ISLANDERS at RANGERS, 7:05 pm
Your 1,500-word rant and game preview
Good afternoon, everyone. Crazy thing about that Optimum Triple Play – when it breaks down, you’re stuck without a home phone, cable tellyvision and the Internet!
Now picture this: I’m home with my three kids while my wife is away. I write and post the Scott Gordon piece at 12:30 pm yesterday from the RVC Panera, thinking of course The Cable Guy will have it fixed by dinner. (They said they didn’t have to come to the house; it was a “zone” thing). Twenty four hours later (loooong story) I’m back at the Panera, freed only because my mother volunteered to watch the kids for a bit while I wrote a pre-game. Oh, the irony of the Islanders playing the Rangers at the Garden tonight…
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Not surprisngly, partial hell started to break loose in the Comments section during my time without WWW access. Please allow me to make a few points.
Rich: since you decided to take it on the site, here you go. There are Comment Guidelines. People are understandably tired of me talking about them, but that’s because some readers either think I’m kidding or they don’t want to read or adhere to them.
This is not Islandermania, the best sports team fan message board in the land. Call me whatever you want, but here is how Point Blank works (or doesn’t work). If I take a few hours to write a 1,200 word story on Scott Gordon, you don’t get to go on the blog and change the subject to something you want to write about. That’s why message boards were invented. That’s why places like Word Press will be happy to provide all the wares for you to have your own blog, all for free.
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As for “Jim,” as long as he follows the Guidelines – sticks close to the subject, keeps it clean, etc. – let him do his thing. “Jim,” who is on his 5th name, 12th email address and I don’t know how many IP numbers, no doubt has his reasons for taking me on.
The thing I find kinda odd about the guy is that his running theme is about me being the spin doctor, the “spokesman” as he refers to me. But “Jim” is the person who writes about how I picked the Islanders not to come in 15th, but 11th (woo-hoo!) – not mentioning I probably didn’t count on DiPietro not playing and the more than 500 man-games lost to injury. “Jim” is the guy who writes that more than 8,000 people paid $20 or didn’t pay at all to fill the Coliseum on Monday afternoon. “Jim” is the guy who writes that I criticize Mike Milbury and not Garth Snow because I “no longer have to answer to Mike.” (If he only knew…).
I appreciate some of you standing up for me, but please let “Jim” do his thing early in the morning with his fake email, name, IP and who knows what else. It seems personal, and it’s very likely I did something to piss off the fellow in my lifetime. My record at the Islanders was not perfect. I made many friends, but along the way I have a couple of haters. As you know, there were some ugly days. Real ugly days. I can live with myself, although I do feel bad for any fractures along the way. I can live with some people carrying a grudge.
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Folks, take this blog for what it is. I do not write using the code name “Makela.” I use my own photo, taken by Bruce Bennett at Flyers-Penguins Game 5 last year in Philly. I provide an email address for you to contact me directly. I do not hide behind the fact, to quote Cablevision-sponsored Newsday, that this is an “Islanders-sponsored blog.” I have never once hid behind the fact that I worked for the team for 20 years. It has not kept me from writing some awfully negative stuff about the team.
I utilize my resources to provide the best information I can. Whether or not this blog continues beyond this season, use the three-year rebuild to see how I did. Use this summer to judge my prospect coverage. Let’s see who the Islanders sign or who they do not. Let’s see, for example, if Max Gratchev should have been in my top 10. I like my sources.
Wow, I feel like I’m in Mike Francesa defiant mode. You know, sometimes you just have to let it all hang out and deal with the consequences.
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Okay, so about tonight’s game, which all the local papers will have as a “referendum” on Tom Renney and the Rangers. Who needs tonight’s game more – the Islanders or the Rangers?
Figure on Renney taking the chains off and telling his boys to have fun and play like they’ve got nothing to lose. The key will be for the Islanders’ team D to hold them off early and not let Scott Gomez do the end-to-end thing I haven’t seen him do much since the All-Star break. If the Islanders get the first goal, could be a fascinating scene at the Garden. Wish I could be there, instead of my 1970s technology-themed home.
