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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

An Off Island Experience

On December 26,  for the first time in my life, I attended an NHL game that was NOT played at Nassau Coliseum. I went to Madison Square Garden to see the Rangers host the Islanders.

At every game I go to, I wear my blue Isles home jersey. But this time, for fear of it getting ruined, I chose to wear my "Haley 59" shirt that I bought at the end of last season. I figured that MSG would be a cruel environment for an Islander fan. I was waiting to be booed, yelled at, and I was half-expecting to get a beer dumped on me.

Walking into the Garden gave me a whole new perspective on hockey arenas. I had seats in the lower level, which was renovated over this past summer. The concourse was huge, there was a nice, clean, and shiny floor, as well as large well cushioned seats. The ushers were wearing suits and ties, unlike at the Coliseum where they wear sweater vests with Isles logos on them.

When I got to my seat, I could hear the guy sitting next to me mumble under his breath. "Great, we're sitting next to Islander fans." As the warmups began, the seats began to fill up. On Long Island, the seats are usually full at the bottom, but nobody is at the top during warm-ups. After warm-ups, I had a waitress bring me food directly to my seat. Too bad they don't have that on Long Island.

If your are wondering, everyone in the picture on the left is looking at PA Parenteau (off-camera), who has the puck. I guess the Isles are thinking if the goalie can stop 9 Islanders, he can stop 5 Rangers. Only problem, there is only 1 puck each time, and the Rangers are deadly accurate.








Suprisingly, the insults stopped there. After the first period, I was throughly satisfied witht the Isles effort. It was scoreless and Evgeni Nabokov was great. Unfortunately for the Isles, Henrik Lundqvist was also great. Less than 5 minutes in the game, Micheal Haley got into a fight, and had to leave due to an injury sustained in the fight. He had to take the "skate of shame" to the locker room after he had already sat in the penalty box.







As we all know, the Rangers went on to win the game 3-0. Rookie Carl Hagelin had a pair of goals and Marian Gaborik added a late empty net goal. This scene to the left shows the general hoopla after the puck crossed the goal line.


You can't blame the loss on Nabokov, he played great. You can blame the loss on a lack of execution by the Islanders. They tried to make the fancy play instead of just shooting the puck. Henrik Lundqvist stood on his head for the Rangers, making 28 saves for the shutout.

The facts are the Rangers are a very good hockey team. This could be their year. The Islanders are still searching for an identity.  The fans at the Garden realized that any insult they yell at me can't do enough justice. Simply looking at the scoreboard will do enough justice and makes more of an insult. Take a look at the scoreboard for yourself, and tell me that isn't an insult for Islanders fans.

Like I said, the Isles need to find an identity. If nothing shows up, we will be in for another long season. Thanks for reading. That's all I have from MSG.

 Lets Go Islanders!!!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

From Devistation into Celebration

New Jersey Devils' Zach Parise, Top Right, Reacts  Zach Parise #9 Of The New Jersey Devils Breaks






When the puck slowly slid across the goal line at the Prudential Center last Saturday afternoon, I can assure you that I was not the only Islander fan ready to give up on this team.
In my mind, and out loud, I was screaming, "What do they have to do to get a win?" As I was in the process of typing a tweet about how bad the Islanders are, the MSG+ crew was showing replays of the goal. I calmed down enough to watch the replays, and after THIS decision was made, a faceoff was irrelevant, and the Islanders somehow had came away with 2 points and their first road win of the year.

They can keep it rolling.

After that mini heart attack, the Islanders played a great all around day to close out November on a positive note. In Bufflo, Brian Rolston got the late backhander into the back of the net. Al Montoya was phenominal, making 30 saves and getting another win. A few points from these games.

1. Michael Grabner needs a breakaway coach, or to think less. In the last 3 games, Grabner has had almost 10 breakaways and a penalty shot. He only converted on one, and that was the one when he had no time to think about where he was going to shoot it.

