DETROIT at ISLANDERS, 7:05 pm – Rolo vs. Howard
Witt on IR, Bergenheim back; Babcock praises NYI
12:20 pm, NVMC – Unlike some other coaches, Mike Babcock does not mind talking about his opponents. The Stanley Cup-winning coach had some kind words today about the Islanders.
“I really like what they’re doing here,” said the Canadian Olympic coach. “The Islanders have a youthful group. The whole team looks like first round picks. They come at you hard, skate and don’t stop. They’ve looked real good lately.
“They’ve got some very talented kids in Tavares, Bailey and Okposo. As the three of them grow, they could be a really dynamic force.”
11:45 am, NVMC – Sean Bergenheim is definitely in tonight. Jeff Tambellini is out. The other scratch? Nate Thompson, maybe. Doug Weight and Richard Park were given a free pass to skip the morning skate.
Rick DiPietro mentioned to Point Blank that Sudarshan “Sudsie” Maharaj is coming to Long Island tomorrow for some one-on-one work leading up to his next start. Scott Gordon said it will be beneficial for DiPietro to get in three practices this week.
In a rare occurrence, the Islanders are practicing the rest of the week at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Answering a question from the Detroit media, Gordon called Frans Nielsen “one of the best-kept secrets in the NHL.”
The coach had respect, but little sympathy for the Red Wings’ length injury list. “Anytime you can roll out Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Lidstrom…”
10:50 am, NVMC - Although Scott Gordon termed Brendan Witt a healthy scratch on Saturday in Phoenix and said the veteran defenseman’s “calf tightness” was minor, Witt goes on IR today and Sean Bergenheim comes off.
Dwayne Roloson, who certainly knows the Red Wings well from his many years in the Western Conference, starts tonight. If you want to see Rick DiPietro’s first home start since last Christmas break, consider grabbing some tickets for Saturday against Buffalo. Just don’t ask me for a refund if I’m wrong.
111 Responses to DETROIT at ISLANDERS, 7:05 pm – Rolo vs. Howard
Witt on IR, Bergenheim back; Babcock praises NYI
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Greg says:
now just let tamby play for park, sim, or thompson and put him on a line with schremp and hunter and see what happens
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bailey JT KO
moulson neilsen comeau
hunter schremp tamby
park weight thompsonthats what i would prefer to see
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Chris Mc says:
Its about time. Not that we have been playing bad at all, but when you have a guy like Sean Bergenheim healthy, he needs to play. If gordo has any clue the lines shuold look like this:
Bailey-JT-KO
Moulson-Nielsen-Hunter
Bergy-Schremp-KO
Sim-Weight-Park/ThompsonCome on Scott, make us proud.
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i forgot about bergie before…my fault!
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Mark P says:
I would like to see Bergenheim take on Park’s Roll…. Let’s not mess with Shremp…..he may jsut be on to something.
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felix says:
cop out roster move. Everyday that goes by and Biron is sitting on sides his value diminishes. Gotta get rid of him now.
The only way the islanders come out on top of this is if one of the big goalies gets hurt from now the trade deadline or in the olympics. Imagine what a team like calgary or san jose would give for biron if their goalie went down during the olympics.
if not we will be lucky to get a 7 round pick in a couple of weeks.
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dont worry I put KO instead of Comeau on the third line and hes my favorite player. That should be KO-MO on the third line. Must be something in the coffee this morning
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Jon says:
Good to have Bergie back. Ideally, I would want to see these lines
Bailey Taveras Okposo
Moulson Neilsen Bergie
Comeau Schremp Tamby
Park Weight Hunter -
battfist says:
CB-I beg to differ….
Im getting my tickets for the 18th. -
Bring back Nyles says:
Felix – Biron’s value is not decreasing by the day. Not playing doesn’t hurt his value and what he can provide for a team making a playoff run or a one that loses a goalie.
I think you are vastly under-valuing Marty.
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James says:
I agree Nyles, Felix you are looking at the Marty situation all wrong. What happens if Roloson goes down? You going to trust DP out there by himself? Fact is we cant afford to get rid of Biron until we know DP is back and will stay healthy
Birons’ value does not diminish by him sitting because there are teams that are contenders with shaky goaltending that could use the great veteran presence that he shows.
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The Situation says:
Jimmy Howard will start in his ninth straight game on Tuesday. Howard limited the competition to just one goal in each of his last two starts and five of his last seven games. He has a 16-9-2 record with a 2.14 GAA and .928 save percentage in 28 games. To quote the Joe’s Crab Shack commercial OH Sh!T!!!
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4theisles says:
We are now left with Meyer and Gervais against a big DRW team. It will take big Rolli effort to keep the score down.
