MOTTAU GETS (HA!) TWO GAMES
But it’s the NYI that really paid for last night
(image borrowed from 2MA)
(UPDATED, 7:00 pm) - Frans Nielsen out 8-12 weeks with “multiple leg injuries.” Howie Rose reports that Colin Campbell told Garth Snow that Mottau’s hit was not to Nielsen’s head. If I have that correctly, that would be cause to call for Campbell’s resignation. No word if the Islanders are going to respond.
Just got back from the radio show, where I said Mike Mottau deserved 5 games but warned Islanders fans they might be disappointed by the NHL.
But actually, I guess the NHL did not disappoint. Two games for Mottau. Laughable.
The Islanders did the we’re-1-of-30 thing last week with their warm acceptance of the 5-game suspension of Thomas Pock. Now let’s see if they release another kind of statement.
To all you Brent Sutter haters out there, you’re looking in the wrong direction. Sutter did what all the top head coaches in contact sports do: at the risk of stretching the truth or coming off like a hypocrite, he established an organizational culture. Sutter is the rare Devils coach who didn’t learn it from Lou Lamoriello. He learned at the hand of Al Arbour.
You’re either on our team or you’re not on our team. The Devils’ culture runs so wide, even Doc and Chico said Mottau’s hit deserved a minor at worst.
Brent Sutter’s loyalty is to the New Jersey Devils. There’s a reason after the hit on his son Brandon you didn’t hear him say “Doug Weight is not that kind of player,” even though you, me and Brent know Weight is not that kind of player. (Maybe Sutter views his team like family). Dump on Brent’s Islanders legacy now all you want. If he was coaching the Islanders, you’d have the chills over how he defends the crest.
The Islanders, on the other hand, prefaced their comments with the poetry of “I know Mike Mottau and Mike Mottau is not a dirty player…” Please. As Don La Greca said so eloquently on our radio show, “What a bunch of garbage. He is now”!
Would you ever hear Arbour say that? Would you ever hear the Red Wings, Devils or Bob Gainey’s Canadiens testify for the character of a player who ran down one of their players? What NHL team would have gone away as quietly as the Islanders did last night? I’m the first to admit I’ve never fully grasped the enforcer concept, but I can also tell you I never saw what I saw in the final ten minutes in New Jersey last night.
Scott Gordon made a mistake. He’ll learn, just as he learned when he got booed for going with Bill Guerin and Doug Weight in one shootout loss, then heard the arena roar when he sent out Nielsen and Josh Bailey the next time he had a chance.
The Islanders have a way to go. But while they’re getting there, they should use the time to act like a team. You don’t need goal-scoring ability or Jay Bouwmeester to do that. Just an attitude throughout the franchise.
I wonder if Scott Gordon or Bill Guerin noticed Mottau yukking it up with the Devils penalty box attendant while their battered teammate was being scraped off the ice? On the broadcast, Billy Jaffe said when Mottau returned to the ice, he was going to pay a price. Uh, nevermind.
“Mike Mottau is not a dirty player…” He is now. A two-game wrist slap for a flying elbow.
You’re either on the New York Islanders or you’re not on the New York Islanders.
Start acting like it.
PB Reader Notice: Call it bloggititis-CB, Colie Campbell-itis, the flu or some bad popcorn at The Rock, but after almost two months of obsessive blogging I have to shut down for about 24 hours. Barely made it through the radio show, so thanks to Mike Sillinger and Steve Zipay for carrying segments.
Like Mike Comrie, I’m day-to-day. Maybe Sunday. My regrets. Let me know - in PG-rated language - how tonight’s game goes.
Comments
138 Responses to “MOTTAU GETS (HA!) TWO GAMES
But it’s the NYI that really paid for last night”
Please Wait
The league needs to explain the reason for the two games instead of five.
Get some well deserved rest…. and a flu shot.
Nothing surprising there.
This is a sad day for the NHL… though most hockey fans probably dont even realize it. So much for objective integrity… someof us knew it was gone but there really isnt a question anymore.
Take a well-deserved rest, Chris.
So now we’ve established a new standard: leave your feet and lead with your elobw/forearm towards the head, get two games. The league ought to be ashamed of itself. And the Islanders need to sack up and use this garbage to start playing hockey with a goalie gear bag-sized chip on their shoulders, from the guy who’s getting two shifts a game all the way up to the GM. Disgraceful.
Get well, CB!
btw belak just got waived. i say isles pick him up. weither they use him up here or not then we should pick him up. waive him asnd see if anyone picks him up then if no one does it will add toughness to bridgeport and if not then keep him up here. like i said, there is no harm in it
o, and like i said in previous article, cambell sucks and htis decision sucks. feel better CB
Utterly disgraceful performances, first by Scott Gordon last night and now by Colin Campbell. How ignorant would a fan have to be to see Pock’s hit, the resulting penalties from it, and then see Mottau’s hit and the resulting penalties from that one, and wonder WTF is going on??? Does Campbell have no shame? Or is he really just that stupid?
just keep it to 24 hours ok chris?
I made comment on HF board earlier about that stupid smile on Motteau’s face as he sat in the box. That really teed me off. I’d have loved someone to just dive in there and smack him. Just disappointed big time in lack of correct response by the coach. Hunter is da man in my eyes for not hesitating but Gordon let down the team and the fans by not putting Lurch on the ice IMMEDIATELY after the penalty or the minute Motteau got out of the box. I also would not totally ignore the fact that this was of his way retribution for the Weight hit on his son. I do think that stuff like that goes on in pro sports and would not disqualify the possibility.
oh one more thing…how can anyone say this hit was accidental? Clearly intended in my eyes which warrants a bigger suspension than was given. I say make 20 games a minimum for head shots and add more for levels of intent. That will keep these cheap shots or “accidents” down to a minimum. These “it was an accident” crowd reminds me of when one of my sons “accidentally” punches or hits one of his little brothers…there are no such things as “accidents” on the ice.
hopefully gordon does learn. let me take some time to reflect on gordon and the fans. ITS HIS FIRST YEAR. got to stop with the gordon bashing. his system is great and we have to give him time. its early in the season and we have time to go with him. im gonna be heading out like a fetus and miss the isles game so GL isles and peters and mair because hopefully fritz will let them know that their tactics last game was not so smart. you too keleta and rivet. you guys too
Snow fired a real NHL coach in Nolan to prove he was the GM and now we are stuck with Gordon.
