Monthly Archives: January 2010
Please watch the video, read and react at FanHouse.
CB’s weekly NHL column on FanHouse
Ciskie of FanHouse on NYI prospect Blake Kessel
Predict the Punishment: I say Andy Sutton’s relatively clean record and reputation for throwing big but fair hits this season will result in no further discipline from Inconsistent Colin Campbell. Make your call in Comments.
When a team has played as well as any team in the league since Christmas, it’s okay to have moral victories. The Islanders battled some iffy officiating and a pair of superstars tonight, and still did not quit on the road against the defending Stanley Cup champions in the second of back-to-backs. Only an unfortunate hit-from-behind by Andy Sutton prevented the Islanders from making one last comeback.
In its own way, tonight’s performance was as impressive as the blowouts at home over Detroit and New Jersey.
Of course, it will be a lot easier for the Islanders to look back on this loss in the Igloo if they take care of business the rest of the week. They have Florida on Thursday after the Panthers play in New Jersey the night before. The Islanders host a rematch against the Devils on Saturday, 24 hours after New Jersey plays Montreal at the Rock. Four important points. Four obtainable points.
This has turned into some season, huh?
9:50 pm – A ticky-tack penalty call on Kyle Okposo leads to a Malkin power play goal off a gorgeous move by Alex Goligoski. Islanders do not score on ensuing power play. Five minutes left.
9:37 pm – The Islanders spend the first 48 seconds of the period driving the Pens batty with their forecheck. A Frans Nielsen pokecheck slides over to Trent Hunter, who scores. Richard Park scores at 7:11 to tie it. The Islanders do not quit.
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9:00 pm – If the Islanders fall tonight, there won’t be any over-reaction from this blogger (never!). This is what happens when your best players take over – and your best players are Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Still, the Islanders continue to fight. This is a very, very good sign.
Evgeni Malkin scores on a 5-on-3 power play to make it 2-0. Kyle Okposo has the equivalent of three breakaways – one on a penalty shot – and cannot convert. Brent Johnson makes a splendid split save on the penalty shot.
Bill Guerin, sporting the Boogie Nights ‘stache, converts a perfect pass from Crosby. Later on, after Andy Sutton makes it 3-1 with a power play goal, Crosby scores again. A healthy Brendan Witt may have helped limit a least a little of Crosby’s production.
Freddy Meyer makes it 4-2, as the game turns to shinny.
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8:13 pm – The Penguins may have the edge in talent with their pair of high-end superstars, but again the Islanders look like they can play (and beat) anybody. Hard work in front of the net by The Tank leads to a turnover and goal by Sidney Crosby.
Strange delay-of-game penalty on Dwayne Roloson. You’d think a referee would show more respect towards a goaltender with so many seasons on the back of his hockey card. These are just the hurdles a team looking to break through need to overcome.
Early on, the fans at the Igloo did a nice job of getting their team into the game when the Penguins had trouble solving the Islanders. Pittsburgh is the Islanders’ latest opponent to be coming back from a long road trip. Like Lindy Ruff, Dan Bylsma will not make any excuses for his team.
Some AHL All-Star Game trivia: Dwayne Roloson played in the game three times – most recently in 2001. Rick DiPietro played in the classic in 2002
Point Blank reader Will C – determined to see the end of dark jerseys at home – has created a website and petition: www.homewhites.com. Will has always fought the good fight to keep this blog alive, so please check out his site.
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7:38 pm - Knew Dwayne (The Rock) Roloson was starting one of these games! I’ll have mini-posts after each period, or earlier if a major event happens. Enjoy the game…CB
The Islanders keep winning, but fans are tired of waved-off goals (h/t David L)
CB’s weekly NHL column on FanHouse
Ciskie of FanHouse on NYI prospect Blake Kessel
UPDATED at 1:15 pm - Looks like Dwayne Roloson vs. Brent Johnson. Former Islanders captain Michael Peca retired today.
In the biggest news of all, Kirill Petrov goes on the record to the Hockey News: “I wasn’t getting icetime and I was going to leave for the second half of the season,” Petrov told Ryan Kennedy through an interpreter. “But (Ak Bars) management told me after the WJC I would get icetime. I will finish the season in Russia and maybe come to North America next year.”
