All of the Islander reviews for this season is being done on my sister blog – EYES ON ISLES (www.eyesonisles.com).  Myself, and John Panarese are taking turns, grading the guys.  This is my post from the Eyes on Isles site, on #16, Jon Sim.

Stats: 77GP 13G 9A 22PTS 44PM

An enigma if there ever was one.  Simmer is the kind of a player that his role would be more relished on a stronger team than the Islanders.  He is a pest, a person that will tick off the front line, plays much bigger than he actually is – and can get involved in the offense as the situation dictates.

At the end of 08-09 – he was languishing in Bridgeport – wondering if he would be an NHL’er again.  As the season ended, he was playing good minutes and getting the team fired up.  You always see him slapping gloves and sticks of his teammates, and trying to get the guys pumped up.  He is never going to be a top6 forward, but a 3rd line agitator is a good choice.

I will give him a B- for this year, only because there were some moments in this season, where he was as lost as  Oceanic 815 (No – I never watched a second of LOST, but I know the flight number).  However, in the right situation – he may help a team tremendously.  Will he be signed next season?  I have my doubts.  He is a warrior and a good team guy, but Garth needs to take this team to the next level; and too many ‘good guys’ will just not do it.  He needs ‘better than good guys’ to mold with the Tavares’ and Moulsons of this team, as well as the kids that are coming.

Posted under 2009-10 Review

The folks of the Quebecois persuasion know how to get the tickets to the Islander games, that’s for sure.

There were hundreds upon hundreds of  Bleu, Blanc and Rouge at the Coli last night, and you would think if you were just listening, that you were in Centre Bell.

However, it was an Islander home game.

Despite being down a couple of times in the 3rd period, the Isles responded, and ultimately got the second point from the skills competition, sending the Habs fans home unhappy.

This team, even with them being out of the playoff dance, are playing their hearts out, and are not settling for just ending the season.  The grit, determination, and overally intensity is up, and the results show in the “W” column.

For anyone that has the audacity to say that the team should ‘tank’ it – and try to get a better position for a Tyler Hall or Seguin or some other hot prospect, should be just shot!  As a professional athlete, especially a hockey player, can not just drop their play level.  They are the proudest bunch of the athletes in professional ranks, and I am proud to follow these guys.

Poor Blake Comeau – hurts his leg (foot), in the first period, after scoring again.  Such a shame he was not among the top 3 of last week.  He should have been there.  Hopefully, he will be able to suit up for the remaining 3.

Sean Bergenheim was all over the place.  He was a pest, and made some great moves in the offensive zone.  I just wish this intensity was around all year, but I am happy it is here now.  Something so positive to bring to next season.

Would any of us thought that we could say that Marty Biron is 7-0-2 in his last 9?  Wow!  The ultimate team player, and I so wish he comes back next season.

From first hand knowledge – this is a great locker room.  The guys ALL get along so well, and all seem to enjoy playing together.  Even with Jon Sim in his face last week , Andy Sutton, would not rule out coming back to play here next season.  That says BUNCHES about the character of this team.

Just so appreciate that this team is ending the season on such a high note.  They are currently 17 points ahead of last season with 3 games left.

I just hope that more and more folks in Islander Country appreciate the overall effort of the team.  Yes, we did not make the playoffs, but unlike last season, there are a great deal of glimpses of hope, that a corner will be turned again.  With a positive outlook, cap space galore, the continued improvement of the current corps, and the talent that is ready to come up – you have to look forward to 2010-11. 

If you are not aboard the Islander train – we can stop it – and let you come on in.

Posted under Islanders 09-10

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.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

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.

__________________________________________________________________

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.

____________________________________________________________

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

After 40 minutes of play – the Bruin fans were at their worst. They could not believe that the Islanders got three goals in the second stanza, and were really taking it to the Eastern Conference regular season champs. The Isles were outshooting the B’s at almost a 2-1 clip. They were getting to the rebounds, and winning the battles to the pucks.

With about 9 minutes to go – there was a buzz in the air, that the Bruins would be losig their third straight game at home.

However…… As an Islander fan – we have seen too much in the last couple of years that the team can crumble.

They unfortunately did just that.

Let’s look at the positives, shall we?

