There were hundreds upon hundreds of  Bleu, Blanc and Rouge at the Coli last night, and you would think if you were just listening, that you were in Centre Bell.

However, it was an Islander home game.

Despite being down a couple of times in the 3rd period, the Isles responded, and ultimately got the second point from the skills competition, sending the Habs fans home unhappy.

This team, even with them being out of the playoff dance, are playing their hearts out, and are not settling for just ending the season.  The grit, determination, and overally intensity is up, and the results show in the “W” column.

For anyone that has the audacity to say that the team should ‘tank’ it – and try to get a better position for a Tyler Hall or Seguin or some other hot prospect, should be just shot!  As a professional athlete, especially a hockey player, can not just drop their play level.  They are the proudest bunch of the athletes in professional ranks, and I am proud to follow these guys.

Poor Blake Comeau – hurts his leg (foot), in the first period, after scoring again.  Such a shame he was not among the top 3 of last week.  He should have been there.  Hopefully, he will be able to suit up for the remaining 3.

Sean Bergenheim was all over the place.  He was a pest, and made some great moves in the offensive zone.  I just wish this intensity was around all year, but I am happy it is here now.  Something so positive to bring to next season.

Would any of us thought that we could say that Marty Biron is 7-0-2 in his last 9?  Wow!  The ultimate team player, and I so wish he comes back next season.

From first hand knowledge – this is a great locker room.  The guys ALL get along so well, and all seem to enjoy playing together.  Even with Jon Sim in his face last week , Andy Sutton, would not rule out coming back to play here next season.  That says BUNCHES about the character of this team.

Just so appreciate that this team is ending the season on such a high note.  They are currently 17 points ahead of last season with 3 games left.

I just hope that more and more folks in Islander Country appreciate the overall effort of the team.  Yes, we did not make the playoffs, but unlike last season, there are a great deal of glimpses of hope, that a corner will be turned again.  With a positive outlook, cap space galore, the continued improvement of the current corps, and the talent that is ready to come up – you have to look forward to 2010-11. 

If you are not aboard the Islander train – we can stop it – and let you come on in.

I am just glad that the first few rows of my section are predominantly season ticket holders.  Fights galore – the poor security guys deserve their pay – along with a little combat insurance.

Just happy with all of the effort – basically no negatives.  Except Bruno is -10 in 7 games.  That HAS to improve.  Streit has not gotten on the score sheet – but is playing 26-29 minutes a game – and looks fine.

Great work by Hillen.  He is improving by leaps and bounds!

Sorry Hank - JT 'whooshed' it by ya!

Moulson and JT - what can you say.

3rd period was a great effort.  Glad to see it pay off in a big “W”.

Roloson was truly amazing last night.  His veteran presence does help his guys in front of him, and when he has confidence, the rest of the team glows with it.

This always puts me in a better mood for the day – even if things are tough in the office, or whatever, having a big win against the Rangers makes a day lighter and happier.

Enjoy, Islander fans!

Ice Time – Marinek – 17:31 Ovechkin – with over 18 minutes – leads the Caps.

Isles start the 3rd with a big runs in front of Theodore; a few shots, but nothing doing. Pressure is great to start. Sustain and hold the pressure, while not collapsing to defend the lead, is what the Isles need to do right here.

Ovechkin making a schoolboy basketball spin move on Martinek to get a shot on Roloson – to no avail.

Witt got a shot off – that I never would have imagined that he could do. The defender slid in, and somehow by a stroke of magic, Theodore had to stop the puck.

Tambellini – deflects a shot from Comeau that was going wide past Theodore – 2-0 Islanders!

It figures – Mike (Islesblogger) and I wee just commenting on the fact that Tambellini seemed to always take such low percentage shots at the goal line, instead of spinning around the net – looking for options in front of the slot.

Excelent for the momentum – need to get more – as I say that – JT gets a great opportunity – but goes wide. Caps come back on the other net, an Roloson does the job.

