Get the watch out - you need to get some clues

Well – if the great detective needed to get a case to work on – here it is. Proceed to Plainview, and head to the Islander offices immediately.

The Isles sign goalie Marty Biron from the Flyers for a one year 1.4 million dollar contract.

Well, Mr. Tracy, what does that tell you?

“Hmmmm. I guess Mr. DiPietro will not be starting the season!”

And they pay him the big bucks…

Well – Garth Snow – just got himself an insurance policy that is etched in stone now. He has two quality goalies that can take the load, should #39 start the season on the mend (and no one has to tell Dick Tracy – that is a given with all the clues out in the open).

To me – that is a good sign. Not that Yann and Joey did not do the yeoman’s job last season; in fact, there were times that Danis and MacDonald shined in the spot light. However, with the advent of Tavares in the blue and orange, along with the kids improving and getting stronger by the day, the idea of having solid veterans behind the net would help the confidence of the rest of the team.

I really think that this is a good move. Well done, Garth…

What do you all think about it?

Posted under Cool A-C League, Islanders 09-10

The first week of the month is always bad for me. Accounting close means lots of hours. However, Tuesday sent me to the ER with a nine hour nose bleed. I ended up staying at home and working from the counter for two days, before returning to work for a 14 hour day.

But tonight – the Isles are back on the ice, for a meeting against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts, who lost in OT to Zach Parise and the Devils last night, are still in the running for the #1 draft pick. However, the task to obtain it would be mighty.

With the Isles still missing Okposo and Streit – the NHL’s leader in Man Games Lost is getting even higher into the stratosphere. Thursday’s game with the Habs showed the weaknesses of this team without its two cogs.

Against a team with the same amount of victories as our Isles, this will be an interesting matchup. Tampa will be without Vinny LeCavalier as he has surgery on his wrist. Of course the player to watch is Steven Stamkos, who is now at 21 goals. After a struggling start – he is showing signs on why he is indeed a star in the making.

Expect to see Joey Mac in net tonight, and think there will be a much spirited team that the one that was there 48 hours ago.

I hope to be blogging at the game, so check back. I will also have the locker room stuff after the game as well.

See ya tonight!

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09

Between work, and my mothers latest hospital stay, I have not been writing too much. However, I have some thoughts in my head.

1. The play… Saturday was a difficult game to swallow. Just when you thought that the Isles were moving in the right direction in the game, and got the score to 2-1 (nice goal by Amazing Andy Hilbert), the Flyers in the third pounced for three goals in 73 seconds, to make the game out of reach.

Danis was a tough luck customer. He has played so well for the Isles, he was due for a doozy, and he gave just that. I am sure he would have like a couple of mulligans for the game.

In my opinion, I thought Joey deserved the chance to play on Saturday after his amazing effort in New Jersey. He should be on the pipes for the afternoon matinee against Sid, Geno and the Pens.

For those of you who are still drooling for Tavares, we still have a good chance to get him. I just do not believe that the team should ‘tank’, or have the fans act like that. Note – athletes are ‘proud people’ and definitely would not just bring their play down, in order to gain a prospect. If it happens, so be it.

I believe that this is the right time, to get the kids in motion, and get them significant minutes. As the games go by, I think Gordo will do that.

2. Rumor mills have Campoli and or Bergenheim on the move. Let me take each one separately.

Campy – I think that his play has been counted on since the injury to Streit. He has logged major minutes on the PP and has been in the mid 20s in ice time. He is probably the player that would be the most wanted on this club at this time. (Weight – of course, would be the main one, but with the injury – that will not happen). You may be able to get a significant pick for him, because of the age factor, but I think he will not only remain an Islander, but will be here for a long time. It is not that you would build your team around him, but he can be an important cog. With Streit here for 4 more years, they can be a great 1-2 combo.

Bergy – He has had so many chances to shine but just has not come up to snuff. There are some that will comment about him (and I will not name names, Dee….), and defend him to the gills. I believe that he can be a serviceable NHL player, but I think that I will not happen on this team. I really think he needs a change of scenery, and his over-aggressiveness will be his detriment.

http://cdn.nhl.com/islanders/photos/mugs/8456464.jpg

3. Guerin – I think that it is a testament to his character that he has kept his no movement clause. He is totally devoted to his game, as well as the team that he is playing for. He would definitely be a player that would be wanted by teams that are looking for a serious playoff run. He could be that ‘rent-a-player’, but to his credit, he has put in his contract that he can not move. He is the type of player that I totally root for, and respect to the utmost. I would believe that he could be signed again and keep the captain here. He is great in the locker room, and I have seen some of the interaction with the other guys. He is a great guy, and although he is not the 40 goal scorer of the past, his contribution is more than most people know.

