Chris Campoli was a real great guest last night.  Definitely not as vocal or as charismatic as his roommate Bruno, but he holds his own rather nicely.

He told the crowd a lot about his background, his home life (especially when his family were disagreeing over who should have won the last game of the season last year, Devils (for Toronto) or the Isles.

He also gave some good insights into the locker room, and how the new guys are handling themselves.  He was honest and forthright, and was indeed a pleasure to listen to.

He also told us what fun he had the other day playing “Fireman” with Bruno.

If you tune into the NY Hockey Report tonight (www.blogtalkradio/nyhockeyreport) at 9:00 sharp, you will hear an excerpt from the meeting.  If you wish to call the show, please call (646) 716-7209.

Hope to hear you on the show tonight…. Should be fun.

Interesting news in Atlanta –> Hartley fired after going 0-6.  Win a division one year, get slammed two weeks into the next season.  How can that team start THAT BAD????  Makes you go hmmmmm????

And in Soccer news, I can not believe that England lost to Russia 2-1 today for Euro 2008!!!!!   Just the fact that England had to play on a “Astro Turf” field that made the old Giants Stadium turf feel like Augusta National…. Ugh, now my England lads need some help to get to play on…. Come’on England!

With seven home games on the horizon, getting points on the road helps a team out a bit; it takes the pressure off a little.  A team has to POUNCE on a opportunity to get a good win.

Tonight is the night.

The Bruins are sinking quickly into the sellers pavillion, and this is just the panacea that the Isles need to forget about the loss to the Devils.  Tonight is not chess.  It is a game of leapfrog, that the Isles must do, but they must be the ones that are leaping, and not the one that is on the ground.

The only thing that was wrong with the Islanders last night, was the fact that the team could not solve the Devils swarming defense, and of course, Marty the Great.  He is just a freak of nature in this game of hockey.  Anyway, I digress; we need to pounce and quickly.  I have no doubt that Ricky will be up for the game.  That is a given.  This could be a chance for the rest of the New England boys in white, to make their mark.

Hunter, Kozlov and Satan will need to continue their due diligence and get back in the scoring column, to continue their great play of late.

Is it just me, but our defense has been quite well.  Poti has made a nice return to the team and provided great minutes (over 25 per game).  Bruno Gervais, while returning from the injured list and part time piza making (yes, I spelled it that way, because the way Bruno says it - the second z is not necessary), has done a nice job.  It is great to see Bruno and Campy playing well and both up with the big club (and hopefully to STAY!).

Player to watch - Andy Hilbert - although he has nice a nice job as a complement in the line with Sillinger and Hunter, I think it is time to get back in the spotlight.  He needs to get some more confidence.

Rambling - can you believe the total CRAP that these idiot blog writers are saying about the Isles?  They think we are going to ‘dump’ Sillinger right away?  Hey Eklund, how much an ounce was the weed you are smoking?  I swear that because some writer makes a statement, that something is going to happen.  Why would we SIGN him (Silly) to a 3 year deal, be such a great man in the lockerroom, be in the top 3 in faceoffs, and be one of the best leaders that this team has seen in over a decade, be destined to be shoved off?  Do you think that Snowy is THAT stupid?  Cmon, give him a little benefit of the doubt.  He is smarter than you think.  There are times that I really want to try and do some serious writing, but when I see ridiculous lines like that - it makes me want to get the barf bag out.

But on other good news, my Toffees (Everton) won today 1-0 against Blackburn Rovers.  Andy Johnson - our 20 million pound striker got the only goal on the game.  Good effort by the boys, as they are just under the position to qualify for European Football action next year.

Go get the Bruins boys!

Talk tomorrow.

With nothing hockey related to really talk about, I decided to make a quick report on my favorite Football (UK) team.  BTW - I am so glad New England lost yesterday.  I can not stand the PATS and their fans….  They talk like Brady and Belicheck are the next comings of Christ.  Well - they got crucified!  LOL!  I also feel bad for the Saints.  A great season, and they seemed to rupture the gas tank, when Brees did that intentional grounding in the end zone for that safety.  Once that happened, it was over, Johnny!