Wang fired a real NHL GM in Smith to prove he was the owner and now we are stuck with Snow.
The Isles have Dumb and Dumber running the show.
Gordon absolutely has to send out Fritz in that situation last night. In not sending him out my question is…what the hell is he doing on the roster??? Is the only reason he’s up with the team not to protect our younger players? Either send him down or use him. I think Gordon’s been doing a good job, but the inaction last night was and remains really inexplicable. We were down 5-2 with 2-3 minutes left in the game and Mottau on the ice…no excuse not to send out Fritz.
I’m glad Nolan is gone. Not for nothing that was by far the most boring hockey I’ve seen in my 30 years of watching it! That was abone head move by Gordon and it is going to take him a while to live that one down. I mean really what the F@#K was he thinking!!!!! Antbody hear anything about Nielson? What a freaking shame. Why did it have to be Nielson and not Gervais? Bad humor I know…..
Thanks Chris for all the insightful news ya give us diehards everyday. Go enjoy some time with your family and relax. Lets go Isles!!
A disgraceful performance by all I agree. The Isles, the Devs, Sutter, Campbell, and the NHL.
I agree with Botta Islander hockey that won championship and what all of us long time fans fell in love with is not what we saw last night.
It was pathetic to watch them so scared they would miss a pass to them because they were looking for the Devs to get them.
Colin Campbell is a joke and a disgrace to the NHL. It is because of sh!t like this that Americans don’t take hockey seriously. He is a bald little troll. Would love to smash his head in thats the only way little weasels like him learn. Now if we can only install our fire into our coach!!!!!
Let me just say I am proud that the Islanders are not the type of team to give dirty plays and dirty hits. I hate that kind of hockey. I was disgusted when peca went low on Chara a few years ago and I didn’t like Simon’s numerous incidents (although Hollweg got away with what…..come on everyone at once A HIT TO THE HEAD ON HIM with no suspension and no penalty).
However, I do like a very tough team. I like justice and I am not seeing it.
Last night may be a critical moment. I agree with those of you who say Gordon has the team questioning him now and probably pissed off. They know the excuses he gave are bogus.
The fact that a 20 year man like Botta can’t even bring himself to watch the team tonight should tell you all you need to know.
I hope Botta is correct and Gordon learns big time. The Isles have had a target on their backs all year and it got even bigger last night.
Just like the kids you gotta grow up fast and learn from your mistakes. Time to get revenge on Buf tonight and start letting teams know the Islanders are not to be messed with.
This crap is tough to watch. I don’t care about losses this year. I care about progress but none of us should have to watch the team be pushed around and take it.
Please, from now on don’t anybody cut Gordon any slack because “it’s his first year”. Really? Down in the AHL, is the culture of hockey that much different? Is the AHL a no-checking mites league, where one wouldn’t have to worry about how to handle a situation such as the one that unfolded last night?
Any one of us on this blog would have known the correct response, for crying out loud. You don’t send out Fritz to take a cheap shot, but you do put him out there to send a message that we will not be pushed around. If somebody obliges and fights him, even better. That goon has no other purpose on this team, and Gordon still doesn’t know how to use him??
Combining 2 of Gordon’s biggest screw-ups as NHL coach so far, I believe that the logical next step will be to use Mitch Fritz in the shootout.
Two games - an absolute joke! But let’s be honest. . did we really expect anything more from NYI - hater Colin Campbell? Can’t think about it too much, or it will make me angry. . almost as angry as i was with the Islanders lack of response to the cheap shot. (aside from Trent Hunter)
Still can’t get that image of Mottau smirking it up in the penalty box afterwards out of my head - hope that all the Islanders got a chance to see that and have long memories.
Hopefully CB is right. . and we’ll find out what Gordon learned from this on January 17th. .
2 games?
Can SOMEONE please explain this to me?
Incredible, but not, given the inconsistent history of Mr. Cambell.
So, exactly what IS the message that the league is trying to send out regarding hits to the head?
The last time I saw a player leading with the stick-in-fist, it was, ….let’s see, Chris Simon, right? How many games did he get?
Mr. Cambell, have you no shame?
Your right Gordon’s first year slack is gone. He is a longterm coach. All the fans know what the proper response was but the coach didn’t. Worse yet this has been the case all year of the team being pushed around.
What was the idiot thing said about how he stopped using Fritz after the puck bounced in off Campolli? It wasn’t Fritz’s fault but he couldn’t keep giving him a shift. Really? You couldn’t give him a couple shifts every now and then? Thn you can’t use him or anyone else to get revenge.
I never thought I’d see the day when the team was so soft. I wouldn’t think Guerin would allow this himself. It is odd.
I do see progress in many ways but there is something just not right here.
Bad decision on Gordons part. Going to take a lot to get respect back from some fans and the league for that matter. If you don’t think other teams don’t know this when they face us you are sadly mistaken. Time to turn it around tonight Gordon. I’m not saying to play dirty against the Sabres but they are going to come out hard tonight, they haven’t won in 4. They also beat the ever loving
sh!t out of us literally and figuratively in the last game we played. Like Gordon and his style of play but if he does that again he lost this fan. Last thing this team, fan base, and orginization needs is a soft coach.