Green with a blast that no ne would have stopped – got the Caps on the board – 2-1.

13:58 to go – a lot of time remaining – time for the Isles to try and re-gain the play. Caps have been controlling the action since the goal. The tables are swinging the other direction. Comments from the stands are “Awful” and “disgusting”. Guys are “Not hitting”….

Showing on the screen – the battles between Ovechkin and Martinek. Martinek has done a nice job – keeping #8 off the scoreboard.

Another great opportunity by Moulson – denied by Theodore.

Jack Hillen has impressed me a great deal tonight. He has been positionally sound, and has made right decisions. Stepping up when he has to – laying out the body. He is looming to become a solid NHL defensemen.

Frans Nielsen showed Mr. Ovechkin the ice with a nice hit by the center ice dot.

The Isles have not lapsed as much as expected tonight. When their game has slipped – they have found moments to resurrect themselves. I am very impressed with their effort and focus.

The Caps just tied it – when they swarmed the net, and Ovechkin was actually hanging from the top of the crossbar. 2-2 with 6:40 to go..

This is what I was worried about. And afterthe goal – the team is making phantom passes – not getting the clearpass out of the zone. They are on top of their skates, waiting for the inevitable. I was really hoping that this was not going to happen tonight. The fans are getting impatient and I do not blame them.

Roloson just got the wind knocked out of him by a collision between him and Martinek. This is not looking good for the guys.

Chris Clark justgot away with assault atthe blue line. Now – the ref has swallowed the whistle. Nice.

We need to get some opportnities – and now would be nice. Roloson does not show any good signs by his appearance. This is not that promising.

Park made a great move and got adecent shot on net – but with no one else around him – it just doesn’t make sense.

1:23 left – outshooting Wash 30-21 – 15-6 for the period, but gave up two goals. Roloson got hit in the melon but held on. Witt as the puck got to the corner – did not clear the puck instead allowed Washington to get a scoring chance.

Time out Washington – 14.1 left. Expect Ovie to get the ooportunity if presented. Crucial face off -Isles won it and cleared. Going to OT.

Fifth time in nine games – that the Isles have made Overtime. But not happy with the one – need the two. With 4 on 4 – this gives guys like Ovechkin a chance to get more ice and more chances. Need to keep #8 away from the circles. Pick your spot,and make the Caps PAY!

OK – here we go!

Nielsen and Okposo – to start with Martinek and Sutton.

Laich got the puck through Roloson’s legs – Caps win 3-2. Another 2 goal lead sqashed. Should be a fun press conference.

Will have quotes and stuff tomorrow. Have a good night all.

Check the first five minutes – if we are playing hard and getting the physical game up – it is good for the home team. The problem with the Isles – is the 3rd period. It is imperative to keep the strength up and keep the forecheck going.

Witt vs Malkin should be fun. Witter loves to play against the Pens, and it shows.

MacDonald vs Fleury in the nets today. Will we see the same Joey Mac that was absolutely brilliant against the Devils last Wednesday?

The mascots are here today – Blades from Boston – Stinger from Columbus, and Tommy Hawk from Chicago, along with the 4 Presidents from the Nationals Race. By the way- Teddy Roosevelt has NEVER won a race in the last two years. My money is on the Long Islander….

GAME TIME

Witt Martinek Bergenheim Nielsen and Hilbert – MacDonald in Net.

Predictions:

Gary – Isles 4 – Pens 3 Shootout
Doug – Pens 4 – 2 9 ( thinks Witt and Bergie are gone on March 4th)
Dee Pens 5 – 2
Steve 6 – 2

20 seconds in and a good chance on Fleury.

Bruno hit the crossbar – in his second straight game. Don’t play Blackjack with him… Marty gave the puck to Crosby who fed Fedotenko, who like he did last year, missed wide.

Game has been a little slow to start. No flow – just feeling out processes. Bergy had a nice opportunity, and caused a scrum in front of the netminder.

