Congratulations to Brian Burke, Randy Carlyle and the Anaheim Ducks on winning the Stanley Cup!

You could see last year that this team was close to being a real contender.  Getting one Chris Pronger was the final nail in the proverbial coffin.

They had the complete game, and hit and slammed Ottawa into that same coffin.  For a team that made Buffalo look lost, they were even more lost to the Ducks.

Guys were completely in a fog (Heatley, Spezza, Phillips, Redden), Emery was just not as sharp; it was all a colossal mess.  It is a shame that Anaheim did not get a more worthier opponent.

Well - baseball has it’s hot stove league; hockey now has the Cool A-C League.  Let the signings begin!  (That’s your cue Garth!)

There are 23 days to go before all 29 other teams can go after our guys.  We know you can do it Garth.  Make it so!

Well - I will still talk hockey as the off-season progresses.  Check the site often… And please, make comments when you can… It shows that there are hits to the site that really mean something.  I appreciate your comments (agree or not with what I say - that is the beauty of it).

Take care!

 

Game 2 is on tonight…. Anaheim got a goal from an unlikely source, providing them a late lead that held on.  The Ducks are up 1-0, and are 3 wins away from their first cup, in their second attempt.

If my team is not in it - I like to see a team that has not won the cup to get the chance.  We should be sharing the wealth, and for the last two winners, we have done just that.  Tampa in 2004, and Carolina in 2006, saw southern cities enjoy the silverware.

And this year, a chance goes to a Canadian team….

For Ottawans - the first time in 70 + years that their city has a chance to hold the trophy.  But will they?   Most predictors are looking at Anaheim, with their strong defense to hold down the top scoring line for the Sens, and the rest of the team as well.

A city north of the 49th parallel has not see a cup presented to them since Montreal spanked the Kings.  As Islander fans, we all know that they got breaks galore in the semi-final series against the Isles. 

For the past two months, Ottawa was arguably the best team in the league.  A up and coming goalie playing sound hockey, a bunch of forgettable names on defense, who were playing far over their potential.  And a dynamite top line, with three yeoman groups to follow, scoring goals in bunches.  A good group of guys with a coach who has earned his stripes in the league for nearly 20 years.  Will it be time for the Sens to take the biggest leap in their young history?

However, I hear that the Angels “Rally Monkey” is taking a temp job…

The Ducks were a good team last year, that were missing a little spark.  They went out and got the hired gun that they needed.  In the acquisition of Chris Pronger from last year’s Oilers, they got a mammoth presence on the blueline, and combined with Scott Niedermayer, they  have two top guys on the back end.  The young guns of Getzlaf, Perry, to go along with the experience of Selanne and Rob Niedermayer, give this team a solid lineup from top to bottom.

I predicted Ottawa to win it - but being an American - I hope that Anaheim wins. 

Check out the New York Hockey Report tonight - www.nyhockeyreport.com, where Derek Felix and I will talk about Game 2 as the first hour of it is played during our show.  Check us out then - we are looking for callers to talk about the series and the NHL in general.  The number is (877) 913-9739.  We are also going to have a post-mortem on Milbury.   I may wish him well - but I seriously doubt it…

Speak soon.  Let’s go Ducks…

Gary

For about 90 minutes, as I stood in Dave and Busters last night - I really thought that the Isles were done.  Everything that they tried to do - was swatted, poke checked away; just basically eliminiated by the Sabres.  This team did not win the President’s trophy for nothing.  They are so strong and so fast, that it just did not seem in the cards for us to get anything going.  I was starting to feel as if I was giving up.

Well - not so fast.  The Isles caught some lightning left in that proverbial bottle.

Miro made up for his defensive miscue and got the team on the board.  Then Trent Hunter - probably my Islander MVP for the series got a goal as well.  Then Chris Campoli rushes in and gets one too.  The crowd is quiet - the Isles are rolling.  We have a chance - we pull DP and swarm Miller.  Can we get it?  Can we tie this thing up - swing the momentum back, and maybe get a game 6 Sunday?

Unfortunately - about two inches away.

It was just like the wind went from gale force to calm in a matter of seconds.  That is what I felt like when it was over.  What started out as stuff you dont even see in soap operas, to a lousy west coast start, to a time in first place in the division, to a lull to start 2007, to a fantastic 15 game stretch in February, to the DP injury, to the “Dubie” show, to the non-called goals, to those two inches away from a tie game, the Islander season is now a complete story.

