We had a Booster Club meeting last night. Billy Jaffe was a great guest. One of the best that we have probably had. And in some cases, thank goodness that the ITV cameras were not there, because some comments would not make some people happy… (Not seriously, but… )

Got a lot of information about the team, players, and how Billy became a broadcaster. He loves Long Island (his wife is from the East End), and wants to be here for a long time to come.

Thanks Billy - you are doing a great job, and we are glad you are here!

I will be leaving tomorrow for a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. The ship I am on, is the Carnival Triumph. This is my first cruise that does not having me swab decks, and peeling potatoes. (I was a Cadet at the Coast Guard Academy when I was 19). I am looking forward to recharging the batteries, forgetting about the office (that’s the fact, jack!), and just relaxing in general! I may write, if the spirit moves me. However, I do not think I will see any Islander info.

Have a great week, all! I know it is a tough time, as our team gets eliminated, but this was a injury filled tough time for our team, but next year is coming soon….. Better luck next year, is what Brooklyn Dodgers fans always heard… I guess we should take that expression over.

Although I still believe that Kyle should have stayed in Bridgeport and help that team make the playoffs, I will not refuse to welcome his presence.

This is our future, and it is a good thing to give him a taste of the NHL life. A life that we all hope will be filled with promise, great expectations and lots of goals and assists for Islander blue and orange.

Should be an interesting game, with Toronto playing still for their playoff lives and without the services of Captain Sundin and goal scorer Andropov, who are out nursing injuries.

It should be a little relief for the D to not have to worry about those players. However, you are going to have guys that are going to try and fill big shoes, because as faint as it still is for the Leafs, they can win some games in a row and make some interesting fights for the 8th and final playoff spot (remember last year>????)

It should be fun tonight… I will miss the home game on Monday, as I will be in the Caribbean soaking sun and recharging batteries. Win one for me, Isles!

I knew this was going to happen…

The Isles are not going to make the playoffs, so many people are now begging and pleading to see the kids up now. While in most instances, I might agree with that assessment, this time, I do NOT feel that way.

Write this down on a rock…

DO NOT BRING KYLE OKPOSO UP THIS SEASON!

Garth, are you listening?

I can understand wanting to see Kyle get a taste of the NHL, but now - is not it. You want to get Okposo as much exposure to the professional game as possible, and since the Isles are out of the playoffs (in all reality), the AHL team is on the cusp of the post season. The Tigers are 3 points out of a spot with a game in hand. Once some players get healthy on the big club, it is Garth’s job to send the kids BACK to the “A” to get the team to the playoffs. There is a good shot, and that should be the focus of the hockey organization at this time. I would rather see Kyle, Franz, Jeff, Blake, and the other kids, keep playing in the playoffs and getting more experience, than going home early and working on their short games.

As fans, we need to stop being selfish and resign to the fact that players need to develop and grow, as opposed to having the player be brought up too soon. We all know of Kyle’s abilities and how well he has done at the Port, but folks, be realistic, he has been a professional for about 30 games… He is not the next Wayne Gretzky? He will be good, but he is not a guaranteed Hall of Famer now!

Get real!

Get the kids back, get into the playoffs, and play your butts off to get a chance for the Calder Cup!

The Isles will survive, and let’s find a better opportunity to celebrate the NHL Debut of our former first round draft pick!

Sheesh!

The first half wasn’t so bad.

After another 2 PP goals that Isles gave up, the team looked better. They were getting open, winning battles, scoring; the game was deadlocked at 2, and all was not so bad.

Until Ricky just LOST IT!

All-Star-itis is setting in, and there seems to not be an available cure at this point.

Yes - I know that we have a lot of injuries on the D-line, and that can be used as almost a viable excuse, but the bottom line is, that he (DP) has gotten away from the type of play that made him an all-star in the first place. I know he had a mourning period, and that is fair, but it looks like focus and concentration are seriously lacking.

With 4 goals, I should be happy… Well…. maybe not this time.

Tampa was a team in flux; there for the taking. The team just forgot to take it.

Onto Florida, and a team that we HAVEN’T beat this year. Quite the polar opposite from last night. Let’s see which team comes out…

Congrats to Ben Walter on his first NHL goal, may you see a lot more of those… Hope Tank is ok - but my thoughts are not positive about that…

Let’s get a dose of reality folks, we will be watching the playoffs from our homes, rather than Uniondale. Unless we get into the serious miracle category that is usually reserved for folks that are becoming saints.

But I will NEVER lose my faith in this team, and not want them to succeed at every game. Go get ‘em, Isles!

First of all, let me say thanks for the kind words… It has been a tough week for me. I never wish this situation on anyone, but unfortnately, life happens. My mom is improving, and should be on the road to a better day, but she has a lot of work to do. Not only her, but the whole family as well. We will keep a stiff upper lip and move on.

Well - I am going to try and begin my writing again….

So - what has happened since we last were around…

Oh yea, the Isles have slipped mightily. Tough times. The injury bug, and the disappointing play have left the team very far on the outside looking in. Are we going to make the dance? Honestly, it will be quite tough. I never will lose faith, but I can see what they have to do, in order to get there, and the task is looking more and more monumental.

Ahh - but we did it last year, you say….

Yes that is so right - however, that team was clicking on all cylinders and more in the last 6 games. This team, to my dismay, is not showing those signs. There are good efforts, but some inefficient ones too.

To me - there is one major problem that has become so prevalent over the whole season, and returns again…

When we can get bodies in front of the net, we score and do well. When this team stays to the perimeter of the offensive zone, we are not only inefficient, but inept.

Sorry - but I call it as I see it.

Fedotenko, Vasicek, Guerin, Hunter, Colliton…. They are good sized bodies. They need to create traffic. I have been saying this all along, but it falls through deaf ears on the ice. You can get all the shots you want (see the Florida game on the 2nd), but if you can only muster low percentage shots, you will not be successful; even if your name is Bossy.

Defensively, there have been lapses. Too much responsibility has been placed on players such as Johnson, Davison, among others. Freddy Meyer has stepped up tremendously, to the delight of all. He is not 5′10″, is he? He is playing like Chara at times. He has been a big plus. Missing Sutton, Gervais and Campoli has made this team inefficient. Injuries happen, but this team has not overcame them. Some times teams do, sometimes not.

By the way - this is not berating the team… This is just observation and honestly. I will stay with this team all the way through… that is what being a fan is all about. However, let’s be realistic; do I want this team in the playoffs? I just do not see them doing what last year’s squad did, as well as make up so much ground. Philadelphia, Buffalo, Florida, Washington…. No - not this time fans. I want it, but let’s see this team retool and add on the right way for next season, and get stronger. I know that we can.

Well - I will try to write a little more as the season ends. I will be in the Caribbean from Good Friday for a week, so I will be writing from the ocean….

Again - thanks for the support. Better days are coming… I promise. Beat the Bolts tonight!

Unfortunately, my mother is very ill. I have left work many days over the past week, as she has been in the hospital.

She went back in, after being out over the weekend. It is not that great right now, as her health is failing.

I will not be writing any entries for a while, as I am focusing my energy on other things. I also will not be doing the New York Hockey Report either.

If you are spiritual or religious, please keep my mother, Ethel as well as my family, in your thoughts and prayers.

I really appreciate it!

Take care,

Gary