What to expect for tomorrow:

1. The Pens are struggling to even make the 8th spot in the playoffs. They were spanked by the Leafs 6-2 on Saturday night. They will be a team peeved off, and looking for bear.

2. Sid the Kid is on a roll of late, 12 points in the last 8 games, and loves to play against the Islanders. In 23 games against the Isles, he has 11 goals and 41 points. That is someone you have to watch.

3. Sergei Gonchar has returned to the lineup after a long injury. His presence on the blue line was sorely missed, and can be a big help in the rush to the post season.

4. The Isles are 0-3 against Pittsburgh this season, including a 9-2 drubbing at the Igloo. The Isles play two more times in Pittsburgh (Feb 25th and April 9th)

This sounds like a trouncing waiting to happen. The last games between the two at the Coliseum were interesting to say the least. On November 26th, the Islanders squandered a 3-0 lead, and lost 5-3 to the Pens, as Evgeni Malkin notched the game winner late in the 3rd. Earlier, on November 9th, the Islanders had a 3-1 lead in the third, and gave it up, and lost in the Shootout, when Tyler Kennedy got the puck past Joey MacDonald to give the Pens the two points.

Let’s start hoping that fate will NOT give us a third loss at home to Pittsburgh.

I will have a blog report from the Coliseum after the game tomorrow. Have a great day, and hope that we turn the tide around.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09

You can use all the cliches in the world:

Good effort
Solid play in all 3 zones
Decent Goaltending
Outshot opponent
Outhit opponent
Did not lose key faceoffs

All of that is good. But when the number under your team on the scoreboard is less than the opponent, it is a loss, no matter what happens.

Sign Dunny to a contract – you are back in the game, dude!

I am sure that there will be calls to other teams looking for a goaltender, if Joey’s injury is as bad as it sounded. From people I know in security at the Coli, he was crying in pain. That is not a good sign.

Glad to see Campy off the schneid. His game needs to lift up, and he looked a little better last night.

Good to see Nate and Franz back. Nielsen at times, did not look like he was injured in the way he was. He was not that timid, and played ok.

Danis did a nice job. The second goal – his defense did not help him on the odd man rush. His skills were much better than the previous time he was in net (remember that 9-2 flubbing in Pittsburgh?).

Again – a nice effort – but we will continue now to see the youngins in a lot more situations as the weeks go by. However, I still believe you need veteran leadership to be here, and if Guerin and Weight want to stay here, they should! Do you believe that, mister GM?

Posted under Islanders 08-09

Another rough loss last night, and to make matters worse, the Isles head into Philly, a beaten and hurting team.

Sutton and Thompson are out, Fritz and Callahan replace them.

We are heading to ECHL players real soon, if this keeps up.

I agree with Chris Botta, as much as losing another body is a tough thing, I think Bailey SHOULD play the WJC’s in a few weeks. Confidence up the wazoo, and this is what 18 and 19 year old Canadian’s DREAM of playing in. This should be a no brainer for Garth. Let him go.

I know that in this league, anyone can go into a building and pull off a gem. However, the Isles have lost, I believe, 6 in a row in Philly, and they are playing well of late. This is going to look bad.

Comrie, I hear, is back soon… I see a lot of excitement coming from that comment….

I really think that Joey Mac needs a break tonight. I know that Danis had a meltdown in his one game here, but what the heck, let’s see what he has, against a team like the Flyers. Ricky is 3 weeks away from the lineup, and I think Joey needs a day to contemplate life, and other variables.

Question of the Day? Will Fritz see more than 2 minutes tonight?

I like Comeau first two games back. Energy, and smartness. This is the player that many were expecting to see on the Island, not the one that was invisible in camp and exhibitions.

As far as last night, it was nice to hear the comments of one Mr. Blake. He spent a long time here, and deserved, in some cases, a better fate, but he takes it all in stride and moves forward. Nice job!

We get Pittsburgh on Thursday, and Columbus on Saturday. Tonight’s game is on Versus, which means all of the US can see how horrible we really have been. And also – to have other announcers tell us how rough we look.

Just what I need on a Tuesday evening.

Enjoy it – well – tolerate it.

Posted under Islanders 08-09

The main thing that I noticed about the recent winning streak, is that the guys were always moving, and the the battles were mostly being won by the Islanders.

Last night -this was jiust not happening.

It was a touch time for Joey too. Jut some difficult bounces and nearly impossible shots. Especially the one that was bouncing and hit a skate before passing the netminder.

