********* UPDATING AFTER EACH PERIOD *********

********* PRE GAME SKATE *********

Biron should be starting tonight – (from sources). Biron is one victory shy of 200 for his career. This would be a nice night to accomplish that feat. BTW- both goalies have .500 career records against San Jose (Biron 2-2 Roloson 13-12).

Again – the focus needs to be eneregy and focused the ENTIRE night.

And Biron came out first… Hillen out there again – so it appears that Bruno is sitting out tonight again… However, I have not been overly impressed by Witt this season, and the -9 in some cases is glaringly obvious.

Let’s Go Islaners chant already coming out of the folks by the ice at section 101.

Sutton, I believe played a better game last night. Still a little too slow on the skates for my taste, but I see an improvement nevertheless. The “D” needs to be more agressive, and needs to show a little more foot speed – with this strong skating and offensively GIFTED Sharks team. Adding the talent level of a Dany Heatley to this team, the defense needs to have their “A” game in tact.

For all of you folks from the UK, I just came across a couple from Nottingham here to see the game. I will get a picture from them when they get back home (by the way guys – my e-mail address is nyibc1@aol.com).

Lastly – seeing Josh Bailey taking a lot of shots as the warmup ended. Hope to see a lot of winding up from #12 as the game goes on.

********* PERIOD 1 *********

Coming out to the ice in a smoky fog. Interesting.

Starting lineup:

Biron
Sutton
Hillen
Park
Bergenheim
Jackman

Marleau’s line starts for the Sharks.

First few minutes mean a great deal to this Islanders squad. Have to come out speedy and guns ablazing. Let’s see if they do just that.

And to make that point come home – Sutton ices thepuck just 15 seconds into the game. Oy vey!

First few minutes – the lines have looked up to the challenge. Been hearing comments from folks about Weight’s presence on this team. I think without him – this team would be searching for a lot of identity. He brings the calming influence.

Biron just make a very crucial save from some San Jose attack.

I like Tim Jackman – but in some cases – the man can get knocked offthe puck like a rag doll.

Bergie and Bailey having some nice chemistry early on. Marleau just got away with puhing out Moulson – JT just made a great move spring Moulson in front of the slow for a nice effort on Nabokov. Isles outshooting SJ 8-3 8 minutes in.

Weight just made a nice moving – getting around defensemen – but was too close to the goalie to make it happen. The Isles are steping up their game quite well – if this effort stays throughout the game – there is a chance.

Biron make a nice save with Marleau and comany in front of his net.

Not the most physical of games so far, which could be an advantage to the home team.

Witt just got drilled by Thonrnton. Brendan had that look on his face likehe was going to kill, but held back.

Jody Shelley just got the first penalty of the game for interference with Biron.

The Isles PP has been ok – let’s see how they do tonight. Moulson, JT and Okie out there. And Okie does it. Great shot from the slot, beats Nabokov – 1-0 ISLES. JT with the assist – great setup. This is EXACTLY the start this team needed. Sustaining it – is another thing. Weight got another assist.

Tavares gets his first penalty as a Islander – defending his teammates, giving a Shark player a face wash – and letting the opponents know that he is not going to stand around. He did not go in alone.

Ending my commentary for the period. The Isles look brilliant. I have said this a thousand times – but they need to sustain the effort, and keep it going.

********* 2ND PERIOD *********

The word of the period is SUSTAIN!

Isles on the PP – Blake for interference. Weight back on the point 2 shots – but no big chances. Marty takes the a penalty bu a Shark goes in with him for a 4 on 4 situation. Ortmeyer got 2 for diving.

have just came up with the conclusion that Joe Thornton is a BIG MAN!

Okie had a great shoot opportunity, and Nabokov mde a great glove stop. Jed Ortmeyer drew a penalty – this time – and Witt was te recipient. Marleau makes the Isles pay with a backhand over the glove of Biron 1-1. Shark fans should be thanking Jed for that one.

This is the moment when the Isles need to answer back and answer quickly. Make the Sharks feel the pressure.

Another observation – the Ice is bumps and making the puck do some interesting dances. Right now – the Ises are letting the Sharks dictate the play. Coaching staff needs to get these guys a little enraged. Isles being outshot 9-4 in this period, and need to get their mojo back.

And sure enough Thornton gets a loos puck behind the net and backhands it to Vesce who beat Birn easily. He should have had this one. 2-1 San Jose.

Isles get a Delay of Game power play. If there was a time for these guys to step up – it is NOW! Half way through – and Weight just hit the post. The crowd just went nuts… And the look on Weight’s face just about said it all.

The third period needs to be a return to the first period dominance. The team knows they can do it – they just have to get it done.

And before the period ends, the Isles get such a bogus holding call on Hillen.

********* 3RD PERIOD *********

OK – will the REAL Islanders team, please stand up! Or in this case, make themselves known. We need to see the first period Islanders return to the ice in the 3rd frame.

Isles start the period on the PK = need to get the job done, and return to pressure that they showed early on, but a slap shot from Thornton my have been deflected past Biron – giving San Jose the 3-1 lead..

Well – so much for making a statement… Since the Rangers are beating Toronto right now – there would still be two teams without a victory.

Thornton got the goal. It did not get deflected in by somone else. The Sharks ar still a team that is struggling to gain its identity, but you can see how talented that they really are.

Great move by Okposo maneuvering around a couple of defensemen but unable to get it around Nabakov in net.

If you remember in my post earlier in the day, I was putting my focus on Josh Bailey. Have you noticed that I have not mentioned his mane that much?

Jt got off a nice shot on a good pass from Witt. A little more shots and maybe the fortunes will change.

Isles stating to show a little passion. Bergie made a couple of nice moves an started to get into the face of a Sharks D-man. Passion needs to intensify more – get these guys off their game.

Story of this perid for the Isles -is low percentage shooting. Got to establish a closer game to the slot to be more effective.

With 8 minutes left – time is running out…. Have to make a move now – or we can kiss win number one goodbye tonight.

Setoguchi just walked in and got the puck over Biron’s shoulder. 4-1 – and the fans are leaving in droves.

I am closing the blog for the night. I will add some quotes and other things tomorrow. Have a good night everyone….

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10