Pregame

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The last home game of 2009 – will the Isles snag two points from the visitors from Ohio?

Roloson in net tonight – Steve Mason in nets for the visitors. The Jackets come in with the ame record as the Isles – and are fresh off a 1-0 win against the Red Wings in OT.

Jeff Tambellini is in - Thompson is out.

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Period 1

Lineup – Roloson – Streit -MacDonald - Sim – Jackma – Park

Goals for the Isles – YES – get them.  There isnot a lot of offense other than Huselius, Umberger (an Islander killer) and Nash.  Keep them down – and there are opportunities.

Sim had a chance off a deflected shot in front of Mason – 4th line needs to establish the energy, and bring it all around.

Sutton starting the physical play an early, but missed a check on Voracek. 

First few minutes – Bailey a little sloppy.  Tavares - beginning to show some signs of a little tentativeness in his play.

Looks more like a feeling out process – rather than any swing of the pendulum.

Player to watch…. Mark Streit – needs to get involved in the scoring and less mistakes.

Can you believe that Andrew MacDonald is a +7?

“Trade Jon Sim” chants going up in Loudville right now.

7:30 – great save by Roloson on Vermette.  Isles come right back with some pressure by Moulson and JT.

WJC Note – Kirill Petrov scored for the Russians today.   Get the “We want Petrov” calls going. 

Ice girls back to their blue skirts.  Much better than the Xmas outfits.

10 minutes in – shots 6-4 —> not a lot of fluid play – about equal in puck battle

1-0 Isles – Bailey put the puck in of an Okposo blast  that went over Mason’s head and trickled behind him.  Mike (Islesblogger.net) claimed that Bailes stole the goal from Okie, which would have mke Ken from Okposo.net very upset.

This is just was the Isles needed.  This team needs to crash the net more.  Park with Moulson an Comeau had a good shift afterwards.  The opportunity is there – now time to capitalize.

The goal was credited to Okposo – we thought that Bailey tapped it in – and I guess that the video folks upstairs have a better view of it than I do.

Congratulations to Sgt. Jason Edwards who ws Celino and Barnes military salute of the game – who just engaged during the break to his girlfriend- who is a former ice girl.  Sgt. Edwards is off to the middle east in a few days – best of luck to you both!

14:00 – Sutton saved a goal – as he cleared out a Blue Jacket opportunity.

Game is starting to get a little chippy, as Nash blind sided Hunter – who appropriately gave him a whallop as they got to the bench.

Isles winning face offs at abot a 65% clip - that makes a big difference in they way that they can dictate the play.

Gordie How is at the game today!  Just thought you would like to know.

1st penalty of the game goes to Sutton for interference.  The PK has improved of late – Thompson, although, not in the lineup.  Comeau takes his place on the first unit.  Okie and Nielsen on the second unit.

Looked well – only one shot – and were effective – and nearly had one great opportunity on net.

Despite being outshot 14-7 – the Isles had a decent period – just need to crash more, and make smart decisions.

 

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2nd Period

So far – first few minutes were pretty tame – more feeling out – like kissing your sister.

4:11 – Park – holding the stick.  Columbus on their second PP of the game.  Columbus is 4th on the road pp with a 24% efficiency – Isles 27th on the PK at 74%

Goal scored was changed to Okoposo – 7th of the season.

Good solid kill for the Isles – it seems that the extra practice has seemed to pay off.

JT gets boarded by Jan Hejda – and no call. 

Park saved another chance on net – and gets dumped (with no call) for his troubles.

I would not say slow and mythotical is the word of this period… zzzzzzzzz.

Tambellini work up and had a breakway – but had the puck stripped from him by Vermette.

Observation:  Too many times, the forwards looking for a streaking winger to take a 40 foot shot, rather than try to penetrate between the circles, and get a deke in front of the net.

Observation2: will Columbus ever get a penalty tonight?  They are getting into a great of extra-curricular activities, but nothing to show for it.

Huselius – got a nice snap shot off – Roloson right pad save.  We were supposed to have tried to get him – I think he would have been a great acquisition for us.

