ISLANDERS 9 PITTSBURGH 3
Dedicate it to Howatt, Gillies, Nystrom and the fans
10:05 pm: Matt Martin may have swung and missed with his free shot at Max Talbot, but otherwise the Islanders pounded and pounded and pounded the Penguins repeatedly – physically, psychologically and on the scoreboard tonight in a 9-3 humiliation over the Penguins before the deserving die-hards tonight at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Islanders led 4-0 after the first period, 8-2 after the second – and as they say, it wasn’t that close. The Islanders made their stand and exacted some revenge over the Penguins, as thinned out by injuries at forward as the Islanders are in defense and goal.
The league will probably issue at least one press release in the next 48 hours as a result of this tilt. Suspensions will come out of tonight’s carnage, which included some cheap shots, heavyweight and middleweight battles and line brawls. The home fans got another delicious dose of the Micheal Haley show, his first NHL appearance of the season, leading many to wonder why he doesn’t wear an Islanders uniform more often.
Michael Grabner scored the 20th and 21st goals of his rookie season. John Tavares had a goal and three assists, while Matt Moulson had two goals and one assist. Travis Hamonic got the Gordie Howe hat trick. Haley scored a goal and had three major altercations.
This was ice hockey as it oughta be when your team has been beaten down, abandoned by a Russian goalie in semi-retirement, been called “Lowly” in the headline of every game story (win or lose) and opponents like Talbot are taking liberties with your skilled players.
Now here’s the challenge. Tonight was glorious, an image boost for the locker room and a gift to the fans. But if the Islanders go to Buffalo on Sunday or to lowly Ottawa on Tuesday – or both – and lay an egg, what will Friday Night at the Fights mean? Not nearly as much. The Islanders have won two very impressive games in a row. Make it five. Use the emotion to go on a run of something like 8-2-2. Butch Goring said this win will bring the Islanders together and make them better. Prove it.
The Islanders came together as a team on Friday night in soul-stirring fashion. It will mean so much more if it sticks for the rest of the season.
Agree, disagree, rant, roar, rejoice in Comments.
318 Responses to ISLANDERS 9 PITTSBURGH 3
Dedicate it to Howatt, Gillies, Nystrom and the fans
-
James says:
On yahoo I am seeing Pens fans whine about how the Isles handled the game tonight yet they fail to realize that they initiated most of the contact after the whistle tonight. The Isles just stuck up for themselves this time
What a great game
-
KJC says:
Awesome… Do Work!!!!
-
Pilon for life says:
That was tremendous HALEY HALEY! Grabner is such a great pick up by Garth people need to recognize this.
-
tom says:
grabner looking like bure
-
JB says:
Game of the season, on many levels.
-
greg h says:
1. Best game in Garth’s Tenure
2. Best Foxwoods Final 5
3. Statement Game, We are not Doormats.
4. Bash Brothers from Mighty Ducks.
5. Three 20 goal Scores in one game
6. Johnson Sucks
7. Pens Announcers at 0 – 0 called the Isles a AHL Club, then it was
6-0., then i switched feeds.
8. We want 10, last time I heard that was when Carolina beat us 9 -2.
9. Money in the Bank, this game makes me forget about the season. -
claude says:
sometimes life is so beautiful you just wanna cry
-
That was a heck of a game. I respect the Islanders sticking up for themselves physically it was expected (pun intended) but to see them pount the net as well was epic. They have had a hard year and I support them. (period)
-
The new isles gm says:
Obviously tonight is an extreme but the cohesiveness, leadership and teamwork genuinely brought a smile to my face tonight. We don’t have to fight every game to send a message around the league but it’s definitely a nice way to start it off. Love it!
-
Tex Ttyler says:
Wow what a game. That was the most entertaining Isles game I’ve seen since Bates’ penalty shot vs. Toronto. Really showed some toughness tonight, and great to see 3 of our young stars get their 20th goal of the season in the same game.
-
corey says: beat them down physically and on the scoreboard. great game for the islanders. I also love it happend to the penguins.
-
Daniel says:
WHAT A GAME!! Wow, that was the most fun I had watching an Islander game in years. I know the season is “lost” in the sense the playoffs are out of the questions, but they showed so much emotion tonight, it was really great. After the awesome Boston/Montreal game I was thinking about how nice it must be to be a Bruin fan, but tonight it was truly awesome to be an Islander fan. It feels very nice to say that. Lets hope the right moves are made during the off-season so we can have fun nights like this on top of a great winning record next season. Thank you Islanders!
-
Madchef says:
I don’t even know what to say after that game. Congrats, Isles for getting some repsect back tonight. Is Hamonic a beast or what?
-
Islesfan3 says:
Lets go islanders baby! This is what im talkin about we arent taking any crap from anyone. Johnson and Crosby Sucks!!!
-
Alex says:
Our top 6 is finally beginning to look like a top 6. Love the new 4th line of Haley-Z-Gillies. Grabner is looking like all that Marion Gaborik was supposed to be….but better!
-
Faye from Brooklyn says:
Awesome … and for the self-righteous sanitzers who say tsk tsk… where was your indignation when the Isles were getting beaten up, often unpenalized, by opponents? Payback is a [female dog].
-
Tom D in NJ says:
I’ve seen all the Islanders classics and this in its own way is a classic. Good for us!
-
Peter says:
I’ve been waiting years for an Islanders team to stick up for each other like this. I wonder how many games Martin will get. Jordan Staal got a whopping ZERO game suspension for a worse sucker punch last week. I’m guessing there will be some ridiculous suspensions to Martin and Haley, and Godard will get one game for leaving the bench.
-
thataboy says:
10 years later and Isles finnaly grew a pair. Now put Haley on wing with Tavares for next 10 years.
-
Cdu says:
What a game. Isles finally showing big time toughness. Great goals and grabner seems to be getting better with each game. Let’s see what a game like this does for the team going forward. Nice battle for the team lead in goals.
-
enzo says:
All I can say is wow! I hate them but I love them!
How did we get MSG2 tonight over NJD and NYR?
-
Josh says:
A-friggin-mazing
-
kevo says:
if they play like tonight every game, i will renew my season tickets…best isles game i’ve probably ever seen
-
Brian G says:
Good Job sticking up for each other for once. Good Job remembering what happened to Blake Comeau. Haley will be remembered for awhile. Godard should be suspended for a Minimum of 10 games for leaving the bench. Martin and Haley should get 1 game each. The funniest thing was seeing only 6 players give congrats to the Goalie at the end of the game. Grabner should at least get to be one of the 3 top rookies who goes to the awards to see who gets the Calder. Haley should have been a no-brainer for #1 star of the game.
-
yea tom the pens fan is bitter for how we pounded them tonight. It is ok for them to take liberties on our guys or for cooke to continuously throw dirty hits, but it is not ok when someone retaliates
-
Brother Rat says:
glorious. bloody glorious! what an amazing performance from top to bottom. couldn’t be prouder!
-
jim bishop says:
I thought you didn’t believe in character building wins…..
-
the1gwiz says:
Reading this story on a bus on the way home and realized midway through I’d been grinning ear to eat the whole time. I’ve been literally screaming for them to step up like this. Can’t wait to watch the replay. May be a DVR keeper.
-
TimQ says:
CB – Great synopsis
Over the last several seasons, tonight was the only night I’ve been proud to be an Islander fan
Favorite images:
- Bailey, Hamonic, and Martin side by side in the penalty box (prior to getting informed that they hadn’t gotten game misconducts)
- 2 Penguin skaters left on the bench at the end of the game -
Kevin says:
Best game in a decade! Who are these guys? Nobody left to congratulate Kossinen at the end. 5 guys on the bench. Freaking Awesome. Beat the crap out of these guys. Only one fight lost IMO (McDonald). We kicked their asses!
-
valentino says:
AMEN CB. AMEN. Lets hope this game motivates them going forward.
Great to see the Isles rally for each other. Great to see some old time hockey.
-
nickyco says:
As a fellow old timer Chris I agree with your assessment 100%. This could be the game the franchise needed to head it in the right direction. The toy tiger, Bobby NY, Gerry Hart, Boom Boom Langevin, and Captain Clarke are all smiling tonight…The boys made me proud tonight…
-
Joe says:
Penguins got a beat down. The Isles really let the league know that they are not going to take it. This was a great way to do it…not just the beating but also the score. Proving they can score and scrap. This is old time hockey baby….
-
Steve says:
WOW! One of the best Isles tilts I have seen in a long time. A beat down in every sense of the words. Build on this Garth and we will come!
-
John nhp says:
great game… proud of this team
-
Knight of Cups says:
Take that haters. Believe.
-
bdis says:
This game is FANTASTIC. JT said it best. Those guys in that room care for each other.
-
Doug F says:
Old Time Hockey!!!
-
starz31 says:
Wow am I disappointed I missed this game. I was just reading the box score and the penalty summary and I could barely believe what I saw. 10 game misconducts? 9 goals? Amazing. Can’t wait to watch the replay.
-
Oh also I forgot …Screw the Pens Fans..
-
vomax says:
Agree with everything above, easily the most fun isles game in years, maybe since dubie’s game 82 performance! Some guys may get suspensions from this, but i’m sure guys around the league are nodding in approval at us putting the pens down a peg – they’ve been taking liberties all season.
-
streit02 says:
might be the best game ive ever seen
-
Great game tonite! Hard to believe what we saw. They need to build on this game as CB says. If we take a step back against Buffalo and Ottawa it would be disheartening. If we take the energy from this and roll then maybe they can start to learn how to win as a team
-
Oye Comeau Va says:
It was great to see the Isles step up for one another. It did get ridiculous after a while, but the Penguins kept trying to do whatever they could to save a little face and the Isles players were happy to oblige.
Haley pounding on Talbot was worth the price of admission alone.
-
Strummer's Army says:
THIS IS ISLANDER HOCKEY! This is what I grew up on and have been waiting for for a long time!
Wishart should have dressed you can see he was needed. Other then that roster moves were perfect.
This could be a game that we all look back on and say this is when the rebuild ended.
Mikko needs to stay up and play.
Johnson was only put back in because pit planned on going crappy. You could see it in period 2.
Lost so much respect for Godard for so many reasons. You are going after Hillen tough guy?
How is it Pit gets a PP when Godard leaves the bench to be the 3rd man in on a fight and Johnson leaves the crease to fight?
The charging penalty on Okposo was crap.
From the other scrums Pit kept getting the PP’s?
My birthday was last week but you guys really delivered today!
Godard needs suspending.
Kennedy needs to get his he kept targeting Frans.
Loved Talbot getting his repeatedly all night. He’ll think before he takes a run at an Isle. This is the justice I am always screaming for. Perhaps had they done this going back to the Nilsson and Okposo hits years back they wouldn’t have been run so often.
You are next Dion! Same line up vs. Bos except Wishart in. I think we all agree Haley adds a ton more then Rob Schremp. Get him gone and keep Martin on line 3.
How fantastic is Hamonic! Ya see big d-men have a ton of skill, hit, fight, pass, score, skate you name it. Ya don’t need the smurfs Garth.
One thing of note did you notice how Pit kept targeting players right up until the final second of the game? They are by far the dirtiest team in hockey. Crosby is whining about the hits that lead to his injuries and how the NHL should penalize those players but he needs to look at his own dirty play and that of the jokers on his bench.
ISLANDER HOCKEY BABY!!!!!!!!!!