2. David Ullstrom is really playing well. He is getting opportunites, and he is helping the team convert. He got an assist on the game winning goal yesterday, and he is playing like he wants to stay in the NHL.
New York Islanders' Brian Rolston (11) Celebrates

3. Al Montoya is trying to end the Islanders goalie controversy. Last night, he was unbelievable in Buffalo, and he has played great. He is the #1 goalie. Rick DiPietro can wait, and whenever Evgeni Nabokov gets back, he should be traded.

A two game winning streak to end November is nice, but it will take a lot more to put the Isles back into playoff contention. Back to back games in Chicago and Dallas should be a real test for this club. Time to put up or shut up.

Lets Go Islanders!!!!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Consistantly Inconsistant

On Long Island, things are changing. Rapidly. Let's rewind to about a week ago, Monday November 14th.

On November 14, the Islanders had just gotten back after a long flight from Vancouver following a 4-1 loss. Al Montoya, Rick DiPietro, and Evgeni Nabokov were all healthy. Lastly, every Isles game jersey has had either blue, orange, or white as the main color. Oh, how things can change in 6 days. On Tuesday, the Rangers came into the Coliseum and thanks to a late flub by Josh Bailey, got a tie-breaking goal and left with a 4-2 win.

This picture pretty much sums it up. The Coliseum was packed with Ranger fans. And after the goal, you can see the presence of all the Rangers fans going nuts. The Rangers players are thrilled.

Evgeni Nabokov did everything he could do, but the Isles couldn't do anything in front of him.





On Wednesday, the Isles did something nobody ever would have expected. They unveiled a new, black jersey in a fashion show event at the Coliseum. My take on these jerseys is that they could be a lot worse, but I don't like them. Just my opinion. View them for yourself and decide whether or not you like them.



The following day, the Isles just held on long enough to squeak out a 4-3 win over the Canadiens. Jay Pandolfo notched his first goal as an Islander and his 100th career goal. Evgeni Nabokov started the game. But in the first period, Nabokov hurt his groin while saving a shot. He was placed on injured reserve the next day. He's out for about a month.
He was playing like the #1 goalie, but we all know how these things work out with the Islanders.


In theory, this solved the Isles 3 goaie situation. DiPietro and Montoya would play while Nabokov healed.

Yesterday, the Islanders were at home hosting the defending Stanley Cup Champion Bruins. But before the game, the Isles did a suprising move and called up rookie Anders Nilsson, who had no previous NHL experience, from Bridgeport because Al Montoya had a hamstring injury. After the Bruins clobbered both DiPietro and Nilsson throughly, the Isles were left battered and bruised.
A Puck Shot By Boston Bruins' Nathan Horton FliesBoston Bruins' Brad Marchand, Zdeno Chara (33) And Tyler Seguin (19) Celebrate Chara's Goal As



















So, here we are. The Isles are already on their 4th goalie. 2 are on IR, DiPietro is the HEALTHY one, and if things go wrong from here, the Islanders also have Kevin Poulin in Bridgeport, you may remember him from last year. He played great before having his season shut down due to an injury. The Sound Tigers also have former Ranger Steve Valiquette because they needed a goalie after Nilsson was called up. I wouldn't be suprised if the old former Ranger is in the Isles crest real soon.

To Top everything off, Sidney Crosby will play in his first game since January tomorrow against the Isles. As if luck was already against the Islanders....


Lets Go Islanders!!!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Lost on an Island

New York Islanders Goalie Evgeni Nabokov, Of Kazakhstan, Looks


I'm sure you all know what is going  on right now. Let's just hope this is not turning into last season. I'll just leave it at that.


Lets Go Islanders!!

Monday, October 31, 2011

Finishing October Without A Bang

Well, a month into the season and here we are again. That feeling of, "What do they have to do to win a game?" is back. This is NOT the time to hit the big red panic button.

The facts are the Isles started 3-1-0, but went 0-3-2 since then.

In their last game, the Isles were on the wrong end of a tough call in OT, which might have cost them the game. Everyone seemed to know what happened, except for the guys in stripes.

Photo Credit: sports.yahoo.com
On a positive note from this game, oft injured goalie Rick DiPietro started, and played very well, allwoing 2 goals throughout regulation. The Isles powerplay got 2 goals in the second period, and they peppered Thomas Greiss with 37 shots. Overall a great game, but just an unfortunate outcome.






