We got one early, that’s for sure.
In one of the most bizarre finishes in the club’s history, the Islanders get a break they so desperately needed, when Ryan O’Byrne put the puck in his own net, giving the Islanders the tie score with under 4 minutes remaining.
I really do feel bad for the kid. Especially in that hockey crazed town, known as Montreal. He has to feel the weight of millions of French Canadian fans on his head.
However, his mistake is our gain.
I said a few weeks ago – when we were in the midst of our 6 game slide, that the Islanders needed a bonafide miracle. They needed that “Mark Parrish off the butt” goal. Lately, the team has been getting just that. Deflections off sticks, body parts, etc. Good teams, or teams that are riding on a positive note, get those goals. And yes, the road team got that last night.
No one will remember the goals by Park and Guerin in the shootout. No one will remember, the great saves that Joey MacDonald made.
They will remember the own goal.
As Billy and Howie said last night – they have to get the kid back in action immediately, and for the Habs, they have a road contest to do it in, so that will help.
You know – you always hear how great the Canadian fans are… However, did you hear them jeer at O’Byrne as the team left the ice? Real class! (I know I may ge grief over it – but tough. I think that was real sad!)
Well – the Isles are 9-10-2. No one thought this team would be that close to 500, especially with the dreadful start. The team is working well, without their #1 goalie, a few d and forwards out, and constant lineup juggling.
The system seems to work, doubting Thomas’s of the world. I just love how people just assumed the absolute worst, and thought the team would never get out of the funk. Eat crow!
Bring on the Pens. Let’s get to 500 and move forward!
I will be blogging at tomorrow’s game. Have a great day everyone!
Posted under Islanders 08-09
This post was written by Gary Harding on November 25, 2008
Never mind yet another jab at Canadian hockey.
O’Byrne had no excuse for his play last night and, if you’ve been watching the Habs all year, his play has been terrible all season.
He richly deserved the booing that only Montreal can do.
Rich,
I am not jabbing Canadian hockey, I am jabbing at the elitist fandom that is Montreal. If Islander fans did that, we would be ripped on to shreads, but since THEY did it – it is fine.
I just can not handle the elitist attitude that is their mantra.
I know that he has been doing horribly… I read the papers up there too. However, I can still feel for the guy.
Montreal fans are cry babies. I wonder if they will say they lost the game because of that goal? or will they give a harder working Islander team some credit. Either way 2 points went in our book !
I’m sorry, but I have to agree with Gary here. Yes, O’Byrne made a bad mistake and a blunder that cost his team the game and will be among the “lowlight” films. Still, it was a mistake and nothing more. How many mistakes does a hockey player make in his career? Perhaps, not many as blatant, yet more than a few guys have put the puck in their own net one way or another.
I think that the manner in which the fans responded was classless. I have nothing bad to say about Canadian hockey fans overall, and I know that they can be as tough on their teams as American fans can be on their baseball or football teams. Nevertheless, there is still a point of reasonable reaction that I think this crossed more than a little. The kid made it to the NHL and obviously got there because someone felt him good enough to play. I hope that something like this does not destroy his confidence and career.
As for the game itself, after all the bad breaks and bad luck we have had, I don’t mind taking a gift like that. Yes, once again, this team is disproving the “experts”, and doing so while plugging holes caused by injuries. It’s a real credit to Scott Gordon, his staff and the Islander team.
John,
I know Rich for nearly 20 years now. He is a very passionate hockey fan that has a Canadian focus, but is a Yank (living in VT). He was a big Nords fan and knows his stuff real well.
He will slant on the North side a little (hey – we arent perfect), but I think he is a good solid hockey guy.
But remember, it was OVERSPEED that got us the goal… Not O’Byrne, the Canadian media or the Hab fans!
Give credit where credit is due!