MSG.  Should be fun!

The Isles record is now 2-1-2-0, and head up to Lowell, Mass to take on the Devils.  Then, Friday at MSG, Saturday in a home game against the Devils, at Bridgeport, and a game against Boston on Sunday to close the preseason.

BTW - Bryan Berard, in my opinion, has played his way onto this team.  He had 3 helpers last night, and seemed to be in full season mode.  With the one exception of skating on the puck, he was great!

I also think I am starting the Joe Vasicek appreciation society, (knowing that i am making a young lady in North Carolina very happy!)

Have a great day!

I wrote this up yesterday for inclusion on the front page of the New York Hockey Report web site.  I figured the loyal readers of this blog, should get the first chance.  (*** NOTE - My apologies for the bad formatting… When I copied it from Word to this format, it screws up….***)

ISLANDERS PREVIEW 2007 – STABILITY AFTER THE REVOLVING DOOR

Those who have read my work, whether it is on this web page, or New York Sports Day, or the View from Section 317, know that I try to be a real optimist when it comes down to my hockey team.  I always believe that there is a chance that my team can ‘squeak’ it out, and get that win or goal that they need to propel themselves. 
Hey – what Islander fan had real 100% confidence in Wade Dubielewicz to win those last few games, and get us into the playoffs?
I can stare at my keyboard, and with a straight face, say a qualified YES!
However, July 1st came into play.  That fateful day, in the annals of Islanders history, that made me feel like my heart drop to my toes.
Ryan Smyth:   gone to Colorado
Jason Blake:  gone to Toronto
Viktor Kozlov:  gone to Washington
Tom Poti:  gone to Washington
Richard Zednik: gone to Florida
And all we got to show for it was Jon Sim. (he is already turning heads, myself included, and should be a perfect fit for the Isles)
Bloggers and forum writers were running to their computers in droves, asking themselves a very important question:
Is Garth off his rocker?  All these guys gone with no plan?  Is this a ploy to move the team?
I think we had every excuse but the Grassy Knoll theory… Well maybe we did.
Garth and Ted had a distinct and precise plan.  If his assets were going to other locales, they knew the types of players that they wanted, and would go out and acquire them.
And acquisitions they got…
Bill Guerin – the new captain, replacing the overpriced and listless Alexei Yashin.  Guerin is the type of player that will command instant respect and reverence without even saying a single word.  He had 35 goals last season in St. Louis and San Jose, but seemed to disappear in the playoffs.  A fresh start, with the responsibility and respect from all around, should make him a useful leader with Brendan Witt and Mike Sillingers has his XO’s.
Mike Comrie – the big test for him.  At 26 – this is his fifth stop on his NHL tour.  But this year, is a make or break year for him.  Offensive power and potential is there, but attitude, and off-ice situations have hounded him.  He needs to put all the past behind, and be ready to be ‘the’ guy to be counted on for scoring.  Also – he will raise the testosterone level of the stands, if his girlfriend Hillary Duff stops by.
Ruslan Fedotenko – The cup winning scorer in 2004, “Tank� is also like Comrie, on a one year contract.  He also has a lot to prove, after a disappointing 06-07 campaign.  He is big, can not be taken off skates easily, and can be a presence in front of the opposing goaltender.  Getting 25 goals out of him, can be a big plus to this team.
Jon Sim – had a career year in Atlanta, with a good deal of time, on a line with Ilya Kovalchuk.  Has already shown in camp to be a leader in the locker room and on the ice.  In addition, he has shown a good scoring touch, getting two goals in their win in Moncton against Montreal.   This could be a jewel in the rough.
Then later in the free agent window, Snow and Nolan received the latest presents:
Andy Sutton – a slightly smaller version of Zdeno Chara – standing 6 foot 7 and nearly 250 pounds, he can be a brick wall on skates.  A defiant shot blocker, with a scoring touch to boot.  He can replace the likes of both a Tom Poti and Sean Hill, with his qualities.
Josef Vasicek – This Slovak has a ring with Carolina, and returned there late last year after not getting much playing time in Nashville.  He is another strong man on skates (6 foot 4 and over 230), and has shown the passion and intensity that Ted Nolan demands from his players.  This could be another pleasant surprise.
Bryan Berard – this year’s version of Richard Park.  He walked onto camp and has turned just about everyone’s head, with his inspiring play, and his need to prove the naysayer’s wrong that he was all washed up at the tender age of 30.  He may have only partial, if any, vision in one eye, and a messed up back, but don’t tell him that he can not play the game.  The Rhode Island schooled player (high school) GM took the Woonsocket Rocket, and hopes to see that magic again.
The team looks dramatically different than this past season, but the dynamic should still remain.  This will be a team that will work hard, create chances when they are there, and stick to a solid two-way approach to the game.  The returnees know that, and the newcomers are quickly adapting to it.  The biggest decisions will be the players that Nolan will bring to battle come October.
On Defense, you have nine NHL capable defensemen fighting for six spots.  Arron Johnson, who played 61 games for Columbus last season, has done a great job.  We all know what Berard is capable of.  He is going to make it a tough decision on the management team, as to who will be kept.
On the forward end, there hasn’t really been too many surprises for guys that were not expected to make the team.  Sean Bates, who had major groin issues the last half of 06-07 has not practiced with the team, and his career may be hanging on thin ice (no pun intended).  Andy Hilbert, according to reports, had not had a good camp, which can open the door for players such as Blake Comeau, and Franz Neilsen to sneak into the top 12.  Chris Simon will not be available until game 6, as he serves the end of his suspension.
In nets, year 2 of the DiPietro 15 year plan starts, with great expectations of him being a Top 10 goaltender in the NHL.  As fans, nothing less is expected.  Wade Dubielewicz, who stunned the NHL world by winning his last 5 games to make the playoffs on the last game of the season, will be the backup this year, replacing the retired Mike Dunham who will be the goalie coach.  “Dubie� should get the opportunity to make a good start, and allow DiPietro to stay fresh throughout the season.  If one of top two goalies spends any time on the injury list, Mike Morrison, formerly of the Oilers, and Joey McDonald, formerly of Detroit and Boston, will be a ferry ride away to help the team out.
Prognosis:  The Atlantic Division will be the strongest group of five in the NHL.  The Devils seem to be the only team in the league that did not either improve or stand equal.  I am going to go out on a limb, to say that if the Isles stay above .500 in the first 12-15 games this season; I believe that all five teams in this division CAN make the playoffs.  Tune in come April and see if my predictions are right.

