PHILADELPHIA 2, ISLANDERS 1
The return of home game interactive Plus/Minus
Botta on FanHouse: Could Tragedy Hit the NHL?
9:50 pm – This says it all: the Islanders’ optional practice on Thanksgiving Day is now mandatory.
In the post-game, Scott Gordon was as ticked as he has ever been in his brief NHL head coaching career. He denied that there was a “drop-off” tonight in the Islanders’ ability to play. Gordon said the Islanders’ third period washout had everything to do with “decisions at the blue line and decisions on faceoffs that make an impact.” In Gordon’s view, it’s decision-making and failure to commit to the play and not the system of play.
9:34 pm, NVMC - After two weeks on the road, it’s back. The Point Blank Post-Home-Game Interactive Plus/Minus. Call your friends and join the fun. It blows away guessing if the Dow was up or down!
Plus: Exhilarating pace to the first period, guaranteed to be more fun to watch than all of Saturday’s game in New Jersey. The Islanders were credited with 17 shots. They came so fast and furious, that total does not include the ones the official scorers missed.
Minus: The boys cannot put teams away. They out-shot the Flyers 28-17 through two periods, out-chanced them conservatively 15-5. I don’t think it’s a lack of killer instinct as much as being thin on players with a finishing touch.
Plus: Yet another exceptional display of vision and playmaking by John Tavares, who threaded a cross-ice pass to Trent Hunter on the power play for a 1-0 lead.
Plus: The Flyers had their nads tested from the drop of the puck, and for the first two periods rarely came up with any answers physically.
Minus: The Islanders had nothing in the third period. Nothing. The Flyers had just played four games out West. For the Islanders and their third period struggles, after Monday and tonight, the debate continues…
Minus: The Islanders did not have an official shot on goal in the third period until there was 8:30 left in regulation. It was their only shot in the period. It wasn’t much of a shot.
Minus: Philadelphia’s significant size, strength and grit advantage won out in the end. They’ve got pretty nice skill, too.
Plus: He didn’t end up on the scoreboard, but Matt Moulson was a major positive on most of his shifts. He doesn’t have to score to look like an everyday, top-9 NHL forward.
Even: Chris Pronger freaked on officials twice in the first two periods because he felt the Islanders were bumping Brian Boucher in the crease. That’s a very good sign you’re playing the game the way it should be. Pronger didn’t have to say a peep in the third.
Minus: I’m reviving this one from last season – I hate, hate, hate Scott Gordon’s continued placement of Kyle Okposo at the point of the power play. Okposo is 6-1, 205 and plays bigger. He’s a promising power forward. Let him play forward! Don’t have better options at the point? Find one.
Minus: Despite some chatter the last few days about Josh Bailey shooting the puck, he had no shots on goal tonight. His overtime dunk off a gorgeous feed from Sean Bergenheim was his only shot on goal on Monday.
Plus: The usuals played well: Andy Sutton, Jack Hillen, Nate Thompson, Bergenheim. But really now, how many times this season do we have to kiss their rears? Ha.
Minus: On the Islanders’ tiered pricing scale, tonight’s game was “Gold” – as opposed to “Silver” or “Value.” This means a full-price $19 ticket to see NYI-Panthers in two weeks was $30 tonight. A $40 seat cost fans $60, a $70 cost $90 and so on. Announced attendance was 12,687.
Guess you get what you (ask your fans to) pay for: 4,000 empty seats on Thanksgiving Eve in the first year of the Tavares Era. Considering the start to the Islanders’ season and the high entertainment value of tonight’s game, a real shame.
Plus: After the home opener, the loudest Coliseum crowd of the season.
Plus: Bringing snarky back to the Coliseum…welcome back, Peter Botte of the Daily News and co-author of “Fish Sticks.”
Minus: A TV-timeout contest in the midst of an exciting hockey game where a fan has to guess whether the Dow, S & P and NASDAQ were up or down…REALLY?! And when the fan went 3-for-3, all he gets is something called a “Prize Pack,” a bunch of stuff in a plastic bag with Islanders and Dragons logos on it?
Plus: Welcome back to the barn, Ralph Macchio. I think I still have my picture with him on the ice when he was the Islanders’ ambassador during the 75th anniversary season of the NHL, or whatever that was. Nice man. Real Islanders fan.
Comments on tonight’s game and your +/-. I’ll have some kind of Islanders-Pittsburgh preview up tomorrow. My best for a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. Thank you so much for a terrific start to the season and the second act of this little venture.
96 Responses to PHILADELPHIA 2, ISLANDERS 1
The return of home game interactive Plus/Minus
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corey says: great first period. ive gotten kinda used to the third period meltdowns though. wish we could have beaten them. one of my friends is a flyer fan
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James says:
I am starting to get sick and tired of this team not being able to play a full 60 minutes. They are the only team in the NHL that has not; with the exception of the 5-0 win over a sick Buffalo team; played a full 60 minutes. It baffles me how they could look like a playoff team for 2 periods and then get dominated in the 3rd.