-
sean says:
Wow what a game
-
princetonace says:
That was spectacular – up and down the lineup…sure, loved the 4th line, but how about Bailey holding his own? How about Hamonic taking down Rupp? Oh, yeah….scoring 9 goals was pretty sweet…
-
jmont6 says:
This game better be on the next DVD collection of great Islander games. Unreal!!! Also had to listen to the Penguins feed which made me throw up in my mouth a little bit. Hearing them whine about how classless and dirty the Islanders were being. Well BOB and Staggy I got two wordsa for you MATT COOKE as long as you have that cheap shot artist on your team you should shut the He** up. Oh and by the way the “lowly Islanders” just kicked your ***. Thanks Isles great game and Garth you should be proud of your team tonight
-
Hoser14 says:
OMG!!! I was waiting for Howie Rose to yell “KILL! KILL! KILL! THIS IS HOCKEY!
It looked more like the Roman Coliseum than the Nassau Coliseum. Too bad we couldn’t get a 10th goal, but 9 goals and re-fills of butt-kicking will do.
But seriously, this could be a big step towards respect, both self and league-wide. How many times the opposing teams use Islanders players as speed bumps and the refs and the league does nothing.
Tonight the New York Flipping Islanders became a real team.
So a big fat “UP YOURS!” to the Penguins and the rest the league!!!!!
-
Kaszycki's Krew says:
Amazing game !!! Grabner could have had 7 goals tonight ! My anger at the Pens were how they were mocking us after that last game…..especialty that jackass Fleury – great to see him get lit up.
This was a classic ! Let’s just enjoy it tonight !
-
I don’t see the pens laughing now…and chris…you are the only one in the media to get a story out first..where is the other media?
-
Keith says:
Just wanted to say to the NYI, thank you.
-
Ed says:
Knuckle sandwiches for all the Pens!
Best game in ages
-
Blizzard says: Bravo for the young guys standing up and not taking it anymore.
If the league has anything to say about it they can look right back to what started the hostility to begin with and THE LACK OF ACTION TAKEN BY THE REFS AND THE LEAGUE.
As much as DP deserved to get smoked I sat there with disgust watching Fleury and the bench whoop it up and show absolutely no respect for the Islanders. They have it now.
GO ISLANDERS!!!!
Haley where have you been?
-
Dave says:
if only 24/7 was still filming the penguins for this one…could’ve edited a whole episode around this game.
and grabner really does get better every game…he hasn’t had anywhere less than an average one in 2 months.
-
Bob Bassen says:
Incredible game! Martin, Hamonic, Gillies and Konopka (and now Haley) are truly precious! Seeing KO with an edge…simply beautiful. Smoking them as well on the scoreboard is the sweetest.
The irony of Crosby giving weekly concussion fire-side chats while the Pens employ the Talbots and Cookes of the league is mind-boggling.
I will be going to my first Islander game this season next week!
We’re all Islanders! -
this was the most entertaining islanders game i’ve seen in years. somebody should record the replay and upload it online. it’s certainly a keeper and a testament to how great the game of hockey can be!
-
Schultz39 says:
I thought the team hit an all time low in Pittsburgh a few weeks back…..and this way the total opposite. GREAT GREAT GREAT job by Snow to call up Haley for tonight. He should get a shot on the big club the rest of the season.
Too bad Martin missed but liked how he took his shot at Talbot. Loved to see Haley TKO both Adams and Talbot.
Hamonic is a beast – now he just needs Gillies to teach him how to fight.
-
wingding says:
awesome game tonight. It shows that Isles do have some talent. Grabner is beast! question, though: where has the toughness been the rest of the season? Islanders have been soft for too long. tonite should not be the exception when it comes to standing up for teammates and exacting revenge.
-
Brooklyn Stroonze says:
Too bad 24/7 is over…..
-
Jason C says:
Loved IT!!! stuck watching game on Yahoo. Those Pens announcers are quite the cry babies
-
Staten Islander says:
Putting on the foil! Travis Hamonic with a Gordie Howe hat trick! I love it! Pens fans can whine all they want, but last week, they were laughing, paybacks a Crosby
-
KG says:
Incredible game. HALEY FOR PRESIDENT. Hopefully kid sticks around after this.
-
davidnyc says:
What a game! Best game in a very very long while. Probably since the Bates penalty shot. Grabner looks awesome! He just seems to makes plays happen. Calder starting to become a realistic goal if he continues to play at this level game after game. Haley was a breath of fresh air tonight. Does he stick or at least get a real chance to stick? Love this quote CB, “…the Islanders pounded and pounded and pounded the Penguins repeatedly – physically, psychologically and on the scoreboard tonight in an 9-3 humiliation…”
The Maven was great in post-game interviews as well
3 guys get 20 tonight as well, what a game!
-
Scotty says:
Best game to come off the island in a long long time!!! WOW… Certainly didnt look like doormats tonight did they Pens…. GO ISLES GO!!!
HAAAAAALEEEEEEEEYYYY…!!!
-
Bob says:
It’s been a long time coming and games like this make me proud to be an Islanders fan. If this is any indication of what this team can be and is capable of…I’m in! The additional enforcers were what we needed to stop being pushed around and relax the offense so they can play their game. Great game!!!
-
VA ISLES says:
Great game. Wonderful opportunity to grow leaps and bounds now. BUT, what I really want to know is what Z said to Talbot while he had him pinned on the ice, shaking him and cocking his fist.
Why can’t THAT ever happen when players are mic’d up?
-
Might our coach be underated? Perhaps Cappy is the right guy.
-
i never thought i would see a sequel better then the great hockey movie slapshot, but tonight i did. after lasts nights great win, i wondered about a let down and if the isles would get the usual physical pounding from pitt. after certain isles (konopka) worried about the future of this franchise, being always used as punching bags and laughing stocks from the other teams and the refs as well,not to mention j.t. couldnt take it any more, tonight showed with the proper protection, j.t. and the other players can play there game without worrying if there face is going to be bashed in. like i said before, the isles need physical players who can fight and score goals. i hope wang and snow learned something from tonight and realize size and strengh and goal scoring is what it takes to win in the nhl. haley should be up for good not just for one game and grabner should be signed long term. the only thing that could have been better tonight would have been 10 goals. who knows, in this crazy game, maybe the fans would have gotten to eat chile.
-
I find it kind of sad though that when the Pens picked on us by injuring Comeau with a dirty blindside hit, or when Johnson knocked out DP it was ok, but when we stick up for ourselves we are bush league? Really?
-
Loved the ‘We Want 10′ chant. Brought back great memeories
-
isles71 says:
How come during the Canadiens-Bruins game NHL Network people called it “good old tyme hockey”, and tonight they were perplexed with what happened and called the Isles “a bunch of uncontrollable goons”(paraphrase)….loved ALL of it and it NEEDED to be done!!!!! FEAR US and the playoff spot you re chasing!!!!
-
brian says:
Any reaction to NHL on the fly’s take on this game? They made it seem like the Isles are goons, not the fact that this game was about respect. The isles showed that they are tired of being disrespected by the refs and other teams around the league, they stood up for their teammates and most importantly the name on the front of their jersey. They beat them on the ice and the scoreboard. Great day to be an Isles fan.
-
remember when godard was tough guy for isles?
-
JT says:
Way to go guys. You made us proud. One of the best games I’ve ever seen, not only for its entertainment value but also because they finally stood up for eacother. I hope it brings this team together – a defining moment that we’ll be able to point to in the future as when the team turned the corner.
On another note, Haley looks like he can be a nice addition to this team – an energy player with hands and fists.
-
hasnizzle~ says:
Talbot just got his @ss kicked for the FOURTH time in one freakin hockey game.
He’s truly unable to back up any of his cowardly cheapshot dumassery with any type of toughness:) he’s a true douchbag!:) -
exactly isles71; how was tonight any different than the BOS/MTL game?
So how are we “goons” for our actons and the Bruins and Habs played old time hockey?
Especially considering that there was a story going into this game about how the Pens completely disrespected us by laughing on the bench after DP was knocked out and by injuring Comeau. It was ok for the Pens to do that but it was not ok for the Isles to do this tonight?
The NHL clearly wants the Isles out of the NHL, I am sick of our team being treated this way by other teams and the league. We took matters into our own hands, but we are bush league? What are the Habs and Bruins then for what they did?
-
JJ says:
Sick game!
This was all this season’s frustrations coming to a boil. Good for this team. I think this may be a turning point for this current group.
Grabner is sick! Nobody could keep up with him! Thanks Florida for dumping him on our lap
-
tom nyc says:
I love this team
-
Talbot just got his @ss kicked for the FOURTH time in one freakin hockey game!
He’s truly unable to back up any of his cowardly cheapshot dumassery with any type of toughness. He’s a true d@#@hbag! -
Healy says:
Only 2 words for this game:
F _ _ _ yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!
-
Big Van Vader says:
This game was about RESPECT. And our boys earned it! This is why they should change the goal song to “Walk” by Pantera. This song just fits this team perfectly. Tonight was a great example of that.
Respect!!!!!!!
-
#69 Brian, oh I am disgusted listening to it. SO biased in favor of Pit and obviously don’t have a clue about why tonight went down like it did.
I am copying this game from the DVR to a DVD, when I am blessed with a son we’ll watch it so he can know what hockey should be!
Please everyone go to the Isles website and use the contact email or phone your ticket reps adn tell them this is a product you want to watch!
I don’t see why any Isle would be suspended? The NHL live guys keep saying plenty suspensions on both sides but what did an Isle do worthy of a suspension? Godard yes, Johnson yes, Pit coaching staff for putting Johnson back in for combat reasons yes.
-
Glens says:
to all this is the first time in a long time that I’m pumped after an Islander win. Not cause all the fight’s but for the fact that they stood up for each other, and that’s what good team’s do. Or in our case team’s that are growing and maturing with each other. Great win guy’s, LETS GO ISLANDERS…..
-
Payback aside, 2 years ago, they didn’t have one guy with 20 goals, this year they have 3, and one more who might get there. With everything thats happened, this team IS improving
-
Steven says:
Garth Snow should tell Michael Haley you are never seeing Bridgeport again.
-
well strummer I do think Gillies deserves a suspension for taunting the pens player when he was down. Other than that the Pens players were initiating after nearly every single whistle, the Isles fought back this time and yet we are goons? Like you said Pens bias
-
Diane says:
That was GREAT!!! Wooo
-
Bossy4president says:
FINALLY !!!!!!!!!!!
If it wasn’t for the refs giving the Pens a 5 minute major PP after every skirmish (which was total BS by the way) we would’ve shut them out 9-0…..great job tonight fellas. Best 3 hours I’ve had on my couch in a very long time. -
Marc says:
That was awesome, even if at the end of the season these points end up costing the Isles a higher draft pick.
Were there any triple chili chants at the Coliseum? Loved the “we want 10″ chants!!!
Grabner’s making a bid to get into the Rookie of the Year award.
Hamonic also with a couple of sweet assists.
Did Florida’s count of penalty minutes come in yet?
Finally, on a non-Islanders’ note, hopefully the good ol’ arse kicking will wake whatever Penguins are left up in time to beat the Strangers on Sunday.
-
viper says:
Thank you Isles. You made me realize why I can’t stop loving this team. Haley you deserve a promotion, way to go guy, it was the most passionate outing I have seen since John Tonelli! CB, you are the best in the business, bar none.
-
Derek A says:
AGREE! Keep it going!
-
Chris says:
Chris- what does Nabokov being Russian add to the discussion, your comment, or your overall point?
