GAMEDAY: Okposo to Team USA?
A sad loss; Memories of Montreal; PB on XM
We start off with some very sad news. Lawrence Feldman, the lead attorney on the Lighthouse Project, died yesterday of a heart attack. Here is the story from the LI Business News.
I met Larry a few times in meetings. He was a terrific man and incredible leader. Michael Picker from the Lighthouse Development Corporation said today, “We are devastated by his loss and our thoughts are with his family.”
Although the project will not be set back, the leaders will now be thinking of Larry Feldman and his family every step of the way.
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No Bridgeport for KO: Just like that, Kyle Okposo is not on Bridgeport’s Clear Day roster for the AHL playoffs. Guess you can skip our story from last week. The hunch is Okposo will play for Team USA at the World Championships. He could always join the Sound Tigers after the Worlds, if they are still in the playoffs and have some injuries. Here is the playoff roster, just released by the team.
Goalies
Nathan Lawson
Peter Mannino
Defensemen
Joe Callahan
Jon Gleed
Jack Hillen
Dustin Kohn
Chris Lee
Andrew MacDonald
Mark Wotton
Forwards
Sean Bentivoglio
Jeremy Colliton
Blake Comeau
Micheal Haley
Tyler Haskins
Mike Iggulden
Jesse Joensuu
Junior Lessard
Tomas Marcinko
Kurtis McLean
Jon Sim
Trevor Smith
Ben Walter
Blake Comeau makes it. Robin Figren, as expected, does not. No Mitch Fritz or Joel Rechlicz, which might say fighting in the AHL playoffs is as frequent as the NHL. Haley is a solid middleweight.
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In-Game Commentary…Returns tonight. Join me in Comments during the game.
Lineup News: One player leaves the lineup, another returns. Sean Bergenheim (groin) is out. The Islanders did not have to call up a forward because Nate Thompson is expected back tonight in Montreal.
PB on XM: We’ll be on XM Radio tonight around 6:00 pm talking Islanders hockey with Jim Gordon.
The Kings of Queens: Queens wants the Islanders so badly, they might offer to put a retractable roof on the National Tennis Center! Which, as a big tennis fan, I could tell you they should have done when they first built the joint.
Silli at Dave & Buster’s Tonight: The Islanders are hosting an event tonight at the Dave & Buster’s at The Source Mall in Westbury. Mike Sillinger will be there to take in the broadcast with you.
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Memories of Montreal: On the centennial of the Canadiens, some personal snapshots of the legendary franchise and wonderful town…
The feeling that every game there was the biggest sporting event in the world on that given night.
The clouds of smoke on the concourse of the Forum.
Taking my wife on the team trip about ten years ago. We arrive in Montreal and the team bus pulls up to the hotel, where more than 100 autograph-seekers await. Catherine asks, “Is there like a big rock band staying here or something”?
The next morning, going for coffee with then-assistant coach (and former Hab) Rick Green. You would have thought we were with Celine Dion.
Standing by the visiting team bench at the new arena and looking up at the fans in the last row – seemingly a mile away but having the time of their lives.
Going out for dinner with Canadiens goalie Jeff Hackett after a game and being treated like I was rolling with Leo DiCaprio.
Gibby’s in Olde Montreal. Good steak and seafood, better atmosphere. The pasta at DaVinci.
The look on the face of Steve Thomas after Game 5 in 1993. The feeling that any one of four teams could have won the Stanley Cup that year, and now it wasn’t going to be the Islanders.
The charming customs officers, who moved at an especially slow pace during the ’93 playoffs.
Being in a bar and Mariusz Czerkawski asking who I thought was the most attractive woman in the place. I make my pick, and a minute later I’m in the highly-awkward position of declining an invitation to dance with her. Oh, Mariusz. He owned that town.
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68 Responses to GAMEDAY: Okposo to Team USA?
A sad loss; Memories of Montreal; PB on XM
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Matt Brosseau says:
I have a Mariusz Czerkawski story…I went to a Devils-Islanders preseason game back at the old Brendan Byrne in 2003, Czerkawski’s first season back with the Isles, and got there real early.
