PENGUINS 4, ISLANDERS 3 (SO)
The 18-shots-to-1-in-the-third recap
10:30 pm, The NVMC - The Game: There can be as much discussion as you want about the Islanders possibly getting jobbed in the skills competition when Trent Hunter’s shot may have gone in via Dany Sabourin’s pads. But for a team trying to come together under a new coach, here is all that matters:
Leading 3-2 after two periods, the Islanders were out-shot 18-0 in the first 17 minutes of the third period. That was probably the scoring chance count, too, and the time span included an Islanders power play where they failed to tee it up.
For all the good the Islanders did in the first two periods, when the Penguins tied it with 3:15 left in regulation and won the second point in the shootout, it was justice.
Power Play: Pittsburgh 0-4, Islanders 0-2; Shots on goal: Pittsburgh 32, Islanders 22.
No. 2 Story: The Islanders announced that energy center Nate Thompson will miss 2-4 weeks with a groin strain. Just yesterday, Scott Gordon named Thompson as one of three Islanders (Richard Park and Andy Hilbert were the others) as the most adept at the forecheck system.
No. 3 Story: Tim Jackman made his season debut, went hard to the net and scored a goal off a Doug Weight rebound to give the Islanders a 2-1 lead mid-second. He made it look easy.
No. 4 Story: Miroslav Satan made his return to the Coliseum after three seasons as an Islander. His eight goals this season are half of his ’07-08 output. Looking healthy again and happy to play with Sidney Crosby, Satan is primed to have his best year since he scored 35 for the Islanders in ’05-06.
Satan was scoreless and failed on his shootout attempt. Miro is pictured here with his wife, Ingrid, who also visited the Coliseum tonight.
Post-Game Sound
Scott Gordon: (on the third period) “There were opportunities to change the momentum, but we just couldn’t do it.”
(on the shot total): “I’m more concerned with our decisions to not shoot the puck. Plays just died at the blueline, died in the slot.”
Andy Sutton: “It’s the responsibility of each player to show poise and make a good play. You have to make a decision on how to play and stick to it.”
3 Standout Islanders (Not Named Stars):
Andy Sutton: 8 blocked shots, 2 assists.
Tim Jackman: 4 hits, one goal over 13:31 of ice.
Mark Streit: Not his best game by any stretch, but deserves recognition for logging big minutes (28:36 tonight) with Martinek and Witt out.
What We Learned Tonight:
- About those new-old Third jerseys: when the Islanders wear them, they look like a proud member of the National Hockey League. We received this text during the game from a former Islanders media member: “Finally, this franchise gets a uniform right. Throwback jersey should be the main. I love em. Those navy blue pajamas have got to go.”
- Opponents are either making adjustments at the intermissions, or their head coaches are ratttling the locker room walls. After a first period where they had just two shots on goal, the Penguins had two odd-man scoring chances in the first four minutes of the second period. The first resulted in a goal, the second in an Islanders’ hooking penalty. And we all know what happened in the third.
- He may be in a different uniform, but the Tank still is having trouble getting his motor runnin’.
Game Rating (out of 5 stars): 3.5 - Smart, crisp execution by the home team in the first two periods. A Harlem Globetrotters routine by the Penguins superstars in the third.
Islanders Performance: 2.0 - Again, one credit per period played well.
Official Attendance: 14,303
Least of the East: The Islanders are now 2-7-2 this season against the Eastern Conference, 1-2-2 against teams in their division.
The Man-down Advantage: The team’s six shorthanded goals lead the NHL. The shorties have come from six differnent players: one each from Hilbert, Bergenheim, Streit, Campoli, Thompson and Park.
Scouts in Attendance: Florida, Colorado.
Islanders Press Coverage: Greg Logan of Newsday, Dan Martin of the Post, Peter Botte of the Daily News. A personal nod to Dave Molinari, the veteran Pens reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette who was always very kind to us in the old gig.
Congratulations: To Peter Laviolette, who last night became the all-time leader in wins by a U.S.-born coach.
Said Laviolette: “You get good organizations, and I got two, plus great players to work with, I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve worked with some terrific coaches and a good wife that lets me do it.” (That’s Kristen, at left).
Walter Returns: Islanders prospect Ben Walter, injured since the start of the season, made his ’08-09 debut with the Sound Tigers tonight when they played Lowell.
