NHL PREPARES TO HIT THE ISLANDERS BACK
Suspensions for three, team fine expected
12:35 pm: League sources tell Point Blank that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and his hockey operations staff will not be lenient with the Islanders for their actions on Friday.
Penguins enforcer Eric Godard will receive an automatic ten-game suspension for coming off the bench to intervene in the Micheal Haley/Brent Johnson scrap. Head coach Dan Bylsma is almost guaranteed to pay the price per the NHL rulebook. But that will likely be it for the Pittsburgh organization.
Bettman’s involvement in the process – first reported by Darren Dreger of TSN – all but assures that the league is furious over the Islanders’ application of pre-meditated frontier justice at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Friday night. The league will point to Matt Martin’s missed punch on Max Talbot, and will be influenced by some national columnists’ portrayal of the incident as Bertuzziesque. (My take: that’s ridiculous. Martin may have blown the moment with an ill-advised, blind-side punch to the head, but there is no evidence to suggest he was going to attempt to jump Talbot and crush his spine).
The league will also point to Trevor Gillies skating a long way to hit Eric Tangredi from behind, and will be influenced by the perception that the Islanders’ enforcer taunted Tangredi while he was concussed. (Again, an overreaction. Gillies is a quality man. It’s a real stretch to suggest that he is so inhumane that Gillies knew Tangredi’s brains were scrambled when he continued to yell at him).
The NHL does not have a lot to throw at Haley, if they want to go by the book. Haley punched opponents who were looking at him in the face. Haley did not throw any illegal body checks. My hunch is that the league will say Haley should have gone to the penalty box instead of skated down to fight Brent Johnson. The NHL will hit Haley with an unofficial “gong show participation” suspension.
Four thoughts the day after:
1. It’s unimaginable how Dan Bylsma and his staff did not have the Penguins ready to play that game. Bylsma, a good coach and a good motivator, had a rare bad night since he got the Penguins job.
2. As I wrote last night, calling up Haley for his first game of the season and the Islanders getting revenge against the Penguins does not automatically change the culture of this franchise. The Ferocious Friday Effect will not be known until next season – certainly not while the Islanders play spoiler the rest of 2010-11. Fact is, the team has not been tough and respected for the better part of three seasons. Zenon Konopka admitted as much in an interview in November with Point Blank.
3. It will be interesting to see if Garth Snow releases another statement accepting the NHL’s fines and suspensions this time, as he has in the past.
4. On a lighter note, Konopka is a genius. No one had a stronger influence on the Islanders “making it look mean” than Konopka, but he won’t be fined a dime from last night. He should, however, start a collection among his teammates for Martin, Gillies and especially Haley – who doesn’t make a lot of money to begin with.
The fines and suspensions will most likely be announced later tonight. For fear of embarrassing myself again when it comes to NHL discipline, I won’t venture a guess. If I was in charge, I would give Haley nothing, Gillies two games and Martin four and not fine the Islanders. This, of course, is not what is going to happen.
Comments on this.
107 Responses to NHL PREPARES TO HIT THE ISLANDERS BACK
Suspensions for three, team fine expected
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tond24 says:
its about time we stood up for ourseleves..they let okposo and tavares take a beaten and when its our turn to hand out whipped everyone crys..VIVA LA HALEY
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AM says:
It looks as if Jack Hillen got a concussion from Godard. I think Orpik’s hit on Grabner was pretty bad stuff as well. I’d also like to make note that Steigerwald’s comments on the Pens broadcast was unacceptable.
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Kevin says:
I’m a very active poster on a sports forum and and active IPB reader. Its crazy how much crap the Isles are getting. People can’t give fair assessment just from the highlights, cause they don’t show the Penguins running us into the goal all night, and I’m gonna defend the Isles to the precipice until we get some respect. Last night was one of the most exciting Islanders game Ive ever been to and Ill remember it forever. LETS GO ISLES
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Isle Be Damned says:
This isn’t surprising at all. It’s expected infact. Frankly I don’t think Gillies should get any more than 7, Martin 3 & Haley 1. Truth be told I’m not even sure Haley deserves 1. Awful job by the officials for not escorting him to the box/off the ice like they did with Gillies.
I also disagree with Godard getting 10. But that’s just the rule. I think 10 is too harsh. 5 seems more appropriate for leaving the bench. Clearly 10 wasn’t enough of a detterant anyway, so the harshness of the automatic suspension really isn’t stopping players from leaving the bench. IMO Godard should get 7…5 for leaving the bench & 2 for being 3rd man in/suckerpunching a player already in a fight.