Went down to the glass during warmups and Czerkawski was in the corner with his back to me, throwing in some centering feeds, and I rapped on the glass. He turned around and I yelled “WELCOME BACK!” He gave me a big grin, said “Thanks” and flipped a puck over for me (I gave it to a kid sitting down there.)
A good guy and I think we forget that he was a pretty good hockey player to boot.
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Macch says:
How bad is Bergy hurt?
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kevin fitz says:
Glad to hear there is strong interest in Queens to bring the Isles there if the Lighthouse doesn’t work out. The Islanders are a New York team and it needs to stay that way whether it’s in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens or Brooklyn.
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Here come the Chow boo-birds.
God, I loved him. Being a child of Polish immigrants, how could I not. The guy was/is a STAR in Poland. My dad, who hates sports, would always go over the stats in the Polish papers with me. “So Mariusz had another goal yesterday.” I would explain how he scored. Oh, memories.
CB, how about a “where are they now” with Chow? -
Jim says:
Sorry to hear that. Lets hope we get some one as good as Larry to carry forth the project. our condolences to the Family.
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Jay says:
Sorry to hear about Larry. Very sad news.
Why is everyone except Kate Murray anxious to keep the islanders in New York? I’m getting very angry just thinking about this. CB, love the Mariusz story. Hilarious. If this team ever turns it around it will be glorious for all us die hards.
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Yashin for President says:
I’m so tired of Kate Murray.. There is so much value in this Islander franchise it makes me sick.. If she doesnt want them there just go to queens! Easier ride for me coming from westchester!
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That was the densest cloud of smoke that I had ever seen up to that point in my 12 year old life when I saw Les Canadiens play the Nordiques at the old forum.
Fast forward 20 years and I am not sure what was the bigger event. The Rolling Stones or Canadiens vs Rangers on back to back nights in January 2003.
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matt says:
I think we should go to queens….at least they are wanted there!…and would have an arena to play in….Murray keeps insisting on just the coliseum…it would be interesting to see if she did get federal money for it, if wang would do it if it didint cost him anything….then we will see how much he cares
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Jimmy B says:
What is with all the Brooklyn talk?? The lighthouse has a better shot of going through.
Queens would be a great spot. 7 and Lirr–I am sure the arena would no longer be 23+. Believe me, with easy access and Queens fans able to go, the arena will rock every night
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Ryan says:
Kate Murray is committing political suicide
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John says:
pencil us in for an ANNUAL OUTDOOR CLASSIC
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1) Probably in the minority now, but miss the ‘good ole days’ when fighting WAS prevelant in the playoffs.
2) Those Gillies-O’Reilly/Schultz, etc bouts are for the ages. -
Tom says:
The Isles have to move to Queens. It’s there best option. They go from small market to BEHMOTH market by moving the Isles a scant 8 miles west. NYC gives sports teams sweetheart tax deals. Plus the marketing potential will be tremendous. Instead of “Marie’s Bra & Girdle Shop” sponsoring in the arena or team events, you’ll have Fortune 500 companies.
Wang can double his net worth and give half to his many charities. Move the team to Queens. The Team wins, charity wins, Wang wins…Kate Murray wins…and when the Isles are perennial Cup contenders Islander fans win. Life is good. Move the team to Queens. The LH ain’t happening, if it does happen, look for something in 12-15 years. The Isles don’t have that kind of time.
It’s time the Isles go commercial. The “Little engine that can’t” story the Isles have been playing, over & over & over again has gotten old. They need to stop playing the victim role & become an organization of pride. Pride starts with knowing when to leave when a place where nobody likes you. Uniondale, TOH, Nassau county don’t care about the Isles, obviously. Go where you are wanted. Go where you will be loved. Get out of Uniondale. It’s no place to raise a winner, it never was.
