RANGERS 4, ISLANDERS 2
The they-gave-at-the-office recap
10:25 pm, The NVMC - The recap from Uniondale after the Rangers 4-2 win in a matchup of rivals at the Coliseum.
The Game: The under-manned Islanders overcame an own-goal off the stick of Bill Guerin less than one minute into the game and played an effective, high-battle-level game. But a goal by Ryan Callahan late-second gave the polished Rangers a 2-1 lead and Scott Gomez mid-third finished off a team whose margin for error is real slim right now.
Power Play: Rangers 1-8, Islanders 0-4.
Shots on goal: Rangers 39, Islanders 30.
The No. 2 Story: The Islanders announced during the first period that Rick DiPietro suffered an “injury unrelated to his previous injuries” and is “day-to-day pending additional assessment and treatment.” (See previous post, although we really don’t know what to think anymore).
The No. 3 Story: The game, not a sellout, was the second straight highly entertaining, worth-the-price-of-admission game in a row at the old barn on Hempstead Turnpike.
Post-Game Sound – Scott Gordon
After the game Gordon gave a review of his team’s performance that was not as light as the one you’ll see below from this blogger. The first-year Islanders coach – perhaps accepting that he’ll be without several key players for a while – kept the bar high. His attitude was a welcomed change-up.
“I’m concerned about why the game changed for us,” said Gordon. “I thought we played extremely well for 30 minutes, and then it got away from us.” He brought up how his team “started taking the kind of penalties Carolina did against us in the second half in that game.”
Despite a trio of “bright-side” questions from other reporters, Gordon declined to provide a happy recap and use the injuries to four top defensemen as an excuse.
“We’re trying to move in a direction not just this year, but down the road,” he said. “We want to change some habits.”
After the formal portion of his somewhat surprising post-game press conference, I continued the conversation one-one-one with Gordon. I will share those notes and my view of our talk in the practice coverage tomorrow.
3 Standout Islanders:
Joey MacDonald: Valiant.
Kyle Okposo: First goal of the season and strong (breakout?) performance in all areas.
Trent Hunter: Everywhere all night. Wasn’t so much lack of finish, but too much of Lundqvist.
What We Learned Tonight:
- Joey MacDonald quieted the requests for a call to Russia for Dubie for a little while.
- When a team plays with this much passion and energy as the Islanders did for the first 40 minutes, all that brain-draining system talk mercifully goes away.
- The Rangers were not always as sharp as their 9-2-1 record would indicate. But on the other hand…
- …Martin Brodeur may think he “plays really weird,” but Henrik Lundqvist is really, really good.
Game Rating (out of 5 stars): 3.5 - Not always a thing of beauty, but several new players on both teams were properly introduced to the rivalry. For a little more than two periods, that was raw.
Islanders Performance: 3.0 - The home team showed a whole bunch of old-time character down four defensemen, one goalie and one goal one minute into the game. Bravo.
Event Rating: 3.0 - Five or six plugs too many for the new Third Jersey, but otherwise a good show in-game. When these rivalry games are not close in the final minutes, with each season the scene in the stands is getting too Tarantino.
Attendance: 15,581.
Just Keeping it..Ya Know: Seems when the Rangers are fighting the puck, they become energized by the play of their youngsters like Nigel Dawes and Ryan Callahan.
Statsheet Notables: Kyle Okposo, 13:47 TOI, 7 shots, one goal, plus-1; Trent Hunter, 7 hits, 2 shots, many more scoring set-ups; Nate Thompson, one gutsy overhand-rightfest with the rather large Aaron Voros; Chris Campoli, continuing to be eased into the lineup, with 27:22 of ice.
Just Sayin’: The Islanders could make their lives so much easier if they could just finish on the power play.
Scouts in Attendance: Phoenix, Montreal, Detroit, Minnesota.
Islanders Press Coverage: Greg Logan and Mark Herrmann of Newsday, Dan Martin of the Post and Peter Botte of the Daily News. All the Rangers beat writers in attendance, including New Yorkers Steve Zipay (Newsday), Larry Brooks (Post) and Michael Obernauer (Daily News).
Out-of-Town News: Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson told d-manchild Luke Schenn, the fifth overall pick in the 08 draft, that he’s staying in Toronto for the season.
Think of Brandon Sutter: Brent Sutter drove his son Brandon this morning from a Long Island hospital to Penn Station, where Brandon Sutter was to travel by train from New York to Raleigh. After experiencing memory loss, the 19-year old Hurricanes forward is starting to feel better. According to the Devils blog Fire & Ice, Brandon’s mother Connie will stay with her son for a week in North Carolina.
Brent Talks Old-School: Provocative quote from the former Islanders captain and current Devils coach on the hit by Islanders center Doug Weight: “I know first-hand a check like that would not have happened 20 years ago, because you know what the consequences would have been.”
The Goal Song, Take 5: Two performances, and nobody got hurt.