Next Up: The Islanders host the Flyers on Tuesday for a Veterans Day matinee at 2:00 pm (with rumors of a General Colin Powell puckdrop).
The Islanders then have a home-and-home with Ottawa – there on Thursday, at the Coliseum on Saturday.
THE LINEUP
Bergenheim - Weight – Guerin
Hilbert - Park – Okposo
Tambellini - Nielsen – Hunter
Sim - Comrie – Jackman
Sutton - Streit
Campoli – Gervais
Pock - Skinner
MacDonald
Danis
Discuss the game in Comments.
57 Responses to PENGUINS 4, ISLANDERS 3 (SO)
The 18-shots-to-1-in-the-third recap
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AM says:
You just named 3 grind-out players: Hilbert, Park & Thompson as the best players that fit in this system. I don’t like that at all. We need scorers on this team. Players with offensive skill should be able to display and use their talent(Okposo, Nielsen ,etc). I don’t think it’s right. It’s not how you develop players.
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Jason W says:
well…. at least we got a point.
that’s something…..
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beatlebailey says:
okposo and tambellini should have been in the shootout…these kids need the experience
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we need a new coach lets face it .. the shootout was a total joke..nobody made a move just skate down and take a lame shot,USE THE YOUNG TALENT..
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kevin says:
tambs, neilson and hunter whould have been in the SO. hunter was in there but his goal didnt count because it was crosby’s team. we always get cheated against the penguins. okposo finally got a point (hasn’t gotten a point in 5games.)
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wayne freeman says:
Correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t we rebuilding then what the hell is Gordon doing using weight, and guerin in the shootout, just an awful job by our coach put someone out there that has skill please.
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PR says:
the issue is that the ref shouldnt have been allowed to give a definite answer from his position b/c he was looking from behind and there is no way he could see the puck from his angle at all, which at that point it should go straight to review, with an undecided call so you cant fight the “can you overturn it” rule.. let the review call the goal, was the goalie 100% behind the line, if yes, then puck must be under him, thus automatic goal.., if it wasnt under him, the puck would still be in the crease, which it was not..
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michael says:
if the puck wasn’t in the net on the shootout , then WHERE WAS IT!?!? can the nhl explain that one to me? whatever tho, not like the islanders need the point we’re trying to get the #1 pick here but its the principle of the matter!
secondly, what is doug weight doing on the shootout? he blew it in the game against carolina w/ the penalty shot, so we put him out in the shootout? give me a break gordon put a real shooter out there. know your team.
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ppl that say gordan doesnt need to play vets over rookies. i half agree. neilson and tambs should have been in there not because that were rebuilding but because they have had success in the past
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JKP says:
Chris, did you stop doing the pregame prediction because you’d be foolish to ever pick the Isles to win, and that was just too depressing?
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Matt King Isles 13 says:
how about fritz now?? jackman now has more goals this season then fritz will ever have. jackman quality fourth liner. fritz nothing more than a career ahler.
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that may be true but jackman cant fight like fritz…..
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Volek93 says:
As soon as it went to replay – there was no shot it was getting called a goal. When was the last time one of those went in Isles favor??
Terrible decision by Gordon to use Weight and Hunter in the shootout!! What about Neilsen or Okposo – let the kids get the experience.
And Tambellini – just enough already with him. Would rather see Comeau up here getting his minutes.
I know this is a “rebuilding” year, but if this team could just hold a 3rd period lead they would have a winning record – even without 3 “D” men and DP. . So frustrating.
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Ebz says:
Gordon has to sit Comrie….he is just awful out there. No backcheck, constantly giving away the puck, no hustle…doesn’t anyone on the coaching staff see this…com’ on.
Hunter should also take some power skating lessons. He is soooooo slowwwww, it makes me sick.
This team has to shoot more, and stop trying to make the pretty pass. Pucks ain’t gunna go in the net if ya don’t SHOOT THE PUCK.
ps…..Parrish had a hat trick the other night 4 Dallas…..what a kick in the nutz
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Pride-N- Passion NYI Hockey~ says:
Okay First some Humble Pie, for me….
