I relly did want Carolina to win this series…. However, the contribution of all 4 lines, and the superb goaltending by Marc-Andre Fleury were the difference.

Kudos to Bill Guerin who I think has made such a difference to the team, since his release from Islander captivity.

The first two periods of the Detroit – Chicago game has been fabulous. Huet – who was a stinker in game 4 – was brilliant so far tonight.

BTW – I am now fully functioning on Facebook. Just search for me – and add me as a friend.

On another note – I can not believe how the Mets have been making out on the video reviews. They have been a part of 4 reviews in the last week, and they have gotten the call on ALL 4. Good camera men… And Kevin Burkhart from SNY went up to the area where the questionable call was overturned, and the fans there said that it was not the questionable call that it was…. Hmmm….

Well – we are under a month until the draft. As Mr. Botta has been saying, we will get JT. I can feel comfortable in that assumption.

I will try to get an article in or two before the Stanley Cup Finals begin. I will be coering the Ducks game on Sunday. Will be at Sunday’s game with the Islanders Booster Club (we sold 105 tickets – well actually my wife did…)

Posted under Islanders 08-09, Mets 09, Playoffs 09, Ramblings

Unless you were rooting for the black and gold.

I think just about every fan, no matter what side of the fence you were rooting on (I was just rooting for a great 7th game), was expecting a classic game for all time.

With 3 minutes in the second period, you can safely say that many folks were not going to need that DVR to record the last episode of Lost. (I don’t tape it – but I am sure most do).

Washington to most, would be considered a LETDOWN. I just call it Simeon ran out of gas.

He just looked human; as a matter of fact, his GAA was nearly 3.75 for the series. If the Rangers could only score, it may have been them (NYR) in the game 7 vs. Pittsburgh…

Ovie did what he could, but he is not a one-man-show. Alexander Semin shot his mouth off about Sid the Kid. Well – next time, watch what you say. I am not a big Crosby fan, but he silenced the critics big time (actually – I think Mr. Guerin was helping him big time, and Islander fans can take some solace in that).

Pitt now looks in interest tonight to the 8PM Versus broadcast to see whether they start at home vs. Carolina, or head up to Boston for Game 1 of the Eastern Finals.

To that game. Carolina had the chance to close it, and slumped in Game 6 big time. They let Boston back in, and tonight at the Garden, it will be tough to sneak out with the W. Can they do it? Sure they can. All the planets and stars need to be in the right place at the right time. I am rooting for the Canes, but reality says that they will probably fall short; and a Black and gold East final will probably be there.

As far as the West. A Streetside brawl was the look at the end of the game, rather than hockey. This game 7 should provide some drama. Little did Detroit think they were having another version of a Red Wing/Avalance Punch clash. Well – they have the bonus plan with this one. Again – I like to see teams that are not expected to be there, get there. With the momentum Anaheim had coming in – that was hard to say. However, I want to see the Ducks beat the Wings in Det. As I said in the paragraph above, I am not sure that will happen, but I will hope nevertheless.

Tonight should be fun. I hope that you get to enjoy it.

BTW – if you wish to follow me on twitter, my address is: http://www.twitter.com/islessection317

See ya.

Posted under Playoffs 09, Ramblings

** NOTE – this is the article that was written for the ATLANTIC LEAGUE INDEPENDENT for the Ducks game on Saturday night. Yes – I know that this is a HOCKEY BLOG, but since I write for this publication about the Ducks – I will be putting my posts on here.

BTW – Glad to see that Anaheim won today. Great job by the Caps as well. Carolina is winning too. Keep it up. **

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – On a night where there were post game fireworks for the fans, the Ducks received a spark of their own, to propel them to a 3-2 victory over the Somerset Patriots.

The announced crowd of 6,411 at Citibank Park, were given the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Johnny Hernandez launched a Jared Gothreaux (0-2) fastball over the right field fence.  The victory for Long Island (5-4) gave manager Gary Carter, his first victory at home.

“It was a nice win to come back after the tough loss last night”, said Ducks Manager Gary Carter.

