Monthly Archives: October 2009
TAKE IT TO $20,000! FINAL HOURS TO THE NYC MARATHON!: Go here to make your Point Blank donation to Companions in Courage and help in the donation of XBox 360 kiosks at two Long Island hospitals.
9:35 pm - That’s three wins in a row, points in five straight.
Plus: Halloween – The Night of the Good People Getting Goals and the Shutout.
Plus: Horrible first period by Islanders, but they take a 1-0 lead on yet another under pressure cough-up by an opposing defenseman – this time Tyler Myers. Richard Park gets his first.
Plus: Jeff Tambellini gets on the ice after taking an unfortunate slashing penalty and scores a goal with a trick shot. And then scores a sniper’s goal. And then a dunk shot. Just like that, he’s tied for the team lead in goals. Good for Jeff, especially to get the hat trick with his dad in the building.
Plus: Nicely done by the coaching staff to have Tambellini on the power play in the final minutes looking for the third goal.
Minus: Perhaps Andre Agassi’s dealer was in the press box when whomever made the Three Star selections. Way to not embrace the moment. Clueless.
Plus: Between Tambellini scoring, Nate Thompson doing everything you could ask of him and Gordo getting respect, they’re going to put our Comments space out of business. C’mon, Simmer.
Plus: Josh Bailey gets his first of the season with a goalie in position and was a plus-3. It was that kind of night.
Plus: Scott Gordon’s expression in the first period when one of his players prematurely jumped over the boards for a Too Many Men penalty. No, Coach – I do not want to. The coverage is as far as I’ll take the relationship.
Plus: Secondary scoring. Moulson, Tavares and Okposo savin’ up goals for Monday.
Even: Not concerned about the 40% capacity crowd with the Yankees in the World Series and the kids out Trick or Treating. Just wondering when the Islanders executives in charge are going to start properly marketing and selling Tavares, Okposo and the team beyond Gold, Silver and Value games.
Plus: Brendan Witt getting bombed by an honest hit by Adam Mair in the third period and opting to get back into defensive position instead of having a fit.
Plus: Talk isn’t cheap for Mark Streit. He’s getting closer to form.
Plus: When the Islanders had only one win in their first ten games, no one was more responsible for keeping the room loose than Martin Biron. Congratulations on NHL win No. 200, with a shutout against an old team to boot.
Plus: With the new job, I’ve watched so much hockey this month I’m getting cross-eyed. When the Islanders’ forecheck is on, it’s wild watching other teams wet their pants. That’s what I meant this week when I said opposing coaches dread preparing for it.
Plus: Buffalo may have been flu-ridden and with a built-in excuse note from Lindy Ruff, but for the Islanders to blow out any team tonight on back-to-backs and in their home rink with so many empty seats was extremely impressive.
Plus: The Islanders have the same lineup they had before they won three in a row and went 3-0-2 in their last five. They remain short three top-six forwards and second and third defensemen. Remember that should they hit some bumps in November. Give credit where everyone is quick to give the blame – to the coaching staff.
Join the Plus-apalooza in Comments.
FINAL HOURS!!!: Go here to make your Point Blank donation to Companions in Courage and help in the donation of XBox 360 kiosks at two Long Island hospitals.
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UPDATED at 4:15 pm – This is a unique approach. With several of his players reportedly ill, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff tells the Buffalo News he expects his team’s energy level to be low tonight. Mind game or bar-lowering? We’ll find out in a few hours. Good opportunity for Islanders to jump on Buffalo early and win their third in a row.
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11:00 am - The latest in a long series of tests arrives tonight as the Islanders host the Sabres, undefeated on the road so far this season.
Martin Biron gets the start against his former team. Since both teams played last night – Buffalo beat Toronto on an overtime goal by Tim Connolly – neither team had a morning skate today at the Coliseum. As a result, we probably won’t learn anything about the lineups until 90 minutes before game time.
With the Islanders 2-0-2 in their last four and coming off consecutive victories, Scott Gordon is probably not looking to tinker with his lineup. The only reasons for change tonight could be if Doug Weight is not strong enough after recovering from the swine flu to play three games in four nights and if any of the defensemen are banged up enough to open a spot for Freddy Meyer.
I’ve always thought the post-Rangers hangover was a media invention from Rangers-obsessed reporters. The Islanders’ won-loss record in any scenarios in the last 15 years is not sterling. They haven’t been good just after Rangers games, they’re struggled on Tuesdays after daylight savings time, Fridays on the road, against teams with S in their names and on your birthday.
