ISLANDERS 4, OTTAWA 2
When FMIV scores II, you win the game
10:05 pm, The NVMC - The Game: Ending an exhausting run of 6 games in 9 days that featured both impressive wins and troubling losses, the question was whether the Islanders (and Joey MacDonald) would soar or crawl to the finish line. Freddy Meyer goals in the final minute of the second period and early third carried the Islanders to a 4-2 victory. With four days without games, 10-12-2 sounds a lot better than 9-13-2.
For a team that many experts picked to finish last, the Islanders seem downright competitive. Wins like these give reason to call off the Hedman and Tavares Watch – and probably the Cowen and Duchene Watch, too.
The Islanders earned tomorrow off and most players have the option of not skating on Monday.
Power Play: Ottawa 0-1, Islanders 0-5; Shots on goal: Ottawa 21, Islanders 25.
HEADLINES
Bailey Sticks: Playing in his first game since being told he’s in the NHL to stay this season, Josh Bailey was plus-1 in over 17 minutes of ice. Said Gordon this morning, “He’s not like a deer in the headlights out there.”
Silli Closer: Mike Sillinger completed his conditioning stint in the AHL tonight by playing his second game in two nights. After scoring a goal last night in Bridgeport’s win over Hartford, Sillinger made it through tonight’s 4-1 Sound Tigers loss in Worcester.
Mike Fornabaio of the CT Post texted us post-game from the Bridgeport locker room, “He says he feels good.” Next step: how he feels tomorrow and whether he’s ready to join the Islanders roster next week.
Slump Extends to 41 Games: Jeff Tambellini barely played in the third period tonight, saw 7:32 overall and has now gone 41 NHL games – exactly a half-season – without scoring a goal. Time for solutions.
Gervais IRed, Pock Waived, Danis Up: The Islanders announced this afternoon that Bruno Gervais has been placed on Injured Reserve retroactive to Tuesday, Nov. 25. Thomas Pock, placed on waivers, was again the healthy scratch tonight on the blueline.
Yann Danis returned from a successful visit to the AHL to serve as No. 2 netminder to Joey MacDonald tonight and for the foreseeable future. A source said tonight DiPietro will probably start skating next week.
Thumbs Up: $17,000 donated by the Islanders and more than 3,000 pounds of food donated by their fans tonight to the invaluable Long Island charity to end hunger, Island Harvest, as part of the team’s “Hockey With A Heart” initiative.
POST-GAME SOUND
A visibly confident Joey MacDonald shook off the notion that he was tired playing his sixth game in 9 nights. I asked him post-game if he’s getting more involved vocally “in the room” as he continues to establish himself as this team’s No. 1. “No one knew I was going to play this much, but now I think everyone’s starting to get more confident in me,” the goalie said. “I’m out there to make the big save and hopefully the guys feed off it.
“The guys battled tonight. They blocked shots, paid the price. That was the difference between tonight and yesterday.”
A Question for Andy Hilbert: Andrew, can I please be your agent?
Colliton Perseveres: This may not do him any good with tough roster decisions likely this week, but seems to us Jeremy Colliton – despite tonight’s minus-2 – gets the message and is a pretty good fit for what Go-Go’s trying to do.
Just Sayin’: Is the NHL so offended surprised every time the Islanders score a goal that they have to review almost every one?
Game Rating (out of 5 stars): 2.5 - A chaotic but entertaining first period, followed by an almost unwatchable second and grind-it-out finish.
Islanders Performance: 4.0 - You play your sixth game in 9 nights and win, you get 4 stars.
Event Rating: 2.5 - We understood the FireDancers when the Islanders and AFL Dragons were under the same umbrella…ella. But sorry old friends, we do not get the Ice Breakers – dancers performing choreographed “routines” in the aisles. For every person smiling, there are plenty cringing.