 

First of all - let me make a few statements before the start of this.  I was a Nassau resident for almost 40 years.  I have been in Suffolk since 2000.  I do not have a vote for any person in the Nassau Legislature, and am not trying to sway anyone that does.  These opinions are mine, and mine alone.  However, I do feel that they may accurately reflect the feelings of many an Islander fan, no matter where they live.  I may say some things that certain people may not like (people, or companies), but they reflect my views, and do not represent the view of the NYI Booster Club or any other organization I belong to. 

Being an Islander fan - we all have varied types of feelings about the barn our team plays in.  We all know the history of championships, struggles, from the 16,000 + seats that it holds.  We all know the condition of the arena.  With the exception of Pittsburgh, it is the oldest building in the league, and shows its age. 

Even though the sight lines are the BEST in the NHL, the amenities to both player and fan, leave a lot to be desired.  The concourse feels like the LIE on a summer Friday.  The food choices and quality is below par.  The maintenance of the facility is inept; and if it wasn’t for the money pumped in by Mr. Wang, the arena would be a disaster, to say the least.

It is time for Islander fans to feel that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Is it the fault of Charles Wang and Scott Reckler (spelling..??)?  No - they are forming committees, preparing to do surveys and do what needs to be done, in order to get this off the ground.

Do I feel that it is taking too much time?  Ab-so-freaking-lutely!  Not by their faults, however…  From what I hear, it seems that the County is just taking what ever length of time it wants to get this done. 

And why is that you ask?  I have a theory or two…

The county has SMG operate the facility.  They have an agreement until 2015, if my memory serves me correctly.  Like other facilities that they oversee, it seems that this corporation just does not want to upkeep and make amenties to better the situation.  It has taken well over $10 million dollars of a ‘tenant’s’ money to make the building presentable.  In other words, its like being a foreman at a site, and just sitting there and watching the workers handle the job, and take all the credit.  I may be wrong, but this is MY observation.