Next Up: The Islanders travel to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers on Thursday before hosting Montreal on Saturday (Third Jersey debut) and Nikita Filatov and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday.
The Lineup
Park – Comrie – Okposo
Bergenheim - Weight – Guerin
Tambellini – Nielsen – Hunter
Sim - Thompson – Hilbert
Campoli - Gervais
Streit - Pock
Hillen - Skinner
MacDonald
Danis
Open up about the game. Do it all in Comments.
84 Responses to RANGERS 4, ISLANDERS 2
The they-gave-at-the-office recap
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rickistrash says:
Just the fact that the fans chant for a goalie who is in Russia tells you how he was a fan favorite. The numbers support it. He played the last 15 games last year behind an AWFUL defense and never let it more than 3 goals. He carried us to the playoffs the year before. But Ricky the golden boy said he had to go.
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Dave says:
Chris, will you go to Vegas with me and a couple friends?! Holy crap, you are almost dead on with your predictions so far. Thank you for the recap, once again you prove to be the best source for Islander news. Much appreciated and keep up the great work!
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I sold my season tickets tonight to a ranger fan for the first time in my life. I am so done with this team. The only games I go to from this point on will be to boo Rick from the get go and start Dubie chants. Oh wait, rick would actually have to play. Gutless punk.
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toorude says:
i think the term is gutless puke
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303Joe says:
Team played pretty well for the 1st 2 periods. But for some reason they didn’t bring any type of effort and were totally out skated by a team playing their 3 game in 4 nights. I know this team lacks any type of high end talent but to be out worked like that is inexcusable.
Team is just to small Park/Comrie/Hilbert/Tambellini/Neilsen/
Hilbert not to mention the small guys on d. Nobody fears anything this team will bring at them.Hopefully Snow doesn’t get to cute with the 1st or 2nd pick over all in June. Take Taveras 1st and hedman 2nd and walk away. After that try to move a 2nd and 3rd rounder and get a mid 1st round pick.
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I wouldn’t take Dubie over Joey because A. Joey has more upside. B. Joey will never give up a goal just because he is too small. C. I am sick of having players that no one else in the league wants. There’s definitely a reason why he’s playing in Russia. But the upside thing is the biggest. Dubie is a great guy but we are grooming goalies for trades and for when/if the team turns the corner. With DPs injury history and now yet ANOTHER injury to a different part of his body who knows, we might even be grooming a goalie to replace DP if the owner is forced to buy him out eventually. Man what a horrible deal this is turning out to be now. Back when it happened I was iffy on it but thought if Rick plays at a high level in 5 years and we are still onlty paying him 4.5 we got the steal of the century. But alas, we are the Islanders.
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ken says:
that was the most fights ive seen in the stands in awhile… isles fans still do care!
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tamby and neilsen are non existent
followed by comrie and hilbert
good news is okposo looked good tonight – although sometimes looked like the only islander on the ice
i cannot believe that kyle got thrown to the ice after a whistle and NOBODY did anything about it – no one stood up for him
the refs were horrible tonight – as usual against the islanders – its obvious
Mark Streit played a TREMENDOUS game and surprised that CB didnt raise that (instead he calls out Joey and Trent??) -
Lastly JOE, we are so cursed I would make a bet right now that if we have the worst record we somehow will lose the draft lottery. That’s how bad it feels around here, I can’t help it but look at our recent history. Boneheaded moves or not, even when it looks like we’ve done something right it turns into poop.
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rick is trash? your a tool
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Islanders1984 says:
toorude good post, Streit definately deserved a mention. he has played better on defensive side than montreal gave him credit for. I also felt bergy played well too despite taking that stupid penalty
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Jim M says:
this is now four straight games that the isles have surrendered a goal within the first 5 minutes two of which came in the first minute. They really better pick up their first period play and maybe the D can get healthy soon for godsake
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Chris TMC says:
I enjoyed this game. There was a lot more good things in the last two games than bad, if only some of you would see them. Remember the team this is and what the objective is here.
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Dave…..grooming Joey Mac for a trade?? Are you insane???? He is GARBAGE. He was claimed on waivers by Boston. We got him for the league minimum. He will never be traded. Wake up. And Dubie was offered NHL deals from several teams. He went to Russia because he got 4 TIMES the salary he made last year UNTAXED. Get a clue.
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yeah, streit has impressed on the defensive side – maybe he is stepping up based on what is going on around him – he gets better every night (and he is putting up points). hope he continues at this pace
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Islanders1984: I cant believe the Canadiens fan said this guy “sucks”… Streit has been good at everythng and is something the Isles organization needs to TREASURE- a defenseman who can score and (knock on wood) is healthy. I am thrilled with him so far.
Some snaps for Campoli, too- he has looked good in these couple of games back.
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15 rickistrash on Oct 27th, 2008 22:48:25 said: Dubie was offered NHL deals from several teams.
