Will be reporting at the Isles game today, for a change.  I havent doe this in about a month, so it should be fun.  I will update my postings after each period.

I expect a much different flow of the game – especially in periods 2 and 3 from what happened on Wednesday night with the Flyers.

Should be Rollie in net – with the same 18 skaters that played the other night.

Also – I will be at the game on Saturday in Newark.  It should be fun. 

But I am looking forward to today – and getting the chance to be  a part of the game’s coverage.  See you at the rink.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

The “view” has been on work mode – and has been out of action.  However, we have been aware of the great things that have been happening in our world of Islanders hockey.

1.  The emergence of JT.  Since all of the NHL brainiacs want us to fail – they are not even embracing this story of the #1 draft pick doing so well.  Last year, there were so many stories of Stamkos’ struggles to start the season, and even more of his emergence as the season progressed.  Since the hockey news made us aware of Taveras at the tender age 0f 14, you would think that they would continue the saga.  Alas, I am mistaken.  Well – we can give this back to the Canadian hockey media in a good stiff burger and have them stick it where the sun dont shine!

2.  Matt Moulson – feel good story of the year.  If you told him 6 months ago – that he would have 10 goals on the year, he may have said OK; but in the NHL???? What a surprise for him and the Isles.  The chemistry between him and Taveras has been great, and is one of the best stories in the league this season.

3.  Injury front – for the most part – the team has been healthy.  Or at least healthier than last season.  With that in mind, the team has been able to establish chemistries and keep the guys comfortable with their playing partners.  Missing Weight and Martinek has been tough, especially with the way that Marty was playing before his ACL.  However, other guys have picked up the slack.

4.  Goaltending.  The Achillies heal last year.  Joey Mac and Yann were yeoman and held their own, but this team needed veteran presences in the crease.  Enter Rollie and Biron.  When Roloson started the year, there were a lot of frustrations.  Could he ever stop a puck in a shootout….?  However, he has been a rock in the last few weeks.  Biron has had a little more tough luck, but has been reliable.

5.  New emergences – Especially Jack Hillen, who looks a lot older and wiser than his real age on the ice.  I think he has a great future ahead of him.

6.  Questions – what happens when Ricky gets back?  Will Josh’s comfort level grow?  Can Tambellini be consistent? 

7.  Coaching – Scott Allen and Dean Chynoweth have been a good fit with Scott Gordon.  The system is finally taking full hold, and the team is responding to it mightily.

8.  Fan Support – hopefully with winning and better efforts brings fans.  With a few games over the Turkey holiday, I hope to see full crowds and enthusiastic support of the team.

Well – hopefully next week – I will get on a better schedule of writing.  Thanks for the patience and speak soon.

Cheers,

Gary

Posted under Islanders 09-10, Ramblings

Well – as my friend Hockey Moose – a UK hockey fan working for the British government in DC asked me tonight – who would I think would win tonight?

I told her to read here.

As Theodore and Roloson lead their teammates onto the practice ice, I see that the CAPTAIN is once again missing…. He may not be on the score sheet that much, but he is providing a lot that the casual fan just does not see. He wil be missed tonight.

Bruno is out on the ice. Glad they found his sweater. However, there are 7 D on the ice right now – so let’s see who gets the heave ho.

What do I think the Isles need to do tonight? Skate with a purpose. Look like you mean to be there. At the game in Montreal the other night – They looked like a bunch of lost puppy dogs. They have to put the like they want to win the game, and slam, Ovie to oblivion, while keeping their eyes on the rest of the team.

If you are following the game and checking out the blog – I will create entries for the Pre-Game, and I will submit one after each period, with my thoughts and comments.

See ya.

PS – Mark Aliberti – a die-hard Isles fan that IM’s me ALL the time (and I do appreciate it…) predicts a 5-2 loss for our guys. I am going to call a 4-3 win.

Why, you ask?

