Monthly Archives: December 2009
Solid effort but the execution is still lacking for the Islanders, who lost 3-2 in a shootout to a tired Ottawa squad without Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza. Goals by Rob Schremp (PP) and Jon Sim. The Sens go 3-3 in the shootout against Dwayne Roloson, who was outstanding for the 65 minutes of real competition. Schremp and Frans Nielsen connect for the Islanders. John Tavares is stopped for the extra point for Ottawa. Still, it’s another point on the road for the Islanders, who will enter 2010 and the second half of the regular season still very much in the playoff race.
Your comments on the Islanders-Senators game. Happy New Year!
Could there be the first Winter Classic fight?
FanHouse: First Impressions of Fenway Park
2:20 pm, Boston - In the locker room of the Boston Red Sox, future Hall of Famer Mark Recchi was asked, not by me, for his selection for next year’s NHL Winter Classic. “Somewhere in New York,” said the 41-year-old Bruin. “It has to be Islanders against the Rangers. It has to be the rivals.” In other news, Islanders prospect Calvin de Haan will miss tonight’s USA-Canada showdown at the WJC with an upper body injury that is believed to be a concussion.
FanHouse: First Impressions of Fenway Park
Notes, anecdotes, a list and useful and useless information in my final post of the decade and maybe my last post for at least two days…
Weight returns: Scott Gordon told reporters at practice on Wednesday that Doug Weight is likely to make his return to the lineup in Ottawa. The Islanders captain has been out since Nov. 6 with a shoulder injury and, as we reported last week, kind of rolled the dice by rehabbing instead of having surgery and now playing games. Another setback and Weight could be done for the season.
To the cynics who actually spun this as Weight being selfish because he wants to earn another one-year contract, you’ve gotta be kidding me. You do realize what Weight has accomplished, won and earned before his 39th birthday next month, right? You really think he needs to prove anything else or earn any more?
Islanders Watch Senators: In a rare treat for a visiting team, the Islanders landed in Ottawa on Wednesday around 4:00 pm in plenty of time for them to watch the Senators host Colorado. (The Avalanche won 4-3). No doubt most if not all of the Islanders coaching staff showed up.
This maybe happens once a year. A long time ago, I recall the Islanders playing in Edmonton the day after the Oilers hosted Calgary. I sat in the same press box seat at Northlands for both games. Man, it was so much more enjoyable watching Edmonton and the Flames kill each other in a great rivalry game. So much better than what happened 24 hours later.
Big advantage for the Islanders tonight, although they didn’t exactly dominate playing tired teams their last two games. Even better for the Islanders is they’re facing a Senators lineup without Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza.
Bergenheim’s IndeFINNite Return: With Weight back, Sean Bergenheim’s rib injury takes over as the reigning nagging injury. The Finnish Freight Train has been out since Dec. 8 and was expected to miss 1-2 weeks. Now there’s talk he may not even be ready for the road trip that begins Jan. 6 in Colorado. Sean didn’t make the Finnish Olympic Team, but his loss has been a blow to the Islanders.
Thank you, Islanders Country: Point Blank ends 2009 with each of the first three months of the season establishing new highs in pageviews. Considering I’m unable to be all over the team 24/7 like last season, this feat is all about the dedication of Islanders fans. I cannot thank you enough for your support. I pledge to work at this and continue to try and get better for as long as you’re reading.
Press Note: How’s this for irony? Mike Martino, who reported in the Long Island Press in October that the Lighthouse offices had shut down, has been hired as press secretary for new Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.
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Islanders of the Decade: Let me be real clear here – a list of the top ten Islanders from 2000-09 is an impossible assignment. Believe me, I’ve looked at it from all angles since a few readers emailed to request one.
Without team success – like one playoff round victory – there cannot be heroes. With so many very good-not-great players stopping by for only 1-4 years, there’s no slam dunk No. 1 (or 2 or 3 or anything else). Poll 25 reporters or fans and you could easily have 25 distinct lists.
So this is how I finally came to accept the assignment. Simply put, this is my list. It is not about stats or “big” plays or wins anything else. It’s…it’s…well, it’s my friggin’ list. You’re welcome to submit yours in comments. Just don’t write a book about it. Like mine, it’s not that important. I’ve written plenty of articles that you didn’t think had any rationale. I’m telling you point-blank: there is no rationale to this list. Here ya go:
10. Radek Martinek: A late-round draft pick Gordie Clark kept in his back pocket.
9. Sean Bergenheim: May he have his moment as an Islander.
8. Adrian Aucoin: Wish he’d stayed.
7. Mariusz Czerkawski: Produced goals and smiles.
6. Chris Osgood: Ozzy, we hardly knew ya, but thanks for 2001-02.
5. Jason Blake: Most self-made over-achiever, maybe in franchise history.
4. Rick DiPietro: What could have been. What still could be.
3. Trent Hunter: Closest thing the franchise has to a mainstay.
2. Michael Peca: His impact on the sudden revival and return to respectability seems even larger now.
1. Kenny Jonsson: The few who didn’t grasp the Cult of Kenny and his greatness on defense got a better handle on it when he was gone.
