A BIG THANK YOU, AND A SMALL PLUG
PB #s grow; Social hosts dinner on March 15
Chris Botta on Twitter
Since the Islanders are enjoying a day off in Fort Lauderdale, it’s time to step away from the game (and the ledge) for a few hours.
This is long overdue, but a perfect time to thank the readers of Point Blank for their continued and growing support of this blog over the last year and a half. This has become bigger than anyone intended it to be or planned on it being, and it is all because of the underrated, often unappreciated but always fierce dedication and loyalty of the residents of Islanders Country.
January 2010 set a new high for page views for Point Blank. Readership has grown with each month since the start of the season, but January blew the rest away.
This in no way can be attributed to the writer and editor. How can I can say that? Easy. Since my employment at FanHouse takes up most of my days and nights, I’m no longer posting three or four stories a day as I was during the team-sponsored season. Most days I write once, maybe twice. For home games, I try to hit the morning skates and at games together we write the Plus/Minus feature. This will not win me a Pulitzer Prize.
So the reason Point Blank had more than 1.5 million pageviews in January is you. The Islanders helped immeasurably by going on a big winning streak, followed by a big losing streak. (If a team is not making personnel moves, there’s nothing better for an internet audience than wild mood swings from the team, fanbase and writers). Yes, January was even bigger than the lottery and Tavares draft.
To be honest, I had no idea what to expect from the readership this season. A friend/fan wrote at another site that Point Blank had “gone by the wayside,” believing that the blog was now “just another person’s opinion” because it was no longer affiliated with the team in any way. Although I have the same access at practices afforded the one full-time and pair of part-time newspaper beat reporters, the remark was primarily a fair point I would not argue. My hope is that when I’m at Long Island practices (most of the time) and morning skates and games (just about all of the time), my reports and interviews have been useful.
As for opinions, yes, like you-know-whats, we all have them. I’ve had just as many this season, positive and negative, as last year. Some may respectfully disagree. Using a Blackberry bursting with league contacts established over two decades working in the game, I’ll stand by my performance grading Islanders prospects and forecasting what management has in mind for the roster.
This has been a blast, so I cannot thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to cover the Islanders for another season. Thanks also go out to Islanders PR aces Seth Sylvan and Kimber Auerbach. Two kinder, classier gentlemen you will not find in this business.
My thanks also go out to Scott Gordon, who has been accessible, honest and consistent throughout the season. The Islanders players, with a tone set by current captain Doug Weight and future captain Kyle Okposo, are a good group to cover. They may not always be happy with everything written, but they are extremely professional in their approach with the media.
John Tavares and Josh Bailey, two fine young men who have to deal with every high and low analyzed day-to-day, define what it means to be dignified and gracious. The Islanders are very fortunate that John and Josh will be in their organization for a long time.
Final thanks go to the bosses at FanHouse, who made the decision to back Point Blank this season. I’m told they are very happy with their investment. As one said, “No one around here will ever doubt the size and devotion of the Islanders’ fan base.”
This has never been a surprise to me. Thanks, everyone.
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SOCIAL Dinner with Bossy, Nystrom on March 15
For reservations call Social at 516.489.8080 and ask for Max. Or email max.feinberg@socialsportskitchen.com Mention Point Blank
This is not a Point Blank event, but merely a plug for the crew at SOCIAL in Uniondale who treated all of us so nicely when we had our night in early December. The restaurant is also offering a significant discount exclusively to Point Blank readers.
On March 15, SOCIAL (across the street from the Coliseum) is hosting two dinner seatings for Islanders fans at 7:00 and 8:30 pm. Included is a three-course meal from Danny Gagnon of “Top Chef” and personal visits to your table by Hall of Famer Mike Bossy, “Mr. Islander” Bob Nystrom and, for any kids in attendance, Sparky the team’s mascot.
Autograph requests and the taking of photographs are highly encouraged.
Each fan will also receive from Bossy or Nystrom a voucher for one complimentary ticket to an Islanders 2009-10 home game.
The inclusion of the free ticket makes the $75 price for the dinner and Bossy-Nystrom meet-and-greet a darn good deal. But for Point Blank readers, it’s even better. SOCIAL is offering the event for just $50 each.
So for 50 bucks, you get a ticket to a game, meet a pair of legends and enjoy an appetizer, entree and dessert. Not a bad way to spend an hour.
For reservations call Social at 516.489.8080 and ask for Max. Or email max.feinberg@socialsportskitchen.com Mention Point Blank
My hope is Point Blank readers fill the place on March 15, and SOCIAL extends an invitation for us to have an end-of-season event blog event there with drinks and one of Danny’s incredible buffets.
Comments. Comment Guidelines. Since it is not a PB event, please contact SOCIAL directly for details on their dinner with Bossy and Nystrom.
