Yes – that Reality TV Star – Richard “SHAKEY” Krouse will be attending the next booster club meeting on Monday night at the Long Island Marriott. The meeting will begin at 7:30 PM. If you are coming to the meeting, please bring some Liquid Detergent. This is our monthly charity item, that is going to the Long Island Chapter of Ronald MacDonald house. Now – that is a great cause, so dont forget the liquid!

Shakey was a great guest last season. He did a “SHOW AND TELL” with some equipment, including Ricky’s mask and pads, among other things.

BTW – I will not be live blogging tonight – but I will get some quotes after the game, and have a page for that.

Let’s get those FLYERS TONIGHT!

GH

PS – for all you Sheffield Steelers fans – they won 8-3 in their first game of a two leg series against the Edinburgh Capitals. Game 2 is tonight in Scotland. Game time is 3:00 our time. If you go to the Sheffield Steelers web site, you can actually see the game on a PPV basis. Go check them out, won’t ya!

Posted under Blog Box, Booster Club, Islanders 08-09

The NHL network called it David vs. Goliath.

David certainly had the slings and arrows. And a man named Joey supplied the defense.

For a team that is heading for history (4 straight 50 win seasons – another President’s Trophy), a chance at another Cup run, I did not expect them to be the losing team. They did play a strong game, in fact, there were many instances that they were the dominating. The visitors in white – withstood the pressure and handled the onslaught with a relative calm.

Then there was Joey.

He was absolutely brilliant in net, making a highlight reel save on Samuelsson looking at a gaping open net. Joey went from right to left and took out the glove to keep the game scoreless. MacDonald made even more saves on the Wings, especially at the late portion of the game.

Once again – another great shorty by the Isles, as Okposo bringing three Wings and a trailing fourth to him, while springing Nielsen to the net, and he deked out Osgood getting the first goal. The Isles are second in the NHL in shorties, and that is a great testement to the guys on the kill.

Now – onto the Flyers at home tonight. Philly is in a dog fight to keep the home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Over the past two decades, the Isles have been spoilers to our visitors from the south. Tonight is another one of these chances.

What do the Isles have to do?

Posted under Islanders 08-09

Unfortunately, I can not – due to work, but if you can be there – please do.

This should be interesting to hear about the T.O.H. issue – and an good news that may come up.

So – if you can make it – be there for me – and let me know your feelings about what happened.

Also – there was supposed to be a Booster Club meeting on Monday the 30th – but has since been cancelled due to the fact that the Islanders were unable to secure us a guest for that date. The club is trying to come up with an alternative solution. Please stay tuned for any new updates.
Thanks,

Gary

Posted under Booster Club, Lighthouse

I just thought I would type a little…

Jackman – glad he is signed for another season. He brings such a great amount of grit and tenacity to the game. He plays every shift like it is his last. Whether it is a check, a fight, or even blocking a shot – you always know that #28 is there, making an impact.

I hear that we were on TV last night. CJ Papa introduced us and mentioned the fact that we were bussing through the night, and were there to support our boys. I am glad we were there, and the Ottawa people were very nice to us. It is definitely not like going to Montreal, that’s for sure.

Comrie (alias Tinkerbell) had the flu and could not play last night. I was so heartbroken, because I so many NICE things to say about him… Oh well, have to wait till next year.

Campoli did not have much of a factor in the game last night. I can see that he was involved in the action, but in some cases, he looks tentative and when he had to make a check – he did not finish it.

Did you know that Joel Rechlicz is not even 22 yet? That surprises me. I thought he tolled around the ECHL for years but he just moved up to the AHL this season, and now has 7 games under his belt in the NHL. Unfortunately for him, he just does not have the skills to stay up here. With the new NHL – his game will not work.

My battery is starting to fade, so I will end this. With a long busy week in the office, and spending time with my mother at night (she is doing better, she is out of ICU — but still has a long way to go), it is just in my interest.

Have a great week, everyone…

Posted under Booster Club, Islanders 08-09

I just did not want to type last night after the game. Was a little disappointed in the result, and was enjoying a nice quiet night with my wife.

Thoughts from the game, and the weekend.

1. Scotiabank place is probably one of the nicest arena that I have been to. There are lots of food options, and a 50/50 draw that the winner won nearly $14,000… That is sick!

2. Ottawa fans are probably the nicest fans that we have encountered on our trips. Even with my wearing a Yashin jersey (will explain that shortly), the fans were cool.

3. Danis just did not have it last night. The first and the last goals definitely go into the category of “I want it back”. He has done so much in his progression this season, that a hiccup will happen.

4. The forwards just did not have the buzz that they showed on Friday against Carolina. Is it the back-to-back syndrome? Usually this team, as many struggles that we have had, have always done well on the back end of the 2 in 2 games.

5. Okposo keeps getting points, which hopefully will lead to at least a little consideration for R.O.Y.

6. Even with the loss, I am sure that Josh Bailey will remember this game for a long time to come. His 2 goal effort was one of the lone bright spots of the game.

7. Canadian beer is so much better when it is consumed NORTH of the border.

8. Downtown Ottawa is a real nice place to shop, dine and hang out. Again – the people are quite friendly and I really suggest that if you ever want to come to a game in Canada – this is the place to be.

