ISLANDERS at BOSTON, 7:05 pm – Live Chat Tonight
Chara undressed…AMac…Tavares for Calder
Chris Botta on TwitterFanHouse on Scott Gordon’s “Beanpot Trot”
CB: “The Hammer” Enters the Flyers’ Hall of Fame
POST OF THE WEEK: (today, after I declared this a Sim-free zone:)
From Healy: “Nice long read CB. Its great how —ply reading this blog gives us a window into the past and present of the islanders. I am happy there is a place I can find coverage for my favorite team that is —ilar to the coverage provided for the big 3. —ultaneously, I am —mering over Newsday’s descision to cut their reader base even further by restricting access and reducing content. Doesn’t seem like the paper can sustain itself that way, its like its being run by a bunch of —pletons. Anyway, gonna be on the road this evening so I’ll have to listen to the game on the —ulcast.”
Hockey Talk Tonight! The Point Blank chats continue to bring in ridiculous reader and participant stats, so thank you very much for that. We’re at it again tonight while the Islanders play in Boston tonight. See you at 7:00 pm.
Andrew MacDonald was recalled last night from Bridgeport to replace Brendan Witt, who is excused from tonight’s game for personal reasons. MacDonald will likely play with Freddy Meyer.
Dwayne Roloson starts tonight for the Islanders, Tuukka Rask for the Bruins.
Josh Bailey’s one-night-only scratch by Scott Gordon on Friday has the desired effect. Good on the coach, good on Josh.
With offensive output not the problem lately – although 5-on-5 it’s far from perfect – look for Gordon to go with the same forward lines.
No, I will not be able to emotionally handle another 24 hours of fascSIMnation in Comments and during tonight’s chat over which bottom-six forwards the Islanders scratch tonight. In fact, it just isn’t gonna happen. Plenty of message boards if that’s all you got today. Thanks in advance.
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Gay NYI Fan Requests Equal Coverage
Since I started posting Ice Girl photos with Point Blank previews of road games, I’ve received several comments and emails reminding me that not all Islanders fans are heterosexual males. Although I take all into consideration, the most fascinating appeal I received was from a transplanted Long Islander in LA who’s working on his second motion picture:
Hey Chris,
My name is Domenic Siclari. I come from Farmingdale but live in Los Angeles right now and I’m working as a writer. Warning: if you Google me, don’t try to see my first movie…trust me.
Your blog has been a windfall for my Islanders-addiction and a great distraction from my writing. You may not be surprised to know I first got into the Islanders around the time Pierre Turgeon joined the team. The biggest rush I’ve had as a fan so far was when all of my buddies in Farmingdale watched David Volek score the goal in Game 7 to beat the Penguins in 1993.
I’ve followed you for the last year and it’s been so much fun following the team through your eyes and the other readers. You have a terrific personal touch to your blogs that make it feel like I’m back home, hanging with friends and talking hockey. The moment I moved to LA, I ordered Center Ice so I could get the games. Whenever the Islanders play here, I bring a large group of friends to the game. Sometimes we go to Anaheim, too. Los Angeles is not exactly hockeytown USA, so this blog is fun to read. I have a small request.
On behalf of all the gay Islander fans in the multiverse, I am requesting equal time. While the blog photos of pretty young Ice Girls (I’m very proud the Isles invented them) are a delight no doubt for a majority of your readers, a few photos of shirtless, toned NHLers would be a delight as well to some of us.
Maybe a naked Chara from his recent photo-shoot when we play Boston? Or a shirtless cover boy Crosby? Malkin? They are out there waiting to be copied and uploaded.
The number one priority is obviously our Islanders winning and the sport itself, but it’s also great to have something nice to look at now and then – as your blog pics clearly demonstrate. So please consider this idea, certainly not on a regular basis but as a treat for the female and un-closeted proud gay hockey Islanders fan demographic. Thanks so much.