Just a hunch – but I think we are due to make an upset. Tonight is the night – and I am hoping that ROLLIE steals one for us, like the veteran he is.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

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

Now remember, I have never played the game of ice hockey… My experience is from gym floors, decks and sidewalks of Levittown and the surrounding communities. However, I do consider myself a student of a game.

Watching the first period and a few minutes of the second of last night’s game, I have come down to a quite simple conclusion.

Give me a chance to go one on one with #30…

I know that he is a professional and has been a part of some memoable plays in the past few years, but I am at a total loss for words as to what is happening with Rollie…

In his first three games, hehas had five shootout attempts and one penalty shot. His score?

ZERO.

Five goals and one post. To me – he does NOT get credit for a save, because he was beat, but a piece of iron saved him.

Make all the excuses you want. He has just turned 40, and I just do not see quite a positive upside to his game yet. I noticed that at the opener, he had difficulties getting side to side and needed a big helper from Radek Martinek in order to save a goal. He just does not seem to make his game NHL ready.

Can he improve?

Of course he can. He IS a professional and I am sure that his motivaton can make his game improve. But you have a tested goaltender in Martin Biron that can be an improvement in the net.

Biron did not have the greatest game last night, but did make 20 stops with some outstanding! I think Biron needs to be back in net tonight, as the Isles go Shark hunting.

The Sharks -not have as Presidential of a start this season, have an offensive attack that can floor just about any team. With the struggle they have had to start the season, this is just the type of game, that would make them drool with anticpation.

What do the Islanders have to do tonight?

Simply – PLAY THEIR ASS OFF!

They have been talking about a 60 minute game, in the words of the Nike ad, JUST DO IT! Talk is cheap – so it is time to make it happen. I certainly want to see them take their game to the next step. San Jose would be a great opportunity to get off the schneid.

Player to watch – Josh Baiey. Although his game improved a little last night – he needs to get his game up to the forefront. He is always looking to make the perfect play, as a playmaker would do. However, at thi point – defenses are expecting that. Right now – it is up to him to get the shots going – making the opportunities.

Kudos to Matt Moulson – he is getting his opportunities – and totally taking advantage of them. The chemistry with JT is astounding!

I will be in the Blog box tonight – Will submit my thoughts after each period. Have a great day, folks! See ya at the Coliseum!

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

I was having some major issues with the uploading of my updates to the page over the Saturday night game. I hope that this issue has been resolved, and will not happen again…

Thoughts on the game…

JT was brilliant. Whoever said he is a sluggish skater is definitely mistaken. He is not Mike Gartner, but he is not a slow sport either… You can see that goal scorers have that presence of mind to be there, and get in the right place at the right time. That comes at any age and any level. Two points to open the night, is nothing to sneeze about. Too bad the shootout attempt was off. I could see the nervousness on that shot, and it was evident. He will have those days, and make mistakes along the path of his rookie campaign. However, there were glimpses of brilliance there, and you can easily see how special of a player he really is.

“Rollie” had an ok game, but I saw a few times in the third frame, that he looked a bit shaky going from side to side. Martinek absolutely saved a goal, when Roloson was out of position, as a Penguin came around the net, thinking he had a easy layup. Martinek laid his stick out, and stopped the goal from reality. Not the most flashiest defensemen in the league, but so many times, #24 is there when it counts.

For someone who did not have that much action in pre-season, Okposo looked no worse for wear. Skating, banging the boards, he was all around the ice.

As many were saying through the weekend, Bailey looked a little lost. I did not feel that way. I think he has to bring his level of aggressiveness up a touch, and I think that will come.

Talking to the Captain at Adventureland yesterday, he is so EAGER to get back into the game, and will be raring to go on Thursday in Canada’s Capital city.

A few days this week for the lads to work on some issues that seemed to be prevalent in the third period. I do not think that it was a total loss, but it seemed like the edge was a little undwerwhelmed. Also – the heart of a Stanley Cup Champion came higher up to the surface. That is why Pitt is where they are, and we are working to get to that level.