My spy high atop MSG at today’s morning skate reports that the same lineup that beat Pitt on Monday practiced today in New York. There was no sign of Mitch Fritz. This doesn’t mean Mitch can’t train right into Penn Station this afternoon, but if the Islanders didn’t dress a heavyweight for the Penguins on Monday (and they won), it’s consistent they won’t tonight for the Blueshirts.
And now it’s on to Kid Kevin…
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Point Blank guest contributor
The Islanders head to MSG tonight for their fifth game of the year against the rival Rangers. The teams last met a little over a month ago at the Coliseum on January 13th. Since then, things have changed quite a bit for the Rangers.
On January 13th, the Rangers were at the top of the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference. Since then they’ve gone south, with a 4-7-4 record and have played some uninspiring hockey. This has led to all kinds of questions about coach Tom Renney’s future and the team has really lost some bad games recently. Would an Islander win tonight be the final straw in the Renney Saga? The Rangers have won one game in February and have scored seven goals in six losses. If the Islanders win going away tonight, it could certainly be.
But I know you guys. You didn’t come here to talk about the Rangers and their coach, so enough about that. The Islanders put forth a good effort Monday at the Coliseum against the Penguins in front of a sellout crowd. If you’re in ticket sales for the Islanders, you’re a very happy camper. An exciting win in front of a full house is about as good as it gets during a season such as this. As for the Pens, there has been no word yet from doctors on whether or not they have regained a pulse since the firing of Michel Therrien. It sure didn’t look like they had one on Monday.
Joey MacDonald got the start Monday and made 35 saves in net. Scott Gordon has flipped between MacDonald and Yann Danis each of the past four games and with games on back-to-back nights tonight and Thursday, this will likely continue. My money is on Danis in net tonight, but if not, I’m sure we would see him tomorrow against Carolina.
One of the oddest things about the Rangers and Islanders is how close the all-time series record is. Going into tonight, the Islanders are 118-119-19-3 against their rival, including playoffs. That’s especially odd considering the swings the series has gone through over the last few years. The Rangers have won five of the last seven meetings, but before that the Islanders had won 10 of 14. And throughout the last decade or two, that win/loss record has managed to stay relatively equal.
Here’s three dates from the last two decades that I literally randomly picked out. At the end of the 2002-03 season, the Isles record against the Rangers was 104-101-19-1. After the 1998-99 season, it was 96-93-16. At the end of 1996-97 it was 93-87-15 in favor of the good guys. All relatively close. This might be the most evenly matched rivalry in hockey history.
Comments. Depending on whether CB’s Triple Play gets fixed, we’ll host in-game Comment-ary tonight.
**If you sent me an email in the last 24 hours, please re-send. Thanks…CB
102 Responses to ISLANDERS at RANGERS, 7:05 pm
Your 1,500-word rant and game preview
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Dan from Westchester says:
who knew such drama could exist on a blog?? hilarious. .
I’ll be at MSG tonight. . let the kids keep it going.
To CB’s point – what an interesting night this could be if Isles get the first one. .
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Islanders1984 says:
Can we just keep comrie so we can keep Hillary duff at islander games
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blitz says:
Site is a treasure for NYI fans, but also general hockey fans, to have available.
Thanks for your time and energy.
If you don’t like the food at a certain restaurant, then do you go back time and time again?
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guerin13 says:
i hope we blow them out tonight. i’m not sure they could recover from it. they are on extremely shaky ground right now. i actually feel bad for renney. seems like a good guy and i think the main culprit at msg is sather, not renney.
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Darren says:
Where do some people find the time?
Blitz said it best “If you don’t like the food at a certain restaurant, then do you go back time and time again?”
Get a life “Jim”!
CB has done a insane job for us Islander fans. -
Jimmy Mac says:
I will be around to watch the game tonight on Centre Ice… so I’m hoping for a good game.
I missed the Pittsburgh game.
Hopefully we keep things going.
Hey Chris… don’t let these clowns bug you. If you ignore them they will go away.
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I would like to see a 7- 1 blowout tonight for the Isles.
KO with a hat trick.
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Joey303 says:
Islanders 4-2 Empty netter. Rangers are reeling
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Brian says:
The problem is Botta, you set all these guidelines but you yourself don’t follow them. Look, this Jim guy obviously has some insane grudge against you but you just flamed him yourself, against your own guidelines. Your guidelines state that nobody should mention the Rangers on this site, however, you continue to post Rangers items, even when they aren’t playing the Islanders. Hypocrisy knows no bounds I guess.