Peace,
Dom
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(Zdeno Chara, as photographed by ESPN The Magazine)
Sure, Dom. No problem. This pic’s for you and all the women who also have lobbied for consideration.
A Zdeno Chara story. One morning, about ten years ago during training camp in Lake Placid, the Islanders strength coach called me over to one of the stationary bikes. I didn’t know why at the time, but he asked me to start peddling.
I couldn’t. I mean, I couldn’t even move the pedals an inch. I told the coach he must have the lock on. He said no. He challenged me again. I tried with everything I had, and keep in mind I was younger and at least a little bit fit at the time. The pedals would not budge.
It was only when, as a joke, I got off the bike and used my entire body that the wheels began to turn…ever so slightly. I asked the coach what the point was.
“Z just rode that bike hard at that resistance for 20 minutes,” he said. Resistance? I thought the thing was broken. And this was after a two-hour hockey practice.
The man is a machine and was one of the best people to come through the Islanders organization in my 20 years there. I’m thrilled for his success and wish he, his wife Tatiana and their young family all the best.
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NHL Ticket Deals All Over
The Toronto Sun recently spotlighted some of the many deals NHL teams are offering to entice more fans to attend games. Here are a few:
Anaheim: Two tickets, two hot dogs and two beers for $21.
Columbus: The same deal for $60, plus if you bring binoculars you can watch Nikita Filatov in the press box.
Detroit: Sad, amazing and all but true (for understandable reasons), the Red Wings are selling $9 seats upstairs for most games.
Tampa Bay: The Lightning have a Holiday Pack for $96. I’m surprised they don’t offer to pick you up at the house. For the $96, you get a pair of tickets to three games of your choice, a $10 food voucher and one signed hat from Victor Hedman.
The Islanders are offering up a pair of deals – one’s a Holiday Pack and the other is called “Turkey with Tavares.” They start at $119 and $249, which may not be the way to go during the holidays and with the economy still “in recovery.” That said, the deals have lots of perks – some great stuff and some unnecessary fluff – and are very detailed, so go here if you want all the information.
Last I knew, the Islanders also offered Family Fun Packs, but they are hard to find on the official team site.
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Great Game for JJ: Bridgeport beat Portland 5-4 yesterday in overtime. Veteran AHL defenseman Mark Wotton scored with two seconds left in OT. Potential Islanders cult hero Micheal Haley had a goal and an assist. Best of all, Jesse Joensuu had his best game in weeks – scoring a goal and dominating most of his shifts.
Bluesday: The surging, surprising Islanders have a game tonight in Boston. The 1-9 flatlined Knicks play in Indiana. In today’s print edition of Newsday there’s a story on the Knicks, nothing on the Islanders. Not even a Brief about Brendan being away and MacDonald called up. No article on line today either. Newsday, which now charges readers for web content if they don’t subscribe to Long Island’s newspaper and has shut out Islanders fans outside New York, is owned by Cablevision, which owns the Knicks and Rangers. On the other hand, lovely piece by Katie Strang in Newsday on Sunday on Matt Moulson.
Kallur to Henning: Islanders dynasty member and current European scout Anders Kallur says hello to Lorne Henning’s son Brett in the Comments section of Point Blank. Very nice.
FINALLY, SO FAR…
Sure it’s early, but one quarter into the season look who’s in the running…
John Tavares for the Calder Trophy. (Small advice, JT: Smile briefly at the out-of-town writers at the morning skates. They vote.)
Matt Moulson for the Masterton. (Dwayne Roloson also merits consideration as the team nominee).
Scott Gordon for the Jack Adams. (Joe Sacco – who once had three goals and zero assists as a forward in a full season with the NYI – is the leader in the clubhouse).
Kyle Okposo getting serious looks for Team USA. (51% chance as of today).
The Islanders for a playoff berth. (Use 10% of that cap space and add a defenseman to give the boys some help).
Comments on tonight’s game and this post. For the benefit of my health and many others, this is a Sim-free zone.