Photo Credit: Newsday
The Islanders have also yet to win a road game. Their best chance came in Pittsburgh last week when, after a rare Matt Martin goal, the Isles were up 2-0 in the third period. The Penguins came back and tied it against Evgeni Nabokov, who had been playing great. The game went to a shootout, and for some reason unknown at that point, Evgeni Nabokov simply left the game and Rick DiPietro came in for his first game action of the season. Even Isles announcer Howie Rose was baffled. He said, in complete shock, "What in the wide world of sports is going on here?!?!?" DiPietro played fine in the shootout, allowing a goal to Evgeni Malkin on a move that had DiPietro sliding before the puck left Malkin's stick. Unfortunately for him, the Isles couldn't match it.


The bottom line is, the Isles are not playing badly, they are just not winning. Their penalty kill ins #8 in the league. The power play is #10 in the league, both solid numbers. If these numbers continue to stay the way they are, the Isles will be fine. There is no reason to panic.

For the first time in 15 years, the Islanders host the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, and that should make for a great game as last year the Islanders and the Atlanta Thrashers always played close, competative games. It's early, and eventually this will all work itself out.

Lets Go Islanders!!!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Studs and Duds

Well, here we are again, off to a fast start. The season is in full swing, hockey is back, and the Isles have shown plenty of promise through the first 5 games. There has been a share of highs and a share of lows. Now let's take a look at some of the players and their impact on the Isles 3-2-0 start.

Studs: 

John Tavares-After a quiet first 2 games, Tavares just exploded in the next two. Against Tampa Bay, it started with a fortunate bounce, and it ended with another goal and two more assists after one period. A couple days later against the hated Rangers...


Hopefully this is a sign of what things will be like the next few years on the Island. If he can continue at the pace he is at, then the sky is the limit for the former top draft pick.

Mark Streit-The captain is back. The Isles really missed their captain last year and his presence was felt quickly. In the game against Minnesota, Streit made a beautiful pass to set up a Frans Nielsen goal. He is the leader of the power-play and as you can see in the video above, he is responsible for most of the chances. He's completely healthy, and hopefully he will get back to the All-Star form he was at a few seasons ago. Welcome Back Mark Streit!




New York Islanders' Steve Staios (24) Congratulates

Jack Capuano's Gut- Apparently Jack Capuano knows something that we all don't. On opening night, he suprised everyone by naming Al Montoya starter. He stuck with the hot hand for the first 3 games, and Montoya allowed only 4 goals, winning 2 of his first 3 starts. Then, when everyone thought Montoya was going to get the start against his former club, his gut feeling changed. Was it what he ate for lunch, or was he on to something? Evgeni Nabokov, who hung up on Garth Snow, got the start and played like the Evgeni Nabokov from San Jose, stopping all but 2 Ranger shots and leading to an Islanders victory.


Duds: 
The Entire Third Line-On paper, the third line of Josh Bailey centering Brian Rolston and Blake Comeau looked pretty good. But except for a couple Brian Rolston power-play assists, this line has been very ineffective. In fact, Comeau has been a healthy scratch the last two games to give Trevor Gillies time in the lineup. With goal scorer Comeau, veteran leader Rolston, and Bailey in the middle, this line better figure something out otherwise head coach Jack Capuano might need to jumble up some lines.

New York Islanders' Josh Bailey, Left, And Florida Panthers' Ryan Carter, Right, Collide













Rick DiPietroRick DiPietro-I really hate to be mean like this, but I am really starting to become less of a Rick DiPietro fan. From a side note, the most productive thing Brian Rolston has done so far this season has hit DP in the mask with a shot during practice. This gave DP a concussion, and he has yet to play this season. Hopefully, his case can be like Sidney Crosby's, with many setbacks and problems. With Nabokov and Montoya healthy, why even waste time on DP?



Only 5 games into the season, it isn't a lost cause yet, and there is still hope. Things are starting to get back to normal, especially since DP is injured again. My guess, Evegeni Nabokov starts tomorrow in Florida. But, with Jack Capuano's changing gut, you never know. Let's see how this goes.