I think you are a little too thin skinned and that gets you into trouble. You always feel the need to defend yourself on your own blog, even when you say you aren’t.
Brian: please show me the part where the Guidelines say you can’t mention the Rangers on my blog. Thank you…CB -
ken says:
ill be at the garden tonight, lets jump on them while they are down.
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islesfan999 says:
When can we get the defense chart for next year. I can’t wait too see that. Love love this blog its the best islanders info or only good info in yrs.
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Mike says:
Chris,
I’ve had the same problem with those triple play deals. Extremely frustrating. The solution: invest in Optimum’s new quadruple play. Tv, phone, internet, and pony express.
In any event, thanks for persevering and thanks for this blog, which is my first/last site (first site to visit in the morning, last to visit at night).
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C.J. says:
Hold up a second….
1. Is Kevin Shultz “Wig man”? If so, damn, I had no idea. Also, if so, dude, you gotta watch out for those railings at NVMC. They don’t look too sturdy. You’re going to end up on top of one of the Isles as you reach for their sticks or high fives one day… just a word to the wise.
2. How hot is Hilary Duff? If I got a chance to meet her, the last thing I’d be doing is taking a picture. Is that a gun in your pocket…. Only kidding.
3. CB… no need to justify your position. The 99.9% of us who post here know where you stand and I think this is why this site is becoming one of the best (if not the best) and reputable places to talk Islanders.
4. I recommend going the route of a true poster board (think HF) to keep these dirt balls off the site w/nothing better to do. The funny fact, is that I’d venture to say that the “Jim’s” of the world are likely Rag-fans who’ve got nothing better to do than try and spread their deficient seed all over the place. You know… the jack-asses that show up at Islander-Devil games w/their ugly Ranger jersies on and the mustard stains on the sleve.
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Tony says:
Sorry, but I am the eternal pessimist. No matter how bad the other team is playing, the Isles always tend to give them the spark they need to end a losing streak. I have a feeling the Rags are gonna beat the Isles soundly tonite.
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There’s a rumor that Rechlicz (sp?) has been recalled to B’Port from the ECHL to fill in for Fritz (which suggests that Fritz is either hurt, or on Metro North).
Can anyone (Chris?) confirm?
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Joe says:
Mike- Rechlicz was called up, Fritz is not hurt. It would lead people to assume that he may be playing with the NYI tonight.
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Steve says:
Any time we beat the Rangers is great, but if the Rangers win that gets us that much closer to finishing last and building toward future Ranger beatings. Tonight any outcome would be great. Just have fun!
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Hock says:
My Ranger friend? at work is happy to be playing the Isles tonight. He thinks it’s just the medicine they need to get out of their funk.
I hope the Isles bury them tonight. Not a whole lot of pressure on them. But let’s be realistic. We’ve seen some very nice flashes from the kids ……and frankly with the addition of a few more pieces next year, we can have an exciting year #2 of the rebuild….but we’ve got a ways to go yet.
CB….love the Jim Ignatowski? pic…one of my favs boss!!!
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cb, see any more min for tammby tonight? also do you think gordon has put an end to kyles twice failed sports center top 10 shootout goal? id still like to see it work.
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cgs878 says:
Let’s Go Islanders! I’m hoping for a non-boring, high scoring game tonight. Does Hilary ever visit MSG for Rangers-Islanders games??
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
Is this the new Hillary Daff’s boyfrend on the picture? If yes, time to ship Comrie off the boat.
Go Isles! -
In my best Jack Nicholson impression: Son, we live in a world that has sports, and those sports have to be written about by men with blogs. Whose gonna do it? You? You, Mr. Weinburg(Waa)? I have more responsibility here than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Nolan, and you curse Wang and Snow. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That this Isles season, while tragic, probably helped the organIzation. And that my blog, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, fills fans in. I know deep down in places you dont talk about at parties, you want this blog, you need this blog. We use words like comments, guidelines, ban. We use these words as the backbone of a blog spent informing others. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the information I provide, then question the manner in which I provide it. I prefer you said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a notepad, and write your post. Either way, I don’t give a damn how you think I should run this blog!