Early before the season started , I often targeted Andy Hilbert as a weak link on this team….Never criticizing his OK skills, just his lack of hand sto finish and missing a boat load of chances to score over the prior two seasons before…
So here it goes…
Andy Dilbert is no longer Dilbert unttil further notice..lol
Hes regained my respect to call him Hilbert… the guy has been pretty exceptional this year at what he does best.. PK. add to that his playmaking has increased, He’s scoring goals that last year were wide shots & post material..He’s even playing a bit of a chippy game
he applies a better forecheck, even strength as well…I have said this before Andy Hilbert gets Credit for finding away to compete and hang on to an NHL rooster spot..
Well he’s doing even more thus far in this early season of 08′-09′
Hes Becoming a team player who can be depended on!
I give him credit where credit is do, theres much worse out on that Ice Surface right now then Hilbert!
Your okay Hilbert .. Your okay!Lets GO Isles Lets GO Islanders!!
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Jackman Played extremly Hard tonight, ebergy , Checks thrown & off course the Goal..
I Have never disliked Jackman.. just though & still do he is not a Heavyweight…
Nor does he need to be for us…
Agreed with anyone who wil;l point out hes more deserving of ICE TIme if the choice is between him & Fritz…
Im no dummy, would not try & defend that.This Guy Played With Fire Tonight, Passion as well…
If he brings this to the table every night I say this….we have tough choices when determinig third & fourth lines of the near future…
My Take… Jeff Tambellini is wtaching the sand drain from the Hour Glass here on Long Island….
I do think the kid has talent (25) now more like the man….Just think it will be a real hard decision soon for the organization to defend playing him 6 to 10 minutes a game .
especially when you have guys like Thompson & Jackman…
A trade or a releasemaybe Tambellini’s best hope bottom line 41 games 1 nhl goal.
As for Fritz.. I still know in my heart & Soul as well as My Hockey mind… this Club will need an enforcer more then 3 out of 10 games this year…
I hope they figure out & make it happen!Jackman my hats off to you tonight… you played like a man on a mission…
Lets see if he can maintain this level of play.. Love these kind of jam players…
will always root for these types..
they do the dirty work & heck this guy scored a goal in his first game back at this level thats cool!Humble pie.. (smaller piece)…#2
Lets GO Isles …Lets Go Islanders!!next Post .. Gervais & the game…..
Oh you know there will be no humble pie here fella’s..lolgotta grab i bite just got back from
uniondale…
lets go Isles! -
Hilbert PK* skills..
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Marc says:
That’s about right. Good 1st 2 periods, don’t even show up for the 3rd, waste the SO by throwing out guys who don’t have any ability to make even the slightest move on the goalie. Agreed with some of the above comments – enough of Weight, Guerin, and Hunter in those situations. Neilsen, Okposo, Tambellini, Bergenheim should be getting those chances. And what about Park? Seems to be able to finish plenty of shorthanded breakaways. Hell, couldn’t be worse than the “lumber in and shoot” method employed by tonight’s 3 shooters.
And, CB… FYI – Bridgeport beat Lowell in OT tonight, not Albany.
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BST18 says:
Enjoy Jackman, He was our top forward in Bport.
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MT says:
I think my only complaint was who was in the shootout for us. I mean even Nolan used Tamby for the shootout har har. But I’ll take the point. Big game with Philly on Tuesday
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Hurrapop says:
I agree with ya p-n-p, last year I hated Hilbert with a passion, this year he’s the least of our problems. Tamby, Comrie, where are you?… I’m just saying
And another thing, is it just me, or KO played a lil better those 9 games under Nolan last year? I’m just saying
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Ryan says:
Funny how I’ve been talking about Jackman for about two weeks now and he was one of the best forwards on the ice tonight. But I have no clue what I’m talking about. Oh and Mitch Fritz belongs after Tim Jackman played 13 mins
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Coach Gordon, why are you playing gervais 24 minutes a game….
He was a minus two.. I know some will point out so was his partner campoli, true.
However bottom line it was his man both times one to break up the play….
second to neautralize the men in front of the net! Failed on both!first goal as usual Gervais is playing matador with his hockey stick.
The Islander writer loidice sp? puts it…. it jumped over his stick.
Please thats being way too kind!Gervais appears to do this at least once a game!
Adding insult to injurt to this club, every other game it ends up in the back of the net!
