ISLANDERS 3, OTTAWA 2
Back-to-back system showcases for Gordon’s gang
10:22 pm, The NVMC - The Game: The Islanders make Thursday’s dominant effort mean something by backing it up with a fairly complete performance in a 3-2 victory. Goals by Sean Bergenheim, Jon Sim and Chris Campoli all the result of disturbances in front of the Ottawa net.
The Senators score two late to make it close, but this isn’t an Islanders el-foldo. The return of Radek Martinek along with strong goaltending from Joey MacDonald doesn’t hurt.
Scott Gordon has reason to keep on preaching with confidence.
Power Play: Ottawa 1-5, Islanders 1-6; Shots on goal: Ottawa 40, Islanders 31.
No. 2 Story: Radek Martinek returns to the lineup after missing 14 games and plays a Martinian 16:40 - even, 2 hits, 0 mayhem in his own end. Said MacDonald: “Solid, not flashy, but he makes the right play all the time. He gets the puck and he just slows everything down. He never panics. So great to have him back.”
No. 3 Story: In addition to insisting that groundbreaking on the Coliseum project next summer is a must, Gary Bettman made a painful point in an interview on “NY Hockey This Week” tonight on 1050 ESPN. In saying that the failure of Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead to strike a deal has “dragged on entirely far too long,” the NHL commissioner provided an economics lesson.
“If this deal was done in a proper amount of time and construction had begun five years ago,” Bettman said, “the project may have cost half as much as it’s going to cost.”
Post-Game Sound
Scott Gordon: ”Joey (MacDonald) was on top of his game from the get-go. He’s tracking pucks better now than at the beginning of the season. He’s now at .500, a good accomplishment considering how much he’s played and how far he’s come.”
(on Martinek): “Pretty good game for a guy who hadn’t played in a while.”
(on his team): “The mindset is starting to change with our team. We keep skating.”
3 Standout Islanders (Not Named Stars)
as selected by PB reader Adam Cohen, the raffle winner at Point Blank Night of a press box seat at tonight’s game
Trent Hunter: ”Established the forecheck late in the first period that gave the Islanders momentum.”
Tim Jackman: ”Provided energy and protection.”
Andy Sutton: “Blocked shots and stepped up in all zones.”
What We Learned Today
- The Islanders just out-skated the Ottawa Senators in two straight games. They hadn’t done that in one game in, oh, something like the last two decades.
- If “Jon Sim Goal” had a Wikipedia entry, the image to run alongside it would have to be that gorgeous garbage tally tonight to make it 2-0.
Game Rating (out of 5 stars): 3.0 - Proving it doesn’t have to be a thriller for the home team to win.
Islanders Performance: 4.0 - Second consecutive strong effort for almost all of the 60 minutes.
Event Rating: 4.0 - The Islanders donate portion of the gate proceeds to Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism advocacy organization. Former Met and Yankee slugger Darryl Strawberry, an autism advocate, dropped the ceremonial faceoff. The Islanders are celebrating their Hockey With a Heart program throughout November and December, raising funds and awareness for various charities.
Official Attendance: 13,772
Just Sayin’: Maybe Ottawa isn’t that bad. Maybe the Sens don’t have to take these two losses that hard. Maybe the Islanders were just really, really good these last two games.
Just Keepin’ it…Oh, how fleeting this all can be when you’re on top and don’t run with it. At this point last season, Ottawa was the cream of the Eastern Conference. Now they can’t find a forward to go to the net unless Craig Hartsburg is screaming, they get down a few goals or they really, really have to.
Why the Heck Not? Moment: On a power play mid-second, Gordon iced a trio of Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey and kid-at-heart Bill Guerin.
Courtesy of Kinger: Chris King of Islanders Radio had this doozie - the Islanders had not beaten the Senators two games in a row in the same season since 1995-96.
Scouts in Attendance: None. Have the buzzards stopped swarming?
Islanders Press Coverage: Greg Logan and New York City marathon champion finisher Jim Baumbach of Newsday, Dan Martin of the Post, Peter Botte of the Daily News.
Next Up: The Islanders host Roberto Luongo and the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night. The Islanders are then off until a three-game trip starting Friday in New Jersey.
Do you think the Islanders are for real? Do you think the message from Go-Go Gordon is resonating? Discuss in Comments.