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LuvMyIsles says:
The League had better consider this carefully. If they had been more diligent and fair in how they meter out discipline, last night’s game wouldn’t have been necessary. You can’t tell me that teams like the Penguins don’t get preferential treatment in that respect because of their star power. I think the Islanders have shown a tremendous amount of restraint during a very difficult season and have gotten little or no recognition from the referees or the League. I’ve lost count of how many games the Islanders have been penalized while the opposing team was given a pass.
The Islanders got tired of waiting around and last night they made a statement. I hope the League got the message. -
JS_Express says:
AM, I agree. I was watching the Pittsburgh feed out here in CA, and I hope that the league reviews the transcript of the call, as the announcers crossed the line on a number of occasions, IMO.
All in all, very pleased with the win, the effort, and with seeing this team finally stand up for itself. Was it over the top at points? Yes, way over the top in fact. But it was a heck of a game, and I think one that will make teams think twice before taking liberties with us.
Well played Cap. Well played boys.
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streit02 says:
CB, how can you say that Matt Martin missed with a blind side punch to the head??? It looked bad on TV, but if you slow it down it clearly shows that Martin stops his momentum and never even touches Talbot. His fist isnt even clenched when Talbot drops and hits the ice. Obviously, Martin wanted retribution, but he actually though better and did not touch Talbot. If Talbot doesnt flail on the ice like he was hit with a ton of bricks then nothing would ever have come from that incident. I know the league is never going to look at that way, but i thought atleast coming from someone who watched the game could clearly see that Martin’s true intention was not to blind-side punch someone in the head as he did not. I dont agree with what Gillies did, but other than that there is nothing that should be suspendable. Wow, there was a lot of fights. So what? Most of it came off Isles reactions to Penguins cheap shots all night. I guess it looks worse for your team when you win all of the fights.
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Battfist says:
Be prepared for the league to come down hard. They always do on the Islander players.
Either way-Im proud of how our guys repsonded!
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This was awsome something this young great group of guys needed for the better of this franchise…after last night I finally feel like things will start getting better for the isless…great win and great way to come together
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The league will one again make a mockery of themselves and the Islanders, but no one will care, because we still are a 14th place team. Im sorry, but the NHL is by far the worst run out of any professional sports out there.
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Isle be a Fan says:
I don’t care what the “NHL” does. The Islanders better take care of Martin, Gillies, and Haley for the respect they brought back to the Crest.
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Comparisons to Bertuzzi-Moore are ridiculous. If Martin wanted to Bertuzzi Talbot, he could have.
I think Gillies deserves the biggest suspension for charging, hitting the head, and taunting.
As long as the team is left with someone able to protect the young/small guys the next few games, it doesn’t really matter.
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ACE says:
a team with Matt Cooke on it cant possiby be upset with what took place last night….that team has had it coming to them for a long time. Does Martin deserve a suspension, no question, but the media and speciffically nhl network comaring that to what Bertuzzi did, thats a joke!!!
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Csimiami says:
Haley has to stay on top 2 lines. Tavares,grabner,moulson,bailly, okiposo are all afraid to drop gloves. No physical nastyness out of them. Baily needs to be replaced in off season with a 20 goal scorer who will run people through the glass. This is WAR!!!
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Staten Islander says:
I think its going to be harsher than it would have been had the Bruins/Habs not had the same type of game a couple of nights before. Glad they stood up for themselves, about time. Just because they are percieved as bottom dwellers, it does not give the rest of the league’s powers (Pens, Flyers) free reign to take liberties with thier players.
They need to take into account the continual running that the Pens did last week in Pittsburgh that set the stage for the freworks last night.
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Gary Comitto says:
not surprising at all….the league obviously doesn’t respect the Isles either based on Bettman’s lack of involvement or support for the team, the arena, Snow or Wang…I wouln’t be surprised if they gave 10 or 15 game suspensions saying it was “premeditated”….
As far as the darlings of the NHL/Versus/NBC (Penguins)…..they are the dirtiest team in the league and the most promoted – Cooke = dirtiest player in NHL – their announcer is the biggest homer with blinders on that I’ve ever heard; it seems like he’s always angry when the other team scores or does anything worthwhile – Crosby and Malkin get absolute star treatment – the league even stepped in with THEIR new arena situation to get things going….It’ll be interesting to see if anyone else gets suspended…Talbut deserved the targeting he got – maybe next time he’ll think twice before blindsiding a helpless player, and the league will do something about a hit like that, and more than a 4 gamer for Cooke…
I’m finally proud of this team for last night and will GLADLY accept any consiquences – our stars are fine and we’ve gained some respect…. -
Islebethere4u says:
I’m not defending Bertuzzi in any way but one, and don’t condone it but if you look at the tape of the Bertuzzi incident, yes he attacked from behind but I believe that the weight from the players piling on is what broke the guys neck. Matt martin isn’t even close to that and how anyone could say it is, is beyond comprehension. You can blame NHL on the Fly’s irresponsible comments and commentators for that.