I think a stong effort by the Isles. One that you would hope will be there game after game this season. I think that with the coach we have, and the character in the room, you will see that. In fact last year’s squad was doing just that, until the injury bug came about. We just have to thwart that, and get the confidence that a team needs to make it to the next rung on the ladder.

Keep climbing boys.

Side notes: Tomorrow is a Booster Club meeting at the Marriott – 7:30 start. Dean Chynoweth and Scott Allen will be there. Hope to see you there.

I will be at the Boston game on Saturday. Making a weekend in Bean town and I am looking forward to rooting my team on in foreign lands. The Sox will be in playoff mode, so hopefully not as nasty at the “Gahden”.

Have a great daly, 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

Since baseball has the HOT STOVE LEAGUE during the off season, Hockey has what I call the COOL AC LEAGUE. That lovely time where 30 GM’s tend to lose more hair or get more excited for a time of year than any point on the calendar.

Some thoughts…

First of all, does anybody feel that Gainey is getting ready to drop on his sword? Getting Gomez was just a dumb move. It just made the Rangers clear so much cap room to get their prize of Gaborik, and get a local in the house as well with Higgins. Camilleri will be nice, but not trying to secure Komisarek will kill him for sure. Be real interesting to see what happens to the Long Islanders when they head back for the first time in road colors? And dont forget that Saku the Captain is probably heading out too… A long year in Montreal for sure.

As for the aforementioned Rangers, Gaborik will fare well and will make lots of Blueshirt fans real happy. But all that “Ranger Love” went out the window when Sather signed Brashear to a 2 year deal. Why they let Colton Orr go – is beyond me. I, personally did not like the guy, but he was loved by the fans, and did the role real well, for a small price. Has Sather completely forgot what Brashear did to Blair Betts? And now – at Greenburgh, it will be a love fest between the two of them? Yea right? I have had Ranger fans ask me if we want Donald…. I think you can guess what the answer to that question is? Yes – #87 on the Rangers can contribute more offensively than Orr did, but really? What version of Petrone were you drinking Glen, before letting Colton go? I wish we would have gotten him, rather than Toronto…

As far as Garth is concerned, I expected him to remain light in his additions. ut snapping up Dwayne Roloson is brilliant.

“Yea, but he is 39?”

Yes he is – but is a very conditioned 39, that should be able to fill a more productive role than most backups.

“Conklin, among others were available?”

Yes they were – but I feel much more comfortable with “Rollie the Goalie”. Plus – he has a relationship with Ricky, and feels comfortable in the role. Conklin would have been fine, but I think would have been a lot more disappointed if Ricky came out of camp like the stud we are hoping for. Rollie can be the mentor and friend, that would help this team.

Honestly – I think Garth may be done, except for a light tweak here and there. He wants to keep the youth movement going, and why not. I think he still needs an enforcer to assist with the maturation and growth of JT. Eric Godard could come back? I think Joel Rechlicz is still at least a year or two away from fulfilling the role with the big club.

Havlat to Minnesota – wanting a new direction – they got a good offensive force. Let’s see if they like him more than Gaborik?

Chicago and the potential big mistake by Tallon – sending letters instead of e-mail or courier to players with qualifying offers, and now they may be free agents? That may take the love out of the fans with the GM. Also – seeing The Bulin wall head north to Edmonton, meaning their hopes rest of Huet? If he is healthy in body AND HEAD, he could be fine – if not – uh oh?

Pronger to Philly? Just the kind of player the bullies need? That will really peeve the rest of the conference!

And when will the Devs get a coach? I am wondering if Peter Laviolette will head back to this area again…

BTW – congrats to Ted Nolan getting back in hockey – this time as a VP with the Amerks in Rochester.

Well – that’s enough for now. Talk more soon.

Posted under Cool A-C League