As Howie and Billy said after the game - this team has NOTHING to be ashamed of.  They were not supposed to even get this far.  According to the brain surgeons in the media, we were probably going to get the first pick in the draft this year.  However, we were better than 14 other teams in the league, and two others were even eliminated before we were.

Am I proud of this team?  Dumb question THAT is!

These guys never gave up, and showed all that a Ted Nolan team will never quit and leave it all on the ice.  There have times that I have been more elated (obviously - the cup years, the upset of the Pens in 93 come to mind), but this season, for the all of the controversy and “us against the world” mentality, I have never been proud to say I am an ISLANDER!

I am going to take some time, and reflect on some things.  I will come up with a final report card for the team, and talk about what is next for the organization.  I will chime in with a playoff thing or two.  I will start to change gears, and get into my two baseball teams that I will be watching:  the Mets and the Ducks (Long Island Ducks for those of you outside the area that don’t know who they are).  I will also put in some banter, some soccer stuff, even some other ramblings that may enter my mind.

This is a fun, but tough time for me.  It is sad, but in a way, good.  Now - I have some time to do other things.  Spring cleanup for one, outside things (now that we are finally getting spring temperatures around here).  Spring is the time for renewal - and I like seeing the flowers coming up and colors on lawns other than white snow and dark lifeless grass.  Well - it always cheers me up a bit.

At this time, I want to thank the thousands that have looked at my little corner of the world, and read my blog.  From all over Long Island, New York, the USA, and other parts of the world, I appreciate that you all have taken the time to visit this site, and read my ramblings.  I also enjoy the comments that you have given to me as well.  Everyone has an opinion, and I respect all of them.  It may not be the ones I have, but the banter has been fun.  Please keep it up - it makes me feel that my words mean something, and will keep me going.

Have a great off season - and we will talk to you soon.  Thanks again!

 

Gary

4-0.

Yes - the Isles are 4-0 this season.  In the game in which we faced elimination from playoff competition, we are 4-0.

Do you think I am driving the point of being 4-0?

Well - I always try to take a positive, and make it my focus.  This can work.

This team was supposed to be #30 this season.  We defied the odds, and made the 8 seed, sending original franchises Montreal and Ottawa to the golf courses early.  Many people had the audacity to say Sabres in 4.  But you know what?  We have been in every game, played hard, and not embarassed ourselves one bit.  Our egos have been bruised, and our reputation may have been compromised by the idiots throwing the debris onto the ice.  However, I am very proud of all the guys in that room.

What do we have to do?  We need to continue the aggressive course.  Establish ourselves early and try to put some more hitting on these guys.  As someone else said in a blog - why are guys like Hunter, among others - getting only 13 minutes of ice time?  If we need to apply the muscle - the ones that have them should be applying the punishment.  This needs to change.

Once the third period comes - we have to find a way to counteract the ‘clogging middle’ that the Sabres will apply.  Getting physical there too can help.  Remove the garbage, and create lanes that the defense can use to put pucks on the net.  It showed in game 2 - and we need to repeat it again tonight.  We have won in the building - and need to show that again.  The last thing the Sabres want to see - is a Game 6. 

You know - maybe Ranger fans may be rooting for the Isles tonight - as they hope that we can make this series go on longer, and wear down Buffalo.  That would be good for them.  So Rangers fans - if you are reading - take down your guard and support us for a night.  You want us to physically work on the Sabres to make them easier for you, right?  C’mon - join the dark side for a day or two.  You know that Sean and the rest of your team will appreciate it…!!!

God - did I say that?  Yuck - that is over…

Now - in the words of the great poet, John Belushi in that great movie, Animal House….

Scene:  In a room at the frat house, the guys have been told that Dean Wormer has just shut down the fraternity at Faber College:

D-Day: War’s over, man. Wormer dropped the big one.
Bluto: What? Over? Did you say “over”? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!
Otter: Germans?
Boon: Forget it, he’s rolling.
Bluto: And it ain’t over now. ‘Cause when the going gets tough . . . the tough get going. Who’s with me? Let’s Go! Come on! AAAAEEEEEGGGHHHH!! [Bluto runs out of the room alone; then returns] What the &*$% happened to the Delta I used to know? Where’s the spirit? Where’s the guts, huh? “Ooh, we’re afraid to go with you Bluto, we might get in trouble.” Well just kiss my ass from now on! Not me! I’m not gonna take this. Wormer, he’s a dead man! Marmalard, dead! Niedermeyer…
Otter: Dead! Bluto’s right. Psychotic, but absolutely right. We gotta take these bastards. Now we could do it with conventional weapons. But that could take years and cost millions of lives. No, I think we have to go all out. I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody’s part.
Bluto: We’re just the guys to do it.
D-Day: Let’s do it.
Bluto: LET’S DO IT!