72 Responses to A BIG THANK YOU, AND A SMALL PLUG
PB #s grow; Social hosts dinner on March 15
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JPinVA says:
Beware the Isles of March… I’ll definitely make an effort to get to this one.
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ton loc says:
As usual, great work CB. Your take on the Isles is a fresh change from the political correctness that the team shovels out. The honesty that we get from you is as much appreciated, as it is needed. Thanks for everything and keep up the great work!
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4theisles says:
Keep up the good work and I urge my fellow commenters to speak up on Fanhouse – where interesting talk comes in from everywhere.
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Spartiarti-RVC says:
Thanks CB. Site is great. Still my #1 location for EVERYTHING Isles
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AlBeezle says:
Thanks CB, sometimes less is more here, and you’re doing a bang up job without charging $5 to read it!
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Chris,
Your dedication to this blog and our devotion to the Islanders makes this arrangement perfect. In simple words: Your dedication to this organization inspires us to keep coming back. -
bossy22 says:
CB, it says alot for you when I check Point Blank before I check TSN. Thank you again.
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As someone who works in the industry and knows a lot about online traffic trends let me just say that the fact that PB did 1.5 million page views in January is a tremendous accomplishment. I will not name names, but there are many city TV news station web sites that struggle to do those numbers. Granted, these cities are generally in smaller markets, but the truth is if you put together an endearing product and give people multiple options to express themselves, the site will sell itself — as this one does. Congrats to Chris and all the fans. This blog is easily the standard bearer among sites of its kind in all of professional sports.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
Chris,
Thank you. Without this blog there would be a very big disconnect between the fans and the team. Your coverage is superior to the rest. -
ben says:
more than useful… don’t know what i’d do without the site. it has become part of my everyday life. thanks so much CB
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Irish Isle says:
Chris, do not sell yourself short, you truly have invigorated Islanders Country and have helped us be proud to fly the flag again. Whenever I talk Isles hockey, whether at a game or in a social setting, IPB always comes up.
This dinner at Social, going to have to order my tickets.
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Rokk says:
Thanks CB and keep up the good work.
I really appreciate your insights and knowledge and it’s always a fun read. I really hope this keeps going well for you!
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Et tu Botta? Will you be at both seatings?
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Joseph in Garden City Park says:
Thank You CB !
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JP says:
Thanks for the great coverage!
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Ken nyc says:
Thank YOU CB! Becuase of the great writing, coverage and opportunity to voice opinions, I mention PB to all Islander fans I meet. I wonder how this site ranks with other sports teams blogs, both in the NHL and other leagues. Is there even another at this level to compare too? Islander fans are lucky to have PB and the support of Fanhouse. Thank you!
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mtrico says:
CB, I have read every word you have posted on this blog, and it only continues to get better. Keep up the great work!
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NYI says:
Thank you for all that you do CB. PB makes the stretch we are going through that much easier! Thanks for your hard work with it.
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JD says:
PB is a part of my daily routine in the same way i read the morning papers over coffee. Thank you CB.
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Paul says:
They are dedicated and loyal Islanders fans not only in the Islanders country, not only in the north America. Also passionate Islanders fans are in Europe, even in Slovakia (for example me).So Islanders family is all around the world. Let´s go Islanders
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IslesAl says:
CB, you provide terrific coverage, and you provide a tremendous resource for Islander fans. Thank YOU. If the team thinks they are getter better coverage from New$150day, shame on them (although I am a paying subscriber). (BTW, NHL 500 is more than 1.1 points per game played).
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Chris Mc says:
You pretty much said it in your post without realizing CB, but its us who should be thanking you. How many people who land a full-time job that includes traveling would still put in close to full-time work on a project like Point Blank. The effort you put in is greatly appreciated by not only us Long Island Islander fans, but the countless number of fans across the globe who would be starved for Islanders coverage without PB.
My hats always off to you. And don’t worry about voicing your opinion. It’s a blog. That’s what they’re here for. If we can all do it, then obviously you can too.
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Potvin's Cups says:
Thank you Chris…One thing you should never underestimate is the loyalty of Islander fan.
More importantly, can we expect another video from the marina once it gets warmer out???
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TuxTax says:
Thanks CB! Top-notch coverage! Couldnt ask for much more than what you provide!
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jimfromstjames says:
I had a buddy with Season tix at the NVMC, same seats for years, there was a fan who sat nearby with a notebook, very nice guy, knew all there was about the team. after a while we began to look for this guy at games cause he always had inside info or a new outlook on stuff & he was always dead on too. He was a huge fan but could tell it like it is too. It was nice to argue about the team and not be interupted by the haters.
CB, this site is like that, only I can check it from anywhere.