55 Responses to “ISLANDERS 3, OTTAWA 2
Back-to-back system showcases for Gordon’s gang”
Please Wait
if we keep this up we can kiss hedman and tavares good-bye!..have to find some kind of negative to mention onight..lol..great game to be at..joey mac was sharp tonight..hunter is having a really solid season his best in 3 years…i say keep bailey and okposo together all year and let bailey learn up here…
bailey can keep up with the game and yes, he’s got eyes of a bar code scanner - it’s that accurate!
do i dare dream a victory against the canucks?
beatlebailey, don’t worry about tavares/hedman homie, I think we can still pull it off, its just two wins… I’m just saying
Nice to see a little positive consistancy! Love the way Bailey looks with Okposo….and thank you Joey Mac D!
Games like this give me reason to hope this year two things of note: Hilbert’s hit in the first really calmed down the Isles after the Sens were all out and the no look pass by Bailey in the second to Okposo didn’t lead to a goal but a sign of a possibly great duo in the making these two can instinctively find each other on the ice and its only been a training camp and three games.
Last ten minutes were dreadful but other than that good game. We need a real fighter, Jackman blows, good to see someone stick up for each other though.
Hey CB…..just a question….is it possible to have good ice in the old barn or do we need a new building for that.Its going to cost us a game eventally if it hasnt already. What can they do?
I have no reason to beleive that this team can’t be a contender. The system clearly works, and our record could be better. Keep in mind that DP is still out, Marti just came back, and we are still waiting on Witt, Meyer, and Silli. And we seem to have enough depth in Bridgeport in case we need it (Comeau, Hillen, Smith, etc.)
Young teams can surprise people…look at what the marlins did this year.
im in…jackman stays,bailey stays with ko..exciting hockey on the island
Go figure, no Comrie and they play a full 60. I’ve said it before, he is the one to go. Keep Bailey with KO and let them grow and learn, especially with the leaders on this team.
Also, it shows when you play four lines and buy into a this system, they can be successful. Lets just get fully healthy now.
NC, I was wondering the same thing. I remember when I was a kid and even into my teens everyone would say the Isles and Edm had the best ice in the NHL by far. Now it is easy to see the Isles have some of the worst. I wonder is it just the old building? I don’t blame Wang I wouldn’t put more money into it but is it the building, an old ice system, or the crew? I know they’ve had the same ice guy since I was a kid so it probably isn’t that.
Enjoyed Hilbert’s hit.
Admire Jackman for doing the right thing but I hate to see Isles getting beat up. If Fritz or a real enforcer was dressed Neil never would gotten as chippy as he did.
Martinek was totally looking the wrong way on the 2nd goal.
It seems like when the got the 4 minute pp they figured they had it and stopped playing.
I almost wished I had the Canadian broadcast tonight so I could listening to them. As poorly as they think of the Isles this has to be the moment where they are lighting their torches and getting their pitch forkes!
Strummer - This is conjecture, but I think it makes sense. Part of the remodel plan for the coliseum is to lower the ice surface and put some luxury boxes in the first level. I would assume the ice making “system” is getting old, but they don’t want to replace it now if they are going to be changing the ice level this summer or next.
I think what Kinger meant to say is that the Islanders hadn’t beaten the Senators twice in a row in one season since 1995-96.
They beat the Sens in the final match-up of the 2002-03 season and the first match-up the following year.
Anybody buying the latest rumor posted on “the site that shall not be named”
“The Edmonton Oilers are trying to move Dwayne Roloson to the Islanders.
I could see this as well. The Isles really do need an NHL goalie in DiPietro’s absence.”
NO! No Roloson to Isles! We don’t need that (unless to mentor DP maybe)
Besides if that were true, we’d already have Dustin Brown and Khabibulin and etc… I’m just saying
brian,
now listen here. ek has some of the worst “predictions.” if you want a hear ek hockey rumors you might as well be listening to people in penn station bathrooms blowing chunks
Was that a prediction or just spamming?
Good for MacDonald. Back to back wins is a bonus.