In typical cliche fashion, the boys have to get themselves back on the horse, and get ready for a Buffalo team that has been in shambles.

They lost 7-4 on Wednesday night against Boston, where Ryan Miller looked lost. He was also in net for the 4-0 loss to the Flyers. The Sabres had a few 5 on 3′s but did not take advantage. They come home tonight and can be a team in distress, as well as pissed beyond belief.

This is a similar situation as was the game against Ottawa last weekend. A team in distress. The Isles have to tackle this team in the same manner than they did with the Sens.

Not just making plays, but causing havoc, and putting shots to the net. That is the goal of the game. They have to reverese the beating of opening day weekend. This is good time to make the opportunity to reverse the game.

Good to get on the wagon less than a day after a tough loss. Now, the Isles are 1-3 in the Metro mug standings. Well – we will enjoy the trophy for as long as we can, because I just do not believe that we will hold it after April of next year.

Posted under Islanders 08-09

60 is an interesting number.

It is the number of minutes in an hour. The number of seconds in a minute. To many – 60 is the start of the golden years of one’s life (many will argue that the number to that is getting higher, because many at 60 act and feel younger than that – and I believe it 100%).

To Scott Gordon – 60 is utopia. And this is his exit.

Last night – he achieved that nirvana-like number, and twenty other guys were getting off that exit.

Now – if every trip, they get on this Exit, instead of Route 40, or 50…

Solid game by all, outshooting them, executing plays, pinpoint passing, making solid decisions, especially in the third stanza.

Now is the type of game, that Snow and Gordon were envisioning for this club.

And to make things even better, in Ottawa, a place where they are just about horrible in… This team over its past 42 games before last season, only won 5 games. Last season, the Isles were 2 for 4.

Now – 1 and 0 for the rematch tomorrow night.

Congrats to Josh Bailey for getting point number 1 last night. Great sense of mind to get that pass over to Okie for a blast. I can see Kyle getting dozens of goals each year from that same spot. It was where he got goal number 1. I can get used to that.

Bergie is looking better and better with the Good ol boys Dougie and Billy. They work hard, and got good results with goal number 3.

And don’t get me started on Trent… Well – you can. That work by him to lift Kuba’s stick, and make that move on Auld was simply brilliant.

Joey Mac, after surrendering that early PP goal (on a penalty that was bush to say the least), was flawless. He challenged shooters, and was sharp, especially when he had to move side to side. He had one Ricky D dangling lost moment, but he recovered quickly.

I have never heard the Ottawa crowd that angry at their team. They have been so used to success in the past, that they are letting their players and coaches know about it. I think this team will rebound, but hopefully, not tomorrow.

I will not be in the Blog Box tomorrow – I will be in my seats. I will not be at Monday’s game (too much work), so I will not blog live until the day before Thanksgiving.

And by the way, 45 years ago today (just before midnight – to be exact), a woman gave birth to a five pound eight ounce baby boy, that had some difficulties coming into the world. His umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck, and it wasn’t an easy delivery. However, he turned out fine, and today counts every blessing he has. On this birthday, I say thank you to my mom, for bringing me into this world. I am thankful for having my family, and especially my wonderful wife, who I can honestly say is the best thing that has ever entered my life!

Please make sure that you thank the people in your life that have meaning to you every day. Not just Thanksgiving! Family and friends are a gift that should be cherished every moment. Even in these tough times, without them, it would be a difficult road to travel.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09, Ramblings

Thank God for Campy… Well – he made his mother’s birthday complete! Really had a hat trick with the first one of the two going through and out of the net… But he will take two and like it!

Another collapse in period 3. What is it? Missed assignments, a little lax in chasing pucks. Losing battles left and right. You would think they would have learned their lesson after Saturday’s Debacle with Montreal.

There was some good signs… Richard Park finally got one in. He has been doing well the last 5 games. So has the Captain. What a move he made to get the 2nd goal out of the box. Campy has done well, since returning to the lineup. Sutton has made the defense a little bigger and stronger.

Hunter with four helpers in 2 games. (Congrats for Player of the Month for NYI) Joey Mac had a decent game, not brilliant, but workman like. He should be back in tonight at the Isles head to the Garden.

My Three Isles Stars.

3. Park – 1G 4A in last 4 games – picking up the pace
2. Hunter – 2A last night – all around good game
1. Campoli – 2G – makes momma proud.

Posted under Islanders 08-09

1st period

Got here at 645 – loaded with Ranger fans… Ugh!

MacDonald in net – Hilbert Thompson and Sim up front – Pock and Streit on D.