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nystrom23 says:
Queens is defintely not a bad idea at all…the tax issue though stated in the article could be a problem because they receive an exemption as a non-profit organizaton
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bergie20 says:
i really think this team is queens bound if murray screws this up. they really do seem to want us. glad to hear that kyle will probably play for team usa this spring. that’s a good experience for him. welcome back nate.
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An arena for the Isles & Nets next to Citi Field would be amazing. The Isles need it, the Nets need, the fans need it, Queens needs, and it wouldn’t hurt the Mets, either. Get it done!
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thepolishprince says:
Chow was my favorite Islander at the time I got back into watching hockey (’97-’98 season). He really was the original “polish prince”. I had the opportunity to meet him on two separate occasions – real nice guy.
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islestherapy says:
I remember once at an Islander team signing event this girl passed out cold upon seeing Czerkawski.
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JayK says:
Jay #7 and Yashin #8: Remember, Kate Murray can certainly claim that she DID want the Islanders. But she wants them in an arena-only development, no matter how many times it is made clear to her that nobody is going to build an arena only-development, and nobody is going to build an arena-only development even if she coos in their ear “..and then we’ll talk about doing something more.” Yeah, we’ll talk about it and then do nothing. Wang and Rexcorp aren’t that stupid.
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d-man says:
anyone know what channel is pb on xm?
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Fist of Gillies says:
if you have ever been to the Authur Ashe Stadium, you know that this plan is absolutely unfeasible.
the Islanders want/need a state of the art facility. “Winterizing” a tennis court is an absolute non-starter.
Conceptually, I actually like the idea. But they would have to tear the Ash down and build a new arena entirely.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
I remember the day we signed Chow for the second time because it was on my birthday. I was still getting over the loss to the Leafs in that great series and I thought he would add just enough to the team the following year to help it take the next step. We all know how that worked out.
If the Isles ended up in Queens I wouldn’t be the most disappointed person. It is better than the midwest, Vegas, Oregon, or Canada. Plus being at a game in 40 minutes via the LIRR and not having to drive one block for me would be amazing. One way or another the Isles NEED to stay here.
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IslesFan13inFla says:
Chow will FOREVER be know to me as my “wifes boyfriend” LOL Too long a story to tell here, but it was a funny incident. If I could tell it here CB would PROBABLY say..”yup, thats Mariusz”. Good hockey player playing on some not so good teams.
Been to Gibbys too CB VERY good steaks.
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19 says:
Isles belong in Queens! They’d have mass transit access, plenty of highways, near airport and hotels, part of NYC and they’d get the attention they deserve from the media and increased fan attendance. They’d still be close enough to keep most of the LI fans they have left plus gain easier access to fans from NYC, Westchester, Connecticut and New Jersey. They could still keep the Cablevision $. It’s a win/win and the best option. Even if the Lighthouse happened, NYI would STILL never get the attention they deserve by the media located in Uniondale.
Let’s face it, LI doesn’t deserve a pro hockey team. The politicians don’t deserve it and there aren’t enough fans to support it. Nowadays, a pro team belongs in a big city not a small suburb or the mentality of one. It was fine in the 1970s and 80s but since the 90s sports is big business for big towns not small ones. Fans here and on other web message boards are the exception as they’re die hards and passionate but there just aren’t enough of them. Isles attendance is infamous for always being low in Nassau. Attendance started to decline in the late 80s after the dynasty. Don’t tell me that if the team won people would go more. Those people are called frontrunners. Don’t point to 2001 as that increased attendance was due to low ticket prices as much as it was to winning a little. How come NYI games get great attendance for weeknight playoff games but regular season weeknight games are a ghost town? – frontrunners. Did you know that the nights they retired Bossy’s and Potvin’s numbers the arena wasn’t sold out. I know because I was there and saw plenty of empty seats. So LI people don’t really deserve the team kept on LI either. During the dynasty days, 40% of the season ticket base was from Queens/Brooklyn. The area surrounding Ashe Stadium is cool with Corona Park!Queens makes the most sense all around.
