*** 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…