THE SUNDAY NIGHT NOTEBOOK
And…we’re taking your picks for Monday’s game!
9:40 pm - Since we don’t know if we’ll get to a pre-gamer with Monday’s early start, here’s some nightly news and notes, followed by your chance to make your score prediction for Islanders-Sabres…
There is no news on Radek Martinek, injured (shoulder, probably) on a check by the Blues’ David Backes in the first period last night. In defense of the team, sometimes injuries like the one Martinek suffered take a second day of evaluation to make a more definitive prognosis.
Bridgeport (AHL) lost in Hartford tonight, 2-1, in a shootout. The big news for the Sound Tigers was the netminding of first-year pro Peter Mannino, who stopped 34 shots in regulation and overtime. Andrew MacDonald had the Bridgeport goal, while Artem Anisimov scored the shootout-winner. Mitch Fritz played for the Tigers, but the recently-signed Brandon Sugden did not dress for Hartford.
As an aside, I spoke last night with a visiting pro scout about Sugden. I gave it to him straight: the man can still fight but he’s way behind in his skating after two years in the LNAH. The scout told me his information from a colleague was that Sugden badly lost his fight to Bryce Salvador in the Islanders-Devils exhibition game. There are a lot of good scouts out there and many of them were very kind to me in my old career, but I tell ya, sometimes I’m amazed by the sheer crap I hear. Is it possible the scout said it because he just didn’t want the team to sign Sugden?
In a pre-game scrum with reporters last night that I missed while trying to down a jello shot at a tailgate party, Scott Gordon said Josh Bailey will be out 2-4 weeks. Officially, the team did not make any kind of announcement and would not confirm Gordon’s statement when I followed up today. I love when coaches break out on their own.
Congratulations to editor Corey Witt, designer Tom Rakoczy, Bruce Bennett and the Getty Images crew and the rest of the staff that worked on the super-sharp 2008-09 Islanders media guide. Can you believe how far Sean Bergenheim has come? Two seasons ago, he bolts the Islanders to sign with a team in Russia. Now he’s one of the 5 media guide cover boys, along with Rick DiPietro, Bill Guerin, Brendan Witt and Trent Hunter. It can’t just be Sean’s hotness.
Of the first 170 fans to respond to a poll on Islandermania today, 131 said they did not like the Islanders’ new goal celebration song while 39 said they liked it. I’ll repeat my suggestion from last night: let the Islanders tinker with it and then judge after ten games. Okay, just give it four games and then decide. The fifth home game is against the Rangers.
Joey MacDonald told us Detroit goalie coach Jim Bedard has been a major influence on his play. “The Red Wings signed me out of junior and Jim was there for me from the beginning,” said MacD, who once shared the Detroit nets with Dominik Hasek and Chris Osgood. “One of the most important things he taught me was to never give up on the puck. Do everything in your power to stop it.” He put that to good use last night with a stunning stop on Andy MacDonald three minutes in.
A check of Ticketmaster reveals some seats available in most price ranges for Kids Day on Monday. Check out what the Islanders have in store for the day on newyorkislanders.com.
Greg Logan has an update from today’s practice at Iceworks on his Newsday blog. He thinks MacDonald will be back in goal for Monday’s matinee.
Today, I didn’t even try to find out who’s playing goal tomorrow. I will not try before the game. I won’t even watch warmups at 1:30 pm to see who comes out first because I’ll probably be eating cotton candy with my kids. I’ll just simply see who’s out there at 2:05 and won’t even blog right away about it.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m too dense to understand how the Islanders can say they are being cautious with the franchise goaltender, but they were okay with the possibility of putting him in cold after sitting on the bench for over an hour if MacDonald had been injured. Whether it’s Rick DiPietro, MacDonald, Yann Danis, Dubie, Richard Brodeur, George Maneluk or Danny Lorenz, for the time being I just do not care. It only took two weeks, but regarding this subject, they’ve broken me!
SCORE-O TIME!: Well-rested since a shootout win in their home opener on Friday night, the Sabres - one of my picks to surprise in the East - will not come out flat like the Blues did on Saturday. They will also bring better goaltending in Ryan Miller. There will be lots of life in the stands with Kids Day and plenty of physical play if the Islanders are ready to match the fast and tough Sabres. I predict, in a thriller…
BUFFALO 4 ISLANDERS 3 (OT)
Point Blank Record for ‘08-09: 1-0
After the success of Friday’s prediction game, let’s make it a semi-regular feature! Place your Guess-of-Score in the Comments area.
40 Responses to “THE SUNDAY NIGHT NOTEBOOK
And…we’re taking your picks for Monday’s game!”
Please Wait
I agree with you wholeheartedly about having Ricky on the bench. Why not just bring Danis up and give Ricky full rest until he is good to go. I know I am going to have palpitations if Ricky ever has to come in for Joey Mac cold with all this speculation about his injury in the media.
Glad to hear about Mannino. his stlye makes nervous, but if it works, it works.
Prediction: Isles 3-Sabres-2, and MacDonald with more spectacular saves.