Lets Go Islanders!!!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

My First Game

Right now, I'm going to break away from my normal blog entries and focus on a story that came back to me earlier about my first Isles game.

"Welcome to the game." An usher greeted me, handed me my ticket, and I was standing inside Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the first time. 
The actual ticket from my first game
It was October 28, 2001 and my father and I were going to an Islanders game, my first one ever. Since I was only 7 years old, I didn't really have much of an idea of what hockey was or who the Islanders were. It was the beginning of what would become a life-long passion. 

After an usher showed my father and I our seats, I sat down and got my first glimpse of the Coliseum ice. For a 7 year old kid, that sight was pretty mesmerizing. When warm-ups began I sat in my seat fixated on the team wearing the cool green jerseys. Not knowing any better, I thought those guys were the good guys. Later on, when they entered the ice for the game, I started cheering. Only then my father told me I was rooting for the Islanders opponent, the Dallas Stars. (They do have a good jersey though.) Then, my father explained to me that the team in white jerseys was the good guys, they were the New York Islanders. (Plain, traditional jerseys, I personally like the new ones.) From then, I was an Islander fan. 

Most of the game is a blur to me, but I do remember some of it. I remember that when the Islanders scored, a loud annoying horn blasted and everyone in the stadium went crazy. I remember being annoyed by the horn, and I also remember at my next game a few months later, I knew the words to the song perfectly. 

The game went by, and the score was 2-2 going into sudden death overtime. Remember when there were ties? I sure do. If nobody scored in the overtime, the game would have ended 2-2. But then Islanders captain Mike Peca ended it quickly. The Isles won it in overtime 3-2 and the place went bonkers. (Don't believe me, the box score is right HERE.)  

On my way out, an usher, who must have been told by my dad that it was my first game, handed me a puck. Now looking at it, it is nothing more than a blank black puck with an Islanders logo sticker on it, as you can see. It was a great souvenir to end a great day. 


That day was nearly a decade ago, and that season was a big year for the Islanders. They made the playoffs for the first time in a while. In the playoffs Shawn Bates delivered one of the most famous moments in Isles history. Everyone on that team no longer plays for the Islanders, and current GM Garth Snow was sitting on the bench watching. 

Now, a decade later the Isles are facing an uncertain future, but one think is for sure, there will be hockey RIGHT NOW on the Island at the Coliseum. Let's go win one for the team a decade ago that just couldn't

Lets Go Islanders!!!! 





Monday, September 12, 2011

First Of Hopefully Not Too Many

If you have been watching the Isles rookie game tonight against the Bruins rookies on the Islanders website, you probably noticed 2 things. 


1. There is a new logo on center ice. Not just the same Islanders logo that's always been there, but a newer logo to commemorate 40 years of Islanders hockey, similar to the logo seen below, which will also be a patch on the Islanders jerseys this season. 





2. Rhett Rakhshani, who appeared in a couple games for the Isles last season, left the game with a concussion and will be re-evaluated tomorrow. Let's hope he is fine, and doesn't have setbacks like superstar Sidney Crosby. Get better Rhett, the Isles may need you soon. 





Lets Go Islanders! 

Friday, August 26, 2011

What Now?

Alright, August 1 has passed, and we all know what happened. But what happens now? If you are an Islander fan, what should you be looking forward to?

As owner Garth Snow has said, the new arena dilemma now will not be the top priority for him and for most of the Islanders staff. Their new priority is on this upcoming year, and the future for the hockey season has never looked brighter than it does right now. Let's put the facts out there.


  • Infamous goalie Evgeni Nabokov says he WILL report to Islanders training camp in September. This said, he will have a chance to compete for a job with the Isles, although Rick DiPietro (contract for life) and Al Montoya (great job last year) look to have the spots on the Isles locked up. This means that he could be worth more in the trade market than as a goalie. Whichever way this goes, the Isles should improve because of it. 
  • The Islanders improved their power-play by trading for veteran forward Brian Rolston. He has one heck of a slap-shot, and he should be ready to unload it. Brian also can provide some veteran leadership to one of the youngest clubs in the NHL. 
  • After missing all of last year due to a fluke injury in a inter-squad game, veteran defenseman Mark Streit is coming back. We all know what he can do, and hopefully he can be a leader on and off the ice. In my mind, Mark Streit is the next captain of the New York Islanders.
This may not be something to look forward to, but if you have not heard yet, and I can't confirm if this is actually happening, but the Islanders may be getting new sweaters, as you can see below: Pass or Fail: New York Islanders third jersey for 2011-12

I don't know what to make of these, but if the Isles win while wearing then, so what? 

