*** NOTE - Click on the link below, to listen to my interview on NY Hockey Talk on Sunday… *** 

http://24.184.91.155:8088/PodCasts/2007/2008_01_13_NYHT%20-%20HARDING.htm

This stack, however, is a lot thicker than the Isles play in the first half of last night’s game.

2 shots in nearly 30 minutes of play.  Then, all of a sudden, the legs kicked in….  A little too late.

Too many bad decisions, losing about 80-90% of the puck battles.  The things that were just not done in this game, was such a polar opposite of the game on Sunday in Canada’s capital.  At my view, I really can not see the coach, but I am sure that a vein or two were popping.

Like the tenacity that Park had.  He has been quiet of late, but you can always expect the effort.  I think it was the 4th line that had a good shift midway through the second session that started the better play of the Isles.  After such a great effort in their wins over Calgary and Ottawa, it was real disappointing to see the lack of effort last night go to waste.

Now tonight - they head to the Rock.  The Devs are on a roll (except when they play us).  Sooner or later, they will take one, and unfortunately, this could be it.  Maybe Ted will reach into his motivational bag, and come up a winner.  Maybe with Witt back, that can help.  Both Bruno and Campy made some serious gaffes.  With younger players, that can happen, but we need to see the stability come back to the defensive corps, and getting Witt and Martinek back, can surely help.  Also - Aaron Johnson is about a week away.

So - in my honest opinion, the Bryan Berard Experiment can come to a disappointing ending.  He has struggled (I said worse at the game - but I am respecting the player to keeping it light).  He is hurting more than helping right now.  It is time to cut the cord.

LAST NIGHTS ISLANDER 3 STARS

1.  Richard Park - effort, effort, effort

2.  Freddy Meyer - basically for the past 4-5 games, been a big help - and keeping his game simple (love the hit on Spezza).

3.  Trent Hunter - if only he can turn hits to goals….

Ricky could have been there too.  He was just beaten by a Plekanic laser beam for goal number 1, and for number 2 - Gervais left him out to dry.  He made some good stops, and kept the team in the game.

Need the two points tonight…. Keep the faith, Islander fans…

The last time was not a lot of fun….

Their offense was up for the charge, and the Long Island connection killed us again!

Got to stop Mr. Higgins.

With Witt out for this game, the D has to step up even more.  Especially Meyer, who played a great game the other night against Ottawa.  Keep the game simple, but charge when needed.

MAB has had a renaissance in his return to the lineup.  Berard is doing OK but we could use a little more push.

On the forward end - I believe that there will be a B-port guy coming up for Tank, due to that nasty hit at the end of Sunday’s game.  No call - don’t get me started on that…

The offense has to once again, keep taking chances, as well as get bodies in front of Huet.  We just do not win, if we play a passive game on the offensive side of the puck.

Hopefully, the podcast from my visit with Rob Kowal on New York Hockey Talk will be up today.  It was great getting to be in studio, talking about the Isles, and having a good time doing it!  I just want to thank Rob, for giving me the chance to come on the show.  I look forward to getting another opportunity in the near future.

Go to www.nyhockeytalk.com and check it out.

Have a great day!

That’s right - I am going mainstream radio this weekend!

Rob Kowal, who hosts New York Hockey Talk, which airs on Sundays at 9PM Eastern, on WGBB 1240 AM, does a real nice show.  He has great guests, and really does a great job in covering ALL aspects of New York Hockey (I also like that he includes the Buffalo Sabres in this as well).

Rob has had a number of bloggers, and staunch fans of the local teams appearing as guests on the show, and this week, I have been asked to be a part of this cast of characters, of which I am proud to be included with.  I really think you should check out the show.  If you can not get to it live, the next day or so, the interviews will be on his web site, which is www.nyhockeytalk.com. 

Check it out… I am really looking forward to being a part of it.

Now - all I am going to say about my Islanders, is that I HOPE that smarter heads prevail, and the team returns to the form that had gotten points in 7 out of 8 before this Western Canada Saga.  Getting a win tonight, would be huge… It would confirm that the Rangers are in LAST PLACE in the division.

Now - speaking of them boys in Manhattan, isn’t is rich that after the half way point, the local team that most ‘experts’ that had them planning their Cup winning speeches and hand waving gestures to the crowds along the Canyon of Heroes, are slipping heavily into the drudges of the league?  I was concerned on the way home from work last night, when I was told that the Rangers had a 2 goal lead, and Hollweg got both… He had 1 point in 40 games before this, and he had 2 goals in less than 20 minutes.. Ugh!

Then when I got home, my wife yells from the other room, “2-2!!!” 

Then, “3-2!”

Then, “4-2!”

Once I turn on MSG, I hear the boo-birds…  Music to my ears…

I am sorry Joe McDonald, but if the Rangers don’t make a big turn-around, then I really think that Renney’s job should be in serious jepoardy.  He was expected to take this team to the promised land, and he is so far from the Mason-Dixon line, that these guys are starting to look as frustrated as “Larry the Cable Guy” looking for extra bisucits and gravy at an Waffle House.  GIT R DONE!!

Have a great day, and a great weekend, Islander fans!