83 Responses to ISLANDERS at BOSTON, 7:05 pm – Live Chat Tonight
Chara undressed…AMac…Tavares for Calder
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I love Big Z and wish he was never a part of that awful Milbury trade, but I hope I never see that pic again. LOL
Oh and Tamby should play again. It does him no good to sit this long.
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teddyfusi says:
scrolled through that chara pic in class..awesome
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Nawrockstar says:
Gotta love how the Islanders have the most expensive packages around the league… If they wan’t to fill the Mausoleum they need to lower the prices in these tough times. They’ll easily make the money back in the concessions and merchandise. Basic Economics 101 here and the Isles front office doesn’t get it
Good luck to Andy Mac tonite and Witt you’re in our thoughts we wish you all the best in your matters. LETS GO ISLES!!! -
Big Dog says:
Couple points
imo
no reason to actually put the link to newsdays stories since many of us dont get it anyways and for the ones that do they know how to get there im sure….unless someone can cut and paste articles someplace for us to see the article. newsdays is a lib rag of a paper imo and hopefully belly up with dolan the dolt
this team you can see growing in front of us and i love it. in the words my gf uttered other day ” i hate that the isles are better cause now you watch them everygame”
ill take those words everyday and smile!!!
GO ISLANDERS
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Mike L says:
CB when you said “Chara undressed” I thought that meant he was going to be a scratch tonight. Was not expecting what was coming when I scrolled down lol. I know you don’t want to start another war of words of who should be scratched, but I hope Gordon dresses the guys that will help us win. I was surprised to see TSN only ranked Tavares 4th, but they also didn’t put JVR anywhere in the rankings. I still think KO is not a slam dunk to make Team USA.
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BR says:
Just to add another ticket deal to your list – the Senators are doing some Family Value games this year. 4 tickets, 4 hotdogs and 4 pops starting at $99.
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admin says:
Nawrockstar: 2 points to clarify. The NYI do not necessarily have the most expensive deals; those are just two deals they are offering around the holidays. The Islanders do have family fun packs, although they are hard to find on the official team website. Also, as part of their lease, the franchise does not make any money off concessions…CB
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West Coast Fan says:
The Filatov comment… priceless.
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The Real JD says:
CB if you are going to throw the gay guys a bone (with that pic of Z) at least balance it out for the rest of us with a hot picture of one of the Bruins ice girls.
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Healy says:
Nice long read CB. Its great how —ply reading this blog gives us a window into the past and present of the islanders. I am happy there is a place I can find coverage for my favorite team that is —ilar to the coverage provided for the big 3. —ultaneously, I am —mering over Newsday’s descision to cut their reader based even further by restricting access and reducing content. Doesn’t seem like the paper can sustain itself that way, its like its being run by a bunch of —pletons. Anyway, gonna be on the road this evening so I’ll have to listen to the game on the —ulcast.
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Willis says:
I’m going to miss most of the game tonight but wish MacDonald (and the team!) the best. GO ISLES!
Nice story on Moulson. Glad he’s here and helping OUR team.
Won’t be buying any ticket deals.We want Tamby back!! (lol!)
Have fun tonight, all.
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mrlbem says:
When I read “Chara undressed,” I thought you would be discussing that end to end goal that Streit scored last year.
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Staten Islander says:
CB, with all due props and respect, I REALLY didn’t need to see that Charra picture while I was eating my lunch, now I’m gonna need to do a Karen Carpenter, Oh well, i need to lose weight anyway
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Healy: Congrats. You got post of the week, and it’s only Monday. I posted it at top of article…CB
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HilbertSnipe says:
Botta,
You prove time and time again why you are one of the best sports blog writers (let alone Hockey) in the world IMO. Catering to everyone’s needs and requests. Zdeno is one of my favorite players and is very hard not to appreciate, even if you are not a fan. He makes this game better.
