Even when Nate got that goal 2 minutes in, I did not have that comfy feeling in my bones that we were going to get out of Boston with a point.
Was I right.
With Buffalo – I knew that the team was not doing it. With Boston – it is just seeing a strong, united team that is playing on all cylinders, but the best part about Boston, is that it is a very young team.
Is Lucic going to be a great player in this league for a long time to come. He is on 21. Kessel is only 21 as well. This team is got the foundation for a very good team for a long time to come.
But enough about the competition. Let’s talk about our ineptitude.
First statement – Tambellini MUST GO! This so called experiment has to end now! He is not mustering up anything in this level. A few weeks ago – Billy Jaffe made a great point about #15. He said (and I am paraphrasing), that he needs to make a stand and if he feels that he needs to change his game if needed. He is not making it with the skill set he has now. Too many chances and not enough results.
Him and Franz Nielsen at the same time were called out on this blog. Lately, Nielsen stepped up and did the job, until Mike Mottau from the Devils snapped and knocked #51 out for 12 weeks. He stepped up the game, but Tambellini did not!
Nate came back and got a goal right away, which I was happy about. He replaced Fritz, for which I was glad to see. We can not have a guy up here, playing 2 minutes a night, and getting in a fight. This team does NOT need that.
Well – Ottawa, this year’s whipping boys for the Isles come in for the second and final time tomorrow. Simply – the third period must be better. Nine goals in the last 2 games in period 3 is NOT good.
Start praying folks!
Posted under Islanders 08-09
This post was written by Gary Harding on November 28, 2008
I think there is always some degree of “growing pains” with any process. Aside from learning and absorbing a new system, there is the matter of playing that new system, playing it consistently and playing it with confidence. I think that the Islanders have yet to establish the overall confidence that comes from lengthy consistency. There is still plenty of time in the season, and if we can get a fairly injury free squad to play together on a nightly basis, it will help the process completely solidify.
We’ve seen the boys come together and take it to the best teams several times this season, dominating them and looking like a playoff bound club. However, in too many cases, this has been 20, 40 or 55 minute efforts. We’ve also, however, seen victories come from complete, 60 minute efforts, and once they can demonstrate this capability on a regular basis, you will see the beauty of Gordon’s system and the work of the staff bare fruit. Just have patience, folks.