Just replace Wormer, Marmalard and Niedermeyer - with Briere, Drury and Connolly….  Time to get back in the fight boys….

I give up.

Even Rodney Dangerfield got more respect than we do.

And the fan speculation, is that it is all because of Milbury.  And even though I do not have him on my top 10 list, he is not the reason why we do not get the calls.

I simply can not even comprehend the fact that we need to win Miss Congeniality before we can get a break.

However, enough said - we still lost the game, and it wasn’t because of that incident.  The Isles, once again, were simply outclassed in the 3rd period.   Buffalo clogged the middle, and did not allow any offensive pressure to be put on Miller.  That is what good teams will do.  The Sabres won just about every race for the puck, and made strong transitions.

We all know that they were the better team, I think that we just wished that the outside factors did not need to dictate how this game was going to play out.

And once again, Islander fans will be known throughout the NHL as disrespectful and rude for the debris shower at the end of the game.  These are just drunken fools that have no respect for the team, or the game.  Some idiot at the top of our section chucked something that hit friends at the end of my row, and got a mustard shower as a result.  Maybe we should dump garbage and beers on their cars and see how they feel about it!  There - I feel better now.

The team’s play was better - however, after goal number 1 - it seemed that either the intensity level dramatically shrank, or Buffalo just kicked it up a notch, like an Emeril sauce.  The next thing you know, “BAM”, and we are down 1.  As for every game, my wife and I had to leave with about 3 minutes remaining to head to the Booster Club table for the 50/50 draw.  For the second game in a row, we missed a goal, as we were on the concourse.  However, Richard Park gets called for interference at the 20 minute mark.  Who was he interfering with, the ref, trying to get to the locker room?  And before we can get back in our seats, Drury scores 36 seconds in to get the lead back for good.

Yash had a better game - getting on the 2nd line, and got that opportunity to tie the game with 100 seconds left.  Well - moving right along.

Silly had a great game - 16 of 18 on faceoffs in the first two periods, got the 2nd goal, and really played with focus.  However, he and a few others, were trying to make the perfect play, instead of shooting the puck.  Playing desperate doesn’t mean that you need to have an ESPN highlight to show you mean business!  Shoot, shoot, shoot!

Well - we are in Buffalo for game 5 - and hey - we are not the first team eliminated… Atlanta just stood up and looked as lifeless as a bunch of prunes.  Nice job Thrashers!

Friday is game 5 - get the voodoo dolls out and let’s steal a win tomorrow.  Hey - I did not lose any hope in us that we would make the playoffs.  I will never give up until mathematically it is no longer possible.  Stranger things have happened.

BTW - here is the Islanders stance on the call:

* After the puck went in the net, Islanders center Mike Sillinger was told by the referees that the decision of “goal or no goal� would ultimately be made by NHL headquarters in Toronto.
 
* In a phone conversation after the game, Stephen Walkom, the NHL VP and Director of Officiating, told Islanders general manager Garth Snow that the call was made by the referees on the ice.

* Walkom told Snow the referees disallowed the goal because Islanders defenseman Brendan Witt crashed into Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller, causing the puck to cross the goal line.

* There is at least one clear, definitive replay that shows the puck sitting on the goal line between Miller’s legs and then Brendan Witt, uncontested, skating in and slamming the puck into the net. Not a player on either team touches Miller until well after the puck crosses the goal line. Witt never touches Miller at all.

Hmmm…  Well - I guess the NHL doesn’t want to see us succeed.

We have to put Game 3 behind us.

According to Ted Nolan who spoke with the media yesterday, the Islanders will just not get any respect.

“Certain teams get certain breaks. That’s life. Certain people get breaks in life, and some people don’t. We’re that group right now. We’re not going to get any breaks.”
Unfortunately, as fans, we need to accept that too.  The guys need to know that discipline is a major factor in their success tonight.  They have to watch the speed of the Sabres, and not subject themselves to the clutching and grabbing that the referees called on us.  Basically, we can not breathe on a Buffalo player, because if we do - we are gone.