Comeau has been real physical for us.  He has been a good fit with JT and Moulson – JT – is just not in sync.  That is normal for any 18 year old.  However, so many people are looking at him.  That makes it kind of tough.  He has to rise above, and for sure – he will.  This is a chance to prove his perseverence.

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Period 3

After 2 periods – 26-15 shots in favor of the visitors.

Comeau leading the forwards in ice time with almost 14 minutes.  Andy Sutton with just over 16 leading the defense.  Andy MacDonald with almost 15 minutes, along with Hillen.  Gervais and Witt (with a combined -32) with just over 10 minutes taking the rear. Coach Gordon is keeping the lineup shuffled, with fowards between 8 and 11 minutes, with the exception of Comeau.

Goal for the third period – keep the smart defensive position, but they need to improve the offensive mentality.  The decision making process needs to be smart and decisive.

Finally – a penalty against Columbus.  Umberger  gets the sin bin for the trip.  Time for the anemic power play to get on track.

NYI 28th on PP at home – 13.8% – Col 15th on P – 79.4%

Columbus gets 2 for dlay of game – 47 seconds 5 on 3 – need to cam thenet and get shots on – well not yet…

Great chance by Okie on a cross ice pass from Streit.  A couple of bangs in front of Mason to no avail.

1st penalty over – with no shots.  Crowd getting on JT – he just needs to realx.  Best shot on PP was by the visitors.  This man advantage should have hd the chance to decline the penalty.

Best chance – when the penalty ended. Nielsen chunked a pass from Moulson, but Sutton got a blast on net.

Columbus dictating the play over the past few minutes; Isles not playing rope-a-dope, but it is a close facsimilie.

Too many of the forwards are on ther heels.  Columbus may not be the Washington Capitals, but theyhave forwards that can get the puck in – if you are not discipined enough.  Something to watch for over the last 10 minutes of the game.

Umberger made the Isles pay – the Islander killer does it again – stuffs a backhander throught the five hole of Roloson – Tied at 1. 

OK – no more rope-a-dope.

And another Ranger fan happy that the opponent scored a the Coliseum. 

Roloson makes a fine glove save on former Islander Raffi Torres, as Mike (Islesblogger) said, a great move my Milbury – letting him get away.

Gordon calles a time out with 9:31 left.  Smart move.  This team needs to get their collective heads together, and fight through this.

Half way though the period – shots are 9-3 Columbus.

Interesting stat of the game – Isles have blocked 27 shots as opposed to 11 for the Jackets.

Nash was denied on a quick opportunity on Rolle.  Witt gives Torres a face wash as another chance is given to Columbus.

Hi to Jiggs McDonald – covering the team for the week fo the vacationing Howie Rose.

Moulson missed a great chance on a tic-tac-toe effort.

Sutton plastered Umberger to he glass, and Matthieu Roy gets two for roughing for going after #25.  A great, clean hit, and did not retalliate.  Power play – Isles.

Now is the time to take advantage and get the goal – with the crowd pumped up.  Streit – blasted it ff the post!

Another good chance for Okposo – not there.  With a couple of great chances, Schremp gets two for goalie interference.  Momentum lost!

Now – Isles on the kill.  Smart and keep the box.  Sacrificing the body – an a LOUD chant of DEFENSE going on.  With 3:12 left – shots now 40-19 Jackets.  Time out Columbus.

Penalty killed – 150 seconds to go.  Crowd urging the team on.

Columbus gets another delay of game penalty (Modin) - with 1:42 left in regultion.  PLEASE, score!

Confusion between JT and Schremp loses another 20 seconds of time – and then an offside play.  28.8 to go.

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Overtime is coming….

Shots 12-5 in the 3rd.  40-20 for 3 periods.  Isles still on power play for 18 seconds.

Moulson and Nielsen out with Okposo and Streit. 

Moulson just missed high glove  – Okposo snapped one off in Maso’s jersey crest.

Comeau blasted one that just missed.  Sutton was pulled down with no call.

Isles did come out aggressive.  Nash can be quite scarywhen he makes his moves. Rollie makes his 40th save of the night.