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This should give you another indication of the kind of young man Josh Bailey is. Last season, Bailey didn’t play a single minute of the Windsor Spitfires’ Memorial Cup-winning season. However, when the team celebrated its Canadian junior league championship with a trip to Cancun, Bailey was included.
“That was amazing,” said Bailey. “Management called me up and said, ‘We booked you on the trip. You’re coming.’”
Bailey continued: “The Spitfires are a big part of my career, always will be. They did just fine without me last season when I stuck with the Islanders. For them to make me part of the celebration says a lot about that franchise.”
Bailey is no longer a Spitfire, but Windsor GM Warren Rychel proudly watches every move the 20-year-old makes for the Islanders. I asked Rychel, the former NHL right wing, for his take on Bailey’s recent breakout. The left wing/center has points in eight of his last nine games (5-8-13). With his goal on Monday against New Jersey, Bailey has already matched the 25 points he had in 68 games in his rookie season.
“I thought the best thing to happen to Josh was Scott Gordon sitting him out for one game,” said Rychel of the decision on Nov. 13 to scratch Bailey for a game in Carolina. “Nothing wrong with letting a young player like Josh watch a game and make him understand that your spot in the lineup is not guaranteed.”
Rychel’s team would have benefitted from the Islanders returning Bailey to the Spitfires last season, but the GM understood the move. He offered a unique take on how Bailey’s NHL career to this point should be viewed.
“This season should be looked at as Josh’s true rookie year,” said Rychel. “Last year he started his development while the Islanders had a lot of bumps along the way. Now he’s bigger and stronger and understands what life is like in the NHL. He’s better for the experience.
“The thing you always know about Josh is, he can handle the ups and downs. There will be more for him, but he’ll grow from the setbacks.”
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Weeks later, I’m still attempting to get through some final Ask the Editor questions…
Doug, RVC: CB, favorite NYI player of all time?
CB: John Tonelli. If you saw him play, my choice needs no explanation.
Devon: You’ve got my name, and I’m 19, and when I’m not at Penn State, I’m in Setauket. My question is this: when will the Islanders start being a bonafide contender for the Stanley Cup? I’m not talking about sneaking into the playoffs as a 6 or 7 or 8 seed, but contending for the division and conference, and what needs to happen to get to that point?
CB: I don’t mean to make it seem simple, because we all know it’s anything but. Whether the Islanders had this terrific run the last three weeks or not, I felt it would be fair for fans to expect this “consistent contender” goal the Islanders set back in 2008 to come to fruition the season after next.
Yes, 2011-12. When you get the first overall pick in 2009 and already had Kyle Okposo plus a half-dozen solid talents before this rebuild started, it should not take six years. You know what I mean?
As for what the Islanders need, let’s just break it down to big pieces. One, a power wing with toughness and 30-goal hands. Two, a legitimate top-two defenseman. Whether it’s via trade or free agency, the Islanders are in position to finish the job in the next two offseasons. Let the prospects continue to develop and bring them into the NHL lineup – to steal a Ken Holland phrase – only when they are “overripe.”
Mike, fan since 1972, Richmond, VA (formerly from Farmingdale): CB: Islanders Point Blank is now a part of AOL and you have a title of Senior Writer. Does this give IPB security for years to come??
CB: That’s very kind of you to ask, Mike, and of all the others who have inquired. AOL saved the day for me with Point Blank, because I love doing this. My arrangement, concerning FanHouse’s sponsorship of PB, is for this season only – which was plenty generous of them. Hopefully, we will be able to extend our agreement.
Although I’m not around the team 24/7 because I’m covering the NHL for FanHouse, I’ve enjoyed writing the blog even more this season than last season. The Islanders are not just in the playoff chase past December, they are playing their best hockey in years and have been a very friendly and accessible group to cover.
Whether my Islanders coverage ends this year or in 20 years, I suspect it will always have a season-to-season existence. Again, my deepest thanks to the bosses at AOL and to all the readers for the support.
This post will be updated later in the day if there is any roster news.
Comments on this post and tonight’s game. Check in during the tilt for posts after each period.
Please read and react at FanHouse. Thank you…CB
4:35 pm - Full-disclosure: the game was so one-sided, my sons and I left after the second period. I watched the rest on TV while they enjoyed a rare nice January day outside.
This is how beautiful life is in Islanders Country.
The Islanders were so dominant, I ripped up the pages of my little notepad that had the Pluses and Minuses to type up when I got home. It hit me that every player on the Islanders was so good today, so much better than the Devils in every aspect of the game, that it would be unfair to single anyone out.