Really bad statements to the press yesterday, you are right strummer. Back peddling the whole time the guy actually looked like a moron. He does now. Even Howie said Mottau was going to pay when he got back out but guess what he didn’t! His reasoning made no sense. Just like when he didn’t pull Jmac when DP was sitting on the bench last time we got our a$$es kicked by the Sabres. Wow, this has got me PISSED!
The Islanders get pushed around, and only the Islanders can stick up for themselves. Clearly the league isn’t going to help administer justice. I can’t wait for the next Islander-Devil game. I kind of wish Tomahawk Chris Simon was still here. As much as I deplored his chop shot, I wouldn’t mind seeing Mottau’s head on the receiving end. I know that goon moves shouldn’t be encouraged in hockey, but the league can only blame itself.
Tonight if a Sabre does anything remotely similar, I want to see Gordon’s balls return, and put Fritz out there to handle things. No reason to dress an enforcer and sit him.
i knew gordon was soft from day one he had excuses for those 3rd period melts and some people sad we got the right guy.thats not my guy///somethings not right
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8SrvGjcWFg&feature=related
Cut and paste above…..remember what happened to LaFontaine??
The league never gives the Isles any justice just enforces it on us if we walk out of line. Its gutless non-reactions like this that further makes us look like idiots. This will only make our team look worse in the rest of the leagues eyes. So when the Canadian press calls us whipping boys guess what we are!!!!
I am with you Matt I am furious over this. A shame the fans have more fire then the owner, GM, coach, and most of the team. I could imagine Fritz being in a rage sitting there. Witt and Sutton upset because they aren’t in fighting shape. I don’t know what Guerin was thinking but could you just imagine the players seeing Sutter putting his goon squad on the ice in the last minutes for a PP challenging the Isles to fight and no response. Thank God I didn’t have to sit on the bench and feel that. Sitting at home and seeing it was bad enough.
I went to the Isles site just now because by now for sure they would have released a statement hammering back on the NHL and the Devs but nope. I saw ticket packages, I saw the ice girls featured on youttube. They seem so focused on everything except hockey. I hope to have the Isles broadcast tonight because I’d like to here (I think maybe not) Wang, Snow and Gordon man up. I want revenge on NJ and revenge on Buf and lord help Brent Sutter’s kid if I was an Islander player that kid would be facing a world of hurt every time I saw him. If Daddy is gonna do his fighting for him then he desrves what he gets.
When the Rags fans wouldn’t let the ambulance leave. Classless bastards!
With you man. Time to man up! The Isles really have to make a statement tonight.
2 games? REALLY?!
This is disgusting. I’m sending Campbell a nasty letter.
Hey, I was an obnoxious jerk-off a couple of days for firing off five or six rapid fire missives in a row on colin campbell, but here we are and nothing’s changed. Colin Campbell and the NHL continue to give the appearance of having one set of rules for the Islanders, and another set for the 29 other teams. As I said then and I say now, I keep waiting for Campbell to show me otherwise. And he hasn’t.
Once again.
He is a piece of trash. Don’t even bother writing him it will just inflate his bald little head!
One last thing and I can’t believe this hasn’t been brought up in all the years of his inconsistent reasoning: it’s time for Colin Campbell to go. Fire this garbage, and let him go start disciplining kindergartners… a simple task that I even doubt he can handle.
nielsan out 8-12 week mult.leg injuries according to logan’s blog
I miss the days of bruisers like Baumgartner and Vukota. Rectum Campbell needs to go. Time to show the league you have a set Isles AND Gordon.
Isles say 8-12 that means you can almost double that! Kid is a spark plug. What a damn shame, hopefully he plays the same when he gets back.
I really don’t know how Campbell can validate giving Pock 5 and Mottau 2. What an a$$!!! OK got to let this go before I blow a blood vessel getting to old for this sh!t!
TMC
Still think Garth was right not to speak up after the Pock suspension????
Campbell is a piece of garbage. Some retaliation by the league, hope Gordon still thinks he did the right thing….not.
Mottau got 2 games for that.
On a side, I read today in the paper that Gordon made this quote, about why he didnt play Fritz after the hit.
Quote:
He would have been going into the game cold and we didnt need any more penalties….
Are you freaking kidding me!??!?!?! I like Scott Gordon a lot but this is unacceptable! Theres no way he can let one of his best players get rocked like that and do absolutely NOTHING. Either Mottau or some other Devil player has to pay. It’s an eye for an eye folks. This is why teams need enforcers. You know damn well that if Fritz hit that ice last night, Mike Rupp would have been sent right over the boards as well, to deal with this mess.
So now Nielsen is out for three fresaking months. Did you hear that Gordon…THREE MONTHS! I hope to god you remember this.
i love the isles but what a puss team to let that happen to your teammate and you know sutter said to f someone up cheap…what the hell i just watched that hit again that was so freakin fin cheap and intentional…who gives a f what the league does to who.. should have been fritz on the ice and the biggest brawl the nhl has ever seen
Well people Gordon didn’t learn from the Buf game. He didn’t exact revenge of Van for spearing Okposo. HE INVITED THIS TO HAPPEN. NJ knew nothing would happen to them. What a bunch of cowards. I wonder how many Isles players and Isles staff might read this site. COWARDS!
While I do admire Sutter running a tough team I disagree with his tactics of sending out a guy on a head hunting mission and he wasn’t defending the Devs crest he was defending his little kid who plays for another team.
So we lose one of our bring spots for three months and the Devs lose the scum Mottau who sat there happy with himself for hurting Nielsen, beating up Hunter and getting the best of the penalties (can’t believe the refs on that one).
I too like Gordon’s system a lot but his and SNow’s lack of toughness and even when they have it lack of the will to use it is COWARDLY.
Anyone heard any statement from the Isles yet?
I am almost scared for how the team is gonna get treated by Buf. Has Guerin had one fight this year?
what is there for Gordon to learn? Either you turtle when challenged or fight back. This isnt hockey this is F’ing life! If someone smacks you around you smack them the F back or at least try!. I was never a Hunter fan but I he has my respect His instincts told him what to do!