I am tired of this team not being able to play a whole game, it is becoming a huge problem that Scott Gordon better get fixed and fixed fast.
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Tim says:
that is why i refuse to spend a penny on this team
pathetic
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Mikey Cavs says:
Plus, Martin Biron.
Minus, Everything else.
They come out and play a fantastic First Period. They also play a great 2nd period but start to let up and this continues into an abyssmal 3rd Period. They had this game and would’ve taken a quick 2 Home points but instead they completely play flat the rest of the way. They handed this game over to the flyers on a Silver Platter!
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JustinChi says:
They deserved to win tonight and didn’t deserve to beat Toronto at all. Either way, it’s 2 out of 4 points. One way to look at it. I hate to be a broken record here, but Sim in front on the power play? Really? No size, no skill, no business being in that spot.
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hollywood says:
For the love of God, what is Gordon’s fascination with Frans Nielson. I can’t take it. He shouldn’t be on the PP. CB, I kinda like Okposo on the Point on the PP but anything has to be better then this. The lines combo’s are horrible. Hunter with Tavares and Moulson are wayyyy to slow. I also just don’t see any chemistry between Okposo and Frans, I just don’t see it. Please change the damn lines.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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You are right about Okposo on the point, but also Sim being on the PP at all is a mistake.
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Islander says:
Hollywood I agree with you ines need to be changed…no chemistry. Oposo now looks like a different player on that line….Tavares and Moulson so slow, need speed on that line…..ah well first two periods they gave me hope….
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eye on the island says:
cb, hope you tivoed the presser-this one was a doozy
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pat says:
Was at the game. leaving the coliseum now… extremely dissapointing game.. i agree with moving okposo off the point.. and why was moulson, your leading scorer, not out there more for the pp? i just didnt get that..
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@hollywood-when franz first came back he was making plays and skating with speed all over the ice and while he has dropped off lately-i dont see who else we could rely on with as much playmaking potential as him
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Rob says:
In the 3rd period the Flyers played to win while the Isles played not to lose. With 5 min to go, Philly put out Carter, Richards & Hartnel. They wanted to win!! Isles need to shorten their bench late in games if they want to win. 4th line players are 4th Liners for a reason.
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cody says:
Plus- Gordon’s post game interview
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lihockey says:
Here’s the problem with GoGo’s aggresive system. The team is too burned out come third period that they can’t sustain a forecheck. Nothing is exactly what they had in the third. Don’t get me wrong I love the high pressure forecheck, but if you want to win you have to keep it up through all three periods. You may have noticed a theme over the last two years under Go-Go… blown third period leads.
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Felix Potvin says:
Minus: Absolutely lifeless 3rd period.
Minus: One shot on goal during the 3rd period which, as CB noted, “wasn’t much of a shot.”
Minus: 1-for-5 on the PP.
Minus: Josh Bailey.
Plus: 1st period.
Plus: Trent Hunter.
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@ eye on the island; what is this playmaking you refer to. I like Frans but he doesn’t shoot at all and I haven’t witnessed this playmaking.The PP with him on it is comical. The PP units should have Tavares-Moulson-Tambellini Okposo and Streit. The second unit should be Baily-and to be quite honest who gives a crap. The lines are bad.
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UIF says:
Who was the reporter who asked, “I haven’t watched the team that much, has there been a dropoff in the third period? Has that been a problem for this team?”
The look on Gordon’s face was like a scene from Scanners.
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Joseph says:
Another game we let get away !
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Mike for Philly says:
Minus – The 3rd period was an embarassment. If the Islanders do not learn to play 60 minutes of hockey and Snow does nothing to help this team in the scoring department as well as on the blue line this will be a common occurance.
Minus – a (small) minus to Islanders fans on Long Island who continue to show absolutly no support for this team. A (huge) minus to the Islanders sales and marketing team who price games as if the NY Islanders are the Detroit Red Wings of the league. Sorry fellas, but when there is no demand for your product you can’t establish tier pricing.
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Mike P says:
I’m not sure what to make of the 3rd periods, it is certainly something that is concerning. I am sorry but it’s time for Witt and Meyer to go or sit, honestly the 2nd flyer goal probably wasn’t on them(bad backcheck decision by Neilsen) but after the minus 3 in toronto the other night and Meyer being used a pylon on the Hagman goal they might be worst pair in the NHL.
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The system isn’t an issue. They need to score and get a cushion. Overspeed is great especially for a team that lacks talent and boy do we lack talent. Sim on the pp is just too much to take!
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dan says:
Plus: 1st period
even: 2nd period
minus: 3rd periodWe are going to be a .500 team this year and I accept that. We couldn’t beat the flyers when they are on their 5th game of a road trip and have 3 of their top players out.