All that said, tonight is not just a challenge because the Islanders are playing an excellent road team with one loss anywhere all season. Let’s see if the Islanders can summon the energy, passion and execution tonight when the intensity in the stands is not half of what it was when they defeated the Rangers on Wednesday. Let’s see them do it all over again after winning on the road last night against one of the best teams in the league.
For a team led by Kyle Okposo and John Tavares, it would be another significant step for young mankind.
Live Chat Tonight: Please join hundreds of Point Blank readers (like 1,000+) tonight beginning at 7:00 pm as we host a live chat while the Islanders play the Capitals in Washington. I think at least most participants would agree that some pretty interesting stuff has come up in the three we’ve had so far. Night off in the World Series, so the hockey game has everyone in the Country’s undivided attention. See you tonight.
Expect the same lineup from the win over the Rangers. When Trent Hunter gets off IR, the Islanders will probably have to make a decision on Rob Schremp. As per Katie Strang, Dwayne Roloson gets his first back-to-back starts.
Streit Direction: Mark Streit is very confident about two things. One, he knows he can play better and is convinced he will start to play better. Two, the defenseman is bullish on the present and near future of the Islanders.
“We’re on the right path, I’m certain of it,” the alternate captain said the other day. “There have been too many games when we couldn’t cash in on all the points we should have gotten, and it has been very frustrating. But I take a lot of good in our play for long stretches and once we correct those mistakes, we’re going to get ourselves back in a good position.
“We have to play our system, not the time clock,” Streit continued. “There have been a few games when maybe we got a little passive. I take as much responsibility for that as anyone. The solutions to everything don’t always come in a week or as quickly as we’d like them to. But I believe we are ready to take a step forward.”
I asked the veteran defenseman about the camaraderie on the team.
“Very strong,” Streit said. “The room is great. Dougie Weight is a great captain and he has a lot of support, not just from the guys with letters on their uniforms. Even after some of the tough games, we have stuck together. The atmosphere is unbelievable. I love coming to the rink every day.”
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Capitals Notes, Courtesy of Caps PR: Alexander Ovechkin, who leads the NHL with 13 goals, has scored two goals in six of his 12 games, matching Mario Lemieux for the most two-goal games in an October in NHL history. He has 50 career multiple-goal games. Ovechkin’s 13 goals this month are one shy of the best month of his career (he had 14 in March 2008).
Among NHL goaltenders with more than two starts, Jose Theodore ranks fourth with a .922 save percentage (through Thursday’s games). His 41-save effort Tuesday against Philadelphia marked the most saves he has made in 65 games with the Capitals, and included a stop on a third-period penalty shot. In his last four starts Theodore has a 2.04 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage. Semyon Varlamov started last night in Atlanta, so Theodore probably will get the nod tonight against the Islanders.
Washington’s 8-2-2 record matches the 1991-92 team (9-3-0) for the best start in Capitals history through 12 games (that team won its 13th game). A win tonight would give the Capitals the best October in club history (by winning percentage; currently that 1991-92 team at 9-3-0, .750).
The Capitals were 0-2-2 in its first four one-goal games this season but is 4-0-0 in its last four.
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FINAL DAY FOR CHARITY BLOGATHON!
The Point Blank blogathon to benefit Pat LaFontaine’s Companions in Courage foundation has now surpassed the $17,000 mark. Thank you to the 160 Point Blank readers who have donated so far. As a result, Companions in Courage will be able to bring a substantial amount of mobile XBox 360 kiosks to the children’s wards at Winthrop Hospital in Mineola and Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.
Thanks again go out to Ricky Profit who really put the blogathon over the top by donating $5,000. Thanks to everyone who gave whatever they could. More than $17,000 in any economy is an extraordinary sum for our little hockey blog.
Today is the final day so let’s not stop now. Let’s make one final push so we can get this baby closer to $20,000 and then celebrate together at RC Dugans during a road game telecast. Deal?