Staal just missed a wide open chance when a bad pass from Guerin caused a 2 on 1 opportunity. Phew!!

Bergie – great job and vision – seeing Campy coming in off the wing… And under review… YES! 1-0 Isles

Time for the Isles to not only keep the pessure up, but make sure that their level does not sway.

First penalty of the game to the Isles – to Jackman for holding – Malkin took a blast – that I thought would take Mac’s head off. PK looking great – with about half of the time in the Pens zone.

Leaving early to check with the wife. Isles playing well – hope the last few minutes are good.

Whoops – Malkin decided to pull off a toe drag, and 1-1.

2nd Period

Bailey and Okposo looking good to start the period.

Witt just introduced Malkin to the glass. Isles had a good 1st, despite Geno’s goal… Outshot Pitt 12-10, but lost face-offs 12-9. Martinek led in ice time with nearly 9 minutes.

Isles dominating play in this period. But not getting the chances.

Doug is very sad about losing not only the twin ice girls, but the ice breakers as well. He will accept cards and flowers.

Gyerin went off the ice at the last TV time out, and has not returned back to the ice… Are we losing the captain now? Five minutes later – he is back.

Some of these young guys have to get into some type of a selfish mode and shoot the damn puck! Especially Josh and Kyle.

Isles just got a little sloppy in their own zone. Making some bad decisions with the puck.

13:27 – scrum in front ad the Isles put it in!! 2-1!
Nielsen – from Bergenheim and Hilbert.

Little more passion for the team, but Streit takes a holding penalty with 4:01 left in the period. A big momentum maker would be the Isles to keep the Pens from getting to the net. Keep them to the outside and limit the skating.

2-2 – Whitney equalizes it – with some great passing from Gonchar and Sid the kid. The PK which has been good of late, let the team down a little, but now is a great opportunity to get more pressureon Fleury and take it to them.

Okposo just got called for holding just after a Pens player apparently interfered with him first. Isles back to the kill to end the 2nd.

Pens almost pulled the same play – Gonchar from right point, to Whitney at the top of the faceoff circle. Joey got to it. Great save at the end of the play too.

Great scrum in front of MacDonald with 9.4 left. Fleury was just about to join in thefracas…. MacDonald has had some fights in his minor league career… Malkin gets 4 for roughing, and Campoli 2 for roughing.

Period ending – Isles need to get prssure going, and get pucks to the net.

By the way- the President race has George taking the victory over Teddy. He duded it up with Thomas Jefferson – but lost to George by a large head.

3rd period

Got the PP to start the period – need to get the pressure on Fleury. Isles outshot 10-7 for the second – and are down 20-19 for two periods. Martinek leading in ice time with over 16:00 minutes. All four lines are getting just about equal time. Comrie and Hilbert lead in shots with 3 a piece. For Pittsburgh – Malkin leading all in ice time with over 17 minutes. Petr Sykora and Ryan Whitney have 3 shots a piece to lead the team.

Comrie is just pathetic. Fairy dust galore. Doug said it better – “GET OFF MY TEAM!”

Team is getting sloppy, and the Pens are trying to insight a riot. Isles need to bing the level up.

Joey Mac leaving too many juicy rebounds for the taking, but thank goodness, the Isles have been clearing up the garbage.

A few good opportunities from the kid line, but Fleury was up to the test. Game is definitely picking up in pace. This is good, as long the Isles keep up with it.

Notice how much better this team is with Streit in the lineup? We lost 5 in a row, and guess who was not there? Is it coincidence? I beleve not.

Great job by Hilbert pinning down Crosby as he was coming to Joey’s left. Pittsburgh taking a little to the team, but defensively, the Isles have played well. From 1 to 6. Even Hillen has lookd decent. Not over-playing, but making smart decisions.

With 6 minutes of time left – Isles need to play smart.

Witt shoved Crosby on his butt – and of course, he (Sid) looked to the refs, awaiting a call – but to no avail.