Add this game to the rangers winning and I am having a terrible night.
BEAT THE PENS AND DEVILS AND ALL IS FORGIVEN!
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kate says:
If this team had higher expectaions I would be pissed about all the 3rd period ties/leads we blew.
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eastonhockey says:
The Isles raised prices for this game because all the fans who move off of LI and come back to visit come to this game..like Kevin Connely (who they interviewed). I guess they found out fans don’t want to pay premium for a team with no stars. Sure Okiposo is mini Igninla to some Isle fans but they guy is still going to struggle to put up Travis Green #’s. Tavares is good, not as good as a ALL Star type of player. The Isles need STARS to charge premium pricing. But who can blame them, 12000 people paying premium pricing is probably the same amount of money as 14000 paying normal pricing.
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Nick says:
Thanks CB, that was me that did the stock market game! Horrible prize pack. I got a foam finger, yashin hockey cards, babe and buster cards, team banner with Billy guerin, good stuff! I can’t believe they really give that stuff out!
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The New Isles GM says:
First – What the hell is Bruno Gervais doing on the Powerplay? He has no capabilities to score and he has no physical presence. Why is he even on this team?
Second – I know we are in year 2 of the rebuild so I am trying so hard to not get completely upset when they lose. However…I think nature is starting to take it’s course and I think Snow is starting to see the holes he has to fix. It’s affecting them to hold a lead and close out games.
Third – Here’s the players I want to see off this team in Year 3 of the Rebuild.
-Witt
-Meyer
-Gervais
-SimFill those gaps with some decent players, not superstars but guys who can hack it, we might have ourselves one hell of a team in Year 3
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haha whats a matter..they ran out of Kirk Muller T shirts? Now they are unloading Yashins junk.
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john says:
WHY WASN’T MOULSON ON THE 1ST or 2ND powerplay in the 3rd period!!!!!!!!!!
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BringBackNyles says:
I hate the tiered pricing (and for the first time since they started playing this night, I sat home) but let’s be honest..that $19 seat vs Florida will go unsold as well.
If they don’t have a sellout Friday afternoon for Crosby, I doubt they will have a sellout all year.
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MJS says:
Plus: Tambellini giving a visible effort. Seriously should be given more ice time.
Minus: Almost the entire team at one point or another looking completely gassed. There was a ton of grinding in this game, but everyone looked shot, lack of conditioning perhaps?
Minus: Everyone, like all the time, kissing Sean Bergenheim’s butt. I like that he always tries hard, throws good hits, and can be a bit of a spark plug, but he is on pace for just under 30 points and maybe fewer. How long will it be before we acknowledge that he’s an upgrade over Sim and let him be a career 3rd/4th line “energy” guy?
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If that really was the prize back, this organization really is in shambles. Why not a fisherman jersey? Maybe a gift card to Fortunoff?
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BringBackNyles, they sold out the home opener. I agree that they won’t get another one (maybe a ranger game) because:
1. ticket prices.
2. last place last year and they have to earn respect back for some fans to put money into this team.
3. economy. -
Staten Islander says:
Hi guys, did I miss anything? Nevermind
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Eddie says:
minus- all the verizon advertising around the top of the outside of the Coliseum….
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Jim Clark says: Charging Gold prices for a team that is pyrite (a.k.a. fool’s gold).
But Islanders management aren’t the only delusional people. On the way home I listened to “Leafs Talk” on AM 900 in the future home of the Coyotes. Callers kept praising the “dominating effort” Monday night against the Wangers. Hey buddy: you lost. Like we did tonight to the Phlyers.
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db says:
before you move okposo back to the tavares line i want to give bailey a shot with okposo i thought they played well together. move neilsen down to the third line.
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Islesrock says:
Why did Gordon have JT take the last faceoff? Why was Park not on the ice to take the draw. In that situation Park must, must be out there instead of Tamby. Bad move Scott. I was at the game and I hate to say it, but KO looks really bad. CB, I agree 100%, get KO off the point on the PP.
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islesfan999 says:
I think Schremp and Comaeau should play next game. Sit Sim and Park for a game…
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mht says:
Richard Park is now a -11,with a shooting percentage of 1.9% How about inserting Rob Schremp as our 3rd line center,make Frans Nielsen our $th line center with face off and penalty killing responsibilities.I am really tired of hearing the euphemisms and hyperbole{Hockey IQ,etc.,etc,] from our announcers and fellow IPB posters on Richard Park.Is He in our future plans? I for one think not.
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Steve M says: I was at the game.
Plus: Good crowd.
