PREGAME thoughts….

Rollie in net – same 18 skaters.  Pens in Baby Blues, Isles in White.

My player to watch:  Andy Sutton.  He has been sch a shut down presence, and the fact that he has been so healthy this season, he has been quite impressive.  Especially when he gets to lay the smackdown on his opponents.

FYI on the Pens vs Isles – All time – NYI 92-84-30 – 1-4-1 last season.

Milestones closing in: Gervais – 1 point from 50

Hopings…. – Establish the forecheck.  Especially in periods 2 and 3.  Be agressive, but smart. You need to play a 60 minute game against the Pens – today will be a nice chance for the boys to show that.

Next report – after 1

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Brent Johnson in the nets for Pitt today – Rollie in nets for the Isles.  Crosby is starting – what a surprise. 

Islanders lineup – Roloson – Sutton – Hillen – Jackman – Thompson – Park

Stephen from our Blog Box was attempting to be in the next big boy band…Hey buddy – don’t give up your day job!

13 Seconds in – Engelland and Jackman start to dude it up – with both pugilists got some good jabs in.  Nice draw!

Sutton got a good check on the Crosby/Guerin combo.  And Hillen made a great play to Okposo for a shot on net that Johnson had to struggle a little with.

Isles showing a little oxie early on – but we ll know that they have done that a lot at the start of games.  It is just a matter of sustainment.  Only 2:13 before Rollie got save number 1.  He is not used to that…

Sutton and Malkin in the box together at the 2:55 mark with Malkin getting the diving call..  4 on 4  Crosby out there  again.

BTW – Malkin is Greg Louganis on ice.

Dupuis on a great tip – hit the post.  1st lucky break of the game.

4th line looking Trio Grande out there – except not connecting.  Bailey jumps on a rebound in front of Johnson – 1-0 Isles!  Streit and Meyer get the helpers on the goal.

The second efforts are showing – and now the Isles get a PP – thanks to the work in the corners by the forwards.  The only issue I see with JT at time he is waiting for the puck to get to him, rather than attacking the puck. 

Sim clanked one at the end of thePP.  He has looked better recently.  Is he thinking that he may lose his spot?  Who knows.

Shots after 12 minutes are 6-5 Islanders.

Hillen got called by Kelly Sutherland for holding.  The lethal Pens PP is out there with Maklin, Crosby and Guerin up front with Gonchar and Eaton at the back. 

The goal light came on when Okposo was working behind the Pens net on the PK. 

The “Let’s Go Pens” chant is pretty loud today. But no shots for the Pens on that PP. 

It has been a good first period.  I am pleased with the effort. 

I said it too soon, as Malin scores on the shortest of sides, getting the puck throught the tiniest of holes between Roloson’s arm and the post.  1-1 tie game with 2:40 left in Period 1.

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Shots were 9-7 Isles after 1.

For  period 2, as stated so many times before, the Isles need to keep the forecheck going – not getting lackadasical, and proving that although this may be Pittsburgh, the defending Champs, they are a beatable team, if played the right way.

Tavares with a great move, beat Skoula like he was standing still, but did not get the roof shot on Johnson.

Sim did a great job, drawing a penalty on Adams by just being a complete pain in the gluteus maximus.  The PP ;lasted just five seconds as Hunter got called for a hook.  Well – so much for that opportunity.

It was all pretty quiet – until a deflection from a Jordan Staal shot by  Matt Cooke got by Roloson – 2-1 Pittsburgh.

Pittburgh has started the hitting, and the Isles are just not responding as well as they should.   The Isles need to respond, and need to do it in a hurry, because that is the kind of shot that can send your team in a funk.

It took the fourth line, to sustain some pressure on the net – to get the team going.  Bergie then on the next shift, got some opportunities going.  Johnson – was up to the test.

Line of the day from the Blog Box… as I mentioned that Bruno Gervais is a -2 for this game, Mike from Islesblogger.net replied,

But he can cook!

In a word, this period is:

A) Competive

B) Outsanding

C) Sluggish

D) Wonderful

The answer to me is C)

Hillen gets a call on a hip check on Sidney Crosby.  Bogus on bogus.

Now Sutton gets 4 for high-sticking.  Looks like Pttsburgh got an early Christmas present, giftwrapped by McCreary and Sutherland.

Hillen gets out of the box, and gets an open net try that just misses.  Then Nielsen gets a chance that misses on the short side.  Isles have brought their game up on this PK.  Keep it up – they are showing signs of life.  Crowd is up on their feet as the penalty is thwarted!  GREAT JOB!