JT… Enough said. 5 points in 3 games, and just does not look like a rookie. He is doing exactly what he is supposed to do.

Jon Sim. Dont you just love it that he just goes after such larger players. He had to jump to stand toe to toe with Zdeno Chara, but he has NO Fear!

Matt Moulson – just keeps getting involved in the play, and being a factor for the Isles.

Basically, to summarize the forwards, I can not be disappointed in their play. However, this entire team just looked like the aggressiveness just disappeared when the clock went under 10 minutes remaining.

Defense: I was just not thrilled with the back line last night. Bruno Gervais, who in my opinion grew by leaps and bounds, looked confused and indecisive. He just did not seem to make a lot of right decisions. Even though that he made a crucial defensive assist in front of Roloson – I am extremely disappointed in his play. Although Martinek got the opening goal of the game – the back six as a group just failed to impress as the game went on.

Goaltending – For 50 minutes – Dwayne Roloson was sharp. Although two of the three goals in regulation were not totally his fault, it was the shootout, that totally disgusted me. He has faced five shots in the shootout. Four goals, and a post.

Let me repeat. Four goals and a post. NOT ONE SAVE.

That has to be not only identified, but the point made – this MUST improve. Why would a goalie that played a solid effort – be that bad one on one? It boggles the mind.

Well – I believe that it is only Toronto and the Islanders are the only teams that do not have a victory this season. However, only three teams, including the Islanders, have NOT lost in regulation. That is a surprising stat, and is showing that the Isles are hanging in there. But as it happened a great deal last season, the third period proved to be an achilles heel to this team. Not only many times did they allow teams to come back in games, the Isles seemed to give the opponent the green light to thrive. The boys need to keep the aggressiveness that got them the lead in the first 40 through the next 20. Hopefully the message sinks in further and the team rebounds to get the first W on the ledger.

Tune in – in 36 hours, to see if that happens again.

_______

Go whale!

As I mentioned earlier – my wife and I got tickets with the Hartford Whalers Booster Club to attend the game. Yes folks, I said the Hartford Whalers Booster Club. They are a fan club that has continues to not only exist, but function as an organization, having meetings, running trips, and still staying involved in the game of hockey.

To the fans of the Whalers, it is still tough to watch hockey when it is not your own team, even 12 years after their team left the capital city of Connecticut.

“Yes, I still cry about it!”, said Joanne Cortesa from Hartford, a member of the Booster Club for over two decades. “I have gone to Wolfpack (the AHL team in Hartford – a Ranger affiliate) game one last year, but I was bored.”

Although the Wolfpack are a decent draw, many fans will stay away from the Civic Center, until an NHL team returns. There have been petitions drawn up with over 15,000 signatures on them, and there are groups that are trying to look into getting a new arena in downtown Hartford to either lure a team to Connecticut, or get a expansion team there.

The nearly 100 Boosters of the Whalers are still involved in the community. Every year, they still provide a scholarship for a college bound hockey player (both a girl and a boy).

If you are interested in finding out more about the Whalers Booster Club, and other information about Hartford, please visit www.whalerwatch.com.

Have a good Sunday! I will be heading back to the ferry in New London and then back to Long Island. Will be off from Work on Monday – so I will be at the game Monday afternoon.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

Guys are getting healthy on this team right now….

I am just not used to saying that, especially from last year’s woes. The Captain, Doug Weight, is skating with authority, and will be ready to go on Thursday, as the Isles head to Canada for their road opener against the Sens.

“The team is pretty healthy, and that’s important. With a young team, if you’re not healthy, that can be a big problem”, said Weight to the media after practice yesterday.

This is a good sign.

Also – Blake Comeau was also out on the ice, after an illness forced him out of the opener on Saturday. Defensemen Brendan Witt took a nasty shot to the skate at practice, but like the warrior he is, is back out on the ice, and should be ready to go.

Newly acquired Rob Schremp is also skating and will play on a line with Josh Bailey and Jon Sim on Thursday. The Syrcause, NY native is highly looking to show the naysayers what he has in the tank. A self-professed Rangers fan growing up (for which he CAN be forgiven — everyone has their mistakes), he is “ecstatic” to make his mark on this team, and get to play every day.