Okposo and Park now the front men.

Two minutes left.  3- shots in OT – Hunter with a one-time – just missed the right post.  Gets another chance – that Mason gloves.  Where was this effort in the thid period?

Columbus with a 3 on 2 just had a stupid offside play.

1 minute to go.

Bailey hits the post.  That is two in OT.

Moulson with a dynmite chance to put one in with 4 ticks left – not enough wood (or synthetic).

SHOOTOUT!

Tambellini – NO

Huselius – NO

Nielsen – Missed an open net…. Ugh!

Nash – Rollie denies him the post!

Schremp – Great move to beat Nash!  GOAL!

Tyutin – A Defenseman? Missed!

ISLES WIN 2-1!  YES!

Great finish to a blah game – but they will take the two points!

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

The invisible cape was on – but the men that needed saving were not saved…..

6-2 loss to a team that had lost 5 in a row, and 8 of 9.  Averaging about 1.3 goals over the 9 games…

AND THEY GOT SIX!

What happened?

Silly mistakes in the defensive zone.  Bad passes and decisions.  Streit and Gervais had, to be honest, lousy games.  The Flyers played a Peter Laviolette game.  They outskated their opponents – they beat the Isles to loose pucks, they were constantly moving – and make the visitors look incredibly weak.

Good for JT to get two on the power play.  His goals were quite easy, but goal scorers are always at the right place and the right time.  Kyle got two helpers.  Now he needs to get off his schneid and get involved.

Not much else to add on this.  The boys are back to Toronto – to the scene of the 58 save night of Rollie.  Will he do that again?  I highly doubt it – but the Isles need to look just like the Flyers did last night.  Come out with purpose – desperation, just totally PISSED OFF! If they look like their coach did on the bench last night – that would be good.

Jackman and Bergenheim are out.  We will see Comeau and Schremp back in the lineup tonight.  No need to re-call anyone. 

Here is wishing for a better effort tonight.

Posted under Islanders 09-10

Stats before the period starts:

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.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

Got back late from a photo op with Charles Wang and Kristen McElroy.

Isles had a PP to start the period, but did not get much on it.

Roloson got called for tripping. Although a bird (www.islesblogger.com) – also named Mike, commented that Roloson’s real name is ALBERT!. Something only his mother probably wanted to know.

Bergie has done nice job on the PK – skating hard, clearing out the garbage and overall good play. Penalty has been killed, with no shots on net.

Couple of great opportunities by Bailey and Sim right after the penalty ended. Keep the pressure going, and dont slow the intensity.

I see that they ae doing a lot of text viting – and see wh

If you have noticed, and I hope you have – I have not mentioned John Tavares’ name. He has not done a lot and realy has not looked as aggresive tonight as he has in the past.

I like how the defense has been able so far tonight to keep Ovie as much as possible to the outside.

Bergie just got hurt in a little race for an icing call. Not sure if a stick got up. Will see if he gets another shift later on.

Penalty on Sutton for a hook. Guys need to bring the “A” game back again. There has not been alot of shots this period by both sides. As a matter of fact – a yawning festival is better than this period.

Just as I say that – Nate Thompson – totally flattens Mike Green to the boards, and a little scuffle ensues. He gets caused for Kneeing. Isles down two – but get the man back – crowd getting into it – and the team is looking very focused. Not overly watching Ovie – but making sure he does not get the golden opportunity.

Great work by Park and Comeau – clearing te front of the net – and getting the puck out of the zone.

Bruno and Witt looked good on the 2nd portion of the PK – Isles did well – and the boys get a well deserved round of applause.

Shots with 4 minutes to go in period 2 – Caps 12- Isles 11. Last few minutes have been exciting.

Great opportnity by Bergie – but saw JT coming – got his chances – but could not close the door. Isles on the PP now. Ovie gets the call for hooking.

You can see when JT is on the PP – he always seems to be looking pass more than shoot. It was a nice cross ice feed to Hillen for a shot.

Final summary of the period – guys stood up when needed, but need to get more shots on net – and be more physical. Just as I say that – there is a eight player scrum in front of the net as the perid expires.