Gordon is a PUSS…holy crap!
Logan just put up a post confirming the 2-3 months. I love how angry Logan has gotten over this.
WANNA HEAR SOMETHING EVEN WORSE PEOPLE?
LOGAN SAID THE ISLES WERE NOT GOING TO ISSUE A FORMAL REACTION TO THIS???? THE COWARDS CAN’T EVEN SPEAK UP FOR THEMSELVES.
I am sorry I have been a Snow and Gordon and Wang supporter. I think we have the right system. We don’t have the right players and don’t have the right character.
Why are you so scared to say anything bad about the league. Just state the facts.
Dude, if I saw a stranger getting treated like that I would have jumped in. The fact a coach and team can’t defend each other is nuts.
They prob won’t even make a statement they are SCARED what people might think. Maybe they will have Gordon do it so we can hear more jibber jabber BS!
ah crap I got the Sabres broadcast. By the way they showed the sabres kciking he isles asses right off teh top and said ready for round two? I doubt the Isles are sure the Sabres are.
We have 2 PUSS goalies in charge in Snow and Gordon…i think ricky would have even challenged the devils….lol..now we take what the league dishes out like the B*tches we are…bend over and take it again tonight boys!
I’m affraid that after NJ game Isles are going to be destroyed tonight by Buf. And most of the game we will spend one man short. To many negative player’s emotions and no satisfaction from last night will distract them from putting on a good hockey game. God help them now!
Not surprised at all by that. Unfortunately I am not surprised.
Well have a good one want to watch the DVR when I get home from work. Sure I’ll be ranting later around one!!!!
Perhaps Gordon was worried about a Bertuzzi-Steve Moore scenario and that is what he meant about being concerned for jeopardizing Fritz’s safety. The emotions were running high and he didn’t want the nuclear option and still thought there was a chance to stay in the game.
He wouldn’t have been in that position if he would have given Fritz regular minutes on the 4th line. This team cannot afford to have anyone sitting on the bench and playing only 2-5 minutes.
Tough loss of Nielsen, hope for a quick and full recovery.
Tonight’s game will be a good barometer of the character of this team. Needs to come out with all guns blazing, including Sabre bodies flying. I would have liked to see Trevor Smith or Comeau, but let’s see what Colliton brings to the table.
No surprise from Colon (sp intentional), I love hockey, but the NHL is a mickey mouse organization.
Isles need to make Sugden’s NHL dream come true on 16 Jan - sign him to an incentive laden contract contingent on his play 17 Jan.
that sutter is a freakin dirtbag he orchestrated that whole thing last night and now our best player is out for 3 months f sutter
Another cheap shot against the islanders. I bet gordon wont do anythin about it.
The Isles are not winning the Cup this season.
If they are going to go with youth they need some real policemen.
Fritz is a start but they should have acquired another player like Brashear, Godard, Shelley, Mayers, etc.
I was out and did not get to see the game live.
When I saw the replay on the NHL Network I was stunned absolutely stunned that there were no repercussions.
They showed highlights of the Blues-Ducks and it was fight after fight.
Nielson gets clobbered and we throw bouquets about what a nice guy Mottau is.
Mottau is a loser who is in the league because of expansion.
Gutless the way the Isles acted last night. Gordon and the entire organization need to be ashamed.
Anyone realize we lost our two best young players this season in the past two games because of cheap crap?
DiPietro’s body has taken a beating for the same reason over the years because this team is soft and everyone knows they can run Ricky and anyone else without repercussions.
Rob Ray coached Josh Bailey in his grandparents drive way. He says he’ll be a star.
Glad to see a man come on the ice. Fritz is skating damn well and playing well within the system. You can see peters watned no part of Fritz. He was avoiding him and backed out of the first figth. Finally he had no choice and he fought a defensive battle. That is great to see Fritz not only win the fight but intimidate one of the NHL heavy weights so much.
1st goal against was 100% Geravis fault. The little sissy got checked and coughed up the puck and they scored. Geravis sucks!
gervais/tammby pamby/ gotta go
Goal wasn’t all Gervais, its our weak attempt to clear the zone, especially when nobody skates after the reverse by the defensemen.
Nice uppercut by Fritz on Peters!
I would hope, if the Isles aren’t going to release a public statement about Mottau’s suspension, that at least the telephone lines are buzzing. People need to get together and if not get rid of Campbell at least get him handcuffed. If Campbell is the check, who or what organization is the balance? It can’t be a kingdom.
I am soooooooooooo pissed off that Nielson got hurt. I hope he heals well and gets to have a good end to the season. Sooo pissed!
And they’re not playing “with” each other tonight either, for the most part.
Mottau is a punk. What he did was absolutely intentional and especially now with the Mickey Mouse suspension he got I’m sure the Isles aren’t gonna forget about it the next time we play them.
The hit also shows what kind of a player he is, he takes out possibly the smallest player on our team who happened to be having a GREAT season. Nielsen is gonna turn out to be a gem, he has good wheels, good vision and 100% looks comfortable out there.
Oh and by the way, Fritz is a beast, Peters didn’t want any part of him earlier in the game and I guess we could see why. Keep Fritzy on this team, and other teams will start to take notice.
* What I meant about the telepohone lines is Garth should be calling all his friends and cronies and letting it be known he’s not happy at the unevenness and getting their support. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how unfair that was. Then he can let Colon know he and everyone else in the league are putting him on notice.
Back to the game
fritz dominated him.
cambell sucks ass. he shoulod quit
Wang has to call Bettman and the Isles have to kick butt next time they play NJ.
CB, I hope you’re feeling better soon..
Good game so far. I like the feistyness. Hopefully we can get more than 1 shot in this third period.. I can’t stand to see them sitting around again.
Much deserved rest CB, thanks for “doin’ what u do”
Big 3rd period boys…..go get em!!!!!