Instead, I’ll share just a few random thoughts I had during the game, and then guest contributor Andy Facini – a Long Islander attending Boston University who graciously volunteered via email yesterday – will share his Plus/Minus.
It did the heart good to walk into the Coliseum and see a packed house. No question, the Islanders were inspired by it.
Never understand the rush for referees to blow the whitle because they can’t see the puck. What, are they afraid someone is going to get hurt? Geez, this is a sport that only punishes bare-knickle fighting with five minutes in a glass booth with all the Gatorade you can drink.
The Islanders’ forecheck was so good, Lou Lamoriello likely watched in admiration – at least until he couldn’t take any more by the middle of the second period. How many times in the last 15 years have we seen the Devils dominate like they were dominated today?
The Good Ship Islander is sailing so smoothly, the coach can bench the team’s current MVP – coming off a shutout – for two straight games, and it’s no big whoop.
In these three games against Detroit, Buffalo and New Jersey, the Islanders allowed less than a combined total of 20 scoring chances. I counted four against the Red Wings, maybe six today.
No one knows for sure that the Islanders are going to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. What is for certain is that team executives will have to start meeting soon to discuss pricing, ticket design and how to maximize the excitement to win new customers. Again, the Islanders have a long way to go before any talk of locking in a playoff spot. But they will have to start planning – something they probably weren’t banking on a month ago.
On the drive home, Devils radio color commentator Sherry Ross said on WFAN, “The Devils are better on paper, but not on the ice today.” The way the teams have played the last week, I’m not sure there’s any point to the paper/ice discussion. The Devils are playing their worst hockey of the season. The Islanders are playing their best in several years. This is the rollercoaster of the long NHL season. Nothing else matters except how you’re playing today.
This is the best the Islanders have played since the two-year reign of Peter Laviolette.
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Andy Facini starts off the interactive Plus/Minus…
Plus: The first three minutes. ‘Nuff said.
Plus: Isles finding a way to get Yann Danis back on Coliseum ice.
Plus: Martin Brodeur showing up after six minutes, preventing at least a 4-goal first period for the NYI, but it didn’t last.
Plus: Jumping ratings get some respect: Isles get the nod on MSG+, Devils placed on MSG+2.
Plus: Matt Moulson is officially on track for 30 goals.
Plus: Smart work by Doug Weight & Co. to keep the tone after the buzzer in the 2nd without dropping the gloves.
Plus: If you’re going to pick a game to blow out the division leader, a matinee with a packed house is the one you want.
Minus: Someday, Richard Park will score a goal that stands.
Plus: Really struggling to find any more minuses about today.
Join in.
UPDATED at 1:30 pm - In a surprise, Rick DiPietro gets the start. More on that after the game.
The Devils coming back from a West Coast trip, off a loss in Colorado on Saturday. Patrik Elias seriously injured in the Avalanche game, taken off on a stretcher. Another statement game for Gordo’s gritty-gutty-gifted Islanders.
Above is John Tavares in a Team USA jersey at practice on Sunday after losing a friendly bet with American Doug Weight on the WJC final.
With the 2:00 pm start, there is no morning skate – usually the place to unearth any lineup news. The way the Islanders have played recently, I doubt Gordon will change his scratches. After his overtime work on Saturday, Rick DiPietro only worked out off the ice on Sunday.
Dustin Kohn is replacing the mildly-injured Mark Katic for Bridgeport in the AHL All-Star Game. Courtesy of Mike Fornabaio: Kenny Morrow worked the bench with Jack Capuano and Pat Bingham during the Sound Tigers’ 4-2 loss to Worcester on Sunday.
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Recommended reading: Larry Brooks of the Post rips on Colin Campbell. Last week Campbell defended Sergei Gonchar for his leaping elbow on Cal Clutterbuck because Clutterbuck may have boarded the Pens defenseman. I immediately thought about Ryan Hollweg’s hit from behind on Chris Simon.
No one is comparing Gonchar to Simon and his history, but it’s too bad Campbell wasn’t pro-revenge like he was this week. Larry also calls Colin to task for only two games for elbowing John Tavares when he already had a two-game suspension on his record for a flagrant elbow.
The problem with Campbell is that no one – including most of his colleagues at the NHL – has any idea what he’s thinking, what he’s going to say next.