You are wrong. Dubie signed with Russia immediately before he could get the offers youre referring to. I remember because it surprised me that he chose to do that.
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Chuck DiMaggio says:
Chris, did replays justify the concurrent high sticking calls on Bergenheim and Weight in the third period? I’m not using that as an excuse for the loss, but to borrow a word from Mike Milbury, I think we got “jobbed” there, as well as the non-roughing call where Okposo got thrown down earlier in the game.
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Brian B says:
It’s becoming clear that Streit was a great signing. Now we just gotta keep him healthy and happy.
Isles will get better…you can see the potential in the system and some of their players
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beatlebailey says:
I was there tonight and enjoyed the first 2 1/2 periods…the fellas represented the jersey with pride. We are just an outmanned team there is no reason to bang your heads against the wall…lol..i enjoyed watching Kyle’s first goal of the year..hopefully many more to come…geez can tambellini do SOMETHING????..this guy needs to start showing something soon…
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did anyone notice Orr out on the ice during the final minute – on a shift that was not his regular shift (I believe) – Tom Renney is jerk and that organization has no class. Who is Orr going after at the end of that game – we have no one to dance with? I hate the Rangers.
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kyle got tossed to the ice like a rag doll and nothing was done about it..is Garth turning into howard hughes???…thompson cant go with everyone..i would have brought up jackman for this one..he can skate and is willing to go
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Chuck – there was a blown interference call early in the first and Sim got a punch in the face from someone after the whistle and no call came our way – the league is against us – I am convinced. The refs let the game get out of hand and that led to the fight. They could have kept things calm if they wanted to.
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The one thing isles need to stop doing is using Bailey in every promotional thing, Like tonight with the 3rd jersey. the kid could be great, but why give him a big head before he even plays a regular season game
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I agree with the bailey promo comment – but when I said that okposo looked like the only islander on the ice at times – he need someone and in my mind i saw that someone as bailey – I am hoping those two get on the same page before the year is over.
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wayne freeman says:
Couple points about tonight, totally agree with whoever said there were many fights in the stands most in a long time. And also agree with the fact this team has taken some baby steps the last 2 games. Okposo was great tonight clearly the best isle. And couldn’t disagree more with whoever said neilson was non existant. I thought he was solid decent on faceoffs and skated real well. The one poor thing I saw was a combo of tamby and comrie 4 on 4 is awlful just get pushed all over the ice and can’t play any defense what so ever. So very much what I expected but the ffort was there.
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blitz says:
A twist on a Botta comment:
In-Town News: Islanders GM Garth Snow told never-had-a-chance-to-show-us-whether-we-should-keep-you-b/c-you-got-the-typical-islanders-injury-bug Josh Bailey, the fifth/sixth/ninth overall pick in the 08 draft, that he’s staying in NY for the season.
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Anyone know when Jeff “Papineau” Tambellini will actually play a respectable NHL game?
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I think tamby puts way to much pressure on himself. he needs to relax and get away from the scared mind-set he had under ted nolan
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FYI – frans was 3/7 on face offs with only two shots in 14 mintues. we dont need skaters – we need scorers. tell him to shoot.
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andy says:
has Tamby or Comrie been traded yet?
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Pat says:
CB – Told you so about Ricky in warmups !!
GOT to bring up Fritz. Just have to. Too many liberties taken with our players.
Pat
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Islanders1984:
I think they are getting Josh Bailey primed (along with Kyle Okposo) to take a good part of the spotlight off Rick in the next year or two so Rick can just play. I think its a good move to get them used to the attention sooner rather than later.And I think you are right about Tambs.
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I like weight. Some many bloggers and media people busted on the isles for taking him during the off season. he had a beautiful pass play to set up streits goal. despite the ultimate consequences he had a competitive hit on sutter on saturday has stuck up for his teammates and is putting points on the board. where is bailey to benefit from doug’s presence?
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Doug says:
I am not making any excuses for the Isles…They look Horible, but can we EVER get a good sheet of ice @ home. I have been saying this a long time! It doesnt take a new building to put down some good ice!!!!!
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hextall72 says:
did anyone expect any diffrent than what they are showing us? i didnt.. as long as they hustle,work and grow together, i’m satisfied…
(rickistrash) joey mac is a better goalie than dubie.. he’s bigger and has a traditional style.. he has a handicapped defense corp. in front of him.. give him time.. u sold your tickets to ranger fans!! hey, thats your money but i bet when the islanders do come together whether it be 2 or 3 or 4 years, you’ll be the 1st to camp out for day’s to get your playoff tickets preaching to everyone how you’ve been a fan and blah,blah,blah.. fair weather at that!! i slept next to guy’s like you waiting for 2001-02 playoff tickets because i knew people like you would crawl out and find the box office conveniently!!! -
i4e11 says:
The team may suck, but the effort has pretty much been there consistently all year, except for 2 periods of the Buffalo game, and some of the Florida game. Gordon is doing a pretty good job keeping these guys going, given their record.