I think that even if all the local papers had blogs on the team, we would all still be checking here first. Great Site, Great Stuff.I have a question for you though regaurding the isles brass’s desire to keep all thing’s shiny & new. And I realize you were in the thick of this but, it seemed for a while that every little goof the team made became another big story for Newsday. Things that I would think have happened to any team became just more bad press for this team.
Was this a desire for the team to be honest with the fans? or the press looking to jump on the team? Or was it really that bad?See no one else in the world could answer that question.
That’s why I had asked if you were a fan as a kid, cause it is very obvious that you care for the team & Fans
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Knight of Cups says:
No, Thank You Chris. Dont change a thing and keep us going with PB. With it, there is always a place where true Islander fans can meet and be informed, but more importantly, hear your commentary.
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Davy says:
Thanks CB, this is truly a great web sit/blog, keep it up.
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Paul in ABQ says:
Thank you Chris! You keep me well connected to my Isles from New Mexico.
Your articles are ALWAYS a great read (and others comments are ‘sometimes’ a great read, but I always read them…)
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Thanx CB !! As I’ve stated before Isles Mgmt should write you a check for helping keep us such loyal fans.
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Healy says:
Best place for Islanders news anywhere! I know management reads this site so they know what they are getting with you.
Huge props to AOL and Fanhouse for keeping this thing going for at least this season. I also enjoy reading the pieces over there.
Hopefully I will be reading the “After decades of struggle, Islanders once again raise Lord Stanley” blog by CB on this website a couple years down the line!
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RHL Vin says:
Great job Chris with the website. Dont know what I would do without it.
Isles put Gillies on waivers….
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Glen S says:
No thank you CB, this is truly a place to go for my up to date info on the islander’s. And also thanks to Fanhouse for keeping it alive and well, to which I also enjoy now as well.
And as always, LETS GO ISLANDERS….. -
Numbers65 in OH says:
To you CB, you tie together worldwide Isles fans. Your blogs are the thread that keeps us connected and connected to the team. I also appreciate Fanhouse for seeing the value of this blog and the Islander fan base. They deserve your great talents and you now can serve a larger part of the hockey universe at the same time. Here’s to the Botta family. If I was on long Island I would come on 3/15!
GOD BLESS! -
Eastonhockey says:
Glad people are clicking fanhouse I never knew about it till I saw the link here. These islanders…so sensative that Chris has to worry about upsetting them. The isles as a organization from Wang n snow on down to the players would crumble if they had by Yankee type media covering them.
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Staten Islander says:
CB, if any thanks are needed it is from me to you, you gave me my hockey team back, I can’t thank YOU enough for that.
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Joey303 says:
CB -I will join everyone and say what a blessing this has been. 1.5 million hits!! Could you imagine when we finally make the cup finals!! 1,642 of those hits are mine
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scottd says:
Two things I’d like to mention…
1. I really believe that somewhere down the road, be it five, ten or twenty years from now, this blog is going to be seen as a trend-setting approach to team coverage that was well ahead of its time. Newspapers are disappearing, and the major sports media outlets (we all know which one I’m talking about in particular) are more interested in promoting themselves than in covering teams. Before long, if they’re smart, every team in professional sports will be trying to replicate what is happening with this site. Whether they acknowledge it or not, the Islanders organization is lucky that CB is doing what he’s doing.
2. AOL fanhouse has been a great discovery. At first, I would click over just because I thought it was the right thing to do. Now I go there because the content, and not just the NHL content, is tremendous. They have a good thing going over there.
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Scott VanVoorhees says:
Thankyou Chris, you keep me posted on Islander news and help keep me plugged in from down here in Williamsburg, VA. I shudder to think I’d have to start following the Capitols if it weren’t for this blog. The Caps are exciting, but they’re not the Islanders! – Hillen, Man UP! Get back on the ice!
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jesse says:
CB- Thank You for all your good work. I know of no other comparable site available to fans. Also, couldn’t agree more about JT and Josh. We (posters) should keep in mind how young they are before we start trashing them and they are the future of the organization.
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Belarus says:
Thank you, Chris! You rock.
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FourCupsin4yearsnot60 says:
Your too modest CB. It is the writer. That is why you get 200+ comments to your articles, while others in Islanders Nation get <10. I’m not knocking them. I read, and enjoy, them too, but PB is the #1 source for Islanders news and commentary. Keep up the good work.
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Mike L says:
Thanks CB. Pointblank is always the 1st site I check in the morning and throughout the day. You provide the best coverage than any one else could for any professional team. Keep up the good work at the Fanhouse. I also enjoy reading your stories their.
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Jerky says:
CB, thank you for your continued extraordinary coverage of the Islanders. Coming to this site on a daily basis is an enjoyable experience and my only way of staying connected to the team living so far away from LI.