Well - my Toffee (Everton’s team name) Report. 

English Premiership relegation dwellers Wigan, gave up two second half goals to Mikael Arteta (one via penalty kick), and succumbed to Everton 2-0, at the JJB Stadium on Saturday.

Everton striker Andy Johnson, a 20 million pound transfer and their top scoring threat was carted off the pitch with an apparent ankle injury in the 59th minute.  The Evertonian fans are now saying prayers and hoping for a fast recovery for the former Crystal Palace star.

Everton currently sits in the 7th spot in the table, with 14 games remaining in their season, which ends in early May.  Their record is 9 victories, 8 ties (draws) and 7 losses, scoring 31 goals and allowing 23.  They are 2 points away from Portsmouth and the chance to potentially play some European tournament football next season.

Their next Premiership game is a cross-town derby match against Liverpool, on Saturday the 3rd of February.  This game is key to a happy year in Liverpool, as the Toffees won at home earlier in the season.  Sneak a win, and the Blues are in charge of the city for the year.  Just like an Islander/Ranger game.

The following is the post match report taken from Evertonfc.com

David Moyes admitted that Everton didn’t ‘win pretty’ at the JJB Stadium against Wigan Athletic.

The Toffees worked hard for a valuable victory on a day that, weather-wise, was never going to suit the flair players on either side.

“No it wasn’t pretty, mainly because Wigan are a very difficult team to beat,� said Moyes.

“I didn’t think the conditions suited any of the midfield players today and it was difficult. We didn’t pass it as well as we liked but they dug in, kept their shape and did the right things.

“They are in a scrap of their own and they are like a wounded animal – desperate to do well and get a result.�

Two Mikel Arteta goals in the second half earned Everton the three points and Moyes agreed that it was more of a spirited display by his team.

“We’ve played much better and only drawn games but today we dug it out and we were resolute at the back when we needed to be,� he said.

“If you keep clean sheets you have a chance.�

The win takes Everton back up the 7th position in the Premiership table and gives the Toffees a great platform for the remainder of the campaign.

“That’s good because we want to get closer to the other sides,� said Moyes.

“It was an important three points and we’ve bow to got to win a lot of our games to try and stay in the top area of the table.�

Talk to you all tomorrow - - - have a great day!

G

 

I was so used to having so much time off from games….

Anyhow, it will be nice to see some coverage on the team.  However, as minscule as it is, it will be nice to see something.

I know that it is a constant, lingering problem, but we just do not get adequate information about our team.  I bet that it was a major reason why Islanders management started to get the ITV going.  It is just a shame that not enough data is out there for Islanders fans to chew on.

 

 

There is Newsday.  I have said it in the past, and will still say… I am just not thrilled with Greg Logan’s coverage on the team.  I have never met the man, and I hear he is a real good guy, and I do not feel that it is deliberate, but I just do not get a positive vibe from him.  However, he is the main guy as far as covering the team is concerned.

There is Peter Botte from the Daily News, but I hear there is an All Points Bulletin out for him.  Will he ever surface?  The shadow knows.

The rotation of guys at the Post is enjoyable to say the least. (Enter sarcasm here)

That is why I enjoy the ITV coverage.  Although I can not get it from my office, I do check out the pre-game stuff with Chris and Steve.  The Post Game Raws are real good, and the best thing is the classic interviews with the Islander legends.  If you have not gotten the chance, I fully recommend the one with Jiggs McDonald.  It provides some great memories, as well as some great commentary from one of the best people on the PLANET! Yes, I am a little biased on Jiggs, but the truth is the truth.

Now to ramble. 

I havent talked about my Everton soccer team in  a while.  Everton, based in Liverpool, is playing in the English Premier League.  They currently sit 10th in the table, slipping after a great start.  They have a US goalie (Tim Howard - from the national team), and a cast of players from around the world.  Their star player, Andrew Johnson, who got a 20 million pound deal with the Toffees, has been out of the lineup with an injury.  For the first two months of the season, he was leading the league in goals, and there was lots of excitement on the blue section of the Merseyside.  However, the team has not picked up the slack, and the losses have been adding up.  Their future depends on how Johnson comes back and picks up the slack.