20 seconds before Potvin chant started…. 56 seconds in – Rangers get a lucky goal that bounced off MacDonald as he was getting back to the net. It is going to be a looooooong night!

1:45 – Isles showing a little pressure – get a PP – this is crucial! Great start — 2 shots by Neilsen and Streit. Nice vision by Weight to see Hunter in front – for a one time in the slot. Nice save by Lundqvist.

4:40 – Kyle got a golden opportunity up front and missed high. Zherdev with some bad mistakes so far (although he got an assist on the Drury goal).

5:31 – another PP = keep the pressure on… Not as much – 1 shot through 90 seconds.

So far – not so bad…. If we can get rid of those 1st minute period goals (I think that is 4 for the season so far).

8: 37 – Gervais – holding – lets see how the PK does…. Joey – nice 2 point blank saves on Naslund… Great job. Cleaing up the garbage in front of the net….

11:54 – Ises getting sloppy and slow. Need to pick up the tempo.

Can not blog and watch game. Will give a little more analysis during 2nd frame.

And sure enough, as I walk away from the blog, to visit my wife, Okie scores, at 19:52.

Note: my buddy, Chris Pepe told me that DP’s situation is a lower body injury, not related to the knee, and will need further evaluation…. Makes you go hmmmmm..

2nd Period

4:25 – Drury hit in the shield with the puck… Nothing much going on at this point.

4:41 – Hillen – bad penalty — taking down Prucha. Rangers to PP

6:54 – Park inadvertently clipped Zherdev – 2 man PP for 1:12 – time for Isles to get real focused… Ranger take time out – Bruno – Campi and Thompson. 1 penalty down – only 1 shot for the Rangers. Nice job by Campy and Bruno. Great job by Streit. His d lately is NOT a liability.

Hearing the Let’s go Islanders chants now. Crowd getting into it, and Dee is bopping next to me.

The ice tonight is as choppy as it was on Saturday. Actually, it is worse.

Voros – Thompson fight – nice job by Nate – and Voros actually pnched himself (credit to Doug – my fellow blog boxer)

Point blank save by MacDonald on Dubinsky.

16:16 – Callahan scores off of a deflection in front of the net. First fight in the stands… Section 330. That is when you know that you ARE at a Ranger-Islander game…. 5 minutes later – still some movement by the security guards.

2 periods in the books – and only down 2-1 – I will take that. Just need to keep the sustained pressure going, and get some good chances. Joey Mac is keeping these guys in the game.

Assessment by the blog boxers… They are happy with Joey right now.

So far after 2 – 10 of 25 shots by Isles on man advantage. Okposo with 5 shots, Sim with 4. Park, Okposo and Comrie +1, Pock -2, Streit with 18:12 TOI leads both teams. Skinner with only 4:44 low on the Isles – Orr with 1:56 – low for the Rangers.

3rd period

What do we need…. Pucks and bodies on net, that is paramount. Will we get it? 20 minutes to find out…

2:17 – penalty on Zherdev – PP meeds to score now! And Guerin screwed that up, tugging on Sjostrom’s stick while in the o-zone. Back to the corner of the room for that infraction.

Joey Mac playing a strong game, trying to keep it as simple as possible. So is “AMAZING” Andy Hilbert. Good PK – nice job.

Bergenheim – doing his Walt “Clyde” Frazier impersanation with the puck, and grabbed Zherdev as the first penalty was called, and then got one himself… Whoops.

6:42 – MacDonald took a shot off the side of his melon, but looks to be ok. It hurt just watching it.

6:52 – the crucial 2 goal lead just happened on a 4 on 4. The shot by Gomez just snuck over the shoulder of MacDonald. Now the Rangers fans wont keep quiet. Right now – the Isles need to get some chances to the net, and make some traffic like they did in the 2nd and 3rd the other night.

Another skirmish in section 337.

Bergenheim clipped Voros – Weight got 2 for hi sticks. 5 on 3 – god – we have to kill this. And Drury scores again – 4-1. That does it. Now the obnoxiousness begins. Another fight in 339.

Now the building is 3/4 Ranger fans. At least we can say that our team woke up Drury. Park with a breakway – deflected away.

Security going up to 314 now. The yellow shirts are having a busy night tonight!

Voros laid out a nasty hit on Hillen. Guerin stood up for his teammate. The fights are all over the stands. It is a war in Uniondale.

Three Islander Stars of the Game.

3. Okposo – 1st goal of the year
2. Guerin – stood up to big bad Voros – I like that.
1. MacDonald – Kept the team in the game.
1.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09

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