ISLANDERS 4, PANTHERS 2
Everyone you want excelling did better than OK
UPDATED 5:55 pm - The Islanders were scheduled to leave on a 6:00 pm flight tonight. It was bound for Phoenix, so no one’s feeling sorry for them.
The talk of the postgame was the line of Comeau-Comrie-Okposo. Raves all around, from Go-Go to their teammates. The coach said Comrie has been a completely different player since taking more time for rest and treatment on his hip.
Rick DiPietro looked like he was packed to make the trip. Yann Danis, I couldn’t tell. He could always fly all day commercial on Friday.
Catch you tomorrow with some outdoor game talk.
4:29 pm - Happy Thoughts: A healthy Mike Comrie, a happy Mike Comrie leading by example for Kyle Okposo and Blake Comeau, is a very, very good thing for both Mike Comrie and the Islanders - no matter how this turns out.
Good, really good, for Joey MacDonald. Happy New Year to everyone in Pictou County, Nova Scotia - the home of Mac and Jon Sim.
Classy, heady move by Go-Go giving Doug Weight every opportunity to get his 1,000th NHL point today with his family in the stands and before the NYI leave for a 4-game road trip.
On Kyle Okposo: can I change my prospect evaluation from a B+ to an A-?
Mark Streit, don’t make plans for All-Star Weekend. Unless, that is, the NHL decides to honor Doug Weight.
And congrats to Trevor Smith, who made UNH and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers proud today.
*
No Joshin’: As much as I maintain the Islanders blew it bigtime not sending Josh Bailey to the World Junior Championships, in the interests of fair play I will submit the following:
1. An NHL scout I trust sent me a text today to report that, the wonderments of John Tavares and Victor Hedman and a few other prospects aside, the quality of play at the tourney so far has been suck city.
2. Even if Bailey does not score a goal for another month, I’m not the least bit worried about the kid.
Backup Plan: The Islanders have now recalled Yann Danis on an emergency basis three times in the last three games to sit on the bench for Rick DiPietro.
Could it be…naaaah…could it be that the Islanders are conceding that dressing DiPietro as the MacBackup earlier this season was a sham, irresponsible and potentially dangerous?
No, of course they’re not.
Official Attendance: 12,211
Scouts In Attendance: Phoenix, Philadelphia
The word from Big Eric of Bellmore: While visiting with a friend in Section 218 Row C, I met for the second time a huge Islanders fan - Eric of Bellmore. He’s a very large man, sometimes angry but also with a big smile and his arms always around the two of his four kids he takes to many of the games. I figured I’d get Angry Eric’s take on the team.
He surprised me a bit, saying he was totally on board with Garth Snow’s rebuild. Eric said the team is doing it the right way and he and his two kids - yes, they are very young - plan on being along for the ride. “We have a developing team,” he said. “We’re still paying the price fro some awful draft picks and trades. But we’re gonna be all right in a few years.”
Bolted: The Tampa Bay Lightning have lost 10 points this season by either losing a shootout or in overtime. That’s 3 points more than “second-place” Philadelphia and Chicago. Darn them.
Wish I had a happy recap on the Lighthouse Project. Only thing I’ve heard is that the Town of Hempstead has been slow to return phone calls.
Heading down to the locker room and then will update from home if any news comes out of it. Comments.
42 Responses to “ISLANDERS 4, PANTHERS 2
Everyone you want excelling did better than OK”
Please Wait
Okposo looks real good the last few games. Comrie is also playing real well and Comeau. Its a nice line. Good game…
CB, I grew up in Pictou County and still have my mom and my inlaws there. Thanks for the shout out!
Was that #77 Pierre Turgeon on the NVCC ice today? Bares an uncanny resemblance. Played well today Trevor. Good luck in the new year!
Just walked home from the Sweden-Russia game (front row seats for $40 who-hoo) and sorry I missed the Isles win this afternoon. Glad to read K.O. is progressing. As for Petrov and Ullstrom, both are big players, with Petrov looking a little fat and lazy out there- he floated for much of the game, and didn t seem to get all that much ice. I am hoping it is the injury he had that is still lingering…he did NOT look like a no.2 ranked forward, as per last year s Euro scouting…Both saw powerplay time. What was perhaps the most interesting was Ullstrom- he played centre, and seemed to play a responsible game for the most part, if not a little conservative. That may have been owing to his linemmates Tedenby was one…all in all a dominant showing by the Tre Kroner- watch out Canada, that Swedish goalie is big, and huge!
Good to see the kids Okposo, Begie and Comeau all get on the scoresheet and play well. Also liked Smith although he didn’t score the kid put himself in postion to get several scoring chances hopefully he gets to go on the West Coast trip for a longer look. Also gotta mention how well Streit is playing the entire season. Happy New Year everyone.
Streit better be our All-Star representative!
Nice game. Nice win.
But how the heck dont you score on a 2 on 0?