Joel Rechlicz was sent back to Bridgeport to make room for the new guys in the lineup. Hopefully the raw talent will get some significant playing time in the “A”, which is just what he needs.

Already, the rumor mill is buzzing. According to reports from ESPN.com, Marty Biron is actively on the Red Wings radar. After sub-par efforts from both Chris Osgood, and Jimmy Howard (another player that just has not gotten the proper chance to prove his worth), the Wings can see a benefit from getting Biron – who has proved himself in both Buffalo and Philly. I think Garth will definitely wait a good amount of time, before making any kind of decision as to moving a goaltender.

The Isles, on Saturday, will continue onto Boston for a Saturday night showdown with the big bad Bruins. I will be in attendance that game, and will have some commentary about the game, as well as the Hartford Whalers Booster Club, who got me the tickets for the game. I will talk about their loyalty to the Whale after over a decade out of the NHL game. They are an interesting story, and a great bunch of die-hard fans, who deserve an NHL team to call their own again.

Have a great day, all…

Posted under Islanders 09-10

Hanging around a hospital waiting room can make you a little nutzo. I figured I would write a little, and take away some of the anxiousness and thoughts. Although my mothers surgery is routine (skin graft), she is 82, and has a history of breathing issues and COPD to boot. So…..

I decided to come up with some thoughts that have been entering my mind after 5 completed games. The thoughts are random, because right now, I am random.

1. Scoring down, goals against up. – this is one of those statistics that if you break it out by 16 (16 * 5 = 80), it makes us look bad. To me, the only numbers I am looking at is 2-3. A lot on the boards are complaining and moaning, but hey, at least we have two wins. Look at Philly (0), Tampa (0), Anaheim (1) and Calgary (1). It is not so bad yet…. Don’t jump off the ship… and you know who you are…

2. What happened to Jon Sim? I guess he is just not used to playing so many games….. (bad joke, I know). He as pushed down to the 4th line, and his T.O.I. has dropped significantly. He is just not being the ‘pest’ that he was in the first two games of the season. Those kind of players will get their games back. It is just usually a ‘brain fart’ and back in the saddle again. I expect him to play much stronger against Dallas (one of his old stomping grounds).

3. The “Streit” Confidence factor. He is not scoring goal yet, but #2 has logged some serious minutes for the Isles this season, and it is just not all offensive situations. He has been seriously relied upon for the PK and major 5 on 5 situations. He has responded ok. With Martinek on the shelf again, he will be needed more and more, until him, Sutton and Campy return to the lineup.

4. Gordon leaving… What dope was on the serious spiked Kool-Aid when they said that they thought the coach was leaving after 3 games. Do they write for a soap opera in their spare time too? Maybe they will come up with a cliff hanger that a player will develop a serious illness an die on the training table too? Scott is here for a while and hopefully, when the guys fully endear to his style of play, the team will be better.

5. Tinkerbell… My name for Mike Comrie. It is not that I do not like the guy, I do… but he seems to try and dodge a play, or try and make a ‘too cute’ effort, to get an “ESPN” like move. You would figure for a player of his age, that has now been on 5 different teams, that maybe, just maybe, he would get the idea that he needs to change his style a little and adapt. Hey Mike, here is an idea, you have a stick, and the object is to take that stick and strike the puck towards a goal. Copying a line from Nike, JUST DO IT!

6. Line changing – going back to Scott for a second, I am glad he is making small changes. I like Ted, but it seemed that he changed lines so much (even from period to period), that I could imagine what hewas like on an extra value line at Burger King. Scott seems to be making changes, and trying to keep them going for a little while, before attempting another change. I know that this is only 5 games into the tenure, and I could be proven wrong a little bit, but I am liking the approach. He is not wavering his philosophy and we will wait and see what happens.

7. DP – I am glad to say that he played a good game on Saturday night. The first goal, I think no one would have stopped. The second… well, but overall, he made some great saves, and kept his team in the battle. He looked good going from side to side, and did not seem to let his injuries get the best of him. Gordon started him slowly, and it seemed that everyone wanted to kill him for that. But once again, I applaud that fact that he stuck to his guns. MacDonald, for the most part, played a yeoman like effort and he seems to be relied upon when needed.