Another big rebound left by MacD, but forwards got out of harm’s way.

Hilbert with a great chance off a greater pass by Streit, but just short of net. Isles are not intimidated or playing tentative in the last few minutes. They are going for it, and that is great.

With 90 ticks left, Isles out out the kid line, and that shows a great deal of confidence for the boys.

Made it to OVERTIME and point. I am the only one of the four that thought the Isles would win – so I am the BEST PROGNOSTICATOR of the table.

Pittsburgh is a good team 4 on 4- and with a 2 on 1 – MacD got the big save. Interesting line combos. Guerin and Bailey. Josh and Campy combined on a nice play to get a shot in on Fleury.

Joey Mac makes another great stop on another 2 on 1 for Crosby.

What end to end excitement. This is exactly what this team needs to get the young fans in. And maybe the win in the shootout would do just that….

Great defensive work by Gervais and Campoli in overtime. #8 has been fantastic! Okie made the play of the day, getting the puck away from Crosby, and nearly gave Park a chance to win it, but it is time for the SHOOTOUT!

Shoot out
1. Nielsen – GOAL!
2. Sykora – GOAL!
3. Tambellini – GOAL!
4. Malkin – SAVE!
5. Okposo – miss! Tried the big move and missed.
6. Crosby – MISS!

BIG WIN!

My Three Stars
1. Nielsen – Goal, shootout goal, assist
2. Bergenheim – 2 assists!
3. Mac D good solid job in net

Clips from the locker room:

Scott Gordon

Frans Nielsen

Joey MacDonald

Chris Campoli

Jeff Tambellini

Weight out – Sillinger out – Hunter – out Ricky out (surprise!)

Sim in – Trevor Smith in – (congrats on first game)

Mitch Fritz was waived – so that means he will be back in the PORT in 48 hours!

The guys came out to Ozzy – that has to be a new trend!

Starting lineup – MacDonald, Streit, Pock, Park, Bergenheim, Jackman.

Weight IS out there, so that means that the PA guy at the Coliseum drank the wrong Kool aid!

Sim – penalty 3 minutes in – certainly a trip to the Chateau Bow Wow for him again!

PK need to be a little better – now 17th in the league, as opposed to in the top 10 a few weeks prior. This group (Bergy, and Jackman) did a nice job. Bruno has looked ok too. He has been getting beat up in the forums, and quite honestly, a bit deserving. He needs to step up his efforts a lot, or he will just have a PR job with the Islanders, instead of a hockey position.

6 minutes in – and we are being out shot 6-0. Whoops – as I say it – we got 2.

Right now – Panthers DOMINATING the play – but slowly, the Isles are making their way into the play.

I like the line combo of Okposo, Comeau and Comrie. They seem to have each others backs, and look very fluid out there.

13:56 – Florida (Campbell – penalty). Time for the PP tp start to work…

PP Goal – nope – penalty – goalie interference on Sim. Very questionable to say the least.

I will say it here folks, when Bergie is moving his skates and causing trouble, he is definitely at his best. He just needs to get the stupid cells out of hs brain.

One thing that is definitely better is the face-off %. So far with 2 minutes left in the 3rd period, it is 53-47 in favor of Fla. Not great, but better than the 30′s that we have had in the last few games.

I will be back in the 3rd period, I will be in he seats for stanza 2.

Well – not so fast – Dvorak on a deflection from a point shot with 1:36 left makes it 1-0 Florida.

2nd Period

For the most part – I missed the first five minutes, and according to the shot clock and musings around the arena, I did not miss much. Looking at the stats, Mark Streit with 9:38 leads in ice time, Guerin and Comrie had 3 shots each.

Comrie – on a pass from Comeau and Okposo. The chemistry is flowing like Mentos and Diet Coke. Play under review – looked like it was hit with a skate – but it is a Tinkerbell special.

And now the team is playing physical. I just love the way Jackman plays like it is his last shift. You would never know that he was a 2nd round pick from days gone by. But he has such a passion for the game, that I wished others would display.