Chris, Thank you…Thank You and Thank you for saying what most fans are feeling about the Mottau hit on Nielsen. It is a disgrace that this organization does not have the balls to stand up for one of their own. The kid was viciously hit on the head…and Colin Campbell once again proves that he is both a hypocrite and a FRAUD!!
Don’t even get me started on Snow…who has shown that as a GM he has not shown the ability to stand-up for one of his own. However, he has no problem putting reporters in their place when they ask the tough questions…and again no problem with feuding with his coach in the media or throwing him under the bus radio shows. I guess Snow was more of a tough guy behind the mask then he is now when he hast to stand-up for his team. This organization will never gain respect…unless they demand it. They’re new identity shows that they are a bunch of whimps…and it starts at the top.
I love you’re statement, “You’re either on the New York Islanders or you’re not on the New York Islanders.”.
What happened to our motto…”We’re All Islanders?”
Chris I hope you talk about Campbell and the NHL’s lack of accountability, the next time you go on XM. You are our voice…and we need you to stand up for the organization and the fans…because we don’t have anyone in the organization that knows what it means to be an Islander. Al Arbour or Torrey…never would have stood for this without a fight.
This is why this organization never gets respect…THEY DON’T EARN IT!!!
Nice win!!!
Fritz was a presence, Big Mac looked great, and who is that guy with the Hilbert mask and jersey??
Gervais and Tamby gotta go….that’s all there is to it…..period, end of story.
the nielsen hit was 100% result of the weight hit on sutter. brent sutter just wanted revenge for his son. if this is what colin campbell hands out to motteou, he should be fired. in addition, next time we play jersey i want one of our guys to lay out zach pariese and leave him with multiple injures. that is justice not colin campbell’s bulls**t sentence.
nyi4ever…Absolutely. 10000% wrong. You’re an idiot.
I just saw the post-game analysis by the MSG crew, and fail to see how you can justify the hit as “not intentional, a reaction play.” Mottau was going to miss his hit, so he extended his arms into Nielsen’s face. How exactly is that a reaction and not intentional?
I agree with all those lamenting our lack of toughness but think it would be wrong to respond with a cheap hit of our own. Coach Arbour got it right against the Rag$ in 1990. Rather than respond with a cheap hit, he sent his players out to sort things out, man to man.
There’s no honor in a retaliatory cheap shot, and there’s no honor in the way we handled things last night.
Remember in the Toronto series when Milbury felt the Isles were on the short end of the calls, and he called a press conference in which he played a video of all the non-calls, describing each and every one in very profane detail?
Some would say it wasn’t the most tactful approach, but it got everyone’s attention and seemed to result in more Islanders power plays.
The point being, now might be a good time for the Isles and especially Garth Snow to stop playing good soldier, and instead tear the league and Colin Campbell a new one. What’s the worst that can happen? What, you get the short end of the stick on the next controversial suspendable play? Been there, done that.
Time for Colin Campbell to go. I simply cannot believe he does not have some sort of an axe to grind with the Isles. He is garbage, and not in any position to dictate league discipline. Fire him. Immediately.
**
Tonight’s game… otherwise, was not bad. Nice effort for 60 minutes from everyone involved. The fact, though, that we are all still talking about last night’s incident after a resounding victory only hammers home the point that something is very wrong here.
Just watched the Isles win against Buffalo and I had not heard yet of the suspension handed out of a measly two games. What made me more sick was MSG’s hockey night where Duguay actually snuffed it off as a hit to the “upper chest”. Seriously, sickening…Now one of our best players this year out for 8-12 weeks. Ugh, not to mention that hit wasn’t even a five minute major!
WOW….saddening
James…good point about Campbell having an axe to grind. Personally, I believe that Campbell never got over the fact that the Isles eliminated him and Vancouver in the Stanley Cup finals…and he was also a Ranger…enough said!!!
Yeah I heard Duguay say that too. What a jerk. But then again look who’s saying it. I mean, what’s up with his hair? Guy obviously never got out of the 80s.
has anyone seen bruno gervais make a play this year he really stinks..why does he get such a pass
Chris, I’m sick to my stomach after Campbell’s “explanation” that it was not to the head. I know you defended his ways the other day in an entry but how the heck do you defend this? Snow’s got to be baffled right now and rightly so.
Great effort by Isles, boy Fritz laid out peters with that uppercut. how’d it taste. nice to see fritz be effective. Isles came out with some grit. Mottau will get his you better believe they were fired up to start tonight.keep on truckin. tamby looks like a gnat against other players constantly being knocked right off the puck. hilbert finally playing well guess its a contract year
AM,
Snow shouldn’t baffled…he should be ashamed of himself for not standing-up for his player an the organization he’s “supposedly” in charge of running. He is a disgrace to the history of the Islander name and history. As Chris said so well…”You’re either on the New York Islanders or you’re not on the New York Islanders.”
Not his head? I guess they don’t have video replay or an anatomy book in Toronto. Last time I checked, the chin was part of your head.
if there was no hit to the head…then there should have been no suspension.
i am absolutely disgusted with the nhl. They love giving the isles ridiculous suspensions (ie simon) and pock for 5 games. nielsen is out 3 months due to the reckless hit and mottau gets 2 games!!!!!!
gordon looks like a genius for saving the isles energy for tonight’s big win in buffalo, but this is absurd. This has to be investigated further by bettman
Let me get this right. Mottau elbows Neilsen in the face and gets a two minute elbowing penalty. Colin Campbell then determines that the elbow was not in Neilsen’s face, which must mean its one of your every day, run of the mill elbowing penalties. Campbell suspends Mottau for two games. What the hell for? Either the hit was high or it wasn’t. Head hits are supposedly being highly penalized to reduce head injuries. Five games was determined as the going rate (see: Thomas Pock). “And by God if you guys don’t get the message it will go up!” Said Mr. Discipline. Either its five games or its nothing. So if it wasn’t in the face why is there any suspension at all? Will all elbowing penalties now come with a two game suspension? Someone please explain the twisted, idiotic reasoning behind this logic.