Training camp is around the corner, and you can't have a good season without a good training camp. Let's see how this all plays out, and for now let's focus on what happens on the ice. 


Lets Go Islanders!!!


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

2011-2012 Line Combinations

Well, as Islander fans have been for such a long time, we can look forward to the future. But, how exactly will next year's team look. Here's what I think the 2011-2012 Islanders depth chart will look like. Keep in mind that active NHL rosters can only contain 20 players. (12 forwards, 6 defensemen, 2 goalies.)

Time for now full time head coach Jack Capuano to make some tough decisions.

Forward Line 1:

PA Parenteau----John Tavares---Matt Moulson 

This line was together for most of this past season, and they produced. Tavares, Moulson, and Parenteau were first, second, and third, respectably, in scoring for the Isles this past season.  Taking apart this line would be a shame, as JT is primed to be one of the NHL's top scorers. This line could be together for years to come.

Forward Line 2:

Michael Grabner---Frans Nielsen---Kyle Okposo

Ever since Kyle Okposo returned to the lineup, this line was formed and they stayed together for the rest of the year. This line flat out has everything. Frans Nielsen could be a future Selke Trophy, which goes to the best defensive forward in the league. Also, you can't forget about Nielsen's unstoppable penalty shot. Michael Grabner came out of nowhere to become the NHL's fastest skater at the All-Star game. He also scored a team leading 34 goals and seemed to get a breakaway a game. Then there is the man who I think is going to wear the "C" on his jersey next year, Kyle Okposo. This line is a great line and, if together, will produce. Now things start to get interesting.

Forward Line 3:

Trent Hunter---Josh Bailey---Blake Comeau

This line is up in the air. But it is a great scoring line. This season, Comeau and Bailey emerged as great scorers, with Comeau scoring 24 goals and Bailey getting 17 assists. This line also has a man who has played with the Islanders for the past TEN years, Trent Hunter. when he's healthy, Trent is a big physical presence and he has a great slap-shot. I really would like to see these guys on a line, it would be exciting for everyone.

Forward Line 4:

Matt Martin---Micheal Haley---Trevor Gillies

This 4th line is up for grabs. But, the line that I have chosen is a good one. First off, you have the fighting ability of all three of these guys. Then you have the offensive skill of all three of them. They may not be prominent goal scorers, but they get their chances. Haley is coming off a short stint with the Isles at the end of the season, and he became a fan favorite within about 3 hours of being called up because of his fight against Penguins goalie Brent Johnson. Gillies is and has always been a fan favorite, and the Islanders love him, so he will probably be staying. Matt Martin also had a solid rookie season, impressing Isles fans.


Defense Line 1:


Mark Streit---Radek Martinek

Now, if you have been clicking on the player's names in this entry, you may have noticed that the highlights are all goals, except for Radek Martinek. He's been an Islander for the past decade, and yet John Tavares scored more goals this season than Martinek scored in his whole career. When Martinek gets the chance to shoot, he lets off a great shot, but his known for his great defensive and physical play. On the other hand, there is Mark Streit. He missed all of last season after a collision with Matt Moulson during the team's inter squad game. When he returns, he will be in charge of the power-play, and he can shoot. In his first year as an Islander, 08-09, he led the team in points with 56. He is the Islanders top defenseman, and if he is healthy, watch out.

Defense Line 2:

Travis Hamonic---Andy MacDonald

At the start of last season, Travis Hamonic was in Bridgeport and Andy MacDonald was going to be the #2 defenseman. However, things change fast, and after the Islanders traded James Wisniewski, these two men were the Islanders top defensemen. They were phenomenal and proved that they deserved to be the top pair. Next year, I hope they stay together in the NHL, even though they won't be the top pair. Hamonic looked like a seasoned veteran at points last year, maturing very quickly. All of this while MacDonald showed why the Isles have stuck with him until this point. These guys need to stay together.