Good period – lets see if we can get some more and get a lead in for period 3.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

Freedy Meyer out tonight – along with the Captain and Rob Schremp.

Semin and Erskine sitting for the Caps.

Looks like a nice crowd tonight – probably about 13 – 14 K. They board askes for fans to light their cell phones… I think I see about 20 or so – the three laptops at the Blog box are generating more light.

Lineup
Roloson
Gervais
Streit
Park
Thompson
Jackman

GAME TIME!

Bruno has to play smarter if he wants some serious time away from Chateau Bow WOW!

Okie had a great opportunity – just missed the net.

Let’s Go Islanders chants lous to start the night – hop for sustainment of that throughout the night.

Sim with a takedown of Threodore. And Roloson makes his first save on the other side.

My colleague to the right of me is not a big fan of Witt. With a -9 on the season – there are many that share his thought process.

First few minutes of the game- the teams are feeling eah other out. No one is exactly establishing a presence. Nielsen with Sim and Bergenheim.

Tamby wth a registered shot – he is trying to make his opportunities to stay in the lineup. He has played well – and likes the shootout.

The other day – I was raving about how Martinek has been ‘saving’ goals with some nice work to clear ucks as they were heading to an open goal. The last few games – his play has been scaring most adults and children alike.

The last two minutes (6-8 minute mark) – the Isles have looked sloppy, letting the Washington forwards dictate the play. This needs to stop, or it will snowball.

9:11 Mark – the Islanders think they got a goal as a shot was banked off of Theodore’s pad. Under review.No goal – real close. However, that can be a good monentum maker – need to make things happen.

First penalty – 10:58 in – on the Islanders. Comeau for tripping.
Killing the penalty will be a BIG plus for the Isles. watch Ovie on the back door. So far the PK has looked well – some opportunities and Martinek with a SHORTIE – blast from between the circles… 1-0 ISLES. Ovie with a -1 or the night!

The crowd is getting into the game – this can only help the boys.
Key stat of the period – after 14 minutes in – 9 takeaways for the Isles as opposed to 2 for Washington – keep that up – and there may be a win in your future.

Moulson – had the chance to make it 2-0 – Theodore made a great stop. Isles are taking it to them right now.
As I post this – my thoughts are such.

Strong period – great play – have to keep it up and keep the consistency going. When you think the play is going against you – get the intensity back!

Good period boys!

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

Joensuu, Fritz, Rechlicz, Fraser and Iggulden are up. I know that Bridgeport is playing here for the first 2 games of their Calder Cup Playoff run, but did we need a preview?

I do not mean that to be negative, but you have to wonder about the injuries on this club. The last two seasons, we have been so decimated, it is so tough to swallow.

Witter’s hair is getting so long, it is almost starting to cover some of his last name on the jersey.

And speaking of jersey’s…. Isn’t the 3rd jersey so awesome? 10-11 season, it will be permanent – thank God!

Danis starting tonigh – hoping for a little better effort tonight… But for the life of me – why is Fritz here? The box has been wondering about that, maybe Smith, or someone else could have been here. The team has Jackman and Rechlicz here – did we need the enforcing Trio Grande?

1st Period

Starters – Danis – Gervais, Hillen, Comeau, Bailey, Jackman

Bob Nystrom award was announced… The winner was Tim Jackman – and it was a excellent choice!

Key to this game – win faceoffs. And we won the opening one. Good job Josh.

23 seconds in – Park pushes it past McKenna – he (goale) had no clue where the puck was… Good setup by Joensuu1-0 ISLES!

First two minutes show a definite WANT to play this game.

Jamie Fraser – first NHL game – congrats! But pairing him up with Fritz and Rechlicz…. Interesting.

4:55 in – Fritz and David Koci – get into it – and a lot of scrumming after the officials get in there. Nice job by the 6’8″ monster. Fritz wes spinning Koci around like a rag doll.

Why do I have the strange feeling that this game will be much longer than most games. The over/under on majors should be about 5.

Martinek pulls down Malone (allegedly) and takes a penalty at 5:38.