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DPS says:
#15 well said. The lighthouse isnt happening and Wang knows it. He is putting all this pressure on right now so when he moves them he doesnt look like the bad guy. Given that Queens wants the islanders I think we can all agree if Wang moves the team out of state he will go down as a notorious scumbag.
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Isles fans should get a campaign together to let Wang know how we feel. Build the LH, BUT the Isles belong where they are loved. Uniondale ain’t cutting it. Evolution has passed Uniondale by. Uniondale is still mystified by fire. Move out from the b.c. times & get with the program. Follow the bazillion dollars Uniondale cannot & will not make you.
Keep the lucrative Cable TV contract, get a new arena. Awesome lease. Unmatched tax breaks. Unprecendented corporate sponsorship. Maybe even a Cup or two.
Uniondale is a dump, uniondale WANTS to be a dump. Leave Uniondale in the exact same condition it’s been in for 3,000 years. A dump. The Dump gives Uniondale some charm anyway. You take the dump away from Uniondale…what you got? You’ll have a bunch low-lives running around trying to make a new dump. Leave the one that’s there.
Create a paradise for people who can appreciate paradise, NYC.
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All this Queens talk is really going to do is weaken the perceived resolution of this fanbase. Cant we please stick to one goal and work on it together??? This team cannot afford for its fanbase to fragment and start shouting out different counties. Play in Bklyn! Queens! Suffolk! You arent helping by doing this. The team wants to stay in Nassau, they want the Lighthouse project, so why cant everyone just pull together and respect that???
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pete says:
I was in Lake Placid a few years ago and the Isles were there for training camp. We were out for dinner and the team was sitting behind us (~15 guys including Kvasha) and at the end of their dinner Chow turns around and asks my girlfriend to pick a card out of the hat and she chose his credit card randomly. He was ticked and she got a round of applause form the rest of the team. He picked up the bill.
I dont like Kate Murray very much
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coral springs isle fan says:
NHL is on XM 204. Queens would be better than KC or Hamilton. Although the old barn has a lot of history. Many championships won there since 1972. Betwenn the ISles and the Arrows they had 8 championships combined. Just thinking I could fly into LaGuardia and be at the game in no time.
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Matt says:
Wang has already stated that he would not go to Queens. Its NVMC or Kansas City. Wang would be “forced” to move the team if this doesn’t get approved.
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dps: right on man… wang is spending 10′s of millions of dollars so whiny little sports fans don’t call him names behind his back. you nailed it buddy. it’s all an act.
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Strummer's Army says:
Kate Murray is evil, incompotent, a dirty political leader, she is owned by someone and doing their bidding against the public interest, and she is about to be unemployed.
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matt: wang never such any such thing. he said that they were focused on the lighthouse project at this time. queens is very much still an option.
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Mike from Philly says:
Matt- Wang has never told Queena no, he has said the focus right now is the Lighthouse project which it should be 110% but if this dies I would love to see the team playing next to Citi Field!
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mike says:
You turned down the invitation from the most attractive woman? Come on, BB, don’t you know what happens in Montreal stays in Montreal.
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Another brainwashed member of Wang’s army. FYI d-man in case you didnt know Wanger doesnt give a crap about you, me, the islanders or their fans. Just trying to use the team for his hopeless real estate endeavor. Its great you are loyal to such a crook though. Someone who the SEC is investigating and has multiple suits agasinst him for the 600 mil he stole at CA. Im sure he is just the guy people want to lend to.
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UIF says:
That retractable roof deal with the Isles playing there would be wild. Easier for an outdoor game too, as I think was previously mentioned.
Is it me, or is it harder to get ultra-excited over Thompson? It’s sort of like Jackman-Lite. Glad he’s not hurt anymore though.
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Could have sworn he did on that pre game interview. Sorry if he didn’t thought he did. Either way do you really think he is going to start this whole process over again? I don’t. I really could have sworn he said Hempstead was the only option. If not I stand corrected!
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I mean Uniondale. I’m a mess!
