As the Blog Box was not available today, I had to actually do a REAL VIEW FROM SECTION 317.

And we saw a good game… A little scary at the end, but nevertheless, a 4 point weekend for the boys.

The things that came out of the weekend.

1. The Isles are capable and definitely have the ability toplay against different styles of teams, and systems. In this weekend, we encountered a Devils team with outstanding skill levels. They crashed and crashed again, and were able to remove the best goaltender in the world out of his net. In the case of Phoenix, a similar looking team as their opponent, they were able to beat them to pucks, and win the battles in front of the goaltender.

2. The re-emergence of Jeff Tambellini. Hey Jeff – glad to have you back! He looks so comfortable with the puck and is crashing the net with strength and confidence.

3. Although Joey Mac has done a yeoman like job – we are seeing the scale sliding more and more to Yann Danis. He has not only made major strides on his play, but has taken that play to whole new level.

4. The forwards do not look like young and green, but are playing like solid NHL veterans. Then you get 26 year old Mike Iggluden – who not only come in from a similar system and fit in nicely, but has 3 assists in 2 games. Not only does he fits in, he is a snug a a bug in a rug.

5. The defense is slowly improving game by game – and guys have made tremendous strides. Bruno Gervais, who honestly did not have the best two games this weeknd, has done great with his pairing with Mark Streit. Jack Hillen has taken the Campoli role, and showed great confidence in a very short time. Joe Callahan has stepped up well in the absence of Brendan Witt, and has been solid. Tomas Pock has come back, which has allowed the Isles to send Andy MacDonald back to Bridgeport, and get his 22-25 minutes back; which will help him out.

6. Scott Gordon has got these guys believing that they can take on ANY team, and stay with them with no issues. This will make great inroads for next season, as they move to the next level of their development.

And do NOT tell me that this team should just lose it – in order to secure the first pick in the draft. I, like all of you, would love to see the name Tavares on an Islander jersey. But I want to see this team grow and develop as this season comes to a close. No matter what – the goal is development for ALL players, not just the potential new #91.

Well – the team is NOW on the road for six games, and no home match until the 25th. So the number of entries may be small, but I will make comments as needed.

On the late evening of the 20th, I, and 49 others will get on a bus and make the trek up I81 and head to Ottawa to see our boys take on Chris Campoli, Mike (Tinkerbell) Comrie, and the rest of the Senators. We (the booster Club) are going to be wearing our ORANGE as our trip group is normally called the ORANGE WAVE! I a looking forward to that trip, and I will be writing entries from the road, and after the game.

Have a great week everyone. Way to go boys. Real proud of ya!

Posted under Booster Club, Islanders 08-09

Welcome Andy McDonald to your first NHL game, replacing Brendan Witt!
(Photo courtesy of Dee (7th Woman) Karl… http://7thwoman.blogspot.com)

The only good thing about this game, is that I am on a 3 game live winning streak – and I am thinking that we will hit 4. With the Miller injury – Patrick LaLime will have his hands full with getting Buffalo into the playoff picture. Right now – they are on the hanging on the 8th slot in the playoffs, but with a few teams a few points behind, every game is a major chance to keep above water – or be on the outside looking in.

The Sabres are 2-2-1 in the last 5, and are missing top scorer Tomas Vanek, as well as Ryan Miller.

What is the game plan for the Isles? As most games have been in recent time – they have to get aggressive, and get on this goalie quick. Their backup just came over from Portland, via Sweden.

As the Lighthouse song goes on – it is HOCKEY Time!

Danis in the nets, the rest of the lineup:

D – Martinek and Hillen
LW – Bergenheim
C – Nielsen
RW – Hunter

Here we go…

Linesman missed the too many men on the ice call. A ton of Sabre fans in 336, and the “NINETEEN NEVER” chants from Loudville.

Nice rising shot by McDonald on his first shot on net. Great effort.

Sabres had a great opportunity – and unfortunately, Gervais did not take the body too well. His play has been near exceptional of late, but that was not a good showing to start the game.

Great to see Hillen get the start. It shows that they have a lot of confidence in him – and that makes the trade look more and more beneficial to him.

McDonald playing with Callahan, as the Let’s Go Buffalo chant comes from up above.

That is two miscues from Bruno, as Buffalo comes back on a 3 on 2 with Danis making a great stop.