-
quit statement regarding Martin and Haley. Martin: if you look at the replay Martin didnt even touch Talbot. Martin was talking and once again a guy who lays a dirty hit doesnt answer the bell. That was the 2nd time in the game Talbot wouldnt answer the fight invite. Martin could have clocked him, but he held up and didnt even touch him while Talbot just dropped and turtled. Im sure Martin will get atleast 5 games though. 2nd is Haley. Blame Brent Johnson once again for leaving his crease and coming out to the blueline again during a scrum at the other end of the rink. He’s asking for it standing out there especially with what happened last time. If you watch the replay Johnson shrugs Haley over and then they fight. Sure Haley was looking for it, but he didnt act until Johnson obliged. I cant wait to hear all this crap about Martin and Haley by guys who watch quick replays of the game and draw their own conclusions. Pittsburgh was the dirtier team tonight. Problem was that when they played dirty they got their a$$e$ kicked for it.
-
Islanders Fan in NJ says:
I remember back in the 80′s, the chant from the crowd during a game with so many goals went like this, “1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9….
WE WANT 10!!”
Good to hear something similar tonight. It brought back good memories.
Tonight was an example of how hockey oughtta be!
-
Best game iv’e ever seen in my life! the old barn was rocking! good for the islanders showing up for their teammates
-
Brian says:
Craziest Isles game in years! Loved them sticking up for each other! A very nice change and Pittsburgh ain’t laughing now!
-
RAmen says:
Several days ago after the Poulin injury, I felt like we hit a new low point. But this team made a statement today. Love it. This is a team. Give Snow credit, it may take some more time, but they’ve brought in character guys.
-
Oh, and I want to know what Konopka was saying to Talbutt when he had him pinned down on the ice……maybe “nice turtle up” when Martin wanted to dance. Meow
-
bossyman 22 says:
i have been a diehard for 35 years and i have to think this was the greatest hockey game any islander team ever played. i was so happy to be there with my 12 year old son, he became a hockey fan tonight. the combination of goals , fights and the crowd was so into was unbelievable. every ten seconds we would jump out of our seats, untill we just wound up standing the whole time. unbelievable….
-
MickeyBoy7 says:
Another replay that Toronto takes about 6 seconds to rule against us. I still think that the first period disallowed goal was put in by a Penguin. They at least could have given it a longer look…I know they would have if it was a Ranger goal or a Canadien team for sure.
-
hockeytime says:
I had this crazy dream that the Isles smacked down the Penguins, it was the best game in years.
-
bas9403 says:
Im sitting here in Sweden, the clock is 5am, the family is sleeping and im so proud to be an islander. The best hockey game i ever seen. Like a punch in the solar plexus. Wow….im speechless.
Im going to wake up happy tomorrow -
jb says:
I am driving to Bridgeport to get Haley’s stuff. No need for him to go back to bridgeport. He will love the Marriott!
-
penssuck says:
Yep, that was pretty cool. Way to go Islanders!
-
#79 HEY James, they cannot suspend a guy for taunting if they did there would be suspensions every night.
You are right, up the the very end of the game Pit was initiating and going after Isles skill players. Wishart in and another tough d-man would have made huge difference. I think the way the NHL, the other teams, media and fans treat the Isles should start changing tonight (not on NHL network). I seriously don’t see Max Talbot ever thinking he can play anyway he wants against the Isles. Final game vs. Pit will feature Pit attempting to seriously injure as many of the Isles as possible book it. I liked Gillies going after Tangradi, he’s a skill guy who’s bigger then Gillies but also quite the fighter in junior. The message was if you target our guys we can target yours. How about the image of Konopka menacing Talbot at the end! LOVE IT! Happy Days Isles fans. If NHL goes loco on suspensions and is unfair to the Isles then Snow needs to put on a video presentation of all the ways the NHL and their officials have sckrewed the Isles over the years.
Oh and Nabokov needs his contract tolled. I wonder if he is at what point the Isles can trade his rights? He should never have the honor of wearing an Isles jersey.
-
mtrico says:
Best game in a long, long, long time.
-
Grandma's boy says:
Wow! Good for the islanders! They needed an incredible victory like this after all the garbage they had to put up with. Please build on this! Over 300 minutes in penalties? Unbelievable! I wish 24/7 was still filming as well!
-
Driveforfive says:
My daughter insisted that I tell you that I started the “We Want 10″ chant but she was LOUDER. My head is pounding. I have no voice. Do we get three bowls of chili?
-
Travis S says:
“Everybody’s on their feet screaming KILL KILL KILL. THIS IS HOCKEY”. The quote to sum up this game.
-
StevieL says:
From Gillies , Howatt, Vukota, Webb, Cairns and Bobby NY…”Tonight we pass the Torch be it yours and hold it High!”
My God!In the middle of the second period it became 1983! I haven’t felt this much pride and joy in an Islander team, that I felt tonight, in a very long time! This was old time “Long Island ” hockey. I am comfortable seeing this line-up rolled out every night for the forseeable future.
Haley is instant energy, a spark and has become Steve Webb in 1 night! Burn his return ticket.
Wang and Garth! Don’t you get it? This is all we want! A team that is tough, competes and cares. Keep this up and that old arena will fill up faster than Kate Murrays dinner plate!!
The pride was tremendous. Did you hear Goring tonight? Good old Butch was as proud as a new daddy!As were all us fans and old time players. Great job boys! “Strong Island” lives! -
I’ll come with you 105. Haley should forget the Bridge.
-
50 in 50 says:
That was FANtastic… We sent a messgae to the entire league, starting with Bettman and Cambell… We are a team that will not sit back and take the B.S. we have been force fed for entirely too long.
Welcome to the Island Talbot. -
Strummer the difference was that Tangradi was injured at the time Gillies was taunting him, so I would not be surprised or have much of an issue with him getting suspended
Other than that, no Isles should be suspended, but you know Goddard should get 10 for coming off the bench
-
Jon says:
Games like tonight are why the Islanders can never leave NY! Truly amazing moment in this franchises history. I truly hope we string together some wins now and really show the league that this core is going to be a force to be reckoned with. This group really seems to want to be together. For all the garbage Snow gets, look at Moulson and Grabner. Unreal! Travis Hamonic is a beast! Johnny Tavares showing the hands we all love and of course HAYLEY! Awesome!
-
geduffer says:
#80 – If you think it was great on the couch, you should have been in the arena. Awesome job by the Isles laying the mother of all beatdowns on the Pens. The Pens decided that they didn’t like being run over on the scoreboard and tried their usual act of trying to push the Isles around. Not this time, suckers. They got their heads handed to them. Now all that’s left is to bring up Jeremy Yablonski for the next meeting with the Pens. If Brent Johnson wants to dance, oblige him with our resident MMA fighter.
-
mario vecchione says:
Check out the post from the Associated Press on TSN.ca where Islander fans are dissed a few times. No one ever heard of Michael Haley before tonight’s game is what is written. I bet many Isles fans were hoping Haley would be recalled for tonight’s game. One thing for certain, we all know that Colie Cancer and Buttman will give Martin 5, Gilles 10 and Haley 10. They will not suspend Godard or Blysma for Godard’s leaving the bench and will blame Capuano for it and he will get life in prison.
-
I’m sorry the coach & the GM get no credit for the emotional win…..that was all for the players, they had enough and probably had a good talk among themselves.
-
Steve M says: Lots of crying ‘guins fans all over the place. They are so clueless and classless. They really are fun to laugh at. Good for the Isles, they gained a bunch of respect tonight. Hope this carries over into coming games.
-
MarioGazz says:
NHL website does not even have a caption of the game. PUKES!! Isles show toughness and nothing is highlighted but Mon/Bos does. Way to stick together and show unity. Awesome boys, you just made me want to drive from CT to watch a game now.
-
My only regret is that Matt Cooke wasn’t there to get his butt beat
-
Jason says:
NHL Hockey has returned to Long Island. I don’t care if they don’t win another game this year, I don’t care if they have to eventually move out of state. I understand tonight’s event might look like cheap spectacle to some, but those of us who have followed the team for the entire miserable year understand the catharsis and redemption. I believe this will be considered a long term turning point for the organization, no matter where it winds up. Finally, Thank You D.P. for helping make this all possible.
-
LuvMyIsles says:
Epic game tonight…and I agree with all the comments here. I think the light bulb collectively went on for this team tonight; hopefully they will build on this. Sweeeet retribution. This game is LEGEND!
-
Paul says:
Freaking NHL network said Haley forced Godard to come off the bench and defend his teammate…typical!!!!…I guess Haley forced Johnson to skate out of his crease and drop his gloves!!!!
-
So NHL on The Fly is Bashing the Islanders. Gillies is a Goon, Haley is a Goon, Martin is a gutless Goon…. The 3rd and 4th line guys gave a performance typical of who we are as an organization… Whhha Whhha Whhha. I love it, and all this air time is nothing but good. I wouldn’t be surprised if Colin Cambell suspends 1/2 the Isles and gives $hittsburgh a bi week to heal up
-
The Danish Backhand of Judgment says:
Great game. enough said.
-
tonelli27 says:
Wow, NOBODY is hating on the Isles tonight…THAT is amazing. Now let’s ALL cut it out, and start being part of this cool team. NOTES: Kyle hit yet another post tonight…therefore his new name is Kyle OkPOSTo.
Also, Grabner had 8 shots on goal!! -
Isle be a Fan says:
Great Line Chris. – “Deserving Diehards”. Unfortunately I wasn’t one of them, (but I did watch every second of non HD TV
-
WM says:
The Penguins (minus Crosby and Malkin) are a friggin’ dirty team. They got what they deserved tonight. So glad we knocked that grin off of Fleury’s face!
-
moonshine says:
it was all very nice, but…
the islanders can’t play this type of game every night, obviously. nobody can.
lost in the brawls was the quality of hockey the isles played tonight.
but they need to learn to manage games a little better. towards the end it was automatic, a fight at every stoppage of play.
pittsburgh was willing to lose this game, but there isn’t much gained by having a festering feud with a team fairly loaded with cheap shot types. by the end i was just as worried about grabner or nielsen being injured than enjoying the score.
and i still care more about the standings than a sinble 9-3 win.
johnson played the jerk to perfection, and got it in spades from the crowd. -
Southard says:
WE’RE ACTUALLY GETTING ISLANDER HIGHLIGHTS ON ESPN SPORTSCENTER.
what a hell of a game.
-
rpchief2 says:
Thats what I’ve been waiting for. As much as Zk, gillies, haley and martin did their thing. It was Bailey, AMac, Ko Hamonic that were the real story. THese are the type of games a team needs. Maybe not 300 minutes but you know what I mean.
-
Petro32 says:
Less than an hour after the game ended and over 100 comments – there should be this fire every night! Let Mr. Wang and Mr. Snow read these and hopefully react!
-
I feel like U2 should make a song about this Game !
-
crazyjoedavola says:
I half expected the other 2 Hanson brothers to come out of the lockeroom with Haley. Charleston Chiefs re-visited, and it was awesome.
-
Lets also hope that Haley is somehow related to Colin Campbell. Otherwise, he is going to be gone for a while.
-
someone needs to tell Colin Campbell that Haley and Martin play for the Pens, that way they won’t get suspended
-
Jeff S. says:
I have to admit that i have been very critical of our team this season. The posts here have been all negative for most of this season. BUT GO BACK AND RE-READ ALL OF TONIGHTS posts. We are back baby and it feels great to see all of the passion being writte here by the Isle Army. Let’s go Islanders
-
stevek1510 says:
a thing of beauty
-
StumpNYI says:
I’m so inspired, if Sunday was a home game I would be on my way to Long Island to watch this team after that performance(currently in VA) I have Read this site for a couple years but this is my first comment because this game was one of the best I have seen. I sense a turning point and couldn’t be more excited.