The power play.  According to media reports, that was the primary basis of practice yesterday.  For sure it should be, as the Isles are 1 for 11 in 3 games.  When the officials decide to give us a PP, the boys are going to have to run the cycle to perfection and create chances in front of Miller, who according to Stan Fischler and I am paraphrasing, is not as impressive as his record shows.  Just remember, you can not score a goal if you don’t shoot the puck.

And the fans, as the proper 7th man of the team - we have to be supportive, as well as respectful.  Throwing debris just shows a lot of class… Yea, right!  It was a real good sign to know that the Commissioner of the NHL was at the game, and had to see that…  Believe me - I sure hope that no one in 317 acts like that…

Let’s hope we get back to even tonight.  I want this home playoff losing skid to end tonight.  Keep the faith Islander fans!  As Ryan Smyth said yesterday, “We can’t take any negative baggage into game,” Smyth said, “This is only Game 4. It’s a long series, and we’ve got to make sure we’re still believing in that locker room. We have Game 4 at home, so, it’s important we maintain focus.” 

Let’s rock the house tonight!

A good night sleep can sometimes clear up your mind.  In this case, I am still not clear about things…

I just try so hard not to blame officiating.  Let alone they are human.

Well - sort of…

A combination of the ‘complete blind schmucks’ in Toronto - along with LaRue and Pollock, alias Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb, made it a real rough ending for the Isles last night.

Since I am sure that boards all over Islander country are going to be flooded with moans and groans, I will leave it to you - to make the opinions.  It turns my stomach.

However, I will really bitch and moan about how classless we look when debris gets thrown onto the ice.  That is the type of fan I do not want to be included with.  It is bad enough when the Islanders get no respect in the league as it is.  Then we have to show our disrespect for the league, the game, and our own team by chucking soda, beer, et al at the ice.  It just makes us look like complete unintelligent idiots.

THREE STARS

1. Ryan Smyth - Well Garth - you know what to do…
2. Rick DiPietro - solid game again
3. Trent Hunter - great digging for goal 1

GOLD STAR

• Don’t know her name, but the girl that sang the anthem not only was good, but she had “Beat the Sabres” on the bottom of her jersey - that was cool!!!

TIN TWIT

• Fans that threw stuff onto the ice.  Don’t ever bother coming back - we don’t want you around!  You disgust me!

There is another game tomorrow.  We have to forget about that 3rd period, and play our style of game.  The guys have deemed the 3rd unacceptable, and I know that Ted and the boys will find a way to reverse that trend.

IMHO - I think you are seeing the last days of 79 in Blue.  I defended him for so long, but there is no excuse now.  The question is, will anyone take him?

And Silly - next time - shoot the damn puck!!!

Ok - venting over - time to go back to work.  Hang on Islander fans - it is only 2-1.  There is a lot of time left to get it back on track.  In less than 48 hours, we can do just that!

Just about every NHL blog says that we are a bad excuse for a playoff team.  We do not belong.  Buffalo can play in 1st gear, and still win in 4 games…

Well - think again.

The blistering slap shot of Marc Andre Bergeron gave the Isles a 3-2 lead, which was held on, to bring the series back to Uniondale at 1-1.

The key to success as I wrote in my last entry was to keep the physical play up, which they did, and did it well.  But not only did the physical play step up - so did the offensive play.  Two of the three goals scored, were off the sticks of defensemen.  Bergeron, and Bruno Gervais, who got his first ever NHL goal provided the offensive spark that the team needed.

I think seeing DP in net, was just as good as a late, but excellent Christmas present.  Not only was DP happy to be back, but was in some cases, tremendous between the pipes.  His presence gives the Isles an chance to get the puck up quicker, allowing the d to pick up their game, and be involved in the offense.  Hence, the two goals by the backliners.

The disappointment continues for the top forwards.  Yashin, and Kozlov look as lost as castaways of the ABC TV show.  For most of the game, the captain was on the 4th line, and played just over 7 minutes of the game.  For many years, I have defended him.  However, he lost lost, and needs to wear the Dunce Cap.  After the season is over, we will talk about whether or not he will continue to play hockey as an Islander.  In my opinion, I think that he should be bought out, and carry the 4 million to other players.

But - back to the game.  It was a nice effort by Trent Hunter - to tip in the first goal.  He is one of the few that always seem to show an effort just about every time he steps onto the ice.