We’re pro-Ice Girls, pro-everything in the name of different, dazzling, entertaining, corporate-sponsorable or even just a good creative try. We don’t know what category the Ice Breakers fall under. When the routine was over tonight and the PA announcer said, “There they are, the New York Islanders Ice Breakers,” not a single fan applauded. The Islanders do a lot of good things. This enterprise does not look good on the franchise.
Official Attendance: 13,108
Courtesy of Kinger: Until now, the Islanders had never beaten Ottawa more than twice within the same season and never defeated the Senators three times in a row.
Scouts in Attendance: Rangers, Detroit and Florida GM Jacques Martin, (spoil-the-rumor-fun alert) whose Panthers play at the Garden tomorrow.
Meanwhile, in Toronto…Brian Burke named President and GM of the Maple Leafs. Yes, eventually he and Garth Snow will talk. No, we do not see a fit – especially where it involves the prodigal Islander, Bryan McCabe Jason Blake.
Islanders Press Coverage: Greg Logan and Mark Herrmann of Newsday, Dan Martin of the Post, Peter Botte of the Daily News.
Mark has recently started an NHL blog, furthering his newspaper’s status as (The Hockey) Newsday. In his latest post, Mark has an item on friend Jiggs McDonald being stranded in Bangkok.
Next Up: The Islanders have full practices Tuesday and Wednesday at Iceworks before they play Alexander Semin and the Capitals in Washington on Thursday.
The Islanders are back at the Coliseum next Saturday for the Atlanta Thrashers.
Quote of the Day: Ottawa defenseman Luke Richardson is retiring after 1,417 NHL games to be an assistant coach. Every member of the rebuilding Islanders should heed Richardson’s words:
“Every game in the league is a privilege, although it’s easy to take for granted. The older you get, the more you realize that.”
POINT BLANK PSA
Sticks and Steaks with the Islanders: Join the Islanders for their first Sticks and Steaks Dinner. From now until New Year’s fans have the opportunity to place a bid via www.newyorkislanders.com to have a steak dinner with their favorite Islanders player at Rothmann’s Steak House and Grill. This event is closed to the general public so only the highest bidders (and one guest each) will have access. All proceeds go to the Islanders Children’s Foundation.
Event Details: Cocktail Hour, Followed by Sit Down Dinner (Open Bar). Sunday, January 11, 2009, 5 pm – 8 pm, Rothmann’s Steak House and Grill, 6319 Northern Blvd. East Norwich, NY 11732. Log on to www.newyorkislanders.com for more info and to place your bid.
Comments.
62 Responses to ISLANDERS 4, OTTAWA 2
When FMIV scores II, you win the game
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Joe says:
Good win tonight. I got the voucher for the free tickets and I went to redeem it and they said they had none left at the time! Im always for doing decent things but that kinda sucks, I hope they let me redeem them soon.
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Akeem says:
Tragic that Tambellini keeps getting buried further and further. I agree CB, time for solutions. He’s a talented player, and needs a chance to succeed. Those solutions will either work or they won’t, but it’s not working as it is right now…
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Neil says:
“Wins like these give reason to call off the Hedman and Tavares Watch – and probably the Cowen and Duchesne Watch, too.”
How about a Jordan Schroder-Nazem Kadri watch? (It’s just I feel like I missed the Josh Bailey watch last June)
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That is a fabulous quote! And yes, we’ll take the win, no matter how ugly. Hope the Radio show went well today. Did’t get a chance to listen with the change in time slots.
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beatlebailey says:
great win and good atmosphere at the coliseum tonight. Not a bad crowd for a rebuilding team under 500 either.
At least the ice breakers started wearing jerseys instead of the stripper outfits they wore initially…of course there is nothing wrong with that except when 8 year olds are dancing with them in the aisles.
CB: Any view on whether Jackman can stick all season? -
mjlisles says:
FEARLESS FREDDY.
(Kadri is a stud. I would love to have him here.)