-
Joe C says:
You know that Campbell will punish the Isles more than the Pitts. It was amazing he suspended Cooke! Now he’ll make up for it.
-
terry says:
I was one of the few guys on here to say from day one Haley needed to be on the island.This game proves you can still and will win games with a tough lineup.it was good to finally see guys like JB KO ANDY MAC HAMONIC stand up for themself and each other this is what makes a team winners i hope garth snow has the same ideas. The team that played tonight for each other will be a contender in the near future
-
chris says:
comment #8 claude…ive read a lot of comments over the years…but yours is by far the best ive ever read “sometimes life is so beautiful you just want to cry” claude my friend …your comment makes me want to cry great job
-
bcarroll25 says:
haley’s been in the system for a few years, and yet jon sim was forced on us? haley brings energy and has some skill. what does joensuu bring? no speed, no physical play, no scoring. and he can take schremp with him.
-
islesrock73 says:
Earth to Garth, this is what we fans have wanted. A rebuild with an edge. Haley must stay. He brings grit with some talent. Resign ZK. Dress Gillies as needed. Have been very critical and upset with organization, but tonight Garth did the right thing. Also, we must tip our hats to Garth for Grabner. The kid is the real deal.
-
While this was a classic and will be the game people look at as the game that turned this franchise around, whether it’s next week or next year or the year after, I’ve changed my mind of either K.O. and Z.K. as captains. Don’t get me wrong, they are very worthy candidates. But this is J.T.’s team. When Tavares took a double minor against Michalek in the Ottawa game, which was the game against the classless Penguins, I knew something had changed. He was willing to scrap and it’s now 100% that we have your back. Captain John, if nothing more, in my mind.
-
LIT says:
Thank you thank you thank you! I have been waiting for this game for many years.. This is the turning point of this franchise…
-
I am going to keep a running count now of our record minus that horrid 22 game stretch
22 game stretch: 1-17-4
33 other games: 18-12-3
Isles since that 22 game rough patch: 14-12-1
-
Rob (in Pgh) says:
I’m a long time Islander fan who lives in Pittsburgh. As such, I have many friend who are Pens fans. I think the biggest shame is that some of them think that Paul Steigwerwald qualifies as a professional broadcaster.
The former players who now have broadcasting positions in Pgh had a realistic attitude about tonight’s game.I agree with CB’s comments about the upcoming games but I think it is also important to remember the last game with the Pens this year and come out strong to make them remember that it’s the Isles revenge that is important and not theirs after this game.
-
Joe says:
Redemption tonite, was so frustrated after the last game v. Pens that was televised on versus! We tookit to them tonite, This is the recipee for success, this is how a team wins in the NHL. I am not going to apologize to the snobs at the NHL network for this win! The Isle are back whether you like it or not!
-
Numbers65 in Ohio says:
Wow! What a game! I was tuned in to the Pit broadcast accidentally (DVR). They talked about the Isles like dogs. They were talking as if the aggression was all the Isles. These guys reacted to Haley fighting Johnson like they had gotten punched in the face and went off about how we are 3rd from the bottom so we are taking it out our frustration on them b/c we are the disgrace of the league. Sorry fellas, look at the score, YOU LOST! LOL! Don’t like losing do ya. We handled them, most importantly on the scoreboard!! Oh sorry, you not so bad with out Siddy and Bruno. THIS IS A GOOD NIGHT TO BE AN ISLANDER FAN! That was a team effort. This big Koskinen looked pretty good last 2 games! So many of the Isles played really well! This team will be tough to play. LET’s GO ISLANDERS!!
-
Michael in Bowling Green, OH says:
Does anyone out there remember when Clark Gillies pounded Dave Schultz? Tonight was like that on steroids. Nine goals! On to Buffalo!
-
Ct 1970s says:
Great game as isles won it ALL. THe not only scored on both pens goalies, but stuck for themselves and each other,,and then gave penguins the rretribution they deserved for their cheap shits the league lets Them get away with. Great old time hockey. Proudf to be an Islander fan.
-
Golt73 says:
The fans are standing up to them! The security guards are standing up to them! The peanut vendors are standing up to them! And by golly, if I could get down there, I’d be standing up to them!
-
frankgeno says:
This game had to happen. About time…
By the way CB, for anyone that watched it on the NHL package both the home and away broadcasts were on tonight. Paul Steigerwald is the Pens play by play announcer and I feel out of soreness, referenced the game as “typical coming from the worst organization in hockey”. He all but called us a joke (not his place). He also, and I am again paraphrasing, said that Garth Snow must be proud of what his team has done. I was ready to jump through the TV. Still am. -
NYISLES001 says:
Taveras getting close to moving to next level. His skating is imnproving.
He will never have the skating ability of Ovechkin, Crosby or Stamkos, but he may have better pure vision and hockey sense then any of them, and for that reason will be a 90 to 100 point scorer in the league.
-
ole time islander hockey says:
Im so proud It made me cry….WAY TO GO BOYS!!!!!!!!
-
Anthony says:
That was the best game I attended since the Bates PS game in 2001… For the first time in, well… FOREVER, I couldn’t wait to get home to watch the news and to hop on line to read about an Islanders game they just played!!! Awesome
-
Toby says:
That was the most entertained I’ve been in a long long time. I am glad I can say I was at the game. Wow. Couldn’t have happened against a bigger bunch of dirty scumbag whiners. Awesome. I think every other team in the NHL is smiling and nodding tonight.
-
beachchica says:
What a total bs recap of the game on NHL.com. They only mention that the Penguins are injury depleted yet the Isles lead league on man/games lost! What number goaltender are we on?? I am so proud of these guys defending each other! We are now and never were doormats! Congrats to Grabs, Tavares and Moulson!!!!
-
Jtorbust says:
I was at that game , I ve probably been to a few hundred and this was by far the most memorable. It came at a time when many thought our franchise couldn’t get any lower and were about to throw in the towel. The fact that they stuck up for each other was as important as the scoreboard. If the NHL wants to hand out suspensions let them just make sure some bruins are on that list too. For all the commentators calling our guys goons ,all we were doing was sticking up for all the abuse we have taken. I hope the boys are out having a few cold ones tonight , they became men and a team.
-
This could be the game that will be remebered that turned the franchise around. Prbably one of the most important regular season games in 20 years for this franchise.
The Islanders of the mid 70′s developed the same attitude and that is screw you we are not taking anyone crap and will stand up to anyone. This is an important step in the mental development of Taveras, Okposso and other young players.
Grabner reminds me a little of Mike Gartner. Grabner always had speed, but has developed his goal scoring ability which is rare.
-
Just got home from the game, no one wanted to leave! This was the most exciting game I saw in 20yrs! I want to thank all the players for their great effort, we knew you had it in you, and tonight you made us so proud to be Islanders! Also, I have been critical of management, but Garth, if you are the one that is responsible for getting Grabner here, well, I starting to love you again! Great job by all!
-
billy says:
Can you believe nhl on the fly compared martin hitting talbot to the bertuzzi/moore incident. The isles fact that comeau was run unexpectedly by talbot was just glossed over. Isles never get any respect. I fully expect the isles to get the worst of the suspensions, but they needed to make a statement. Hopefully they can finish the season off strong.
-
Why did Johnson not receive a g-misconduct. Isn’t the rule if you fight after a fight starts such as bailey and Hamonic, you get an automatic ejection. Interesting.
-
Big K says:
I stayed around the coliseum after the game, and the Penguins loaded into their bus outside by the entrance to the arena instead of under the arena in the garage. Must have wanted to keep the teams apart. Anyway, if you think these guys looked like turtles on the ice, you should have seen them getting onto their bus. They didn’t want to even look at their own fans that were there.
-
THE PORK CHOP EXPRESS says:
Finally, we have team toughness!!!! This game reminded me of ending of first Godfather!! Beware Dion, Pronger,Carcillo, Brier!!!!!!
Seriously, It was great to watch the team stick up for each other. It was just a matter of time before the dam broke and you can blame the league for that. So many times the isles are cheap shot and nothing happens (comeau getting laid out). Pitt was the first target because the game 12 days ago was disgrace. It was disgrace because of the garbage no call hits and childish laughter by the penguins. I admit DP wanted to fight and lost. B.Johnson did what he had to do. I had a problem with the laughter. I hope the team uses this emotion and continues to play like brothers otherwise what was the point.
The NHL really needs to clean up its act. This past week truly shows the mess Campbell has created. The players are now taking matters in their owns hands because the league cannot effectively and consistently punish the leagues’ villians (i.e cooke.). Give a guy like that 25 game suspension and 50-100K fine and he will stop!!!
Unfortunately, the league will probably make the isles the example. Martin and Gillies will be suspended. I bet Martin is suspended for the rest of the season and Gillies 14 games. I wish Martin would have challenged him and not sucker punched him.
Anyway Great Team WIN ISLANDERS!!! Continue to play with heart and good things will happen!!!
-
drchim says:
Grabner’s speed is freaking unreal! The last 20 games or so he seems to get at least 3 good scoring chances just on his speed. While he was showing glimpses in the begining of the year, now he’s buring the chances as well….ty FLA and Snow. Really loved the Haley guy…not only does he fight but the guy has speed and scored a sick goal against a pretty damn good d-man and goalie. He took that one dumb penalty early but other than that played composed and beat some butt. Gillies now, i don’t know what that loon was doing…he’s scary man..ha. He was outta line there cracking that dude after he plastered his shoulder into the boards. Martin will get atleast 5gms, Gillies should get 3 and Haley maybe 1. Goddard def. 10 gms. Sweet game….best regular season game i’ve ever seen…going on 20+ yrs.
-
Nick says:
I ran into Gary Betman on the street today. Houston ST. Around 1 PM, he was getting into a cab. I wanted to yell at him something about Wang and a new arena for us, but I stopped myself. Go get em Isles!
-
James says:
The idiots on TSN and PuckDaddy are killing me, calling the Isles a bunch of lowly cheapshot artists.
Supremely happy this team responded to (a) Max Talbot’s unpenalized concussion-inducing headshot; (b) Brent Johnson’s one-punch KO; and (c) the supreme disrespect of Marc-Andre Fleury laughing like a hyena when Johnson dropped DP.
Pittsburgh came out and flexed their muscles last week and ate up every minute of it.
Good on the Isles for getting every minute of that back.
-
AJAX says:
If they played like THAT every night, the barn would sell out EVERY night.
-
One Happy Isles Fans says:
Fans of Islander Country:
This marks the beginning of turning this franchise around. What has been holding us back in years past is emotional, hard fought wins against teams in our own division! Yes the playoffs will have to wait until next year but my god, tonight 2/11/11 is one damn good night to be an Islanders fan. Head out to the bars, hold your head high, bang the wife not once but twice and remember that this is ISLANDER COUNTRY and WE ARE ALL ISLANDERS! lets gooooooooo
-
I should clarify: the idiots COMMENTING on TSN and PuckDaddy…
-
There has been so much negativity with this franchise for many, many years. Tonight was one of those games that can flip the switch of a franchise.
There comes a point where young talented players like Taveras and Okposso figure it out. That is when you see teams like the Blackhawks and Penguins go from the dumper to elite status in a short amount of time as Pierre Macguire indicated.
-
Onesinceforty says:
^{%]#{^}*#+! TiVo did NOT record tonight. I am so bummed out!