2nd Goal… miserable Man to man play again lets little tyler kennedy actually out Position & muscle him then puts it behind MacDonald….
Gervais winds arms out to side & back leaning against the cross bar…
what a joke AGAIN!!what is even more perplexing is instead of Gervais being benched for the remainder of the Third period.. (skinner give him a chance ) hes not that bad…
Gordon trots him out there again and again??(gervais is soft not an NHL defenceme nat least not here )
This is now almost a nightly event does anyone else see how poor this guy is??
what is the plan here?
To make sure we have the variable on the ice & cost us the game thus moving us closer to the Taveras & Hegman sweepstakes????I like Gordon, yet this is bizarre.. he
had no business being out there in crunch time tonight….. Nor did he belong out there in ot.. Principle alone should have dictated this.. VERY VERY STRANGE!!Bruno Gervais is a BUM!
(hockey player wise for the NY Isles)He was all the talk at the the outdoor beer stand.. and trust me none of it was good…
Well heck maybe we will celebrate & have a Bruno Gervais day @ NMVC?….call iT the Gervais Helped save the Franchise by his pathetic playing days with the club…..
okay thats too long call it …
“Thank You Bruno You Gave us The #1 pick”Gordon can not possibly defend him can he?
Then again who knowes , i’ll say it again,
maybe this is all part of the plan huh Garth?Hey,you never know?
lets go Isles.. Lets Go Islanders! -
As for the Game if not for Gervais.. regardless of the melt down.. Macdonald would have won them this game.. if only once gervais.. especially on the tyiing goal did his job..
yes they stopped again in the third though 17 straight saves from Macdonald& he deserved the win! -
admin says:
P n P: I sent you an email to the address you registered. Please email me back to the address listed up top: cb@islanderspointblank.com
thanks…CB -
HilbertSnipe says:
Im home from UMASS and this was the first game I went to all season. We are LUCKY we got two points. Joey Mac played a good game.
BTW no one should let me go to games anymore. I have been to three games where a no-goal under review jobbed us… when it was actually a goal. 1) The game where Hollweg got SIMONIZED, and we tied it up with a few minutes left but they called no goal. 2) The Buffalo game in the playoffs where Witt knocked the puck in the net to tie it up and they called no goal. 3) tonight.
and Massachusetts lost tonight to Merrimack. Bad night :/
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one point**** sorry I must be delusional
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Matt says:
Wow just watched the DVR. Hilbert had a good game. Anybody who doesn’t thimk Macdonald is at least a serviceable backup is crazy! The guy is just great if you ask me. Giving up 18 shots in the third before you get a shot is obscene. Honestly it looked like the pens were on the pp the whole third. Guerin?, Hunter?, in the shootout?????????? WTF! Doesn’t Neilson have a 75% shootout rate in the NHL? Nolan even put the kid in. Unusual thinking, Gordon will fit in great with the Isles. Jackman had a good game and even though I bashed the guy I am happy to see it. Hope he scores 40 this year(hey you never know). What is the problem in the third? Conditioning, heart(lack there of), don’t know but hopefully we figure it out bcs. its hard to watch! When the third rolled around you could actually feel the crowd waiting for it to happen. Wow, got to be hard for Gordon. I know its hard to watch the team play scared. Its amazing how well they play in the first and second then just die in the third. Liking Neilson more and more, the kid is really playing well. If he starts shooting a little more he can be something.
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David from NYC says:
The bottom line for me, is that these games have been entertaining for the most part coupled with a huge dose of frustration. The only reason I am not ranting away like some is that I expected this coming into the season. This is a new group of guys, many young, and a new coach with his new system. This is not an excuse, this is just the reality. Now that being said, I would have hoped that they learned whatever important lessons necessary from losing these leads late in the game by now. I am surprised it keeps happening. I recall a few years ago (I forget exactly what year) that the Isles would continually let in goals in the last minute or less (there were several goals with less than 10 seconds). That was frustrating!
Aside from the late game breakdowns, I have really been impressed with the development of Frans (especially the last few games) and Kyle (not so much the last couple of games). Did you see Frans attack the net tonight trying to pry Bergie’s breakaway shot loose? That was awesome, he looked fearless and willing to do whatever it took to score/win. I hope his former linemate in Bridgeport and buddy Tamby can learn from him and raise his game to the next level.
