No - not my Uncle Louie, but of course Roberto Luongo. Remember him?

Three shutouts in 5 games, for Vancouver, as they are battling for the NorthWest division lead. The Isles are 2-0-0-0 in their last two against Canadian teams, as they take into battle tonight at NVMC.

I will not be there tonight, as I am working late again. What am I looking for from the guys tonight?

1. Continuation of the inspired play of Sean Bergenheim. Bergie and the Good ‘ol boys are looking well together, and I would hope that the combination of them keeps sparking the rest of the team.

2. An increase in play and responsibility of Radek Martinek. Marty did not look out of place in his 15 minutes tonight. Would like to see that number approach 20. Give Streit a chance to take a little blow, after his nearly 30 on Saturday. They have 3 days to rest, but still…

3. Keep the PP going, and make sure that the feet are moving and traffic comes in front of Luongo. The easiest goal a scorer can have, is the one that the goalie can not see. Throwing bodies in front can accomplish that.

4. Make sure that vehicle that is the Islanders is constantly heading towards Route 60 and Utopia.

GO Isles - get to 3 in a row!

Pock suspended 5 games for his hit on Shannon during last night’s game. Since Ruutu got 2 for his questionable hit - 5 seems to be the modus operandi.

Welcome back Marty!

Also _ Barry Melrose canned after 16 games…. Grow the mullet back - we missed you!

With three days of no games, this is a perfect time to get the system going. I am sure that the coach will be working on this.

Is it me, or is it an every other game thing?

Again - not too much to talk about lately. With these days off, the writers get a little break, and don’t need to come up with major things to talk about. So, it is off to Tam O’Shanter club, for the IBC Golf Outing with Bossy and the gang. Should be a lot of fun, but I don’t play golf, so that is why I am not there… (Also - work is nuts!)

On a personal note, my mom is having surgery tomorrow to do some skin grafting on her leg, as a result of an accident a few weeks ago. Please say so prayers, if you would not mind? She is doing well, but any surgery to an 82 year old patient will not be easy. So I would appreciate all the support that I can muster.

Will not write until Wednesday morning. Have a good few days, everyone…

I can not take credit for the name… That was given to me by someone who will remain nameless. I was told this, because I know that it may cause someone to be a little aggravated. (we’ll just keep that a secret for now)

Since I have seen some constructive criticism on some of the boards about the:

a) Number of Blog Boxers increased to over 20 and
b) How many write about the same thing

I am taking some of that to heart. I understand, and for the need to try and make some different topics and ideas to the table, I decided to take a look at some of the players on the team, and offer some thoughts.

Let me offer this player on a plate:

#11, Andy Hilbert

Here is a guy that I know many folks in my section were making not only nasty comments about, but taking bets early on in the season last year, on when he would actually put a shot on net, not even a goal. Many really wondered what the coach, if not the team, saw in Andy, and why was he even on this team at all.

This season, however, the 27 year old product of Michigan, seems to get it.

Well - he has had some practice…

After playing with Red Berenson at the U of M, Hilbert spent from 2002 - 2005 on the Providence Bruins, coached by one Scott Gordon. In those seasons, he averaged nearly a point per game, with a high of 79 points on 37 goals in 79 games.

Yes - I know - this is the AHL, not the NHL. He still has not nearly stepped up his game to that level. I think, however, that Andy’s game has improved by leaps and bounds since he was reunited with his old coach.

With the complete change in systems in the last few years (Stirling to Nolan to Gordon), this is one that “Amazing Andy” gets. I can see it in his play. He is skating with some reason now. He is always looking up ice, and making things happen. To be truthful, I wondered what was in his wheaties? But then I failed to remember that he is a Gordon disciple.

His ice time has increased, probably due to the fact, that the coach has more confidence in him, than the others that preceeded him. He has not shown to be a liability, and even in the debacle to Buffalo on Monday, he had more shifts and his ice time has increased from the past few games.

Do I think he is going to be the next Pierre Turgeon? Be serious….

Do I think his play has improved? Absolutely, but three games is not a good mathematical sample for statistical analysis. Let’s just keep our eyes open on this young (well) man, and see how his next few games shape up, before we consider this project to be an improved one.