-
Jim Clark says: A touch of the flu kept me away but I was cheering at home. As Ted Lindsay used to say “that’s the way to lay the old lumber on them”!!!
-
Dave Z. says:
God i remember when hockey was played with this much passion. Almost forgot how exciting it can be. Of course the league will try to incarcerate all involved. hopefully management stands behind their TEAM. (Which I like to think they truly became tonight.)Man I’d love to see the Ranger rivalry get heated like this again. Too bad the league thinks emotion like this makes the game look bad. Lack of emotion makes it look boring. And nice job ESPN, Haley’s goal made the top ten plays. (#9)
-
“He’s a great kid,” tough guy Zenon
Awesome quotes.Konopka said. “We went through training camp with him, and we just fell in love with him right away.
“He immediately became a part of our family. So, here comes Cousin Mike, and he gives us something to build off.”
-
BillyBC says:
“Making it look mean!”
-
mlem says:
So…uh…is THAT what the 80′s were like?
-
Oren says:
I can assure you that Colin will hand out eye-opening suspensions to the Islanders. And I’m sure Martin will be suspended for the remainder of the season.Gillies will get 10 games. He’s always hated the Isles and given disproportinate suspensions when it comes to Isles. Most likey goes back to his days with Vancouver(losing to Isles) and his Rag days. And watch Haley, he’ll get 15 games. I would be shocked if campbell didnt throw the book at the Isles. Oh well, time to call up Jobo cop Jablonski!
-
“Cousin Mike.” LOL!
-
D in BIG D says:
Haven’t even read one post and all I have to say is FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!I can’t stand the bias on NHL network towards the Isles players saying this retribution was unwarranted.I totally disagree and the rest of the league is forced to take notice!!!I wonder why the linesmen jump in so quick when fights happen against players that are on their chosen teams.Why wasn’t Johnson suspended for skating down the entire ice,around a linesman to engage an injury prone star for a beleaguered franchise?I’ll say it.His name aint Crysbie or Ovierated.There is a definite double standard and the Isles FINALLY took action.Go Isles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
Larry F. says:
The Islanders made a statement and beat the Pens up and down and all over the ice. I turned on “NHL on the Fly” and expected to see some praise for the Islanders responding to the Pens with a huge game. Instead, the commentators were critical of the Islanders and made us out to be dirty. Kris Letang had the nerve to say that our 3rd & 4th line players went after his goalie. I couldn’t believe it. We whip the Pens in EVERY facet of the game, and still get no respect from the idiots on NHL Network. We know better and so does Pittsburgh. Well done Isles! We needed this. I hope from now on we come out with more swagger and attitude. Could be the beginning of something good for our Islanders.
-
………and the 70′s. (Dam i’m old)
-
painhasbeenstopped says:
FINALLY!!! The guys stood up for each other. No matter the BS suspensions that are coming, let’s hope the team has learned once and for all the value in sticking up for one another.
-
Oh by the way,not to be negative but ko’s new nickname should be Kyle Okposto.
-
WOW! After watching Haley’s goal again, wouldn’t it be sweet if the guy actually had an offensive upside and a scoring touch?
-
If when people think of the Isles, they think think of Tavares/Moulson/Grabner scoring, and Gillies/Haley/Konopka/Martin being “dirtbags”… Well I can live with that.
-
DenP says:
WOW!!!!!!!! I decided to go to the game last minute. I have been going to games since the 80′s and that was the best game I have ever seen live.
Call us goons! all the you want! OLD TIME HOCKEY BABY! THE WAY IT OUGHT TO BE PLAYED!
Lets not forget the psychology of sports, if people know we are going hit and fight they will become intimidated which will translate into more wins.
I hope Nabby is at home enjoying his center ice package! What a TOOL!
-
jamal says:
Bottom line: Micheal Haley is an ANIMAL..by far the best hockey game ive ever attended. Only if the guys could always show this much heart. Johnson and the pens had this coming after the last matchup where DP and the isles were the laughing stock of the league. Congrats pens, you were absolutely pummelled in fights and on the scoreboard by the so-called “doormats” of the league
-
Michael says:
About Time!
The NHL has nobody to thank more for this than Colin Campbell:
4 games for Cooke’s vicious hit on Tyutin?
No NHL video review for the blindside headshots that Dion Phaneuf did on numerous Isles and other teams’ players?He thinks that maybe Marc Savard embellished his concussion hit from Cooke?
Sorry, but I do not believe that a man that was a player and coach in the NHL can approach his job in charge of discipline with true objectivity at all times, to all players and teams.
There is a serious lack of consistency to matters regarding discipline in the NHL, so much so, that players and teams take matters into their own hands, and dispense their own frontier justice.
As for the Pens players: Don’t like when other teams take liberties with your top players? Try practicing what you preach, even when facing bottomn dwellers.
-
Garthsnow says:
so happy we shut this team up. Thats what they get for what they did last game. Its games like this that make me fall in love with the islanders all over again.
-
Islesfan83 says:
To the thousands of people who have said the Islanders are the worst, to the thousands whos said the GM is a joke, and the owner is running the team into the ground; To all the naysayers who think the Islanders are and always will be nothing. mark my words, your all dead wrong.. This team is gonna be the champs…soon we will basking in the glory, my Isles bretheran will be laughing at all the naysayers.
-
gordy lane says:
What a great night to go to the old barn. Great effort and how everyone on the team stood up for each other. The refs were horrible again. I understand the call on Martin and the call on Gillies looked like a charge at the very least but explain to me that Haley gets in a fight with #25. That is 5 minutes each there. Haley fights Johnson. 5 minutes each there. Goddard leaves the bench and throws a bunch of punches should be 5 minutes for that fight plus leaving the bench. So then you look up an the Penguins are on a 5 minute PP. The only penguin in the box is #25 for the first Haley fight. Goddard, gillies and haley thrown out. Doesn’t someone at least have to serve the 5 minutes for Johnson for his fighting major. Everything should have been a wash at the least. KO penalty on goalie interference when he is pushed into the net and the goalie by the d-man. High stick after high stick to Amac at the end and no call until the fight breaks out. Smart move by Capuano in leaving JT on the bench during the last PP and also grabbing him by the jersey so he would not get on the ice. Interesting to see the next Penguins game because Crosby should be on the ice. So if they take a shot at one of ours their franchise will be out there for us to hit as well and lets not forget that he is not to far removed from a concussion. Yes we are out of the playoffs but if they want to risk losing crosby and basically their season go ahead. One more thing Capuano knows the Bridgeport guys and Haley was a smart move and choice. I do not think that Schremp enjoyed his seat in the box then droping the gloves.
-
IslesfanfromFlorida says:
All i can say is WOW, Just WOW, UnREAL game, on of the best i have seen since the 93 playoff series vs Washington and Toronto in 02. JUST a GREAT GAME! Keep it up ISLES!!
-
AFIsle says:
there are 27 games left this season and the isles are 15 points out of the playoffs. not out of it yet doubt they are gonna make it and it would be epic if they do
-
jbassman72 says:
Best game I can remember in sometime. Brawling aside, we got (3) 20 goal scorers. Hamonic with a goal, sweet assist, and his play is just downright impressive. Get Haley up here…kinda evident we found Steve Webb’s replacement and w skill. Destroyed Adams I believe ( lost track), pots a great freakin goal, wrecks Talbot, and then responds to Johnson’s bs! I’ll never forget that. So ridiculous to read all the Pen fans whining over this one. Chock full of dirt with Cooke being the top scumbag, yet they’re calling for the head of Martin??? Sorry guys, it wasn’t Todd Bertuzzi revisited…not by a longshot. Cheap hit on Comeau and hootin and hollerin after dp got his face smashed in…well here ya go. The bench numbers in the last five minutes were hysterical. Whole damn night was. Islander pride in full effect tonight.
-
Steven says:
Holy shnikes. Islanders finally got pushed just a little too far. Good for them.
-
Bossy573 says:
Huge, energizing game tonight. Snow gets blasted, rightly, for not understanding how having NUMEROUS tough players is a must in the NHL. But huge props to Garth for Moulson and Grabner.
-
of course we are a dirty bunch of goons. Too bad these idiots on the air don’t do any back story on why this game was the way it was.
-
A Real NHL fan says:
.. Wow what can you say? SERIOUSLY? a AMAZING game by the NY Islanders, perhaps there best game in 10 years!
.. The Pens have had this coming for a looong time and Matt Cooke (whos a gutless weasel) wasnt even in the lineup!
.. Raw emotion and energy, the team was AMPED UP to play this game, and they stomped pittsburgh on the scoreboard and on the ice, I LOVE IT!! I hope its a watershed moment for the team!
-
Frank James says:
The Penguins and the league got what they deserved.
If you laugh at a team and show absolutely no respect to your fellow players you have to expect a fight.
The league seems to think it is okay to take runs at Islanders so the Islanders have to fish out their own punishment.The season is over so the Isles may as well dress Gillies, Haley (if available) or anybtwo enforcers to protect our young players and fill the arena.
I might not agree with every single thing tonight but I am prouder for them than I have been in quite awhile.
-
If suspensions are handed out and they will be, Snow needs to stick up for his players as well and publicly talk about how his players get no respect from officials and the NHL when it comes to calls and suspensions. Comeau is out on IR on a late hit but Talbot gets nothing? The players did their part, Garth it’s time to do yours on this one as well.
-
Proud of our Islanders. Haven’t restored the pride — win or lose — since the days of Baumgartner, Vukota, Joe Reekie and Brian Curran.
-
Koskinen says:
Say what you will, but Koskinen just might be tyhe best goalie in the Islanders’ organization, right now, even if all of them were equally healthy. If he keeps this level of play up, maybe he’s the number 1 next year.
-
prepare to get smacked down hard by the NHL. very hard. the isles just slapped around one of the Leagues flagship franchises. you hurt the teachers pet, you get smacked. as a fan, it was the most fun you can have watching hockey with your cloths on.
having typed that, this is what happens when Matt Cooke gets a pass on his conduct, Tavares gets whacked every game, and a Penguins club that should have called it a nite at 8-2, keeps at it with a non playoff club. i’ll shed no tears for injured Pens players, thats the price you pay for having Cooke and Talbot wearing your jersey. pulling the crap they pull, without punishment.
putting talbot and moore in the same sentence, please. better to put bertuzzi and cooke, moore and savard in the same sentence. Talbot will be dressed on sunday afternoon, savards career is probably over. -
Pat says:
Overall, I was thrilled with tonight’s game, however I’m a little disappointed in Matt Martin.
Did Talbot deserve to be punched in the face after the Comeau hit? Yes. But there’s no place in the game for a sucker punch like that. I think Martin has a future in the league as a skilled player, not as just a goon. I also think that the Gilles hit crossed a line (though a line that the Pens often cross themselves)
That said, Haley is awesome and it was great to see the offense break out like this. As great as it is to see the team stand up for themselves, there’s no need for cheap shots and dirty hits.
-
Tedge 77 says:
I didn’t see Fleury laughing tonight. This game was more than the fights, it was a statement to the rest of the league. Konopka For Captain!!!!!!
-
nyislanders93 says:
Greatest game this team has played in years. Team toughness and standing up for your teammates is what we need every night. No complaints. Every single player earned his paycheck tonight.
-
Michael Delman says:
Best game I have seen in soooo long! I don’t care how many suspensions are handed out, this game the Islanders sent a message. The league should sanction itself…they caused this as much as anyone…they consistently shaft the Isles on calls…if they won’t look out for our players, then our guys will do it for them.
-
Jim says:
That was one of the best Islander game in many years. Haly needs to play more!