Assessment of Period 2 – not a total disaster, but this team could have floundered with that 4 minute PK.  They showed resiliency and toughness that helped them get throught.  Now – as a song from the movie Cool Runnings said it best, they have to “Rise above it!”

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Lately, this team has had the lead going to the third stanza, and lost momentum.  This time, they are in the trailing end of te score sheet, outshooting the opposition by a 20-16 count.  11-9 forthe second period.

Bergenheim – with a blast over the goalie’s right shoulder, knots the game at 2 – just 1:24 in. That will make Dee (7th Woman) so happy!

What a great shot – and a great cross ice pass from Neilsen.

Thompson got a call for a hit, which caused Jordan Staal to tangle with the Islanders middleweight.  Ater Staal exuded all of his energy – Nate took over and gave his #11 counterpart a beating.  Not only did Staal lose the fight, but got 2 for instigating + 5 and 10.

Seems like this New York hockey team really wants this game.  The energy level from both the ice and the crowd is electric.  I know it is not a playoff game, but when it gets this loud, it is good for the home team.

JT just had a wide open opportunity, and then laid a behind the back pass to no one, that ticked off the crowd, but got a PP because of a too many men on the ice.

Right away – Hillen is in the SLOT of all places – not the one I woud want there, but I’ll take the body out there.

“WE WANT CHILI!!!!!”

Great opportunity – and probably one of the saves of this seson here as Johnson got his glove on  a shot that hadto get through about five bodies or so to get through to.

Bruno – please get the shots ON NET!

Great chances – no results on the PP!

Tamby is getting his chances today.  He has played better.  BTW – Sutton was my player to watch.  12 minutes played after 2 periods – a +1 and 6 PIM.

Bergenheim line getting sloppy behind the net. 

Steve, my fellow blogger is pleading with JT to stop being fancy.  Remember – this was the guy that sounded like the version of the Backstreet Boys!

Malkin tried his short side shot – but Rollie was having NOTHING with that again!

JT!!!!! 3-2 Isles!    Great effort – finding the rebound off of a Freddy Meyer shot.  Moulson created traffic in front of the goalie as the  puck got over to Tavares!  That was JT’s 10th of the season…  Okie also got an assist on the play, as he got the puck over to Meyer.

Now – keep the energy level, and not play ‘down’ and protect the lead.  Keep the tempo going.

As Herbie would say,

PLAY YOUR GAME!

Hey – Bruno got a shot on goal!  And I always worry about the first two minutes after we score a goal.  The Ises have answered the test.

Sim just had two chances to put the game away and were stopped by a sprawling Johnson.  The htting is strong right now – and the team is responding to all of the work. Bergie just had a great chance on net as well.  Love the aggressiveness.

Big win!!!!  Way to hold on!!!

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

Will be reporting at the Isles game today, for a change.  I havent doe this in about a month, so it should be fun.  I will update my postings after each period.

I expect a much different flow of the game – especially in periods 2 and 3 from what happened on Wednesday night with the Flyers.

Should be Rollie in net – with the same 18 skaters that played the other night.

Also – I will be at the game on Saturday in Newark.  It should be fun. 

But I am looking forward to today – and getting the chance to be  a part of the game’s coverage.  See you at the rink.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

The “view” has been on work mode – and has been out of action.  However, we have been aware of the great things that have been happening in our world of Islanders hockey.

1.  The emergence of JT.  Since all of the NHL brainiacs want us to fail – they are not even embracing this story of the #1 draft pick doing so well.  Last year, there were so many stories of Stamkos’ struggles to start the season, and even more of his emergence as the season progressed.  Since the hockey news made us aware of Taveras at the tender age 0f 14, you would think that they would continue the saga.  Alas, I am mistaken.  Well – we can give this back to the Canadian hockey media in a good stiff burger and have them stick it where the sun dont shine!

2.  Matt Moulson – feel good story of the year.  If you told him 6 months ago – that he would have 10 goals on the year, he may have said OK; but in the NHL???? What a surprise for him and the Isles.  The chemistry between him and Taveras has been great, and is one of the best stories in the league this season.

3.  Injury front – for the most part – the team has been healthy.  Or at least healthier than last season.  With that in mind, the team has been able to establish chemistries and keep the guys comfortable with their playing partners.  Missing Weight and Martinek has been tough, especially with the way that Marty was playing before his ACL.  However, other guys have picked up the slack.

4.  Goaltending.  The Achillies heal last year.  Joey Mac and Yann were yeoman and held their own, but this team needed veteran presences in the crease.  Enter Rollie and Biron.  When Roloson started the year, there were a lot of frustrations.  Could he ever stop a puck in a shootout….?  However, he has been a rock in the last few weeks.  Biron has had a little more tough luck, but has been reliable.

