Kyle Okposo — 1/21/09

Franz Nielsen –1/21/09

Yann Danis 1/21/09

Gordon Presser 1/21/09

** ABOVE ARE AUDIO CLIPS FROM THE LOCKER ROOM AFTER THE GAME**

Got here at game time, and by the time I got the computer running, Kyle scored a brilliant PP Goal just over 3 minutes into the contest.

What a wicked shot by Okie.

I figured that after the Ducks got spanked by the Rangers last night, that theu would come out guns a-blazing. However, they look as flat as we did against the Devils on Saturday night.

By the tone of some of the fellow blog boxers and the folks in 201, there are some anti-Comrie sentiment. Sounds probably about the same as it did in Edmonton, Philly, Phoenix and Ottawa.

PK did a good job on their first effort. So far – game a little on the dull side. Both teams trying to feel each other out.

2-0 – first NHL goal for Kurtis McLean – blast from the right face off dot. What a blast! He has shown some spunk and some life up here in his first two contests in the NHL. Bridgeport’s loss – our gain…

Anaheim got some pressure in the latter stages of the period, but the Isles held their own.

Witter gets a Delay of Game penalty at the last minute of the stanza. -27… Sheesh!

PERIOD 2

Ducks had a few chances on their PP, but some nice saves by Danis, and some good work in front of him, squelched the opportunity.

Nielsen has really looked well.

The Getzlaf, Perry, Kunitz line has been strong, taking the Isles off the puck at many opportunities, forcing the Isles to ice the puck.

Congrats to Martinek, on the birth of his daughter Veronica.

Right now – with 15 minutes remaining in period 2 – the Isles are being outshot 21 – 9. In the past, when we were outshot we usually won. Hope I did not jinx the team.

Thinking about Danis – 9 goals in 4 games (2.25 GAA) and a save percentage in the 90′s. He has stepped up and did the job. He hasn’t look clinically well, but he has been formidable to say the least.

On this last PK – Danis has been brilliant making a number of point-blank stops, including one on the doorstep. Gordon HAS to say something nice about him tonight.

There has been a definite sense of who is the better team in this period, but the Islanders, especially their netminder, has been the difference. What the Isles need to do, is keep this focus going, and play that elusive 60 minute game that they so crave for. This would be a nice way to end the losing streak and get the guys off for a mini-vacation with a positive to build on.

Another lucky break that dinked off the post, on a nice deflection by Cory Perry.

Ducks get a PP goal off a dump in by Perry that deflected off the stick of Bobby Ryan. I am sure Danis would want that back, but it was a low percentage shot that got by. Now – more than ever, the Isles need to take it to the Ducks – and get the 2 goal cushion back.

Right now – it seems like the Isles are just content with just dumping it out of their zone, instead of finding some lanes and getting pucks to the net. And just as I say that, McLean gets a great pass from Nielsen and Hiller had to make a great stop to keep it from being 3-1.

With 40 minutes completed, the Isles are holding their own – but they have to more than just that.

PERIOD 3

After 2 – some stats:

Gervais leading in ice time – 18:24
No one with more than 2 shots.
Face offs favor Anaheim 51-49%
Shots – 31-13 Anaheim (19-5 in the 2nd period)

Again – if I was the coach – I would try to get the team to be a little more aggressive in the neutral zone (but not THAT aggressive). Give Danis a little break and get some pressure on Hiller.

One thing that Danis definitely needs work on, is clearing the puck from the back of the net. He is too tentative, and unsure, which leads to some chances for the opponents.

I am really convinced that Comrie (alias Tinkerbell), is just going through the motions. He always seems to be running in a slower gear than his linemates, and at times, looks like he is standing still.

Can someone please hit the NET!

I am really getting sick of the Kansas City chants. I will talk about this on an upcoming entry, but it will not happen. Now – back to the game.

Finally, someone had the nerve to carry the puck out of the zone, rather than dumping out. Great job Jack Hillen. However, the play was offside. It is like a Rosanne Roseanna-danna moment.

Another great play by McLean but just missed the tip -in.

10 minutes into the period, and we have no shots on goal. They can not keep this up. It will come back and haunt them, I just know it. Anaheim only has 3, so it isn’t as bad but still you can not win with no shots on net.

These guys need to stop trying to thread the needle, and hit the net with shots; you have traffic in front of the goalie, rely on them to clear the garbage and put it home.

The crowd is getting restless, and I understand completely.

At least the “D” is clearing up the mess in front of Danis. Getzlaf made a great move and passed to a open wing, but the defense came to the rescue.

Penalty to the Isles – Park for tripping. Not at the most opportune time. THEY MUST KILL THIS!!!!

Finally – we got a shot on goal!!!! Eureka!!

Great job! Now – get some shots, and end this thing!!!

Last minute and Hiller is off to the bench. Great stop by Danis!!!