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Frank nyc says:
Your Welcome and Thank you CB. Believe it or not even with all the devoted readers and all the page views I still believe this blog is underrated. This blog has played a tremendous part in the revitalization of the Islanders and their fanbase. Besides the Islanders building a young and exciting team, CB gives an honest portrayal of the goings on with the team.
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Isles Fan in Toronto says:
Thank you CB for everything!!!
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rb says:
(A) CB, you are NOT “just another blogger with an opinion.” With your experience, contacts and access, you’re on the same level as a Larry Brooks. (And, better.)
(B) Part of what might be driving you’re traffic is Newsday’s Titanic-size disaster in re-designing their Website (Epic Fail) and going full-pay. It was reported on Drudge that in the first 3 months of going pay, Newday signed up THIRTY-FIVE (35!) subscribers for a revenue stream of approximately $9,000. Wow did Newsday ever misjudge its appeal and its own value to readers.
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Bill Scanlon says:
CB..You are a jewel in the crown. Thank you for bringing our favorite team to us in living color. Is there a Grammy type of award for sports blogs?
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I’ll never stop saying it but thank you CB for this site is with me everyday – multiple times a day. Blessings to the Fanhouse people as well…thanks so much!
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Hockey1919 says:
Thanks CB for helping us keep our connection to the Islanders going through thick and thin, providing us with an experienced insider perspective and for giving us a forum to express our views.
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Eric Cup says:
Nothing original for me to add here. Thank you CB. I’ve gotten to know you over the years and your honesty is what comes through here. You are a class act.
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
I think it is you, CB, who should be thanked.
Thank you for everyday most professional info which quickly became an addiction. -
Steve says:
you kiddin’ CB? Thank you!
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Dan from NJ says:
Once again CB, the thanks is all for us to give. You give us tremendous insight to our beloved teams, during the best of times and the worst of times. Thank you again!
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Paul in the 'Cuse says:
Cb The thanks all go in your direction. If it were up to me there would be another banner hanging from the beams of the Coli…A keyboard with orange & blue “CB” superimposed over it
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Isles Fan in NJ says:
Thank you CB!!! This blog is awesome and exactly what we fans have been craving for so long. A place we Islander fans can call our own. We consider you to be a brother. Thanks for letting us be heard and thank you for your hard work and dedication. Keep up the great work!
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wmw22 says:
CB … Kudos on growing and building the audience. You’re a credible source and the items on FanHouse provide a great blend to the team news. If you’ll be at SOCIAL, as I hope to be also (stinks that it’s a Monday, but oh well), it’ll be great to see you.
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Les Beaver says:
Thanks for this site, Chris. It’s a real point of pride for an Islander fan to actually have an outlet to discuss this team, as well as a place to actually get news.
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Also, I think it’s awesome that in a year’s time, conversation with complete strangers that are Islander’s fans have gone from, “Yeah, I read on some blog that the Islanders…” to “Point Blank said that…” It’s pretty much a mainstay of the fanbase. Another great thing about this place: If it’s here, you know it’s true! Clean info, no BS rumors or wishful thinking. Love it, thanks again.
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admin says:
Thank you to everyone for the really nice feedback. I sincerely appreciate it…CB
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Lou Giuliana says:
Love Point Blank. Die hard Isles fan who lives in NJ and visits your site daily. Excellent Job.
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Isles6 says:
Even at only one or two updates a day, this is still the best place to go for Isles news and notes. And let your bosses know, that even though I am one of the crazies that still pays for AOL, that the only reason, I even go to the Fanhouse page is because of their sponsorship of this blog.
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islesfanintheUK says:
Chris, I would like to say a big thanks to you also for all the work that you do to keep us Isles fans in the loop on what is going on with the team. As a loyal fan living here in Dundee, Scotland(which is where Eric Cairns played during the lockout)I know I can get all the info that I need on the Isles. I am hoping to get back to the states,orig. from Philly, to see my beloved Isles again and to maybe get some drinks with you and some of the loyal fans that visit this wonderful site.
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Steve says:
Fabulous job as always. Isles fans would be lost without you.
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next time I’m at the Coli, I’m wearing my blue and teal Gordon’s Fisherman Jersey as a tribute to this column. I’ll look like a complete fool to show undying support for this young talented club. KO is tremendous, and so wHat if we’re on a skid. Thanks again Chris. That beer sounds good islesfanintheUK!
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RobC says:
40 Eastonhockey, you mean that Rob Carlin wouldn’t cut it in Yankee Universe?lol. The Isles coverage is horrible. I’m still waiting for Carlin to ask Gordon why Tamby sits while other players flouder, among other issues isles fans want answered, like the lack of toughness. Where’s the accountability?
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JP says:
Im only goin to the diner if CHEF Bruno makes me his chicken salad. HAHAHA
Thank you CB for giving Islander fans a place that our voice and opinion are heard and great to hear that people are realize what a great loyal fanbase we have Lets Go Islanders!!