OTTAWA 3 ISLANDERS 2 (shootout)
Happy New Year to Islanders Country
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!
54 Responses to OTTAWA 3 ISLANDERS 2 (shootout)
Happy New Year to Islanders Country
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Bill says:
On a hockey note, I love the kid to death, and he is just a kid so I understand it’s part of the maturing process but Tavares’s body language is screaming no confidence right now.
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Mario says:
Have a good new year and we’ll start over in 2 nights. CB happy new years
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adam m says:
i’ll take that effort and we get a point
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mtrico says:
It would have been nice to get the 2 points, but when the other team goes 3 for 3 in the shootout, that’s tough.
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mickeyboy7 says:
Can’t we change goalies for the shootout? (NOT being sarcastic)
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Islesfan is Vancouver says:
JT also seems to be getting less pp time and less icetime in general. He’s also still getting beaten up a ton every game. Not sure what to suggest but I don’t think anyone wants to see him continually get pounded
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cgs878 says:
The last 2 games have been difficult to watch due to the sloppy play of both teams. Still, 1 point per game for the rest of the season would be nice. Get it to OT and I’ll be happy since the 5 minute OT is usually exciting!
Happy New Year CB and Islanders Country! -
Jay says:
Happy new year Islanders country and a big thanks to CB for keeping IPB going!
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ItsGoodToBeRich says:
CB, Where would this team be without Andy Sutton? He deserves some kind of a contract extension.
Happy New Year Everyone!
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Cs says:
In a game when the only goals are from Schremp and Sim..you know theres a problem.
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Islesphan25 says:
CB, you gonna have a story when KO is announced on team USA roster tomorrow? I know you have been planning it, since it is known who is on it;)
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Jim Clark says: A year ago the Islanders were 12-22-4. This year they are 16-18-7. Getting ready for Saturday’s one-year anniversary of DiPietro’s last game with the Islanders.
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Isles Fan in Toronto says:
Thanks CB for keeping IPB going. Happy New Year to you and your family.
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isles08025 says:
Happy New Year everyone
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Jeff in Oyster Bay says:
Anyone know where Matt Moulson has been lately? Sure seems that he has disappeared from the score sheet for a while now. God, I love listening to Jiggs, even though he referred to Jeff Tambelini as Steve when announcing he was a scratch tonight before the game started. Good looking tie also Jiggs.
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Anyone know where Matt Moulson has been lately? Sure seems that he has disappeared from the score sheet for a while now. God, I love listening to Jiggs, even though he referred to Jeff Tambelini as Steve when announcing he was a scratch tonight before the game started. Good looking tie also Jiggs.
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where is matt moulson??? Exactly where he is supposed to be… You thought he was going to keep up that pace..Come on..Islander fans are smarter than that…He reached his peaked with this team a few weeks ago… Does that mean he will not be a good player with a good team NO…but come om
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Examiner says:
#6 Mickeyboy – The Roloson not doing well in shootouts is so October. I mean the guy stopped all three on Tuesday and has stood on his head all season. We don’t make it to overtime without him.
Tavares was a tough choice for the 3rd shooter. He has been pressing and his confidence is down. I would’ve went with Bailey. He has played well recently and had 40 or so family/friends in the building. He had that extra incentive to will one through Leclaire.
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Davie says:
Fair is fair, we ripped Bailey for weeks for not being ready and said he should be sent down, why not Tavares? For Pete’s sake Sim is more productive these days.
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Brian from Massapequa says:
I’m thinking we should implode the team and start over…jeez kids, let’s be realistic. We are building something here. I see it. Others see it. Take a peak. We got somethin goin on…Happy New Year folks.
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IslesFanInFlorida says:
Just wanted to say, Happy New Years to all IPB readers. Was a decent game, love listening to Jiggs, hes soo smooth and really shows he does homework before doing each game. Still love Howie, but damm Jiggs is a Natural. Poor JT, MM, the pressure was on, and they have disappeared for the time being. They will shine again, in 2010, thats my prediction. Have a good nite, and Happy NEW YEARS AGAIN!!! LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!!!
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JPinVA says:
- no Jiggs on center Ice feed.
+ Roloson is tremendous again.
+ Rob Schremp starting to pay dividends.
+ tiVo makes 32 Tim Horton commercials go away.
- weight is a non-factor in his return.