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Manfred Masafred says:
One for the future..
BAILEY-TAVARES-OKPOSO
BERGENHEIM-NIELSEN-COMEAU
MOULSON-SCHREMP-TAMBELLINI
SIM-WEIGHT-HUNTER..and steal the wings
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JPinVA says:
Bergy off IR does not equal Bergy is playing… still waiting for that. While we are messin with lines…
JB-JT-KO: this line will be takin care of business for a long time, hopefully.
MM-RS-BC: Secondary scoring line.
SB-FN-TH: Solid third line, can check and score.
JS-DW-RP: This line allows you to roll four. Replace park with haley or wrecker to give the lineup some toughness and doubleshift KO on the RW to make it a legit 2nd/3rd line. They need to manage this shoestring roster better… MUCH BETTER. (88) -
John says:
Now it’s official… he’s in.
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admin says:
post updated: Bergenheim is in…CB
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Love that Bergenheim is coming back to the lineup. Him and Comeau bring big energy to this lineup that others are not bringing right now. Even though he doesn’t score many goals, Blake Comeau in the Colorado game last week was the best player on the ice.
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rob76 says:
CB – Could they have found a mystery ailment for Biron and put him on IR so that he could have gotten some work in rehab starts at the Bridge?
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admin says:
post updated with words from Mike Babcock…CB
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JoeRiverside says:
I know I sound like a broken record, but if we’re in the middle of a rebuild, why is Tamby sitting and Park & Thompson playing (Weight teaches leadership. We need to have a final evaluation on Tamby. He’s needs consistent playing time and preferably on a consistent line. He really hasn’t gotten a fair shake.
IMHO,
JoeRiverside -
Geli says:
#24 – Rebuild or not, players have roles. Tambellini is not competing with Thompson or Park, he’s competing with scoring wings. If Thompson was to sit for Tambellini the next round of comments would be “well we can’t expect him to do much playing on a fourth line”.
We’ve been playing well. He wont be back in the lineup unless we start losing or guys get hurt.
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Isles81 says:
I agree with post 24. Why is Tamby sitting game after game? The guy shouold be given a fair shot. Why do this in a season when he’s finally showing some signs of life? It looks like Gordon isn’t giving him a shot because he’s already made up his mind about him.
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UIF says:
I’m with JoeRiverside on Tambellini, and I’m not even a big Tamby fan either. But the guy’s contract is up at the end of this year. If they were just giving up on him, that’s one thing and I’d be fine with scratching him, but it’s clear they’re not ready to give up on him yet, as evidenced by them faking an injury to Witt for the roster move instead of exposing Tamby to waivers. That being the case, what else is there to do besides play him for the second half and see if he earns an extension or a boot off the Island?
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peter puck says:
For crying out loud. They have been giving Tambellini more than a fair chance for 2 1/2 years and to a man the posters on this site moaned and groaned when he was in the line up. Now he can’t break in he is the next coming of Mike Bossey?
Let me ask you Tamby rooters – which top 6 winger would you put down to the 4th line? -
“one of the best-kept secrets in the NHL.” and playing for the league minimum for two more years.
Meanwhile, Alexi Yashin will make 9 times as much to eat fish eggs in Moscow next year. -
BJ says:
Man, Jon Sim cant get a break from you guys, how do many of you have him out of the lineup over Thompson or Park after all hes contributed the past month and a half?….Bergenheim’s gonna be a great addition to a team already heading in the right direction, should be a great game tonite…
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EAF says:
please give Sim a break, he is doing his part, working like a horse and even scoring some goals. every team needs a player like that
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Peter Puck: You say that Tambi has gotten 2 1/2 years? I disagree, he has never been given consistent ice time. Even Thompson gets more consistent playing time. Tambi’s playing time is erratic, and lines never consistent. Having said that, I’d be the first to admit, that I’m not sure Tambi will make the cut. But we need to find out now.
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Islander says:
Park is the one that needs to sit….adds nothing to the team at this point; never passes, takes the puck down and loses it 9 times out of 10. He has served his time.
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Everyone whos screaming for Tambellini to be in the lineup I have two points. The frist, which should be obvious to everyone, is that the coaching staff sees something that they do not like about him as an overall player. Second, this team is averaging almost 4 goals a game over the last week and a half. We’re not putting Tamby in for defense so why is everyone so insistant on adding him to the lineup?
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HEY CB What happened to all the pics of the ice girls you were so good at posting? Can we get one prior to tonights game?