Remember we were bring severly outshot when we started the game… It is now 19-14 Isles at the half way point of the game.

By the way – it is Marvel Superhero day at the Coliseum. Only one problem – the Hulk looks like he is either on Slim Fast, or got Gastric Bypass.

Comrie has two – it’s a Power Play Goal – nice little bank shot off Vokoun. He must have been playing billiards with Hilary Duff when he was hurt.

Bergenheim – with 23.9 left jamming it home. See Sean, good things happen when you work hard… Great effort, and nice shot above Voukon’s right shoulder. Mama Dee would be so proud!

Great effort this period. Let’s tell the guys to keep the pressure up on the third frame.

3rd Period

Comrie with 5 shots leads the team – Streit with just over 17 minutes of ice time. Weight is now sitting on 999. Will he get the 1,000 before the day ends?

Guerin and Streit had a 2 on 0, and Guerin pushes off to Streit for the shot. The Captain should have taken it all the way, in my opinion, but nevertheless…

I really like the way that the team has come out in this period. Disciplined, smart, not playing a conservative game. I hope I don’t eat my words. I just don’t want to be a doom and gloom guy.

Joey Mac has done quite well tonight. He hasn’t got sloppy, and made a couple of great saves early in the third.

The PP has gotten one goal tonight, but has not looked for the simple. They are trying to make ‘sexy’ plays.

Too many men on the Isles. PK looking good.

PP Goal Isles – Streit – with a blast. Did Dougie get a helper? I don’t think so. Still on 999. But what a nice effort for the Isles. You HAVE to be happy with the team’s overall effort. The Panthers had made the Isles look real bad the last time they were here. Now – it is the other way around.

Three Stars of the Game.

3. Okposo – another nice game, got a helper and really looked good.
2. Streit – 2 point game – and made a few nice defensive plays.
1. Comrie – I guess he and Hilary will have a Happy New Year celebration

Will add a quote or two after the game, if something is good.

I wish you all a Happy, Safe and Blessed New Year! May all your wishes for the next year, be realities!

But translating to making plays and keeping the opponent off the scoresheet is another thing.

I just really did not want to write about the game that night, so I just made a less than 100 word entry, showing my frustration.

Last night, as I got home from work, I find that my blog was quoted in the NEW YORK TIMES.

Yes, the freaking NEW YORK TIMES!

Here is the link:

http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/isles-move-to-the-back-of-the-line/

Yes – it is a blog entry on nytimes.com, but still, the New York Times! I feel so honored. Also, my buddy Patrick Hickey made it too.

But now to tonight.

With the results of the other night, you would hope that your next opponent would be a team that would be an easier target to get your groove on.

As we are famous for being a Murphy’s law team, we get Sidney, Evgeni and the Pens.

Welcome back, Miro and Ruslan!

Doesn’t it figure that Satan is all of a sudden a goal scorer again? He has 8 already (3 more than any Islander), and looks like a completely different player than the one that looked like a lost puppy dog. I believe that it was more the Nolan system, and the fact that he seemed to be in the dog house. But it feels like what happens to former Mets, that they turn out to be stars when they leave. Miro is not a star, but this is the player that this team wanted. Oh well…

Ruslan, has been injured and struggled. I also think he did not really get the chance to shine.

Once again – this team need a 60 minute effort. We need this to be a CONSTANT goal. I have never been a hockey player on ice (my knees would never allow that), but I can understand that this ‘system’ of Coach Gordon’s (I hate using that word, system) somehow does not work at all, if the team is not fully subscribed to it the whole game.

But enough of that. The player to watch is Kyle Okposo. I think that he has played ok, but I really think he needs to step up his effort. We need for him to get some points. Maybe one off the butt, or something like that.

Interesting to see that Mark Parrish got a hat trick in his first game with Dallas. I can see the boards going nuts with this….

