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    A perspective about the Islanders, Hockey and other ramblings from Gary Harding, a former Islanders Booster Club President and season ticket holder since 1989. The Blog Name, basically tells you where I sit. From Row B, Seat 1 in Section 317, I watch the boys that wear my home on their sweaters play hockey over 40 times (hopefully more) every season. As of October 2008, Gary is a member of the NYI Blog Box, a collection of Islander Bloggers, who will be working at the Coliseum this season, talking about their favorite team.

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Stop worrying people…..

I am already seeing messages on boards, looking for scapegoats, looking to rip heads off their bodies.

Take one and relax.....Valium, Zanax, Zoloff, take your pick, just get them.

We lost two in a row… Oh my God!

There are worse things in this world.  Some positives to take out of the game.

Richard Park has to be the biggest unsung hero on this team.  Insert him whereever, and he takes off like a rocket.  Great chances, and is not a liability in any spot.  He needs to get more accolades from the fans, that’s for sure.

Josef Vasicek has some set of hands.  What a calm and easy job, getting that second goal was…  What was Carolina thinking letting him go?  I know a certain female down there that is sad to this day…. (I see her in an Islander 63 jersey in January – that’s for sure…)

I still do not believe that Comrie got the first goal… Every time I ‘slo-moed’ that shot, it never looked like any re-direction happened with him.  The Pen before him (not sure of name) did, and Gonchar did behind Mikey, but not him.  I would have liked to see “Witty” get the goal.  Oh well, never mind.

Good thing the Isles get right back on the horse, and head into the “Jungle” as opposed to the “Swamp” (I don’t mean the P.C. reference – just the difference from the wasteland of East Rutherford, to downtown Newark).  I am looking forward to seeing the building in December (going with my mate from England to see the Flyers and Devils play.  Going in February for our boys).  But right back out there to right the ship they go.  They have to get back to that disciplined game that they had last week.  Too many PP’s for the Pens was not good for NYI.  The Devils are still a chippy, hard working bunch, that can take advantage of mistakes and turn them into opportunities.

I see a better game for Guerin tonight.  Last night, he was a little tentative, for obvious reasons.  I think you will see a revitalized Captain tonight.  We can not let Marty get 500 tonight.  Let it wait one game longer.

Finally – a weekend without hockey?  Wow – what a thought.  And what am I doing?  I am cleaning my house.  I have family coming in for Thanksgiving, so we (my wife and I) will be cleaning and sorting, getting our space together for my sister’s family.  Will be weird not getting in my car and heading to Uniondale.

Enjoy your weekend, and get ready for the game at the “Asylum” against the mutants on Monday.  The Rangers are slowly getting to be the team that most expected to be.  Am I surprised?  No.  But we have to play our style of game, and force the Rangers to make mistakes.  They are a good, solid team, but they can be vulnerable.  Exploitation, my friends…

Talk to you Monday!

 

 

 

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Posted under Islanders 07-08

This post was written by Gary Harding on November 16, 2007

Mistakes lead to loss

MAB – you are killing me….

You have a tremendous slap shot.  You have offensive capabilities that are tremendous.  Did you forget to take your defensive pills before the game?

Is it that obvious?

They all know when you are shooting, Marc-Andre!!!You were not the whole problem, but unfortunately, when you blunder, bad things tend to happen.  Also – on the power play, can you be a little less transparent with your slapshot.  People in Nebraska know you are going to shoot.  I’m sorry – but I hope that #4 returns to the ice on Thursday.

However, it was not just Bergeron that was at fault.  There were lots of key mistakes.  Vasicek was one.  Gervais was another.  It was a combined effort, as well as one missing warrior; our captain.

Sean Bergenheim returned and was so-so.  He was not going to be pushed as much, as he is a little ‘rusty’, according to the coach.

And honestly, one of the players who I thought played his worst game of the season, was Chris Campoli.  #14 has been splendid just about every game this season.  Even the ones that the team had hiccups, he was pretty clean without much fault.

Last night, however, different saga.It's all right guys, we will get them next game.

Missed assignments, bad passes, horrible coverage.  Just about all summed up.  I have no ill will to give, just an announcement of a bad game.  We all have them; for Campy – this one was his.

A couple of days to work on things, then get ready for the Pens at the Igloo, with perhaps numbers 4, and 13 returning to the lineup.

A chance to right the ship, is what the doctor ordered for the Isles.  Remember fans, we STILL have games in hand.

Will not be writing again until Thursday.  Tomorrow is my birthday, so I am taking the day off from the blog, and dinner with my wife.  Get back to work, Islanders!

