With three days of no games, this is a perfect time to get the system going. I am sure that the coach will be working on this.

Is it me, or is it an every other game thing?

Again – not too much to talk about lately. With these days off, the writers get a little break, and don’t need to come up with major things to talk about. So, it is off to Tam O’Shanter club, for the IBC Golf Outing with Bossy and the gang. Should be a lot of fun, but I don’t play golf, so that is why I am not there… (Also – work is nuts!)

On a personal note, my mom is having surgery tomorrow to do some skin grafting on her leg, as a result of an accident a few weeks ago. Please say so prayers, if you would not mind? She is doing well, but any surgery to an 82 year old patient will not be easy. So I would appreciate all the support that I can muster.

Will not write until Wednesday morning. Have a good few days, everyone…

Posted under Islanders 08-09

I know my buddy Patrick Hickey (www.thedriveforfive.com) is very happy right now. He has Hunter on the banner at the top of his page.

I am sure that he was disappointed that he only tallied 12 times last season. He has said that he wants to improve his offensive scoring punch.

He has not disappointed so far.

You have all the reports that you could muster. I am not going to add any more that just these comments of mine:

1. Joey Mac had a good game. He let a soft goal in but the other two, not many would have stopped. He has performed admirably.

2. DP – just get in there and play…..

3. Are you impressed with Nielsen’s play? Denmark should be thrilled that he is starting to make his career take shape.

But now to the focus of this piece:

Bruno – alias Pizza Man (ask any Booster Club member…)

He was one guy that I hoped would make some strides this season, and pick up his play to the point that he would become a leading d-man on this team for years to come.

In the first few games this season, he has accomplished just that. Getting two helpers in the home opener on Saturday, and getting an assist on the first goal of the night, he is logging major minutes on the blueline and is involved in all situations.

Taking advantage of the opportunities, along with the fact that he is a media darling, has made his visibility shine more this season.

However, it is going to make things even more tougher for Chris Campoli to just jump back in and be a force. It is interesting over the careers of these two guys, how much flip-flopping has happened. Now Gervais is at the top, and Campy is looking up. Get better soon Chris, and move that teeter-totter back to even.

Tomorrow – Sunrise, FL and the Panthers. Without McCabe, but be cognizant of their defense. It is their strongest point. Voukon has always played well against the Isles. Will be interesting to see how well the Gordon team plays after a good performance.

Posted under Islanders 08-09

I can not take credit for the name… That was given to me by someone who will remain nameless. I was told this, because I know that it may cause someone to be a little aggravated. (we’ll just keep that a secret for now)

Since I have seen some constructive criticism on some of the boards about the:

a) Number of Blog Boxers increased to over 20 and
b) How many write about the same thing

I am taking some of that to heart. I understand, and for the need to try and make some different topics and ideas to the table, I decided to take a look at some of the players on the team, and offer some thoughts.

Let me offer this player on a plate:

#11, Andy Hilbert

Here is a guy that I know many folks in my section were making not only nasty comments about, but taking bets early on in the season last year, on when he would actually put a shot on net, not even a goal. Many really wondered what the coach, if not the team, saw in Andy, and why was he even on this team at all.

This season, however, the 27 year old product of Michigan, seems to get it.

Well – he has had some practice…

After playing with Red Berenson at the U of M, Hilbert spent from 2002 – 2005 on the Providence Bruins, coached by one Scott Gordon. In those seasons, he averaged nearly a point per game, with a high of 79 points on 37 goals in 79 games.

Yes – I know – this is the AHL, not the NHL. He still has not nearly stepped up his game to that level. I think, however, that Andy’s game has improved by leaps and bounds since he was reunited with his old coach.

With the complete change in systems in the last few years (Stirling to Nolan to Gordon), this is one that “Amazing Andy” gets. I can see it in his play. He is skating with some reason now. He is always looking up ice, and making things happen. To be truthful, I wondered what was in his wheaties? But then I failed to remember that he is a Gordon disciple.

His ice time has increased, probably due to the fact, that the coach has more confidence in him, than the others that preceeded him. He has not shown to be a liability, and even in the debacle to Buffalo on Monday, he had more shifts and his ice time has increased from the past few games.

Do I think he is going to be the next Pierre Turgeon? Be serious….

Do I think his play has improved? Absolutely, but three games is not a good mathematical sample for statistical analysis. Let’s just keep our eyes open on this young (well) man, and see how his next few games shape up, before we consider this project to be an improved one.

Tonight – the Isles invade Mullet Bay, I mean Tampa Bay. Coach Melrose has not had the storybook start some pundits thought would happen, but this team is still dangerous up front. Vinny, St. Louis, even young Stamkos, under the right situations, can be tough on opposing defense and goaltending. The Isles need to remember what they did on Saturday, and plaster that to the front of their respective craniums.

As far as goaltending, when DP is ready, he is ready. Joey Mac has been a yeoman, doing the job. A stinker like Monday, can be the panacea that a goalie needs to get his game back. Let’s see MacDonald do just that. We want a BIG MAC in the net, not a Filet of Fish!