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John says:
Just like #29 and #30 said, Get off the Sim soap box…He is working hard and its definatley paying off, drawing penalties, taking guys off thier game and even putting in some goals…every team needs one or two players like him to stir things up. Theres bigger things to worry about than his role. more integral parts of the team like the calibur of some of the defensemen that this team has.
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JoeRiverside
Tambellini first played in the 2005/2006 season. since then he has played 168 games for the Isles and has scored a grand total of 18 goals. Now tell me he has not had more than a fair chance. -
Peter puck, more to the point, it’s clear the coach doesn’t want Tamby in, but it’s clear the GM refuses to waive him. Don’t you think that’s a waste of a crucial roster spot? I’m sure “fully recovered” Bergy thought so last game, and I’m sure Witt and his “sore calf” think so tonight. My point is if you’re going to scratch healthy players to protect his spot on the roster, then play him…especially since his contract’s up soon and you have to cut him loose or re-sign him then anyway. If you’re not going to play him, then waive him for the sake of everyone else. What’s happening now makes little sense to me.
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Peter Puck: Understand your point, but some players develop later than others and just when Tambi starts scoring, he gets pulled. Again, I’m not even sure he will make it. You may be right. but in a rebuild year, take one last look to see whether his recent scoring is a “Flash in the pan” or a sign that he’s finally hit his stride. Just my 2 cents.
JoeRiverside -
The New Isles GM says:
I consider Babcock the best coach in the NHL working with a mediocre team this year. Detroit will undoubtedly find a way in the playoffs because of this reason. This man didn’t have to give his honest point of view on the Islanders but the man is right. In the coming years, we will be a force to be reckoned with. However, like I said, in the coming years. As Garth starts to add the right pieces into place from year to year, by the 2013-2014 season, I believe we can be a legitimate contender year after year and not be taken lightly or made fun of in the media anymore. Good Work Garth.
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Jethro from Finland says:
I don’t like the fact that players apparently have to fake injuries just because GM can’t make a decision. Snow has done a great job and i’m sure there are talks to ship Biron somewhere, but I just don’t think this has been done the right way.
He’s loyal to his players, which is truly great and one advantage we might have when trying to sign anyone, but sometimes in the NHL you have to do a cold business decision. Glad to see Bergie finally back and firmly believe that Biron trade is just around the corner.
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IslesRock says:
CB, could a deal be in the works for Witt or does the rest of the NHL see what we see? Tamby has been in the doghouse with two coaches now. I would get any type of draft pick for him before the deadline. Bottom line, he is a small guy who plays small. Sim has been growing on me this year, and Richard Park is starting to remind me of Andy Hilbert, and thats not good.
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If there was a deal with Witt the last possible place you would want to put him would be IR. IMO Witter isnt going anywhere.
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Tim F. says:
Witt has one more year at about $3 million on his contract. Thus, no other team wants him.
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Joe says:
If they scratch Thompson, that would make them the sofest team of all time. That would be a bad move, they should scratch Sim or someone instead.
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Staten Islander says:
I like him, but I think its time for Park to take a seat
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Bill says:
I’m usually a rah-rah guy but Park should be watching from the press box. He has been brutal this season.
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I agree with that, at least Thompson plays scrappy, Park hasnt done much.
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James says:
Just because you are willing to drop the gloves and act as a punching bag doesnt mean you should get an automatic lineup spot. See ya Nate. But id still rather have Park sit before him. haha
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fass says:
Peter Puck- I’ve seen the Games play stat so many times on Tambs but really how many did he PLAY! He might have gotten 2-3 minutes in more than half of those games. He’s been put on 4th lines, hardly any PP time, which is ridiculous with that shot he has, and given a minimal chance of success here. This year he played the first game than got sat for 5 games. How can you play comfortably and confident when everything you do causes you to get benched. He was our second leader goal scorer for awhile there and still got benched. How can you say he’s gotten a chance when you see guys like JT, MM, JB and KO go through longer streaks of not scoring goals this season than Tambs.KO and Bailey at least showed up to the games they didn’t score, the other two were invisible. I’m not saying Tambs is going to be a 40 goal scorer and the answer we need, BUT please stop with Games played and goals scored stat because it’s unfair to him.
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Chris in DC says:
I’d love to hear how some of you figure that Tambellini must play among the top 6 forwards in order to get in the lineup. Where did you get that from? Why can’t he play on the 4th line? Cause ‘he doesn’t fit there’? Says who? A 4th line of Tamby, Weight and Sim/Park works just fine for me.
And Tamby taking the 12-14 minutes given to Nate Thompson will work just fine — he doesn’t need ‘Top 6′ minutes to get in the lineup.