If Brendan Witt or Tim Jackman had done a similar hit on a Maple Leaf what would the Canadian media do?
It would be blown up beyond belief.
Mottau looks like he was clotheslining Nielson.
The Devils will get theirs.
Once Brodeur retires Brent and the Devils will endure years of mediocrity.
Colin Campbell is the THE reason why hits to the head have not stopped and will not stop. He sends one message that it will not be tolerated and then defends it when it happens. He sends the wrong message to the players. This is why it will not change and why guys like Hollweg will continue to hit people from behind…two game suspensions are not even a slap on the wrist. Campbell is responsible for any black eye the NHL receives with incidents like these. Campbell needs to be fired…and we need someone that is not corrupted!! He is corrupt, a con man, an habitual liar and a hypocrite!!!
Campbell MUST GO!!!
MIke Mottau on the Neilsen hit on “Fire and Ice” — Devils blog :
“I saw him cut to the middle and when I went to him him I think he may have seen me because I lunged at him a little bit,” Mottau said. “I thought I got him in the shoulder, but IT LOOKS AS THOUGH I HIT HIM IN THE HEAD. We’ll see what happens. I was trying to hit him and my arm must have rode up.”
The freaking guy admitted to hitting him in the head!!
You have the video and an admission. Case closed!
Doesn’t Campbell have to answer to somebody?? The guy needs to accountable for this — a mere 2 game suspension for that kind of hit that puts a rising star out 2-3 months sends a terrible message to the rest of the league. The exact opposite of Campbell’s 11/17 comments about the need to better police these incidents.
Glad Isles won tonight - but still sick to my stomach over this.
Agreed, I’m beyond livid over this. I think Campbell’s tortured rationalizations for his ridiculous decisions make it even worse to swallow. I don’t want to have a complex as an Islander fan, and I don’t think any fan of any team deserves to think that, but I defy anyone in the NHL to show me proof that the Islanders are not routinely singled out. For the love of God, there are people now complaining that Dale Hunter’s suspension for that hit on Turgeon was TOO LONG! A hit that could have legitimately cost the Islanders the 5th Cup doesn’t have an adequate punishment attached…
I once called the league, after the ridiculous statements Campbell made during the Buffalo series. I very calmly told them that I didn’t believe those kinds of statements and selective rules enforcement helped his image as an impartial arbiter, and for the good of the organization the NHL had to do something about it. Apparently, I was annoying them.
What’s done is done, however. We had a great bounce-back win today, with Fritz taking care of business and the team sending a strong message. I just hope Frans is the same player when he comes back.
Some of my favorites:
Hunter’s SO goal disallowed: “You can’t assume the puck was in.”
Vanek’s goal allowed in the 07 playoffs: “You have to assume the puck went in.”
Smyth goal disallowed, 3/07: “The puck only looked like it was in because of an optical illusion.”
The nasty comments about Snow being a rookie GM and calling out Witt for trying to make him answer for his BS.
Pronger only getting 8 games for his stomp after people were up in arms about it.
I could go on but my blood pressure is rising again.
So much for the headshot memo that was posted in all locker rooms, sorry Windsor, Bailey is here to stay.
Well isn’t that the beauty of it? Campbell can ignore his own rule as long as he says it isn’t a head shot.
I remember a couple of years ago when Brashear sucker punched Witt…and Campbell defended it because of the type of player Witt is. What kind of bull explanation is that?? Simon received a hefty suspension for the stomp…then when Pronger who is another repeat offender does it he only gets 8 games. Maybe someone will have to take out Campbell’s son to make him realize what he has allowed players to continue to do. When Simon hit Hollweg with his stick…Campbell conveniently forgot that Hollweg’s hit…which came first…was a result of Simon sustaining a concussion.
Campbell is CORRUPT and he must be stopped!!
Dan from Westchester,
Can you please post the link to the Devil’s blog…with Mottau’s quotes?
Very frustrating…tough to feel good about where we are going even with Gordon’s effective system. I think with Nolan we had more character….we have too many young players already, no room for an inexperienced coach!
They were soft under Nolan too. It is the organizational culture that needs to change. I just don’t think there is another team in the NHL or pee wee hockey who’d not get revenge.
Glad for the win in Buf. It is amazing the difference when a man steps on the ice like Fritz. He had a good game all over. Of course despite that and the lead did you notice Gordon stopped using him?
Guys, I got stuck with the Buf broadcast tonight can you guys recap for me what the Isles broadcast had to say about the events in NJ and the non-event from the NHL?
Get off the coaches a** you morons. This is the most exciting team we have had in years and we don’t have one star! So who gets the credit, Snow or Gordon? Yeah,,that’s what I thought.
I couldnt disagree with you more, PTA. I honestly think you have it backwards.
guys even the Buf broadcast crew said what the Isles said. No consistency with these penalities and that it is not the player job to regulate. They should show each other more respect but it is up to coaches, teams, the refs and the NHL.
Chris Botta is correct… if Campbell did indeed say this, there should be a distinct call for his resignation from across the NHL. The player himself even admitted it, but Campbell wont? ALL NHL fans should be enraged over this. They cant be OK with something like this just because it isnt their team getting screwed over… because if there is no objectivity here and now, it wont be there when they need it, either.
I can’t believe the jack ass said that. If his eyes are that bad then he shouldn’t be doing the job he is or driving.
Hey, Colin you ever call Brendan Witt back? What is it 2.5years now Witt is waiting for the phone call you told him to give ya so you could talk it out why Brashear got away with decking him?
Can you believe the Isles website seems to indicate they are just going to take this. Wang needs to get his ass down to Bettman’s office and be pissed as hell. No more nice Wang. Bring Snow and the video team and have it all documented. Colin Campbell is a jerk.