Congrats to Peter Laviolette for achieving the highest win total for a US born coach.

I will be blogging at the game tonight – let’s see if this team can ‘step it up’ and get something to happen.

See ya at the game tonight.

Gary

What is with these guys?

I really thought that after the 2nd period, this team seem to have the right idea for the game. I really felt comfortable about the team, and thought that their 3rd consecutive victory was in the bag.

Well – think again.

We lost another 3rd period… well, destroyed in the 3rd.

I can not talk about this.

Saturday – I hope this team gets their act together. But oh – the Pens are in. I hope we don’t get spanked…

A 60 minute game.

Yes fans, it can and did happen.

In all places, MSG!

I am sure that Ranger fans walked into MSG last night saying that the Isles are 30th in the league, they nearly lost another game in the 3rd period, and this should be a cake walk. I was getting abused at the local deli at lunchtime yesterday, by a Ranger fan at the counter.

I can not wait to go back there today!!!

This was exactly the display of the ‘system’ that Gordon has wanted from this team, and add to that, they system worked for the whole 60 minutes. There were little lapses from it. Although the Rangers did have 38 shots on net (or so), the Isles blocked over 20 and the Rangers had nearly 20 shots or so miss the net. They had nearly 90 opportunities, but the Isles held their ground, and Joey Mac was simply brilliant between the pipes.

The only two goals were on the P-kill, with Nate Thompson doing his best David Wright ‘line drive single’ impersonation to get the first, and Richard Park, swatting Michael Roszival errant pass towards the middle of the ice, then get it and snapped one past Lundqvist for the eventual game winner.

Park’s game has elevated, after I commented about his -5 to start the season. Let’s see, who can I get fired up now….

My Three Stars

3. Thompson – 1st NHL goal – and boy is he good on the PK
2. Park – great effort to get #2 – his stock is rising again
1. MacDonald – what can you say – he kept his team in it – and they rewarded him for it

Honorbale Mention

Bruno Gervais – his play was solid and stellar. Not on the score sheet, but he logged some serious minutes (Over 25, I believe)

Rest day today, I’m sure, before they fly to Altanta to face a struggling Thrashers team. I do not see Kovalchuk there much before the trade deadline. He is languishing there on a terrible team. He has talent, but he can not ‘carry’ a team like his comrade Ovechkin in DC.

Have a good day… Now the the Isles beat the Rangers – I will!

BTW – NY Hockey Report tonight – 9:00 – should be interesting. Stop in and join the fun (646) 716-7209.

1. Thought the team played a strong game. The first period was not as strong, but the team improved by each period, and stood up to the Flyers. Especially in the 3rd period – the forecheck was brilliant.

2. “Amazing Andy” – great presence of mind to hold the shot, and get the puck to bounce off the Flyers D and in…

3. I think MacDonald was fine in net. Two of the goals again, were shots that got to the Flyers players off a miscue. Just about any goalie would not be able to get the shot. Some of his saves were outstanding. Even got a skate to the mask. Thank God the blade hit his neck guard, or we would have had a Malarchuk incident.

4. Sutton back was a nice thing. It gives the D a large presence, and he was put to the test immediately against Scott Hartnell. Him and Streit worked well.

5. Welcome to the NHL Mitch Fritz! His name sounds like your accountant, but he does not look like one. He is huge and I am looking forward to seeing him get into some pugilistic tendencies.

On a score of 1-10, on the Isles play, I would give them a 7. Improvement all around. Get a break or two, and the 1 point gained could have easily been 2.

My Isles Three Stars

3. Nate Thompson – true grit. He has stepped up his game.
2. Trent Hunter – hitting machine, and Biron had a lucky stop on his point blank effort.
1. Andy Hilbert – You can see that he is a Gordon disciple. His game is much better than last year.

I will not be blogging live tomorrow. I will be sitting in my own seat, and being a fan. I will write a little on Sunday about the game.

Enjoy Halloween, and make sure that your kids are safe…