Folks, apparently I was misunderstood. I’m not buying it, just was wondering if anybody was.
well said Andy!
first thing is that strummer army, if we could get that guy i will seriously be jumping up and down. maybe trade boston and leafs second for a late first rounder and aquire him? or leafs second and our second next year? thats pretty fair. this is like 26-30 overall though. also, hilbert, jackman and sutton all had huge hits, jackman had a nice bout from my veiw and weight and guerin stood up for eachother. all good in the phsical department. still think we should have an enforcer though. great win, great goals and great chilly. last five minutes or so was pretty nerveracking i must say. trade comrie anwhere to a team for a third rounder. maybe that can help with the trade for doherty strummer
Lots of credit to the dozen or so Ottawa fans behind the penalty box who went back and forth the entire game with the trash talk… and when the game ended and the Isles won, came and shook our hands. Canada kept it classy tonight, and I hope they enjoyed the rest of their time here this weekend.
Stop reading Hockeybuzz! It’s pure garbage.
I like Roloson but given Mac’s play he’s not needed if Mac wasn’t play well whole other case but right now i don’t think so
lol i saw them and they were most active when neil was against jackman and guerin other then that they were quietother then the goals obviously which doesnt count. i meant like chanting lets go sens. well when they did cheer when there team scored some guy was showing off his jersey. i wanted to show off that waste of a gas bill driving here
idk i like hockeybuzz rumors. it makes me think about what cant happen but would be awesome if it did. imagine: DUSTIN BROWN SCORES IN OVERTIME AS THE ISLANDERS BEAT THE RANGERS AT HOME WITH NO RANGER FANS AND A SELLOUT CROWD!!!!!!!! eklund only threw out the first part but i imagined the rest =]
Is this team for real?
I would want to wait to see everyone healthy and playing first. Then we’ll know if this team is for real.
As CB posted earlier I worry about this team doing just well enough to not get an Impact player in the draft, but it is always more fun to be at the game when we win. Is it me or does it seem Guerin is getting old quickly, taking bad penalties and just not moving well. It seemed like he and Weight are playing too many minutes and losing steam, Tuesday and Tonight. If you want high energy then you can not keep some guys on the ice for two minutes and expect the energy.
bob, it seems to me that whoever they are with, they produce. whether it be tambs or bergie or sim on the pp, they are on the scoresheet. i think the bad penalty guerin took, was defending his teammate. sure they dont have the speed they used but they are good passers and shooters too
I go to “the site that shall not be named” to read BD Gallof’s blog. Saw today’s rumor listing, was curious, read it and thought it was absurd that the Isles would go after Roloson after the way Joey Mac has been playing. I was curious if any body thought it was possible. Everybody knows that 95-97% of what Ek speculates about does not happen. Duh!
Hey, Kevin:
I think if we traded a 2 and 3 we could easily move back in for the one we’d need for Doherty. Like you said the sell off of vets that is coming (and in my opinion the other players in the organization young or old that are deemed not to be a fit) gives us more room to manuever.
I agree on the ice Brian. Can you guys even imagine how great Gordon’s system (The Overspeed Express) will be on a great sheet of ice?
I refuse to go to hockeybuzz. Why on Earth would we need Roloson when Macdonald is playing so well and is younger and cheaper. I sware to you I am going to start my own hockey rumour site. My first is that Bossy having been around the Isles discovered he is in such great shape that the Isles are considering signing him to a contract to mentor the kids. It’s as believable as the crap EK makes up.
P.S. Roloson just let in a 5-hole shot in the 5th round of the shootout. Wouldn’t want him anyway!
Is anybody paying attention to the progression of Frans????
and why does TSN consistantly call this team the worst in the NHL when they have more points than 5 others and are 4 points out of playoff spot, albeit very early.
Franzie has looked solid
we are actually tied for second last in the entire nhl. we dont have the skill of those other teams who are in ’slumps’ (even though we can beat them) so we are going to be in last according to tsn. i think we will coe in last but not by far. 2 points less then second to last team and 3 points less then third last team. also, on a side note. say we dont get first overall pick, and atlanta comes in second. they need a person to center ilya and may want tavares to be the guy. do you think they would package someone to us for the first pick and we get hedman. sounds good in my books as long as they give us someone good and there first overall. or a prospect ( good one) and their first. or a decent prospect, their second and first.
i meant we do get first overall btw
maybe angelo esposito and there first plus second next year. this is all of course the same situation as above.
frans skates with the puck like he’s been in the league for 3 years.. everytime he’s on the ice he’s making plays. i like that kid a lot
The team has tried hard for so long to gain recognition as worst team in the NHL and it finally is ours, so fret not, the brains at work must be thrilled or incompetent. I say they’re thrilled, because nobody wants to think the Isles are where they are now by accident.
