OKPOSO LEAVES SUNDAY, WANTS WIN SATURDAY
Also: Comeau to resume skating next week
Kyle Okposo leaves Sunday for Switzerland, where he’ll play for Team USA at the World Championships. More than using these two games with Bridgeport as any kind of tuneup, Okposo deperately wanted to help lead the Sound Tigers to a pair of victories. Now he’s determined to leave with the series tied.
“I wanted to be a part of two wins, but it’s going to be a long series,” Okposo said Friday night in the Islanders/Sound Tigers locker room after Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s 3-2 win at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. “We played well 5-on-5, especially in the second half. Their power play was better. We’ll learn from the experience and do everything we can to get Game 2.”
Okposo, the 2006 first round pick who played all season in the NHL, re-joined Bridgeport for practices on Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for his two-game cameo in the AHL playoffs. “It’s a plus for me, of course, to be in game shape when I get to Switzerland,” he said. “But I really like this team (Bridpeport) and I think we can do good things. The work ethic is really there.”
Okposo flies Sunday, joins Team USA at its first practice on Monday and on Tuesday plays his first exhibition game against Switzerland and its NHL all-star defenseman, Mark Streit. Among his new teammates, Okposo knows Jason Blake, Jack Johnson and Keith Ballard. “It should be a tremendous experience,” he said.
But before he leaves the country, he wants to even the series between the Sound Tigers and the Penguins.
Comeau Could Go: Islanders forward Blake Comeau (fractured wrist) told Point Blank after the game on Friday night that he hopes to resume skating next week. If the Sound Tigers get past the first round, Comeau could join the team for the rest of the AHL playoffs.
Comments. Kevin Schultz of Barry Melrose Rocks and AOL has your coverage of Game 2 on Saturday, live from the NVMC.
17 Responses to OKPOSO LEAVES SUNDAY, WANTS WIN SATURDAY
Also: Comeau to resume skating next week
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b-ri says:
one more game at the coliseum…then draft party 09! I want to go just to see the potential riot on hand if the isles don’t draft tavares. could be absolutely hysterical, similar to the mad mike days
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lefty says:
This kid is a future captain.
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Ugly Roe From Massapequa says:
I’m definitely looking forward to seeing KO and JT on the same line next season. Should be a lot of fun watching them grow together.
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isles72 says:
the guy is our best nhl forward so I find it very cheesy for him to have to play for the sound tigers for only 2 games
I’d probably feel different if he was to play for the tigers for the entire playoffs though
pass the cheddar.
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beatlebailey says:
totally disagree #7 Where was it said he had to play? I give him major props for playing. Really says alot about the KO’s character.
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bob says:
What was the purpose of playing this game at the Coliseum? It was a slap in the face to the fans in B-Port that supported this team all season long.
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Good luck Kyle. I’m calling the game winner for you tonight. That will make the long flight tomorrow very enjoyable.
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Jim says:
The arena in Bridgeport was already booked, they had nowhere else to play.
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db says:
went to the game last night hoping tonights game is better would love to see a thing on the jumbotron about the islanders winning the lottery. would get the crowd really excited.
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quick question hypothetically san jose loses and we pick #22 what would we have to give up to move up to # 8 and pick jared cowan. im thinking san jose first (22) our 2nd (31) and pitts 3rd could possibly get it done any thoughts?
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Islesphan25 says:
Last night you could see he was not in “game shape”… but you could see him at times directing and leading what the players should do. He also showed a little fustration that he was used to players being there and the weren’t. The pens basically had a man on him all night. Very little free room. KO is a class act, and a very mature gentleman that the Islanders and its fans should be proud of.
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bob – the arena in bridgeport booked an event ahead of time not taking the sound tigers schedule ahead of time into consideration -so you cant fault the isles for this
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mrlbem says:
db (11),
I don’t think most teams would trade down only for picks. Other than Garth stockpiling picks last year, I don’t recall a team trading down just for more picks. I think that to trade down to no. 8, we have to give up the San Jose first, our second and perhaps a player like Bruno Gervais or Jack Hillen.
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ok so the question is would you trade hillen/gervais sj first and our second to move down to 8 to get cowan. i would do it im sure the isles would do it but would a rebuilding dallas team sign off on that trade.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
db (15) on the surface of your proposal I’d seriously consider that offer … it sets the Isles back on the blue line about 2 years … but you are getting a stud defender with much more upside in the stable … so the sacrafice is time, picks and Hillen or Gervais … I’d lean towards including Hillen in that swap … something I’d have to look a lot deeper at … in other words … the big picture.
I’m more interested in Kyle being healthy and ready to go in October … but wish him well tomorrow and at the Worlds … it’s a great honor for him, and I’m proud as an Islander fan and American to have him represent Team USA … wonder if NHL Net will carry some delayed games?
Good Luck Kyle!!!