I will be in attendance at the TD Banknorth Garden tonight, as I am a student of UMass (1 1/2 hours away from Boston.) I completely forgot about this game until last night, and managed to get four seats with three kids on my roller hockey team at school for 12 dollars a piece! I’m glad you noted the deals around the league. I picked them off of StubHub last night and I am stoked to go tonight and don the Orange & Blue.
This past weekend the UMass Roller Hockey Club and I traveled to Philadelphia on our own expenses for our last tournament of the semester. With two early games Saturday morning, we decided it would be a good idea for the guys to go out Saturday night to the Flyers v. Sabres game. Let me tell you guys something. Being in a brand new arena that holds 19,000+ on a packed out Saturday night is absolutely incredible. I was rooting for the Sabres being that the only reason I dislike them is due to the playoff rout a few years ago. Philly Phans aren’t even that bad! I wore my Yankees hat and not one person said anything to me! The crowd was electric and the seats were the best part!
Although it was crowded in section 216, we bought $35.00 seats and the view was great. The best part was that the seats were in the “All You Can Eat” section! Granted the food wasn’t great, but it was an incredible deal, especially for working college student athletes who travel AND play on their own expenses. Oh yeah, and watching Asham out there with two great hits was awesome! Boy, I miss his intensity and slapshot.
I’ll let you guys know how the atmosphere is tonight in another new stadium. I’ll be there representing my favorite team with three other die-hard fans. Devotion.
Let’s Go Islanders!!!
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eastonhockey says:
The thing with Chara is, sure Milbury messed up and traded him..but he was a free agent recently. Wang couldnt afford him. Most Islander fans didnt even want him signed based on what he signed for (i read message boards and remember). That leaves the Islander fans having the best owner for them..a small market owner for small market minded fans. Imagine if the Isles were bought by Steinbrenner and spent money on the team, won, and made money. Signed expensive free agents. Islander fans would have a heart attack. Give us the Freddy Meyers and sold out draft Partys!!!
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Jethro09 says:
Does IPB really have to post a half-naked picture of Big “Z” to be politically correct? Isn’t that taking “PC” a little too far?
While the half-naked picture of Big “Z” ws bad enough, the picture of him donning an Isles’ uniform (albeit, the worst uniform ever created) is just as bad. It dredges up memories of one of the worst trades in NHL history and reminds me that Big “Z” could still be an Islander.
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Brian from Bay Shore says:
#6, i thought the same thing, i thought chara was hurt
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pete debenedetto says:
Hey—he could have posted Ken Hitchcock undressed………
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Bill says:
I agree with some of the previous posters, the picture of Chara in the fisherman pajamas is offensive.
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d-man says:
The chara thing is hystericala and Pete, calm down, we’re all islander fans, remember?
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Giaco says:
I have a bad feeling about tonight’s game. We don’t tend to play well against the Bruins and we’re do for a let down on this monster road trip.
Hope Biron can steal one.
JT for President
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Smokey says:
I thought the inclusion of the e-mail and the Chara pic were both hilarious. Gays have it hard enough in this country already, considering their rights are being encroached upon and they’ve become second-class citizens. I say let ‘em look at a naked guy. Least you could do, anyway.
I agree with the proposal that the Isles try to bring in a free agent vet or a waiver pickup to bolster the D. They need a stay-at-home physical type who can skate. REALLY badly. And since you’re realistically looking at a playoff hunt if they keep this up, I think that type of move is a must at the very least. A trade may be more appropriate down the road.
Best of luck to Andy Mac tonight.
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Islander says:
That picture with Chara from the waist up would have been ok…a little too much…
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LIMBAUGH2012 says:
Sign JT to a DP type contract$$$, with JT you will get your $$$ worth….
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Joe in Massapequa says:
Now I REALLY read IPB for the articles.
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Angelos says:
I remember being at one of Chara’s first games for the Isle. At one point he fell on his butt while skating backwards and people all over the section started saying how much this kid sucks and “Get him of the ice”, and the like. Now, I was too young to have an opinion of my own, but funny how things change.
