Photo Op for the TOH Candidate

Got back late from a photo op with Charles Wang and Kristen McElroy.

Isles had a PP to start the period, but did not get much on it.

Roloson got called for tripping. Although a bird (www.islesblogger.com) – also named Mike, commented that Roloson’s real name is ALBERT!. Something only his mother probably wanted to know.

Bergie has done nice job on the PK – skating hard, clearing out the garbage and overall good play. Penalty has been killed, with no shots on net.

Couple of great opportunities by Bailey and Sim right after the penalty ended. Keep the pressure going, and dont slow the intensity.

I see that they ae doing a lot of text viting – and see wh

If you have noticed, and I hope you have – I have not mentioned John Tavares’ name. He has not done a lot and realy has not looked as aggresive tonight as he has in the past.

I like how the defense has been able so far tonight to keep Ovie as much as possible to the outside.

Bergie just got hurt in a little race for an icing call. Not sure if a stick got up. Will see if he gets another shift later on.

How the 2nd period has been

Penalty on Sutton for a hook. Guys need to bring the “A” game back again. There has not been alot of shots this period by both sides. As a matter of fact – a yawning festival is better than this period.

Just as I say that – Nate Thompson – totally flattens Mike Green to the boards, and a little scuffle ensues. He gets caused for Kneeing. Isles down two – but get the man back – crowd getting into it – and the team is looking very focused. Not overly watching Ovie – but making sure he does not get the golden opportunity.

Great work by Park and Comeau – clearing te front of the net – and getting the puck out of the zone.

Bruno and Witt looked good on the 2nd portion of the PK – Isles did well – and the boys get a well deserved round of applause.

Shots with 4 minutes to go in period 2 – Caps 12- Isles 11. Last few minutes have been exciting.

Great opportnity by Bergie – but saw JT coming – got his chances – but could not close the door. Isles on the PP now. Ovie gets the call for hooking.

You can see when JT is on the PP – he always seems to be looking pass more than shoot. It was a nice cross ice feed to Hillen for a shot.

Final summary of the period – guys stood up when needed, but need to get more shots on net – and be more physical. Just as I say that – there is a eight player scrum in front of the net as the perid expires.

Good period – lets see if we can get some more and get a lead in for period 3.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

Greetings from a gorgeous Saturday afternoon and what am I doing? Stuck here at the Coliseum seeing the Isles take on the Devils I just wished the day wasnt so gorgeous – - but anyway after being stuck in the office this week, during my accounting close, it is nice to see some live puck action.

Another call up – Mike Iggulden – wearing number 36 is making his NHL debut today. The 26 year old St. Catherine’s Ontario native, and former Red of Cornell, is averaging nearly a point a game in Bridgeport with 58 points and 23 goals in 63 games. If truth goes the same way as other debuts – it should be a nice one for Mike.

Thomas Pock makes his return to the lineup after missing 14 games with a hand injury. Nate Thompson still has not returned, so Jesse Joensuu remains here with the big club. I really did not realize not only his skills, but his size. He is a large young man!

McAmmond, Hunter and Streit are wearing the “A”‘s. No surprise there. As I did not see the last two games.

Amazing that so far, the Isles have missed 438 man-games due to injury or illness. That issuch a depressing statistic.

For NJ – of course, who would you expect to be between the pipes? Marty B – going for shutout number 101 tonight. And is only three victories behind Patrick Roy (551 vs 548) for the most in NHL history. What makes it scary, is that Marty is only 36. Look at some of these top goalies that have played into their late 30′s orearly 40′s. With the pace that he is on – that 551 number could blow up to nearly 700. It will get near the caregory of the 2632 or Ripken or the 56 of Dimaggio or 511 of Cy Young as untouchable.

BTW – my winning streak is at 4, and I AM predicting that it will hit 5 today!

Keys to the game –

1. Get physical early and often. A Brent Sutter team is one that like to establish control and stay that way. You have to get on top of these guys and stay on them. When they feel like you are letting up – get on EVEN MORE!

2. Dont over focus on #9. We all know that he is a KILLER of this team. At the game here a few weeks ago – he was stopped nicely – had 6 shots, but only 1 or 2 were significant. You have to keep your eyes on him, as well as keep him to the outside; as well as show him who is BOSS!

3. Keep throwing pucks to Marty. He may be the best of all time, but he is NOT invincible. Find ways to beat him; get a lot of situations to make him have to move around. His mobility is great, but constant will break ANY goaltender down.

4. Get the PP going. The Devils are very good on the man disadvantage, but any time a PP can work – it can make a difference. And we all know that we are 0 for 18 in the last 6 – this has to change.

I will be live blogging during the game today, so check on the site often for updates.

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

Sorry I have not been writing lately. I am so swarmed at the office, that I have early arrivals and late departures.

I just do not have the desire to write. However, with what has happened lately, can you blame me?

THe Ricky soap opera continues. Leave it at that…

Nice to see Nate and Franz returning.

Shame to see that Silly is hurt – and this may spell the end…???

Sutton out another 8-10 weeks with surgery today!!! Ugh!

Witt looks lost out there at times, and that really bothers me…

Bruno has stepped up his game, and Campy seems to be sinking.

Can Martinek stay healthy for a stretch?

Congrats to Dougie on 1000, and Billy G on 400. Garth, keep these guys, if they want to stay.

I am not going to the game tonight – I am still on Business Plan mode. I probably will only get to see Saturday’s contest on this 4 game home stand. Work is rough right now – but hey, I am employed, so I have to be happy about something.