Interesting to see that Bill Guerin is NOT on the bench… Very interesting… Point blank is saying that a deal is 90%. My guess is Billy G is going to Boston – but I am not sure. This is going to be quite a night…

Boy – is Streit as cool as a cucumber – especially around the net. He just went round Danis calm and relaxed. Bergenheim almost had a goal drop in his lap, but just missed. Couple of more opportunities in front of Lalime, but to no avail.

Penalty on Dean McAmmond. The Buffalo chants are back on.

Jackman on a two on one- pulls the trigger and hits the pipe. Great job on the PK.

Bruno – can you PLEASE hit the net!

They just celebrated the movie about the Smile Train kid that just won an Oscar. Maybe the Gold can lead to some goals for us.

Pretty much a period that you would not have minded that you missed. Shots 9-7 Buffalo – one penalty. as fun as watching paint dry.

0-0 after one….

Off to see the wife. You may have a guest writer next period….

Welcome Sports Fans! I’ll be your resident Blog Usurper also known as IslesOfficial! I figured I owed Gary for that time that he took over my computer while I was carousing about the Coliseum with my girlfriend.

The boys have looked good through the first 20 but that’s not the real story we’re chasing tonight.

Billy Guerin is conspicuously absent tonight from the bench after being on the ice for warmups.

Fear not because your Blog Box is chasing down as much info as we can get. Don’t forget to stop by all of our sites for updates as we get them.

In my humble opinion, the only two teams I could see Billy actually being trade to are the Bruins or the Devils (his hometown or the team that drafted him).

Start of the 2nd and Bergie gets a great chance right off the bat. He’s been skating like a bat out of hell lately. I thought he got hooked on the play.

Yaro Spacek takes a 2 minute interference penalty at 2:39. Isles to the powerplay.

BERGIE SCORES!!!! He’s been on FIRE lately. Isles 1, Blades of Buff 0

And thank you – your usurpiness!

I am back – after having to beg my wife to be nice…

Assists to Hillen and Kyle (THE FUTURE) Okposo.

It is still not the most exciting play at this point – but we are all talking about potential players to come here (whether it would be prospect or picks).

TSN has it up on their site, but amzaingly – it did not get put up until 800PM – those Canadians are getting slow!

Meanwhile back to the action. I am quite impressed with Hillen’s play tonight. The way he reminds me of Martinek (not necessarily his style of play), but his demeanor. He does not appear to be over hyped, or pressured. He is smooth with his passes, and makes some good decisions.

Thw directly above us (Sec 301 Row A) got Chipotle burritos. I was just going to ask if we would get any, but my buddy Doug got one.

Well – after another break – back to the game. Another good sign about Hillen – he got the puck andsaved it from going over the blue line; got the puck over to his other defenseman. Then got a shot that nearly took the head off of Lalime.

Great scrum at blue line – Kudos to Comeau for standing up to Paul Gaustad. Isles end up with the PP. Great job by the kids – “Youthful exuberance”, replied Mike Schuerlein – www.Islesblogger.com

Three great attempts at net – one by Hillen, the next by Hilbert, and the last by Sim; all stopped by Lalime.

According to Hockeybuzz.com

He took the skate, was healthy, but is a no show for the warm up and game against Buffalo….

Updated…Guerin has texted Andy Strickland to tell him that we will all know what is going on with him in the morning…he has left the building.

Andy has learned that it is NOT NJ or Boston. I found out that it is NOT Philly…

I am hearing that Washington, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh are all possible.

Looking into it…

Callahan just took 2 for defending a teammate the got bolted to be boards by Adam Mair. Callahan dropped the gloves but Mair just stood there like a dope.

But the two minutes ar done, and Jackman just got crossed checked by Craig Rivet. Doug, our resident official called the referee something that women use to freshen themselves. Sorry – he referred to Rivet, but I like the former as opposed to the latter.

The game has vbecome increasingly chippy. Now Okie is getting into the act. He and Drek Roy just got 2 for roughing. Looking foeard to see what the 3rd period will bring.

Martinek – 2 for elbowing Chris Butler — are we going to see a suspension for that hit, Colie Campbell? And on cue, Paul Cartier – plays Looney Tunes on the organ.

Trivia Question – how many times in a row, has Danis taken a shutout into stanza 3?

1-0 after Two!

Doug is praising the statistics of Karl Alzner – who is from Washington – and he may be a nice player to pick up. Let’s see if he is right?