Defense Line 3:

Mark Eaton---Milan Jurcina

This third defenseman pear is also up in the air, but these two people deserve to be on the team. Mark Eaton is a great defensive defenseman and playoff veteran, and his name is on the Stanley Cup from his year with Penguins a few years ago. Mark is also a great leader, and he had the "A" on his jersey for a little while before he got injured to prove it. On the other hand, Milan Jurcina has one heck of a shot. At the Islanders skills competition before the season started, it was clocked at over 100 miles per hour. He also can make great checks, like you see in the videos above. He should be on the team in October. This does leave a few questions.

Goalies

Al Montoya---Rick DiPietro

Whether or not you like it, Rick DiPieto will be on the Isles active roster next year. Al Montoya, who the Islanders recently signed to an extension, will also be back. Who will start most of the time? That is a great question.

You may have questions, but I have compiled a list of the questions that this team needs to think about for next season.


  • What is going to happen to stuck up goalie Evgeni Nabokov? Trade him? Will he show up?
  • Will Zenon Konopka be an Islander in a few months? 
  • Who are the Islanders going to draft? 
  • Where is Jesse Joensuu on this list? 
  • How about Kevin Poulin? 
  • What about the other defensemen, like Bruno Gervais, Mike Mottau, and Jack Hillen? 
  • Will the vote for a new arena get passed on August 1st? (VOTE YES!!!)

Alright, there are my predicted 2011-2012 Line Combinations. I hope you enjoy them. Have a great summer, and vote yes for the new arena on August 1. 

Lets Go Islanders! 

Monday, May 2, 2011

Time To Get Pumped

This should get you pumped for next year, so stop reading and watch:



Lets Go Islanders!!

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Your (Former) New York Islanders


Watching the NHL playoffs is always exciting. If your team is playing, it only increases the intensity. When your team isn't playing, watching the hockey playoffs seems like watching a multi-act Broadway show at some points. The drama, intensity, excitement, and thrill all seem to increase because as many athletes have said before, "The playoffs are when the real season starts." The first round of this year's playoffs have been spectacular, unless your team has been eliminated. Game 7's, many overtimes, and great goals have been the story. There has been one team that has stood out to me the most so far, and it is the Tampa Bay Lightning.

You are probably thinking, "Why Tampa Bay?"

Well, first of all they came back from a 3-1 deficit to the Penguins, winning 3 in a row, including a game 7 epic in Pittsburgh, in which their goalie, former Islander Dwayne "Rollie the Goalie" Roloson, stopped every shot faced and another former Islander, Sean Bergenheim got the only goal, which you can see below. Roloson's biggest save came when another former Islander, Nate Thompson, was sitting in the penalty box for a late penalty.



Remember Dwayne Roloson? The Islanders had him for all of last season and for most of this season until a New Year's day trade to the Lightning for D-Man Ty Wishart. With all due respect to Wishart, I think Tampa Bay got the better end of that trade.

This seems to be so typical of former Islanders, leave LI and succeed, just ask these guys.
Best of Luck to Rollie the Goalie and the rest of the former Islanders in this year's playoffs. Congrats to the Lightning on their epic win. Keep enjoying the game everyone.




Lets Go Islanders!!


Friday, April 15, 2011

This Is Home

No matter what anyone says, the Islanders are Long Island's team, and they always will be.



With all of the rumors out there that the  Islanders may be relocating, the team is still here in Nassau, for now. And this all fits into "The Script." Since the Islanders lease at Nassau Coliseum expires after the 2014-2015 season, and the Islanders are improving overall,  Nassau County executives and Charles Wang are going to have a tough decision to make in the future. To keep a hopefully winning team where  it belongs? or explore other options? Let's hope that we can get to that point.

Lets Go Islanders!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Unbelievable

Reading the capitals website's preview about last night's game got me sick. See for yourself and then you will know what I mean.


C'mon man. The Isles have not worn a fisherman logo for about 15 years now. Hopefully we will never have to see it again, ever. The Caps need to get with the program.

