I have been critical of #30.

I know that Joe the Goalie – I approved your comment. It was more of a frustration comment – more than anything else.

All I care about – is the boys get a little more confidence now that they have a win. This team was SPANKED ROYALLY be Carolina last year, and when Staal and Jokinen scored within 2 minutes of each other, just about every serious Islander fan had to have said…

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

But this time – Cam Ward did his sieve impersonation, but to his defense, Tambellini, Nielsen and Tavares made some great moves that very few goalies would have stopped.

Kudos to Sutton, and Martinek for the STRONG games they played last night. I loved the energy Park had as well – then again – when do you NOT?

Just a happy day in Islander Country. Enjoy it folks!

Posted under Islanders 09-10

With kudos to my friend Dee Karl – courtesy of HockeyBuzz.com (and here is the link to her article)

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Dee-Karl/Isles-Sign—-Another-Goaltender/129/22601

The Isles got Nathan Lawson under contract. Lots of goalies for the ‘Port and for Utah. Along with Ricky, Marty B and Rollie… Shakey is going to work on a lot of goalie equipment at training camp in Saskatoon….

Well – as fans – we were concerned about the goalie position. Now – thanks to Garth – it should NOT be an issue this season.

Have a good day folks…

Posted under Islanders 09-10, Ramblings

Two of them in two consecutive nights. Six games in a row, that the Leafs have had to play past the 60 minute mark. But they live for the extra time, apparently, and goals from Jason Blake an Tim Stapleton (first NHL Game), gave the visitors the extra point.

Two two-goal deficits overcome by the Isles showed they were in the game, and did not want to give up and croak. This is one thing that this 30th place team is not doing.

Kudos to Bergy for a great short-handed goal.

And yes – Witt did lead with the elbow. Not intentional, but when you are without a stick, the hands will tend to come up. He faces a meeting in the NHL offices today. Probably my guess will be a 1 or 2 game suspension.

My Three Stars

3. Jack Hillen – his play has improved greatly since his responsibilities increased
2. Sean Bergenheim – Stay out of sin bin, and your play improves. Getting quite smart lately
1. Mark Streit – showing why he IS an ALL-STAR

Will be in my seats for tomorrow (for a change). I will try and go down and get some quotes and such. I will not be at next two after that.

Have a great day and a great weekend!

Posted under Islanders 08-09

Andy Hilbert, Trent Hunter, Doug Weight, Chris Campoli….

Come on down! You are the next contestants in the Islanders wheel of lineups!

Glad to see you back!

With the 5+ days to rest and relax, the boys should get back to practice today, ready to hit the ground running to their next game, Thursday in Atlanta. The Isles need to get this win to avoid the shutout from the Thrashers. Atlanta has played a bit better, since the announcement of Ilya Kovalchuk as the newest captain (a ploy to keep him there, in my opinion). Having Dougie and the other three back in the lineup will be a help.

Trent Hunter – who hasnt scored in 15 – needs some confidence. This opening game should be the conduit to get him going. I would be interested to see how Kyle Okposo, who was blue flame hot before the break, will come out in his first few games back. I can understand how he was not at the ‘young stars’ game (strictly on stats – he would not). But if he continues his hot recent past, it could spring him to consideration for the Calder.

There was some discussion on some of the boards concerning Josh Bailey, and can you send him to Juniors. At this point, the arguments are still going to be the same… WHY? Windsor is doing so well, and does not need him. Why subject him to juniors. He is hanging in there – and although the numbers are not as good as I think they would have wanted, he is improving in many other aspects of the game (physicality, face offs, among others). When the season is over, he can go to the Port for the playoffs, and can help there.

Kudos to Witt – for Don Cherry’s comments about him on Sunday during the all-star game. He loves his warrior mentality, and considers him an all-star! In all but the -27, I agree!

Well boys – get ready for Atlanta, and welcome back!

Posted under Islanders 08-09

With the 10 game streak done, the Isles are playing much better lately, especially on the defensive side of the rink. Not allowing much on 5 on 5 lately, ironically after the comments by Witt, are a good sign that the team is improving.

As we all know, Islander teams improve when they go to the Garden, regardless of the hows and wheres. The guys always get up for it, and in the past few years, there are a lot of Orange and Blue in the stands. If you can not get up for a game like this, you need some serious kool-aid.