OK – will the defense hold and get the win for Yann? I am pretty confident about that. Isles are short handed for the next 53 seconds.

Another penalty – this time to Bergie. Danis has had to stand on his head right now – - hope he keeps it up. However, the talk is still of the Guerin deal. Is he out of the building or not?

Yet another big kill. This PK has looked real well of late – conservative, but an occasional stand.

Paul Gaustad had a huge hole in the net to shoot at. I know I would not want him to win a golf tournament on a three foot putt.

Penalty on Tim (Not tonight honey – I have a headache) Connolly.

Bergie a grea opportunity on net as the PP has ended. Isles had three shots on PP- lookedwell moving the puck around.

McDonald lost the puck and got back to take out Pommenville with a clean move, and actually had the Buffalo player stick break. Great job.

Skating has definitely increased in the last few minutes.

Nielsen now playing with Comeau and Okposo instead of Bailey.

Jackman got a great cross-ice pass from Tambellini that almost caught the upper left post. Thought the pass was going between the cicles, and not where it got…

According to hockeybuzz, Washington E4, Buffalo E3, or Montreal E2. Doug is wanting Alzner, and he wants him like women want babies and marriage.

Less than 4 minutes to go =- and the Isles are now outshooting Buffalo 32-30. This has been a great effort by the Isles all night. Got to be happy with the effort – even with 19 players on the ice tonight.

Stafford down he looks like he was SHOT!

Buffalo taking lots of chances – Tamby a breakaway – shoot from the point – easy save.

Blogger quote – YOUR DAD WOULD HAVE GOT THAT ONE!

Bergie does it AGAIN! 2-0! 2:02 left in the game – great effort and execution. And yes – Mama Dee is HAPPY!

My THREE STARS

3. Streit – great game on D
2. Danis – another shutout…
1. Bergenheim – both goals and overall inspired performance.

Quotes to follow after the game – will be the next post tomorrow.

Have a great night. And by the way – 4 straight for me!

Too bad I can not go on Monday and Thursday…. Win in abstentia for me!

Posted under Islanders 08-09

Looks wierd not seeing Campy out there…. McAmmond wearing his usual number 37. Probably will be on the 4th line tonight.

Tonight is Town of Hempstead night, and would the Town Supervisor have the GUTS to show up?

An overwhelmingly NO…..

The receiver of Taxes will be here. Oh boy!

Of course, the scuttlebut around the blog box is of the trade. Campoli got 2 helpers in the game against Montreal today, but from what I hear (I did not see the game), he was not really as impressive as you would think. Comrie almost scored…. But wait – that happened a lot on Long Island….

Three weeks from tonight – I will be in Ottawa as the Booster Club takes to the road, to see our Islanders take on the Sens. It will be quite interesting to see how the Isles take on their old mates. I for one, am looking forward to the matchup.

Before that – your homework assignment –> check out www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk. This is the web site for the BEST hockey team in the UK! I have been a 9 year supporter of this team, and they have a 10 point lead in the UK Elite League standings!

OK – on to tonight’s match!

I will only be blogging for the first and third periods, as I will be sitting in my seat for the second period.

Callahan is in today; another chance to prove his worth.

Starting Lineup:

G – Danis
D – Martinek
D – Witt
LW – Bergenheim
C – Nielsen
RW – Hunter

Loudville is yelling “BUILD THE LIGHTHOUSE”

:45 – Bergeie on a breakaway had a great chance for goal – if we could ONLY finish.

1:00 – Parise on the ice. Can someone pull a Tonya Harding and get the pipe on his knees.

1:38 – Penalty on Streit – hooking….

2:15 – nice job by Okie – quick snap shot – high and wide

3:20 – great save by Danis on Langenbrunner.

3:40 – PK done – Streit out of box – great pass to Bergie – and this time – he FINISHED

3:50 - NYI 1 – NJD 0

** ISLES ARE DOING JUST AS I SAID IN MY PRE-GAME NOTES – BE PHYSICAL AND TAKE SOME CHANCES **

5:00 – Hillen looks a lot more comfortable out on the D-line

6:00 – Katrina from the Lighthouse stopped by and took some pictures. We in the blog box are stars!

8:49 – Stephen from IslesNation.com came back with his video recorder, taking video in the stands. Rumor mill has it that he is producing a soft core presentation of the Hockey Chicks Take Uniondale!

9:25 – Okie with his best impersanation of Jeremy Roenick.