I asked on the comment board early last week if you thought DP would start the season on a conditioning stint in Bridgeport. Seems as if I was understating the situation much to my chagrin.
Nice “Richard Brodeur” reference!!!!
How far Sean’s come? And to think, there were those in the know who questioned his “hockey sense.”
Be careful of the blue cotton candy. It stains.
Your score prediction seems valid.
I predicted a loss for the 1st game and a win for the 2nd but for the 3rd Im just not feeling it either way. So Ill predict that the game goes to OT… thats the best I can do lol!
Joey MacDonald was fantastic in net in the last two games, as well as in preseason. Im a little surprised I feel so positive about him but good is good and he really has looked quality in that net. I hope he keeps it up!
A bunch of people were saying how, since he has MAC written on his mask, people should be shouting out BIG MAC instead of Jo-ey when he makes a great save. I think that sounds great… and Newsday called him that, too.
Oh yeah, I forgot to add a prediction on the game tomorrow. It has been a rough day cleaning the house, drinking Sierra Nevada and watching my girlfriend tie-dye six sets of “onesies” and “blankets” for the mini-baby-boom that is going on with my friends.
I figure the score will be 4-3 Islanders. Hilbert will have a Hat Trick!!!!
Just kidding on the Hilbert, but I think he will get another point and that 4-3 will be accurate.
speaking of tix i put a pair up on the islanders tix exchange of the isladers website..$20 bucks per ticket in section 208..more than half off the face for the pair…..
BTW: I think its really funny that on the entry where youre actually talking about Sugden nobody is joining in on it lol! But regarding whata you said, no offense to your scout friend but even *I* know how to look up fights and who won- and Im not paid to find out sich things! This person needs to utilize better sources on things like this rather than rely on what a colleague (who could be a rival in that the two could be trying to find the same kind of player for their respective teams) might tell him.
So the Rangers voted against Sugden’s return when the Islanders wanted to sign him, and now Hartford has signed him? That’s rich. I guess they really did see the error of their ways.
CB…I had the same exact prediction as you. I felt the Isles would go 1-1-1 in their first 3 games and I felt they would play well enough tomorrow to get the point, but the skill of the buffalo team will put them over the top in a 4-3 OT or shootout victory.
I really don’t think the goal song is that bad.
I went to the game in NJ on Friday night and their goal song was our OLD one.
Please lets not go back to that one, it’s overplayed. Lay it to rest.
It will grow on us.
I’d say 4-2 Buff. If the same Isles team shows up that beat the blues, it should be an entertaining game even with the loss. Buff’s speed and skill up against Gordon’s system should be worth missing a few afternoon classes, hopefully.
I sit in 109 and had a close up view of Sugden’s fight…Sugden kicked his ass.
Chris, is there any way that you could keep up this pace the whole season?! if so, you’re my new hero. can’t believe the amount of infotainment i’m getting on a daily basis. when you start selling tshirts/bumper stickers i’ll make sure to support.
My guess for tomorrow is 3 to 2 isles. park with his first SHG of the season.
I like Chris’s call, one change:
Buffalo 4 - Islanders 3 in regulation.
Interesting storylines: Martinek, what will be the impact with him out of the line-up? Who steps up?
The oft-mentioned DiPietro swelling and backing up.
Comeau needing conditioning, but getting it in the press-box instead of an assignment to Bridgeport (where he’d play and work on his conditioning.)
Took in the Bridgeport game yesterday. Joensuu is not impressive, looked very slow.
4-2 Buffalo - Back to reality !!!!
4-1 Islanders… they find a way to dominate a team that normally gives them fits… a carryover from the St. Louis game.
Okposo, Weight, Hilbert and Streit all light the lamp.
DOC
Yesterday, to my surprise I was at Dave and Buster’s in Garden City. Guess who sat down right next to me to watch football. CHARLES WANG. I recognized himm immediately. I went over to him quietly and introduced myself as a diehard Islanders fan. He was extremely cordial and very friendly. We talked about the great home opener. I then expressed my desire to have the team remain on Long Island. We talked about the Lighthouse project for a moment. He said that we will now very soon if the Islanders will remain on Long Island. He said “The coliseum lease expires in 2015. And that it takes 5 years to build a new arena.” So if we can do the math if the project does not get greenlighted by 2010 the team will certainly move. He was very truthful but I could some real uncertainty in his voice. I beg the politicians to get this project off the ground. As Islander fans we are so lucky to have a professional franchise right in our backyard. This must continue and we need all Islander fans to support the team in any way possible. I do not know what we can do as one, but Mr. Wang has to understand how important it is for us. I told him “Please keep the team here” He smiled and said “I know we will try”. It did not seem very reassuring.
4-3 Isles in OT.
Isles have to tighten up defensively though.
any witnesses to your conversation Rich…? lol
I was just as surprised. Nobody really recognzed him. I am not one to lie, it serves me no purpose. I just think we are all going to be really hurt if the team winds up moving. As Islander fans who read this blog, I want to fgiure out what if anything we can do.———————————
Islander Outsider made a comment about Brandon Sugden, i do not like to look back HOWEVER to see SUGDEN in the Ranger Organization(hartford)Is a pure Smack to our Organization and Garth Snow when the Rangers was one of the Teams to Reject Sugdens comeback!I would love to see Sugden Pound Fritz!!!!