 

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Posted under Islanders 07-08

This post was written by Gary Harding on November 13, 2007

9-4-0-0 – Ramblings and Metro Mug Update

I think now, I am just about 100% better (except for the raspy voice).  That will take some time –

Well – another ‘Satan’ic win against the Devils….

i don’t know if the Isles had a scorer of 3 consecutive GWG’s.  Maybe Bossy, but I don’t really know.

Right place at right time syndrome is working well, and points in 8 straight games, is just what the doctor ordered.  Solid play from all 4 lines up front, and 3 in the back.

None of the experts thought we would go 9-4 in the first sixth of the season…..

Yes we are behind the Rangers, but 4 games in hand, going into Philly tonight.

For the Isles to succeed, skating will be paramount.  Creating chances, and eluding the ‘over physicality’ that the Flyers can dish up.  Maybe we can pull off another ’0′ penalty game…  Probably not, but keeping the discipline, and not making the mad effort to stop a blown assignment with a tug or hold, will be what the Isles will need to do, in order to succeed tonight.

In order to get to Biron, the Isles need to attack on him.  Force him to get out of position.  The Flyer D is ok, but are beatable.  20 shots on goal, will not win this game; that number will need to be at least 50% larger.

Other Rambling thoughts:

  • Can you believe that the Rangers FINALLY won a ROAD game?  The LAST team in the league to do so….  Is all of the hype for this team for real?  Makes you wonder.  I thought that the doors were supposed to blow off the east with them.  Again – you can assemble an all-star team, but can you make them win.  (ask a Yankee fan about that for the last 7 years????)
  • Giants looked BAD in the 2nd half against the Cowboys.  Well – TO looked good…
  • At least the Jets did not lose!
  • Where did the Blue Jackets come from this year?  Must be the “peca” effect….
  • Luongo looks awfully human this season?  As does Mr. Brodeur…

Metro Mug Update:

METRO MUG STANDINGS
TEAM GP W L OT/SH PTS GF GA
Islanders 4 4 0 0 8 11 7
Rangers 4 2 2 0 4 7 6
Devils 4 0 2 2 2 5 10

Have a great day all – enjoy the game tonight!

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Posted under Islanders 07-08, Metro Mug, NHL Stuff, Ramblings

This post was written by Gary Harding on November 12, 2007

What a great game! NYI 3 – NYR 2

Yes, I am happy that the Blueshirts went home unhappy, but I think whatever the score ended up, that this was a testament to how great this rivalry is!

Hopefully the rest of the country, who saw this game on Versus got a glimpse as to how special this was.

My voice will suffer all day, but I will enjoy taking the throat lozenges after this special night.

Was Comrie brilliant or what?  Sometimes, I wish he would shoot more, but he is always looking for the open man, and twice, he did just that.  And how can you not love the job that Richard “Wu Wu Wu, Kenny Wu” Park did.  It will be real tough re-inserting Sean Bergenheim into the lineup again!

What else can you say about Ricky?  He was fabulous when he had to be, especially when we took the lead.  He stepped in big time, and make some serious point blank saves.  I hate when the fans on both sides get into the “DP Sucks” and “Henry sucks” chants.  Both of these goalies are brilliant, and have no need to be down on their games.  To be honest, Lundqvist has been an MVP candidate all year for the Rangers, and without him, they would not be anywhere close to being a .500 team.

Satan has awoken, and at the right time.  This is the player that we needed last year at times, and I hope this stays.  And my boy, Joe V, is playing stellar.  Imagine if we had forwards that were not afraid to use their power and size between the circles in the past? 

Tank?

Well - he is just plain TANK!  To me – this move was the best.  Although I love the Captain, and Mike C, Tank, and Vasicek, provide the power and force that allow the skill players to show said skill.  These were the type of players that we have needed for such a long time.

MY THREE STARS

1.  Satan – Great finishing goal – keep it up Miro

2.  Park – when needed, this guy SHINES

3.  DP – as my friend Chris Pepe says, he is BIG!!!

GOLD STAR AWARD

For once – I give it to the officials, for basically allowing the game to play with little whistle blowing.  The game was not chippy, or nasty.  It was played hard and with passion, and that is way that this rivalry game SHOULD be played.  The refs let some calls go, but I was pleased to see that it seemed to be just about even, so I applaud them for that.