The good thing about tomorrow - is that we will have the last change for the next two games.  We can put out our checking line against Drury and Briere more often.   The philospohy of the way the team plays defense needs to continue.  The ability of the guys to play hard, without taking silly penalties need to be emphasized.  The gameplan worked to a “T” and there is no doubt in my mind that Ted and the staff will continue preaching the physical play, along with the patience.

Hopefully - we will see more instances like this tomorrow night.  I figured that if we were down 0-2, I would simply say that we are ‘on serve’.  Now - I can say, “Advantage Islanders!”

Now - the NHL has seen that Buffalo CAN be beaten.  Getting some more “W”’s in the win column will show the rest of the league and the hockey world, that the Isles are NO PUSHOVER, and we DESERVE to be where we are.

Just remember how Ted did SO WELL in 97 and got Coach of the Year.  The year before, he DID NOT make the playoffs.  The brightness is getting clearer, and we are looking good!  C’mon Islanders - come on the playoff train….

But let’s deal with 1 game at a time, and tomorrow night - we can be 2-1 up!

 

All of you older folk will recognize this print ad from the 60’s.  Does she, or doesn’t she?  At that time, they were talking about hair care.

For the case of Ted Nolan, it would be “Does he, or Doesn’t he?”

Will we see Ricky tonight?  As of this writing - it is unclear.  The folks at Newsday feel that he will be in.

The question to all of you, is…..

Should Ricky start?

To me - I think it is too early.  In a situation as critical as this, I think DP would need a couple of more days of practice and preperation.  However, there could be a case of desperation to see if the Isles can steal a win, and come home 1-1.

What are the keys to this game?  The Isles need to take more offensive chances, while at the same time - keep playing strong 5 on 5.  The part of the game that the Isles have to watch is the Power Play.  From both sides, they need to get pucks and bodies to the net, and not try for the cute opportunity.  At the same time - you need to keep yourself under control should an odd-man rush occurred.

It is a tough situation - the Isles need to persevere tonight - handle the elements and try to create chances early.  Get the first goal and set the tone.  They can squeak this - if the cards fall right.

 

We all knew we weren’t winning in 4….

Buffalo is a strong team, that will beat you in so many ways.  It turned out to be in a way that was not necessarily expected, as the power play is one of the weaker elements of this team, if you want to call any aspect of this team weak.

Brian Campbell got 2 goals, and Chris Drury did the same.  Arron Asham got the Isles on the board.

Did the Isles play a bad game?

No.

Did Buffalo play a good game?

Not really.

It was just an example of a team taking advantage of the situation and pouncing on it.  Buffalo did just that.  The main concern for me, is that Buffalo can play even better.  That is what can scare you.

Now - the official word… Ricky is back.  He has gone now 8 days of pain and symptom free living, so he can return to full practice.  Will he play tomorrow?  That is a decision that will be reviewed extensively and thoroughly before 7:30 tomorrow night.  Although Dubie has done a great job, especially for actually getting us to this level, we need to get the guy who actually has a major stake in actually getting us to where we are now back into our net.

The only thing that I wish, is that some sense has come into this young man’s head, and will in future incident, side on the cautious end, instead of leaning towards the dangerous acrobatic side we say on the Montreal ice a month ago….  We don’t need Steve-O from Jackass.  We need a #1 drafted goaltender that can stop the puck.  I have faith in you Ricky, so do the other fans - but we need you at 100%.  Buffalo will hurt you if you are less.

Will be interesting to see what happens.

BTW - Kudos to the kids - Bruno and Campy.  They played good games, kept it simple and got shots onto the net in the 2nd and 3rd period.  Got to get more puck involvement from MAB.  I still think that they have to split Witt and Hill.   Have confidence in the youngin’s and put one of them with each of the warriors.

Also - glad to see Smyth getting pissed at the end of the game.  It was nice to see him showing the passion and love of the game.  Keep it up, and we will keep a lock and key on you, never to let you out of Long Island!

OK - the goal was to try and steal one up there.  We still can.  If we didn’t dont fret.  Just means that Buffalo held serve.  They have shown that they can be beat.  We just have to play 100% of our game, and not get intimidated by their offense or speed.

Lyrics taken from Islander fan Bruce Burns, formerly of London England, who sung this little song which was taken from a chant done at soccer games….

If I had the wings of a sparrow,

If I had the ass of a crow,

I would fly over HSBC tomorrow,

And Poop and the Sabre fans below!

And that is that!  Have a good day!

 G