Oh well… Just glad the boys played well and it was great to hear Jiggs on the PBP. He sounded great.
5 points in the last 4 games gives Gordon a reprieve into ‘09.
Happy New Year to all.
Trevor Smith, 3rd star of the game in his NHL debut. Excellente! The Richard Park no-goal on Sim’s reported goaltender interference made the crowd groan, but I’m glad that things got better from there. Okposo looked MUCH better, and Bailey actually wasn’t invisible for most of the game. Overall, it was a nice way to end 2008.
Happy New Year CB, PB, BD, and all Islanders fans!
Okposo-Comrie-Comeau - nice line combo to move forward with. Trading Comrie would be pointless - he’s still relatively young and has turned out to be alot grittier then any of us expected.
Trevor Smith looked good today - I hope we get to see more of him as the season goes on, though I didn’t love the jersey # choice. 77 will always be Turgeon for me. Speaking of which, CB, during your tenure with the Isles, was there ever any talk of getting Sneaky Pete into the Isles HOF? And do you think he deserves a spot there?
Oh, and a Happy & Healthy New Year to everyone!
How deep do you think we can get int eh playoffs…
JK.
Hey, ever since Witt opened Wangdora’s box, the team has been playing a little more responsibly. Whether that’s gordon coaching up the “D”, or getting out of the paint by numbers zone, it’s all good.
Smith looked pretty good, the Comrie line continues to impress, but the best thing about the game here was JIGGS.
Happy New Year everybody!
great game. to bad fritz wont be there to protect the youngins and vets in the west. the CCO line is lookin pretty damn good. thye should be the chili line since they are playign so good they help us come home with chili. =)
I would agree with your scout, I kind of said the same thing in one of the other threads the other day (while also complaining that Canada is getting every call possible). It should, however pick up from here. Russia/Sweden was this afternoon (missed it; on the road) and Canada/USA is tonight (wouldn’t miss it for anything). Then it gets into the playoffs. Just a weak year for a lot of international teams I think and it has lead to a lot of lopsided games. The Czechs and Finns specifically have been terrible from what I’ve seen, and they were expected to at least make things interesting.
I wonder if Fritz will be in a similar situation to Sim, probably not since Botta said the intention was to send him to Bridge. I’m not sure who the teams out West have for toughness but one thing has become very clear Garth Snow must act fast to get an enforcer.
Okposo is VERY impressive! I am really enjoyng his game.
Comeau isn’t supposed to put up points at nhl level my a**. He has been dynamite, do not trade comrie!!! Sayonara fritz, u were useless.Sillinger is finished I think, thanks for the passion.
Ricky will start next game and to be honest with everyone healthy we will make a playoff run if ricky stays healthy too! Happy new year to all and especially to CB,BD, and Greg Logan. It’s tough being an isles fan in winnipeg but I feel like I’m on the team with all this constant info!
First glimpse: Trevor has a nose for the puck in front of the goal. Most definitely looks like Turgeon… just a lot smaller.
Comeau is playing awesome.
Comrie: Pleasantly surprised by his increasingly involved play.
Bailey looked much better.
Bergenheim: Yes… more of that please!
MacDonlad: World class left leg save!
Haven’t noticed Witt much lately… that’s a good thing.
Can’t wait until Neilsen, Hunter, Hilbert, Sutton and Martinek return. Keep Smith in the line-up. Get rid of Sim. Case closed.
Great WIN!
Happy Healthy Prosperous NEW YEAR to all!!!
DOC
Oh…
OKPOSO: Feelling IT!!! Looking like he really belongs and he knows it!
Streit: Steady and productive on both ends of the ice. Glad to have him on my team.
DOC
I’ve been in Phoenix for four years after growing up on Long Island my whole life. I can’t wait to see them out here. I’ll be five rows off the ice. Not to seem like a groupie or something, but the team will be out here a day early … any place I can watch them practice or something like that before the game?
LET’S GO ISLANDERS!!
Anyone who has access to NHL network get over there right now….USA/Canada JRs. …3-3 thru 1st period. USA took 3-0 lead after 10 minutes….Tavares scored 2 to lead Canada back to tie it.
Bodies are flying.
Canada cheats.
GZ, I’ll be coming over from area code 505 for the game Friday.
Pre-game at the Yard House.
was there today.
please oh please gordo give comeau some time on the pp…excellent win…terrific effort….tambs was invisible again. bailey and okposo will be forces with 10 more pds of muscle….jmac was sensational….pock played a lot and very well. liked what i saw of trevor smith…..this was the comrie we would all love to see every night….and if only bergs could figure it out more often…any hint on hunter?
anyone see our guy kessel on the ice in the can-us game after that wonderful delay of game penalty? anyone have some insight on why trivino was cut?