Also, this system can clearly work in the NHL. Isles just don’t have the horses yet. But you see what it is when it works (first 2 periods tonight).
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don’t need to camp out for playoff tixx tool box. season tixx holders get them through the team. and yea, i will sell every game i can this year. too bad you cant give them away. screw this whole team.
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TuxTax says:
65 degree weather doesnt help the ice. Its freezing cold at Iceworks and the ice is great for practice but they have to keep the coliseum so warm for the fans that the ice becomes soft…It’s like passing a puck through mud.
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volmeeezy says:
hextall i agree with you , your post was probably one of the best ones ive read. i check this blog a few times a day and read the comments and im amazed (actually not that amazed) by the stupidity of some fans .. rickistrash you are a clown
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CB…have they ever ripped up the coliseum floor and put in a modern ice surfacing system?
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rb says:
This team needs a REAL NHL back-up goaltender not named Dubie or McDonald…Ricky is injury prone and even when healthy, he needs to be PUSHED knowing that there’s someone on the bench who’s capable of starting games in stretches if he stinks…the guy’s been here like 7 years and he’s yet to show he’s a top shelf NHL goaltender
Snow should’ve brought up a brawler for NYR and PHI games…this team doesn’t hit as it is
Tambellini is worse than his father…his dad didn’t have very good hands, but he was god otherwise…son has nothing…he’s AHL only…moron Milbury took the wrong son…should’ve talen Parise…but didn’t everybody say that at the time?…yeesh
and for Brent on the hit, zip it…I know it’s your boy and all, but you now work for an organization that for years relied on Stevens to headhunt, all the time defending the hits as clean
finally, keep losing…keep the top pick…dump vets at the deadline for more picks…stick with the damn program
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admin says:
on Streit, he definitely was one of the top Isles. I mentioned him probably in at least half the game recaps so far and really praised him Saturday. Didn’t want to be a broken record. Yes, he was one of the best Islanders tonight and will probably be in most games this season…CB
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Strummer's Army says:
Many of the hockey pundints are doing articles on the hit on Sutter. I don’t want to see anyone hurt but agree with Weight what was he to do wipe himself out? Blow out his knee trying to avoid him? Let him go on a break away? It wouldn’t have been a head hit (not sure it was still) except Sutter put himself in a bad position. I am upset so many of these hockey guys are debating this and saying how the NHL needs to protect against head injuries. While I agree they should protect the players as much as possible none of these pundints were saying a word when Sean Avery dove onto the back of Rick DiPietro’s head slamming it against the ice after the whistle. That was far more dangerous then the Weight hit and also a deliberate attempt to injure which Weight’s was not. As well documented Colin Campbell claims he see’s everything yet failed to act. He has a tendency to do that where Islanders are the victims.
Botta has he ever called Witt back after he called Witt out in the media for making a public statement rather then talking it out after the unpenalized still can’t believe that one Brashear punch?I would like to see former officials take over Campbell’s job. He is to biased and has too many enemies and friends and it shows in NHL Discipline (which is a bit of a joke). It is more of a joke because as a player and coach Campbell was one of the dirtier ones.
If any of you want some idea why he hates the Isles youtube his name. You’ll get some wonderful laughs of his cement feet while Goring skates around him.
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Here are some links to the NHL’s Dean of Discipline. You’ll see why (besides his work with the Rangers he hates the Isles).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-djdTLg2Ys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3cGK8UJg4U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvOmJ7dhW6w
On Brent Sutter he has given the Isles fair warning on what to expect when the Isles play the Devs and we all know he is the kind of guy who doesn’t hint a threat without following through.
Okposo and Streit did look impressive.
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Pride-N- Passion NYI Hockey~ says:
CB your analysis is on Point tonight!
well said not one disagreement here.they played as well as they could (considering how much they are missing line-up wise )
Hunter First star for the Isles in his usual un-sung way.. his passing was outstanding especially that one down low on the power play, his tenacity, always a staple of his play when he is going… hits every thing he can plays with lots of intensity& by the look on his face even when he makes a mistake,
(one that gervais should have reacted to quicker)
Still you watch Hunter and when he went to the bench he took it personal, a real example of what the Islanders need more of, i can live with his slower skating as long as his effort keeps up like this..Maybe the heart and soul of this team.. as well as the next captain.. remember that guys!
Okoposo Played what i would call an urgent,yet in controll game, his tempo was high his skating was strong and of course he burried a much needed bisquit in the basket! (remember hes still a kid)
patience people.side note…. would like to see okposo develop a little moere edge tro his game if he wants to be mentioned in the same power forward conversations as Iginla he will need to work on this aspect as he matures.
(if so Long Island Watch out Okposo may truley become a 5 tool player in this league with many all star appearences to come)MacDonald played a solid game kept us in it for a back-up thats all i can ask, he too competed well tonight!!