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Jeff says:
No picture of Tony? He was an Isles fan back in the day. Great memories.
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Wow, sorry to hear about the drama. Gotta love the courageous anonymity that empowers trolls to transform a discussion into a crusade against the blogger and host. Disagreement is productive; antagonism is just juvenile.
Man, I want an Isles win (in regulation!) tonight more than any other game this season. Got to hit your rivals while they’re down!
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Cruicky says:
Any idea who is starting in goal tonight?
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rb says:
comment 23…very funny reading…good show
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CB, you did mention that if you want to talk about the Rangers go to a Rags blog (when they aren’t playing the Isles). Don’t remember where I saw it, but I think you were being rather sarcastic.
No sense in defending yourself against the senseless. You run the best Isles coverage I have seen in my life! Keep it up bud! PS-What were your thoughts about when we acquired Felix Potvin? Just wondering.
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Dmarie says:
CB?..I know exactly how you feel about the fake emails, fake screen names etc..)it’s been done to me as well. It’s so ridiculous why some people feel the need to act in such immature ways and it will always be beyond me.
I feel bad for innocent guys named “jim” that come to this blog to post.
I mean why doesn’t he just show his real self and state his issues with you, you seem like a pretty straight forward guy who doesn’t shy away from BS like that. Guess he’s what my nonna use to call “pot stirer” some people in this world just live to cause problems.
Speaking of Jim’s ~ Taxi? one of my all time fav shows! and he was a riot on the show!
~ Dmarie -
Brian G says:
Chris – Like I have said before you do a great job with this site. Why wouldn’t you keep this site going next year? You bring the information to the fans that no one else really talks about…Please keep it going. thanks….Brian G (also a hicksville high grad)
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Mouthwash says:
Great job CB! This blog is gold for us Islander fans!
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Schultzy, great insight into the rivalry. I knew that it was a tight one but I didn’t realize that spot checking the stats like you did, shows such a balanced ratio. Very nice.
Tonight is Renney’s swan song. Too bad, good coach, poor decisions by the GM have put the wheels in motion on Renney’s tenure. That being said, I wouldn’t mind seeing the nail in his coffin tonight.
Isles 5-3, Tamby, Bailey, Park (shortie), Comrie, & Hunter with the empty netter. -
frank nyc says:
CB this blog better not be a one season experiment.
This blog has more activity on it than anything related to the isles on the web or in real life. (that includes the coliseum) We need this blog.
All the Islander fans have come out of the woodwork, i thought i was one of the only islander fans until this blog sprung up lol
I am not trying to be some sort of a$$ kisser, i am just a big fan of the islanders and pointblank.
GO ISLESSS -
Mikey says:
CB & Kev – Any news on Hunter’s status for tonight? I would love to see my favorite Islander back in the lineup against the Rags.
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Jeff W. says:
#23 Derek- Excellent job. CB, your blog has, in my opinion, become the #1 resource for Islanders’ information and is a paradigm for this new medium….the “blog” concept is a work in progress, and the guidleines, bans, etc. are a necessary part of its development in order to keep the inevitable and unwanted “trollers” at bay. Keep up the great work.
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Guess Sim will be in over Fritz…thats a shame. So much for a rivalry game.
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d-man says:
this blog (which is awesome) won’t last… it reminds me of my poker games… which i hosted every week for 4 years… it’s fun and a blast and everyone had a great time but it ended due to a few jerks making it not fun and constantly trying to fix it by making rules. hang in there as long as possible cb. and i think it’s a win win for the isles tonight…. beat the rangers and “oh yeah”… lose to the rangers and more last place cheers. i’m not sure which i want more… probably the “oh yeah”
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Bryan says:
why does anyone give CB a hard time. This blog is the best coverage the Islanders have had in my lifetime. That includes all local newspapers, television, ect.
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thepolishprince says:
Derek @ 23 – awesome comment
Mr. Botta – awesome job -
Ryan says:
I too will be at MSG tonight, and would love to see the Islanders jump on them early and often…LET’S GO ISLANDERS!!!!