If the NHL isn’t happy with all of the fighting tonight then they need to tell their refs to make the call when a guy gets flattened after a head shot (i.e. Como).
Next time if you want 10 goals tell the Isles they need to offer dobule chili!
-
Jerky says:
This was 3+ years of frustration coming to a head and it was a thing of beauty to watch as an Islanders fan. I hope the players read this thread and everyone’s comments. Great job all around tonight and I’m beyond thrilled that everyone stuck up for each other and did what had to be done to gain respectability for themselves and the franchise. There must have been one heck of a team meeting/discussion before this game. I agree that this game will be looked back on as a turning point. I must find a way to transfer this game from dvr to dvd for the archives.
-
Matt says:
Games like this solidify a young team. Today these kids learned what level you need to take it, to win in this league.
What a bloodbath
-
jeff says:
haley can play as well as kick some a$$. he had 30 goals in junior in ’06. and 12 goals this year in bridgeport already.
-
Mike for Philly says:
Was at tonights game and have to say this was the best game I have ever been to in my life. As a 28yr old who has had to deal with alot of bad hockey I hope this is a turning point for this franchise. A bunch of Penguins are going to be wearing ice packs tonight. Way to go NYI!!!!!
-
JTizzle 91 says:
My personal favorite was T. Gillies talking trash while that punk is on the ice laid out! Screw you Fleury and Pitt! Not so funny now!
-
Dinerboss says:
I wish a islander would say something about the bias comming from the NHL network like Bart Scott did about the espn guys!
-
Frustrated Voter says:
Holy Moly! Incredible! Game of the decade for the Islanders! As tough as it has been for being an Islander fan, this game was worth it.
We will look back one day and point to this game as the turning point – the day the young Islanders came together as a TEAM and decided to stand up for one another.
The Penguins deserved every beating they got. They brought this upon themselves.
No one will mess with the Islanders skill players again. Hooray.
-
sorry for double post..
8-2 blowout, its clear whats going on, and johnson wanders 40 ft from his crease to yap it up with a guy going to the box- well you found trouble gregy boy. Talbot dropped fater then a dead kennedy, before the punch missed. orpik driving grabner through the net at 8-3, rather then locking him up. the pens were willing to play bloodsport, except when it wasnt oing there way. we will wind up 15-20 games worth of suspensions. pitt will get time for goddard related stuff only.
protecting the golden goose. kudos to refs for finally tossing guys in the third, 20 minutes too late. -
Ethan K says:
I wanna see this team more often!!! Keep Haley around, he’s earned a spot for now!
-
By the way, Colin Campbell is a JOKE. (Mr. Bettman – are you listening?!)
If the NHL were fair in its implementation of penalities and suspensions, the Islanders would not have needed to take the “law” into their own hands.
For all the Islander players out there, I am sure every fan agrees with me – sometimes dispensing forntier style justice is warranted and necessary. We support and applaud you!
-
Walt says:
I was at the game tonite right behind Johnson for two periods. My nephew came to town from out of state and was treated to a fantastic game. The old barn was rocking and I said to him welcome to 1981.
Great game Isles. -
Gillies definitely deserves a suspension. He charged, his skates left the ice, and it was a head hit. I’m sure Martin and Haley will also be disciplined. But to me its worth it.
The isles will come out looking bad here but its because the replays that will be remembered are the ones from the Martin and Gillies hits. The other ones initiated by the Pens will ne conveniently forgotten.
-
Gillies talking trash after destroying that kid with a dirty hit! I’m sick of being apunching bag and I loved every second of it!
-
Hey #218 WHISTLER you sound like a sore loser.the pens are the first of a long list of teams that have taken liberties at us,well enough is enough I believe a statement was made.ask your goaltenders if there still laughing.
-
nine to three. to quote the soprano’s “marrronnne” i totally agree. if we don’t win some games coming out of this game then what was it for? win 2/3 games in a row against some lower level teams. continue to stand up for eachother and answer the bell all game. pittsburgh isnt the only team we need to establish ourselves agianst!
-
scottd says:
You almost get the sense that the reaction from mainstream media outlets like NHL Network, which I would characterize as something along the lines of “how dare the Islanders, don’t they know they are supposed to a laughing stock,” only proves why this type of response was absolutely needed.
-
David G says:
Classic.
-
Poetic justice. Johnson got lit up & the Pens got f*@$&d up !! Had to miss the game because I was working, but woke my wife up to watch the replay !! If this game was a movie, I would have said “yeah, thats nice, but it would never really end like that”. AMAZING !!!!
-
DonK says:
Godard will get 10 games under rule 70.10 — he came off the bench. Bylsma is suspended until a hearing (likely Saturday). He gets automatic $10K fine. Bet on NHL giving him nothing.
Martin will definitely get suspended. Gillies likely; Haley 50-50.
NHLPA seems to be a big culprit in keeping suspensions short — PA is more concerned with players losing $$ than losing their health. This should help Isles.
Most emotional Isles game in years. But as others have noted, if they go lay an egg (like Boston did tonight vs. DET), it takes a lot off the win. That said, Isles needed to prove they will stick up for themselves; they did, at least for a night.
-
NYI Hockey-Pride-N-Passion-Restored says:
Even better 4th line Haley-Konopka-Gilles
A line that establish a consistent physical presence when needed.
Haley scoring an occasional goal as well!
Three lines & these guys……
IMO a Talented,Respected & Feared “TEAM”. -
isles14 says:
ladies and gentleman your 2010 2011 new york islanders have arrived.welcome back boys!!!!
-
Bjorn Holland says:
Wow this was great. Grabner is hot, he needs to be signed longterm. And Haley. Let him wear a uniform everyday. Gillies too. The way Martin went after Talbot haha.
You can say whay you want about Wang or Snow, but we have got a bunch of great kids here.
-
german islesfan says:
I’am so proud to be an Islander !!! thank you boys you made my weekend perfect
-
anthony says:
I can sum this game up in 1 sentence. “BEST OVERALL GAME IN 3 SEASONS FOR THE NYI”. slthough we all know they are NOT making the playoffs so why gain points when it will hurt our draft position, we are now 4th from the bottom.
The only positive and it may not even work is that a strong finsih a depleted lineup, NO goaltending and a ravaged D BUT still winning can show FA’s whats up here.
TO ZK, about the Montreal comment, yeah good luck in them EVER signing you. I hope that Garth got pissed at that and says ” you dont make that comment when u are on a team currently “, even Carmelo Anthony is pretty much keepin his mouth shut, he just said to boss and GM TRADE ME. Any isles fan should be offended, and boo him at home. He is a guy that is EASILY EXPENDIBLE! Come on a 600 K guy that is only good at faceoffs, fighting, and sitting in the box. We can find another guy like that, and its too bad he said that, I liked him til that.
-
Al from Virginia says:
This was long overdue. Sometime you have to get bloody and i think this was a major team building moment. I’m proud of the team and hope this goes a long way. Disapointed in nhl for showing favorism to certain teams. This is what you get unfortunatly the isles will get the majority of punishment. Keep it up and don’t take any more crap from anyone. This had to be done. Haley needs to remain on the team.
-
HALEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To see that type of heart and pride wearing an Islanders sweater was a blessing!
I am so proud and I have not had these chills since the Bates penalty shot.I read tweets during layovers on flights and I was going crazy. I only saw highlights so if someone knows where to watch the whole game online since I’m out of town, please share.
Someone already said it, but this better be on the next Isles DVD.Haley’s goal was awesome especially since the move was on Letang. I need this guy dressed daily.
Good for Bailey-Hamonic-Martin. Hope Martin doesn’t get the bad rap tag and can handle business if or when the Pens try to retaliate.
Talbot can go suck it. Glad he got smacked up.
Hamonic…I love you. I’ve been waiting for this type of dman, and AMac looks like a true blue Islander for years to come!!
I hope DP watched with a smile at home, and I hope the media and the rest of the league respect this team.
I’m hoping this is more than a one-time thing. Not the brawling…the passion. Make no mistake about it, THIS really is Islanders hockey. This is the type of team that will have success, it’s in our DNA, and it will surely get fans back in the seats.
The way this season has gone, this is exactly what we needed. I believe this will be a defining moment and be a true initial move towards a turnaround.
Grabner is my hero!! I love this team…once this turns around in full, the sweet will really be something else!
-
Dom says:
I’ve been waiting to see this kind of response from an Islander team for a long time. Kudos to Capuano for letting his team take care of things the way they chose to. Great character game and win for this growing club. Snow is quietly and methodically putting together a decent squad as the kids are showing they have some talent. Mix in the proper vets and get the ARENA ISSUE RESOLVED and we will have something here! Have to laugh at the quote from the Penguins broadcast team as they watched their team get EMBARRASSED and HUMILIATED by the Isles last night: I think it was Bob Errey who said something like ” when you’re one of the worst teams in the league and you are an embarrassment to the league what else would you expect?” First, can’t get any more SOUR GRAPES that that comment and even funnier coming from a guy who made a living cheap shotting guys during his career. Errey is a LOSER!
-
One last thing…..
Now if Snow put’s an end,to the foolish ban that has been imposed on Botta?
That would be another welcome statement.
A statement that i’m sure most who read & post on this Blog would love.
Botta is an asset!
Both for the Fan’s & the Organization!
I know we the fans realize it,
I hope soon, so does Wang, lancey & Snow!
Lets Go Isles…Lets Go Islanders!! -
A lot of you forget who hands out the discipline for the NHL…..Colin Campbell. A former RANGER who always gives the Islanders the shaft when handing out suspensions. That said, I expect Martin to get two years in Sing Sing with no possibility of parole.
-
Jim says:
Lets hope this carries over to Buffalo and Ottawa. A turning point I hope for this team. Gilles most definitely will be suspended. I am sure Jeremy Yablonski will be coming to take his place especially if we lose Martin and Haley for a couple of games. Great game tonight for this young team who is now starting to mature.
-
EJ says:
This has been brewing for a while and tonight all hell broke loose! Way to go boys!!!
Haley! Haley! Haley!
We want 10! We want 10! We want ten!
Emotion filled brawl with some payback is just what the doc ordered. Best game since the 01-02 Leafs series game 6 when Eric Cairns beat the pants off Shane Corson.
All the suspensions coming are worth every game. The line was drawn in the sand (ice) last night, and this should uninify this team.
Like CB said, let’s go on a run, 6 or 7 in a row and make this season interesting.
-
Isles in VA says:
The NHL, Pens fans, and On The Fly can bad mouth us all they want, but lets not forget that this all started after we were up 6-0. We were beating them by playing clean pure hockey (and it probably should have been 7-0 or 8-0 at that point). Now we go out and get real respect by standing up for our teammates. Isn’t it amazing how the cheap shot artists (Talbot) turn turtle when challenged? Our boys (who became men tonight) said “NO MORE”. Grabner should have had 5 tonight. Garth has to be praised for picking up 20+ goal scorers two years in a row for nothing. Lets go fill the barn the next time they are home. Let’s give the “men” our emotions and support. Lets see how they respond to our passion. We – as fans – can also be part of the rebuild.
-
The Devils advocate says:
9 Islander goals and how many points did the beastly American future captain kyle Okposo have? lol
-
Rayray22 says:
Good to see the Islanders FINALLY stand up for themselves. The league has been crapping on them and taking runs at their skilled players with no retaliation for too long. Talbot got what he deserved after blindsiding Comeau. Everyone thought it was so funny last week when DP got punched and now they’re horrified when the Islanders stand up for themselves. Well, you can’t have it both ways. I hope this was a turning point. I also love the way they did it. Put up a quick 6 and then go to work.