TIN TWIT AWARD

For the complete and total “ARSE” that sat a few rows behind me, and put some Budweiser in my direction, because I gave my:

Hey Lundqvist, WE got 1, and it’s ALL YOUR FAULT!

chant.  You can yell all you want, but when we do something in our own barn, you have to question my taunt and my manhood.  I didn’t bother even commenting, because you don’t deserve the time of day!  It is on both sides, but this is the only thing that makes this great rivalry become a little bitter.  And notice, I didn’t say just the Rangers side (because I know that Ranger fans would comment about that…).  It is idiots on both sides of the ledger that are guilty of this.

It was a great game – and I am glad that my side came out on top, with another great come-from-behind effort.  The METRO MUG STANDINGS ARE UPDATED as of today.

METRO MUG STANDINGS

 Have a GREAT day, Islander fans…  First place sounds nice, doesn’t it?

2007-08 NHL Regular Season Standings

2007-08 NHL Regular Season Standings
 Eastern Conference Standings
 Atlantic GP W L OTL Pts GF GA Home Road L10  
 NY Islanders 12 8 4 0 16 36 37 6-2-0 2-2-0 6-4-0  
 Philadelphia 13 8 5 0 16 40 31 4-0-0 4-5-0 6-4-0  
 Pittsburgh 14 7 6 1 15 43 41 3-3-1 4-3-0 5-4-1  
 NY Rangers 15 7 7 1 15 27 26 7-2-0 0-5-1 5-4-1  
 New Jersey 14 5 7 2 12 32 44 2-2-0 3-5-2 4-4-2  
 Northeast GP W L OTL Pts GF GA Home Road L10  
 Ottawa 14 13 1 0 26 50 27 8-1-0 5-0-0 9-1-0  
 Montreal 14 8 3 3 19 46 35 4-2-2 4-1-1 6-2-2  
 Boston 13 7 5 1 15 32 32 4-1-1 3-4-0 6-3-1  
 Toronto 16 6 7 3 15 53 62 3-4-2 3-3-1 4-4-2  
 Buffalo 13 5 7 1 11 41 44 3-3-0 2-4-1 4-5-1  
 Southeast GP W L OTL Pts GF GA Home Road L10  
 Carolina 15 9 3 3 21 58 37 5-1-1 4-2-2 6-2-2  
 Florida 15 7 8 0 14 41 45 5-2-0 2-6-0 5-5-0  
 Atlanta 15 6 9 0 12 39 58 2-3-0 4-6-0 6-4-0  
 Tampa Bay 14 5 8 1 11 41 50 5-1-1 0-7-0 2-7-1  
 Washington 15 5 9 1 11 34 42 2

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Posted under Islanders 07-08

This post was written by Gary Harding on November 7, 2007

Game 2 – NYI – NYR Battle….

Was sick on Sunday and Monday and just did not have a lot of strength to write.

However, we have the battle tonight.  And guess who is back in the lineup for the opposition.  The ‘terd’ himself, disguised as #16 in white.  He is going to make his self absorbed presence tonight, but you can not pay all of your attention to the him.

The main focus is getting the puck past #30.  Has Lundswiss been the MVP so far this year?

Reluctantly, yes.

With not the strongest of defense in front of him, he has been a wall that offenses have had their difficulty penetrating.  Which means for the Isles, you have to attack and get something on him early, before he gets comfortable.

The holy Ranger attack squad have not been lighting it up, as they were supposed to.  But, you always have to respect their abilities and keep a mindset on it.

I am not totally comfortable, but I am more at ease, that we are 7-1-2 in the last 10 against them, and they are not tearing down the walls of the division yet…  For that matter, they are in second place, but the Isles have THREE games in hand on them, and from my calculations will not make them up until at least MID DECEMBER.

Should be a fun contest tonight.  Hopefully will have some comments on the game from the arena.  We will definitely talk about it tomorrow on the New York Hockey Report.  Make sure you check it out tomorrow at 9PM.

See ya,

Gary

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Posted under Islanders 07-08

This post was written by Gary Harding on November 6, 2007

1500

A number to most, but an honor for a great man.

Tonight, in a typical Islander comeback, the boys won their seventh game of the season with a 3-2 victory over the Pens.

Some interesting sidebars:

Rick DiPietro suffered an eye injury when Radek Martinek lifted the stick of Sydney Crosby, which ended up inside the birdcage mask of the Islander goalie.  To the referees, I award my TIN TWIT award for not even recognizing that DP was actually hurt.  The players, especially Mike Sillinger, were vehemently getting on the refs to award 4 minutes, instead of the original 2.  But after having DP come back to the ice to show him the injury, the 4 was awarded.  I guess the blood dripping on the ice, and the removal of the #1 goaltender is inmatterial!