Minus: Defense and powerplay
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Chris A says:
Good call by Gordo if this team is to get better they gotta stop this trend now
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TuxTax says:
Hopefully Gordon was throwing sticks and Gatorade bottles in the locker room cause the second half of that game was just sad! No need to act as if your on the penalty kill when your 5 on 5 and no need to dump it in on all 5 PP breakouts. Cant expect pretty goals from this team, but you have to expect effort until the game is final!
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Brian from Massapequa says:
Pricing and Attendence – Yes, I expected more seats sold, but let’s analyze this a little bit. When we play Philadelphia, we expect there to be contingents of fans from Philly helping out with attendence. But it is the night before Thanksgiving. While some diehards might travel, this is not a night when you are going to see lots of charter buses in the lot. One year ago today, the price for tonight’s most numerous tickets would have been $50, NOT $40. Being a season ticket holder (in the 300′s) maybe I am unrealistic, but I don’t think $10 extra was the problem. That being said, the Islanders selections for Gold games is questionable. For example, they deemed the Montreal game on Saturday 12/19 to be gold. Hear it here now, that game is not going to be the French Invasion that the Montreal Saturday game was last year. Not on the Saturday before Christmas. The team has already realized this as they are advertising a Toys for Tots discount to people on certain mailing lists. Also if you think about it, the value games really are value and should help improve attendance. Two thirds of the games are the same price or less than last year (it is just about a one third split between Gold/Silver/Value). Finally, Tavares or not, does anybody think finishing 30th out of 30 last year has had an effect on ticket sales this year? Or perhaps the ill conceived Kansas City scare? I hope so because those things are a factor.
1st Period – Yes the team played well for most of the first, but can we stop parroting CB? There were a few minutes there (say 4:00 – 7:00) when Philadelphia was skating circles around us (the boys looked like they had lead bars in their skates). Also if you have been following this team, whenever we massively outshoot the opponents in the first period, there is trouble on the way.
Apathy – The Islanders are not the New York Yankees. If you want this team to do well, you have to support them. How about going 1-3 times a year if you live the area?
On to +/-
Plus – The fans in attendence were really into it tonight. Two and a half weeks without a home game will do that.
Minus – Don’t expect the same enthusiasm on Friday. Expect more high pitched voices, not more diehard fans. Don’t forget to wear your white jersey if you have one.
Plus – Martin Biron was fantastic tonight. Probably his 2nd best game of the season.
Minus – I hope Jack Hillen (of whom I am a huge fan) throws out the stick he used tonight. When he whiffed, it was a big negative in a tight situation. This occured about three times.
Plus – Nate Thompson (my 14 year old son is bigger than him) throwing haymakers like a heavyweight.
Minus – No Islander challenging Boucher when he was getting a little adventorous with his stick.
Plus – CB thanking his readers once again for the support and giving Thanksgiving wishes to his readers.
Happy Thanksgiving from myself to CB, his supporters (Fanhouse) and all the readers/commenters of Point Blank. This is without a doubt the best online community of Islanders fans.
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Ryan says:
Minus: Freddy Meyer continuously beat again and again in the defensive zone
Bring back A-Mac
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Witt needs to be benched, his legs are much to slow to play defense (-11). Richard Park looks like a one man team when handling the puck (he’s a puck hog and -11), pass the dam puck already.
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How were they winning when they were scoring at ease? Rebound goals, Passes from behind the goal line and pass and shots when the goalie was out of position! That is how you win in the NHL. Its time they get back to that Keep It Simple Stupid style!
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PLUS: It was great to see the Isles come out with a great start and put the Flyers on their heels.
MINUS: The Islanders turned their brains off after the 2nd period. Contrary to what a number of people are saying I do NOT think they looked “tired” at all, I think they looked “dumb.” They looked like none of them save Biron could make an intelligent decision on the ice. Maybe they were thinking about turkey dinners and playing X-Box instead of hockey.
MINUS: All those PPs to waste- ugh.
PLUS: Trent Hunters point streak lives on
MINUS: I hate to say it but Kyle Okposo is not looking good the last few games.
MINUS: 3 to 4 MORE weeks without Weight on the PP = suck.
PLUS: An excellent game from Marty Biron
MINUS: Biron puts on a great show and gets NO goal support and another L. He has a better save% than Roloson, but the guy only has 2 wins and one of them he pitched a shutout! Its not fair and I feel bad for him. -
toorude says:
should have called a time out prior to 2nd goal – back to back icings in our end after constant puck control by flyers – should have called it – the guy in section 313 was calling for it – the next thing you know – winning goal. one shot in 3rd, another 3rd period breakdown and GoGo goes to locker room with an unused timeout. Getting old……
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mrlbem says:
I’ll go one better than getting KO off of the point on the PP. Last year, he and Bailey had great chemistry, along with KO’s buddy, Comeau. Why not reunite them? This way they can keep Tavares, Moulson and Hunter together (although I still think that line needs more speed) and play Nielsen with Bergie and Sim. Doesn’t that make more sense than what they have now?