- Moulson and tavares have both been non-factors in December.
+ Sutton delivering another crusher
+ Gordon getting in the holiday spirit during his time out.
- TV timeout only seconds afterwards.. again.
+ 2009 is over!
- Same cast starts 2010… -
Darren Ingersoll says:
I really like the this group, I am increasingly pleased with Schremp. I cheer with confliction, I want the team successful now, but know we need another top pick or two. This can only happen with a bottom five finish, which means no playoffs.
For the long-term, we need to suffer another year. -
isles14 says:
how good as andy sutton been this year.
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Islesin VA says:
A few things (1) CB – thanks so much for PointBlank. It is the first web site I go to every morning. I can’t imagine a day with my fix. (2) Remember the plan. The Isles are building something and all the fans see it. Be patient. There will be steps backwards, but there are steps forward. (3) Don’t hope for playoffs. Hope for another lottery pick and then watch this team go. (4) Have we been watching the WJC’s? The Isles have 7 players from Canada, US, Russia and Sweden in this tournament. There is more of our future. (5) Happy New Year to all Islanders fans! We can see the future and (finally) it is bright.
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Islebethere4u says:
happy new year!
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4theisles says:
Happy New Year and wishing for the LH!
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Ben says:
I remember how fast the Senetors were just a couple of years ago – great skaters and very good skills.
Last night they were fst at times but are not an all around fast team in comparison to us.
We looked like we struggled to keep up many times during the game. Our young legs are like baby legs – give them a couple more years to grow and mature.
I don’t care what is said a 19 or 20 year old is just physically not going to match up to men in their late twenties and early thirties. It’s like (if you have kids, seeing your child go against the next age group up and you’re always saying to yourself, “holy s*&#, the other team is big, strong or fast”
With so many good young players coming up it is clear that there is hope.
I hope that we are able to squeak into the playoffs but if not, end up fifth from the bottom and get a lottery pick for the top 1 or 2 picks.
I thought Sutton was strong last night and boy Schremp has good hands
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RichM says:
I do not understand why KO should be on the Olympic roster? He is on pace for 12 goals!!! He needs to score goals for this team especially when Taveras is struggling. To me KO is getting a free ride.
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joe fred va says:
Well Rich I guess all those assists Okoposo has do not count for anything? JT needs to keep working hard, he will snap out of this drought….
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#31 KO is on pace for 12 goals and 42 assists. Is that what is expected of him? To be fair, I think too much is expected of him, but I was hoping for 20-25 goals and 70 pts. Isles need goal scorers, and I am not sure KO will really be one. Happy New Year!
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dano says:
was at the game,Rolly stoll the show,we are lacking in some areas but a good over all effort .Sutton is as a freight train out there ,just ask Foligno. Keep her rolling boys were on the wright track
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isles72 says:
what exactly are we waiting for with regards to switching up JT’s linemates ?
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Matt Scordato says:
Chris if we were to do a +/- for this game, mine would lead off with J.T. getting caught just before the opening face off “cleaning house” (aka picking his nose) on the bench just before the opening face-off.
Granted the kid is only 19, but I agree w/ poster #2, his facial expressions exhibit a lack a confidence. He’s got a real long face. Maybe “gf” issues, maybe he just needs a little horizontal refreshment?
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Hale says:
to post 30..if you don’t know why okposo should be on team usa then you haven’t been watching him play
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JoeRiverside says:
Random year end thoughts:
1. For their ages, Okposo, Tavares & Bailey are doing just fine. very happy with their performance. They’ll have their ups & downs.
2. I rather get a lottery pick than get the 8th playoff spot. Even, with de haan & hamonic, I still think Isles need more young talent before they start bringing in some top FA.
3. My mindset as I watch the balance of the year: how are the young players progressing and will DP return to top form?CB, thanks for a great fan site. I really have seen nothing that compares with this site, intelligent discussion, good insights. not your typical spots blog where morons are throwning around insults.
Have a Happy New Year EveryoneJoeRiverside
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mrlbem says:
Happy New Year to Chris and all the Islander Country faithful. If last season was like an expansion team (Year 1 of the Rebuild, think 72-73), and this season, Year 2, is like 73-74 (except we added Tavares, 73-74 added Potvin), then we just need another Top 5 pick this year and next season we make our move into the Playoffs and beyond. It will happen. In SnoJanks We Trust.