Thompson. kudos tonight.
stayed on his feet and a yeomans job in the scrap against a much larger voros.the kid also brings a high level of energy to the game i have no problem with him in his role with the club , especially ifhe can deliever the big bombs checking wise from time to time &continue to improve his balance.
He may be a keeper,not just a short term fill in to play a role? we shall see i think after tonights gane i will wish him luck.. showed himself well tonightSide Point……
thompson is only 24 and can grow, maybe an asham after all some day?already appears a little better defensively then the pugulist middlewieght who now resides in philly.
(still see an immediate need for anenforcer)….
especially when you watch Orr impose his will on the small dane (nielsen)who by the way responded better tonight
(still needs bridgeport or garret timms (trainer) to work on adding some muscle to his smallish frame)Bergenheim honorable mention plays a scrappy game and gets his chances,
here to the hope he burries them as the season goes on … can be a 20 goal scorer in this league… give him timeTambellini atacked the net a little more tonight, yet still needs to focus on a finishing touch he had at the AHL level..
time will begin to tick on tambellini
Gervais…?
well gervais was gervais tonightno real give aways actually one shot on net that reached it with ample velocity, yet 3 others never even came close, and his net play resulted in a second period goal should have picked up hunters man.. he was free in front of the net re-acted too late.Hilbert small mention played a decent game and played with a small edge, especially when matched up with his equal in size Dawes
…
though on a serious note he was effetcive to the usual level he is forechecking & hustle, yet along with that had a few chances to get one tonight and did not wheteher or not this because of lundqui
or not who knowes… yet i know this through 8 games hes on pace to score 10 goals.. and thats not good enough in the long term for the Islanders & their growth!Weight and Guerin played like guys who were late 30′ somethings.. not a bad game.. just a little invisible, after playing a high level high impact game against carolina on saturday..
still they have more measure of worth then appears to the ey for now.. they are and will continue to help the kids this year.. in my eyes i remember them as big cogs in the 96′ American Team That went up to Canada and beat them on their own home Ice to win the world Cup… So I will never question their charecter or committment to the teams they play on..
(againg world class vets, yes..Important still to the club this year with potential 20 to 30 goals potted a piece,
(especially when the D finally heals?
Absolutelyskinner in his sparse ice time looked okay no real mistakes(too early for a read based on low minutes on ice)
Overall the score was misleading again tonight.
In a positive way compared to last weeks Dallas Game… hey played a up tempo filled with pride second game in a row..I can live with that until the regulars return to the team!
maybe G-N-R said it best gun’s & Roses that is…
Need a little Patience, yeah, yeah, just a little Patience;)
sorry to younger fans a little old school there…. just feel its a good closing theme tonight for The Islander die-hards out there as we look to the future!
Lets Go Isles… Lets Go Islanders!!
almost forgot….quick mention to streits game as well he’s more then was advertised to go along with his offensive skills he appears to have a defensive upside as well
played with a physical edge tonight willing to step out of charecter.
probably understanding what they were missing on the blue line tonight,due to all the injuries….
(Very Good Sign if you ask me)
billy jaffe gets credit for this one…A Smart Signing!!
And Early on worth every dollar they spent on that contract I might add.
agree with jaffe 100%
lets go Isles… Lets Go Islanders!! -
DP's Hip says:
Just an aside for the Doobie haters (Ms. Bannedalot):
Doobie left before free agency because he either takes a cush backup job or betters his chances of going further with a tandem or possibly starting job. He did not want to be a nobody backup like Kevin Weekes currently is.
Toronto, Vancouver and Buffalo allegedly expressed interest (before UFA began and they could legitimately do so). TO was the likeliest but what fun to see Luongo and Doobie while we have hipless witless and Detroit and Boston castaway AHLer Mac (who I like a lot now for being better that Flopsalot).
TMC just hates anyone who comes before Wittle Wickypoops I guess.
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Ryan says:
Pride~n~passion, a very well informed and thoughtful post, plus you helped me out by not having to write a longer post since you basically stole my thunder haha. The boys played well for 2 1/2 periods. Although I would love the win, I’m happy with the way they played the hockey game. This team is starting to move in the right direction, this is two games now where they had a good effort and played well. We just need a full 60 min effort, but this is a start.
Okposo looked fantastic tonight and hopefully this is the start of something big. The kid has the talent and wheels to be a great player in this league and he’s really starting to show flashes of it.
Tambellini, in my eyes, had a nice game. He was finally getting his nose dirty in the corners and driving to the net hard. Almost scored by driving to the net and the pass from Hunter but just shanked it wide. As long as he keeps playing like that the chances will become more frequent and hopefully the puck will be in the back of the net more for him.
I really don’t know what Montreal was talking about when they said Streit is not very good defensively because he has been the Islanders best defensemen both offensively and defensively, this might turn out to be a big steal considering what other teams paid for defensemen this past summer.