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Plus – The first 30 minutes
Minus – The last 30 minutesPlus – Better on faceoffs tonight
Minus – Lack of speed on first linePlus – Played more physical hockey
Minus – McDonald can not crack the lineup? -
jonsson3 says:
plus-Tavares to Hunter
minus- Witt takes penalty = 1st goal
minus- Witt tips in 2nd goal
minus- Witt plays like he doesn’t wanna be here
minus – last 5 goals for opposition Witt is on the ice for 4 of them and in the box for the other
Please trade or release him, It really looks like he can’t wait to get out of here.
minus- Sim on the PP, he works hard out there but on the PP? Please, enough already.
We can’t expect everyone to have a good game every time but these are a few things that have to be changed.
And oh yea, GET RID OF WITT!!
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And another thing. I was fortunate to go to tonights game. I was given VIP seats, and was able to sit in a suite. Nice up there but…
The elevator in painted inside with a picture of DP and …Andy Hilbert…?There is a picture upstairs with 4 players celebrating a goal. Ready… Gervais, and wait for it…
Guerin, Comrie, And Campoli. There is another picture of Miro Satan.Can we have someone get a camera and take some new pictures??
What is going on? Who’s in charge of this? It’s a little embarrassing.
Whoever it is, they need to go.!
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Blizzard says: Gordon needs to come up with a better 2nd PP unit. For starters take Sim of the PP.
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Plus: The Isles have led at some point of every game this month except for the shutout loss in Buffalo.
Minus: The Isles are 5-5-2 this month.
Plus: The Isles have led at some point of every home game this season except the Columbus Day loss to Los Angeles.
Minus: The Isles 4-3-3 at home.
Minus: The Isles have a grand total of 5 shots in the last two third periods, combined.
Plus: They managed to win one of those games, thanks to Dwayne Roloson.
Plus: NHL Network will show Ron Tugnutt’s 70-shot and Dwayne Roloson’s 61-shot games back-to-back on Saturday.
Minus: The Isles will be playing at the same time.
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Dan says:
had a bad feeling the way the game was going. played great in the first, pretty good in the 2nd. KO ringing it off the post would have made a big difference in the game. I know we got our calls as far as penalties went but how many times can a Flyer stick their foot out and trip or slewfoot an Islander and not get a call. We are what we are and when the overall talent level increases I think the 3rd period failures will be a thing of the past. hopefully a more talented team on offense will also either give us a bigger lead but also cost the other team dearly when they are taking more chances on the offensive end to catch up.
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Minus: I should have said “70 save”, not “70 shot”.
NHL Network U.S. Programming Sat., Nov. 28
Noon ET: Ron Tugnutt Stops 70 — Nordiques-Bruins, March 21, 1991
2 p.m. ET: Roloson Stops 58 — Islanders-Maple Leafs, November 23, 2009 (HD) -
We are doing as expected or above. The team needs more picks and experience. No shotcuts, they do not work. I hope for more, as we all do. Keep it real. There were no free agent additions that were or are going to put us over the top. Stay the course.
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I am dreaming: As I type the Blackhawks are pasting the Sharks 7-1.Evgeny Nabakov will be a UFA next summer and his playoff resume stinks.Garth Snow trades Dwayne Roloson to San Jose for a kings ransom.Biron is traded to the Red Wings.Blackhawks or Kings and DP and Koskinen are our goalies come the end of the year.
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Al L says:
Gordon is either delusional or refuses to be accountable! I say its the latter. The two constants in this teams performance is poor play in the 3rd period and eventual inability to get the puck out of the defensive zone. This crap about not taking faceoffs properly is exactly that. They won their faceoffs handily tonight in both zones. It is evident these tendencies are all about his system. You cannot play a ‘full court press’ in the offensive zone for 60 minutes! Nor can you avoid being forechecked to death when your fowards are gassed and defensemen either small,slow and weak with their sticks. Considering the effort in the first 30 minutes,only coming away with one goal sealed our fate. There was nothing left subsequently. Quit covering your ass,Scotty and be a standup guy. You are accountable for everything this team does on the ice. Just to add,how about exhibiting a little decorum and respect when being interviewed by young Rob Carlin. He asks reasonable questions,yet you need not even say a word and still display yourself as a condescending fool. I also agree with the senseless responsibility given to Okposo on the PP. The kid is a bull with a scoring touch. Keep him down low and make use of his strength and great hands. Hillen and Streit can handle the point.
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Section 320 rocks says:
I disagree with you on the crowd I think the Ranger crowd from 10-28 blew it away!
