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

With the 10 game streak done, the Isles are playing much better lately, especially on the defensive side of the rink. Not allowing much on 5 on 5 lately, ironically after the comments by Witt, are a good sign that the team is improving.

As we all know, Islander teams improve when they go to the Garden, regardless of the hows and wheres. The guys always get up for it, and in the past few years, there are a lot of Orange and Blue in the stands. If you can not get up for a game like this, you need some serious kool-aid.

Now – for the other night – a great effort against the Leafs. I think that there were very few negatives to take from this game. All four lines were real good, and the D were playing smartly.

By the way – my three stars from that game:

3. Okposo – 2 points – and his best game as an Islander
2. Ricky – welcome back, and played well to boot
1. Guerin – congrats on 400

We all thought Bailey got #1 – but to no avail.

On the Buffalo match – the Isles looked well, and played a fantastic finish. They did not give up, as well as not looked like a team in desperation in the last few minutes. Again – I thought Kyle O played a great game. He seemed to mature two years on the ice in a few days. His set up of Campoli for the last second shot was brilliant. Great to see Tinkerbell finally get on the scoresheet. I just wish he would stop pushing his pixie dust, and make non-highlight-attempt passes to open guys. Defenses have to know that 89 is going to try something cute, so they just gang up on him, and oops, a gaffe!

It was real tough to lose Amazing Andy H. He has played so well, and deserves a great deal of kudos from the fans. Hopefully the ‘hairline’ won’t keep him out as much as Plus Champ Andy S. Good to see Silly back. He was kept out for the back to back, and I hope that within the next few games, that his experience gets to help this stat… The faceoff. This team is winning only about 40% of the time lately, and it hasn’t bit them in the butt, at least yet…

Tonight – the Rangers, fresh off a beating at home against the Devs. This team should just decline power play opportunities, and play 5 on 5. They have 11 shorties given up, by far, the worst in the NHL. 26th on the PP, with all of that talent. Interesting to see how they come out tonight.

And as for the “King”? He has looked mighty mortal lately. Is it the number of games, or is it the playboy life? Hmmmm??? Have another Apple Martini, Henry?

Well – hopefully it is the typical Islander-Ranger game, that brings the passion of this rivalry to a peak! Enjoy it – and talk next on Wednesday. I will be at the game to end the year.

Have a great one! And hopefully, 2 points in our box.

Posted under Islanders 08-09

The Thrashers have given over six goals a few times in the last two weeks. A team that is prime for the taking.

However, we were saying the EXACT same things when Atlanta first came into town recently.

This is one that we hope that Ilya Kovalchuk will forget to bring the “A” game. If there is ANY time to end this streak, it is NOW!

Looks like Hunter MAY play – and Weight is out. So 1000 points under the Weight tree will not happen. Bruno is still out, and that streak is now approaching 13.

As ou friend Chris Botta said, it is about time for this team to show some ‘cohones’. (well -its my term, but it was said to the same idea) Yes, the team is down, but teams that want to be good are ones that will take it to new limits and make strides to want more. If you look at the end of the Minnesota game, that is something that you did not see. The Nashville game was a good game, but offensively, few chances and very little passion.

This is where you separate the men from the boys. This is a game where you see what kind of players you really have. Whether they really WANT to see this team succeed, or they are just go through the motions. I immediately move Witt to the good side, thanks to his passionate comments. This could be a guy that could want a way out, but he made sure that this was not the case.

Let’s see what the rest of the vets do. I really would like to see Tinkerbell get the wings off and show us something. Keep Kovalchuk off the sheet, and give us two desperate points. I am not asking for much for Christmas – just a win,please.

I will be wearing my Sheffield Steelers jersey tonight. I am 2-0 with the shirt on – so might as well keep the luck flowing.

To all that read this site, I wish you the happiest of Christmas seasons. If you are of the Jewish faith, I hope that your Hannukah celebration is festive and joyous. Please be safe, and enjoy the Holiday!

Talk on Friday, before the Leafs contest.

Posted under Islanders 08-09, Ramblings

If you have read my posts, you know who T.B. is, as well as the full name that I call him…

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.

Posted under Islanders 08-09, Player Analysis, Ramblings

Would you like to be a fly on the wall in the Islander locker room right now? I think if they tried to swat at you, they would miss……

They need to save face. Forget about five goals, just try and keep this as respectable as possible.

I head that Streit was beaten out of his jock on one play…. That is what was the scouting report on him. He will be good offensively, but can look sluggish, worse, crappy at times. Have to expect that.

This would be a time for some of the vets to step it up, and make some serious points in the room. Comrie with three penalties…

Oh by the way, I would like to take the Buffalo announcers and shove a hot fork up their collective butts! They are making it sound like a pee-wee team is playing the Sabres. It was announced that Witt was gushing blood, but accounts at the game, said that it was not as bad as announced.

Maybe this week away will give the chance to work some more on their systems. Will we see Ricky this period? Not sure…

Please get a goal….

Posted under Islanders 08-09