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09, Player Analysis

Ouch!

I guess that jersey will fetch someone a good buck or two…. Shows that it was really “GAME WORN!”

Gordon was not at practice today. Personal reasons. Of course, media and fans alike have it that Gordon is quitting, that he has had enough.

And you really do smoke that wacky tobaccky!

Sheesh, give the guy a break. He will figure things out… What do you all expect, it all happens overnight?

Martinek out 4-6 weeks. Sorry, I like the guy, but there is not a year, that he has not been healthy for the full stretch. Might as well be now. Hillen will get more time, and it will be a baptism by fire. He was NOT good on Friday, and he was NOT good on Monday. What will Thursday bring in Tampa?

DP did not even practice. I am not even going to comment on that.

Hopefully pieces will start to fall into place…. It seems like last year did not even end, the team is falling in the same trap. (Multiple defensemen out of the lineup, inept scoring, missed assignments, etc.) What is the cure-all?

I hope they find it and fast….

Posted under Islanders 08-09

To see such a loss happen to someone as young, talented, and promising as the career of Alexei Cherepanov, it is a shame. He may have been a Ranger, but the player was on the precipice of such potential.

My thoughts and prayers go to the family, and to all hockey fans, who will never get to see what he may have had.

Posted under NHL Stuff

Finally – not a shutout!

Woo hoo!

Now a 2 man PP – go get em boys. Congrats to Thomas Pock on his first point as an Islander!

150+ penalty minutes in this game. Well – we may lead the league in something….. This will not be a good locker room. I would not be surprised if it will be a CLOSED locker room. I figured I would watch the game when I get home from work tonight.

I think I will watch Dancing with the Stars instead…

No was was plus… (no surprise) A few were zero (Guerin, Hilbert, Sim, Pock). Weight was a -4. That is not good. Streit played 28+ minutes.

Discipline is definitely an issue. Gee – the flight to Florida will be fun.

Good night folks….

Posted under Islanders 08-09

Now as Islander fans – we do not like the Rangers, etc…

However, when you hear this, your heart drops. My thoughts and prayers go to the Cherapanov family and the Ranger community on this totally tragic loss.

From TSN -

New York Ranger prospect Alexei Cherepanov collapsed on the bench at or near the end of Omsk’s Kontinental Hockey League game and died a short time later, he was 19.

Omsk head coach, Wayne Fleming said Cherepanov collapsed on the bench during the third period of the game and did not see anything that happened on the ice that may have contributed to it.

Fleming also said medical authorities tried to get Cherepanov’s heart beating again after it had stopped.

Sources in Russia tell TSN that the ambulance that is normally at all games had already departed and had to be called back.

It is not clear exactly how long it took for Cherepanov to be transported from the rink to the hospital but one source in the arena told TSN it was “probably 15 or 20 minutes.”

Also, there is some question as to whether defibrillators at the arena were in good working order.

No further details are available at this point.

The news of Cherepanov’s untimely death has shocked the hockey world.

“We are extremely saddened by the tragic passing of Alexei,” said New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather. “On behalf of the New York Rangers organization, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family. Alexei was an intelligent, energetic young man, with tremendous talent and an extremely bright future.”

“He was a great kid,” Cherepanov’s agent, Jay Grossman told TSN. “He had a great smile and was an outstanding player with a great future on and off the ice. It’s both shocking and devastating news for all of us. ”

He had seven goals and 12 points in 14 games played this season in KHL.

Cherepanov helped lead Russia to a Bronze Medal at the World Junior Championships in 2008, scoring three goals and adding three assists with a plus-three rating over his six games at the tournament.

Cherepanov was drafted by the Rangers in the 1st round, 17th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Posted under Islanders 08-09

Would you like to be a fly on the wall in the Islander locker room right now? I think if they tried to swat at you, they would miss……

They need to save face. Forget about five goals, just try and keep this as respectable as possible.

I head that Streit was beaten out of his jock on one play…. That is what was the scouting report on him. He will be good offensively, but can look sluggish, worse, crappy at times. Have to expect that.

This would be a time for some of the vets to step it up, and make some serious points in the room. Comrie with three penalties…

Oh by the way, I would like to take the Buffalo announcers and shove a hot fork up their collective butts! They are making it sound like a pee-wee team is playing the Sabres. It was announced that Witt was gushing blood, but accounts at the game, said that it was not as bad as announced.

Maybe this week away will give the chance to work some more on their systems. Will we see Ricky this period? Not sure…

Please get a goal….

Posted under Islanders 08-09

I never thought having to deal with user acceptance testing would be more fun that being at a hockey game. With kids opening day as well – yay!

I guess practice wont be fun tomorrow….

Posted under Islanders 08-09

Can only get the Sabre radio broadcast. They think MacDonald is not sharp… For a short point it sounded like the Isles had all the play in front of Hedberg, but Buffalo came down and scored the second goal…

What happened to ludicrous speed????

Posted under Islanders 08-09