We traded Luongo, drafted DP, signed Yashin, kept Milbury, fired Lavy, hired Stirling, fired Smith, traded for Wiemer, traded Osgood, made Rick beat out Snow for the #1, rushed Rick, rushed every other prospect, fired Nolan, kept Satan at the deadline, traded for nothing at said deadline claiming we had what it took to compete then allowed all those players to walk yet we obtained nothing……yeah, worst team in the NHL has validity. Hope that changes, but this time for the better. It’s scary when a die hard borderline religeous Isles fan all his or her life is so apathetic to Wang’s incarnation, isn’t it?
And how tiring the spin gets at times…..
Okay I’m back… call it an occasional cameo.. will pick & choose my comments
fella’s ..
CB, effectiveness when measured in delievery&timing can work.
I see & hear your point thanks buddy!
Now…..
Dp’s Hip & all the other naysayers?
I & many Others,have felt your pain throughout the last 15 years rooting for this club!
With that said, this team, current coach & Gm are starting to show signs.
Good signs that bode well for a brighter future.
One that maybe close then alot of us think?
just took two games in a row,
(one on their soil) from a Canadian based franchise…
(that has not happened in Years)
A few breaks here and there this season they are in the 6th or 7th seed in a league that features “parity personified”
(thus far)
Even further, witt returns soon & meyer can send gervais to the pressbox…
(bruno 17 minutes a game still brutal)
my only pessimistic point of view in regards to this hockey club, that and comries slary!;)
Back to the possibilities..
Maybe sillinger comes back 37 & all.
which could send either tambellini or if Comrie does not get it going,
Packing!
Can There be a Run Left in These Vets,combined with a flourishing of the youth , which sparks a run into the playoffs & leads to a first round win after 15 years..?
Why not, stranger things in the world have happened & will continue to happen!
DiPietro.. if he can be 100% healthy again ?
Hey do not write off our purest athelete on this club,
he’s still has a chance especially if the team in front of him continues to gel!
(joey mac is more then capable of a #2 goalie… wade who?)
Macdonald has been a plesant surprise!
Snow’s pick is already passing the puck better then taylor, scissons, mcbean, lindros, junker, nabokov,etc.. he’s 19 wow future looks okay there huh?
yea’ i know not centers.. they were just bust’s!
Passing was one of the many things they could not do..
(garth drafted none of them)
Give us Break we are a decent young club, with a decent young Coach & dare I say a decent Gm.. (time will tell)
The time for dwelling on the doom & gloom of the past, maybe coming to an end.
Stop being a foot soldier of the toronto hockey media..
tsn/the hockey news…
(they need to wake up as well )
There is Talent On This Island,
its clearly there!
If your a Hockey Fan , you know this!
Bottom Line….
The worm is turning on the Island & the shovel will be in the ground come late spring…Bet on it!
Hows that for some positive spin?
In fact, let me correct myself…..
Hows that for being a fan of The team I root on, for better or worse.
Always with pride N Passion!
Now get to the pit NVMC (for now) and show some love for the Club we call our own… NY Islander Hockey!!
I’ll be there on Monday , will you?
As for the transplants dont worry we hold the fort until the playoffs come again to Long Island, we know then you guys will return to your old stomping grounds to enjoy a return to Glory! all good boys!
last point enjoy their play , its solid right now.
stop the moaning baby. i’m just saying…
Lets Go Isles… Lets Go Islanders!!
p.s.
Trent Hunter .. All Star Deserving !
making me look Good for buying the the authentic Royal Blue #7….
Only a matter when he wears the C’!
mcbean & nabokov were trades…
point was, whether drafting or trading other gm’s prior to snow have been worse.
we all know this.
I mean Maloney was the Mile send to start the spiral downward, Then Milbury completes the process by having us hit rock bottom , okay Wang was a little guilty for showing blind loyalty as well..
so be it.
That was the this is now we all learn from our mistakes… Wang may too.
Snow is not a dumb man!
last point on MADMIKE…
Milbury should have been a scout,
not a gm.. most fo his drafts were good, just his patience & keeping them together
was inadequate… Actually MM gave better sound bites then anyone in the league,
so maybe he finally wound up where he
always belonged on T.V. as a Media/commentator..