-
CJCB says:
Freaking a man thats what im talking about! Who says you cant win with toughness, way to gu guys!! What a game, best game i have seen in years!!!!! My god what a difference to that BORING game the night before!!! Awesome just awesome!!! This is what i want to see good tough hockey with who would have thought goal scoring as well!!!
-
@ Isles316,
In TOTAL agreement with you my fellow Islander, Garth Snow must issue a statement as well. We all know that there are going to be suspensions and fines coming from last night’s game. This is where it is imperative that Charles Wang has Garth’s back and lets him know that any fines he may incur for badmouthing Colin Campbell and the league will be paid by Mr. Wang. Garth needs to make it clear that the lack of respect league-wide concerning his Islanders and their players has come to a head. The disrepect the league has shown when it comes to protecting Islander players will no longer be tolerated and his team will exact revenge as it deems necessary. Consider last night as one of those ways. If you think you’re going to push us around and take liberties with our players, we’ll make sure your stars are on IR. If you won’t give my team respect, we’ll sure as hell earn it. This is how Snow needs to reply today. -
peter debenedetto says:
Good for Baily, Mac Donald, Hillen, Martinek, Neilsen…..
everyone feels like they’re 6’4″ when the boys hired to do what they do are allowed to step up. Tavares will put up 100 points if he knows he won’t be run all night.
I feel much better about Pittsburgh laughing at us last week….that game last night was a flat out mob hit.
-
Gary Comitto says:
Greatest game in a decade….finally – THE ISLANDERS ARE BACK BABY!!!!
-
dan says:
Beast game I have ever seen or been too (was not born till 89) this team actually looked like a team. They weren’t Hana take crap from anyone and wanted revenge, and they got it.
Please resign konopka!
-
letang is a whiner and also rolled around on the ice for about two minutes at the end of the first period, had to be ‘helped off hte ice,’ all fake apparently.
no, this isn’t really what the ’80′s looked like. no, this is not a franchise-saving moment. but yes, i pretty much expect the islanders to get the brunt of the punishment, whether or not it’s deserved.
-
gary says:
nice game and lets hope they build on this one
-
Waiting for my last post to be moderated but i have to say one negative in this the best game i have seen in years is the announcers are the lamest in the game of hockey. We have the only announcers in the game that dont pump up the fights blah blah blah the fights happened during the flow of the game blah blah blah these were not appointment fights blah blah blah, blah blah blah. Can we get some annoucers that make the game exciting to watch??? No disrespect to Butch cause i happen to like the guy just not as a analyst and Howie i think its just time to move on. Great game otherwise. Awesome best game since the Toronto series hands down awesome!!!
-
Pete says:
Wow itsa about time…First time in years I am proud to be a Isles fan they did make us proud.I am tired of everyone in the nhl making fun of us this is what we need tough hard nosed play.Haley should stay up we need more paybacks Flyers,Rangers and others get even with them.I haven’t seen so much coverage in the post or daily news like today big articles not a few lines about the game.Remember slap shot movie same here we can come back fans are ready to vent keep hitting stand up vs these bullies.Pens whining about there injuries really how about all ours…..Go Isles please keep winning and I wanted the 1st pick before this now I want more wins screw the picks just win baby just win……………
-
Johnny B. says:
Love it or hate it– THIS is what puts fannies in seats– OLD-TIME HOCKEY! Reggie Dunlop would be proud… ‘Next time we go to Pittsburgh, we get Vukota out of retirement, bring up Haley again, and “put on the foil”!
-
Cappy says:
“I don’t know what they were so upset about,” – Brooks Orpik
“He should have armed himself if he was goin’ to decorate his establishment with my friend.” Bill Munny, The Unforgiven
Go Isles!
-
Bronx 56 says:
Watch the youtube highlights and listen to the pitt announcers if the shoe was on the other foot they would be ok with the game what phonies!
-
marc says:
Anybody know the last time the ISlanders scored 9 at home? Thanx.
-
they mentioned a chicago game in 03 against Chicago, but I am not sure that was at home.
BTW cannot get enough of the crying pens fans and people who say this is Bush league. Treat our team like we are bush league and you will receive a good ole thumping. Truly Statement game, for better or worse, this will go a long way in our locker room and that is where it counts the most. I do not believe Haley should receive any suspension, Johnson clearly came out and ripped his gloves when he saw him. Martin, Gillies, Goddard, yes all should receive suspensions. Again we can look to the NHL rules for setting this type of scenario up. I will take it 7 days a week and twice on Sunday.
-
Mars Bonfire says:
Haley & Islanders Beat Down Pens.
The above is the Headlines from Hockey Fights dot com. At least someone in the Media is on the Isles side. Gary Green and Duff on the NHL Network should be fired. Comparing Martin to Bertuzzi, calling this a circus.
This game is the turning point for this team. Unfortunately Martin Haley and Gillies will be suspended a lot longer than any Pen. Goddard is a punk coming off the bench a jumping on Haley. That should be a 40 game suspension. -
Sidd Finch says:
The crying from the Pens fans is deafening. Stand up and take it like a man. What a joke by the Pens announcers calling the Isles an AHL team. Their roster lookd alot like the WB AHL roster. What does that say about the Pens now? Also lost alot of respect for Staal. He stood around and did nothing last night. Wouldn’t mix it up or anything but shore could hack away in front of the net. Too bad this wasn’t a home and home.
-
it’s a thirty team league. when someone is as bad as the islanders have been, other teams don’t even bother to know who plays for them. so letang’s stuff about what he ‘expected’ from the ‘third and fourth lines’ is basically crap. he knows nothing about it. in fact, the biggest problem pittsburgh had last night is exactly the opposite of what letang pretends: they did not see this coming.
pittsburgh’s superstars take the attention away from what the other guys do. now that the stars are missing, people can see the rest of the team, and the warts are more visible. i don’t mean just the obvious fact that they’re not as good without the big stars; i mean the whole attitude and style of some players…
i don’t think this game was as bad as mtl-bst. i thought mtl got beat up much worse than pittsburgh. the islanders did two things wrong: martin engaged talbot from the wrong angle (but let’s not overstate that ‘sucker punch’), and gillies ran into the boards and then went for the fight, which was extremely poor on his part, a real idiot move.
-
BringBackNyles says:
My feelings about DP put aside, he is their teammate and this response was needed. This is the first time in 3 years I have been actually proud of this team.
If you are a Pens fan, I owuld be nervous. They wanted no part of that game or the Islanders, good luck when the Flyers get physical in the post-season.
-
My question is who was missing? Who ever it was wasnt missed keep the team like this. Great game. Wow that was Awesome stuff, where has that been the last 5-6 years??
-
terry b says:
the team needed that and the loyal fans needed that, we know this wont be a daly event but haley should get a real chance staying up with the big club (after suspensions of corse) and joensuu should be sent see the wizard for a heart, he is a waste
-
Excellent point # 226
-
ASL says:
Remember this game. The Islanders grew up as a team tonight.
-
Anyone notice the losing Rags played on MSG2, while the high flying Isles were on H.D., where the picture could not have been more beautiful…..Poetic justice.
Agreed that Garth needs to speak up when and if Colin(another word for a–h—)yet again is one sided on his suspentions. Maybe he could send Weight, since he is probably a better speaker than Garth.Whatever happens, it was worth it. I am very proud of this team today…I will be rocking all my Islander gear this week!
Finally, thanks Chris, for giving us an outlet to vent not only frustrations, but delirious moments like last night as well. -
Islesfan In Vancouver says:
Bailey back at center and looked good before the fights, Schremp scratched, Martin on the third line. A fourth line that has energy and hits without giving up goals.
This is the line up the Isles should be running with. Bailey at center and Schremp scratched makes a world of difference.
It’s about damn time that the Isles stood up for themselves, regardless of the way the rest of the NHL views it, their kids have been beaten up all season and the players on the Pens who are guilty of questionable hits got what was coming to them.
If Cooke had been in this game it would have been really nasty. Old time hockey where you back up what your mouth says, and if you don’t, you get chased down all game and beat up. Ditch the instigator penalty and let the players police themselves again. I’m sick of seeing career risking hits from cheap shot artists who run away from confrontation and continue hitting from behind.
Do you think Cooke cares about being suspended 4 games for trying to end someone’s career? When will the league look at his history and make an actual stand against this?
-
Crash says:
Capuano to Haley:
“Sweep the leg…”
-
Maybe the Islanders figured out the style they should be playing…should be an interesting game against Buffalo..
-
Dave D. says:
This is how the Islanders should play all of the time… like old time hockey! What a great atmosphere at the old barn!
-
RobS says:
A big “Thank You” to the Islanders from all us fans!! Wow!
-
dose says:
“Bailey at center and Schremp scratched makes a world of difference.”
damn right.
-
Jim says:
Crash at 253 thanks for the laugh!
I slept very well last night, thank you Islanders -
Canada says:
As a hockey fan in Canada, I am SO glad to see the Isles do this to Pittsburgh.
My favourite part was watching the higlights from a Penguins TV feed and hearing their announcers ask ‘when is enough, enough?’ Hmm fellas, the rest of the league has been asking that about Matt Cooke for years. You all defend that sissy, cheap-shot artist and finally got a taste of your own medicine.
I would love to see all 29 teams do this to Pittsburgh over the next 29 games. The NHL has protected their team and favoured them for years now. Cooke continues to attempt to end careers and gets a little slap on the wrist everytime.
No sympathy for the Pens here.
Great job Islanders!!! -
You think Dion Phaneuf took notice?? One more payback to go!!
-
Blizzard says:
…this whole game was like a flashback for me to a different time in Islander country.
Great job Islanders.
-
Rocky85 says:
I was there-it doesn’t get any better than that !
Hopefully, Wang, Mangano and everyone else will wake up and realize that you need a hockey team on Long Island and that you can make money on Long Island given the numerous dedicated fans who were given a treat of a lifetime last night. -
Ya know I have read all 250 comments and I say this to the guys who are knocking Matt Martin for a “cheap” shot. Please take a close look at the replays. He yells at MaxiPad, drops the gloves, grabs his jersey and Maxipad looks like he $hit his pants before dropping to the ice like the b*tch that he is… Martin never hit him. No Suspension for him
Gillies is going to be suspended. Coward Campbell will say it was a head shot(shoulder to shoulder) and hand out 3 games + 5 for the taunting and fight.
Hales will be suspended for beating Maxipad then attacking an innocent goaltender and for forcing Godard to be the 3rd man into a fight from the bench after 3 prior fights broke out. The rules are the rules, but Godard will get a stern finger pointing and a mean “DONT DO IT AGAIN” from Collie. Im just curious as to why Johnson wasn’t tossed for fighting after a fight broke out…
AMAC (high 5) way to stick up for yourself, but it helps when fighting to drop your gloves a little quicker. High Energy Tough guys are contagious. Mr Snowman give Jabo the call
-
Letang and the Pittsburgh media keep crying about the slash from JT at the end of the 1st period. Funny how Letang or the media did not see Letang’s attempted slew foot of JT or the crosscheck to his back or his 2 slashes. What comes around goes around. I have never seen one player turtle in 3 different fights in the same game as Maxipad Talbot did.
-
Per Dreger Hillen has Concussion from Godard Elbow.