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Chris A says:
Rags are reeling a big win could mean the last game we see Renney behind the bench nice stats about the rivalry’s history didn’t know it was so close. Get your triple play fixed or maybe its a conspiracy to silent the voice of the rival team since Dolan does own Cablevision and the Rags. lol
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I agree with #33, I actually think this is the most informed islander News related website out there. Even more than the official site.
Islander fans exist. A lot of my friends tell me that I picked the wrong season to become a Season Ticket Holder (this is my first year), but I believe in the rebuild. Keep writing CB, I check this site like 10 times a day for new stories.
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Ed J says:
yep, i’d rather check here then the isles main page
as for tonight
Lets say 5-3 Isles KO & Bailey 2 points each & a Witter goal!!!! ( he’s due!!! )
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If Sim is in over Fritz, not only do I hope the Isles lose but I hope that every single line is pounded by dirty hits.
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Joe — is the Sim thing confirmed?
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If Fritz wasnt called up by now, I doubt he will be.
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Jay says:
My Cablevision phone and internet are consantly going out. I use to have Verizon FIOS. best thing I ever had. I think Cablevision is still run off of a Commador 64. can’t stand it! Go Isles
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Eric says:
Hey CB. As an avid reader and someone you know for many years in Islander country, I see no need for you to defend yourself here anymore. Your numbers speak for themselves and, as a very interested Islander supporter, you have created a fabulous way for Islander fans and haters alike to stay informed with no prejudice. Keep it up bud. We all appreciate it!
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Ron from Lindenhurst says:
From what I checked, Fritz is not in the line up for tonight. Oh well, Orr is going to have to pick on someone else (Jackman, maybe?)- I dare not to think of the outcome for that one.
Besides the fight(s), I hope the Isles give the Rags some hell. I’ll be at the Post Office in Babylon cheering.
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# 44 – Why would you want to punish the entire team because of one player choice that you do not agree with. I see, the CB pleasantries are over and the player bashing begins.
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That would be Jackmans last fight for awhile…
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50- Well, did you watch the last game? Each team had over 40 hits and that was without Voros or Reitz for the Rangers. Now they will have both in and who are we answering with? No one. Tonight is a desperate game for them too, after yet another home loss, theyre going to come at the Isles big time. Big mistake, our tiny team is going to get knocked around big time.
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It’s been almost a year since I warned you of the dark side of the internet and making yourself so available to people. At least you seem to have only ONE real “hater.” But you have the tools to deal with them. (Add vodka to the list. It also helps.)
Looking forward to an interesting game chatting with the BB boys.
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James says:
Last I checked, the games were won in the goals column, not the fights column.
I understand your point about not wanting the team pushed around, but you’re going overboard here.
I’d rather see the Isles beat the Rangers 5-0 tonight and have fans and media calling for Sather and Renney’s heads in the morning.
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Were usually lacking in the goals column anyway.
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Botta, you asked for it, you got it. Here is where you mentioned the ban on Rangers discussions, cut and pasted from your own guidelines post:
7. Fans of all hockey teams are warmly welcomed to Islanders Point Blank. Not allowed is coming on here and baiting Islanders fans, or Islanders fans talking trash back. Those back-and-forths will be deleted as quickly as possible. If you want to bring up Rangers topics, go to a Rangers blog.
Note the last sentence. You’re welcome.
Full disclosure purposes, I’m not an Islanders fan. I’m a fan of another hockey team but I come here for the other NHL news you post. Look I think you do a great job keeping hockey fans informed, better than the Islanders beat writers. However, like I mentioned, you need to follow your own guidelines if you are going to delete posts or slam commenters that don’t. Again, toughen up that skin!
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jonsson3 says:
Verizon is good but no games in HD
Maybe we should change the name on the 89 jersey to DUFF. -
JPinVA says:
Derek(#23).. nice.
CB, by far, this blog is the best thing ot happen in Islander country in a long while. It’s like our own little Stimulus Package.
I’m pretty sure the majority of us understand that you have spent over 20 years developing an informed opinion about the team. Beyond that you provide more insight to the past, present and future than any pencil pusher ever could.
No need to defend yourself to us.
Great job…. your next assignment might be looking into how many shares of Panera Dolan owns… You might need Oliver Stone’s staff for that one.