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LOL!!!! For the record I have no problem with pics of ice girls/etc… and being a straight woman I have absolutely NO probs with sexy hockey guy pics. But I must say this- the suggestion that the Big Z naked pic is a great choice just shows the surprisingly large chasm of difference that sometimes exists between the tastes of gay guys and straight girls.
The Healy post… I had to read it more than once to even get it but once I did, HA! Im loving the Sim-free zone idea, CB… but what if he scores again? Do we have to say, “Yeah, __”?
Anyway, lookin forward to seeing Andy Mac tonight… but more than anyhting else I want our 2 points in regulation tonight! 60 minutes and DONE, thats what Im hoping for.
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beatlebailey says:
Hey CB..since you are showing almost naked guys on the blog now we hetersexual males request some ice girl or heck any bikini shots. Please be fair!!
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Danielle says:
I second the equal time for photographs for those of us who aren’t straight, or even male at all!
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Moose says:
as the Token Gay IslanderCountry representative… HOORAY FOR NAKED HOCKEY PLAYERS. Seriously, CB…. I appreciate you printing that email and being tactful in your response. There are gay hockey fans, who are quite knowledgeable about the sport. Between this and Justin Bourne’s article a month ago, it seems acceptance is growing.
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Brian G says:
The Islanders Family Fun pack is $130 – increased $30 since last year but you don’t get anything with it, except a $25 merchandise credit…it was much better when it was $100 for 4 tix, 4 hotdogs, 4 sodas & a gift for the kids or hats
they raised all ticket prices this year, including the family fun packs…whoever game up with the idea of having Gold & Silver Priced Games for a team coming off of a last place finish in a bad economy should be fired.
PS: anyone attending next Wednesday’s game vs. Philly 11/25, Island Harvest is having a Perisable Food Drive – if you donate 4 cans of food – you get a free ticket to the Mon. 12/21 game vs. Tampa Bay
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Travelchic59 says:
Thanks for the equal time with the Big “Z” pic. I don’t mind ice girl pics, but hot guy pics work better for me personally. LOL!
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bryan says:
Z was my favorite Islander when he was here. I always seem to favor the hard hitting d-men. That said I never expected to see him “out of uniform.” Hopefully that doesn’t happen again.
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starz31 says:
I too thought Chara wasn’t playing tonight when you wrote Chara undressed..hahah..don’t tease me like that (in a straight way)
I’ll be at the game tonight… using my Bruins friend’s season ticket seats…
I’ll be rocking a home-alternate John Tavares Jersey…Let’s go ISLES!!
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stephen says:
Went to the Devil game the other night. They are still playing our goal song (and they say the ‘you suck’ part too…).
CB, it can’t be too late… We want our goal song back!At what point will we hear about why Witter is out. I hope he didn’t end up in rehab or something like that. I understand it’s personal, I just hope he’s ok.
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Vealchop says:
Speaking of tickets. I just bought tickets for tonights game. Loge 17 (isles shoot twice) for a grand total of $75. Thats including service and shipping fees (25 per tix). Face value are above $110 each. Its crazy how easy it is to get tickets for cheap. On all websites every ticket offer is at least half off. All Hockey teams need to wake up and adjust their prices.
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Since72 says:
We are going to have a “Freddy Mac” defense pairing? That can’t be good.
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IslesAl says:
Just to follow up on #47 from yesterday, who indicated that those who are critical with Park playing with JT should “learn the game” (“JT doesn’t get his goals the past two games if Park doesn’t start the play first.”).
Just to doublecheck the official score sheet from the Panthers game, here is who was on the ice for the two points netted by Tavares-
2, 7, 21, 30, 51, 91
7, 12, 21, 30, 38, 91
Dont see #10 (Park) on either point. As I posted the other day, the PP points are masking the ‘first’ line’s failure to generate scoring chances (since 10 is not on the PP line and the PP is doing well). Important to note that the PP personnel is very different from JT’s even strength line. -
Steve C. says:
Hopefully Tavares or Okposo undresses Chara tonight (not in the pic’s way, in a hockey-term way).