Better there, then here!
Listen I am no troll or apologist for The NY Isles or their Current Managment…
I am a Provincial NY Islander Fan,
nothing more, nothing less!
We have enough media outlets & fans around the League people who Blast our club,
No need to eat our own & help them if you will.
I’m Just saying!
good day fella’s .. Go Isles!!
*maloney=Mole*
I don’t think we should get too up about this Home-and-Home sweep. I think that Ottawa team is in shambles and could likely be joining us in the Tavares sweepstakes. If they can’t play under coach Hartsburg there is something wrong.
I’m not saying that back to back wins against the Sens is a sign of greatness but it has never mattered how well the Sens were playing. The Isles went ten years without a win against them. Last season, they pulled out a shootout win at home. This season, home and home regulation wins. Have we seen the last of the Ottawa curse?
These are my positives about the team. We do have more skill than before in that we now have 4 players who can actually pass the puck to someone on their own team; Weight, Streit, Neilson and Bailey. Before that the team would cycle endlessly (on a good day) and you would just hope that the puck would hit someone in the a$$ and wind up in the net. Also, we have more players who are not afraid to stand in front of the net; Hunter, Sim, bergie, maybe Thompson. I would still really like a top 2 draft pick but this is not a given (we need more high end picks). The team has been better and more exciting to watch than I expected. At this point, I want to see the kids improve, build confidence by winning and hopefully the other bottom feeder teams play really well.
You might be right Dallas but why not enjoy the two wins while we can. In case we don’t see too many more.
They really do seem to be playing better. I finally got to see Bailey and I am impressed. He seems very patient, keeps his head up and feels his teammates, and wow with some of his passes! Whether he stays or goes he looks like he belongs in the NHL.
And Franzzzz!! Love his hustle and fearlessness, he is definately a favorite of mine. Bergy too, and it’s nice to see some speed on our team.
Who knows what the season will bring but I am loving watching these games for the excitement factor and I sort of have that “I know a secret” feeling again, GO ISLES!!!!
The team has many issues but you have to enjoy a sweep of a home and home vs Ottawa.
At least they now first score a goal in the third before going to sleep.
On offense it seems they are crashing the net more than previous years and it is paying off.
They are 2-0 since Bailey’s return.
Absolutely Willis, they are playing better and that’s good.
awww no comments on my trade proposal. anyone agree with strummer on the doherty guy. i hope we get him
46 Jon on Nov 16th, 2008 09:33:43 said:
“They are 2-0 since Bailey’s return.”
They are actually 2-1… Josh has played three games (Flyers, Sens, Sens). But its still good!
I thought it was another good game, the guys played well, although the 3rd period was a little so-so but nonetheless a win! Once again I have to say Joey Mac, another fine job! Go Islanders~
Have a wonderful Day Everyone!
On the draft sweepstakes, a bit of logic: if we do so well as to avoid the basement, that means that the kids we have now developed this year. Tamby included. Neilsen, Bergy, Bailey and Okposo will have been top six forwards for most of the season- in other words, we won’t need the number one (whomever that is, we might end up picking third through sixth and still get Tavares!) selection because the players we have will have developed enough! Do you really believe the Isles management is waiting for Tavares to save the day? That’s an insult to the players currently on the roster- and to anyone with half a brain. The real youth movement starts next year when Joensuu and Figren get looks…
O-town :
Finally someone who gets it!
The daily rants of “we need to finish last” and about who “sucks” are foolish and childish.
It is indeed an insult to the current roster of professionals and hardworking men to think they are waiting to be saved by an 18 year old that may or may not be Tavares, Hedmen (sp) or any other.
There is youth waiting in Bridgeport and in other leagues that the Islanders have already drafted and/or signed that NEED to be developed and brought through the system, and possible UFA’s that may be signed, plus any trades that may occur between now and next year that will have this team much further along than a last place finish this year or next year.
DOC
Since I’m usually down on this team,I should be fare when they look good.I thought Niellson looked great very solid game from Bailey and KO.I also thought Skinner played real well.Joey Mac is 6-6 looks very good.If these guys play like this forget about a top 5 pick.
i loveeee thiss songg soo muchh :] joee and demii and nickk are awsomeee:]
oh no !! i like chrihanna soo much !!