Enjoy the game! -
Tom says:
Brian– Your a fan of another hockey team? Dah. I think we figured what “team’ that was quite a few posts ago. Also you can’t read…he’s talking about “rag topics” you can certainly talk about the team that the Isles are going to be playing in a few hours. C’mon wake up.
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#56 – Boy there’s 2 hours of your life you can never get back trying to prove a point that proves you wrong.
” If you want to bring up Rangers topics, go to a Rangers blog.”
CB means when it is not the active or current thread…Stick to the thread of topic…example:
” ISLANDERS at RANGERS, 7:05 pm “ -
Brian (56): What is your point? Those are CBs rules for posters- and he is allowed to have any rules he wants for the people he ALLOWS to comment on HIS blog. CB can bring up whatever subject he wants- because ITS HIS BLOG!
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Isletry says:
Brian @56. It is OK to read the blog without posting.
Keep up the great work Chris! Any true Islander fan appreciates all of your hard work. As for the rest…who cares!
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stevedepot says:
CB, always great to read emotion from you through your writing. Makes your inner fandom stand out and supercede the article itself. While I also post at Islandermania, NY Islanders Country is my favorite Islanders message board thanks to the core of posters. But overall, collectively (along with a few other message boards), there’s absolutely no denying this fanbases passion. Please keep doing what you do best. As you can see, the vast majority enjoys it.
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kevin says:
first off, chris, speaking of IP adresses, i have 6 computers that i have used in my house, two got broken and were replaced, everyone in a family of four has one but i posted on whichever was available and currently, i am using my aunt. just don’t want you to think i am ever pulling a jim. oh and brian was referring to previous blogs because while i cant give you the exact one i remember it. please keep me out of the conversation though, not siding with anyone, just trying to clear something up from a neutral and on-existing party. and finally, hoping for a great game tonight! hope the isles win and hope for tambs to score and get that rematch with dawes if he is playing. might miss the beginning but thats what tivo is for!
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MSA says:
“CB needs to stick to his own rules-”
DUDE, are you kidding me???
The guy takes hours of his own time to write interesting and informative stuff for us to read, and provides us a place to dialogue with other fans, and you want to tell him what to do?Start your own blog and you can boss around the 1 or 2 readers you get, if that…
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and that was non-existing party fyi meaning i will not talk about it. also, anyone who knows, is the wrecker good at playing the actual game? i think that is why he went to utah but just wandering and can he take on a heavyweight? thanks. prediction for tonight? i say 4-2 win for the isles. goals for us is tambs, KO, guerin, and streit. for the darks side it will be naslund and that guy whose last name begins with a k and it is really long.
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jbranny says:
Chris, yours is the first Islanders Blog I go to every day and the one I go to most often. Don’t let Jim and others like him get to you. Just keep reporting on Islanders and NHL hockey and guys like him will just be background noise.
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CT Isles Fan says:
I’ll be there tonight rockin’ my islanders ’07 draft hat and hoodie. Sitting next my my ranger fan buddy though.
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Paul* says:
I have to say CB i always enjoyed reading your blog. Even when you had the orignal point blank i was a avid reader. However i feel that in the begining you were more critical of the team and sort held the feet to the fire which us islander fans deserve. With that said you do give great insight on the islanders. I also had some posts deleated for voicing my opinion on the lighthouse or Charles Wang so be it! I just feel you should let people voice their opinions if they are clean and insightful weather their supportive or not it keeps this site REAL!
Besides their are so many other Islander sites to go to and hear the typical propaganda that is preached, when i feel and think Real Islander fans want to hold this organizations feet to the fire. And i know your yes machine posse will be all over me for saying this. -
Schultz39 says:
Thinking this is a ‘must win’ for the Raggies, and gives the Isles kids a chance to approach the last two months of the year in pure spoiler role. Win or lose, as long as we stick up for each other and hustle our arses off, it’s a good thing. Then next year Tavares can light the Garden lamp.
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might as well throw this out. chris, just want to say thanks, i read this blog everyday and that includes checking and refreshing a lot. i break the rules sometimes and for that i am sorry but this blog is something special in that i can get real insights and updates on a daily basis, so once again thanks
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last but not least, for what it is worth, yahoo preview said that mitch fritz has been recalled in the notes section but that could be late and directed towards the philly game. just saying. good bye!