 

 

If I am not mistaken, doesn’t the county, who basically is the landlord, the people that can negate the contract, if the management corporation is not properly maintaining the facility?  That would be like Donald Trump having a sub contractor that has people off the street do the big job of creating a building.

To me - SMG has NOT been doing their job in years.  But who am I?

The plans that Wang and Reckler have, are not only to revitalize an area that is long overdue of a major facelift, but bring jobs, visitors and most of all REVENUE to the area.  Everyone that reads these blogs, and knows about the game of hockey, as well as professional sports in general, know that the secret to success for an organization is not the on field/ice/pitch participants, but it is all of the off field amenities and perks that provide the customers (the fans) the full experience.  The Nassau Coliseum, in its current version, falls so short of that; and this idea to wake up a sleeping idea, needs to be brought to the forefront, and NOW!

After years and years of mulling it over, New York City, is FINALLY seeing the first glimpses of that with the construction of the new Yankee Stadium and Citi Field.  In 2009, 2 great new facilities will provide nearly 8 million fans combined of a great experience as well as provide a great ball game.  You want to see the Islanders have a rocking building, please Nassau County, stop your stalling tactics and help make this happen sooner than it will be.  The jobs it will take to create the whole facility, and the ones that will be created when it is up and running is a boom to the area.  All of the REVENUE that will generate, will help the local economy. You all know this, but it seems that the legislature sometimes acts like it is a 6 year old child that can not reach the cookie jar, and is upset by it.

Unfortunately, the more that people don’t talk about it and do not talk to their local elected officials about it - the longer the wait, as well as the less on the minds.  If you are a Nassau resident, please contact your local representative.  If you do not know who yours is, go to this web site.  http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/legis/index.html and find out.  Keep checking the Lighthouse web site at http://www.lighthouseli.com and show your support for that as well.

In most cases, the only way to get something moving is making sure that the people that need to get on board, are made fully aware of the opinions of the constituents.  A contributing reason for why this team may not be in the upper echelon, is the fact that we have one of the most inept facilities in the league.  For that reason, it makes is just that much harder for us to compete.  We have to do even more to stay on the straight and narrow.  New facilities can do just that.  Progress needs to be made.  Your county legislature needs to be reminded of that. 

C’mon fans - let’s do our part, won’t ya?

Postscript - I rambled a little - that is why I categorize this to RAMBLINGS.  However, the legislature are the vehicle that needs to be on board, for this to move, and in my opinion, they need to catch up and get on the train.

The Isles played a ‘home’ game against the Habs in Moncton last night… But you would not think that they were the home team, based on the crowd…

With Montreal being close to Moncton, the Habs fans turned out in droves.  The crowd was loud and supportive, but in the end, the Isles were victorious.

I bet the mood would be like a few years ago, when there were sometimes more Ranger fans in the stands as there are Islander fans at the Coliseum on certain nights.

But two goals by John Sim, another by Bill Guerin, and stellar play by Rick DiPietro, caused the “Bleu, Blanc and Rouge” to be poo-poo.  The 3-1 victory was the first for the new Isles, which left a good taste in Coach Ted’s mouth.

“I told Sim between periods I love players who compete,” said Nolan on the Islanders Web site. “We have a bunch of guys who compete hard. One of the key reasons we got Guerin was because of his hard work and leadership. He got the guys ready for the game and then stepped it up on the ice.”

Anyone who really thinks the captain position is just ceremonial, well you can see that this will NOT be the case in this locker room.  The team will respond to his (Guerin’s) actions both on and off the ice.  Leadership by example can work, but in hockey, for some reason more than other sports, a vocal captain can be just what the doctor ordered.

Bryan Berard played a great game, and will be fighting hard to snare a top 6 spot.  He seems from reports, to be a lot more mature and taking the game more seriously than he has ever done before.  Great story and an interesting way to turn it full circle.

Friday night - the Habs get to play the home team, this time in Le Centre Bell.  However, instead of about 5K, there will be over 21K screaming fans, with many saying choice words to the team in French (Note to Bruno - give it back… LOL!)