Let’s just hope that this game will be like the first 3 this year – spirited, exciting games, and for us – a happy recap!

Posted under Islanders 07-08

Even when Nate got that goal 2 minutes in, I did not have that comfy feeling in my bones that we were going to get out of Boston with a point.

Was I right.

With Buffalo – I knew that the team was not doing it. With Boston – it is just seeing a strong, united team that is playing on all cylinders, but the best part about Boston, is that it is a very young team.

Is Lucic going to be a great player in this league for a long time to come. He is on 21. Kessel is only 21 as well. This team is got the foundation for a very good team for a long time to come.

But enough about the competition. Let’s talk about our ineptitude.

First statement – Tambellini MUST GO! This so called experiment has to end now! He is not mustering up anything in this level. A few weeks ago – Billy Jaffe made a great point about #15. He said (and I am paraphrasing), that he needs to make a stand and if he feels that he needs to change his game if needed. He is not making it with the skill set he has now. Too many chances and not enough results.

Him and Franz Nielsen at the same time were called out on this blog. Lately, Nielsen stepped up and did the job, until Mike Mottau from the Devils snapped and knocked #51 out for 12 weeks. He stepped up the game, but Tambellini did not!

Nate came back and got a goal right away, which I was happy about. He replaced Fritz, for which I was glad to see. We can not have a guy up here, playing 2 minutes a night, and getting in a fight. This team does NOT need that.

Well – Ottawa, this year’s whipping boys for the Isles come in for the second and final time tomorrow. Simply – the third period must be better. Nine goals in the last 2 games in period 3 is NOT good.

Start praying folks!

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

Glad to see Campy back on ice. He needs to get back as soon as possible. He lost some valuable time, and we could use him. As much as I want to see Jack Hillen succeed, I think he needs some AHL seasoning. This move could do just that.

The Stars are in tomorrow, after seeing the Rock tonight. I hear that Nate Thompson (according to my friend, Mr. Botta) may get to be the ‘in your face guy’ with Mr. Avery. He was pretty calm against the Ranger$ the other night; it will be interesting to see how he is at one of his favorite buildings to play in.

Will blog at the game tomorrow night. If you are at home, and you have your computer on, please IM me (if you have AOL). My ID is NYIBC1. I will be glad to add your comments to the blog tomorrow night.

BTW – update on Mom… The surgery went well. She is due to go back to the rehab center this morning. Thanks for all the well wishes…

Posted under Islanders 08-09

Comments:

When he looked at the Metro Mug, Scott commented:

“I would like to see a shinnier silver trophy instead of that one…”

Was surprised that the hit on Chris Lee did not warrant a suspension. He did not know about it until I asked the question.

Was pleased that Ricky played 60 minutes, despite the lack of playing. Is confident that he will be in the lineup, and if the timing is right, he WILL play. Ricky is chomping at the bit.

Bailey – he has so much hockey intelligence. He may be here one game, he may be here for the season. The process of the NHL will be so much easier for him, because of his intelligence. He is
head and shoulders’ better than some guys I know with three years of experience.

Nate Thompson – (Gordon’s former captain in Providence) classic blue collar player. We will like the intangibles..

Thoughts on Tambellini – we have to see if his ability will translate to the same success at the NHL level. He was not given the opportunity to fully play to your potential. He has to play, make the mistakes, and learn from them.

Working with the teams. There are times that I will have to be tough, and I will let them know that. The players welcome direction. He is not a ‘my way or the highway’ coach, but the players and the coaches have to work together.

System – training is the core of the matter (over-speed). Doing it in practice, will make the game easier. Making the practice more intense, will make the game a lot easier to handle. It does not happen overnight, but in time, the system will take over. Some games in the exhibition were good (even the 6-0 game – Scott thought the team executed, and there were positives, with the less than full lineup). The idea of game setup is making sure that the team is constantly moving forward, instead of the opponent coming to them. We have to be efficient coming out of the zone.

Penalty Kill – be aggressive….. We dont want our horses to play with snow tires.

Power Play – not normally a 4 forward 1 d – not liking to be high risk…

Riding the goaltender – It usually comes down to the schedule. Want to give Ricky every advantage to be successful. He wants to play every game. Any rest that goals to the #1 goalie is dependent on the schedule.

The injury bug – thought the early injuries may have been to the change in the system. Scott seems to be leading to the skates being stiff. Talking to some of the other coaches, they feel it may be the same thing. The soft ice surfaces can be a problem…

Playing days in Quebec. Probably like being in Atlanta and not saying y’all. Quebec was passionate about the game, but at least he had his chance to play and experience the NHL.

Sillinger – hopefully be back in November.

Shootout – Gordon may have a secret weapon. (I am not allowed to say, but it is someone you would NEVER expect) Looks as shootouts as ties. Looking at a half full glass instead of half empty. It is entertainment. What happens is secondary, just have fun.

Coaches on the bench – they go about it the right way… They come across as great professionals with excellent attitudes. They go about it the right way, and the veterans that take that attitude, seems to rub off on the younger players. They exert, and make he efforts in practices, will keep from letting down the teammates.

Thoughts on Jack Hillen – not big – but extremely intelligent. Would not play professionally if he did not have the smarts. Has the tools as well; he gets it! Instincts far more than exceed what a minor leaguer can do. See what he will handle the change from the college schedule to the NHL schedule.

Great meeting – 2 days to hockey, yea!!!!

Posted under Islanders 07-08