Lets Go Islanders

Saturday, February 12, 2011

The Real 3 Stars of Friday's Game


We all know what happened between the Islanders and Penguins on Friday night at Nassau Coliseum.
The 3 stars of the game were listed as:
     1. John Tavares
     2. Matt Moulson
     3. Michael Grabner

These three players are deserving of the three stars. If I had my picks, they would be a little different.

Third Star: Mikko Koskinen
A day after going through an emotional up and down and earning his first NHL victory, Mikko Koskinen was thrown back into the fire against the Penguins. He stepped up big time and made 35 saves on 38 shots for his second NHL win in 2 days. One of those 35 saves is this one, which may possibly be the save of the year.



Second Star: Travis Hamonic
Kudos to Travis. The rookie d-man showed that he could compete with the best of them on Friday night when he got a Gordie Howe Hat Trick. (For those of you that don't know, that is when a player gets a goal, assist, and gets in a fight in the same game.) He started off with a blast of a shot for the first Isles goal. An assist on a great pass to PA Parenteau, who simply redirected it home for the Islanders 3rd goal. To cap off the Gordie Howe trick, Hamonic got into a nice tussle with Michael Rupp during the second period. Congrats Travis, you deserve second star of the game.

























First Star: Micheal Haley
Micheal Haley, what is there to say about him? Friday night's was his first game of the season, and to leave with the fans chanting your name, that is something. In the first period, Haley got into a fight with Craig Adams, one of Pittsburgh's better fighters, and he clearly won that fight no contest. In the second period, he scored his first NHL goal, and it was a beauty, as you can see below.



Then, to finish off his day, he got into a fight with Islander enemy Maxime Talbot, won, and then skated down to the other end of the ice and took punches at Islanders enemy #1, Brent Johnson. And, he wanted to take on the whole Penguins team, or what was left of it, as he was being escorted out by the referee.
















Micheal Haley, great statement in your first game of the season. You are the First star.

Now, for your viewing pleasure, because I can't seem to get enough of it.
A Hockey Game.   Friday Night Fights Featuring The Isles and Penguins.
Lets Go Islanders!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

New York Islanders Goalies (Or Lack Thereof)

As you are probably aware of by now, the Islanders goaltending situation really is very bad. So bad, in fact, that I can barely keep track of everyone and I'll show you everyone and their problems.

Goalie #1: Rick DiPietro
We all know DiPietro signed a contract for life a few years ago. Since then, we have not received much.  Now, DP has a broken face from his fight with Brent Johnson last week. He'll be gone for about a month.

Goalie #2: Dwayne Roloson
Currently starting for the Tampa Bay Lightning after being traded for Ty Wishart and trying to help them make a deep postseason run.  He gets physical at times also.

Goalie #3: Nathan Lawson
He'll be coming back in less than a week. He's been out for a few weeks with a knee injury. He'll assume the #1 goalie role assuming that no one new comes in.

Goalie #4: Evgeni Nabokov
Be a man and just show up Evgeni.  We really, really need you.

Goalie #5: Kevin Poulin
Last night, during warm-ups....

Now he is done for the season.

Goalie #6: Mikko Koskinen: Healthy, but he allowed 2 goals on the first 2 shots he ever faced in the NHL.

Goalie #7: Joel Martin: Arrived at the Coliseum after being driven from Bridgeport straight to the game last night. He'll back up Koskinen if needed.

AND: If all else fails, the Islanders have 3 goalies in their Front Office.
Mike Dunham, current goaltending coach and former Islanders goalie.
Former Quebec Nordiques goalie and fired Isles coach, yet for some reason is still with the team, Scott Gordon.


Last but not least, the Islanders also have GM Garth Snow. If he wants to do something to show the Isles fans that he is doing the right thing, he shouls strap on the pads, and get between the pipes. After all, he is only 2 years older than Doug Weight.  He also likes to get physical, such as HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Who is going to play goalie for the Islanders? My prediction is a person not mentioned in this entry.

Lets Go Islanders!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Why Play For the Islanders?