I also follow the two teams in Sheffield (United and Wednesday).  United are in the Premiership, and hang just above the relegation zone.  That means that the teams that finish in the last three places in the 20 team league will get sent DOWN to the next league, and the top 3 in the lower league (the CHAMPIONSHIP) will move up to the Premiership.  Can you imagine that?  I would equate that to if the Rangers (sorry NYR fans - but this is an ISLANDER blog), would finish LAST in the division.  For that, they would get sent DOWN to the AHL, and maybe Hartford would move up.  Wouldn’t that be a hoot….  Well, Sheffield United are a few points ahead of potential misery at the end of the season.  Usually, it is about an 80% chance that a team that is in the relegation zone at Christmas, stays there.  For the sake of the Blades fans, I hope they stay out.  They moved up last season, and the goal is to stay up for more than one year.  First of all, staying up means that there is a lot of money coming to the team in  Television revenue.  That is key to signing players during the transfer window (free agency signing period).

Then the other team in town (Sheffield Wednesday) are in the championship division, one down from the premiership.  They moved up at the end of 2004, and bearly hung on to stay this season.  This year, after a lousy start, they have made up some ground, and are in the middle of the table, but climbing.  To make it up, you have to either finish in the top 2 places, or win a playoff from the next four teams.  Right now, they are in 8th, with the top 6 in sight.  It would be nice to see both the Sheffield teams back in the top.  We are just tired of Manchester and London all in the top.

Just for all of your information, on Long Island, there is going to be a new sports-related show, that will start of January 8th (Mondays) at 7:00 PM.  WGBB (1240) will have a show called SPORTSTALK 1240.  Rob Kowal and Steve Ukeiley will be the hosts of this show, and will discuss everything New York Sports related.  We have Rob on the NYHR show last night and we discussed the types of topics that they will have on the upcoming shows.  It sounds like it will be a good time.  Make sure you tune in.  Also, you may get to hear from some of the guys that host the NYHR too!

Well - 10 shopping days until Christmas, and is the stress sitting in?  What I want in my stocking is some more Islander wins during the holiday season.  Especially on the 19th and the 26th.  I hope you are all hoping for the same thing too….

Talk tomorrow with a preview of another freaking Penguin game.  I am getting SICK of them.

 

Thank God!!! I need the break!

Not necessarily from seeing the team; just the break to get other things done.  Basically, to have a life…  I have not had time to get things done at home, having a night to just stay home, be with my bride and begin to get things going for Thanksgiving.  Just had enough time, to get the Halloween stuff up in the attic, now we have to get the Turkey stuff out, and get the house in motion for company.  To make matters worse, we get the traditional three home games in 72 hours surrounding the holiday.  Isn’t that just nice.

Havent talked about my football (soccer) team in a while.  The Toffees (EVERTON in the English Premier league) lost for only the second time this season; a 1-0 defeat to Fulham in London.  Wednesday night, they take on the Gunners of Arsenal in a Carling Cup showdown.  Arsenal always has a tough team, and this week, they are pissed after a last minute (literally) loss to West Ham United.  With top striker Thierry Henry, it will always be a tough test for any back line, and Wednesday will be no exception for American goalie Tim Howard and the gang.  Andy Johnson and James Beattie will need to be up for this, as this could be a goal-swapping affair.  Predicting a 3-2 Everton win to get to the Final 8.

Back to my Isles, we take on Tampa Bay tonight.  They are a tough team to figure out.  They have stars up front (Lecavilier, St. Louis, Richards, among others), and Marc Denis in the nets.  They have been see-sawing up and down this year.  But after a tough OT loss to Boston Saturday night, expect them to be fired up.  As usual, the first 6-8 minutes of the Islanders tends to determine their fate.  Although there have been times, that Teddy has made adjustments and the team takes on a different shape, you usually can see what we will have on the first few shifts of the contest. 