8. Crowds – for the most part, the first two games were loud and almost filled. I am interested to see how much we get this weekend. Dallas on a Thursday night does not scream “WALKUPS!” Carolina on Saturday should be interesting as well. The team is promoting games, and doing what they can, and I know that they are trying. Some people do not believe how much the back office is doing, but I am one that believes they are. Fans are so fickle, and have been hurt so much, that I can totally understand their feelings. However, give it a chance. Rome wasn’t built in a day. It make take more years, but I have the feeling that eventually, it all will work.

9. Blog box – yes, the number of people involved has increased, but I think that is all good. For the first part, a number of them are not able to come every game, so when they can, it gives them the chance to get involved. For others like me, BD, Mike and those who have season tickets, we will be there to report. I have heard that their were some issues with the people they chose. I happen to think that they got a good cross-section of people, opinions, and styles, that encompass some or all Islander fans to some point. I think it is fine, and I am glad that I am being welcomed to this new fraternity.

10. The NHL in general. Interesting how some of the team have started this season. The Rangers with their 5 game win streak, before going 1-2-1 in the last 4. San Jose looks outstanding. Detroit, well, uh, theu are Detroit. And tell me why in the hell, did Chicago yank Savard just 4 games in? What were they thinking? And for Quenville, his crying that he was going to take the year off before coming back to the game? I am glad you are not a politician, Joel!

11. – Sheffield Steelers report. Right now – after 11 regular season games,the Sheffield Steelers of the UK Elite Ice Hockey Leauge sit in 5th place in their 10 team league with a record of 7-2-2 for 16 points. Belfast are top of the table with 20. The Challenge Cup semi-final berth has eluded the Steelers, and the Belfast Giants and the Manchester Phoenix will get the top 2 spots from Group A. Ashley Tait, a UK born star, leads the team with 9 goals and 18 points in 14 total games played.

Wow – this went fast, and I wrote almost 1,200 words on this. It helps when you have time to do this. And my Mom has not even gotten into the surgery yet. I have a few hours, so I may edit this and add some more, or just make another post. I hope you are having a good day.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09, Player Analysis, Ramblings

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

The sun is out (with a little clouds, but nevertheless, a dry day today), and it is sunny skies for the Isles on their preseason debut.

Albeit, half the team is youngsters and junior players looking to make a squad, but it is still the Orange and Blue, no matter who is donning the sweater at this point.

Nice to see Jon Sim back and playing. There is betting at Ladbrokes (a UK betting firm) to see if Sim makes it to more than 5 periods this season. I am betting that this will happen…. Sim will make a big presence on this team for the 08-09 season. He is the type of guy that if he can play to his potential, he will allow other players to be able to maximize their potentials. You look at the Atlanta Thrashers two seasons ago, and Sim was a major pain in the butt on his opponents, and we all know what happened to the Thrashers in 06-07? They won the South East Division for the first time. Yes, the Rangers beat them in a sweep in the first round, but the contribution of Sim to the Thrashers team was crucial to their success. That need to continue for the Islanders this season.

Rumor mill… We are hearing once again – that Ricky may not start the season. From others in the know – I would seriously DOUBT that statement. Patience and restraint will need to be placed on #39 shoulders, and I know that coach Gordon will do just that.

I see that Campoli had an undisclosed injury last night. This scares me – and we need to keep our d-men healthy for this team to be successful.

Good start for the guys. I know we have another game tonight (not sure on opponent, because I have not surfed that much today). We have to keep the momentums going. With a young team like these guys, preseason success can mean a lot. It is the veteran teams that it does not matter as much if the team goes 8-1 or 1-8.

As for Orlando – chance of rain all week, but the weather held out for the most part. Went to Epcot yesterday – always a nice place to go…. Friday, it is off to Ocala for my nephew’s wedding. By the way, I have a time share at the Marriott Grande Vista. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it to anyone. To check it out, go to this link
If you are interested in checking it out – please let me know. I could get you a deal on a vacation visit (with NO OBLIGATION – but a 90 minute visit to the sales office), but honestly, once you go, you may get hooked. We did, and I do not regret it for one second.

As they say here – have a GRANDE day!

Posted under Islanders 08-09, Ramblings