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Looks to me, again, like this team is getting manhandles late in games. All of the pressure for most of the third came from the opposing team for the THIRD STRAIGHT GAME, and this time JMAC was able to hold the fort, which he hasn’t been able to do for the last 2 third periods. I’m beginning to think Ken Hitchcock was right, and this system may be too punishing. Gordon comes on TV and says, “we stopped skating in the third” and “we were too passive” – isn’t that to a large extent a function of the system?
I’m curious to hear what people think… -
AZS says:
I don’t think it’s a matter of the system failing as much as certain players not playing the system in the 3rd period.
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But why are they “all of a sudden” not playing the system int he third period? Could it be bc it’s too taxing for the first 40-45 minutes of a game?
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Dallas MacDonald says:
Is everyone ready to call off the Hilbert hating? He has been our most complete player this year.
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I don’t see a team that’s not playing the system. I see a team that’s, at times, afraid of winning. They get very tentative when they play with the lead and get so caught up thinking about it that they lose the style of play that got them the lead in the first place. We need to get to a point where they’re afraid to LOSE.
I’m all for calling off the Hilbert dogs, and I’m really in favor of starting a FREE JIGGS campaign.
FREE JIGGS!
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toorude says:
ruutu is a joke of an nhl player. i watched tonight as he and jackman attempted to stir things up in the first – it looked to me as if ruutu declined to dance – he then kicked jackman’s glove into the vistors bench, shut the door and proceeded to pounce on it with his skate. He is a child. Not supporting chris simons’ actions a few years ago but can understand why simon was frustrated with the punk. tamb-a-tiny is useless, bergie, jackman, hilbert all skated hard. depressing that this team will not stand up for their goalie when other team’s take a run at Joey McD. Dont understand why the guerins, weights and witts of the world let this behavior continue – order from above? havent we had enought rookie injuries – does bailey or colliton have to be next?
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That’s a great question …I think that the fact the really aren’t as talented as the other teams they’re playing is the real reason …
Look at the teams that they’ve blown leads to …the other night Malkin and Crosby (the two best players in the world) took over – with some help from Andy Sutton’s shotty puck play …Montreal is a sick team …
I think that the system is the reason Hunter has returned to form and the reason Hillbert is scoring …the reason Streit is 3rd in the league in D-man scoring …I think as the younger players mature in the system – learning it in the AHL – things will improve …just my opinion though …
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Nick,
It owuld be one thing if the Baileys and Bergies of the world were the only ones playing passive, but as we’ve seen, the Guerins Weights and Hunters of the world aren’t playing all that well in the third either. THOSE guys shouldn’t be “afraid to lose”, should they? -
Hey I never said it was rational, but the team psyche is different from an individual player psyche at any given point. I think, as the team gels, confidence will grow and we will see fewer and fewer meltdowns. It’s not an excuse, of course, but I don’t see it as a lack of faith in the system or the system being too taxing. It’s like the teams from the end of the 90′s – you knew they would find a way to lose if they went into the 3rd period with a 1 or 2 goal lead. Just needs some work.
FREE JIGGS!
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AZS,
I agree with you, players like Hunter, Streit, and Hilbert have thrived in Gordon’s system, but if other teams are so much more talented, and that’s the reason why the leads have collapsed, why are we so often able to dominate the first 2 periods? Shouldn’t the Crosbys and Malkins of the world be able to take over against our “less talented” squad in the first 40 minutes also? -
did anyone notice martinek take a hard hit behind the goal in our end during the second period? he froze up and slowly went to the bench and did not return to the ice for quite a few dmen rotations. i was worried he reinjured his shoulder. no news on that front i guess
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Travelchic59 says:
Re: Ice Breakers. I said it before, looks like we’re advertising an escort service. When they were first introduced at the beginning of the season I was like “What The ****?”
This gimmick has run it’s course. Move on.
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Dan from Westchester says:
Not the prettiest of wins – but will definitely take it. Really tough to figure why after years of futility against the Sens THIS is the season where Isles can win 3 straight. Loved the “You Can’t Beat Us” chant as the clock was ticking down.