10:27 – As Kate Murray’s video – the booing was loud and severe. When she said I am an Islander, I heard a lot of BULLS%$& from the stands… BRILLIANT!

So far – Isles outshooting 7-4 and the Devils look a little lack luster to say the least. Hope that stays for the next 49 minutes.

10:50 – great body save by Danis – and on the other end – a little scrum action in front of Scott Clemmensen. Sim and Salvador – penalties.

11:30 – Parise with some room in the slot – great stop by Yann.

14:00 – great job by the D – getting clearance. I like how Callahan looks. Devils are really getting outplayed x’s and o’s as well as physically.

15:10 – Danis – another great stop on a point blank shot by Travis Zajac.

Period goin by so quickly, and no final TV time out. 38 seconds left – in front of the crease – and no one to slap it in.

I will be in the seats for Period 2. Great save by Danis in the last seconds to end the stanza 1-0 in front.

3rd Period

Back from a period in 317. The Isles are still dominating the corner battles, and taking the speed out of the Devils game.

Great job by Sim. Amazing that he may have 15 goals or so with spending many games in chateau bow-wow.

Another excellent save by Danis off a drive to the net by Rolston. Parise has been just about silent today, expect for one good opportunity in front of the net.

Defense doing an outstanding job. Some comments in the stands, concerning just that. I, along with some others, really liked the way the Hillen is playing. Very smart, and positionally sound. Just getting some more experience and taking some cances, will move his game to the next level.

I would like to provide you a great article by my good friend Doug from islesofficialsoutlook.blogspot.com. He wrote a great piece about the Lighthouse, and I want to share it with you all:

Saturday, February 21, 2009
Meet Me at What is the Next 25 Years on Long Island
I am a Long Islander.

I was born here.

I was raised here.

I learned to have a passion for hockey here.

I am, for all intents and purposes, a part of the fabric of 1401 square miles of some of the most densely populated land on the planet.

That is why I need the Lighthouse.

All of you who read this blog and have a passion for Long Island as a whole, should ask yourself this question: “What does the Lighthouse mean to me?”

I am a young man in search of the path for the rest of my life. It has become a reality in the years after college that I was going to have move off this Island that I’ve called home for the first 24 years of my life. The unfortunate truth is the fact that young people simply cannot get a foothold here with the cost of living and the lack of alternatives that would allow me to strike out on my own.

With that being said, it is my firm belief that if two Long Islanders in Charles Wang and Scott Rechler want to give the place I live an identity, a place to call our own and something we can be proud of, we should give them the support that is necessary.

The Lighthouse transcends anything that happens with the New York Islanders. This is about Long Island. This is about you, me and everyone that has been contacted and shown their support (nearly 180 outreach attempts have brought back a 100% acceptance of the project).

This is about 60,000 construction and 20,000 permanent jobs.

This is about a Sports Complex that will attract State Championship after State Championship for all youth sports on Long Island.

This is about an improvement to the quality of life for all of us on Long Island. With roughly $60-$70 million dollars generated in revenue each year.

This is the “Imperfect Storm” as one Lighthouse Development spokesman stated.

Without your support this whole project could fall through the political cracks like so many before it.

It’s time to take a stand and make our voices heard.

Tonight 2/21/09, at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, a “white-out” will be held to show how seriously we Long Islanders are about improving our lives. This is our time. This our home.

This…is our Lighthouse.

Please show your support by coming out in full force tonight and on Tuesday 2/24/09 at 10:30AM for the Approval of the Final Scope of the Project by the Town of Hempstead. The Lighthouse Project is ready. The Environmental Impact Study is ready.

Are you ready?

wasn’t that great?

Back to the action:

I have been also pleasantly surprised by Witt’s play of late, he actually has shown some speed and smarts that I have nott seen much of this year beforehand.

McAmmond has not been bad on the 4th line tonight. I am not expecting him to be setting any scoring records, but he has played solidly.

Nice effort by Jackman – Clemmensen made a great save. I love the effort that he puts on the ice. Salmela gets a cross-checking penalty. Great job by the forwards to draw the call.

With 7 minutes left – the team has the potential to do something they have not done all year.

Witt back on the power play – let’s see if he pulls the Dave Semenko job… well – if they can get a shot on net…. Hey – if this is the worst thing tonight – then it is not a bad day for the Isles….

Unfortunately – due to the fact that I lost my media cridential on the way back to the blog box from my seats in 317, I can not go down to the locker room after the game…..