Today, on www.newyorkislanders.com, the team announced the 12 Charter members of the NYI Blog Box.  A group of crazed individuals who love their team and enjoy writing about it.  The names and links to their site are listed below at the bottom of this entry.  Please bookmark these sites, and make sure you check them out; the same way as you visit the View from Section 317.  Information is power, fun, and in many cases, entertaining.  I am going to work on getting all of these sites on my links section at the right of the main page.

Some of you may ask, “Gary, why did you not apply?”

Well - at first, I really did not want to.  My work commitments take so much out of me, that I wasn’t sure if I would be beneficial in the position.  However, I still feel that I can write as much now, as I have in the past year.  My site gets a tremendous number of hits (a lot of junk hits, but hits nevertheless). and I do get a lot of comments; so to me, that means that people like me!  I almost feel like Sally Field, accepting her Oscar in the movie “Places of the Heart”.

Well - I sent a request to Corey Witt to include my site in the Blog Box.  Hopefully at some point in time this season, I will be honored to be a part of this group.

Well - lunch time is over, and I have some projects to get back to.  Have a great day, everyone!

Gary

THE NYI BLOG BOX PARTICIPANTS 

 

 

This is NOT my brain - but it could be…. There is so much going on inside mine right now.  I work about 55-60 hours a week, so that takes a big portion of it.  My home life takes some too.  We are doing some work around the house with guests coming in November.  So some of my brain is focused on that.  It seems like a lot for my brain to concentrate on…

Then there’s hockey.

Friendly (exhibition to you in the states) number 2 was last night in St. John’s Newfoundland.  The Isles gave up two goals late in session number 1, going toward a 3-1 loss against Boston.  The Isles have scored 4 goals in two games, and all 4 of them were by the defense.  Matthew Spiller with 2, Freddy Meyer, and Chris Campoli got the only one last night.  I hope this is not a sign of things to come, but I know it’s not.

I watched part of the game on Islanders TV last night.  It was great hearing Steve Mears’ voice calling the game.  He impresses me more and more every night with his calling.  He is relaxed in his presentation, and provides passion when needed, and frustration when the team is not performing.  For a man still in his twenties, he has a comfort level about him that guys doing this 2 decades or more wish they had. However, the game had some interesting events.  Kip Brennan taking on the “Sequoia man”, Zdeno Chara, and coming up on top.  Even Josef Vasicek, our new center from Carolina, got into a scrap, showing some passion and energy out there.  Some things I saw, still remain from last year.  Andy Hilbert looked a little lost out there.  The team were taking stupid penalties, things that you would hope would not be a factor.  I know that this is only pre-season game number 2, but habits are hard to succumb.  Discipline has to be a big factor for this team to be a successful one.

Interesting article from Greg Logan today.  It mentions about how Mike Sillinger was left in the dark by one of his best friends, Ryan Smyth, about his move to Colorado.  Silly mentioned that the Isles were there until the last minute.  Smyth wanted to play with one of his heroes, Joe Sakic, and really wanted to stay in the Western Conference.  It doesn’t make me sleep any better, but ok. 

Silly disappointment on July 1 was turned around with the moves Garth made.  He likes the way that the team is molding, and is looking forward to the season starting.  However, one note took me to task, and I really want to talk about it.  This is about the following quote that Sillinger made in the article:

…When some of the big-name free agents turned down top-dollar offers from the Islanders, general manager Garth Snow said the aging condition of Nassau Coliseum was a factor, and Sillinger agreed.

“The building’s not a great sell,” Sillinger said. “It is outdated. If they do build a new facility on Long Island, it will be an easy sell to free agents then.

“But I’m not going to lie. That was the first question Billy Guerin and Mike Comrie asked me. You have to be honest. I told them the organization is great, Long Island is a great place for your family, and you’re in New York. But the facilities are not the best. If they change, it will be a strong selling point.”

Any person that believes that the building is NOT a factor in where a player goes is NUTZ!  I would certainly hope that in your job, you made the conditions on where you work a factor.  We may have a building with great site lines, and a lot of history of great players and teams, but that means NOTHING to the players now.  Amenities, the best of equipment and facilities are what players look to.  Don’t believe that they do not think about this.  I am sure that the Pepsi Center blows away our barn when it comes down to that.  I am sure that was a big factor that swayed Ryan away.  I also know that people will talk about the great facility that Ice Works has come to be.  But that is your practice rink.  It is not your game facillity.

