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

Thoughts at warmup…

Blake back – and Tamby down. Conditioning or not – Jeff needs this. He is jut not producing, and whether fans think it is their screaming about it that caused the demotion or not – this move HAD to be done by Garth. This kid needs a 100% adrenaline shot of confidence.

Comeau has done well to deserve this promotion, so let’s see what he does with it. We all know what happened in September and October.

Starting for the home side tonight…

MacDonald
Streit
Campoli
Park
Thompson
Jackman

Hopefully, their energy will give the boys a shot in the gut.

20 seonds in – penalty for Atlanta. Wouldn’t it be nice for us to score in the first minute, instead of the other way around. Bailey on 1st PP Unit. And sure enough – 51 seconds in – we do it – great shot by Guerin on the off wing. Great piece f work to start the game.

And yes, I screamed, “It’s a POWER PLAY GOAL, %%%% Sam Rosen, and Joe Micheletti too”. It is a 317 Section special. Keep the legs moving and intensity up boys.

Last 90 seconds brought Atlanta back in the game, and they dominated play. However, for whatever reason, I was confident, because the Isles kept skating, blocking shots, and keep up to the pressure.

3:56 P1 – Penalty on Streit for hooking. Need to keep moving and attack the puck. LikeAmazing Andy Hilbert’s play on the PK. He is so smooth. Had a great scoring chance. Kovalchuk looks lost without a good partner. He always had someone; Heatley, Hossa. Now with no one – we can see why this team is last in the NHL, and he is under a point a game and only 8 goals on the season.

Two great chances by Comeau in front of the net. I think he gets this system now!

Really looks like Sim just enjoys to play against his old mates. As does Sutton.

Another PP for the Isles. Silly getting a chance on the PP on the 2nd unit. Great chance on Goal at the end by Silly, but the Atlanta defender got a piece of the stick.

And yes, another PP for the Isles as Crabb clipped an Isles player at the end of the shift. Back to Bailey, Guerin and Weight. Sloopy work this shift.

So far – the Isles play has been ok – but when Atlanta has had the opportunity to dictate the play – they have been good.

Jackman and Thorburn with a fight – and Tim with a overwhelming TKO and a throw down as well. Thorburn looked like an old rag doll.

The last five minutes have been bouncing back and forth, with not a great deal of continuity, but at least in this period, the Isles have been skating hard, and making their own chances.

Atlanta scored with 2:16 left – Brian Little right in front of Joey Mac on a broken play, pushes it through the legs to even it up. Who would have thought that Bryan Little would have as many points as Kovlchuk.

Bailey got a nice hit on him in open ice. Good to see the rest of the team come in and protect the honor. Hilbert gets 2 for roughing on the play, but I like to see that intensity when it comes down to protecting your fellow players.

Other than that – the same lineup as the other evening.

Bad news about Okie. I know that he was aching to get back, and now another setback and now out until after the New Year. Tough situation for him, but it seems that he has the cool head to be able to not only handle it, but work on Josh Bailey to get his confidence going. That is what I call a teammate.

—-
2nd Period – Shots were 9-6 Isles after 1.

Isles get an early power play again – another chance to make some things happen. However – once again – stymied. Isles now 1/4 on PP.

Jackman has a nice, low, hard shot. I can see why he was a 2nd round pick.

Pretty much back and forth non-excitement. A few players making some good plys, but nothing much else.

Just as I talk about Kovalchuk, he makes a beautiful move to beat Joey Mac to make it 2-1 Thrashers.

Bergenheim got a little sloppy an took a penalty, after he had a great opportunity to tie it up. His emotions sometimes get the best of him. And in this case, it showed big time. I am sure these are some of the things that have kept Bergy in the press box for games.

Great opportunity by Jackman with a shortie opportunity. Great kill.

On a bogus call on Guerin, the Thrashers get number 3 on a ‘gift goal’ for Boulton who just slid the puck by a out of position MacDonald.

The second tonight is our third of other nights. What can this team do right? They are making these guys look like Boston.

Right now – this team has some serious backchecking issues. I can not understand with all of this practice and talk, how it seems to disappear at times. Maybe that is the ‘non hockey player’ in me, but it just doesn’t make sense to me.

With 2:49 left in this period, this team needs to not only make a stand, but get the crowd back into this game. Bergy is also off te first line, replaced by Comeau. Simpy put by the boxers around me, but Blake has been not only more effective, but has done all asked tonight and more.

Outshooting 12-6 this period, but outscored 2-0. That just about says it all.

This team looks as confused as can be. Park had an opportunity, but a Thrasher defenseman’s skate simply made it be all for naught.

If this team wants 2 points tonight – Gordon needs to blow a head gasket and get some motivation on these guys and fast!
—-

3rd period, and fingers need to be crossed.

First two minutes – energy, but nothing in the way of chances.