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isles72 says:
what did the league do when tucker took out peca’s knee
what did the league do when gary roberts charged /boarded kenny jonsson
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Bob Bassen says:
Hindsight, I know, but the Islanders should have signed Campbell, Jr. instead of the Bruins last off season. Good for the Bruins though as the other evening’s Bruins/Montreal game received nothing but *yawns* from the NHL.
Gillies and Martin went overboard, agreed. But where is Johnson in all of this? Leaves the crease twice, basically invites/engages DP in the first one-smoked him fair, OK. but then basically engages/obliges Haley last night, again leaving the crease but the Pens are choir boys?!?
If Talbot had any honor/courage he would have just fought Martin straight-up. The game certainly would have had a much different outcome if he had.
Very curious but not optimistic about length of Islander suspensions. For a guideline, though, jumping off the bench AND being 3rd-man-in AND fighting is only 10 games and Cooke-type hits are only worth low single digit suspension. Hmmmm.
What a league.
Oh, and Steckal (SP) (who’s hit on Crosby was agreed by most to be fair) wasn’t a *marked man* by the Penguins the other evening, right? Right?!?
Wang and Snow’s response to whatever the league dishes-out will speak volumes, IMO.
Go Isles! -
Al from Virginia says:
I would like to see Garth stand up for his team and Betman even if it means a fine for him. One can only take so much before this happened. Saw this in the making for a while now. No one should be surprised including nhl. There is a double standard. Let’s see what happens April 8th when the pens want to retaliate, but that will be ok though.
Eye for an eye in my book. -
JKP in Halifax says:
Maybe if the NHL did something every time the isles had liberties taken against them this wouldn’t have gotten to the boiling point. Of course, they need to protect their darling Pens in the national spotlight…
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James says:
The Colin Campbell Biased Scale of Justice: Godard 10 games; Gillies and Haley 15 apiece for “putting Godard in a position where he HAD to come off the bench”; Martin gets the rest of the season and will need to apply for reinstatement.
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Chris18 says:
Tangredi cheap shotted Gillies in the corner before the hit/taunting. He was yelling as much at the linesman who threw him off the ice.
Konopka is a great guy, and needs to be re-signed. He could have pummeled Turtle, I mean Talbot, but instead he leaned over him, yelling at him like Turtlebot was a bad dog, and intimidated/embarrassed him. THAT’s the way to do it! That said, I have to agree with what Haley did- both to Turtlebot & Johnson. I’ve watched him in Bridgeport for a few years & have said the Isles needed him. He can score, hit and fight.
The Isles have needed toughness for a while now. Konopka, Gillies, Haley & Martin bring it.
That said- how about Bailey?!?!
If the Pens weren’t expecting this they’re morons. It’s not the Isles’ fault the Pens didn’t prepare for retribution of their prior cheap shots.
One thing I really fear- Martin has earned a VERY bad rep with the league- quickly. He’ll get hit with a big suspension that will probably shock most people. He’s already got a name. Somehow- his is worth with the league than Cooke’s.
Most exciting game in years though. My only regret is that they didn’t get double digits!
And lost in all this- Koskinen played another good game! -
Mikey says:
Of course Bettman is going to get involved with this one. Bettman’s boys got badly beat last night, and he wants to keep his poster boy happy. The reality is that the Pens lead the league in fighting majors and employ the biggest dirtbag of the post-lockout era (Matt Cooke). Everyone in the NHL knows that Bettman and Colin Campbell play favorites. Our players can’t take it anymore, and they finally decided to take matters into their own hands last night. Bettman has nobody to blame except himself.
Garth Snow does not need to say anything right now. Actions speak louder than words. Garth should immediately sign Konopka and Gillies to extensions this afternoon. After Bettman hands down the suspensions, the Isles should simply issue a press release announcing the signings. That would send a loud message throughout the league that last night was no fluke.
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JJ says:
I definitely agree that the Martin run at Talbot was not a big deal at all!
He did drop the gloves, and go after him, but he never threw a blind punch. He just pushed Talbot down. Big deal.