9. My three stars of the game.
3. Joel Rechlicz – was trying to do his best Steve Webb impersonation – hitting everything in sight – getting in a fight with Chris Neil
2. Kyle Okposo – one helper – not his strongest effort, but good players will still get involved in the scoring even when they are not at 100%
1. Josh Bailey – two goals and looked much more mature and focused.

Well – time to turn off the computer – as we are going for breakfast at our hotel before the bus ride home.

Have a good day!
Gary

Posted under Booster Club, Islanders 08-09

1. I am so impressed with McAmmond. A great veteran player – that knows how to deal with anything that happens. Tonight – he definitely got heated and Gordon let him do what he needed to do.

2. Mannino did ok. I did not see the first goal, but it definitely was one that he would want back.

3. Nice to see Bruno getting involved again. He looks so confident with Mark on the Blueline.

4. Was that ice awful?

5. Yes – I am typing at 3:10 AM – we just changed bus drivers, and we are heading up I87 to I90. We should reach Ottawa around 10AM.

6. More updates and thoughts later. I am going to try and get some sleep.

Posted under Islanders 08-09

It has been a tough week for me…

Workload – long and tedious, but challenging and got through pretty good.

My mom’s condition has been level, but far from good. There were some issues that really got me very emotional. Too difficult to talk about here, but thanks for the support.

Anyway – the annual Booster Club trip is upon us. We leave from the Coliseum tonight around midnight – bussing through the night, arriving in Ottawa around 10:00 AM or so. We are staying downtown, and will be hanging around the hotel and downtown before we schlep the 30 minutes to Kanata for the game at Scotiabank Place.

I will be taking pictures of the ORANGE WAVE (our group) and will have them on a photobucket site for viewing on Sunday. I have told the radio and TV guys that we will be at the game, and we hope to be on TV too.

Keep checking the site for notes and things from the trip.

See you in Canada, eh?

Posted under Booster Club, Islanders 08-09, Ramblings

If you were at the Habs game in the beginning of the season when the Isles fans were nearly overtaken by the Quebec Fan Revolt, and the team had a 3 goal lead and lost it…. You remember how we felt after that game….

Redemption is nice, isn’t it?

In a game that Montreal absolutely needed, the Isles not only withstood the initial onslaught, but took matters in their own hands, and the streak of one KO, gave the visitors the two points on this night, and got 4 out of 4 at Le Centre Bell this season.

And you know what gives me the red ass (as James Garner said in the movie – the American Presidents)?

People that are getting peeved because the Isles are winning and their chances of securing the first pick are not as strong as they once were. You mean to tell me that you want your players that are gaining confidence by the day, to shut down and “TANK”?

Give a rest folks. Go back to the Tiddly Wink Circuit.

If this team wins 10 in a row or something like that… I would be absolutely thrilled. If we still get Tavares or Hedman – great. We can still get a great guy that may help this team years down the road.

Let’s just see what the cards play for us. But if you want the players to just lose, to secure just a 48% chance to get the #1 pick, then Tiddly Winks is your game. Don’t even talk to me.

Gary

Posted under Islanders 08-09, Ramblings

First of all – my mom had her surgery this afternoon. Her colon was removed, and so far, the reports are good. The surgery, according to the doctors, was successful.

Mom is heavily sedated and out for now – she will be for at least the next 24 to 36 hours, so she can rest after that large ordeal.

The prayers worked… Thanks to all for their wishes. It is most appreciated.

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On Islander news, Bergenheim and MacDonald are OUT for tomorrow’s game against Montreal. Bergie has a groin issue, Mac has knee troubles. Peter Mannino was recalled for tomorrow. Just when Bergie was turning a corner – here comes the injury bu once again.

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For better news…

As you may know – I have a soft spot in my heart, for the Sheffield Steelers, a hockey team in Great Britain. It was through a couple that are now one of my best friends in the world, that I began to support this team from afar. Last week, the Steelers, as a result from their 4 – 1 victory over the Newcastle Vipers, became the league champions for the 5th time in their less than two decade history. Just for informational purposes, their chief rivals, the Nottingham Panthers, have not won the league since 1954, for almost a Ranger like futility level.

Here is the You Tube link of the celebration at the Sheffield Arena, after the Steelers bus returned from Newcastle after the victory.

Congratulations. And also – may I add m deepest condolences to Owen Grant, a man that lived and breathed the Steelers, who recently passed away at the age of 53. One of the players at the celebration showed the crowd his jersey and dedicated the victory to him. The team will attend his funeral tomorrow, in a classy and respectful gesture, and he will be honored before their game on Sunday, as their championship banner will be raised to the rafters. I wish I was would be there to see it.

Posted under Ramblings, Sheffield Steelers

Glad they got the point. They played well. Should have deserved better fate, but again – happy with the effort.

Off to Montreal and the fractured Habs. Wonder how they will come out there? Is Ryan O’Byrne playing?

Anyway – need some prayers… My mother has a real bad situation, and is currently in the operating room at this time. I don’t want to get into the details, but it is serious.

I will not be adding any blogs for a while. Just keep my mom, Ethel, in your prayers, please? I would appreciate it!

Thanks,
Gary

Posted under Islanders 08-09, Ramblings