Don’t understand how McDonald gets run over and A) there’s no penalty, and B) not a single Islander comes to his defense. McDonald had to pick up his own water bottle a minute later of heavens sake!
CB – great point about all these Islander goals getting reviewed. Does seem bizarre.
With roster moves coming this week, I dedicate this to Jeff Tambellini – “Hit the road Jack, and don’t you come back no more, no more. . “
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Dan,
I think it’s because, unlike other years, this year the Sens suck. Plain and simple. -
Brian from Massapequa says:
Ah yes the inevitable bash on the Ice Breakers. To be honest, I don’t why I did not think to bring this up earlier. When I’m at the games, I invariably bash the whole idea. Of course, I sit in 313 where there are no Ice Breakers three feet from my nose as my friend John pointed out to me. His point was that I might like it more if they were right in front of me. You know what? I’m sure I would. But the idea still makes me cringe just like the Fire Dancers did. I know some people don’t like the Ice Girls either, but at least they are skating and serving a purpose (in addition to providing me with some eye candy).
CB – Think we could have a vote for your favorite Ice Girl contest without it escalating into accusations of chauvinism and eventually just entering the gutter in general. If so, I’ll vote for Brittany.
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
Unfortunately didn’t see the game. Still stuck in Boston and “recovering” from yesterday’s loss, but saw the highlights on the net. I’m glad for German Freddy getting 3-point game. He needed that. But (please, correct me if I’m wrong) I saw another two goals with Witt’s and Sutton’s fault. Does anybody have any idea what is going on with our “2 best dependable” defenceman in last 3-4 games. They keep turning pucks over and then just standing there and waching the opposition forwards scoring under their noses(?!) It should be a heavy reason for that. ‘Couse I know them having ability to step up big when the team need it the most.
Let me know what u guys think.
Thanks in advance. -
James says:
Great game tonight, though in the second when things were plodding along, I looked over to my buddy and said, “doesn’t this seem to have all the makings of a 1-1 game going to a shootout?” Nothing was doing.
Of course a few minutes later, it was 2-1 Isles, and it went from there.
The only chant of the night which seemed to have legs in the arena, was one I couldn’t understand: U-S-A! U-S-A!
Hey, God bless America and I love it too… but the first time it came out, I think the only American on the ice was Tim Jackman. The second time it came out was in response to Jarko Ruutu, and there no Americans out. In a game as international as the NHL, where Americans are the minority, where teams are made up of a bunch of different nationalities… ??
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P.S. Save Jiggs. God bless America!
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Vlad – Our top two are Witt and Martinek. Sutton has been shaky the last 90 minutes of play. Of course all three are relatively recently off of IR so…
James – Thank you for bringing this up. It always annoys me when our crowd does this. Granted I have a lot of family in Canada, so I try to take my own opinion with a grain of salt. But it is just stupid. This is a team game, not the F’in Olympics!
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Islander505 says:
Two Things….
Freddy Meyer proved once again why he is The GOD (The Great Ottawa Destroyer).
The Sen’s have not been the same since Freddy leveled Spezza last year and basically ruined the season of “what may be the greatest team ever” (Ottawa announcer’s description of them during that game last year). Freddy should play against Ottawa every night.Secondly,
Nick and everyone else.
The situation that Jiggs McDonald finds himself in right now should not be treated with humor or lightheartedness.
There’s some bad chit going on in Thailand right now, and anymore, it’s not a good thing for an American to be in a country in chaos.Rather than “free him” I suggest we pray for him.
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the u-s-a chants are all loudvilles doing. The kids in loudville are very irritating. they do not know the game and just try to get on tv. i think they should have to be able to name at least five islanders before they can get the ticket on discount because i bet they can not do it.
i think we should start calling the park sim tambs line the chili line because they are an offenseive juggernaut!
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The U-S-A chants definitely did not come from (or originate from) the Loudsville section. I was in 204 and they were coming from behind me to my left, which would put them on the other side of the building. Not that I want to make a bigger deal of it than it was.. it was just a bit lame and didn’t make much sense.