Donations of every amount will be accepted and greatly appreciated. As an alternative to the online donation link, readers can send a check to CiC Foundation, P.O. Box 768, Huntington, NY 11743 (ATT: PB). If you have any other questions or would like to make a donation different than what is requested, please send an email to Jim Johnson at jjohnson@CiC16.org
Thank you for considering a contribution today during our final day…CB
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Last Saturday the Islanders played Ovechkin well as any team this year. The Islanders are coming off the best game and first win in regulation. While they rested in DC last night, the Capitals played in Atlanta. While pondering a last-day donation to the blogathon, discuss this post and whether the Islanders can get two points tonight in Washington.
Reader Jim Clark is donating $1,000! (Thanks, Jim). Others stepped up big today and the blogathon is now over $16,000. While we’re back to Islanders hockey tomorrow, there is one final day to join the 155 readers who have contributed so far. Please make your donation TODAY. No news of note from Islanders practice today. With the World Series off on Friday, we will host a live chat during NYI-Caps.
UPDATED at 11:00 am with Donor listing as of last night. Names will be added. Please email me if your name should be on the list. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far!
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Reader Ricky Profit has donated an incredible $5,000 to the Point Blank blogathon to benefit Pat LaFontaine’s Companions in Courage foundation. (Yes, Ricky Profit – bless him – is his real name). Thank you so much, sir.
Ricky’s generous contribution brings the total donations to over $12,000 – in any economy an extraordinary sum for our little hockey blog. Thank you to the 120 Point Blank readers who have donated so far. As a result, Companions in Courage will be able to bring a substantial amount of mobile XBox 360 kiosks to the children’s wards at Winthrop Hospital in Mineola and Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.
But while we’re almost at the finish line, we’re not stopping now. Today is the final day of the blogathon without an Islanders game to focus on. When we started on this endeavor, I believed $10,000 was a reasonable goal. With Mr. Profit’s donation, I’d like to see if we can hit between 15-20 K. My mom stepped up yesterday with $250. Thanks, Mom!
The 120 readers that have donated represent less than 1% of the hockey fans who hit Point Blank at least once a day. I’m well aware of all the circumstances that could make it a difficult time to donate, but in lieu of any funds you would ever consider giving for a pay website, please give to this cause – our only one over two hockey seasons.
Said Pat LaFontaine: “On behalf of the kids in the hospitals, I want to thank all of the Point Blank readers for your generosity and support.”
Donations of every amount will be accepted and greatly appreciated. As an alternative to the online donation link, readers can send a check to CiC Foundation, P.O. Box 768, Huntington, NY 11743 (ATT: PB). If you have any other questions or would like to make a donation different than what is requested, please send an email to Jim Johnson at jjohnson@CiC16.org
Thank you for considering a contribution today during our final push…CB
THE POINT BLANK BLOGATHON DONOR ROLL
(as of last night; names will be added)
Thanks to Everyone!
Avaltroni, Rob
Gressler, Brian
Philippides, Nicholas
Baiser, Dennis
Gurtman, Scott
Pignataro, George
Baum, Benjamin
Gusman, Philip
Prendergast, Carey
Bedell, Michael
Hasnas, Dan
Priest, Mike
Bialkin, Pamela
Heberer, William
Primosch, Chris
Birkenfeld, Glenn
Hemley, Robert
Profit, Ricky
Bockstein, Andrew
Herms, Robert
Rappaport, Scott
Botta, Jane
Hesse, Richard
Rice, William
Bravo, Jose
Hornick, Eric
Ring, Peter
Brophy, John
Isserlis, Michael
Rosenblum, Daniel
Bruce, Richard
Jaycoff, Joshua
Rudegeair, Thomas
Canevari, Ernest
Kalontarov, Michael
Rusowicz, Ed
Caporuscio, Kathryn
Kantor, Benjamin
Russin, Adam
Caprio, Andrew
Kaplan, Joseph
Ryan, James
Carey, Brian
Kasper, Thomas
Rylott, Paul
Cavanagh, Jim
Kicinski, Robert
Schlechter, Justin
Chereskin, Richard
Krupa, Dan
Schniebolk, Seth
Cimons, Wayne
Levy, Lawrence
Schwab, James
Cohen, Steven
Lieber, Marc
Scordato, Matthew
Corsarie, Robert
Mancusi, Thomas
Shainman, Andrew
Cosimano, Patrick
Manos, Jason
Sherman, Brett
Criscitelli, Michael
Manuszak, Ellen
Sposato, Daniel
Curley, Gregory
Manzo, Steven
Style, Christopher
Cusack, Timothy
Martinez, Paul
Tag, Don
Cuthbert, Sean
Mather, Brian
Tang, Michael
DiDonna, Dominic
McBride, Kevin
Tavani, Richard
Doyle, Sean
McCarthy, Bill
Tendrup, Ryan
Dugan, Jason
McGlynn, Jim
Terrasi, Michael
Dunbar, Michael
Meehan, Thomas
Tricarico, Michael
Ereshena, Barbara
Monahan, James
Vollmer, Eric
Fishbach, Raphael
Moran, Louis
von Arx, Philip
Frazee, Brian
Morrison, Gregory
Votinelli, Tom
Froessel, Timothy
Nelson, George
Weiner, Rick
Gelman, Jonathan
Ong, Aaron
Weinstein, Jeffrey
Goerke, Robert
Overmeyer, James
Weinstein, Rick
Greenberg, Adam
Palmieri, John
Weiss, Michael
Greer, Richard
Plant, Dave
Palmieri, Jon
Wojtusiak, Mark
Ragone, Valentino
and 20 “Anonymous”
Please donate NOW to the Point Blank charity blogathon!