Plus-Great pd 1
minus-lifeless pd 3
minus-awful powerplay -
Mike Olivo says:
Also, not to hog, but minus for the ops team in charge of the food drive. Stood out in the rain and cold to drop off cans for a voucher, but they were out of them. We were cold so we gave our cans and went inside. Silly. We didnt mind because it was a great cause, but the team in charge of the drive needs to work on that for next time
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Lakewood Islander says:
double minus for Gervais! Tambellini no shots on goal does that mean we dont see him for the next 3 games? Plus – FINALLY a decent night on the faceoffs. Rough schedule coming up-I wudnt b surprised if this is the begining of a 4 game losing streak
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Jeff says:
Minus: Taking Moulson off the top power play unit. Since when does your top goal scorer play on the second power play unit?
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Sarge says:
First game for me in a few years at the old barn as I don’t live in the area anymore…needless to say, even though we lost, nothing beats the Coliseum. Quick question for those of you who go more recently…what’s with the “PENALTY ON THE ICE” announcement? Has that always been done?
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Matt says:
1. this team needs a Herb Brooks practice. “you don’t wanna work in the game, we’ll work after the game!” make them do sprints until they turn the houselights off. it’s the 100th time they are gassed in a 3rd period. Gordon needs to take some heat for this. absolutely EMBARRASSING.
2. Why is Moulson not on the power play with Tavares? WHY WHY WHY!!! he is the best finisher on the team. i am so damn mad after goin to this game. -
David says:
Is it me or does Gervais NEVER EVER take a slap shot? He reminds of a little kid playing Pee-Wee hockey. I know a wrist shot can be effective at times, but at least 80% of the time the defenseman at the point rips a slap shot.
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Mike from Oceanside says:
This game may have been Tavares’ best game defensively.
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GParks says:
Don’t understand why they moved Park off the 1st line He had 3 assist in one there. Oh by the way – Gordos press conf he should be professional to reporters. They asked basic questions.
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stephen says:
It is bogus to claim the players had a mental breakdown.
Bergenheim is the perfect example. He was our best forchecker for the first period and a half. Then there was a droppoff. Why? His legs were tired. Do you think he didn’t want to get to those same spots? He busted his hump for 40 minutes. Sorry, but he had nothing left in the tank in the 3rd. Is that the system? Is it Bergie not in good enough shape? Don’t know… But why do all these “mental breakdowns” only happen in the 3rd? C’mon Gordo. I think you’re a good coach and I like your system, but be honest and make the adjustments and move on. Don’t tell me we look tired because we weren’t making good decisions.That theory puts the blame on the boys… and away from the coach. Gordo knows the truth. That’s why they’re skating today.
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Billy-no-not-Jaffe says:
CB- good call on KO. He should not be on the point, he is a power forward and needs to play down low.
Is it only me or does anyone else notice that Bailey is not a good passer? He has scored 5 goals, so maybe he is a finisher, but his passing is non-existant.
On the otherhand, Tavares is a brilliant passer when he doesn’t try to force it, but he is not near the finishing threat that his junior career suggests he should be. Role reversal on LI? -
Jeff W. says:
Several have already hit upon this, but here’s the key question:
How can a team that plays so “smart” for almost 2 full periods all of a sudden become “dumb” in the third? The answer is so obvious. They don’t have the legs to play this up-tempo style for 60 minutes.
Don’t give me “decisions” or “adjustments.” Good teams make the opponent play THEIR game for 60 minutes. Period. -
NH Isles Fan says:
Big minus – This team is too small, not tough enough and just does not have enough talent at this point in the rebuild.
I support the rebuild but hate the fact it allows Garth an excuse not to do anything to improve. He claims he wants to let our guys develop but don’t we already know FMIV, Witt, Sim are no good?
Not enough talent up front and probably only 3 Dmen worth anything. I am not surprisedwhen we do not beat obviously better teams.
Garth – what are you going to do?
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JimmyMac77 says:
Are you trying to tell me professional athletes can’t skate hard for less than 20 minutes.
They need to play with desperation.
Play like they are in game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Play like they are getting paid millions of dollars to play the game.
I will agree with the Witt comments… he is done as a NHL player. No legs, out of position. He just doesn’t have it anymore.
In the 3rd period… they need to win battles and be the first to the puck… it really is quite simple.
Philly played like they were down by a goal. The Isles played like they were up by 2 goals.
Yes we need more talent… but we also need players that play with pride and heart.
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The Real JD says:
Minus – striet has been horrible qb-ing the power play. they turn the puck over at the other teams blue line and cant gain the zone with the puck because striet had absolutely no speed thru the neutral zone.
Plus – My men’s league team won our game at the coliseum after the isles/flyers.
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rett says:
gordo’s sucking the life out of this team, can’t belive what he’s doing to the lines and then he blames the players after the game….this minor league coach must go, bring back peter laviollette !!
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randy boyd says:
PLUS Finally some passion from Gordon in his press conference.