My lord even the Devs broadcasters it was a hit to the head.
guys were there any comments from Snow, Jaffe, Gordon, or any of the players after learning it was only 2 games? Imagine Nielsen is gonna miss up to 3 months and the jerk is gonna miss two games.
Their objections were repeated and pretty strongly worded. Howie pointed out numerous times how his feet left the ice, Jaffe made it very clear that he did indeed see a hit to the head and both of them said they cannot understand how Campbell iddnt see what happened.
Both Howie and Jaffe said they did not agree with Cambell’s call. Howie went on about it a few times. As far as I know Snow is taking it like the wimp that he is.
Thanks Paul and TMC for the recap. I can’t believe the Isles are just keeping their traps shut yet again and taking it like a $2.00 hooker.
Everyone remembers the playoff series against Toronto where they were allowed to intentionally injure Jonsson and Peca which gave Tor the series and not much happened there either but boy did some Isles get in trouble.
Cowboy up Snow, Wang, and Gordon and get this freaking guy Campbell.
Wasn’t either Corson or Tucker that only received a one game suspension for kicking Cairns with his skate?
ISLANDERS MAKE ANNOUNCEMENT ON WEBSITE:
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Campbell would be the perfect referee in the WWE…he sees only what he wants to see.
Ya and Roberts got nothing for the assasination of Kenny Jonsson. What did Tucker get for ruining Peca’s career? one game right?
I agree Angry Pete I am so upset at the Isles website and just shutting up about it. Why would Campbell stop his torture of the Islanders, they never ever make a stink out of it.
I will once again caution to consider where the anger truly belongs. I have seen more bashing of the ISLANDERS here by some people than the player who actually performed this infraction or the j-off who got the suspension totally wrong.
And Strummer- one of the reasons that the Isles have gotten the worst of the calls this century is because of the big stink that WAS made out of BS calls in 01-02. I am not saying that I agree with saying/doing nothing, but this organization has to act wisely. Our GM or owner calling Campbell a j-off on their official NHL website wouldnt accomplish anything.
TMC- the one thing I know from life, sports, & business that if people are not called on the mat for their actions 99.9% of the time the behavior is not corrected. Campbell does the same behavior to some players he doesn’t like that he does to the Isles organization. While he favors a few organizations and players.
If the Isles call him out on the mat and pursue this with the league they do run the possibility of more action against them but they also could turn up the heat so much that Campbell wouldn’t be able to do it to them again or Bettman would have to replace him.
Campbell is still holding grudges from his playing & coaching days and isn’t a professional.
He has slapped the Isles in the face way too many times and had they had an aggressive owner and management team Campbell would have been moved out of that job years ago. Someone slaps your face you should snap their neck.
I know not calling him a j-off on the official website also won’t accomplish anything.
The NHL is becoming the next NBA, a huge joke. I’m not going to rant about it, I mean its all been said before, but Campbell has to go!
The only thing i can say is Colin Campbell still bitter about being the chump in the playoffs when Mike Bossy sent his pathetic Canucks packing in the Stanly cup finals. Your an absolute loser then and continue to be to this day Commish. Your double standard ruling is ruining the greatest game. Then again you sucked on defense, as a coach and even as a official. Your times definitely running out . Get better Frans we`ll miss you.
It’s time for the Islanders to stop bending over…
The worst part of this travesty is losing a guy who really started to own the ice.
Once a Ranger….ALWAYS a Ranger!
Okay … let’s not keep beating a dead horse. What we saw on 11-21 was certainly disheartening …. lets resume this conversation on 01-17-09 at about 10pm. After the next Isles/Devils matchup on Coliseum ice. Let’s see if management and the coaching staff have the same nerve that Trent Hunter did in sticking up for Nielsen when the next opportunity arrives.
First - Love the hockey knowledge that everyone on this board exhibits which for some strange reason, seems lost on Gordon who should know better than all of us. I think he’s a good coach but clearly dropped the ball with this situation and hopefully hasn’t lost his team in the process.
Second - I think the comments that insinuate or imply that Sutter directed the hit are silly. Not that Mottau didn’t get a nice steak dinner afterward but if he (Sutter) were to use the team he coaches to exact revenge for a hit on his kid, I think most Devils players might have an issue with that. Not completely out of the realm but I just don’t buy it.
Third - Campbell is a joke. If The Islanders front office doesn’t come out swinging after this travesty, I will lose what little respect I have left for them. They have nothing to lose at this point. If they are afraid of future injustice, well I have news for ya, it won’t get much worse than this.
Last - Shame on any player who had a shift after this crap happened for not stepping up and challenging someone, ANYONE, on the Devils to drop the gloves. 15 plus minutes left. Yeah, yeah, you wanted to win the game. By manning up you would have done more for your teams future success than winning that game ever would have. Granted, Fritz is the enforcer but he wasn’t in control of getting on the ice. Even Hunter just gave Mottau an initial soft shoulder rather than the full brunt of Trent’s full force. Trent’s gloves and everyone else’s should have been off and swinging as soon as Frans hit the ice. DAMNITT!!!!!! Frustrating just to watch it again.
Just an idea for everyone…..
Since we have a few morons who chant YOU SUCK during our goal song, why don’t we chant what we all really truly think -
CAMPBELL SUCKS
His biased rulings against our team have gone on for way too long.
I say at the 10:00 mark of every period and during every goal scored, we chant
CAMPBELL SUCKS!!!
Because, in fact, he does suck at his job and is really making a mockery of disciplinary actions in the NHL
at the game last night. I was amazed by the amount of Isles fans there!
Just a couple things:
Tambs needs to go. He just isn’t gonna do it with this team. He needs a change of scenary.
Say what you want about Hilbert, I’ll take him on my team any day.
Streit is the best signing this team has made in probably 15 years, the guy is an absolute stud.