Clarkson called for a double minor for clipping Matinek. That means the Isles can end the game on the power play.

Let’s get the 3rd goal, andend this party once and for all.

3-0 – OKIE on the PP. I see a lot of RED and BLACK leaving the building right now. Okie on the door step, and slammed it home off the right shoulder of the Devils netminder.

Okie got hit right after the goal and got a shot to the face. I did not see who did it, but he is getting checked out, and should be ok.

Parise – stoned by Danis.

Another penalty to the Devils. Gionta for hooking. 49 seconds of 5 on 3. This is nice!

5 on 3 with Witt playing Semenko. And YES!!!!! 4-0. We have the next Wayne Gretzky there… Well, maybe Mark Parrish. Guerin gets the goal – but Witt caused the proper ruckus to make it happen.

OK – 110 seconds to shut out time… Yes – I am saying it. I think we will get this one in the books tonight!

My Three Stars

3. Okposo – 1 G and a lot of physicality
2. Bergenheim – 1 goal and just as much toughness
1. Danis – the shut out

What a nice effort fr the guys – something for the team to build on. I should be able to get some audio from the game tomorrow and put it on the web site for all at that time.

As Kool and the Gang does CELEBRATION on the PA system, it will be nice to hear the happy recap from Doolin’s.

Have a great night everyone.

Gary

Don’t forget. Hockey Night on Long Island tomorrow at 3:30 PM. www.blogtalkradio.com/hockeynightonlongisland

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09, Lighthouse, Sheffield Steelers

As said in the earlier post, Streit is back – so either Callahan or Hillen is the odd man out.

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

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09

Pre game notes – Campy in the lineup. Hillen out.

Crowd sparse… A question I heard while walking around the arena….

Where is Monica the Ice Girl??? I guess that question is more important that wat lineups are being set for the Stars or the Isles? Very interesting.

Food critic – Chicken tenders and fries at Gate 11 – grade them a B-. could be a little better, but Nathan’s is always good.

The Avery sucks chants started before the Anthem. Geez, our fans are so forgiving, aren’t they?

Starting Lineup for Isles

Gervais and Streit on D
Neilsen, Tambellini and Hunter up front
DP in net…

1:10 in P1 – Avery in to a booing ovation… Okposo brushes by and Avery turtles like the gutless puke that he is… Yes that was a Travis Green name, but it has now been passed onto the right guy. Erikson makes the Isles pay on the PP.

14:13 in P1 – just when they start to look good (couple of chances by Park and Okposo), Morrow come down and pushes one underneath DP, for a 2-0 lead. The natives are getting restless and the door to the bench is getting slammed more and more.

This needs a good bit of confidence. Right now – it is not coming at all. It is interesting to hear Gordon scream from across the ice. Another stupid penalty for the Isles to take (Bergie). Have to stop grabbing and move your feet more. This Stars team is not fleet of foot. They should be taking advantage of that.

18:22 of P1 – Erikson again. I can see the veins popping out of Gordon’s neck. This is not fun.

I will be sitting in my seat for Period 2 -and will be back at the Box for period 3. Hope it is a little better this time…..

Analysis after 2 periods….

At least Billy G got in the scorebook off some nice passes from Streit and Bergie. However, not taking advantage of a full 2 minute 5 on3 plus another minute of advantage folllowing that. Just horrible. I am not questioning effort, per se; but when a power play struggles, it sems to constantly look for the perfect pass and the perfect play. I will not name names, but numbers, maybe….

89?

I wonder what the talk is at the GM meetings in Chicago?

Stats after 2:

Park -3. Okoposo, Gervais, Comrie -2
Guerin and Weight – +1

Streit 19:29 ice time. Gervais – 18:04

Nothing much else to be happy about…

3:28 – P3 – The Islanders are the last team to get a goal from a defensemen as Mark Streit scores to cut the lead to 3. As Section 317 says:

It’s a Power Play goal…… xxxx you, Sam Rosen! And Joe Micheletti too!

Still too much look for the home run pass….. Section 301 just LOVES Billy G. but they are more concerned about his life after hockey.

Around the 5 minute mark left – Sim gave a nice shot to Avery – nothing came about, but it looked nice….

Will add some comments tomorrow to this (after game locker room quotes).

From the locker room after the game.

Guerin – (paraphrasing) – putting too much on the PK’ers. Witt loss is tough, but it means that others have to step up. Ribiero had a great game, Modano looked good for 37 (is actually 38).