The media is really blowing this out of proportion comparing Martin to the Bertuzzi/Steve Moore incident…first off he missed the punch, & when Talbot was down didn’t land anything…He said be suspended a game or 2….take it easy
PS if you watch a slow reply of the Gillies hit, he didn’t hit him in the head either…smae for Gillies, he should get 2 games for the punching and taunting.
Haley not sure if he really gets anything, maybe a game???
Godard should get 10 games for leaving the bench, and another 2 for punching Haley while he was already engaged with Johnson….and the added elbow on Hillen.
I hope the NHL remebers no punishment was given to Talbot for his Blindside hit to Comeau. The NHL NEVER gives any respect to the Islanders in any way. But again comparing this to The Bertuzzi incident is a complete joke not even close!!!
-
Tony says:
The Islanders finally didn’t back down, and enforced. Well done.
Unfortunately, knowing Colon Campbell, you gotta think about the suspensions that will result.
I’m guessing Matt Martin will get at least 5 games, Haley 3, and Gillies 2 just for good measure. Look for the media darling Pens to get less. You can bet on it.
-
S Bennett says:
In every aspect of the term, that’s was a statement game. Every single Islander hailed into a suspension meeting needs to echo the same statements:
No apologies.
Insist that if refs do their job, Isles won’t have to do it for them. Had JT or Comeau played for Philly or Boston, both hits would have earned suspensions. -
The media and the NHL are a bunch of tools. What do they expect us to do? We can’t rely on the league to protect our players so the players have to police themselves. Instead of suspensions Bettman and Campbell should be apologizing to us. Yea right! Unbelievable game. Great to be an Islander tonight! Do this every game and they will come.
-
Just heard that Bettman is going to be involved in handing down the discipline for last night’s game. What he doesn’t trust the colon. I think with all thats happen in the past week or so around the league, that he going to make an example out of the Isles and Pits. And you know who’ll come out on the short end of that. And like a few other’s have said and I’m still scracting my head Johnson leave’s his crease get’s in a fight but doesn’t get tossed. While others got game’s for fighting.The moroons on NHL on the fly comparing the martin/Talbot fight to Bertuzzi/Moore is truly a joke. If you watch the replay guy’s and think you have machine’s that can do that you’ll see that Martin did come up from behind on Talbot but before throwing a punch grabed Talbot’s jersey turned him toward’s him then threw the first punch.Oh and just a reminder Pittsbugh radio/or TV annoucers or AHL team just kick yuor but’s up and down the as well as on the scoreboard.
On more thing.
LETS GO ISLANDERS….. -
kbelanger33 says:
only issue
-isles get extra 5 after every skirmish-don’t get it
-no one took out that gutless puke kennedy-we needed one more tough guy-yablonski anyone?
nhl will come down on isles hard but not pens. its wang and snows job to stand up to nhl for whats to come-its biased crap! -
Paul says:
Pen’s fans across the internet are distraught. I love it. They keep calling the Isles goons… they are just deflecting from the 9-3 final score that showed.
I will be ok with whatever discipline is handed down by the league. As Gunner Stahl said, “two minutes well worth it.”
-
this hockey will put fannies in the seats. how many of us wer watching at home saying -oh i wish i was at this game. -send this comment to wang snow please
-
.. BTW its amazing how much “BUZZ” this game got. It recived national attention, ESPN, locally, on the net and with fans i know, say what you want but this was a great game
.. This type of game was long overdue, Talbot, Cooke, Legand and other Penguins (and teams) have been taking runs at the Islander for 2 long, enough is enough! Im sooooo happy the Islanders stuck it to them both physically and on the scoreboard (9-3) maybe just maybe this is a springboard game for the franchise! Keep up Haley and keep the grit on this team!
.. Its pathetic how the NHL just doesnt ‘get it’ SRSLY the fans (who pay $$ and support the league) LOVE this type game, they dont want ice capades yet the clueless league does everything to castrate games and turn them into ice capades. It doesnt have to be goon hockey but it does need some passion and emotion, WAKE UP NHL FRONT OFFICE, STOP KILLING THE GAME!
.. Great all time game in Islanders history, lets go Isles, woo hoo
-
John B says:
I can just picture the lockeroom after the game when DiPietro got hurt…Zenon Konpka up and makes a John Belushi-esque speech.
Hillen: Man it’s over
Konopka: Over??? Over??? Was it over when the German’s bombed Pearl Harbor?
Moulson: German’s?
Tavares: Forget, he’s on a roll.
Konopka: Oh Z, we’re afraid to go after the Pens, we’ll get in trouble, Campbell may suspend us. Well not me!
Talbot DEAD!
LeTang DEAD!
Johnson…
Tavares: DEAD!!!LET’S DO IT!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, a little off on the Animal House speech but that really came to mind
-
LouD says:
Awesome game, just awesome. A lot of comments about the refs screwing the isles over the years and as that is true I would like to point out it’s not just the Isles. The refs in the NHL are bush league. They have way too much power to make judgment calls on the ice instead of being given a rules list that is set and final. They are allowed to effect the outcome of games like I have never seen in a professional sport. For this reason hockey will always be laughed at by non-believers and we will always be left pulling our hair out over biased refs.
-
Joseph says:
Amen!! It’s about time !!
-
Isleman81 says:
Has anyone made a reference to the Penguin announcers calling the Islanders the “embarrasment of the National Hockey League”. Other references such as how “Okposo ran right into the goaltender”. Really? Looked like he got pushed into Johnson from my view. There’s a 17 minute video on YouTube that shows only the fights from last night…the announcers don’t show a hair of being obejective throughout the video.
-
If this is what you think getting respect from the league is all about enjoy all those draft pics. Your GM will screw them up anyway<-
Listen, pal. The Isles have been disrespected for quite some time. And if the pens, the league, the fans, and anyone else won't GIVE the Isles respect, then the Isles stated, very clearly that they will BEAT IT OUT OF YOU!!!
-
Isles Bri says:
Here is a clip from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette:
‘For a team already missing so much top-end talent, the thought of losing its finest defenseman in a game against an opponent that couldn’t see a playoff spot with the Hubble telescope had to be positively chilling.
Letang returned for the start of the second period, however, and showed no major effects of the whack he had taken, which means that not quite everything was a disaster for the Penguins.
Just that pretty much everything else was. Like how the Penguins were humiliated by allowing nine to a team that, before this game, had not generated a single goal against them in 164 minutes, 26 seconds.
About the only consolation for the Penguins was that they were humiliated in relative privacy because the game drew a crowd of just 12,888.”
So, even though we kicked their arses in every way imaginable, Isles are still not getting respect. Hopefully that changes soon.
-
not usually a conspiracy theory fan, but i agree w/ 287 and some others….isles did what they had to do after the league did nothing a few weeks ago b/c those players don’t play for a “good” team…
funny thing is, nobody respects the isles…so they go try to get respect…and people dog them for that – they go from no-respect pansies to no-respect goons…
between that and all the injuries, they can’t win – only thing to do now is actually put up a few real W’s…and hopefully last night motivated them to finally give 100% each night, stick up for each other and do just that
-
Isles fan in CA says:
Islander Pride!
-
So, even though we kicked their arses in every way imaginable, Isles are still not getting respect. Hopefully that changes soon.
If the team can grown from this game, and continue to make strides, as well as MAKE the playoffs next year, then everyone will HAVE to respect the Isles. And if they don’t even then? Well, like we ALL know: winning changes everything. But winning AND beating up teams physically a la the Charlestown Chiefs? Well, that would be MUCH better!!!
-
AM says:
Don’t be surprised if Colin Campbell suspends Michael Grabner.
-
jo says:
This is what happens when one team treats it like Game 7 of the Cup finals and the other treats acts like its a meaningless game against a last place opponent in an empty arena.
-
This game was great. What isn’t being mentioned here is that Koskinen is proving that he just might be the real number 1 goalie for the Islanders next year.
-
trotts19 says:
ove reading these toronto writers who have paid zero attention to isles, except to say tavares is wasted there and should leave for big blue, and to laugh at us, all of a sudden are experts on our players (“dressed 3 goons!!”) and how we embarresed the NHL,,,,,,,4 games for matt cooke and how many ruined careers ????? NHL has embarresed itself plenty without us,,,,,and i’m sure coly campbell loved watching his boy greg beat up that canadian at the end of the game the other night,,,,,”that’s MY BOY !!”
-
Hey Jo, no game for any team is meaningless. For any team in the playoff race two points is huge for positioning. They have to win every game, because every game is meaningful. So do not say it was meaningless. If the pens had won, they would have said, oh yeah they are an AHL team and we are two points in a better position to get the 1st spot in the East.
-
angelo c says:
did anyone notice that the two refs let ZK pin talbot down for quite some time and had no intention of breaking it up?
thought that was cool and interesting shows what the refs think of talbot.
no question that the refs knew what was going to happen this game.
in my mind it all played out well very happy and impressed
-
Isles Revamped says:
Did anyone read Katie Strang article today. Some Isles Beat reporter throwing the team under the us for the way the played. Saying the league will be looking at JT’s slash on Letang. I have been a supporter of her work but man this was a big mistake on her part. I hope the team give her the cold shoulder after her comments. Maybe Garth will take away her press pass. I don’t get it I just don’t get it.
-
Bob says:
Too much, too late. The Islanders wouldn’t have had to go over the top tonight to prove their togetherness if they did it all season long. Better late than never I guess.
-
Jude Drouin says:
Well, well what a day. Egypt falls and the Islanders Fans Reunite as One. Galvanize!
After I watch the highlights again I am going to back to Space Invaders on my Atari!
-
Ike Snmowsden says:
You guys keep mentioning Yablonski.
What are you talking about.???
He has not been around Bridgeport for some time. Only played 17 games. Anyone know what happened to him?? -
Ann R. says:
Calling Haley up from B-port was the best move Snow made in a L O N G time! Loved this game!!! I felt vindicated as a fan!
-
Islebethere4u says:
Islander game of the century!!! This was a long time coming. If the so called lords of discipline at the NHL offices treat this any different than the Bruin-Canadien game, then it will be further proof of the bias the league has against the Islanders. Talbot is a coward, plain and simple. Johnson is truly a jackass. Pens instigated 90% of the altercations, yet the two idiots on NHL of the Fly blamed the Isles for all of it and that it “felt different” than the Bruins-Habs game. Sure it was different. The Bruins-Habs was out of the blue. Everyone saw this coming the moment DP was laid out by Johnson. The Pens are a dirty team. Cooke is the latest testament to that with his 4 game suspension. Can’t wait for the next meeting. A new rivalry in the works!!! Still can’t figure out how the Pens wound up with three five minute PP’s. It was the only way they scored. Reminded me of the old days when this team could play any way you wanted it…high scoring, low scoring, tough, or fast….they could beat you any way. I agree, this could be the game that this bunch of players became a team. Mark it down in the calender.
-
Ricky T says:
That was the most fun I’ve had watching an Islanders game in years. And it just wasn’t the fighting, which did add a lot to the entertainment. Seeing the skill coming from Grabner, Tavares, Hamonic and McDonald was just as exciting. The beat down given to the Pens was the icing on this cake. On top of that, Pittsburgh had to know that this was coming after seeing the Islanders lineup for the game and still couldn’t do anythin about the score or winning the physical play. I don’t know if this will carry over since most of the team toughness will be on the sidelines with suspensions (you can count on that), but it was terrific to be an Islander’s fan at least for one night. The commentary on NHL on the Fly was so one sided towards the Penguins that I doubt the commentators did any homework at all on what led to this response from the Isle’s. It really amazed me, but I still went to bed really happy. They couldn’t bring me down at all.
Wow I don’t believe what I just saw