5.  New emergences – Especially Jack Hillen, who looks a lot older and wiser than his real age on the ice.  I think he has a great future ahead of him.

6.  Questions – what happens when Ricky gets back?  Will Josh’s comfort level grow?  Can Tambellini be consistent? 

7.  Coaching – Scott Allen and Dean Chynoweth have been a good fit with Scott Gordon.  The system is finally taking full hold, and the team is responding to it mightily.

8.  Fan Support – hopefully with winning and better efforts brings fans.  With a few games over the Turkey holiday, I hope to see full crowds and enthusiastic support of the team.

Well – hopefully next week – I will get on a better schedule of writing.  Thanks for the patience and speak soon.

Cheers,

Gary

Posted under Islanders 09-10, Ramblings

As Willie aptly put it.

12 of 14 on the road.  The character test begins.  Thankfully, the 7 straight are not all in one shot.  There will be some time at home inbetween games 4 and 5.

Obviously it will give the team a chance to ‘bond’ a little more.  It will hopefully create some more chemistry between line mates and others.

The boys will have to be used to not having the last change.  Mismatches will happen – this will need the boys to pick their spots and try to make the best out of bad situations.  They will also need to be more disciplined on the road, and not take the bad penalty.

Who do they have on the trip:

1.  Washington – Maybe Alex the great will be back, probably not.  But this team can be just as dangerous without him.  Mike Green is also a little hobbling too.  This may be an opportunity to sneak out of Dodge with 2 points.  The D needs to be real tight.

2.  Carolina – 12 in a row without a W and Cam Ward out a month with a bad skate slash to his leg.  This is nowhere like the team that was in the Cup Semi-finals six months ago.  Paul Maurice has to be on a real tight rope.  Can not take this lightly, because these are the types of matches where a team just doesn’t play all out, and loses the easy 2 points.

3.  Florida – another team struggling to find its identity.  Struggling at the net, and losing Booth, one of their main weapons.  This is another game that would be right for the taking.  It will be up to the Isles to remain focused, poised and ready for battle.  Also – this will be a nice birthday present for me – a win on this night.

4.  Boston – They lost there in a tough game in October – now they need to bring their game up a little more.  Boston is still hobbling with injuries (Lucic, Savard, among others), and again a possible opportunity to ‘steal’ a point or two. 

This is the path of the team on the first step of this road trip.  There is a good chance that they can steal some points, and possibly gain some more respect in the process.  No one, and I mean NO EXPERT, had thought this team would be 6-6-5 in 17 games (maybe Stan Fischler), but they are in a good position, and a good two weeks on the road, before they spend about a month at home (two road games at the Garden), will give a chance to prove that this team BELONGS.

Have a great day!  BTW – Jackman at Booster Club Meeting tonight.

Posted under Booster Club, Islanders 09-10, Ramblings

Well – the guys in Toronto have those great lenses?  Not that it mattered in the final outcome, but no angle shown on TV made any conclusive evidence to the goal actually being scored.

OK – the streak is over, the team laid an egg.  Getting a little too high?  Perhaps.

Buffalo had players return from the Flu bug.  A goalie that was pissed from his last performance, and wanted to redeem himself.  All important cogs in the recipe for Islander disaster.

It all came to a head.  Nothing to be proud of.

The biggest thing that bothered me is the faceoff percentage.  At one point in the end of the 3rd, they had won 8 out of 38.

I repeat, 8 out of 38!

The main point that got the Islanders into those wins over the last 4 games, shot them in the arse last night.

Menu for today – revisit the system – get the motivation going and prepare for the Devils.  Since they are playing in NJ, there is a chance, since the Devils have not lost a game on the road.

Well – congrats to the Yanks… I am happy that Philly did not repeat.  I am a Met fan – but I do not hate the Yankees.   I respect them enough to say that the best team won this year. 

Now – I said it – that is it!

Posted under Islanders 09-10, Ramblings

It is time for the boys to take to the road, and head out for a lot of the month of November.  Four out of fourteen on home ice.  And two of them will be played before Saturday is over.

It will be bonding time for the boys, for sure, as the wives, girlfriends and others will be waiting for their men to return before Thanksgiving.

Buffalo is first on the plate – with the Sabres who are as spicy mad as Wings at Duff’s in Cheektowaga.  They want revenge in a big way – and Coach Ruff usually does not forget pastings like they got on Saturday.  The Isles just need to play that aggressive play that has been their new trademark, but try not to get overanxious.  They will not get the matchups that they want – so they will have to be a little more creative.

Look for a good test tonight – and hoping that Biron can once again create some magic to give to his family and friends in Western New York.  Should be fun!

Posted under Islanders 09-10