I was having some major issues with the uploading of my updates to the page over the Saturday night game. I hope that this issue has been resolved, and will not happen again…
Thoughts on the game…
JT was brilliant. Whoever said he is a sluggish skater is definitely mistaken. He is not Mike Gartner, but he is not a slow sport either… You can see that goal scorers have that presence of mind to be there, and get in the right place at the right time. That comes at any age and any level. Two points to open the night, is nothing to sneeze about. Too bad the shootout attempt was off. I could see the nervousness on that shot, and it was evident. He will have those days, and make mistakes along the path of his rookie campaign. However, there were glimpses of brilliance there, and you can easily see how special of a player he really is.
“Rollie” had an ok game, but I saw a few times in the third frame, that he looked a bit shaky going from side to side. Martinek absolutely saved a goal, when Roloson was out of position, as a Penguin came around the net, thinking he had a easy layup. Martinek laid his stick out, and stopped the goal from reality. Not the most flashiest defensemen in the league, but so many times, #24 is there when it counts.
For someone who did not have that much action in pre-season, Okposo looked no worse for wear. Skating, banging the boards, he was all around the ice.
As many were saying through the weekend, Bailey looked a little lost. I did not feel that way. I think he has to bring his level of aggressiveness up a touch, and I think that will come.
Talking to the Captain at Adventureland yesterday, he is so EAGER to get back into the game, and will be raring to go on Thursday in Canada’s Capital city.
A few days this week for the lads to work on some issues that seemed to be prevalent in the third period. I do not think that it was a total loss, but it seemed like the edge was a little undwerwhelmed. Also – the heart of a Stanley Cup Champion came higher up to the surface. That is why Pitt is where they are, and we are working to get to that level.
I think a stong effort by the Isles. One that you would hope will be there game after game this season. I think that with the coach we have, and the character in the room, you will see that. In fact last year’s squad was doing just that, until the injury bug came about. We just have to thwart that, and get the confidence that a team needs to make it to the next rung on the ladder.
Keep climbing boys.
Side notes: Tomorrow is a Booster Club meeting at the Marriott – 7:30 start. Dean Chynoweth and Scott Allen will be there. Hope to see you there.
I will be at the Boston game on Saturday. Making a weekend in Bean town and I am looking forward to rooting my team on in foreign lands. The Sox will be in playoff mode, so hopefully not as nasty at the “Gahden”.
Have a great daly, folks!
Posted under Islanders 09-10
This post was written by Gary Harding on October 5, 2009
I think the effort was great and a positive, overall, for a first game of the season evening. We were a little shaky in the third, but I think that with a little luck, we could have held on to win the game.
Just a comment on JT that I found amusing. I am going to go careful with this so not to offend anyone or start any crap, but I caught the first bit of the game via XM. They, for some reason, were carrying the Pittsburgh broadcast. Now understand that I happen to like their guys, but the way they sort of were “beating” on JT was a bit obvious. I was personally glad that he had the 2 points, especially after one individual made a remark about how JT might not be able to find success with “junior” kind of moves and plays in the pros.
As a last note, I was disappointed to find that our “radio” broadcast is actually a feed of the TV one. Absolutely no offense at all to the TV team, but when you can’t see and rely on a radio broadcast to truly “paint the word picture”, I am let down quite a bit.
Unfortunately, John, that was done to save the Isles money. Having the radip broadcast was a huge dollar drain. Doing the simulcast saves the team in salary, equipment, etc. It sucks, but I believe in time, listening to Billy Jaffe whether on TV, or radio will be great!
The last 2 Penguins goals were fluky. That was what was so frustrating about the loss. The game was very encouraging though.