6-2 loss to a team that had lost 5 in a row, and 8 of 9.  Averaging about 1.3 goals over the 9 games…

AND THEY GOT SIX!

What happened?

Simon says NO!

Silly mistakes in the defensive zone.  Bad passes and decisions.  Streit and Gervais had, to be honest, lousy games.  The Flyers played a Peter Laviolette game.  They outskated their opponents – they beat the Isles to loose pucks, they were constantly moving – and make the visitors look incredibly weak.

Good for JT to get two on the power play.  His goals were quite easy, but goal scorers are always at the right place and the right time.  Kyle got two helpers.  Now he needs to get off his schneid and get involved.

Not much else to add on this.  The boys are back to Toronto – to the scene of the 58 save night of Rollie.  Will he do that again?  I highly doubt it – but the Isles need to look just like the Flyers did last night.  Come out with purpose – desperation, just totally PISSED OFF! If they look like their coach did on the bench last night – that would be good.

Jackman and Bergenheim are out.  We will see Comeau and Schremp back in the lineup tonight.  No need to re-call anyone. 

Here is wishing for a better effort tonight.

We should soon find out.

Two minutes before the warmups begin, and therer are John Tavares chants…. Hmm , what about the rest of the team? That was a quote from my friend John Klos. I can not take the credi (But DAMN, I wish I would)….

Roloson is starting tonight (Doug got that one right – I missed that one). Robbie Schremp is playing though. No Blake Comeau.

Will continue blogging at the start of the game.

The slogan ths season is take it to the limit….. Well – it is as loud as you can get it.

Opening line = Thompson – Park Jackman – Streit and Martinek in back wih Roloson in net.
Good luck boys

Tavares second shift of the game – on a line with Okposo and Moulson. No jitters whatsoever.

Matt Moulson gets the first penaly of the season – interference. Well – the refs hate us already….

After a good effort on a PP – Crosby gets a bounce pass and gets 5 hole on Roloson – 1-0 Pens.

Jackman gets in the first fight of the year with Mike Rupp. Call it a draw. Got the fans up and yelling….

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.

I see Streit out on the ice, which should be a good thing for the Isles, as they try and up end from this five game streak of losses. You know that the Pens will be fired up to play for the new coach, former Islander assistant, Dan Blysma, but this Islander team needs to match or play above the opponents intensity level, and take a stranglehold of this game.

By the way – the Islanders are doing a number of charity opportunities:

1. Get the stick from the player’s hands
2. Get to skate on the Coliseum Ice
3. Get to be in the Islanders official team picture

All great opportunities for the fans. For further information, please check out www.newyorkislanders.com for more information.

I will be blogging during the same, and saving to each period.

Also just got word that the ICE BREAKERS are no more. I guess LOUDVILLE will be upset with that……

Maybe a goalie?

You can almost take a full-size picture of Ricky and cut some holes in it – and you have the 2009 version of Operation.

Do you think Milton Bradley would mind? I wish I knew Photoshop, or I would be on this….

Will he play tomorrow? Will we end the year with a victory? Right now, my prognostication skills blow, so I will let you be the judges…

Despite the 4 goals given in the 3rd, the Isles played a ‘decent’ game – not good, not terrible, decent.

Has Kyle blossomed lately? He has been brilliant. So has Blake Comeau.

Josh has entered the Bow-wow zone again… Let him make the mistakes. He will not grow in this environment if he does not get the chances. I was the one that said send him to the Junior tournament; so if you are going to keep him here, play him, DAMN IT!

Tinkerbell’s wings are coming unglued. Maybe the sleeping beauty awakens.

I keep getting impressed with Streit’s defensive abilities. What was Carby thinking last season?

Well – let’s see what happens tomorrow… I will be in the Blog Box, so expect an article just before the ball drops tomorrow night. HAPPY 2009 everyone!

I am thrilled that Okposo gets to play at home (if the morning skate goes ok). I am sure that he is PUMPED up to play, and will want to get some points in front of family and friends (and especially his old U of Minn. coach).

Hopefully Comrie performs as good as he sounds. We need some offense, and that was EXACTLY why he was brought here. Maybe scoring on the ice will be more important than the scoring that he is doing off it….

The Isles go back to back with a trip to Music City on Saturday. Glad to have 8PM starts, so when I get home, I do not miss anything.

There has been talk on the boards on the defensive side of the game. Here is my thoughts on it.

1. Streit has been a god-send to this team. #1 D in PP points, and has for the most part, been OK on the back side. He has made some glaring mistakes (who hasn’t on this team), but he has recovered nicely in many of those efforts.

2. Sutton – when he keeps his head in the game – he plays well. Be physical, don’t be stupid. It is just like his head snaps, and he tangents.