As I have for two earlier matinee games this season, I’ll be in the stands with my three sons. Will check in an hour or so after the game for our traditional interactive Plus/Minus.
Point Blank mini-Q & A with Rick DiPietro after the game:
After everything you’ve been through, did you appreciate even getting bumped a few times by the Sabres?
I appreciate everything. I love the contact, the competition, everything. I especially appreciate the guys in this room. They’ve been incredible to me all season. I missed all of this so much. When you’re gone this long, you appreciate everything. The only thing I don’t love are some of Sudsie’s drills.
Roy in the shootout might have been the first time tonight you really had to extend yourself on a save. How did that feel?
Good, but to be honest with you, I was pissed. I had two chances to close out the shootout and missed. I pride myself on finishing games, so that was really disappointing. Thankfully, Hunts backed me up with his goal.
You made a point of thanking the fans in your post-game interview on the ice and were pretty emotional. Tell us about that.
I’ve always appreciated the support of our fans, but after the last two years I appreciate them even more. The Islanders and the fans have been incredible to me since the first day I got here. It had been a while, so I wanted to make sure the fans knew how I felt.
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Scott Gordon: “Because it’s Ricky, the first thing he said to me after the game was, ‘I gotta work on the shootouts tomorrow.’ He’s a perfectionist.”
Plus: An important, event-feel game in mid-January.
Plus: Rick DiPietro announces he’s on his way back with a sprawling save on Derek Roy in the shootout. Two goals allowed on 33 shots, an extra-inning victory in the shootout? Yes, the Islanders will take that.
Plus: An emotional DiPietro to the fans after the game: “I can’t tell you how much I love you guys. I appreciate it.”
Plus: Some missed nets, crazy bounces and Ryan Miller’s brilliance aside, the Islanders proved once again they have a pretty darn good hockey team.
Plus: Team defense was solid in front of DiPietro, who did not have to make any spectacular saves in the first 65 minutes.
Plus: John Tavares breaks a nine-game goal drought, which is more like 27 games in JT’s life.
Plus: Mid-first, Kyle Okposo curls over the Buffalo blueline and turns an innocent 2-on-3 into a pair of Sabres hanging on his back and two minutes for hooking on Tim Kennedy. Early in the second, Okposo draws a crosschecking penalty by Tyler Myers. Assist on the first goal, made the play on the goal robbed of Richard Park. Team Canada assistant coach Lindy Ruff has to be laughing that Okposo wasn’t picked by Brian Burke’s, uh, committee.
Minus: A pair of momentum-draining power plays by the Islanders in the second half of the first period.
Plus: Would you sign up right now for Aaron Ness in four years being as good as Jack Hillen? Yes, you absolutely would.
Plus: Mark Streit looking the last week like vintage 2008-09 Mark Streit.
Plus: Jon Sim with another filthy, yappy, effective hockey game.
Plus: Everybody not associated with the Sabres hates Patrick Kaleta. Let’s see how many teams hate him when he’s a UFA in a few years.
Plus: Considering he throws the same punishing bodycheck in the same spot every time, you’d figure the Sabres would have started to see Andy Sutton coming after the first two.
Plus: Ruff was right – the Islanders do flash some skill. Finishing was a problem, but the Islanders displayed some eye-popping playmaking. In the case of the Andrew MacDonald’s shot-pass to Sean Bergenheim, they completed the job.
Minus: Before Roger Luce even announced Bergenheim’s goal, Buffalo made it 2-1 when Mike Grier deflected a Tim Connolly shot past DiPietro. Connolly now has an 11-game point streak (5+11), the current longest in the NHL.
Minus: A referee wanting to insert himself in the game costs the Islanders a goal to make it 3-1 with 13 minutes left. Guys, it’s 11 years too late to make up for Brett Hull being in the crease.
Plus: “There’s a penalty on the ice” replaced, thankfully, by the brief call of “penalty.”
Plus: Stat from the Sabres – Since Ruff was named Buffalo’s head coach on July 21, 1997, there have been 150 coaching changes in the NHL.
Plus: Islanders host an Open Practice for all fans on Sunday at the Coliseum. Doors open at 10:45 am. Practice starts at 11:00. Rob Schremp Skills Show at noon. Just kidding about that last part, although you never know. Enjoy.
Your Plus/Minus and thoughts on the game.
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