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IslesPassion21 says:
I’ve been a subscriber since Howard joined 3 years ago but didnt know CB was on…What channel, I have SiriusXM…
TIA
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Mick Vukota says:
“Being in a bar and Mariusz Czerkawski asking who I thought was the most attractive woman in the place. I make my pick, and a minute later I’m in the highly-awkward position of declining an invitation to dance with her. Oh, Mariusz. He owned that town.”
Hilarious Chris …..
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stevedepot says:
Czerkawski was very talented scorer and as mentioned one of the nicest guys off the ice. However, he was the last guy to move his feet to pick up his check in the defensive zone and lazy play like that from your skilled players sends a very bad message to younger players getting acclimated to the NHL. Soft player and last guy who’d be willing to take a hit to make a play.
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Im very sorry to hear the sad news…My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Mr Feldman…
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
I’m not going to touch the Kate Murray … Light House issue again in this thread … I’ve said my peace … but IF … the worst case scenario happens … I hope the Isles’ Wang listens to Queens … even if I think the Tennis Center isn’t quite the correct venue for a hockey team … a new stadium with both in mind should be considered.
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Okposo to Team USA … Excellent!! That is what I’d expected over a BST playoff run. -
dps: let go of the hate and paranoia. there’s nothing wrong with wang wanting to make money… and i don’t care if it’s his top priority… (it’s ironic since he has lost so much on this team) i just hope if he does make money, he does it with the islanders.
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mrlbem says:
Just for shigs and gittles, I took a drive from RXR Plaza, where I work, west on Hempstead Tpke through the Village of Hempstead, which is part of the Town of Hempstead. Can you say “blight on the suburban landscape?” How can the Town object to the LHP, when some of the worst eyesores on all of Long Island are within its boundries (anyone ever try to cut through Lakeview as a shortcut to get to Rockville Center)? There’s no rationale basis for the TOH to oppose this. It has to be politics, i.e., the Democrats in the County Government want this, so the Republicans in the town Government oppose it.
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Coach B says:
My prayers with the family and friends of Mr. Larry Feldman.
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According to Mike Fornabaio’s blog, Robin Figren will play for Bridgeport Friday night agianst Springfield.
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MAB says:
IslesPassion21: the NHL channel is on Sirius 208. It is part of the best of XM package.
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Paul says:
Queens is better than Kansas City….If they could make it work, I am all for it. Even if they have to tear the thing down and start all over. As for Murray, what can be said that has not been said already.
As for Okposo, Team USA would be better than Bridgeport.
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In regards to Wangs out for himself comments…From the Howie Rose interview, Wang ended it saying something like “If the Lighthouse doesn’t happen it’s my fault and your fault, we elected the officials”…What I took from that was, “I doubt this will ever happen so when it falls thru don’t blame me, blame yourselves”…He’s passing the buck and it gave me a chilling feeling…
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Thanx, MAB…I dont have the XM package I only have Sirius so Im not sure I get it but I will just check at 6P<…
Regarding KO, he doesnt belong playing in the minor leagues IMHO because he could pick up bad habits…On the other hand he might dominate and that would be good.
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IslesPassion21 (53): Huh??? Passing the buck? What? Look at what he said. Look at the words you yourself quotes. Passing what buck? He is 100% correct, we DO elect our officials. I fail to see how anyone could take that as some chilling rendition of passing the buck.
I honestly think that sometimes people already feel the way they feel, and then no matter what someone says, they interpret in any way that supports the way they already feel. It seems to happen more and more.
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BrassBonanza says:
How was PB night #2 hope you guys all had a good time!!
I don’t see what good sending Okposo down for the playoffs would do for his development. I know a lot of clubs like doing this, but I just dont see how this is beneficial for developing NHL players? I get that its great to have players play in playoff games, but isnt the risk greater than the reward?
I like Okposo, but him playing on Team US at the 2009 Worlds?? I dont know about all that. -
Will Ryan O’Byrne score tonight and for witch team?
