I have a friend staying with Claire and I this weekend.  She is from the Raleigh, NC area.  Dawn has become a stuanch supporter of the game of hockey, since the Hurricanes moved from Central Connecticut.  She experienced her greatest thrill, when the ‘Canes won the cup in 2006 against Edmonton. 

Oh by the way - she loves Josef Vasicek.

In a great deal of our conversations, she has mentioned about Joe.  But these conversations mostly focused about hockey.  She understands his game, she knows his tendencies. 

She supports Josef the player.  So when she arrived on Long Island yesterday, she said that she had to make a sign for the game.  When we got to my house, she made the sign that said:

I flew 550 miles from NC, Just so see JOE #63!

She commented that Joe ACTUALLY saw the sign and smiled!  And of course, in the legendary move, Joe scored on a great move by Miro Satan, to give the Isles a 2-1 lead in the first period last night.

It was a happy time in Section 317 last night.

The happiness, was short lived.

The Flyers, specifically Scott Hartnell, got a power play hat-trick, as the #1 team on the PP took advantage, and cruised to a 5-3 win over the Isles.

Basically, the Isles looked sloppy in this game.  The three losses on D is big.  Ricky looked a little human last night.  He was not on his sharp game, and was doing a little Aussie Walkabout.   But the Flyers have the Isles number this season going 3 for 3.  The Flyers are doing to us, what we do to the Rangers and Devils.  Good thing it is not the Penn-Isle Cup, rather than the Metro Mug (Hummer Challenge).

Three Stars of the Game:

1.  Josef Vasicek - great goal (and if I did not put him there - Dawn would KILL Me!)

2.  Richard Park - great first goal, and he has performed beautifully with Guerin and Comrie.

3.  Freddy Meyer - for 5′10″ and about 180 - he plays at times like he is 6′4″ 220.

Carolina is the opponent, and Dawn will wear her Red and Black, as opposed to my teal Kozlov practice jersey.  We will battle, but I hope that Ted works on the guys, and hopefully Witt returns to the lineup.

Have a great Sunday!

G