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A Note to Point Blank Readers: I’ll be in Boston for FanHouse for the next 48 hours covering the Winter Classic, maybe longer if the game is postponed. Talk about the Islanders-Ottawa game only here. If all goes well, I should be back on Jan. 2. If there is no news, I’ll probably shut down the blog completely just for New Year’s Day.
I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year…CB
1:30 pm - Congratulations to Mark Streit. Unless Kyle Okposo makes Team USA, he could be the Islanders’ lone Olympian. Sean Bergenheim snubbed by Team Finland. One PB reader suggested yesterday that Sean being held back from the World Championships last spring as he recovered from injury may have hurt his chances because the Finns are big on expereince and learning their team system. On the plus side, the Islanders will be well-rested for the stretch run, and there is some serious value in that.
11:15 am - Elliotte Friedman reported on “Hockey Night in Canada” on Dec. 19 that Charles Wang is “fed up,” has “finally had enough” and the Islanders owner “has some interest” from a prospective buyer for the team.
After trying to get answers for more than a week, Point Blank finally established contact last night with a reliable NHL source who emphatically declared the report was inaccurate.
“He’s obviously not happy the Lighthouse Project has become a political football and is taking so long to get approval,” said the source, “but Charles is not selling. He has put too much into the team and the project. The team has become a big part of his life. He’s definitely not at the point where he’s considering walking away from it all.”
Friedman’s report deserved to be taken seriously. He is a journalist of impeccable integrity and has excellent contacts around the NHL. For good reason, there has been plenty of mystery surrounding Wang’s intentions. His Lighthouse office has not said a word publicly since October. The last update to the Lighthouse website was on Oct. 23. The most recent post of the informative, regularly-updated blog of LDC PR staffer Katrina Doell was on Nov. 11. The Lighthouse Twitter feed is MIA.
The Wang-imposed media blackout of Lighthouse news is said to be a result of the developer growing tired of the back-and-forth with politicians, not that he is giving up the project or selling the team. As new County Executive Ed Mangano settles into office, by the end of the first half of 2010 we should know a lot more about the Islanders’ future in Nassau.
It is also difficult at this time to envision Wang walking away from the Islanders – not with realistic options in Nassau, Brooklyn and Queens, and not when the franchise has become a siginificant part of his identity. Three weeks ago, Wang spent a Saturday night travelling to Connecticut to watch his good friend Rick DiPietro play goal in a minor league conditioning stint with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
The owner, who is close with other players and GM Garth Snow and takes visible pride in young players such as Kyle Okposo and John Tavares, did not look like someone ready to walk away.
Comments.
9:39 pm - An almost indescribable 2-1 shootout win for the Islanders.
Minus: Islanders out-played in every phase of the game, except goaltending, by a fellow 15-18-7 team that played an overtime game against Detroit last night.
Plus: The offensive output of a Martin Biron game, with the reliable rebound-free goaltending of Dwayne Roloson – also perfect in the shootout.
Plus: Bizarro Islanders first period – they’re out-played but score the only goal off a fumble by Steve Mason, who was perfect last night.
Minus: Through two periods – Islanders 1, Columbus 0. Hundreds of naps.
Minus: The Islanders’ powerless 5-on-3 power play when it was handed to them on a platter in the third.
Plus: The Country rejoices as Scott Gordon calls a time with 9:40 left in the third period to settle down his befuddled team.
Minus: At the next whistle 23 seconds later, there’s a broadcast timeout.
Plus: Andy Sutton singlehandedly wakes up everyone in the Coliseum with a thunderous check on R.J. Umberger, drawing a stunningly silly penalty by Mathieu Roy. Islanders don’t score, but a terrific move by Sutton.
Minus: With their 0-4 tonight, the Islanders are 1-36 on the power play in their last nine games. They were gift-wrapped four power plays in the third period – two when Blue Jackets inadvertently flung the puck over the glass.
Plus: Once the power play ended, the Islanders played a very good overtime.
Minus: The worst performance by the Islanders in a victory since…feel free to suggest others.
Minus: The ice surface blew chunks. As one Islander said, “It’s like trying to stickhandle a grenade out there.”
Plus: Whether he touched the puck on his goal or not, Josh Bailey continues to get a little bit better each game.
Minus: Nate Thompson out 1-2 weeks with a shoulder injury.
Plus: You cannot ever go wrong saluting a member of the armed forces. You can rarely go wrong with an in-game marriage proposal. A member of the armed forces, deployed again in three days, asking a former Islanders Ice Girl to marry him? Magic.
Plus: The tones of Jiggs McDonald are so good, never mind the phone book – he could even make my list of the top ten Islanders of this decade sound like a bunch of Hall of Famers.