Everybody knows that the Islanders recently stole goalie Evgeni Nabokov away from the Detroit Red Wings on waivers. He would get paid over half a million dollars to play the rest of this season. Then Nabokov made what seemed like an easy decision to him at the time, to not show up to the Islanders. Why would he do this? There are many reason to go to the Islanders, and not to. Now I present to you a big decision, To Show Up or Not To Show Up?

Good Reasons to Show Up:

  • He can use the rest of this season as an "audition" to prove to other NHL teams that he is capable of still playing at the high level required to be great in the NHL. 
  • After this season, he is an unrestricted free agent and can go anywhere, unless he wants to return to the Islanders. 
  • The Islanders can appeal to the NHL to "toll" his contract. This means that he would not get paid at all for this season and his contract would not begin until next season. Essentially, this would push back his contract and keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent. 
  • He can prove to other NHL teams that he is a team player and just show up, and try his best to help the struggling Isles. 
Good Reasons not to Show Up: 
  • He wants to be a part of a team that can make a deep playoff run. The Islanders are most likely not going to make the playoffs this season. 
  • Nassau Coliseum is an old, dirty, and just plain bad arena and not that many players want to play there. 
  • He would have to find a place to live for the next few months, then have to do it all again once he signs with a new team next season. 
  • If he does not want to show up, more power to him. 

It now looks like Nabokov is going to pull a Darrelle Revis. He will try to hold out as long as possible until something happens. Also, the Islanders really need a goalie, badly. He could help the team right now.  Let's hope that Nabokov and the Islanders can resolve something soon. 

We hope to see you in this crease soon Evgeni, just wearing a navy blue jersey. 


Lets Go Islanders!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Typical New York Islanders "Fan"





Yes the Islanders are doing better recently, but I found this hilarious.


Lets Go Islanders!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

In Typical New York Islanders Fashion

Whenever anything happens for the Islanders, something always seems to go the other way. For example, the Islanders had a chance to keep all of the following people. If they kept even half of these people, they may have had Stanley Cup #5 on Long Island in the past decade.


  • Roberto Luongo- Drafted by the Islanders in 1997. After playing one season with the team, he was traded along with Olli Jokinen to the Florida Panthers in 2000 to make room for Rick DiPietro. We all know how that worked out. 
  • Zdeno Chára and Jason Spezza- Big Zdeno Chára was drafted by the Isles in 1996. After four unproductive seasons with the Islanders, he was traded, along with the Islanders first round draft pick, to the Senators for center Alexei Yashin. The Senators used the Islanders draft pick to select Jason Spezza as the #2 overall selection in the draft. As of right now, Spezza an Chára are all-stars and Yashin is still on the Islanders payroll. 
  • Todd Bertuzzi and Brian McCabe- Bertuzzi was drafted by the Islanders in 1995. McCabe was drafted in 1993. In 1998, after both were unproductive during their time on Long Island, both were traded to the Vancouver Canucks during the season for  Trevor Linden. (Who?) 
  • The Whole 2003 NHL Draft- The Islanders had the 15th pick in the 2003 draft. They used it to select Robert Nilsson. (Again, who?) Two picks later the Devils selected Zach Parise. Other men that the Islanders had  a shot at, but passed on were: Ryan Getzlaf, Mike Richards, Corey Perry, Shea Weber, and team USA hero during the last Olympic Games, Ryan Kesler.  
This video pretty much sums up the Islanders recent failures. 


And now, just after the new year, the Islanders traded away Rollie the Goalie to the Lightning for defenseman Ty Wishart. In his first game as a member of the Lightning, while wearing his New York Islanders mask, Roloson shut out the Capitals, in Washington. Good for him.  Bad for us.

Tampa Bay Lightning's Martin St Louis (26) Is Congratulated By Teammate Tampa Bay Lightning Goalie Dwayne Roloson (31)
(photo credit: sports.yahoo.com)

And, to top all of this off, Rick DiPietro got injured in the Islanders first game after the new year and has been out. Now the Islanders need to rely on rookie goalies Nathan Lawson and Kevin Poulin (Who?) until DP can heal. I can't wait to see how this turns out.

Lets Go Islanders!