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Jason W says:
Chuck DiMaggio on Oct 27th, 2008 22:54:15 said:
Chris, did replays justify the concurrent high sticking calls on Bergenheim and Weight in the third period? I’m not using that as an excuse for the loss, but to borrow a word from Mike Milbury, I think we got “jobbed” there, as well as the non-roughing call where Okposo got thrown down earlier in the game.
Yes. both high sticking calls were legitimate. Both hit the player in the head.
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Mike says:
Striet must be real happy, 4 million a year he gets tons of ice time and he will have his summers off till his contract expires. Snow MUST GO!
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It was the first Islanders/Rangers game that I didn’t try to find some place to hide. MacDonald did a FINE job in goal and continues to get better. Nice to see Kyle finally have something NEW for the highlight reels! Damn it! I missed Larry Brooks? Shoot!
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isles39 says:
Did Berard end up signing anywhere? Is he available? Parrish may be on his way.Season is young. We are Pitt 2-3 years ago. Believe!!!
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ny711ot says:
i hope this was kyles breakout game…he looked a lot more less like graeme townshend and a lot more like iginla tonite….stop messing around and sign parrish….
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Steve says:
Those Islander draft picks from 08 beyond Hamonic and Dibenedetto aren’t doing much of anything. Ness, Trovino, Toews haven’t done a thing as freshman in college; meanwhile other freshman not drafted by the Isles are doing fine. Gregoire isn’t doing a thing either.
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Joey303 says:
Lets face it. Ricky will never be what Dilbury thought on draft day. And to think Luongo is arguably the best in the game right now. That, my fellow Isles fans, was the turning point for the millenium for us. Yes there were countless (keep goin theres tons) of bad trades but that draft day trade of Luongo and Jokkinen for Parrish and Kvasha then drafting Ricky, UGH!!! How bout for starters – Luongo, Jokkinen, Heatley/Gaborik? Would you trade Ricky for those 3? Cause thats all we have left, an injured, less than .900 save percentage golden boy!!
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Oh yeh, I forgot, we have the Ice Girls and Sparky -How foolish of me
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just watched the game highlights again – why is callahan allowed to drop okposo without anyone doing anything (refs or islanders) wacth callahan’s reaction afterwards – he is surprised that no one is in his face or that no penalty was called – is kyle not the only solid asset we have and this is how we protect it?
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Islander505 says:
Justin W
The call on Bergenheim in the 3rd was a case of mistaken identity. Guerin did the crime, Bergie was in the neighborhood and the ref picked him out of the lineup.
Yes the call was justified..Guerin got the stick up and drew blood. -
Jislander7 says:
1. You Long Island hicks no nothing about hockey to bash DP. How in the world is it his fault that he is hurt? Would you get mad at someone for getting cancer? When healthy he has proven he is an all-star goalie. He plays in front of a minor league team right now.
2. Who the heck cares about Dubie? I think Joey Mac is better but even if you disagree, is Dubie winning this train wreck of a team any games?
3. You cant watch this team for wins and losses this year, its not fair to them. Last night was like watching a minor league team plays its heart out against a pro team, they kept it close but in the end the other team is going to prevail on pure talent. Tambellini and Gervais look terrible, especially Tambellini. He gets knocked off the puck easier than anyone I have ever seen. I am pleasantly suprised by Streit and Nielsen, KO looked great and Bergy can be a solid checking winger.
4. I have been an Islanders fan since 93 meaning that I have seen pretty much nothing but garbage from this team. But I have to say that this is by far the worst Islanders team I have ever seen (and thats with them healthy). To have no 1st line players to watch makes it unbearable. I just hope they can land Tavares.
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Brian says:
We are last in the league and have only two wins. I say spend all our time flooding Nassau County with complaints to push the new building plans along instead of spending countless minutes complaining about how horrible the team is. Though there are other reasons high profile players do not want to be an Islander, the building is a huge one.
At least we can be productive as fans during this mess of a time, especially since there has already been a commitment to the youth movement – of which I whole heartedly agree with. This season is not going to be glamorous in any way and I don’t expect it to be. Booing young players and making the veterans feel like “What the hell am I doing here?” isn’t going to help matters at all. Saying Garth Snow is a horrible GM when there’s not much to sell higher profile players on is a bit unfair. What he’s doing is sparing us extreme mediocrity of the past how many seasons by trying this youth movement.
Just like before the team was sold to Wang, I remember taking part in the protest game where chants of “SMG SET US FREE” rang out. One fan can’t make a difference, but thousands of fans publicly pointing the people out (i.e. Nassau County) for dragging their feet on an issue that has been talked about for over 10 years now is downright unacceptable.
Let’s focus on something other than how bad our beloved team is, how horrible management is, and start publicly pressuring those than can actually make a difference. Let’s maybe show players there is a fan base waiting for them, and that we still care. I feel we have more power than we realize.