3. Campoli – unfortunately inconsistent. We could apologize for it when he was 21 but at this stage, he has to make a stand and move his game to a higher level. I know that he has the head to do it – it is now just execution.

4. Meyer – he makes good plays (especially in many instances – he did a great job on Ovechkin – but when I saw the stat sheet at the end of the game – he was -4. Again with these guys, it is consistency, or full adaptation of the style that Flash Gordon wants.

5. Witt – I save this until the end. I love the warrior mentality that is #32. He sacrifices his body, and does what he can to clear the crease and cause havoc. We all knew that the offensive side of the game was limited with him, and accept that. However, this type of game seems to have him in fits, and misses assignments and just does not have the wheels to get back in crucial situations. Would I like to see him continue to help the guys and grow with this team? Yes I do – but I think the reality of the situation will make that a difficult decision for Garth. He would probably be an important cog in a potential cup team, as a solid 3rd line D-man with a good 2-way player. Brendan has commented to Chris Botta that he is committed to this team, and seeing this through, and I believe that. I want to see him finish his career in our colors, and he shows his loyalty to this team as well.

6. Pock – a total disappointment – when 8 and 24 are fully healthy – release the ties that bind.

7. Martinek – I love his play so much. I just wish the body wasn’t so brittle. Again – what do you do with him. I will hold for now.

8. Gervais – Probably has a great career in TV or PR after his career is over. However, such inconsistency in his play, especially in 5 on 5 – is a problem. To me – he is a player that always seems to ‘telegraph’ his movements. You know by his body language what he wants to do – 5 seconds before he actually does it. Again – love the guy, but for a future here, I am just not sure.

9. Kohn – Hillen – the next ones. They are playing a lot of minutes in the Bridge and doing well. I totally expect to see them here in the future. Also – add Brett Skinner to the list. These guys can be serviceable, if they are getting the system in the A (which it seems like they are).

Well – that is more than 2 cents worth – but I was on a roll. Enjoy the games tonight – and be careful on the roads today. Hopefully we dodge a bullet and dont get that much.

10.7 seconds.

Well – most thought this team was not going to get a point anyway. Down 2 going to period 3. The period of doom and disaster. This is when the typical ‘come once or twice a year fan’ would grab their 7 year old and head to an early exit.

This team, changed the fortune for this night, and made it interesting for the fans that remained.

Goals by Sutton and Streit – closed the gap. Things were looking better. 6 straight losses in regulation were ended on this night, and a point came to the total points column.

Thanks to Ovie – that extra point eluded us.

For a change, this team played a HARD 3rd stanza, playing physical, solid forechecking and shots. Almost as many in period 3 as in the first two. Good game played by most of the team in blue. (And dont get me started on why #49 is even there!!!!!)

There were flubs, and dopey decisions in the first two periods. Two of the 4 goals let up by Joey, I am 100% SURE that he would want back. It was pretty much a bore fest for 40 of 60.

And then came overtime. We got through the first 90% of OT without much problems. Then #8 in white snaps a shot, that goes through Joey Mac and off the post and out. It was real close.

20 seconds later, he (Ovie) ended it. A tough pill to swallow, but this game HAS to be used as a setup for better things to come. I usually don’t like talking about ‘momentum’ games, and moral victories. But the way this team has struggled, it may be time to take the moral win for a spin.

Face it folks, we all know that this year was going to be a struggle. It is going to have to be this way for a while. If you read Chris Botta’s site, you read his conversation with Caps GM George McPhee. It brings a lot of insight of how a team can build from the duldrums and move up the ladder. We may not have that ‘star’ that they have, but sticking with the system, through all of the bad and good, can turn losers into winners. Maybe we have to take the rose colored glasses and understand, that the steps may be tricky at first. Unfortunately, some surprising wins, made some fans look for 1st round playoff wins. Please, let’s get through this year, and get the growing pains cleared.

Friday, hopefully, we get Silly, Comrie and Okie back to take the Wild down. I am sure that Kyle wants this so bad. I hope it can happen. Then, when and ONLY when, Ricky is at 110%, get him back, and give Joey the break that he truly deserves. He has been a yeoman and a good soldier all rolled up in one.

I know the times are tough, but stick to this. I really feel that there is opportunities. This can be compared almost to the time when the stock market dives. Most learned investors still say to ride out the storm, and in time, all will be fine. Let the Islanders be that struggling stock. Don’t sell – don’t waver, just stick it out!

Let’s see about this TOGETHER!

NY Hockey Report tonight.

Go to www.blogtalkradio.com/nyhockeyreport

Or www.nyhockeyreport.com

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!

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?