I agree with him that it’s not fatigue. These guys have a mental block which they need to learn to play through. It’s not physical, because the same problem occurs either in close 3rd periods or as soon as they go up by 2 or 3 goals, no matter what period. Experience, confidence and relentless reminding by the coaching staff will fix this.
Agree that Sim should not be on PP, that Moulson should be on 1st unit, and that KO needs off of the line with Neilsen and Bergie, no chemistry and neither of them can finish the chances he creates.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
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Paul says:
I missed the game last night but it sounds like a game I’ve seen many times this season. That prize pack mentioned by Nick is a giant F.U to us fans. I’d of given it back by throwing it on the ice. If the only prizes you have to give away are slaps in the face, then don’t do a competition. Happy thanksgiving.
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No problem with Gorton’s system as he explains it. Speed thru the nuetral zone into th eO-zone, or if they stand up. chip it and get it.
I do have a problem with Gorton’s decisions on lines. He does a terrible job of using what he has to the best advantage. He doesnt have a lot to work with, so he MUST make the most of it. -
the answer to our problems is really very simple-despite the fact we won a few games-we don’t have an nhl roster
is go-go perfect? no-but what coach is
if he’s good enough for usa hockey, i think he’s more then good enough for the lowly islanders
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RD says:
As well as this team is playing, they still need to fix a some things:
1. We have been outshot 34-5 in the 3rd period of the last 2 games. I could just imagine how bad our 3rd period stats must be. This must be fixed! Enough already! What the hell is going on?
2. When Rick is ready, which seems sooner rather than later, we must deal Marty Biron to a good team that is desperate for a great backup. There are many teams in need so Garth can get good value back. Forget the picks, get a forward to help the team score, especially on the PP.
3. Upgrade our defense. Thankfully, Jack Hillen is everything and more than we expected. We need a better defender than Freddy Meyer IV.
4. Fix Doug Weight! We need him on the PP!
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Tony F. says:
I think Tavares has great skill and will improve over the years but how many times is he going to fan on shots? Bruno Gervais could use a few games watching from the suite, I like the guy and all but I’m not sure he’s a top 4 defenseman. Friday I hope they put forth a better effort.
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Frustrated Voter says:
Here’s my take on the blown 3rd period leads: Coach Gordon’s system surprises teams in the 1st two periods and masks the Islander’s deficiencies. By the 3rd period, opposing teams have figured out how to deal with the Isles, and their superior talent wins out. Instead of blaming Coach Gordon’s system, we should be happy that his system is keeping the games close.
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Hockey Guy in Canada says:
Minus: This isn’t an “its all about the real estate” post but the thing that I am finding troubling is that it seems like Wang is losing interest in this team. I don’t mind if he doesn’t want to talk Lighthouse. I understand that he’s cut back on payroll due to financial losses. But there is being nothing more put into the team than the bare minimum now. When he took over earlier in the decade (well 10 years ago), he refurbished the Coliseum as best possible for what it is and brought a semblance of stability and new life. Now it’s Yashin trading card giveaways and out of date pictures of former, not-exactly-champion, players in the elevators? If you can’t keep it current, then don’t do it. I wouldn’t blame this entirely on the Coliseum staff (though they should know better). To give away a bag of junk like that as mentioned as a prize pack is an insult or a bad joke. Don’t have a contest if you can’t do it properly. This is Milsteinesque and designed to embarrass. Wang should be running this team and arena honorably until he has exausted the process with the TOH. We are all frustrated by the TOH while the team bleeds money but he has to understand that the die-hards have supported him and that the casual fans would return when the team wins consistently. Its not Islander fans’ fault that the Republicans got back in. I thought he just “regretted buying the Islanders” due to the stagnant approval process for the Lighthouse but that he was still an Islanders fan. Now I’m starting to think he’d rather just be at home watching basketball. He’s got to be aware of this right or am I wrong? He has to have been in that elevator.
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TimQ says:
It’s Thanksgiving and I’m thankful that the Islanders are competitive just about every night. Think back to how miserable it was to watch games last year, and how different it is now. Our expectations are higher, but it’s obvious that the talent level just isn’t there yet. I agree that part of this is mental and that the core of this team has to learn how to gut out wins. That’s where true leadership comes in.
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Paul says:
If the firts line is slow,then lets put Tambellini there. I think he has a lot of speed and is NOT a fourth line player becase his lack of size.Or Sean Bergenheim can play on the first line.But I´d like to see Josh Bailey paired with Okposo.At the 2008 entry draft they were projected to play together in teh future. That future can be now
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Cs says:
I really do feel bad for Biron..he’s not playing bad..but everyone looks at the stats..and right now the stats are saying Rollie’s the better goalie..but truthfully..aside from the game vs toronto..i have not seen much of a difference between the two…yet for some reason the team plays better when Rollies in net..and useually leave Biron out alone.