I am undecided on whether I would rather have DP or JMAC in goal. Joey has looked that good.
Bailey is being hurt by the rule that he is not allowed to play in the AHL. He should not go back to juniors, he cannot gain anything from going there at this point. But he looks like he needs a little bit of professional experience before playing regularly in the NHL. Bridegport for 20 to 30 games would be perfect for him.
This team WILL make the playoffs if they stay healthy (although the Nielson injury in huge in my opinion)
Wow… just read 119 comments on THE NY Islander Blog, and I can’t believe the Scott Gordon can feeel good about himself right now.
the only thing I saw tonight was the Isles game. I was hoing to see commentary from Isles (but got the BUF feed) and the guys at HNIC (but missed it).
What was said here really is telling. The fans (at least the ones that post here) are not happy… and management just puts it’s head down and goes on like nothing ever happened.
Oh well… THESE ARE YOUR NEW YORK ISLANDERS.
Wang is too busy trying to get NHL support for WangWorld to start a media war.
Snow just fired a coach who understood the respect for the crest for one who, well… DOESN’T. That was one thing I’d never have accused Snow of… he always gave me the impression of being a great team mate. His stomach must be in knots right now.
The worst part of all this is that one of the flashes of light for this team was derailed. I just hope that he is okay.
I won’t go on about Campbell, or Bettman, or Gordon… It’s all been said over and over… I am not proud to be an Islander fan today. EVEN AFTER A WIN.
CB,
I wish you (and Frans) a speedy recovery. We fans need both of you at full health to garner some enjoyment from this organization.
BTW: I didn’t think that Mitch played all that bad when he was out there… he even showed some presence in the offensive zone. Are we that good that he is only worth 2 mins of ice time.
PS: As one of the posters who called out Sutter for being the reason all of this happened. I never once doubted where HIS heart was. I think Mottau went too far, and I can’t remember (doesn’t mean it didn’t happen) Brent (or any of the Sutters) being cheap shot artist[s]… and I would have (and still would) rather had him as a coach (or GM for that matter).
Chris made an excellent point about CULTURE… ours was lost a long time ago… and every time we start to get it back… another embarrassing moment.
Culture starts at the top. We have an [unconvicted] felon as an owner… and it just trickles down. I have a feeling that Sanjay Kumar wasn’t the mastermind of his own demise… every day I have less and less respect for the infrastructure of this organizaton.
Those boys only need to look to NJ and see how both the Devils and Giants are run…
Let’s Go Avalanche!!!!
ive been sick the past couple days and havent watched the two past games. can someone explain to me what happened in the third period with gordon? i know neilsen got hit in the head but what happened after
enough of Colon Campbell already.wang needs to sit down with bettman and straighten this out.what is colon afraid of lou?pronger runs around elbowing and stomping people and gets a free pass,why, cause burke is colon’s butt buddy?the double standard towards this franchise has gone on too long.and what’s with gordon?for years we’ve been pushed around and bullied, now there’s finally a guy on the roster to do something about it, and gordon doesn’t put him on the ice for the third period?wake up gordon, losing the devil game won’t be the one that kept you from making the playoffs.win the bigger battle,keep your players from getting run.
by the way botta good job on the radio saturday
Gordon wussed out thats what happened!
Nick: “Hunter’s SO goal disallowed: You can’t assume the puck was in. Vanek’s goal allowed in the 07 playoffs: “You have to assume the puck went in.”
Nick, glad you pointed that out. The problem is not the calls against the Islanders. It’s the complete 180 in rationalization compared to other calls. I remember saying the exact same thing on those two calls.
On Mottau, same deal. I really thought there was no way the league could have gotten this call wrong when the Pock suspension, which just happened, served as the starkly obvious precedent. Shows what I know…
Oh, and Fritz is a beast.
Anybody know Campbells e-mail? I know I’ve written some stuff to him and NHL can’t remember address.
I agree with a lot of the posting here today and last night.
Strummer… you made some great points about the culture of the club.
I think that one real important thing that can be garnered from all of this is that this could very well be a “RALLYING CALL” for the team.
IT can very well galvanize them.
Fritz was good last night.
I have been an advocate to NOT have him on the team… but last night he looked like he belonged… and I think his teammates appreciated his presence and “effect” on the game.
They played like a TEAM last night in Buffalo. Great to see.
DOC
Its been a rallying call for us AND hopefully the team. We got pushed around a bit before Fritz busted Peters jaw yesterday. That pretty much put an end to the rough stuff. That is why like it or not Fritz is a necessary player on this team. That is why he should have been used the other night. I just can’t let that go which sucks because I liked Gordon before this but I’m having a real hard time now! I agree DOC hopefully some of this can be directed at Campbell!!! The guy has got to be held accountable for this. He is setting a very bad precedent!
Logan’s blog says it all. Good read. Enough is enough already! This guy has got to go! What a joke.
Anyone remember when LaFontaine was taken out by the Rags at MSG…and left in an ambulance?
Anyone remember Al Arbour? Has Gordon ever had the pleasure of meeting Al Arbour?
Copy and paste this url…and see how a real coach like Al Arbour would have handled the situation. You think Arbour cared about the next game or what anyone’s perception was? See for yourselves…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0JGUaeA79U
Someone needs to show Gordon…how a real coach protects and stands-up for his team.
Yeah man! You got that right. Remember when the rag fans were shaking the ambulance so they couldn’t get out. They are nothing but class that organization and fans. Just ask them.
Gordon needs to grow some nuts real quick and show the fans and especially his team that he stands up for that crest and it means something to him like it does to us fans!!!! He really has some making up to do.
Maybe Snow should trade a bag of pucks to Florida for Campbell’s son…and the calls will start going our way.
Great post Dooz and I agree. After the hit it should have been a free for all. I was shocked that at least the guys on the ice didn’t each grab a Devil and go. I guess the they were in shock too.
Frans Nielson of all guys. That is so frustrating.