Any semi-nude pics of Kate Murray around? -
SufferingSince'93 says:
IslesAl, I agree with you and many others on the whole Park on the JT line and bugged out when I read that post you are referring to. Just to add to what you said in your post. In the Carolina game where JT scored his 2 goals, Park was not on the ice for either one. First goal was the bat in on the PP and the second he was out there with Hunter and Moulson. So I don’t know what games that fan was watching to justify making a post like that.
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Nick says:
CB, will you be back at Gabrielle’s at all this season? Had a great time there last year. As a Lynbrook resident, I vote to keep it in RVC!!
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Dan says:
There is an article about the Islanders in today’s post. Nothing in Newsday but in the the Post.. I can’t believe it.
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Strummer's Army says:
I was hoping Chara was scratched! CB, you’ve never posted a photo of an ice girl showing that much skin.
CB, any current Isles even come close to the level of physical development of Chara? I’d guess Okposo or DiPietro are the only two who come close, maybe Wrecker.
NEVER EVER SHOULD HAVE TRADED BIG Z!
A shame they didn’t call up some toughness for tonight. I looked at the schedule last night and the Isles have Philly and Toronto coming up and better be a tougher team before then.
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Eastonhockey says:
Maybe if fans have such strong interest in naked hockey players n 19 year old girls with a islander shirt on …someone should create a website for all this …N charge $. It’s called non nude porn. They already have a name for it. Just saying.
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Eric says:
Hey CB, I know it’s off topic but why does Gordon keep scratching Tamby when he finally seemed to be putting it together on a nightly basis?
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Matt says:
ok then at least give us an Ice Girl pic after the gay community has been satisfied.
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therain93 -- terriers fan says:
More storm squad pics please! This cannot be stated enough! Anyhoo, tickets for the Isles/Bruins game are going for as low as 10/each on craigslist. I’m tempted to go although most offers are for paypal/emailing tix which I’ve never trusted. Perhaps I’ll just see who’s selling on the corner.
GL to the Isles — we owe the B’s for last time!
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Bill Scanlon says:
CB, nude guys? What are you trying to attract Ranger fans to this site?
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coral springs isle fan says:
I could swear this group of Islanders is getting paid time and a half for overtime and double time for shootouts. It would only make sense for the lowest payroll in the league.
I was sitting right next to the Islanders bench during the Florida game. The guys were sucking wind when they came off the ice from the 3rd period on through OT. I give them credit for pulling even and getting the point. Coach Gordon is constantly coaching throughout the game. When Sutton’s on the ice everyone notices. He is huge!
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Jerky says:
It’s been entertaining watching JT perform as well as he has in his first 20 games in the NHL. He’s done more than expected and more than I could’ve wished for at this point. Hope he’s able to continue his progress as the league catches on and double teams him every shift.
Chara had started to come into his own before MM made that awful trade. Hate playing against him … he’s just that good and really learned how to use his size well to his benefit without being dirty. I have a lot of respect for Z.
Off topic but was on YouTube last night checking out old Isles-Rangers fights/brawls from the 70′s, 80′s and 90′s as well as clips from Steve Webb hits and Eric Cairns fights … I really miss that element of the game. There are still big hits and fights today but it’s not as frequent and lacks the same intensity it did in pre-lockout years. Not saying I want to see all out brawls every game but sometimes I feel the passion is lacking from players these days. There’s nothing wrong with having a Gillies on our club who will stand up (and actually win) when someone goes after JT, etc. but can also still play the game. We need a Gillies badly!
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I don’t know which pic of Chara is more disturbing – in the buff or in the Fishsticks.
Y’know, if you really want to get all the fans, gay and straight, on the same page, you may want to post the striptease at the end of Slap Shot. A young Michael Ontkean can’t be that hard on the eyes, and the rest of us can just laugh ourselves silly.