Need to get pressure on the goalie – make things happen. Comeau had a good hit, Hilbert, but between the blue lines, it is like a festival of ‘watching the play go by’.

Cmon boys – make a statement! NNNNOOOOWWW!

You are outshooting these guys 23-12 – AND WE ARE DOWN 2!

Bailey just lost another faceoff. He was 4 for 12 for two periods. Got to get Professor Sillinger to work more with him.

Trent just lost it – got 2 for trip and 2 for high stick. Got 4 minutes to kill. A shortie will be nice about now – we haven’t had one of these in a while.

Sutton takes a penalty – but Atlanta scores. 4-1. This is ugly. This team is not this good. We are just that bad tonight.

Fellow Blogger Mike’sbiggest joy right now is counting the icing calls. Atltanta has 6 and the Isles have 2. I wish that would make us get more goals. Wait – Atlanta now has 7.

I now feel as bored as Republicans at the upcoming Inauguration in January.

Two posts in about 30 seconds, but Atlanta puts it in – as I am typing. 5-1 and the Boo birds are eminating around the building. Sticks are being slammed in disgust, and the fans are leaving. So – I think I will end this post.

My 3 Stars (Irrgardless of the scoring).

3. Jackman – energy always.
2. Comeau – posts and again energy that we just did not see in the first few games of the season.
1. Ice Girls – well – no one is deserving of the 1st star.

Well – if a miracle happens – I will comment about it tomorrow. Otherwise, I am going to be working on my Christmas decorations tomorrow.

See ya!

Posted under Islanders 07-08

A couple of scrums, and an unlikely scorer does the Isles in last night.

Of all folks, Brashear beats us with a slide of the stick, and once again, the team looks bad after a significant number of days off? We know that this team works hard at practices, I wonder why the team is so sluggish that first game back?

It is a mystery? Please Kreskin, give us the answer…

Nice return by Silly. Winning 11 of 19 faceoffs. A big plus.

Three Isles Stars.

3. MacDonald – 42 saves. Yes he gave up 4 but only 1 was what I call ‘saveable’

2. Hunter – 11th goal – had only 12 last year. What a nice job he is doing.

1. Silly – nice to see him return.

I just dont get Fritz being here taking 100 seconds a night? It does not serve a purpose… Jackman – he has a role and had a solid game last night.

And please, let’s end the Tambellini saga now! This is getting ridiculous. We are not going to have another David Volek moment (for those that do not know (and there may be a few) – Volek was one despised by many fans until he scored that magic goal in 1993 – eliminating the Pens). Tambellini is not cutting it, and guys like Trevor Smith, Blake Comeau and others should be up here contributing.

Well – got that off my chest. See you at the barn tomorrow.

Posted under Islanders 08-09

Just found out thanks to Tom Liodice at www.thetigertrack.com, Nate Thompson out 2-4 weeks with a mild groin strain… Just what we need… another injury.

Sabourin and MacDonald in the nets tonight.

Jackman is up, as well as Bergie returning to the lineup.

Thanks to Alex and Steve from Hockey Night on Long Island for having me on the show. It was a lot of fun. If you have never heard their show, you definitely should. Go to www.hockeynightonlongisland.com and check it out.

Crosby playing tonight, despite missing pratice with on Friday. Satan is playing on his side. Rumor has it that he has found God and is changing his name to “Holy Spirit”.

Believe me – that was a bad joke, but I keep on trying.

_____________________________________

Starting Lineup

MacDonald – G
Streit Sutton on D
Hilbert Park Okposo up front.

No singer tonight -> What’s up with that?

Period 1 Notes:
1:00 Crosby does not look so bad.

2:30 – Malkin got hit with something – did not see but he was grimacing.

3:30 – Mac’s first big test by Crosby – nice save.

6:00 – Malkin’s back. The team is not intimidated by the Pens. Howver, there is nothing to show for it. It seems to be like a feeling out process for both teams.

8:30 – Ice is very sloppy

9:20 – Penalty on Talbot – great PP so far – good movement. Okie – had a nice chance but blocked in front.

12:00 – getting a little chippy… I can not believe that the scorebord only shows 5 combined shots in 2 periods…

16:23 – GOAL – Weight shot over left shoulder of Sabourin!

“Amazing Andy” Hilbert and Guerin with the helpers.

18:00 – Great job by Hunter’s line. Nice energy – caused areat turnover.

Good period – did not stand back from these guys. I am hoping that period 3 looks like period 1.
________________________________________
2nd period

Spent most of the period in 317.

Team looked good. Not taking any gruff from the Pens. Great goal by AMAZING ANDY Hilbert, on a great move and pass by Okposo.

Amazed by the way that Jackman’s ability. So much of last season, I thought #28 was useless. However, this season, has has 6 tallies for the ‘Port. That was Tim’s 4th career NHL goal.