Now – for the other night – a great effort against the Leafs. I think that there were very few negatives to take from this game. All four lines were real good, and the D were playing smartly.

By the way – my three stars from that game:

3. Okposo – 2 points – and his best game as an Islander
2. Ricky – welcome back, and played well to boot
1. Guerin – congrats on 400

We all thought Bailey got #1 – but to no avail.

On the Buffalo match – the Isles looked well, and played a fantastic finish. They did not give up, as well as not looked like a team in desperation in the last few minutes. Again – I thought Kyle O played a great game. He seemed to mature two years on the ice in a few days. His set up of Campoli for the last second shot was brilliant. Great to see Tinkerbell finally get on the scoresheet. I just wish he would stop pushing his pixie dust, and make non-highlight-attempt passes to open guys. Defenses have to know that 89 is going to try something cute, so they just gang up on him, and oops, a gaffe!

It was real tough to lose Amazing Andy H. He has played so well, and deserves a great deal of kudos from the fans. Hopefully the ‘hairline’ won’t keep him out as much as Plus Champ Andy S. Good to see Silly back. He was kept out for the back to back, and I hope that within the next few games, that his experience gets to help this stat… The faceoff. This team is winning only about 40% of the time lately, and it hasn’t bit them in the butt, at least yet…

Tonight – the Rangers, fresh off a beating at home against the Devs. This team should just decline power play opportunities, and play 5 on 5. They have 11 shorties given up, by far, the worst in the NHL. 26th on the PP, with all of that talent. Interesting to see how they come out tonight.

And as for the “King”? He has looked mighty mortal lately. Is it the number of games, or is it the playboy life? Hmmmm??? Have another Apple Martini, Henry?

Well – hopefully it is the typical Islander-Ranger game, that brings the passion of this rivalry to a peak! Enjoy it – and talk next on Wednesday. I will be at the game to end the year.

Have a great one! And hopefully, 2 points in our box.

Posted under Islanders 08-09

Would you want to bring HIM home to your family?

I am sure that he will still be booded and jeered every time he comes on the ice. The image is still prevalent to Islander fans everywhere.

The Stars got totally pasted last night against the Devs. NJ looked awesome and Turco was definitely not himself. I am sure that Mr. Tippet will have these guys pumped for tonight. Dallas has not started that well, and this will be a game to make a serious point.

The Isles in the good game, bad game mode, are in for a good game, and with three days off, the guys should be ready to breathe fire. DP will be in net for the first time in the home sweater. Interested to see how the fans react to him. Kudos to MacDonald for the great job that he did. I hope that Gordon will work on using him more frequently than other coaches that used their backups.

Will be in the Blog Box tonight for periods 1 and 3. I will sit in my seat with my wife in period 2. Well – I have not been there this season, and I need to feel that old seat for a little while. I will try and blog during the game. If you are on AOL, IM me (nyibc1), or on MSN (nyiboosterclub@hotmail.com).

See you then!

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

Paul Maurice

Bob Hartley

Scott Gordon

The final three… Will it resemble a final round of a Miss America Competition, where one answer to one question will give the finalist a chance to win…

My question to each candidate:

1. Maurice. Paul – what motivation tools will you use to get the youngsters going, when it seems that they are struggling with their play?

2. Hartley. Bob, there are times that you have seem to be down on the younger talent. What makes us think that you will not go back to that same attitude that seemed to be your undoing in Atlanta?

3. Gordon. Scott, we know your experience with the young talent; what do you see yourself doing to get the older talent to get moving in your direction?

Look – I am not Bert Parks, but hey – it’s a start.

I still look for Hartley. I am just of the opinion that brining up people to their first NHL coaching job, is enough. I want someone with experience. I know that Hartley is not the best with the youngins, but I think he can be. The relationship with coach and GM is a paramount, and Garth does have it with Bob.

well – that is my hope.

I came back from the NHL Booster Club Convention in Chicago. It was a great time! The five crazy women that ran this whole show, did a tremendous job, and deserve all the kudos.

No other news to report….

Posted under Booster Club, Cool A-C League, Islanders 08-09