Every time the Boston Bruins see the Maple Leafs, they are reminded of the riches brought to them by the trade that sent Phil Kessel to Toronto. Sure, Kessel is the NHL's scoring leader. However, he doesn't have a point in two games against the Bruins, and Tyler Seguin, one...

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If John Tavares scores four points a night, it won't matter much who is in goal for the New York Islanders. For the second straight game -- after being pointless for two games -- Tavares broke out with four points. This time he did it with his third NHL hat trick, including the winning goal and an empty-netter in the Islanders' 4-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday night.

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UNIONDALE, N.Y. - Through two games, the New York Islanders' top line had only two points to show for themselves.

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New York Islanders coach Jack Capuano insisted he was not making a statement, but his decision to start Al Montoya in goal instead of healthy franchise netminder Rick DiPietro for the first two games of the regular season spoke volumes about his team's developing goalie...

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Forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard of the Minnesota Wild has been suspended for two games by the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety for high-sticking Matt Calvert of Columbus in the face during a game Saturday night.

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My mother would say:

If you don’t have anything nice to say about something, don’t say anything at all…

Other than nice for Jesse to get a goal – that’s about it.

On to the Rangers tonight!  Big two games – move the bad game away – and concentrating on stealing two points from the Blueshirts, like they did last month.

Will comment more tomorrow.

Posted under Islanders 09-10

Schedule maker on some serious cabbage….

Two games in 4 days – yea…

Weight out again with the flu. The captain has missed 5 out of 10 games. This is not what you want out of your leader. I am not on him – but this team needs more of his presence. I am sure that he has been the good locker room man. I do not doubt that in the least.

Gervais gets to play at ‘home’ tonight – I am sure that he was bummed when he was still in the dog house.

Same lines playing tonight as was the other evening against the Caps. Just have to do a 180 degree turn and be the aggressor. Just do what the did on Saturday and hope none of the bad breaks happen, and a chance is theirs.

As Scott Gordon said after the game on Saturday – this team needs to make the most of the chances it gets. Young teams need to learn how to do that. They have the talent level – just execute.

Will write a little about the game tomorrow.

Posted under Islanders 09-10

I am so looking forward to going to a game, and not having to do ANYTHING but WATCH!

What a feeling.

I know that the Sound Tigers set all sorts of club records for wins, points, etc. But to be honest – I am not totally up to date with the stats. I know that Trevor Smith had 30 goals to lead the club, and Mike Iggluden had 20 and lead the team in points.

Nathan Lawson is one of the best goaltenders in the A this year, and Peter Mannino will be there as well. Both may see some significant action. The team also will get KO for the first two games, and Hillen will be with the Tigers for the full run. DiBenedetto and Katic may see some time, as they are now in the professional ranks. Roben Figren also may get a call or two.

I will be doing a REAL VIEW FROM SECTION 317 tomorrow night, and blog live from the seats.

If you do not have tickets, and do not want to sit home and watch the Yanks and Mets get tanked in their new Billion dollar homes,, come to the Coliseum. Top ticket is $29… How can you beat that. I just hate that I actually have to pay to park, but if that is the worst problem I have, I can deal with it. Go TIGERS!

Posted under Sound Tigers

As the Blog Box was not available today, I had to actually do a REAL VIEW FROM SECTION 317.

And we saw a good game… A little scary at the end, but nevertheless, a 4 point weekend for the boys.

The things that came out of the weekend.

1. The Isles are capable and definitely have the ability toplay against different styles of teams, and systems. In this weekend, we encountered a Devils team with outstanding skill levels. They crashed and crashed again, and were able to remove the best goaltender in the world out of his net. In the case of Phoenix, a similar looking team as their opponent, they were able to beat them to pucks, and win the battles in front of the goaltender.

2. The re-emergence of Jeff Tambellini. Hey Jeff – glad to have you back! He looks so comfortable with the puck and is crashing the net with strength and confidence.

3. Although Joey Mac has done a yeoman like job – we are seeing the scale sliding more and more to Yann Danis. He has not only made major strides on his play, but has taken that play to whole new level.

4. The forwards do not look like young and green, but are playing like solid NHL veterans. Then you get 26 year old Mike Iggluden – who not only come in from a similar system and fit in nicely, but has 3 assists in 2 games. Not only does he fits in, he is a snug a a bug in a rug.

5. The defense is slowly improving game by game – and guys have made tremendous strides. Bruno Gervais, who honestly did not have the best two games this weeknd, has done great with his pairing with Mark Streit. Jack Hillen has taken the Campoli role, and showed great confidence in a very short time. Joe Callahan has stepped up well in the absence of Brendan Witt, and has been solid. Tomas Pock has come back, which has allowed the Isles to send Andy MacDonald back to Bridgeport, and get his 22-25 minutes back; which will help him out.

6. Scott Gordon has got these guys believing that they can take on ANY team, and stay with them with no issues. This will make great inroads for next season, as they move to the next level of their development.

And do NOT tell me that this team should just lose it – in order to secure the first pick in the draft. I, like all of you, would love to see the name Tavares on an Islander jersey. But I want to see this team grow and develop as this season comes to a close. No matter what – the goal is development for ALL players, not just the potential new #91.

Well – the team is NOW on the road for six games, and no home match until the 25th. So the number of entries may be small, but I will make comments as needed.

On the late evening of the 20th, I, and 49 others will get on a bus and make the trek up I81 and head to Ottawa to see our boys take on Chris Campoli, Mike (Tinkerbell) Comrie, and the rest of the Senators. We (the booster Club) are going to be wearing our ORANGE as our trip group is normally called the ORANGE WAVE! I a looking forward to that trip, and I will be writing entries from the road, and after the game.

Have a great week everyone. Way to go boys. Real proud of ya!

Posted under Booster Club, Islanders 08-09

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