Plus: Sound Tigers defenseman Mark Katic was selected to play in the AHL All-Star Game for the Canadian side.
Plus: Red Wings pro scout Mark Howe taking his father with him to work in the press box.
Plus: Zigmund Palffy named to the Slovakian Olympic team. Don’t forget to backcheck, Ziggy.
Plus: Looks like Mike Komisarek of Islip Terrace, Long Island is on the U.S. Olympic Team.
Minus: The reliable Damien Cox of the Toronto Star believes Calvin de Haan’s injury at the World Junior Championships was a concussion and he is questionable to play against the U.S. on New Year’s Eve.
Minus: Looks like I may spending New Year’s in Boston covering a rained-out hockey game.
Plus: The refreshing honesty of Columbus finesse forward Jakob Voracek when asked for a FanHouse questionnaire to name an opponent he’d like to lay a big, clean hit on: “I don’t know. I don’t really hit anybody.”
Comments on tonight’s game and your Plus/Minus.
FanHouse Picks Okposo for Olympic Team
6:50 pm – Nate Thompson, who in hindsight did look pretty beat up this morning when I spoke to him, is the unhealthy scratch. Jeff Tambellini skated with Richard Park and Tim Jackman in warmups.
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One Q, one A with Tavares: John, you’re obviously healthy enough to play and I wouldn’t expect you to specifically say what’s bothering you, but are you playing through any injuries or discomfort?
“No, not really,” said Tavares. “You play a lot of hockey at this level and with the schedule. It can be tough on the groins and hips. But that’s not my issue. I need to be sharper mentally. I need to start having more fun again with the game. I also need to get away from the game once in a while and enjoy New York and Long Island a little.”
Turns out Tavares answered my question about 90 minutes after a brief meeting with Scott Gordon, who delivered the message. “He’s 19 and he’s going to have his ups and downs,” said Gordon. “You can’t beat yourself up. You have to have fun and not take the game home with you.”
Rehabbin’ Rick: As first reported by Katie Strang, Rick DiPietro plans to play a game this weekend for Bridgeport. The Sound Tigers’ games are in Providence (Friday), Hartford (Saturday) and Worcester (Sunday). Rick said he didn’t know which game yet. The head coach said the only thing set in stone was DiPietro was practicing with the Islanders on Wednesday.
In a revealing moment with reporters after the skate, DiPietro again put it on himself for being on the shelf so long. At one point, when saying he would not rush back and hurt himself and the Islanders, the goalie said, “I’d like to think I’m smart enough after all this time. I’ve made my share of mistakes.” That’s a nice sentiment, but DiPietro is hardly alone in the blame for this two-year odyssey.
The Lineup: Asked if Jeff Tambellini is returning tonight, Scott Gordon said, “There’s a good chance.” Gordon said Richard Park, the last forward off the ice at the morning skate, will play. For the healthy scratch, I’m going with a candidate proposed in the press room: Rob Schremp. Freddy Meyer is out on D. Dwayne Roloson will start against the Blue Jackets tonight, of course.
Bergie on Ice: While the Islanders’ morning skate was packed with players, including DiPietro and Doug Weight, Sean Bergenheim only skated before the workout. This is not a great sign for Bergenheim, who was supposed to be out 1-2 weeks and last played Dec. 8. Gordon said the nature of the rib injury and its effects on skating and shooting has made it more difficult for Bergenheim to return. Sean should be named to the Finnish Olympic Team this week.
Jiggs Returns: Hall of Fame play-by-play man Jiggs McDonald was doing his homework at today’s workout. Jiggs is in for Howie Rose for the next four games.
Another Iceworks Olympian: The Hughes sisters are not the only Olympians to skate at Iceworks. Miroslav Satan, who skates at the Islanders’ practice facility almost every day since he is without a team, was named today to Team Slovakia.
Reich Injured: Rugged fighting and scoring forward Jeremy Reich suffered a shoulder injury over the weekend. Reich missed the first 30 games of the season with a broken wrist. The Sound Tigers list him as day-to-day, for now.
The New Boys Are Here: Columbus acquisitions Chris Clark and Milan Jurcina have joined the team and may play tonight at the Coliseum. A very good trade for the Blue Jackets and the Capitals. When you’re playing as badly as Columbus was, sometimes a little shock to the system via a trade does wonders. Even without the new guys, Columbus beat Detroit last night, 1-0, before arriving on Long Island a little after one in the morning.
Asked what his team needs to look out for with the Blue Jackets, Gordon pointed out the Blue Jackets’ big lineup and their dangerous power play. Asked if his team’s size gives them a big advantage over the Islanders, Columbus coach Ken Hitchock said, “Only if we hem them in.” Hitchcock said the only big team he has recently seen give the Islanders problems was Philadelphia.
Comments on this post and tonight’s game.
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