The start of the game was not a positive one, as Long Island starter and Ronkonkoma native B.J. LaMura had a difficult time in the first inning.  He seemed to have trouble getting his pitches in and when he did, the Patriot bats connected.  Two runs came home as a result of a Jeff Nettles single to left field, and a Matt Hagen double that just stayed away from the third base line.

Once the first inning was over, LaMura settled in and retired 10 Patriots in a row, before Anthony Granato reached on an error in right field by Raul Gonzalez.  In five and one third innings, LaMura gave up five hits and walked two, while striking out 3.

“I thought he did real well.  I know with a lot of family here, he started tough, but he settled down after that”, said Ducks Manager Gary Carter.  “He has earned another start.”

After Somerset’s Gothreaux got through the first nine batters with out getting allowing a Long Island batter to reach base, the Ducks cut the deficit to one on a broken bat bloop single by Raul Gonzalez, scoring Ray Navarette.

Gothreaux got into another groove allowing only one more hit over the next two and two-third innings, before walking Raul Gonzalez, and then giving up the home run to Hernandez.

Joe Valentine pitched a scoreless 7^th before the Ducks took the lead, to earn his second victory of the season.  Dan Miceli pitched a hitless eighth and Bill Simas closed the game for his fourth save of the season.  For the Ducks, it gives them a chance for Carter to experience a ‘happy recap’.

“Each game is a battle”, said Carter, but knows that it is good to get some good home cooking.  “You always want to play good in front of the big home crowd.  We know that we will get 6,000 a night at home, and hopefully tomorrow, we will win the series.

A victory on a fireworks night is always fun for the fans and the players alike.  Note: There are 10 of these planned for this season.

Quacker Notes: Who is hot?  Outfielder Johnny Hernandez, a former Cardinals farmhand, is batting .500 before tonight’s game, with 2 doubles, 2 triples and 6 runs batted in.  Now, add a home run.  Who is not?  Lew Ford, the former Minnesota Twin, has struggled so far.  He is 5 for 29 to start the season. “He may be battling himself right now”, said Carter after the game; “But he is a major leaguer that has been successful, and I believe that he will get out of it.”  Preston Wilson had his hitting streak stopped at seven games.  Ray Navarette’s streak is now at eight.

Posted under Ducks 09

No – not Anaheim. The Long Island Ducks started their 10th season at Citibank Park last night with a 6-3 loss at the hands of the Somerset Patriots.

New Ducks Manager Gary Carter is now at the helm of the Ducks as they have a much different look this season (which is typical of the make up of an independent Atlantic League team). However, there are some returning players to the flock, along with an old friend coming back after a few years away.

On the mound, Levittown native Randy Leek returns. He was one of the mainstays of the teamt last season, and getting 6 to 7 innings a night was of the norm. With former MLB hurlers Dan Miceli and Brad Halsey in the lineup, as well as returning reliever Joe Valentine, the Ducks were rewarded with the return of Bill Simas to the team. The former White Sox and Mariner system closer, Simas was responsible for closing the final game of the 2004 season, giving Long Island their first Atlantic League championship.

On the field Ray Navarette, a great clutch hitter, returns to the lineup. Dennis Donovan and Estee Harris, both Long Island natives return for another season in Citibank Park.

The two notable debuts, come from former Twins hiteer Lew Ford, and former Marlin Preston Wilson, who we all know is Mookie’s step-son. He provides power that is lacking from the retirement of Carl Everett.

There are many other players that have major league experience (over half of the roster), that will be playing home games on Long Island this season. Manager Carter, along with former Mansger Dave Lapoint, back in the bullpen, along with Buddy Harrelson and Kevin Baez will lead their troops in search of their second Atlantic League championship. GM Mike Pfaff has assembled a strong team that will be in the mix the whole way through. Make sure you get out and see the guys.

I will be there tonight – covering the same for the Atlantic League Independent web site. I will post the article here (a view from the Pressbox). I know this is not an Islander related thing, but hey – this is my site, and baseball is much of a passion of mine that hockey is.

BTW – doesn’t it figure that Detroit would pull off a win in the last minute against Anaheim. I think it is nice for the game that the team constantly re-tools and wins, but it makes me sick…. Boston – I am not surprised. They are just too strong. I am also sick of Boston area teams winning everything too.

Oh well….

Posted under Ducks 09, Playoffs 09