Anyways, love the blog and love the constant inside info.
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Heath says:
I respectfully disagree PNP, that puck did jump over Gervais’ stick.
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Does anyone know why the war room has it in for us? I can’t help but think back to the Buffalo series everytime there’s a blown replay call against us. I blame it on Kris King the former Ranger LOL.
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Bri on Li says:
Heath, the puck did jump over his stick, but then he tried to play the puck and never really put any body on Staal, just let him barrel his way towards the goal. And Campoli was playing Kennedy WAY too soft on the tying goal. It was a beautiful deflection, though. And as for the shootout, I love the heart of Guerin and Weight, but it’s time for the kids to dance. I want to see KO put on some moves, even if he dances himself into a corner. Even Comrie has better moves than Weight.
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Shoe says:
Chris
Behind the scenes, is gordon getting any heat for the fact that he seems to already being having difficulty communicating with the team? Forget the guerin story, just the fact that his teams seems to come right out of the lockerroom after his 2nd intermission talk, and just completely panic..then, he calls a timeout, and they do not calm down at all, continue to run around, throw the puck around like a hand grenade…it isn’t a great sign for a new coach.
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isles72 says:
gordon doesnt have the tools to play his system to the fullest extent .
if snow totally buys into what gordon is selling then you will see him target players that compliment the style of play the team wants to employ –this wont happen overnight so lets take our lumps and look for the silver lining in the meantime
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islesfaninNC says:
AGAIN LACK OF MOTOVATION IN THIRD….BLAME GORDON!
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randy boyd says:
What an impossible team to figure out. They look like a total disaster, but if you take a step back..IF (a huge but relevant word here) this decimated team of rookies and old men with a new coach and his wacky 40 minute system, had won just the games in the last 10 days in which they held a lead going into the third period they would be 7-6-1 15 pts.
this is without their best player and 3 of their top 6 d-men. Crazy, isn’t it? -
i think gordon should practice this team like herb brooks did when they play sh!tty third periods. remember how they were throwing up and dead tired but they learned the lesson. also, i have been saying i want jackman here but only if he isn’t our heavy becuz he is a punching bag. i think almost everyone is saying that. almost everyone.
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i think if we had our top d and healthy and not dp saying he is healthy but a 110% healhy dp, we would win all these third period mishaps
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Jon says:
The team is underachieving which is the fault of the coach. The Isles should be a .500 or better team. They are better than .500 after 2 periods and should be the same after 3.
Gordon is on record stating he will not change his system because if it fails, he wants to go down with what has worked for him in the past. Meanwhile, NHL coaches are eating his lunch.
It is clear he has to make adjustments but he has refused so far.
It is a shame because the team is much better than its record.
Someone has to hold Snow accountable for the big downgrade in the head coaching position. Nolan knew how to get the most out of his talent, Gordon is getting the least.
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Islesphan25 says:
You guys are all shot. You want to rebuild, get the top draft pick, play young guys etc. Well this is what happens. The system works!!!!! They are scoring goals, playing a great brand of hockey. The problem is with injuries,and players are playing more min. and sometimes in different situations they are used too, but you know what they have to learn somehow, and during a rebuilding years this is the way you have to go about it. Give it time. Look at the Hurricanes. They were bad when Peter L. took over. Almost took a whole year to get his system. They got it during the last month of the season and went 12-2 i think during that stretch. Thats when you should start judging how things are going not the first month or so. the last month or so and see if there is improvement. GIVE IT TIME!!!!!! I am happy where we are. Competitive in games, improving and seeing growth in players. This year is not about WINS!!!! Its about growth, and everyone learning about playing the system from B’port to the Isles!!! As well as getting the top 2 pick to get that corner stone player to go along with Frans, KO, Bailey ( who will be a stud) Hunter, Campoli, Streit, DP, Sutton, Sean B. and Hilbert
sorry for the rant, just sick and tried hearing everyone complain to hear themselves complain about something.