DiPietro – fans have the right to feel how they want. The fans are passionate about the game, and hate to see the team lose.

I think practice will contain a little bit of soul searching, and finding ways to stay out of the box. Especially against a Carolina team that is quick and tough. You have to stay focused, and make an effort to not grab and clutch to keep them in bay.

Good luck in practice today boys!

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09

As it figures, I am the first one here tonight. I would be early for my funeral, if that was the case. However, I am so excited to be doing my first game as a member of the NYI Blog Box. This is an opportunity to experience the feel of writing about the game I love, as well as the team, but still can be a fan.

I am going to just provide my notes and thoughts as the game progresses.

Warmups… Joey MacDonald came out first…. Hillen is out, Pock is in. Jack looked a little shaky last night, so it is a break for him. Weight wearing the “A” at home with Park wearing it on the road. DP is not bending too much, and is just letting the shots go through.

Comments on the 1st period:

What a difference 24 hours makes…. Great decision-making by the team, excellent puck pursuit. Seeing all four lines making huge contributions. Hilbert with 2 points in the period, Bruno, as well. This will equal more and more confidence. Joey Mac made some great stops in the period. He is comfortable handling the task. Can they keep the momentum going? Let’s see what the second period brings….

Second Period Comments:

No scoring, but very little mistakes made in the neutral zone. I like what I see from Thomas Pock. He looks comfortable in this system. The only isusue I have is with the power play. The one that ended the period was much better, but the ones earlier were sloppy. Have to establish the points a little better. Not a terrible period, but they did not provide this Blues team with a lot of chances. The Isles MUST play hard and rest on their laurels. Take it to the Blues!

Third Period Comments:

St. Louis scored a goal eight minuites in. MacDonald overcommits, and lets Tkachuk get an easy marker. The Isles can not take it easy. They have to keep the tempo upgoing (which they have). MacDonald has been strong again. I have never seen a young defensemen like Pieterangelo from St. Louis be up in front of the net so much. Is he really a defenseman? Great save at the end by MacDonald…. Guerin get the empty netter to seal the deal. 5-2. Great game. Now 1-1-0-0.

Three stars:

3. Gervais – two point night
2. Hilbert – two point night
1. MacDonald – great game in net.

I totally agree with the choices. An honorable mention to Weight. I think he had some extra wishes to play hard against his old team tonight. Also – to Meyer for his great positional play on D, as well as laid that great hit in the first period.

Comments from the locker room:

Coach Gordon was happy with the team’s performance. The team played real hard, and with the goal scoring the confidence seemed to increase. He was very impressed by MacDonald’s performance. He did not want to talk about DP at all, he wanted to be talking about the positives.

MacDonald was glowing. He was so appreciative of the accolades coming to him. He feels that Ricky will be ready and will be the man. He (MacDonald) is willing and able to be at the helm, whenever he is called.

Hilbert is just happy for Gordon. He played for him in Providence, and is happy to get the win for him. He said that Gordon has worked so hard for it, that he deserves the chance.

Experience

This was great. I have had the opportunity to cover baseball games, as well as a few Sound Tiger matches in the lockout years. However, getting the chance to cover my team, and see the reactions from the locker room, was real exciting. A win definitely makes it better. I know that being in the blog box, I can be a fan, as well as ‘media like’, but I really tried to keep the emotions in check. But once the fourth goal came, I had to raise the arms and get a little excited.

Thanks to Ken, Frank, Mike, and BD, for welcoming me, and making my first game in the Box a lot of fun. I hear that there is an initiation going, but you are not getting me in a dress…

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09

Some thoughts….

MacDonald has looked well tonight (we are all surprised…). Hope DP plays tomorrow for the home crowd. Will we know the real problem?

Jon Sim looks like an eager guy, that looked like he so wants to play, and being out for over a year will do that to a guy.

Like Weight’s comments after 1. He gets it, and I hope that some of the guys really listen when Dougie talks.

Seems some of the guys look a little tentative. Hillen made a few mistakes in his zone, but I think he will recover quickly.

Great speed shown by Okposo. However, he did not fool Brodeur with the penalty shot.

Every time that I see Parise doing damage to the Islanders, I want to KILL Milbury for passing on him. Yea, Robert Nilsson is a real star….

Stay in the booth, you dummy!

Posted under Islanders 08-09