Honestly, I sat in my chair Thursday night, frustrated a can be. I just can not figure out what is the problem with the 3rd period. I can see effort, I see that the team is not sitting around watching the opponent go by…

But translating to making plays and keeping the opponent off the scoresheet is another thing.

I just really did not want to write about the game that night, so I just made a less than 100 word entry, showing my frustration.

Last night, as I got home from work, I find that my blog was quoted in the NEW YORK TIMES.

Yes, the freaking NEW YORK TIMES!

Here is the link:

http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/isles-move-to-the-back-of-the-line/

Yes - it is a blog entry on nytimes.com, but still, the New York Times! I feel so honored. Also, my buddy Patrick Hickey made it too.

But now to tonight.

With the results of the other night, you would hope that your next opponent would be a team that would be an easier target to get your groove on.

As we are famous for being a Murphy’s law team, we get Sidney, Evgeni and the Pens.

Welcome back, Miro and Ruslan!

Doesn’t it figure that Satan is all of a sudden a goal scorer again? He has 8 already (3 more than any Islander), and looks like a completely different player than the one that looked like a lost puppy dog. I believe that it was more the Nolan system, and the fact that he seemed to be in the dog house. But it feels like what happens to former Mets, that they turn out to be stars when they leave. Miro is not a star, but this is the player that this team wanted. Oh well…

Ruslan, has been injured and struggled. I also think he did not really get the chance to shine.

Once again - this team need a 60 minute effort. We need this to be a CONSTANT goal. I have never been a hockey player on ice (my knees would never allow that), but I can understand that this ’system’ of Coach Gordon’s (I hate using that word, system) somehow does not work at all, if the team is not fully subscribed to it the whole game.

But enough of that. The player to watch is Kyle Okposo. I think that he has played ok, but I really think he needs to step up his effort. We need for him to get some points. Maybe one off the butt, or something like that.

Interesting to see that Mark Parrish got a hat trick in his first game with Dallas. I can see the boards going nuts with this….

Congrats to Peter Laviolette for achieving the highest win total for a US born coach.

I will be blogging at the game tonight - let’s see if this team can ’step it up’ and get something to happen.

See ya at the game tonight.

Gary

I can not take credit for the name… That was given to me by someone who will remain nameless. I was told this, because I know that it may cause someone to be a little aggravated. (we’ll just keep that a secret for now)

Since I have seen some constructive criticism on some of the boards about the:

a) Number of Blog Boxers increased to over 20 and
b) How many write about the same thing

I am taking some of that to heart. I understand, and for the need to try and make some different topics and ideas to the table, I decided to take a look at some of the players on the team, and offer some thoughts.

Let me offer this player on a plate:

#11, Andy Hilbert

Here is a guy that I know many folks in my section were making not only nasty comments about, but taking bets early on in the season last year, on when he would actually put a shot on net, not even a goal. Many really wondered what the coach, if not the team, saw in Andy, and why was he even on this team at all.

This season, however, the 27 year old product of Michigan, seems to get it.

Well - he has had some practice…

After playing with Red Berenson at the U of M, Hilbert spent from 2002 - 2005 on the Providence Bruins, coached by one Scott Gordon. In those seasons, he averaged nearly a point per game, with a high of 79 points on 37 goals in 79 games.

Yes - I know - this is the AHL, not the NHL. He still has not nearly stepped up his game to that level. I think, however, that Andy’s game has improved by leaps and bounds since he was reunited with his old coach.

With the complete change in systems in the last few years (Stirling to Nolan to Gordon), this is one that “Amazing Andy” gets. I can see it in his play. He is skating with some reason now. He is always looking up ice, and making things happen. To be truthful, I wondered what was in his wheaties? But then I failed to remember that he is a Gordon disciple.

His ice time has increased, probably due to the fact, that the coach has more confidence in him, than the others that preceeded him. He has not shown to be a liability, and even in the debacle to Buffalo on Monday, he had more shifts and his ice time has increased from the past few games.

Do I think he is going to be the next Pierre Turgeon? Be serious….

Do I think his play has improved? Absolutely, but three games is not a good mathematical sample for statistical analysis. Let’s just keep our eyes open on this young (well) man, and see how his next few games shape up, before we consider this project to be an improved one.

Tonight - the Isles invade Mullet Bay, I mean Tampa Bay. Coach Melrose has not had the storybook start some pundits thought would happen, but this team is still dangerous up front. Vinny, St. Louis, even young Stamkos, under the right situations, can be tough on opposing defense and goaltending. The Isles need to remember what they did on Saturday, and plaster that to the front of their respective craniums.

As far as goaltending, when DP is ready, he is ready. Joey Mac has been a yeoman, doing the job. A stinker like Monday, can be the panacea that a goalie needs to get his game back. Let’s see MacDonald do just that. We want a BIG MAC in the net, not a Filet of Fish!

Have not been on in a while, and I hope the other two are with me tonight, or it will be a quick update, and off.

I am off to the NHL Booster Club Convention next week, so I am not sure that I will be on then. Maybe a call in - we’ll see…

Nothing new going on in Islander land, so no need to post at this time. Just hearing that names are coming by to stop and talk to Mr. Snow.

From late July - to early September, it is real tough to talk puck… Except —

Interesting move by Minnesota to release Mark Parrish with 3 years left on the contract. They said it was a salary cap move. You release a hometown boy with 8 million left on a contract, 32 years old and 3 years remaining, and two weeks before you sign Owen “I am ready for Medicare” Nolan to a contract….???

Hey Doug Reisbrough, are you on Dope? (Great Question, Mr. Hand…)

Now - I can hear Isles fans saying… “Let’s get him back!!!”

Interesting thought - but no.