I really would like to see Dunny give Rico a blow.  I know he is our guy for the next 5100 days or so, but let the fans cheer for Mike, and let Ricky get his game back on the road.  Even though they are on the road for nearly two weeks, they will be home enough and even more days off, so that they can get more defensive schemes going.

SUGGESTIONS FOR TIN TWIT AWARD:  I can use your help for this.  The Tin Twit Award goes to something (not necessarily a player) going on during the game.  It really can be anything.  If you have suggestions, please send me an e-mail (nyibc1@aol.com).

Happy Birthday to Vicki (alias - Islander Queen) on the Islander Country message board.  Hope they get you goals and saves tonight!

BTW - Booster Club meeting in one week (11/13 - 7:30 PM LI Marriott).  Ted Nolan is the guest.  Hope you can make it!

Also - a commerical for the Booster Club should be on the video board tonight, featuring my beautiful wife Claire, along with Andy Hilbert.  Check it out, and send me a review.

Will try to send some notes from the game (thank God for a wifi connection!)

Gary

 

Since we have time to kill before training camp, I get to follow a few other things.  We all know about how good the local baseball teams are doing.  My Mets are walking away with the NL East.  The Yankees are taking care of the East on the AL side.  And the Ducks won the first half of the Atlantic League.  So all of baseball for a New Yorker/Long Islander is just fine.

However, a few years ago, on a trip to see my friends in England, I got my first taste of the premiership.  The top league in English Soccer is the best in the world.  The top players and the toughtest competition in the game play all over the British Isles, in search of one of the most coveted trophies in the world of soccer.

On a cold day in February of 2004, I took a two hour drive with my friend Peter, and his two sons, from Doncaster to Liverpool.  Everton, the other team in the city, has been in the premiership for over a century.  The stadium, Goodison Park, has been around for nearly 100 years, seats 40,000 crazy screaming fans.  The game I witnessed was a FA (football association) CUP draw between Everton and Manchester United, the New York Yankees of Soccer.

The game saw the return to Liverpool for Wayne Rooney.  The 20 year old phenom, was signed to the Everton Academy at the age of 11, I believe.  He grew up through their schools, and made the first team at 17.  He was the youngest scorer in the history of the team.  After two years with Everton, he signed a long term deal for over 30 million pounds (about $55 million) with Manchester United.  This would be similar to a player with the Red Sox, signing with the Yankees.  As soon as Rooney stepped onto the pitch at Goodison Park, nearly 40,000 in unison were calling Mr Rooney, a fat $%&#$ing bastard!

Have a good game, Wayne!

He really didn’t.  However, his teammates did the job, and scored a 2-0 victory, thus moving on in the tournament and knocking Everton out.  This FA Cup is basically a tournament for every soccer club in the UK, unfortunately, out of hundreds of clubs, both professional, and pub leagues, one winner gets to hoist the cup.

This season, Everton has started quite well.  Especially on Saturday.  In a match against Tottenham Hotspur, midfielder Kevin Kilbane got his second Yellow card for a serious foul within the first 30 minutes of the match.  In soccer, when you get two yellow cards in a match, it is determined to be called a red card, and you are thus removed from the match.  In the case of Kilbane, Everton’s manpower have been reduced from 11 to 10.

In this scenario, especially when a team is on the road, this is an extreme disadvantage. However, starting the second half, Everton was in TOP FORM.  An own goal, gave the visitors a 1-0 lead.  Then twelve minutes later, an excellent pass from Phillip Neville to a sliding Andy Johnson put the ball past the keeper to secure a 2-0 victory at White Hart Lane. 

Right now - only three games into the season, the Toffees of Everton are in second place in the premiership, with only the undefeated Manchester United ahead of them with a perfect three wins in three tries.

If you see me on a weekend, another indicator to know if I am in a good mood, is to find out if Everton won over the weekend.  If they did, I will be happy.  Just like the Islanders affecting my moods they do too.

C’mon you EVERTON… Go TOFFEES!  Andy Johnson, you da man!

Gary