Cleaning Out and Looking Forward

I went to Isles cleanup day today to try and get a few autographs and talk to the guys. I did that, as you can see on my other blog.

When Lubomir Visnovsky walked out, I asked if he would be ready for next year. "I hope so," he said. Johan Sundstrom is all healed from his concussion. Brian Strait (right) will be getting his cast off tomorrow. Everything is looking up for the 2014-15 Islanders, who will be playing for the last time at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Try not to cry when watching below.

Never Say Die

If you are sick and tired of watching this year's team like I am, then you should enjoy the following documentary on the Islanders. Never Say Die...until you are eliminated from playoff contention.
Lets Go Islanders!
 

Where Are They Now?

After my last blog entry, many things happened. My twitter account gained over 30 new followers, and people tweeted at me with both support and criticism. Most importantly, the people over at IslesBlog took notice. They offered me a writing position at the blog, and I accepted it. Don't worry, I'll still be updating this blog as often as I can. With that, I will give you a brief preview of my first blog entry for them. It's a where are they now edition with some of your favorite former Islanders of years past.

Photo Credit: nhl.com

Rob Schremp: Most Islander fans remember Rob Schremp for the baseball swing goal he scored in Colorado in 2010.  Over his parts of two seasons on Long Island, Schremp played in 89 games, netting 47 points. In February 2011, the Islanders placed Schremp on waivers, where the Atlanta Thrashers claimed him. He was a fan favorite during his time on Long Island, and one of the best shootout shooters since Frans Nielsen. He finished out that season with the Thrashes. That turned out to be the last season in Thrashers history, and the last time Schremp played in the NHL. He played a year in the Swedish Elite league, and then went to Russia. He played or Dynamo Riga in the KHL, but left mid-season. He went to Austria for the rest of that season, recording 36 points in 26 games for Salzburg EC. Now, Schremp is playing for EV Zug in the Swiss league. If you have heard of any of these European teams, I envy you. Schremp was once a first round pick, but now he is trying to recapture the dream he achieved briefly playing in the NHL. 

Bonus Photos: Here are some former Islanders at the Sochi Olympics. I won't mention Michael Grabner's hat trick. (Oops.) 

Slovakian Defenseman Milan Jurcina knocking Team USA's Patrick Kane into the boards. 

Credit: Sun Times

Here's Austrian defenseman and former Islander Thomas Pock, wearing number 22, defending against Team Canada. 

That's all for this entry. Make sure you check out my IslesBlog entry once it comes out for more! Thanks for reading! Lets Go Islanders!

UPDATE: 2/19/14 HERE is the full entry on IslesBlog! Enjoy! 

A Night on the Isle

When rooting for the New York Islanders, one might become bipolar with the sudden lows and highs fluctuating on pretty much a nightly basis. However, this team can be a teaching point for life in general, from loyalty to passion and never giving up. MSG's Alan Hahn sums it up after last night's game.

It's dwindled to minuscule numbers, but there is no more passion and loyalty than what lies within those hardy souls at Nassau Coliseum.
— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) January 7, 2014

 The seating capacity at Nassau Coliseum is currently listed as 16,170. Last night's attendance of 11,111 was well below the average attendance of 13,461, but it is an all too common sight these days. The Islanders inevitably taking a lead before a not too packed house, only to painstakingly let them all down, and send the crowd home angry and empty handed.

However, last night was a fun exception. I was lucky enough to be in attendance. I bought tickets on a website for at least $90 below face value and they were great seats. Evgeni Nabokov got hurt in the first period, which usually is an ominous sign of things to come. After the first period, it felt like it was going to be another one of those nights where the Isles go through the motions in line for a loss, after which Jack Capuano will say the team's "battle level" wasn't there. Like we haven't heard that one before.

In the second period, that quickly changed. On the power play, the Isles got a break, and I got my camera out for what you see below.

Shortly after that, the die-hards in section 329 broke out into a 'Yes' chant that has to be seen live to believe and love.

For once, the Isles were the team getting the breaks, putting the puck in the net with regularity. The crowd at the Coliseum could sense it, as the Stars were held without a shot for almost 10 minutes in the second period. After John Tavares tied it off an amazing pass from Thomas Vanek. After that, Dallas called timeout to try and regain their composure. It didn't work.

If Peter Regin scores, Isles win. It's that simple. They won when he scored in the preseason, and now they have won both times he scored in the regular season. His tap in of a Josh Bailey pass gave the Islanders a lead.