Gotta tell ya CB, just finished watching Tavares play against team USA in the WJC. He was fantastic! The John Tavares chants are sure to continue in 2009 from section 301! Happy New Year all!
on tavares
i dont want to be a skeptic and i have only seen three games but there is something not right here….i know he has been compared to bossy but i absolutely do not see it….the opportunities i have seen him get appear to be coming from positions in front that i know he wont have or shouldnt have at the nhl level….i see good blue line in speed but poor end to end skating. frankly i see an average sized guy who likes to take out the garbage hard to be tough on a guy that just got a hat trick and was named player of the game….that being said he is the best player on the ice (hes also the oldest) and will probably end up in the hall of fame….
but he is not ovechkin, crosby or even kovalchuk….and he is Definitely not bossy.
pretty disappointing to hear petrov was a non factor…..
re: post 24,
1) tavares parks himslef in scoring positions so he will know where these posiions area at the nhl level as well…as they say, he has a nose for the net
2) ur right about his skating, hes not the best skater in the world but that really doesnt matter if you have his skillset
3) tavares can score pretty goals as well as garbage goals..ie:the double bunt goal
4) tavares is not the oldest guy on the team, there are players on team canada like boychuk, subban, esposito, etc who were already drafted in past years….tavares wasnt even eligible for last years draft…check the birthdates for further confirmation
5) your right about the fact that hes not crosby, ovechkin, or kovalchuk…..he is better…he is john tavares….he broke wayne gretzky’s and cindy’s records….theres a lot to be said for that
just thought i chime in if you bash the only thing the isles are playing for this year honestly
he is not better then crosby and didnt break his records seeing as they are not in the same league. and he broke one record of the great and that is most goals for a 16 year old. and he isnt as good or better then ovie. he is a tad less
happy new year
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! HERE’S TO JOHN TAVARES IN 09
For everyone who has been trashing Comrie since he got here, perhaps we are just now seeing him completely healthy for the first time as an Islander. Also, since his retrun from injury Okposo looks like a different player in all aspect of his game. He is really beginning to stand out when he’s on the ice. Happy New Years to everyone!!! Let’s go Islanders!!
We haven’t won a game since last year.
Hahahaha
Couldn’t help myself.
Tavares with the hat trick tonight. What was the score anyway? I lost track, when the 3-0 lead disappeared so quickly. Go Canada go. Go Tavares to the Islanders.
The pom poms are out from Botta regarding those superstars Comeau and Oksopo. Make Toews and Kane look like amateurs.
As far as I’m concrned, bout time Oksopo start playing well. That kid in Pheonix taken one pick after him is playing pretty well, no?
Let’s make a New Year’s resolution: we will not speak John Taveras’ name, lest we guarantee that the fourth or fifth seed win that lottery.
I like what I’ve seen from Comrie the last few games. However, anyone else feel he is maybe, just maybe, playing for a new contract only to regress once he gets it?
atta boy Comrie -get that trade value to spike
I agree with post 33
Its really going to piss me off seeing Tavares pulling that Thrashers jersey over his head
Waddell has more lives than Milbury
Tavares is OK, but Hedman is still my man.Long-term he’s better choice for our Islanders…
All the best in 2009!
Yes, Petrov was quite disappointing…I am hoping it was a nagging injury, but man he is such a floater its not even funny…haven t checked his TOI, but I didn t see him much in the first period. No energy to his game, and sure to be one of those players that gets the big man floating tag put on him. Reminded me of Kvasha, which is scary in its own right. I would say Ullstrom has a better shot of making the Isles…Getting Tavares is key!
I agree with the comments about Comrie
playing well right now, and about the chemistry he seems to have with the kids. But, am I seeing things or does he shoot when the pass looks like the better play and visa versa a heckeva lot? Does anyone else think that?
Brian at 32, Mueller is having a heck of a season isn’t he. I was at the draft party when we passed on Mueller to take Okposo. I remember being pretty disapointed at the time ’cause I was hoping Brassard would fall to us but that Mueller would be a great consolation prize. KO is starting to show his talent and I believe he’ll be a solid player for us no doubt. I also recall telling Ryan O’Marra at that same draft party that Smith was gonna draft a goalie LOL. Nice kid, too bad he hasn’t been able to put his game together.
i will say it again, I couldnt be happier about how Okposo and Comeau are progressing. Aside from wins and losses this is what you want to see this year. Future cornerstones for this franchise putting up numbers and making plays.
Also trevor smith looked great out there. He looked comfortable with the puck and was not afraid to shoot like alot of young players are. Also is Bergy not the most frustrating player ever. He has the ability to wow you with his skill like yesterday, then he disapears for a few games. He needs to put that skill to good use. He is a great skater and can handle the puck with the best of them. GO ISLESSS
The team looked much better with a full lineup (No Fritz) and able to roll the four lines. Smith did not look out of place and the D-men appear to be getting the system much better. It is still evident how much they miss Sutton especially physically on the the PK. Bergy’s goal was the prettiest of the year, and he was not reaching today but always plays hard and physical. Go Isles