I don’t mind “Loudville”. They bring energy, which sometimes this place needs. By the way, did Banana Suit Guy take the night off?
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TuxTax says:
Solid game on all fronts, but I would like to see some more offensive production, Tambaweenie has got to go and everyone here knows that im not much for rash decisions…we need to have a true goal scorer in the lineup. Silli and comrie is def not the answer. I think bring up the college kid Trevor Smith to see what he can do…he seems like he can handle himself…(I know people will hang me for this, but comeau can wait, I think he can hang around in the ahl and when he really starts feeling the burning in his belly they will bring him up and he will be a top forward for us) Bailey has got the goods already, he was in awe for a few games in the beginning, but he is an exceptional passer and he knows the game. My only complaint is he needs to be with a finisher…yeah I know Hunter is out with him regularly and Weight and Guerin are out there also on the PP…but he needs Okie back or someone he can pass to in the slot that will actually put the puck into the back of the net instead of the crest of the goalie(or the backboards)…Props to Bergie, Hilbert and the Fourth for always busting their asses for the team…just my thoughts in a drunken stupor…Let’s Go Islanders!!!!! P.S. I appreciate hockey players so much more for thanking their linemates for a good game instead of the ridiculous god thanking that goes on in football, basketball and baseball…night everyone and hopefully we will have enough to discuss until thursday!!! CB is a godsend for Long Islander hockey discussion! HERE! HERE!
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Also the NHL does hate us CB!!! Colin and the Refs have something against us and I do not know why…there are too many instances to remember but if there was a neutral mediator between the Islanders and the officiating of the NHL the Islanders would have a case filled with incorrect, missed and from my viewpoint biased calls. Maybe I am too much of a fan of the Isles, but I am sick of getting pooped on by Toronto scum. (Too much to drink has made me angry!)
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Alright TuxTax!!!!
Nice to see that there are others who are guilty of BWI (blogging while intoxicated)……just not me tonight
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505 and Tux, I’m right here with ya…LOL
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kevin says:
anyone see the flamers and canucks game? robyn regehr hits some guy from behind and taylor oyatt comes to his aid as does the rest of the canucks on the ice.jackman and meyer got hit from behind and no one steps up in time. what is that???
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I saw that the Canucks lost 3-1 …maybe Pyatt should have been more interested in scoring a goal or two?
I’m all for sticking up for players, but how about winning the game 1st? Put it in your memory for the next time an opportunity presents itself and get some revenge then …
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I pointed out that Banana Suit Guy was missing to my friend. He said, “maybe he had to split.”
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dcdavis says:
I love it when the Isles beat the Sens! I drove down from Albany to catch the Senators win their first ever road game in 1993, and still haven’t got over the disappointment if that freakin’ game! I hate the Senators almost as much as the Rangers!
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Rick says:
Good game last night, though once again it looked shaky in the 3rd for us again. That 2nd period was pretty ugly as well. But a win is a win, and any win = good game for the Isles. It’s nice to see us be able to beat Ottawa consistently after years of being their whipping post.
As for the Jiggs situation, someone else mentioned it earlier. There is no humor there. It is a serious, uneasy situation over in Thailand right now, and we should all be saying a prayer for Jiggs to get home quickly and safely.
Finally, I’m really tired of the apparent ‘bias’ against the Isles from the officials. Whether it’s really there or not, it sure seems like it exists. Every goal we score seems to need to be reviewed, and more & more times our guys are getting hit and the refs either a)don’t see it (which is inexcusable – just because the puck is at one end of the ice doesn’t mean you can ignore the guys at the other end) or b)have some sort of weird bias against this team and refuse to make these calls.
I am not one of those crazy conspiracy theory people, but it sure seems like our guys get hit behind the play with no call alot more then other teams do, and it has seemed this way to me for awhile.
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Hey Chris, not to be a pest, but Semin is on the IR and probably won’t be playing in Washington on Thursday.