Song, shmong… Main goal is to win at least 75% of home games . We must put as many fannies in the seats as possible. Im sick of our half empty Mausoleum… Show up, people. Isle 3- Sabres 2.I’m fine with an overtime win as long as KO scores.
its sean bergenheims year the future is now for him …hes the next ryan smith
bergenheim the next ryan smith
You know Rich it’s funny that you mention meeting Charles Wang in a D&B in Garden City. I was @ Friday’s in Massapequa and he sat down next to me at the bar. We got loaded on Hurricanes and discussed the fourth line. Then, as luck would have it, I was in Applebee’s in Farmingdale and Garth Snow was eating wings in a booth by himself. So I went over and introduced myself. He told me that DP is out for the year and that we are trading Okposo for Crosby. Overall just a fantastic week.
Da Isles win 256-2.
Bergie compares a lot more to Tomas Holmstrom than Smyth. Plays a really agitating style, good skater, doesn’t mind taking abuse, but more of a 20 goal guy than a 40 plus. IMO.
To RICH -
I kind of doubt that Wang would reveal anything of note to a fan at dave and busters. Not trying to downplay your experience, sounds really cool, but I would take it with a grain of salt. Correct me if I am wrong, but if the coliseum lease is up, doesn’t that also mean SMG would be out and the owner could take all the money?
Oh, and Chris, any word yet from the isles on their brutal radio signal yet? Fans in the parking lot couldn’t hear it. My idea is to have the isles give out CB radios to all fans and let king and mears send out the signal that way…(TIC)
I hate predictions. I just hope they win.
Maybe its. time for the team to take the home opener countdown now. Its at negative 2 days haha.
shoe,,, with all due respect how the hell do you know bergie wont be a 40 goal scorer. in a few years hes an nhl all star
shoe ryan smith never scored 40 goals anyway … maybe in high school get your facts straight .
Shoe,
I am just telling you guys what was said. I do not think he would reveal trade secrets to me. What I do know is that this franchise is teetering on the edge of existence on Long Island. I do not think Charles Wang owns the Coliseum or the land it sits on. So he needs a new lease or financing to buy the property. That is not going to happen, which is why the Lighthouse Project is so important. I know it’s a new season which breeds excitement, but if the Islanders move it will really suck. I think as fans we should dedicate and inform each other on what is going on behind the scenes. It is fact that Charles Wang is losing millions of dollars every year on this team. How does he make the team profitable? If this project fails will the team move. That is what I want answered.
that was why I said IMO (in my opinion)…I am just going by what I see..sure, i would love to see it, but he doesn’t have a huge shot nor does he have any great moves…just a gritty, fast, in your face guy who should be able to score by redirecting shots and getting lots of garbage.
I’m in heaven with this site. Being a Canadian and not
getting no inside NYI news sux. Score today will be 4-2 Isles with
Oko getting game winner.
Newf from The North
Garth has already shown to be on his game this offseason. maybe it takes a goalie to know a goalie..thank heaven the chants are JOEY and not the booing of dubie or was it doobie??i think it was doobie
If Wang has his way(according to Rich,and I believe him)he’ll move the team if there is no LH project? Whoa!Cosider the team moved. In this economy no way the town greenlights Wangs wet dream. Enough! He’s like the little kid who takes his ball and goes home when he doesn’t get his way.Sell now Wang. I’ll bet theres scores of LI buisnessmen ready for the challenge and have the funds to back it up.
With the tax deadline here I can not be there today but I the DVR is working. I also see an OT loss 3-2, Miller will be much sharper than Mason and not let in any softies, don’t be surprised if the Isles take a lead as the first period jump will be there. But without Marti or Sutton the lack the D men to keep Buffalo out of the crease.
Gordon i pay good money for my tix …I want to know who the goalie is before the game starts is that asking too much!!!!!!!you work for the isles not the KGB
All those predicting a Islander win….Please put the pom pom downs , This team will lose alot of games but really thats not the issue here, the issue is look what really is going on-the people running our team are a freaking joke ….Examples just from past 4 months
1]Trading down in a draft with 6 primetime players-We of course move down to 9th spot
2]Firing Teddy Nolan- Snow hated the fact this man made Chicken Salad with Chicken S**t
3]Keeping bailey up, just so they could boast about a guy that never earned his spot-Oh by the way he now is injured for a month and probably now loses a spot on WJC Team
4]Scratching Comeau-You wanna talk abot letting the kids gel together? Why the heck is this kid rotting in the press box? Huh Snow? Thought thats why you fired Nolan …For not playing the kids
5]Our Franchise Player (DP) is clearly STILL NOT 100% but the Isles want the fans to believe he is not….Well Snow&Gordon we are not that dumb , but you guys will continue to operate like we are
6]Having a backup Goalie that cant play-I mean this takes the cake guys,WTF IS GOING ON ???????? WE ARE CLUELESS