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Isles1972 says:
CB, love the blog, keep it going. There are many Islander fans out there. Anytime the Isles and Rags play, you always hope you beat them. Isles in a shootout!!!! Let Go Islanders!!!!
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Spinner9 says:
Given the lost games to injury and the key players that went down (DiPietro, et.al) I think Mr. Botta’s preseason assessment about this team being in the hunt for a playoff spot is credible. If you look at what kind of numbers the players have put up and project them over a full season it shows some of the potential this season held. This is obviously a somewhat silly exercise since its impossible to accurately project any final outcome based upon a smaller sample of work and some of these players would have received less ice time had other not been injured. Never-the-less it’s a fun activity and this is was I’ve been reduced to doing given the current state of the season. I took each player’s current point totals and projected them over an 82 game schedule. Here is the projected top ten scorers:
1. Weight 67
2. Streit 61
3. Hunter 53
4. Guerin 51
5. Neilson 43
6. Comrie 42
7. Hilbert 40
8. Okposo 38
9. Park 36
10. Bailey 30About the Rangers, their record and their goals for and against don’t jive. Typically teams that have that big a negative discrepancy have losing records. Their winning record appears to be built upon their very fast start, including their overseas jaunt to open the season. Take away those first few weeks and they’ve not been very good this year. I’ll take solice wherever I can find it. lets go Isles!
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Bobby says:
There is nothing to be found about Rechlicz getting the call tonight. Where are you guys getting this from?
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Rich says:
Paul* #70 That was exactly my point. Honest, educated Islander news and opinion should not be deleted it should be encouraged. To me an Isles win tonight is not that important. I would think the further devlopment of Nielsen, KO, Bailey & Campoli may trump a won or loss. Coach Gordon has stated that in his post-game quotes for 2 months now.
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Jack L says:
Chris I think you have done a great job with the blog this year. I completely agree with your comment guidelines. I don’t want to read message boards. I want info on different topics and the ability to comment on the topics and read other intelligent comments. And your stories, like true value, are one of a kind.
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Otter says:
Good job CB. Where else are Islander fans going to get their fix when the only local paper to cover the team is Newsday? Unfortunately, the remaining 99% of the paper is unreadable.
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Isles in a shootout and Okposo gets his razzle dazzle move to work for the winner…..how about that?
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Bobby (#76): Rechlicz was called up from the ECHL to Bridgeport (AHL), not to the Islanders, which is what I think you are asking. He’ll be playing with Bridgeport tonight.
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Last post, I’ll stay within the guidelines.
Tom #60-glad you figured out my team, I hope that doesn’t mean you’ll close your mind to what someone is posting. Check again, Botta has posted about the Rangers when the Isles aren’t playing them, thanks for trying.
Cruicky #61 – took about two minutes, try college it helps. And, you’re incorrect, he doesn’t say stick to the topic in that guideline, he says Rangers topics can’t be brought up, period.
Chris TMC #62, I understand it is his blog and he can do EXACTLY what he wants. All I’m saying is if he is going to set certain guidelines don’t you think he should follow them as well???? Isn’t that playing by the rules, even if he sets them??? Don’t tell me you guys or gals don’t think he has a thin skin when it comes to certain topics. It is that thin skin that causes him to break his own guidelines.
Botta, I like the blog and I come here, like I do MANY other internet blogs about other teams because I’m a hockey fan…not to fan any fires.
No offense, but I hope we push you guys closer to your goal of getting Tavares tonight.
Slainte.
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Brian you are semi-correct here. Botta is stating don’t bring up the Rangers. The Rangers won’t ever be the topic on an Islander blog. They may be part of the story like tonight but not the focus. I think that’s what he means. But I am the person who gets entries deleted so I am not sure.
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I hope Fritz does dress tonight I think the Rangers are desperate and may try to goon it up a bit. It appears to me that physical play has worked well against the Islanders.
I thought for sure Avery would be a call up for tonight.