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I was shocked to see the Ice Girls last night. Here is a link to the short video I took. The batteries ran out unfortunately:
http://www.yesislanders.com/video/new-york-islanders-ice-breakers
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JPinVA says:
Just so it doesn’t seem that I only post negative stuff after a loss I’ll give my 2 cents. Took the better half to dinner last night and didn’t see the game until this morning… God bless the guy who invented Tivo. Best thing about it is that you can watch the game on a 39 min delay and still race throught the commercials and catch up to watch the last 10 mins live. Which, as an Islander fan, is not so good sometimes.
Ottawa: I don’t care how much they suck this year, it’s great to take three from them. this team had our number even when it was a lowly expansion club. These are my favorite out of division wins.
Go-go: One thing I failed to mention in my mother-in-law inspired hatefest the past few days is how much I like an offence that has the defense consistetly contributing in the offensive zone. As all of us who took Physics 101 know, every action causes an equal reaction…
Witt/Sutton: They have both looked lost at times. Injuries, overexertion, some incompatability with a very taxing style of play and probably just that they are about a month of real games behind the curve all are factors. Give them time, and hopefully Go-go will find a way for all this to work in harmony.
Hilbert: As the creator of “First Base” Andy, I have always been on the fence with him. I thought that there could have been some way better options than another undersized forward with BAD HANDS. I will, however, say this… I’ve never doubted Andy’s contributions as a role player (3rd/4th line forward, excellent PK guy and a solid two-way 12 minutes).
This style of play definitely lends itself to Andy’s lack of contact approach, and he’s seeing more opportunities because he is a very good forechecker. Another positive brought about by Go-go.
This should be a crazy week for roster discussions with Silly and OK possible returns. Is it as easy as saying goodbye to Tambellini and Colliton. I really think they need to address the 800 lb (okay 280 lb) Gorilla in the room… Mitch Fritz needs to be a NY Islander, and he needs a regular shit.
I think that after a while (might already be there) this team will start to lose it’s edge. They are getting man handled night after night with little to no retaliation.
Maybe Go-go is a “turn the other cheek” guy. But this is not a turn the other cheek sport. Day one in Toronto Burke delivers a “this team is going to stand up for itself edict… and look who they just beat… up.
Schedule: December is “ON THE ROAD” month. Queue Billy Joel’s Travelin’ Prayer.
IceBreakers: I haven’t seen the “Ice Breakers” but I have seen the dancers that carolina supplies as intermission entertainment. I think it took carolina fans two seasons to be convinced they didn’t have to stuff dollar bills in their shorts. Great entertainment while you’re having a beer…or nine.
BTW: Chris, thanls for the pic. I told you Tambellini would look pretty good in THE COSTUME. I just hope he can keep up with their rigorous between period routine.LET’S GO GIANTS!!!
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UIF says:
If we could play Ottawa all the time, we’d be Cup contenders this year. My girl who is a Sabres fan said, “You should be proud of your team tonight.” I thought they played well. Not perfect, but after the last two games, and considering Ottawa was probably looking for redemption, you could see where last night could’ve gotten out of control if the Isles didn’t put forth a solid effort.
My only complaint is the “You suck” and “USA” stuff from the crowd. When I’m at the games, it’s funny and I don’t mind, but on TV, it really comes across as completely absurd.
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I had the same thought, that Freddy Meyer might need to go on rotation through the league for whomever plays Ottawa. He’d win the Richard, Hart, Pearson, and Norris trophies every year.
And believe me 505, I was not making light of Thailand at all. One of my closest friends got out of there by about a day or 2 before this stuff started, and I was deadly serious about the Jiggs stuff. Hope he, his wife, and the whole tour group get the hell out of there ASAP.
4 days off before Washington….good thing we went out with a win. I hope to see Danis get the start against Atlanta because JMac is playing way too much.
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JPinVa.
Nice to see that you brought your sharp wit over here from the Newsday blog.