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Jax says:
“Those Islander draft picks from 08 beyond Hamonic and Dibenedetto aren’t doing much of anything. Ness, Trovino, Toews haven’t done a thing as freshman in college; meanwhile other freshman not drafted by the Isles are doing fine. Gregoire isn’t doing a thing either.”
You have got to be kidding me. It’s a couple of weeks into the season and aleady you are labeling these kids as busts. Get a clue…
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Volek93 says:
Thought the effort was as good as can be expected for the first 2 periods. Played Rags tough with a backup goalie and 4 of top 6 “D” men out. . Impressive.
Loved the game from Okposo tonight – but INEXCUSABLE for Callahan to be allowed to throw him down and not one player gets in his face! And of course the refs conveniently missed the obvious call. .
Tambellini – this is one painful “development” to watch. The shank on the open shot from 15 feet out v Carolina. . and then he ices the puck during the 4 on 4 last night in the 3rd. Think the look on Gordon’s face said it all. . Certainly can’t blame it on lack of ice time.
Agree with some of the posts that this team is cursed is right now. . All the bad bounces, poor calls on video reviews and injuries the past few years.
So hard to be a fan of this team right now. They haven’t had a lead in 12 days!!!
Can’t wait to see them get pushed around in Philly Thursday.
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Joey303, have you taken a look at what Luongo has done this season? I know, he is on my fantasy team lol. His 3.29 and .889 might impress you, but they aint impressing me.
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Anyone notice the “You can’t beat us” chants from the Rag fags? Are they kidding?? 1 game?
And the 30 year old “POTVIN’S CUPS” echoes in the barn again. (yes I know it’s ‘sucks’.)
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UIF says:
Well, heck, I was, and am a huge Dubie fan. I don’t see why Ricky defenders feel the need to say things like “Dubie sucks”. All the guy did was pick us up in big spots when you least expected it, and never complained like Ricky did when he wasn’t played for a stretch. How could the guy not still have his supporters?
I don’t know why the Isles gave him the boot. You gotta move on though. Joey Mac kept them in it, gave them a chance last night, and was fine, and has been for most of the times he’s been called upon (OK, there was Buffalo, but Dubie had Toronto last year as long as we’re making comparisons…). You’re just not going to win games by scoring one or two goals, even if you have Luongo in net.
Jislander7 – As for “blaming DP for injuries” – yes, that’s fair to criticize when he constantly tells everyone he’s healthy so he can play when he’s really hurt and hiding injuries from the team. The injuries may not be his fault. His conduct, however, is all his fault. He required surgery last year, and he’s yelling at Nolan about playing in the Ranger game? Get over it, DP, sit down, and get healthy. This roller coaster nonsense he’s put the organization through is helping absolutely no one. He comes across to me as selfish and somewhat immature. If he wants to be the elite goalie you say he is, then he needs to heal up, listen to people when they talk to him about his out-of-net adventures, learn to take criticism instead of getting people fired, and show the hockey world more than one half-season of solid play. It’s not like Islanders fans want him to do bad, it’s just the constant soap opera surrounding him is getting old to many.
On the game, personally I thought it was a fun one to watch, despite the result. I wasn’t expecting much this season, but it’s nice to see them still in a game after 10 minutes. Tambs has to finish some of those chances, and Comrie was invisible after his assist. Again, for the limited time he got, Skinner impressed me with some of his long, accurate passes up ice. Good vision.
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Chris,
He still is arguably the best in the league, and if you picked him, it must mean hes good
All kidding aside, it was a post about that trade on draft day, that set this team back 10 years. -
Brian G says:
This team needs to make some moves to get some better prospects and many draft picks – that is the only chance we will have at acquiring any type of franchise player
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bCarey says:
the league will rig the draft and toronto will get tavares.