And also, since when has Thompson become the second coming of Claude LaPointe to some of you? Not even close folks… -
#46, scratching Thompson would make them the softest team of all time? Say what?!? Since when did Thompson suddenly morph into ex-Isle Arron Asham?
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Frank nyc says:
The Islanders = A young upcoming team/ dynamic force
I have been waiting for years to see an Islander team that could actually believe in. This team is finally on its way. They are doing it the right way…Through the draft and smart FA decisions. -
Apologies to Staten Islander, my comment on Thompson (ha!) was meant for ‘Joe’ at #45, not you…
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#51 Chis, not a problem
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MileHighIsle says:
Chris, any chance of seeing Trevor Smith come up? I know he only has 12 goals but nobody in the AHL is tearing it up. I think the league leader has 19. He’s been playing this system for awhile and I feel could add more to the game than Sim. Perhaps having Smith and Haley come up to replace Sim & Thompson could help the team out.
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can there be a trade with any combo of Witt/Biron/Park/Tamby? any combo for a pick or prospect…please
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jnew66 says:
Park’s job is to kill penalties. Isles rank second to last in league in PK. It’s time for Park to SIT. P.S. I’m not a Sim guy, but he’s been effective as of late and deserves to play. Last thing, where have all the “SEND BAILEY TO BRIDGEPORT ASAP” guys gone ?
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d-man says:
why do some of you think you can take multiple mediocre players that are clearly not playing well and combine them to get something good in return in a trade?
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JtorBust says:
# 45 Without Thompson we would be soft ? The guy has had 1 1/2 fights tops this year , he is just not a nhl player, bring up martin-
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Here’s one of the “SEND BAILEY TO BRIDGEPORT” guys. I still think this was the right thing to do for Josh. A more “stocked” team would have had him play another year in juniors(last year) and had him start this year in the AHL. A better managed team would have signed more talent and had him play at Bridgeport this year. It’s great that he is “finding” his way now. Nobody said Bailey was a bust… he is a kid… and we (at least I) think he’s going to be a very good/important core player… he just wasn’t afforded the luxury of LEADING a team before being thrown to the wolves.
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Chris in DC: I dont think he is anything special, we would have no one on any of the 4 lines that would drop the gloves, easily making us the softest team in the league (if we arent already). As of now this is the softest lineup I can think of for an Islander team.
We need to bring up Haley/Martin/Rechlicz…anyone really.
I wonder if Garth saw that MAF and Johnson are hurt for Pittsburgh, trade them Biron for Englland or Godard.
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JTorBust – I count 5 “fights” Thompson has been in this season.
While that is hardly cause for celebration, I do agree sitting him would give us ZERO physicality. Without him, Jackman (10 fights), and Witt (3 fights) we would be absolutely devoid of any “muscle”.
Bottom line is, as much as I dislike Thompson, we need him to play as long as Jackman is out. Park on the other hand….
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Park on the other hand adds nothing…zero..nada..
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steve says:
park and sim are rentless forecheckers, who bang, grind and cause chaos whenever possible. they are 3/4 line players that hound and harass opposing defenders. they crease crash, get/give face washes and provide grit. they are tenacious.if one or two of our fowards had more of that tenacity, they’d have fewer splinters in their gear.
comeau sat in the doghouse, but got out of it. its not exile. after 40 games, it appears that as a foward, if you dont skate, work and occasionally bang, you dont play. if the detractors of park and sim believe their work effort is all they bring to the team, then shame on the more talented players for not outworking lesser talents. -
OJK says:
Hey. Driving back from Awesome day Skiing in Vermont. What Radio channel is the Isle game on ?
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Rob says:
I read this earlier but after looking at the schedule again I question the prediction of a Saturday start for DP. Historically, he has played possibly his best games against the Devils/Brodeur. Why not use him on Monday when the Isles have a back to back on Tuesday? Roloson has been fantastic. Let him keep playing as long as he can rest between starts.
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heineken says:
#64 Radio: WMJC 94.3 FM
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Mike from Sarasota says:
Agree ‘Bring back Nyles’. Park should be sitting. Not Thompson. Park adds nothing to the team. I don’t want to hear about his penalty killing. He is the leader of one of the leagues worst PK’s.
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Strummer's Army says:
Great so now the Isles announcers are joking about how many teeth Tavares is losing from all the dirty hits he is taking because Snow what protect his team.
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What a great passing play between 21, 12 and 91.