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Smitty031 says:
#34
Anywhere i can get more info about the Food Drive? i will be at the 11/25 game and would like to know more about getting the free tickets to the 12/21 game.
and CB the Family Fun Packs really arent hard to find on the offical website its right on the front page under ticket promotions
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Helene says:
LOL at my desk – between the “pin-up” shot of Big Z and then clicking on to the “Beanpot Trot” you have turned a boring day to smiling one. Back in the day when the Islander Team actually interacted with their Booster Club, Z was at his first dinner – and he was really shy at that time. OMG – that’s who I was dancing with? Eeek. CB, loving you more each day as I read you. Keep it going. h.
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smity031 – its under charity drives on the islanders website
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Metalcoconut says:
I guess there is a new demographic that they have to acomodate. Perhaps they will have the Pepsi Ice Girls accompanied by the Old Spice Ice Dudes? All meant in good fun.
Okposo had to be a viable consideration for team USA even if he show up as a 3rd or, for some unknown reason, a 4th liner. Just speaking in terms of versatility and age I would find it hard to believe that the committee would hesitate to put a young player with so much creativity on a shelf for further consideration. Team USA already started their youth movement so why not give one of the youngest players a shot? What else does he have to do…..bribe someone?
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Jim says:
Hmm, if it’s equal time does that mean if Z is posted topless…, nevermind
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Al L says:
Its painful enough we have to see Norris Trophy skilled Chara in an enemy uniform for the past eight years. Now we are exposed to his birthday suit? Geez!!! I am having enough trouble sleeping as it is. Now I am bound to have nightmares with that vision.
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kevin27NYI says:
haha jim i was thinking the same thing
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420LEGALIZE420 says:
never show a picture like that again cb
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TM says:
Regarding Newsday:
So, limited or no access for many to dedicated NYI newspaper coverage now, no radio coverage and games on TV that are on different channels every week.
Consistent coverage with easy access is basically done by IPB who isn’t paid for it by NYI. Only message boards and blogs, which are hardly professional, remain. It just gets worse all the time.
How does anyone except diehards follow this team?
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miket239 says:
Great read today CB! I’m feelin the EQUALITY LOVE! I’d like to suggest more Ice Girls pics btw!
Anyway, I just gotta say…Ive heard for so many years how Mike Milbury made all these bad moves and set the Isles back and yada yada. But I just want to say the 2 biggest blunders I have issues with where letting Ziggy Palffy go and trading the Big Z. Anything else I couldnt care less about. Zdeno Chara is amazing. To imagine him on the Isles blueline today makes me want to cry. The guy is a machine…annnnd he is both an ALL STAR Dman and in my opinion a top 5 enforcer. Ask ANY heavyweight if they look forward to taking on Zdeno…go ahead ask!! And we gave that up!??! Blasphemy!! Anyway, a great read as usual CB…youre a rock. Peace. Lets go Islanders! -
…1 last thing, as I read this blog Seinfeld’s words “not that there’s anything wrong with it” are heard.
NYI has the 11th highest ticket prices in the league. But they’re not the 11th best team in the league by far. Gotta do something about that soon.
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AngryPete says:
CB….maybe one day you can provide us some insight as to how the Isles went from envy of the league with their SportsChannel contract to village idiot with their current SMG contract. I know TV deals and Coliseum Operating/Management is like apples & oranges, but still …. who agreed to this HIDEOUS deal with them?
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RobC says:
The only reason I spend the extra 50c is for Isles coverage and when I opened up the sports section and theres nothing to read..I realized theres no point anymore…
SOLUTION: NOTE to Isles fans, you can get NEWSDAY it on your Blackberry’s for free…
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hockey34w says:
CB, After a game that the Isles won with Big Z on the team, he gave me his stick as he left the ice. I am 21 now and his stick is still taller than I am.
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OkposoRulez says:
Good to hear Jesse Joennsu played well and I hope he can bring his game up to a high level consistently enough to get the call…He has size we need, up the middle.