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GarthSnow says:
And i continue to leave COMEAU to rot in the AHL …While “SUPERSTARS” Hilbert & Tamby & Comrie continue to shine …
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hmmmmm How would Luke Schenn look on my backline right about now????? what a joke i am
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Stumpy32 says:
I’m not sure if I’m the only one, but I saw an overall gloom over the game last night. This is a very scary time for this franchise – the team isn’t very good, but unlike the mid-90s fishsticks/low payroll/joke years, there isn’t even any talent worth noticing. Watching a bunch of young guys who will never be more than 3rd liners, and guys like Weight and Guerin who are here only because they have no other place to go is sad. Watching the Ranger fans take over the Coliseum (and unlike past years, there were A LOT more of them than there were of us) is sad. Knowing full well that the end of the franchise as we know it might not be too far away is sad. All of which creates an unimaginably negative atmosphere for us, and a team that looks more minor-league than any I’ve ever seen. I keep referring this team to the mid-90s, because it was then also that we were told it was a rebuilding plan, and that we needed to be patient. Fine. But then, we had a ton of young talent, albeit w/ ownership that would never keep them past free agency. Now, its worse, in my opinion. It’s worse because we have an owner who will spend whatever it takes to win, and our payroll, in terms of the league average, is more than respectable. But, frankly, where is it being spent? There are teams out there with our payroll and triple the talent. And you can’t tell me free agents are lining up to play in those markets. The Islanders want to claim free agency as an impediment, but its the piss-poor management that’s led us here. It’s downright scary that Garth Snow is in charge, with no one of any hockey IQ above or below him to stop him. I keep saying – Snow may turn out to be the greatest GM in the history of organized sports, but when he was hired, there is absolutely no one that can tell me he was the best suited candidate. Far from it, obviously. If Wang was so sure about Snow’s GM capabilities, let the guy learn as an assistant under a more qualified, veteran guy for a few years. It worked in other cities, why not here? Now, we are left with this – a team that stinks, and has no hope of getting better. What players bring you to the Coliseum now? Why go to these games anymore? I have the heart of an Islander fan, something that tells me if I don’t go, who will? But how do I justify watching this, when there’s no real belief its going to get better? For the first time, really since the start of this season, I truly don’t believe this team will be around in 5 years. I understand the TV contract, however, it’s not like the Isles don’t hemmorhage money. But what purpose does the franchise serve right now other than a space-filler and a waystation for guys on their way out? This is a GREAT, GREAT hockey market. Isles draw when the team is even remotely respectable. But this is ridiculous. Watching last night – and I don’t see where some people look at last night and see a quality game or performance – made me sick. It made me sick because I don’t see a future for this team. There’s nothing there. It’s awful, its sad, it makes me upset. It’s like the Isles are gone mentally before they’re gone physically. I hope it gets better, but I just don’t believe that it will.
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Gloom? No, I didnt think that game was gloomy at all. They lost and that sucks, but it was an uptempo entertaining game.
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UIF,
I can not disagree with you more about DP. He is not just another player, he is the franchise. You want your franchise player, your goaltender to be a competitor who wants to be out on the ice no matter what. DP is a competitor, he plays with reckless abandon and its a double-edged sword. And I know we all have really short memories but the only reason the Isles were in it at the all-star break last year was because DP had a spectacular 1st half and made the all star game! DP just cant win with you guys because if he sits out, than everybody gets on his case for being a wuss.
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I agree w/ you about Dipietro. Joey MacDonald is fine, competent, whatever. He’s a backup. He’s here to spell DP for 20-25 games, at most, probably more now because of the upper-lower-body-knee-shoulder-head-pelvic injury. But the difference is stark – Joey will not, ever, steal a point or points for us. He will be, well, competent. We NEED Dipietro because, as is well documents, we’re not scoring much now. We’re not going anywhere either way, but at least with DP, we can stay around until mid-February, instead of mid-December.
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Travelchic59 says:
IMO, the team gave it everything they had. So they lost. BIG DEAL. As long as they show up and play their hardest and with some passion, pride and heart, I am happy. I expected a Ranger blow-out with a score of 9-0 and it didn’t happen. For that I am happy. We stayed in it till the 3rd. I want to stay on the positive side, because I did see some positives. Give these guys some time to gel. We’re not winning any cups any time soon. I think things will start to look up.
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HilbertSnipe says:
I like positives. and who ever was complaining about bad coliseum ice, I agree, however, the ice is for both teams, there is no advantage or disadvantage favoring one side haha
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anyone who ever expects to see a 9-0 NHL game doesn’t watch many NHL games. but i agree that we have to be patient with the rebuilding. it’s just difficult to believe it will get better when the hockey news ranks the Isles’ farm system in the bottom third of the league. snow must have excellent drafts the next two years. he should trade weight, guerin, comrie, hunter, sillinger, and anyone with value before the deadline for picks in 09 and 10. this franchise needs to restock it’s farm system. it will be four-five years before this team is competitive. and i think it won’t be too long after that until the team is a contender.
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I have not heard anyone call DP a wuss for sitting out. Quite the opposite, I’ve heard him called thick-headed for insisting on playing and throwing tantrums when he’s told he cannot because he is clearly injured.
Being a “competitor” is fine, and everyone admires a warrior. But when it gets to the point of insisting on playing when you can’t move side to side, and your backup is clearly in a better postition to help the team, but instead of supporting your backup, you whine about not being able to play, then all you are is a distraction, not “the franchise”.
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On the Sutter thing, and I’m probably just talking to myself in this thread at this point, is Brent joking? Denis Potvin never delivered crushing center ice hits in “old school” hockey? If the name on the back of the jersey was not “Sutter,” we don’t hear a peep about the Weight hit from Brent.
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drivefor5 says:
we were in this game untill we just got stupid, you can’t take four straight Offensive zone Penalties 2 of them while on the power play and when only down 1 goal. made me sick
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ty ryan for the response… go Isles!
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Botta says……..- “Joey MacDonald quieted the requests for a call to Russia for Dubie for a little while.” Did he????? EVERY fan on this board would take Dubie over Joey right now.