Although I have to take issue that insult to my Ice Girls with that comment about Tamebellini pushing the shovel. -
AZS we were up so we should have done something but how do you not stick up for your goalie wen he is run? i dont care if its 5-0 or 1-0 winning or losing, you protect your goalie, and your player. pyatt did the right thing. i dont care if you are sidney crosby or ovechkin. you stick up for your teammates
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doc says:
The “sticking UP” for your teammates and goalie is a real interesting topic and fans will definitely have arguments on both sides – as with most topics I guess.
I do believe that teammates need to stick up for each other obviously. You can see it at times with the current Islanders and at other times it’s seems non-existent.
I think it is a cultured environment. When the team wins… it is more cohesive. A few bad loses… and it snowballs in the wrong direction.
Some players seem to have it all the time… despite the current wins and loses – and some will never have it, it seems.
I think that this is all part of the growing pains that this team, this year, will be going through.
It will go a long way towards who stays and who goes.
It looks like Bergenheim always has it, as does Hunter, Guerin, Fritz, Jackman, Witt etc. There are others of course.
Hilbert, Streit, Weight, Campoli, Park, MacDonald, Meyer IV, Okposo, Bailey, Sutton also are guys that don’t take any shifts off.
I’m not saying they don’t make mistakes… but their effort seems to be unquestioned.
DOC
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HilbertSnipe says:
Great win. I don’t sit in loudville because the kids don’t tickle my fancy. This is coming from an 18 year old. The Loudville group may not have started the all-so-classy USA chant, however, as I was leaving, they were screaming following Sens fans and I saw a few of them throw things. Really classy you idiots.
Freddy Meyer is further proving why he should be a staple 5 or 6 man. Gervais better be working hard for this one…
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I think the sticking up for your teammates thing is overblown. Nobody cares if you get pushed around if you win the game. IT’S ALL ABOUT WINNING. Conversations about Ice-girls, Mitch Fritz, and Colin Campbell are only relevant because the Islanders aren’t winning like we all want them to (though more than some of us might have thought). Obviously nobody likes injuries, but take advantage of scoring opportunities, play good sound defense and get solid goaltending, and everything will take care of itself.
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505,
With you, Nick and others on the board it’s the best Isles conversation on the net. With some planning we should all try to arrange a PB party in RVC. I lived in Baldwin for 15 years and I’m sure I could find a place to crash somewhere in Nassau county.
I’ll be up there on the 20th to support a band from here trying to make it work. Too bad no Isle home games that weekend.
I should be in DC on thursday. -
akeem. would you feel the same if JMAC or meyer or jackman got hurt? i doubt it
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Again, to the extent that it prevents us from winning, of course i care. If other teams taking liberties against our players is the difference between winning and losing, than there’s something to talk about. So far, with the possible of exception of the hit on Nielsen, I don’t know if I’ve seen that. Bottom line, to quote a former NY area coach, you play to WIN THE GAME. Crosby or Ovechkin going into the box for roughing penalties in the third period LESSENS your chances of winning the game. While one could theoretically counter with Fritz, having a 280 pound log on your team who can’t skate and is a liability defensively also LESSENS your chances of winning the game. In the end of the day, if you’re up by 3 goals, who cares what the other team does.
And another thing – I never understood this theory that goalies are the most nimble, fragile, delicate wusses on the planet. People talk like if the other team makes ANY contact with your goalie then they deserve payback. What, is a goalie as defenseless as a punter in football? Of course, this is all within reason, but again, never do something which lessens your chances of winning the game. That’s just my opinion… -
JPinVA,
I heartily endorse a convention for all of us “diaspora’d” (one of Nick’s all time greatest words) Isle fans.
And, as you know from the Newsday blog, that list of out of town fans is extensive.
My current plans call for an annual visit back to Deli-land sometime in March for my annual Beacon pilgrimmage to see the Allmans (always carefully timed to catch an Isles game as well).
However, if something significant arises ahead of time, it is no problem for me to make the trek back from 2 time zones away.