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Paul says:
Look, i think you all have to look at the big picture here. This team does not have the Legs for the 3rd period and it has been showing game in game out. To me it comes down to this System thing being to demanding for a full 60 mins and also in the fact Gordon is using the Vets to much to try to win Games. Can anyone see that?We are not even at the half way mark and we are shutting down in the 3rd. as far as the shoot out #1 we should have won this game before that and Gordon should be using a mix of a vet and one of the kids like Guerin then Tamby then weight then okposo to build confidence in these guys.and what is wrong with Comrie! Remember these are Garth Snows Deals and Players i hope people will Hold Snow Accountable!
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Willis says:
I agree with Isles72 above in post #36
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doc says:
I can’t believe that there are actually posts on here stating that the Islanders are “under-achieving”.
In actuality, they are over-achieving.
They just aren’t finishing the game.
DOC
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i know we are rebuilding but its tough to get all excited and then get let down. i am all for tavares but this is making us look even more laughable. gordon should stay, i ahte all the gordon and snow haters. His system is great btw and snow has done well so far except on fighting
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o and i agree with you doc on the acheiving part.
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I think over-acheiving would be them actually winning the game. They aren’t playing bad for forty minutes sometimes quite good but to say they are over-acheiving is a bit of a stretch. I agree with David from NYC saying the games are entertaining yet frustrating. I like Gordons brand of hockey and think people are being a bit hasty with their criticism of him. Look fwd to seeing some of our D back.
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Isles Fan in Ulster County says:
I was disappointed by the selection Hunter, Guerin and Weight for the shootout. The shootout is a perfect opportunity to play the kids There is no opposition pressure and the kids can have fun and try new moves or moves that they like to normally pull. The team may have dropped the ball in the third (and they did with not shooting), but Gordon dropped it in the shootout.
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TuxTax says:
I was out on the ice after the game, the ice was absolutely terrible nothing smooth about it, it had small bumps all over it that make the puck jump all over the place. I cannot believe they play on that garbage.
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10 points in 14 games with a bunch of blown leads is not over achieving.
The team is better than is better than its record.
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isles fan, have fun??? they can have fun in practice as long as gordon doesnt run them for losing like they did in the third
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Rob says:
What a pathetic shootout, Gordon sure doesn’t have a clue. Especially after seeing how lost Weight looked on his penalty shot the other night, he throws him right back out there. Yea, who wants to see Frans Nielsen, KO, or even Tamby (remember his SO snap-shot goal against the Rangers last year?) in the shootout and get some excitement.
Gervais is awful. But so are most of the players on this team full of Jon Sims. We’ll have to ride it out and hope to get a #1 pick (and fire Snow before the draft so we don’t screw it up). I’ve been watching the same crappy formula for too many years so I have the right to complain!
And, btw, the Isles’ very own prospect Justin DiBenedetto has 2 fewer points in the OHL this year than a certain John Tavares, and in 5 fewer games, at that. Considering that ‘DB’ was a 7th round pick or so, what does that say about Tavares?
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UIF says:
Guys, I really don’t think we should be giving up on Gordon yet. Just my opinion, but we should support the guy and give him a bit more of a chance. Talent-wise, he’s coaching a team that has only an injured goalie and third-line grinder on the All Star ballot, and half of the talent he does have is hurt.
I’m buying into the system he’s implementing, and think once this team gets, I guess, “Gordon-type players,” the system will look that much more effective.
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I’m not giving up on Gordon or the system. I like both, but I do think that Gordon should have gone with more creative players in the shootout. Not that Guerin, Weight and Hunter don’t deserve a chance, but they’re skills are more useful in plays.
Why couldn’t the kids have fun with the shootout. Of course, we all want to see the Isles win and I know fans and the kids would be so much more excited if KO, or Bergie or Franz netted the winner.
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rob, one, were not firing snow.. two, justin could end up being like henrik or datsuyk or zetterberg who were picked late. so it says that tavares is wasome either way….. and that we got lucky with justin
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Also to Rob… Can’t have it both ways, man. You want to dump Snow before the next draft so it doesn’t get “screwed up”, but then you follow by praising one of our own late round (6th, btw) draft choices. Who do you think drafted DiBenedetto? Give Snow hell when he really does screw something up, sure, but give him credit when he gets something right – which he may or may not have done with DiBenedetto. Too early to tell either way, regardless, but I don’t get how you can criticize the guy as it regards the draft and in the same breath praise one of his late picks.
One shot in the 3rd!!!! Are you kidding me? I went outside after the Penguins scored. Did not go back in until overtime.