10:05 pm – Asked Scott Gordon two questions post-game. First was about Park-Thompson-Jackman:
“You like to have a line that’s an energy line, but you want to make sure they’re making the right decisions,” said Gordon, who made it clear that’s what the fourth line did tonight against the Rangers. The coach said they competed for pucks and created opportunities in the offensive zone. He also cited his team’s faceoff work, praising assistant coach Scott Allen for his diligence with the centers. “That line has two guys who are good on draws.”
When I asked him about Josh Bailey, Gordon seemed particularly pleased with the second-year center. “Small gains in little areas,” he said. “Skating better, not standing around.” Gordon noted that Bailey hasn’t been on the scoresheet lately, but he’s seeing enough to think Bailey is coming around.
Dwayne Roloson on the team’s performance: “That was KISS hockey – keep it simple stupid. Block shots, penalty kill, clog the lanes.” Later, he said, “I don’t think anyone in this locker room was lacking any confidence.”
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9:35 pm - Enjoy the victory and join in the Plus/Minus fun…
Plus: The Islanders have been impressive in their two high emotion games this season before loud crowds at the Coliseum – tonight and the home opener against Pittsburgh.
Plus: Except for a Sean Avery misfire in the final minute, the Islanders gave up next to nothing in holding the third period lead.
Plus: Matt Moulson starts off the second ten-game segment of the season looking like the best and most consistent player on his team. Anyone waiting for the clock to strike midnight on this fairytale is wasting their time.
Plus: Kyle Okposo and John Tavares score against the rivals, just the way you’d want to draw it up.
Plus: Jack Hillen. Head up, legs moving, brain thinking. Two assists.
Plus: As good as his goal, Kyle Okposo’s instincts on the penalty kill are phenomenal.
Plus: Andy Sutton bombing Ryan Callahan and Callahan taking it like a pro and bouncing right back up. That’s hockey.
Plus: Josh Bailey looked more confident in the offensive zone than in any game this season.
Plus: Go-Go rollin’ four lines. When the scoresheet arrived after the second period, the icetime balance was impressive.
Plus: Richard Park, Nate Thompson and Tim Jackman had such a strong game, it would not be right to call them a fourth line tonight.
Even: Since joining the NHL, the New York Islanders had never started a season with just one win in their first eleven games. Bad history averted.
Plus: Good timeout by Scott Gordon with 5:58 left in the game and no TV timeout with his team having iced the puck and gassed. Goal scored by Tavares less than a minute later.
Plus: The 18 skaters in front of him didn’t give up much and let him see just about everything, but Dwayne Roloson did his job.
Plus: New York hockey fans represented proudly. While the barn was not full – announced as 15,213 – more than 90% capacity during a Yankees-Phillies World Series is plenty fine.
Plus: Belated Happy 60th Birthday to Islanders dynasty final piece and broadcaster Robert T. “Butch” Goring.
Plus: The Point Blank charity blogathon has now raised over $12,000 for Pat LaFontaine’s Companions in Courage Foundation thanks to our readers, including one who donated $5,000 by himself. More details tomorrow as we enter the finale. Please donate tonight whatever you can as we reach for a goal of $15,000. Hey, do it in honor of the Islanders’ regulation win over the Rangers. Thank you.
Plus: Near-perfect execution of a game plan for 60 minutes.
Go for it.
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