Time out Anaheim – the wait is killing me! We need this win! 28.4 crazy seconds left on the damn clock!

V I C T O R Y ! ! ! ! ! Finally – a win in January! The streak is OVER!!!!

My Three Stars

3. Nielsen – two assists.

2. McLean – First NHL goal

1. Danis – simply a BRILLIANT job tonight!

Thank god for the break. This 5 game home stand killed me! See you next week, when we will start again on Thursday in Atlanta. At least the guys will get some time to relax, and recuperate. Maybe we will get a near full roster back? We can only hope!

I got some audio clips from the Locker room. I got the coach, along with Danis, Nielsen and Okposo.

Check them out…

Posted under Islanders 07-08

Got here late – what else is new….

Glad to hear that the Doobster is back in the fold….

Nothing much to start – a few major hits by Witt, especialy one in open ice. You have to establish yourself early against a team like Boston.

Got back from getting a hot dog – and I see the Isles are outshooting the B’s 8-1. This is the way to start…. Now – biscuits ain baskets!

Sim just took a stupid penalty running into Thomas. Let’s see how the PK does against this Bruins PP – with Shorty Chara on the back line and with 2 goals the other night – you have to worry about it.

BTW – what was Tambellini thinking about trying to knock Chara to the ice?

Okposo just took a hit with the puck to the face – just what we need – another freaking injury.

We should be over 300 man games lost now…. The Rangers – by the way are at 10.

2nd period – shots 17-7 after 1

Bruins go 1-0 3 minutes in. Did not see puck, as I was rescuing my crashed computer.

Not a bad crowd, considering the elements. And by the way, was that deal in the Hudson river unbelievable….?

Jackman in a tussle with Thornton – actually not much….

Amazing stat shown on the scoreboard…. Boston – 10 shots blocked, Islanders (leading the NHL right now) 0.

Good to see Okie back – we thought it may have been a broken jaw issue… He nd Bailey had a nicetic-tac-toe move – that almost equalized this game.

Danis has not been tested all that much – but he has looked adequate. Just carry the load until Dubie is ready to go.

Comeau just introduced Krejci to the penalty box. Nice hit – his confidence has been growing.

Another great stat – 20 for 30 in faceoffs.

Power play for the Isles – let’s see if we do something with this one….???

1 – 0 after 2 – Witter made a good recoup after the passing blunder in the last few seconds. The Isles definitely lead the league in shooting pucks on opposing shin guards.

What do the Isles have to do in the third – shoot, shoot and shoot. Be a little more relentless and in the last few minutes – go ‘balls to the walls’.

3rd period
———-

Couple of good opportunities in front of Thomas. Keep the pressure up and intensify.

Penalty on Isles – tussle in front of Danis. This would be a nice time for a shorty…

Bruins get a fluky bounce, and make it 2-0. St. Pierre gets the fortunate bounce. Now we need 2. Now – agressive in the forecheck, and start taking chances. There is still time – but the time is NOW!!!

The John Tavares chants are starting. It is starting to get nuts now. Another Islander penalty. Campoli is the guilty party and he is not signing up for the Kelly Sutherland fan club.

Will we get one past Thomas? That is the $64,00 question? This team has played decently, but no finish. There it was – three or four point blank chances – but nothing to show for it. Another slew of chances – and KO finally got Chara to the deck.

4 minnutes left, and the crowd is trying to leave early…. Sorry – get on my soapbox – but I NEVER leave a game early – and I dont say that because I am here at the Blog Box. I stay for the end of 9-2 games. You pay for a sixty minute (or more) of ice hockey – then get the money’s worth – even if we do not win the match. It is the footy (Soccer) mentality.

Well – back from the soapbox and to the blog box…

Three Stars (even with no goals…)

3. Okposo – gets hit in the face comes back and had some good opportunites – even put Big Z on his arse.
3. Danis – looked ok – got two fluky goals scored on him – but made some fine stops
No 2 or 1 tonight.

Have a good weekend – stay warm – it’s going to be biting tomorrow. If anything good comes from the press conference at the end of the game – I will comment…

Posted under Islanders 07-08

Game 1 of 6 in this great rivalry is renewed tonight.

The Rangers, as we all know, are flying high right now – even with a woozy coach. Zherdev is playing like the guy that Columbus THOUGHT would be. Right now, Jagr is the last thing that they are missing at this point.

Ricky is seeing an unknown doctor about an unknown ailment. Danis was called up as an emergency. If there was ever a time for Joey Mac to stand up — it’s tonight!

The looks of things, it should be a Ranger walkover tonight. However, you never know with this rivalry. Hopefully the boys will take the 60 shot barrage from Saturday night, and take the positives from it and put it to tonight.

We can only hope.

Will blog from the game tonight – should be a cracking night! Will also see if the Phils win it all tonight – yuck!

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09, Ramblings