We may never get the real answer to these questions.  But rest assured, they are factors, make no mistake about that.

Well - off to work.  I have been in almost 2 hours now - and I am running like a cheetah (that is not a good sight with this body type, but…)  The Isles are ‘home’ to Montreal in Moncton tonight.  Islanders TV will be covering the game again tonight.  Let’s see what the big boys do tonight.

Have a good day! 

 

G

Well - hockey games are underway…

North Bay Ontario won a competition called HOCKEYVILLE, which gave them a chance to host a NHL preseason game, in which the Islanders and Thrashers were the participants.

The game was televised on Islanders TV, but unfortunately for me, my computer crashed, and I did not get to see.  However, reports from the game, said that the Isles played well.

All 3 goals were scored by the D, two by Matthew Spiller (a big boy!).  Most of the ‘vets’ were not in the lineup, with the main line being manned by Tambellini, Vasicek and Sim.  Andy McDonald was in the nets, and did ok.  Garret Exelby scored 74 seconds into the extra session, giving the ‘visiting’ Thrashers the victory.

The Isles tonight, will take on Boston at the “Mile 1″ Arena is St. John’s Newfoundland.  A lot of the ’vets’ will make the Islander debuts tonight. 

Now - that uniform does look a lot better, once you see it on a full kit setup.  It does make the player look a little more svelte.  Me, I will stick with the old style.  My frame can not support a snug jersey.  I still like the look of it.  Hey - at least it is not as boring and DULL as the new Dallas Stars jersey.  Check this out….

This is real bad… I guess they really spent a great deal of time and resources coming up with this one…..

Talk tomorrow..

G

A nice picture on the Islanders web site this morning.  It shows a few of the guys at a breakfast get-together up in Moncton.

Some familiar ‘alumni’, including Trots, Kallur, Hart and Morrow is always nice to see.  Now we see Garth as a newer member.  Then what about the two guys on the right; especially the one in the back?

In addition to Steve Webb, Eric Cairns was a part of this morning’s festivities.  On Chris Botta’s Point Blank Blog, he talks about Eric being approached about coming back:

Eric didn’t just meet the team in Moncton for a one-shot deal. No, he means too much to the fans and people of this franchise. Eric was on the charter plane that left Thursday afternoon from Farmingdale to New Brunswick. Turns out Garth Snow gave him a call recently and told Cairns he may be retired as a player, but he’s most definitely not a man without a team. Garth invited Cairns to become an Islander again and be part of training camp.

“I’m here to do whatever the team needs,� Eric said today during the first scrimmage of camp. “I’ll do the alumni events, talk to the young players, hang with the scouts, whatever I can do. I appreciate what Garth and the Islanders did. I loved it on Long Island and it’s so nice to be back.�

It is just another of the ‘class’ things that the Isles have done for their heroes of the past.  Too many people years ago, said that the Islanders did not really care about the teams of the past or the community as well.  I feel they should taste a little humble pie, and see for themselves that the Isles really have it right.  They are doing their absolute best in reaching out to the Long Islander, especially to the future guys and girls that will be their customers in years to come, as well as bringing back the legends and the work-horses; the players that Islander fans loved and supported.

Another great thing I heard today is that the pre-season games will be televised on ITV.  Another sign of getting the fan access to more information than we ever had.  I hope to be watching the “Hockeyville” Game on Monday.  A chance to see the new unis in action, as well as get a view of the new look Islanders.

I am pumped… Are you?  Tell me about it!

Don’t forget - the NY Hockey Report show on Sunday at 11:00 AM - Joe and Derek should be on with me - so make sure that you listen….

That is one scary dude…….

I am glad that we LIKE him now.  Not that we had a real hate relationship.  We did not see Washington enough to have that.  But we sure love when he pisses off the Rangers!!!!

Well - the team should be flying up to Canada now.  The first practice is tomorrow.  The Isles should have some good coverage of this.  I am really looking forward to it.

G