Tonight - the Isles invade Mullet Bay, I mean Tampa Bay. Coach Melrose has not had the storybook start some pundits thought would happen, but this team is still dangerous up front. Vinny, St. Louis, even young Stamkos, under the right situations, can be tough on opposing defense and goaltending. The Isles need to remember what they did on Saturday, and plaster that to the front of their respective craniums.

As far as goaltending, when DP is ready, he is ready. Joey Mac has been a yeoman, doing the job. A stinker like Monday, can be the panacea that a goalie needs to get his game back. Let’s see MacDonald do just that. We want a BIG MAC in the net, not a Filet of Fish!

So - our #1 pick not only got the entry level contract, but has made the squad to boot.

He (Bailey) definitely has the profile to make it as a 19 year old. He has a great way of handling himself, and knows his plusses and minuses. He also has a great presence for someone so young, according to bystanders and media alike.

The only thing that is a little troublesome, is the fact that he has not had the game experience. He has only played in 2 of the 7 exhibition matches and that, to me, does not tell me about his ice presence. You can be all that you can in practice and in shinny, but when it counts for real, does he have it?

Now - personally, I WANT him to succeed! I really want him to make it - and do well in the process. However, I am just concerned about the lack of playing.

Honestly, if I played the GM role (sorry - Garth - I will NEVER want your job!), I think I would have sent him back. He would have been the captain of the Windsor Spitfires, and would be a sure star in the World Junior Championships this December. The tournament is in Canada, which would be another chance for Mr. Bailey to shine…

But Gary, the Islanders can still send him there?

Yes they can - up to 9 games can be played (not the team’s 9 games, his), before the decision had to be made. And that can very well still happen.

I just don’t want to see a kid with such potential being wasted, if not starting. There are a lot of centers on the depth chart, and it will be a tough decision for Coach Gordon to make. Who will be sacrificed? Glad I am not in those shoes either.

Speaking of the coach… Tonight - 7:30 Marriott Ampitheater - Scott Gordon will be the Guest at the NYIBC meeting. Come on down, won’t ya?

First game since 3/15/08…

Not a good way to start.

I know the game was on XM204, but by the time I got home, I did NOT want to put on my computer… After looking at one for 12 hours, it was just not the right thing to do.

I hear Rusty Olesz laid out Chris Lee with a nasty check from behind… Got a Game, and I am sure a review with the league. Good - get a few games for that Rusty!

Final of 4-3 for the Preseason… Not bad.. Friday - it counts for good. No - I will not be in NJ. I hope to get home for the start of the game, however, and I hope I will try to write a little at home. I will be writing at the game on Saturday. My wrap up will appear after the game…

Wow - I sound like a writer now!

Tomorrow - NYIBC Booster Club meeting - LI Marriott - guest is Scott Gordon. 7:30 at the ampitheater. You can join that night, or else it is $5 to come (but that can be applied towards membership - if you join that night).

A great chance to find out what is in the mind of the coach, as he prepares for his first NHL game (for real) behind the bench. I am interested in his comments.

Yes - the Gordon’s Fisherman… Yea - I get it…. Shut up Rangers fans, already… Worry about your OWN team….

Scott Gordon is now the newest head coach of the Isles. I was not totally sold on him at first, but the resume does speak volumes… AHL coach of the Year - 70 games over 500 for his career in Providence.

Yes - we got another New Englanduh in the mix. That is no problem. Communicate and motivate the players, and you can have whataver accent you desire.

I was still leaning toward having a face that would be NHL recognizable, but again, I will move forward on it. I see a lot of similarities of Gordon to one Peter Laviolette. That is not bad comparisons. All we now have to do, is KEEP this one….

I think he will work well with the young crop, and he deserves the shot to say the least. It is nice to see that a good number of young guns are now getting shots to take a team at the top level. John Anderson, who won a Calder in Chicago, now takes over the Thrash. New coaches in Florida, and San Jose, are showing that ‘ol boys club is not the norm anymore. Well - Mullet Melrose screwed up that equation for all of us.

Anyhow, I am confident that Garth is putting all his eggs on Scott to lead this team. With 35 days to go, until camp begins, get the homework going now… Islander fans have been beaten more times, that a “B” actor in a spaghetti western. It is time, to make us the aggressors.

Good luck, Scottie!