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Park possesses the ability to be a pest. IT is him starting at center between Okposo and Bailey that set up the forecheck that ended up resulting in the 1st goal
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Cody says:
I am cautiously starting to feel good about this team. I’d love to see JT do some strength training though. And i’d still like to get another scoring wing, and top dman. In regards to tambellini. the team is winning with the current formula of lines. If we were on a bad streak id say lets see what he can do, but as long as were winning i say keep everything besides the glaring problems (i.e. Witt, gervais). We just beat too VERY good teams in the coyotes and avalanche.
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mLem says:
throw another Schremp on the barby
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is it me or do the wings look like a tired team?
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rob76 says:
That was the best period they played all season long – the first home game i am not at this year too!
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They played in SJ on satuday, then again we played in PHX lol
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SavaFan1 says:
Bailey – Tavares – Okposo . . .
The BTO LINE baby!!!!!
Taking care of business . . . you ain’t seen nothing yet!
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IslanderFAN says:
great first period by the Isles and Gervais! who set up the 2nd goal and play great.
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Gordo moving Bailey to the wing and Schremp back to center is looking like a genius move. Both have been scoring at over a point per game pace over the last 5 games.
Really good first period also. -
No fotomat to start the game… It’s already my favorite game of the year.
This is the strongest lineup they’ve put on the ice with Bergy, Nielsen and Weight all playing. When you can put a guy like Sean Bergenhiem on the FOURTH line, you’ve can say you have an NHL lineup.
So far, so good!
That being said, replacing Park(one of my favorites) with a Wrecker, Haley or Martin for divisional games might not be such a bad idea either.
Awesome first period… Let’s go ISLANDERS! -
put ANOTHER SCHREMP on the barby
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Jeff Tambellini never panned out over 3 seasons. Shremp may have taken half a year but he sure looks like an NHL player now, bye Jeff!
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Schremp: Don’t get a hat trick. Got Tambi in the Press Box.
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dedshark says:
This “BTO” line is looking like it is going to go a long way. Do you believe these passes? They had osgood diving for his life.
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mht says:
Rob Schremp has been outstanding in all facets of the game during the last 10 games.i hope Gordon will use him as penalty killer and a late game defensive shut down artist.The man is really,really talented.
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nystrom23 says:
I agree with #83…anyone got any details?
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
Oh nooooooo … a three goal lead!! … LOL!
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#85 Defensemen muffed one in front of his own net and Schremp was there to put it in.
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Do you think they could possibly blow a 4 goal lead?
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Ko, Bailey, Striet and Moulson are going again, Now they have tp get JT going again
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JT says:
What a game. Hope Kenny Jonsson is enjoying himself. He couldn’t have picked s better game to attend.
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Wow, cheap shot by Datsuyk.
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Ajax says:
“If you are going to do it, do it right. That is just a dumb fan” LMAO
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i just realized why this game hasnt been stressful at all….rob carlin is no where to be found
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Schremp needs teeth whitener …just sayin
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Islesin2010 says:
Maybe the Isles should move to Kansas City and the Western Conference. When was the last time they scored at least 3 goals in 4 straight games!??
Great game so far, everyones having good games
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JT9187 says:
Saw Martinek walking around… any chance hes back before the end of the season? a right handed shot would help besides bruno. nice play tonight tho
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Steve says:
Let’s hope they don’t blow a 4 goal lead. I remember on January 30, 2007 they had a 3-0 lead against the Wings into the 3rd and lost the game in OT.
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3rd period … please dont blow this
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ATTENTION : BRIAN BURKE
You watchin this??
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I was kind of hoping that JT got a piece of that – but Oh – well no reason to get greedy tonight – I dont think DP can get the start Saturday night after this game. Roli on Saturday – DP Monday MLK Day
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Melvin says:
Anyone know if they gave Kenny Jonsson some love on the arena scoreboard (or on the TV broadcast) tonight?
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dominla says:
billy is talking about man strength. nice.
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IslesinOside says:
OM…Bruno Gervais? Seriously? I definately believe in 2012 now!
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holy crap
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Mike says:
Unreal. I don’t care if the Wings are mediocre, I’m glad that the club pasted them. Let’s pray that this game gives them more confidence that will carry over.
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ars9x says:
wow! Bruno? WTF? an assist and goal, my oh my, what a night for all on the island. I hope JT breaks through soon for his own sanity, we all know he’s fine.
and ITA Roli on sat!
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That was fun!
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Oh and we should get TWO servings of free chili!!!!
Finally! Welcome back Bergenheim! I expect him to be a little rusty and probably won’t get his normal dose of shift but I cannot wait to see him back at 100%, skating hard, finishing checks, and helping out that PK.
Witt needs the time off and this helps. Meyer helps this team more offensively and defensively. The only negative is Witt is one of the few people willing to stand up for teammates.
Happy Rollie gets the start. We actually have a chance then!