Bergie missed a great opportunity late in the period. I like that they are sticking to each other, and are not showing any signs of weakness. Holding Pittsburgh to 11 shots in 40 is quite an accomplishment.

Crowd quite unhappy with the officiating. Can’t say I blame them.

___________________________________________

Period 3

Currently praying to every hockey god I can think of…. (Toe Blake and Eddie Shore to start), for a safe period, and to keep the system going without having it blow in their faces. They need to keep the effort and the hard nosed play for the first 40 to fall into the last 20. First things first, kill the damn penalty. The first two minutes of a period are the worst for this team.

Hopefully, being only up 1 instead of 2 or 3 is a good thing…

Big save for Joey Mac!

Another great opportunity by Kyle falls short. More confidence and those go in. OK – we got through first 4 minutes and so far, ok.

It it easy to see how Streit is overlooked on his defensive abilities. However, in afoot race, he had te presence in mind to work on positioning, so that if he lost in the footrace, he would not get beat on the play. I like his demeanor.

Pitt just hit the crossbar. phew!

It is amazing how much a puck bounces on this ice. Where were the good old days, when players loved the consistency of this rink.

Comment – love the uni’s but I do not like the vertical stripe on the back of the socks. It looks stupid to me.

So far – half way into the period – shots are 10-0. Four icings in the last three minutes. Is this team getting cursed or what? Got to get some sustained pressure on the other side of the net.

Finally a chance – we got no shot, but Nielsen drew a Pitt penalty. I love the way he has played.

Time to make a stand on this PP – first of all – get a shot on net! Well – NOT!

This team is scaring me. I like that we are holding on, but the inveitable scares me. Sutton has done a great job.

3:15 left – Pitt ties the game on their 17th shot of the period – a blast for Goligoski, tipped by Kennedy that hit the top of the crossbar and in. This team seems too damn tentative, and sometimes, I can understand why, but you can not win the game if you do nt get shots on the net.

2:14 – Tambellini finally gets us on the shot column! Yaaaay!

Last second chance, but OT is here. We got a point, and did not gve up 3 goals in the 3rd. Not bad.

My Isles 3 Stars (may change with ot)
3. Jackman -1st goal
2. Streit – great play all around
1. Hilbert – goal assist, and overall nice job tonight.

OT was exciting. A couple of great chances, one by Guerin that I do not know how the heck Sabourin got his skate on it. A little life to say the least.

Now to the shootout….

Weight misses (could not even see it with crowd standing up)
Sykora scores 1-0 Pitt

Guerin – shot in front of the circles – miss
Satan misses (thank God!)

Hunter – misses, but Sabourin slides into the net.
Is it?

Is it?

No – inconclusive. The puck may have crossed the line, but it needed to be 100% visible.

Tough way to lose 1 point. However, it is something to take. The team may have been outshot 18-1 in the period, but it was not a total collapse. The third period is still an issue. A big one at that. I just do not get it. Why do they continue to struggle? If you can figure it out, please let me know?

I think the team will have the day off today, and have a hard practice on Monday in anticipation of the matinee on Tuesday with the Flyers. They need to step out and get this past week out of their minds.

Now if I can only get it out of mine?

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09

I am just going to give a brief thought synopsis, you can get the news anywhere.

1. Thought the team played a strong game. The first period was not as strong, but the team improved by each period, and stood up to the Flyers. Especially in the 3rd period – the forecheck was brilliant.

2. “Amazing Andy” – great presence of mind to hold the shot, and get the puck to bounce off the Flyers D and in…

3. I think MacDonald was fine in net. Two of the goals again, were shots that got to the Flyers players off a miscue. Just about any goalie would not be able to get the shot. Some of his saves were outstanding. Even got a skate to the mask. Thank God the blade hit his neck guard, or we would have had a Malarchuk incident.

4. Sutton back was a nice thing. It gives the D a large presence, and he was put to the test immediately against Scott Hartnell. Him and Streit worked well.

5. Welcome to the NHL Mitch Fritz! His name sounds like your accountant, but he does not look like one. He is huge and I am looking forward to seeing him get into some pugilistic tendencies.

On a score of 1-10, on the Isles play, I would give them a 7. Improvement all around. Get a break or two, and the 1 point gained could have easily been 2.

My Isles Three Stars

3. Nate Thompson – true grit. He has stepped up his game.
2. Trent Hunter – hitting machine, and Biron had a lucky stop on his point blank effort.
1. Andy Hilbert – You can see that he is a Gordon disciple. His game is much better than last year.

I will not be blogging live tomorrow. I will be sitting in my own seat, and being a fan. I will write a little on Sunday about the game.

Enjoy Halloween, and make sure that your kids are safe…

Posted under Blog Box, 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

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

Can only get the Sabre radio broadcast. They think MacDonald is not sharp… For a short point it sounded like the Isles had all the play in front of Hedberg, but Buffalo came down and scored the second goal…

What happened to ludicrous speed????

Posted under 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