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Glen S says:
Happy New Year CB and family, I’ll take the road point.
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Bring back Nyles says:
You are being kind of provincial there Rich. Okposo is not and will never be the goal scorer John Tavares is or will be. That is not his game. He leads the team in assists and plays strong with the puck in all three zones. He is our best player on the power play, shorthanded, and at even strength.
Scoring goals isn’t everything in hockey. Oh yeah, and he’s 21 years old. ‘a free ride’? What does that even mean?
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comeau on that line DOESNT WORK, even though he plays well. i’ve been waiting for that to be changed for a long time now………ksdjflasdfj
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The top line has no chemistry. I think some of the lines definitely need to be reshuffled. Our offense has gone completely dry.
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Islander says:
Happy New Year to all! Good job Sim, Roloson and Schremp!
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Tavares is a 19 year old rookie, growing pains are expected. He’s surrounded by guys older, stronger, and more seasoned than he is. This is not a new thing. Lecacalier had 13 goals in 82 games his rookie year, Gaborik had 18 in 71, Nash 17 in 74, and E. Staal had 11 pts in 81 games.
Little patience people. He’ll be fine.
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isles316 says:
Okposo is almost on an identical pace to Jarome Iginla in his first two seasons as far as goal scoring. Iginla had 13 goals in his 2nd season in 82 games.
He SHOULD be on Team USA. He will be for years to come.
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Jim Clark says:
Taveras is doing better this year than Stamkos did last year. For what it’s worth, “Sporting News” magazine thinks JT will be the better player. He’s hit a rough patch but it happens. Especially when you are 19.
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doc says:
Did anyone else notice Park just standing there observing his teammates in the scrum after Sim’s goal?
What was he looking at??? All 9 other skaters were paired up, pulling at each other, pushing, shoving etc. except Park.
I’m sorry, but he’s been terrible this year. Good riddance.
Can’t wait till the Islanders no longer “need” the services of Sim, Witt and Park.
DOC
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purify says:
drury on the olympic team??????? most overated player ever.
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matt says:
gordon is gonna ruin tavares he has to be the worst bench coach in the league how can u run four lines in the third down by one its a joke and tavares has one goal in 10 games why? Well ten games ago they put blake c on his line. He over coaches so much. I cant stand when our first two lines go out then theres a 3 min tv timeout and he still puts out our fourth line. Nate Thompson and jon sim are not going to win games for us and the whole time tavares is getting less and less confident. take the reigns off the kid and let him go out be creative without being scared he is going to sit or be yelled at cause he didnt follow gordons game plan to the tee players live tavares need to be able to be creative thats what makes him a good player. But hey that’s just my opinion
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CJCB says:
#47 add to that list Thompson, Jackman & Gervais
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Joe says:
50- What are you talking about, Jackman is our only toughess.
Due to the lack of toughness, Jackman is hurt now, is it apparent we need an enforcer yet?
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If Jackman,Sim and Thompson skated around like Prima Donnas they would not get hurt. They get hurt stopping the puck, trying to draw penalties and doing all the crap jobs the “waltzing matilda players” are not doing…..
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With everyone down on JT for not scoring lately, I say give the kid a break. The whispers are “a lack of confidance”, He’s too beat up” and “he looks lost out there”. First of all I don’t think any 19 year old rookie could stand up to the schedule these guys had to endured this year. Because of the Olympics, way too many back to backs and 3 games in four nights for anyone. Brutal schedule. I think they should give him a few days off. Let him get his head straight and strength back. Also his best play was with Moulson and Okposo. He’s not a winger, he’s better as a center.
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#51 I agree we need a “REAL” Enforcer. While Jackman is our only toughness its just not good toughness, this guy only takes on guys smaller than him and really is not producing on offense. Yeah he may hit guys but Rechlitz can just hit guys, Gilles in Bridgeport can hits guys also. The only difference is atleast these guys are willing to take on the bigger guys win or lose. Sim come on this guy is a joke the king of the face rubs he does nothing to get under the skin of the other team, the face rubs are the other team saying get out of my face your not going to fight me what are you going to do. Thompson another joke cant score, cant fight what can you do? Bad PKer and we already have plenty of faceoff ability on the team. When it comes to toughness the Isles just dont get it.
Have a good one CB & thanks for the site.