Well – great comeback, and Satan especially, a statement game for him.  This is the opportunity for the Slovakian to gain his shooting touch.  With the opportunity for one more contract, this is the time for Satan to make his stand, and hopefully last night was just that.

Great game by Joe Vasicek.  I have been told by a few people in Carolina who will remain nameless (you know who you are, Dawn!!!) about Joe’s ability, and the chance to take his game to a new level.  Last night, he showed us just that.  I expect to see some great things from #63.

Dubie did not have that many saves to made, but played extremely well.  It will be good to see that GAG go down.

Al seemed to be in the game, he may not have known the guys, but he was serious in his attitude during the game, patting his guys on the shoulders, and by the end of the game, yelling instructions to the guys.

To those, especially the Ranger fans that think that this was a setup to get tickets sold, think about this:  Why would they schedule this against a division opponent, rather than a team that will not demand a great deal of ticket sales (such as Florida, Phoenix or Dallas).  No they set it up against Crosby, Malkin, and a strong Penguin team.  Maybe you wish that a coach on YOUR team amassed this many wins…  Emile Francis was a good coach, but could NEVER EVER shine Al’s shoes!  Get over it, and move on, because the Rangers will see another L on their ledger on Tuesday night!

There – that feels good!  Congrats Al, on your great achievement; you totally deserve it!

BTW – found this on the Yahoo site.  Rumor mill is – is that if the Rangers don’t start scoring soon, the goalie is quitting the team, and joining the Rockettes!

Here he is showing off his gams…. Any thoughts from the ladies????

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Posted under Islanders 07-08

This post was written by Gary Harding on November 4, 2007

A few comments about Thursday, and tonight.

First – what a great effort on Thursday.  The guys at practice were working real hard, and you can see that the spring in the players’ step was in deed noticeable during the game.

As Coach (now assistant coach) Nolan remarked, Ricky was definitely going to rebound with the effort.  The great glove save from Hlavac midway in the first period was reason enough to know that he was not only back, but was extremely sharp.

If it is all the same to you, I think Hilbert should get 1/2 of Ricky’s assist by having his mouth meet the stick of the goaltender.  This kid is so snakebit, it is astounding.  He needs to get a string of goals to bring up his confidence level.

It was a good effort by all the team.  I liked the way that the Satan line played.  A lot of energ from Satan and Vasicek.  However, Bergenheim has an upper body injury and will be out of the lineup tonight against the Pens tonight.  There will be a callup from the PORT tonight.

I am really looking forward to the atmosphere tonight.   For most people above the age of 25, there are rememberances of Arbour.  I have so many, especially when I was working near Cantiague Park.  I can remember sneaking out of my office a few minutes early, to get to the arena in time for the start of practice.  I can always remember seeing Al shouting the drills, getting in guys faces when they were not doing the things that the coach wanted them to do.  Once he was off the ice, once the environment changed, it was a different Al.  Speaking to the fans and anyone that came in contact, he was the perfect gentlemen. 

Whenever he walked by, I always addressed him as COACH.  To me, he was the coach, even though I was not going on the ice.  And with that, every time I would say, “Hi Coach!”, he wouls simply smile and reply back with a hello.  Just a simple connection, gave a glimpse into the man that turned 20 + guys into not only champions, but great men as well.

Give great kudos to Ted, for allowing an injustice to be remedied.  Congratulations, Mr. Arbour for reaching this great achievement.  I know that I am going to be fully enjoying this special night.  I hope you do too.

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Posted under Islanders 07-08

This post was written by Gary Harding on November 3, 2007

Congrats to Eric Nystrom

The Calgary Flame, and son of Bobby, scored his first NHL goal the other night,

Here is the story on the Flames Web Site.

http://flames.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=341759

Congratulations to another #23.  I hope you get a lot more goals (except against the Isles, of course….)

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Posted under NHL Stuff

This post was written by Gary Harding on November 1, 2007

At Work and not a lot of time to write

What a great show last night – Steve Mears was great.  Alex from Hockey Night on LI was excellent.  We had callers, and some big blogtalk radio site tried to spook us for Halloween, but we are so good, that the guy from RockLand USA just could not do it!

 Anyway – will probably not get to the game tonight – expect the Isles to not come out flat.  Coach Arbour is around, and I am sure that the guys do not want to play soft for the ‘coach in the waiting’.

Try to report some stuff tomrrow.  Good day all!

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Posted under Islanders 07-08

This post was written by Gary Harding on November 1, 2007

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