Then Dallas tied it. At this point, I started thinking, "Here we go again." However, Brock Nelson singlehandedly brought the Isles the lead going into the second intermission.
In the third period, it was the John Tavares show. First, he set up Brian Strait during a 4 on 4 to make it 5-3. Then, he came out of the corner untouched and knocked the puck past Kari Lehtonen to make it 6-3. While all of this was going on, Kevin Poulin faced only 15 shots in relief of Evgeni Nabokov, stopping 13 of them en route to the win. With under 4 minutes left in the game, the Islanders had nearly two minutes of 5 on 3 time to try and set up the captain for his hat trick. Here's what happened.


Maybe this game was a distraction from the fact that this is not where the Islanders thought they would be at this point in the season. Maybe it will be a turning point for them to build on in hopes of making the playoffs. But for one night, all is well on Long Island.

All the loyal supporters will just have to keep watching and hoping that something will happen.

Thanks for reading! Lets Go Islanders!

The Good, The Bad, and The Terrible

Happy Holidays! The Islanders currently sit in 14th out of 15 in the Eastern Conference with 29 points. That is an all to familiar spot in the standings for the Isles. While this year was supposed to be a year that the Islanders would prove that they are a playoff team and potential Stanley Cup contender, this year has gone down the drain early. Here is some of what's up with this team.

Credit: Getty Images

The Good: Since returning from a groin injury, veteran goaltender Evgeni Nabokov has been great. In the five games since returning, Nabby is 2-1-2. First, he shutout the Montreal Canadiens for a full three periods. But since the Isles didn't score either, the game went to OT where Nabby couldn't make a save on a Max Pacioretty stop. In his last game in Detroit, Nabby was barely tested by a beat-up Red Wings team and got his 56th career shutout, first of the season. In five games since returning, Nabokov has a 1.96 Goals Against Average and a .928 Save Percentage, both great numbers that should help his team win if he keeps them up.

The Bad: These photos from the end of the third period of the game against Tampa Bay don't need much explaining.

Credit: Getty Images

The Terrible: Third Period Leads. What is it with the New York Islanders and third period leads? In 38 games this season, the Islanders have blown a third period TEN times. If the Islanders had won all 10 of those games, they would be right in the middle of the playoff teams. In five of those 10 games, the Isles have blown a two goal lead. In those five games, the Isles are 0-2-3 after taking a two goal lead into the third period. Simply, the Islanders will need to be mentally tough and physically tougher in the third period if they want to have any chance at making the playoffs. 

At least Ryan Strome is here to save everybody. 

Happy Holidays to all and Lets Go Islanders! 

Have We Found Him?

Credit: USA Today

The New York Islanders have long been looking for a goaltender to establish himself as the #1 option.

Kevin Poulin will make his third straight start for the Islanders tonight vs. the Los Angeles Kings.
This will only be the third time in Poulin's career that he will start in three straight NHL games. It happened in both the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, but both of those times, Poulin was the #1 goalie by default because the Islanders had numerous goaltender injuries.

Credti: Getty Images

This is the first time Poulin has played well enough to earn three straight starts, relegating Evgeni Nabokov to the bench. Looking at the numbers, it's simple to see why he will start. He is playing well. In six games this year, he is 2-4-0. One of those four losses was a 1-0 decision at Carolina last week. You can't expect him to be perfect. In his last four starts, Poulin has a 1.75 GAA and a .939 save percentage, both outstanding numbers. For comparison, in Nabokov's last four starts, he has allowed 17 goals and hasn't had a save percentage above .875 in any of those games. The coaching staff had no choice but to start Poulin and keep playing him as he played well.

Whoever is in net will still need more help, as both Lubomir Visnovsky and Brian Strait aren't near returning from their injuries quite yet. With or without them, the question remains:
How long can the Poulin wall keep backstopping the Islanders?

Lets Go Islanders!

How it All Started

When I was just seven years old, I attended my first Islanders game. That day was one to remember. I remember an usher gave me a souvenir puck as we were leaving the game. I remember thinking that the team in the green jerseys, the Dallas Stars, were the good team. I don't remember the video below too well, but I remember the Islanders winning. Take a look.

 

After that, I was hooked. Later that winter, I wrote a letter to the Islanders with a bunch of questions. Surprisingly, I got a response a few weeks later, as you can see below.

The signature on the bottom of the letter belongs to Mike Milbury, who was the Islanders general manager at the time of the letter, which was late in 2001. Getting a letter on official Islanders stationary from their GM was something I always treasured. I've kept that letter for almost 12 years, and although the stuff Milbury writes about might be random answers to questions I have, the letter has a much greater meaning to me. 

I am a New York Islanders fan. From all the bad to all the good that hopefully will come soon, I'll be rooting for the blue and orange. This letter helped start it all. 

Lets Go Islanders!