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cody says:
post #23 was great. one of the best movie quotes of all time
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isles316 says:
Guys, Sim over Fritz is a no brainer. Sim played a very good game the other day vs. Pitt and did his job and didn’t take a penalty and had a couple of scoring chances.
Give Sim a break already.
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Also guys, the Rangers CANT call up Avery. He has to go through re-entry waivers and any team in the league that has a lesser record then the Rangers can pick him up for half of his remaining salary. If I’m Pittsburgh, I pick him up because it hurts the team you are trying to catch in the standings.
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Isles fan in CA says:
Will be watching the Isles-Rags game on yahoo out here on the West Coast. Feeling like the Islanders come out strong and confident in this game. Thanks CB for the great posts you put up everyday on your free time. My favorite site on the net. Delete those idiots who have nothing better to do then spend their life on the web looking to stir crap. Lets go Isles!
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Willis says:
I don’t post much but I read here every day. I try to keep it short and within the topic when I do comment but I had a post pulled once because I strayed too far off topic. It happens, people get caught up in a conversation and forget they are going off topic or that they are posting 12 times instead of keeping it at no more than 4. It’s Botta’s blog so he can make up the rules as he goes along and we have to take it. Its no big deal, we are all fans.
For tonight, I’d LOVE to see an Islander victory (somehow). And by victory I mean WIN. Then I will go back to the Tavares mantra. LOL
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Oh yeah, I didn’t realize the series was that close either Kevin. Thanks for the info on that.
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Derek (#23) wins the thread. Ten points.
Brian, I don’t quite get what you’re on about… it’s clear that CB doesn’t want a flood of threadjackers in here or pointless flame wars. He also doesn’t want Rangers team discussions out of context. He’s not saying “Thous shalt not bring up the R-word, nor the team unto which it referreth, nor its players, nor shalt mention the same.” He’s saying to stick to topic and not be a troll.
If he wants to bring them up in the context of how the Isles are doing I don’t see the problem. Nor if they’re the next opponent, or if they’ve made big league-wide news (such as if they sacked poor Tom Renney). Not to mention that he specifically says “Comment Guidelines.” He posts, we comment – he can bend his guidelines as he sees fit. And guidelines are not Commandments. You sound like you’re appealing to some mythic Lord of the Intertubes to penalize Point Blank in some way… and that seems off, somehow.
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Marc from Troy says:
CB… Hate that you had to defend yourself re: all of this extraneous crap, but I hope it helps calm down some people around here. Don’t let them get to you.
Speaking of people trying to stir the pot, however:
Joe (44)… Nice that your Fritz man-love is more important than the health of the team you allegedly support.
Brian the Rags fan (82)… Before you start announcing how you’re now staying within the guidelines, perhaps you might want to put that fancy college education to work and learn to count.
Isles play it close tonight, but lose in the only way the Rags know how to win: in a shootout.
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SIR WILLIAM says:
This is exactly the reason I left Logans blog. I have one screen name and one computer and yet ten different people were posting as me on Logans blog. Nobody
over there enforces the rules.
Most of Logans regulars have moved over here and now his blog is a ghost town.Your blog, your rules. Enforce them…..SW
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Hey Botta-Bing! Kevin seems to always help out, probably a good wing man too!! I would love to see the Isles spank the Rangers tonite and move them another step back of making the 8th seed.
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Thank you for the clarification James (#81).
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Not to be confused with the other “Jim”. Great Job Botta. I’m glad you are here and keep up the good work. You seem to be a very reasonable guy to me so I don’t know why guys/gals are bitchin.
Little respect goes a loooong way. -
Hey Sir William, how can anyone, let alone 10 people imitate your warped sense of humor! (:
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# 82 – Check the post, I just copied and pasted the quote from your post smart guy.
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Too bad we couldn’t finish Rags off. First power play was amazing but ot’s all went downhill from there.We’ll do better in the Barn. Go Islanders.
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Their is no question that CB’s Blog is the BEST Islander Blog out their Hands down! “Thick Skin or Not” has Nothing to do with it! We need Regulation, LoL! And i think that Blogger Jim or Brian must be that Loser “EK” from that other site!
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Hope you are back next year Chris. Point Blank is the tip of the NYI blogging iceberg!
I hope the young kids shine under the bright lights at the Garden…the world’s best stage!