Thompson gets a gift, and just misses getting a shorty.

Tampa PP has some good guys, but you can see that they are missing number 4 in front…

Good kill boys!

Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto was talking and mentioned that Long Island needs a new state of the art Nassau Coliseum. Which is political speak for “Get your ass in Gear, Kate Murray and get this project approved!”

11 minutes in – not a real flow to the game – couple of nice opportunities – one by Tambellini. Tampa – good effort in front of Danis – but he made the good stop.

Well – it is definitely apparent that these two teams are 28th and 30th in the NHL respectively.

Joensuu – point blank shot – stopped by McKenna.

I think

Tampa gets a penalty at the 17:37 mark - see if the Isles take advantage on the PP. Gervais and Weight at the points. Tamby Bailey and Comeau up front. Weight is so cool as a cucumber out there, but inexperience of the rest of the unit shows. As Rod Gilbert says - JUST SHOOT THAT PUCK! You can not get a goal, unless you tee it up (Unless you are O'Byrne of the Canadiens)!

Period ends with the shots at 7-6. Be back for the third. I am going to enjoy the view from Section 317

3rd Period

Back from my seats. The last five minutes were pretty good, with a good power play goal by Martinek – a blast! Tampa answered back with a power play goal of their own, courtesy of Matt Pettinger.

A great fight with the “RECKER” taking on Zenon Konopka (is he the lead guitarist of the Sex Pistols?) which ended up with the Tampa player having a little medical issues that needed to be attended to.

Another scrum to the right of the Tampa netminder at the end of the period, proved the point that the players are not liking each other too much tonight.

Expect the third period to be extra chippy, and a lot of scores wanting to be settled.

HERE WE GO…

I said faceoffs were important – after 2 periods – Isles 24 for 41 or 59%. Bailey – 6 for 11 – Park 3 for 3

2:00 – Tambellini hit the post, that rang my ears off.

Another thing I noticed from the scoresheets. Isles outhit Tampa 33-22 after 2, with th “RECKER” leading the way with 5.

I see a great deal of maturation from Bruno. He looks a lot more comfortable in his own zone, and when a mistake is made – he will not usually panic, and fix the problem. I really think that he has made strides to correct some of the problems that he has had in the past.

I really like Jesse Joensuu. He is a big man that I think has a great upside to him. Fraser has looked OK. Probably got a lot of the “Just keep it simple speech.”

Game has gone back ad forth up the ice with some odd man rushes. Iggy had a great shot on McKenna, that he got the left pad on. Speaking of goalies – Danis has played a better game tonight. Simplifying his movements.

Great opportunity by Joensuu to get his second NHL goal, but Matt Smaby hooked him to give the Isles another power play opportunity. Which Josh Bailey made a great move and slid the puck under McKenna’s pads to give the Isles a 3-1 lead!

Gervais with 2 points on the night.

But to most fans wanting the number 1 pick.. the question is:

Should we be tanking?

I say shut up to that.

By the way – did you see the stunt that Avery the DIRTBAG did to Tim Thomas? And they say that he is REHABILITATED? Send him to Hungary – and make him play in the Transylvanian league.

Witt got involved in another nice scrum at the end of a play. Still only 2 fights for the game, well under the over/under of 5 that I predicted tonight. However – we got another power play.

Four minutes to go – the Isles look like they should pull this one off. If anything major happens – I will amend this post. Again – look for the quotes and other stuff in another post tomorrow.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME

3. Martinek – smooth play and his first power play goal.
2. Gervais – 2 helpers and ever increasing maturity on the D line
1. Park – Goal and assist – and showing the kids what a vet SHOULD do.

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Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09

This post was written by Gary Harding on April 4, 2009

Tags: Array, Bob Nystrom, Bolts, Bridgeport, Calder Cup, Comeau, Fritz, Games, God, Good Guys, Good Job, Hillen, Jamie Fraser, John Venditto, Martinek, Mckenna, Nhl Game, Nice Job, Oyster Bay, Puck, Rag Doll, Shorty, Strange Feeling, Tim Jackman, Trio Grande, Two Seasons, Warmup