Let’s do it. -
a punter is not as important as a goalie……………………. and fritz has not been a liability. a goalie is not fragile but winning ends up with the goalie. so u protect the goalie. no goalie = no win
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its weird. without fritz for two games, two players hit from behind and our goalie gets hit. no reaction from our players. its like his presence was intimidating the other team
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Actually Kevin, no scoring = no win. Of course any good team needs good goaltending, but again, as I’ve said all along, in any given game, it’s about scoring more goals than the other team…I hate to make it sound so simple, but if the coaches deem Fritz or any other goon a liability, they shouldn’t play in my book. If they can make a contribution and still wanna drop the gloves, go right ahead…I’ve been a hockey fan for decades and know a ton about the game, and I still readily admit I’m in no position to make any definitive judgement on that question.
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Isles316 says:
The one thing this team has lacked since 2001-2002 is team toughness. I have witnessed too many times an Islander that has gotten hit and no one sticks up for them. I’m sick of it. Even on a clean hit sometimes you have to defend your teammates. I hate seeing MacDonald get run and then nothing happens. It would make this team even tougher to play agaisnt.
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Erika says:
I said this on the board and I’ll say it here…The Ice breakers are another group of cookie-cutter Barbie dolls!! Most teams have Ice Girls–bad enough–but the outfits the Breakers wear..and just do that dance for a few seconds.
We need Ice Boys as well–they’ll draw female fans to the game. I know I’d go to a lot more games if there were no Ice Breakers and less revealing Ice Girl outfits and guys added..
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I’ve said this on IM and will say it here. Why do we need Ice Breakers as ANOTHER cookie-cutter Barbie group at the games? Just for a few second dance? At lease the Ice Girls don’t dress that skimpy and have a purpose. I’d go to MANY more games if there were Ice Guys and NO Ice Breakers!!
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Glenn says:
Get the freakin’ Ice Breakers out of here. As my associate Christa pointed out early in the season…the organization lets girls dance in skimpy outfits in front of children, yet they banned a classic, sports-wide celebration song just because fans were yelling one word at the end of it? Double standard, I hate to say it.
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if theres going to be no ice breakers, theres going to be no ice guys. sorry but thats the truth. i dont want them there because they take away time but if they didnt have an anouncment and just went and danced anyway i would be fine. more ppl would not go becuase of ice guys then ice girls and more ppl would go if there are ice girls over ice guys. also, i play hockey akeem and first rule is as a defencman especially, dont let the other team hio your goalie. any injury and you are usually done. and every team has an enforcedr becuase there are cheapshots. so fritz is better then another roster player. you say that its about scoring more goals then the other team. no duh but to do that you need a great goalie.and when your goalie is getting run his game wikll be off. and if he gets injured then you put in a cold goalie so you lose. you can win with a crappy offense. i do it. the goalie is the backbone. also, no one wants to play wen players are getting hit left and right without any one stepping up. that doesnt mean huneter and guerin and witt have to do it all the time. same goes for bergie. i said i like it wen they do it but wen they did it anyone notive fritz was not there except for neilson. it was gordons lack of judgenment. sorry for the typos
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IN response to Kevin’s comment, what I meant was to have guys AND girls share the ice duty so female fans would be attracted as well as male fans.
great win but here are my thoughts from the previous article:
# kevin on Nov 29th, 2008 21:19:00 said:
ruutu is the biggest POS ever. streit didnt puch him into JMAC. and no one does anything except streit gives him a lil crosscheck. as a defenceman and my brother being a goalie this pisses me off. someone runs your goalie, you better make him pay. this pisses me off beyond beleif
# 18 kevin on Nov 29th, 2008 21:21:36 said:
ANOTHER HIT FROM BEHIND. THIS TIME ON MEYER. NO CALL AND NO ONE DOES ANYTHING. GROW SOME BALLS
# 19 kevin on Nov 29th, 2008 21:25:33 said:
replay proves me wrong but on the ice there are not any replays.
anyway, is there an age limit and where can we bid for the sticks and steaks dinner.