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Spartiarti-RVC says:
Game was lost last night after Witt took that selfish dumb penalty for roughing. We had dominated the game up till then. Philly was on its heals, they were taken bad penalties and we were doing something i really like this game and that was finishing checks.
So lets not forget. Philly is one of the best teams in East. Witts penalty gave them PP which lead to first goal and their momemtum, (and our deflation) started from there.
Great games by Okposo, Moulson, Tavares, Sutton, Hunter and Suprising Jon Sim. Sim played one of his best games last night.
Witt is just showing that he is Too slow for this team.
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JPinVA says:
Happy Thanksgiving all.
+ That may have been the best 30 minutes of hockey they played this season.
+ They have the talent to ice three decent NHL lines (albeit second lines at best)
+ The aggressive forecheck makes good teams look bad if they can not creatively move the puck out of their own zone.
+ When allowed to establish position, they move the puck well on the PP.
- This team made a commitment to mediocrity over the summer and they are sticking to it.
This team should be about where it is, but they way they have gotten there is incredibly frustrating. I think we’d all rather see a team that goes down by two early and fight their way to a one goal loss than watch THIS.
I can’t put all the blame on Gordon, but I will stand by this until it changes. They never seem to have a plan B. This team may not have the talent to do a lot of things, but NOBODY has enough talent to only play one way. As soon as they are broken, they cannot recover.
Wang owes it to the fans to get talent so that we aren’t arguing which bottom six players are press box occupants. He owes the players an honest evaluation of the coaching situation when the season ends. And he owes everybody a shot at moving to Willets Point.
Enjoy your turkey! -
raul17 says:
Jon Sim is on PP because he is probably the only one willing to stand in front of the crease to set screens. It seems that 96.7% of NHL goalies can stop shots if they can see them.
Since Streit is the only point man this team has (I always wanted to see what Martinek could do at the point), Okposo will be starting PPs on point. But, he should be mobile: sometimes on point, down low, at the “half wall”, etc.
Is the lack of conditioning the Isles problem? If you aggressively forechecking for the whole game, then it seems that the team should have something to help on-ice conditioning for players.I am still trying to figure out why Chris Campoli couldn’t play or didn’t care for this system. It fits his game.
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Sean says:
I can not stand watching gervais play anymore hes horrible , no shot , doesnt throw the body , gets beat on the puck everytime. mcdonald should be playing insted of him
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Isles Fanatic says:
Third period melt downs are simply growing pains of a rebuilding process… THis will continue for the forseable futur, any thinking otherwise is kidding themselves.
Lack of attendance is discturbing to say the least. THe team is again lagging at the bottom of the league in attendance, if the Islanders are to remain, if the Lighthouse project is to move ahead, this needs to change. I don;t know if it’s fan complacency, or the organization that needs to market the orgazation better, but this is a sad state of affairs, for a team that can draw from a 2 million plus population base.
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Jerky says:
Agree with many comments previously posted about the players. A thought on the 3rd period letdowns: since we finished in 30th place last year and have been inconsistent through the first quarter of this year, isn’t it possible that every team we play takes us for granted for 40 minutes (not to mention using their backup goalie most nights) and then realizes they need to turn it on for the last 20 minutes to get the win? Just a thought, but this theory would deflate the notion that the Isles play so well for the first two periods and lead me to conclude that the opponent plays without fire until forced to.
I think that’s an oversimplification of the problem and don’t want to take anything away from our guys because I do think they play better in the first half than the second half. But it could be a contributing factor that our players aren’t prepared for the onslaught to come in third periods and can’t handle the pressure.
Was at the game last night behind the Isles bench and can tell you that Gordon’s was EXTREMELY pissed a few times during the second half of the game. He threw his body weight back against the glass and pounded his fist against the glass at least three times muttering expletives regarding the decisions made in the offensive zone. I loved the fire he showed at those moments and can only imagine what he said to the players after the game. When watching on TV, I wish he would show more emotion but he does show it during the game behind the bench and TV doesn’t pick it up during the play. I just think he needs to show it to his players and the rest of us more like Arbour did and not keep it to himself and his coaching staff.
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KO21 says:
Im 100% in agreement…KO being placed at the point is a waste IMHO…He belongs down low scoring goals…Hes not a dman…I hope Gordo will wake up in this regard
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the low attendance is directly related to the Lighthouse Project. most Islander fans i have spoken to believe the team is going to move. why in these times would people spend money to watch a team that made almost no moves to make itself better in the off season and threatened to move. Imagine how good this tema could be if JT and Moulson had 2 2 decent free agenst signings helping them out.
i crossed ” Islander 3rd Jersey” off my christmas wish list this season. i’ll wait to make sure there will still be an Islanders before i blow 300$ on a jersey.
When will Scott Gordon start taking the hit for this team sleepwalking through third periods. He has to be held accountable. And please, get Brendan Witt off the ice.