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isles316 says:
anyone complaining about the chara picture needs to get a grip. good job by CB on that one.
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Mike for Philly says:
C.B – I just threw up on my keyboard. Please no more naked photos of dudes on a hockey related website.
Lets Go Islanders!
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54 Jerky- We have a Trevor Gillies down in Bridgeport who may suffice your needs. 55 Nightfly- If you search youtube hard enough, you will find Eric Nystom acting out that very scene when he played for the Flames AHL affiliate. It’s a riot.
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joe fred says:
Cb, I like the hot dog and beer plan that the Ducks have! I am coming up from Va over the holiday so I will be at the game against Pitt with my 2 kids and Dad, that will cost me over $250.00 easy!
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Josh says:
Ummmmmmm, I don’t quite know what to say about this one. Why should we have naked pics of players on this blog. Are the ice girls now considered hockey players? That’s not equal treatment at all. We get to see no name ice girls and the girls/guys get to see actual naked players? I don’t want to see my favorite players with their clothes off, that is ridiculously stupid. I completely understand showing maybe the strength and conditioning trainers or the janitors or whomever but not the friggin players. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD CB what are you thinking? LOL
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And that’s the problem I have with watching sports with gay guys and girls. I can’t watch with them because they never seem to take it serious. Somehow the conversation always drifts to what a cute butt this guy has or what dreamy eyes this one has. WHO CARES! I’m watching a hockey game for christs sake. I want to talk about the plays, goals and passes not about how cute a player is! Too funny.
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Julie says:
Wow. GREAT pic of Z. I may have to change my screen saver from Brendan Witt. (Well, not really, but…wow….)
VERY big thank you. (And I’m also genuinely pleased to see how few guys whined… thanks to those who didn’t.) -
Chris Mc says:
i dont mind you alternating topless player pics every tuesday-thursday-and b friday, but can the pic not go so low that i can almost see the players kibbles and bits!
unless we’re getting just as revealing ice girl photos. i mean whats good for the goose is good for the gander.
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Ray says:
RE: Brian G, #34
Brian I believe you also get a practice jersey with the family fun pack. Not quite the authentic Tavares 3rd jersey, but it’s worth mentioning. -
Bob Bassen says:
Yep. Chara in the Fishticks Jersey is wayyyy more offensive than the ESPN photo. Partially because I have six-pack abs too..
I love this site and to heck with the Corporate Monopolistic Infotainment Media that surrounds us.
No pressure, CB but sites like yours are gonna save the world!!!
Go Isles! -
John says:
speak for youself Ant #78. Time to be straight but not narrow… Good post Big Dom!!! As a gay friendly staright guy, I was floored when I saw the post by my friend Domenic and I was happy to see the comments section not turned into a blight on the fandom. Now I can come to pointblank not only for my hockey but my social commentary as well (who knew)! thank you CB. The Islanders were definetly Milburied and we are correcting course and I’m happy with the way it’s progressing.
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misterpink says:
mike #65 – cant pin Palffy on MadMike – ownership forced him to make that trade. Hes said many times it was one of the hardest things he had to do – he had a soft spot for Ziggy.
As for the rest, he’s on his own
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
CB — You went over the 100 word limit… LOL!!
Kidding aside … nice long read … and that was a Hilarious post by Healy.
I agree CB … Hey Snow!! … Open up that satchel up and get us a defensemen to help us make a push for the playoffs … We’re a 1/4 way into the season and we don’t seem to be going away anytime soon.
CB — I’m going to write you an email sometime tomorrow or Wednesday regarding pro sports revenues and team values. Heard some disturbing gossip about pro teams that I want to run by you for your opinion. Tomorrow night I’ll see the source of that gossip at the rink … I just want to hear it again to make sure I’m not hearing things… or see if he was pulling my leg.
Nice bit of work there CB. I’m looking forward to the live chat tonight.