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mike says:
Chris,
2 words to describe Montreal
Chez-Paree -
Jill Kozik says:
My alltime favorite hottie, um I mean player was Mariusz. I’ve met him on numerous occasions and he was always so nice (to look at). Sorry bout this…He promised me a signed stick and came true to his word at an away game in Pittsburgh. My husband was nice enough to take me to the Allstar game in 2000 in Toronto when Mariusz was our allstar. What great pictures and memories I still have. Thanks Chris for reminding me of this..keep up the good work
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Paul says:
This Isles to Queens thing is starting to heat-up. Since Murray and the TOH is not interested in pushing the LH project foward…we as fans need to pull together and lobby for Queens for our next permanent home…a place where they would welcome us with open arms.
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JPinVA says:
Sorry to hear about Mr. Feldman.
I’ve always thought that Brooklyn or Queens would be better for the Islanders. The Ashe, though, I don’t see that happening.
There are so many options in NY:
the Coney Islanders.. they can replace the Island on the crest with a HOT DOG.
the Riker’s Islanders… first of all you have a captive audience, secondly the cidea of ex (and possibly current)ownership having their own luxury boxes is a revenue stream you can’t ignore.
The Fire Islanders… finally, a place where Avery won’t get booed.
the Staten Islanders… I think you have to have at least one italian though… can we get campoli back?
The Governor’s Islanders… too bad Eliot had to get caught… the concept of the Spitzer Bucket at Governor’s Island is quite Intriguing.
and last but not least…
The Thousand Islanders… Wang could move the team every year and never have to change the name. -
Gibby’s is great — Bar-B-Barn is real good for ribs, too! Mr. McDonald recommended them both.
I remember walking up to the entrance of the Forum one day after my 19th birthday and seeing my name on a credential. Pretty exciting stuff for a teenager (who would drive back to Schenecatady and then fly home the next day to watch Bob Froese blank the Isles 1-0 at the Coliseum)
But oh the smoke!
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Post 61 great. Love the fire islander comment with Avery, excellent.
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LOL JP … I played for the Staten Islanders in the late 80s … 80′s vintage Islander uniform with Staten Island on the crest instead of Long Island … I know … blasphemous!! It was a fun team to play on … nobody wanted to lose. Ever! … Especially to the Richmond Rangers.
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Sorry to hear about Mr. Feldman
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It’s to early to commit to the Queens plan … I think we should put our full support towards the Light House and not thinking about starting over in Queens… keeping Queens as a plan B is fine. JMHO! -
NYI Pole says:
Thanks to Mariusz, I can proudly say that I am an Islander fan. My parents are from Poland and once I found out that a Polish hockey player was playing on the Islanders, I knew I had to support that team. I’ve met Mariusz at many Polish charity events and autograph signings. At the charity events, I would always win raffles and he would say “not you again” He was a real nice guy and a great player.
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Marcus says:
I’m with 26! I would LOVE the Islanders to move to Queens! Are you kidding me?! That would be incredible. Screw Long Island and their stuck in the 50′s mentality. I will laugh at every single person in Hempstead if this happens. They deserve what they get and what will be funny is how much their taxes will go up without any big business in their town. Where will the money come from? They’re already losing 2 million a year imagine if the Isles leave?! They deserve it for not supporting this project. I understand that they don’t want to do it “just for a few Isles fans”. What they don’t understand is that it’s not just Isles fans who need this done. And not too many residents are speaking up to say it would be good for them as well so once again, they deserve what they get!
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Patrick says:
One of my favorite moments was driving up to Montreal with the NYI Booster Club for the final game of the 95-96 season. We sat in the last row of the brand new Molson Centre and managed to annoy everyone in our section.
It was a wild game that ended in a 5-5 tie, and we were escorted out by security for our safety. Ha
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The Kings of Queens. Choo-choo Charlie can have it ALL. The Lighthouse, a state of art convention, the Islanders, a brand new arena in greatest city in the world. Wang can have it all. Move the team to Queens. Charlie’s got to EXPAND his horizons. Think big. Owning Uniondale is nice, owning Uniondale, Queens & the Islanders is better.
LOL at Mariusz! Anymore amusing Mariusz storys?
Oh, and, first.