After the worst season ever, this was a delight to see. I believe this team is maturing before our eyes, even if it took an over the top, crazy game to move forward.
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MattyB says:
Honestly who cares what the league does. Suspensions don’t matter when your teams in last place. Last night was a good statement for this team. I don’t care whose suspended, it won’t change our record, and it won’t take back what already happened.
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I meant Martin’s rep is “worse”, not worth. Whoops.
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Al R. says:
It will be interesting to see the NHL revert to typical double standard operations coming on the heels of the Montreal/Boston donnybrook. “Colon” Campbell’s son wasn’t even penalized by fearful officials but now justice will be meted out against his favorite whipping boys.
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Brian G says:
not for nothing but I hope Bettman, watches the Pittsburgh TV footage of the game….The pittsburgh TV team calling the Islanders organization the worst in the NHL warrants a fine or a suspension…that was uncalled for and I have never heard another TV or radio team with such crude remarks toward another NHL franchise….also when you look at the Orpik hit on Grabner, that was the NHL Definition of a blindside hit.
Godard = 12 games
Gillies = 2 games
Martin = 3 gamesAnd again everyone comparing this to the Bertuzzi incident needs to calm down, its wasn’t even close.
*Worst job of the Night was by the Refs & linesman..Talbot should have been given a game misconduct along with Brent Johnson after their incidents…why did they need to stay in the game……one would have to think if they had game misconducts earlier, everything would not have kept going…..not a smart move.
Kudos to Konopka for letting up on Talbot, he could have really let his emotions get the best of him, and it would have been uglier….
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Steve C says:
I loved the way the Isles stood up for themselves last night. However, Talbot should have been disciplline for going after Comeau last time.
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Warren says:
Okay, hockey fans lets all relax. Thats not real hockey what we saw drop gloves and fight. The Islanders showed us how to score with good plays and good set ups. I’m glad we had the “9″ for a change. As for the goaltending it looked sharp at times but we’re getting there. Hopefully we will get respect now. Yes, fans we know how to score so please stick with the team.
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terry b says:
we all know how the league will respond to the isles im more interested in how snow and wang respond
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islesfan says:
I’m fine with any fine and suspensions to any Islander, as long as it’s not longer than the 4 games that serial offender Matt Cooke received. Anything more than that will just be more proof of what a bush operation the NHL has become under a bush league commisioner. Great job by the Isles sticking up for each other and doing what needed to be done. I hope it’s a sign that these young kids are growing up and ready to take the next step.
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Islesfan24 says:
This game was how they should almost play every game. AGGRESSIVENESS can be the key to this teams success.
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EdTurner says:
Sorry Chris. Gillies is an embarrassment to the organization and the name Gillies in Islander history. He serves no purpose on the ice. He loses it and you see the veins popping out of his neck. He looks as if he has the potential kill someone.
Gillies hit from behind last night was ridiculous (I know, Cooke did it the other night and others do it every day) but after the hit, Gillies still had to punch a guy that was out of it.
Yes, the Islanders need to stand up for each other. Last night they did, But last night they went overboard.
PS Martin’s punch was not very different from Bertuzzi. It was a blindside shot that thankfully missed. Next time, look him in the eye and then hit him.
BTW – I just noticed that the “punch” that broke DP’s face last week, was not a punch but actually a heavily padded elbow. Anyone else notice that?
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thepolishprince says:
I’m predicting 10 each for Martin and Gillies. will the team fine count against the cap ? lol. I hope Garth finds some of the fire he used to have as a player when he releases a statement about the league’s response.
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geduffer says:
Of course the league is going to come down hard on the Islanders. They’re supposed to take everything that happens without retaliation. Well F Bettman and F Colon Campbell. This is the way that I want to see this team respond. As long as dirty little pukes like Max Talbot hit our guys from behind, I’ll love seeing him get his. Maybe by April 8, Crosby will be back and he can get some too.
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Peter says:
Martin will get 20+ to “send a message.”
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Kaszycki's Krew says:
If the Isles get hit with unreasonable suspensions to the players – don’t know why Konopka is on the docket for suspension – and they fine the Isles 100k – If I am Wang – I send a check for 200k and let Bettman have it….point out how they always favor the Pens/Rags/Flyers the “Versus” teams…I expect the worst. Letang was sticking people all night and I just have to say that it did not have to be this way – if Talbot was a man and fought someone early in the game – it would have blown over. He likes to hide….too bad- he is a good player and does not need to be a punk.
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Last night’s game was awesome. That was some old school islanders hockey! They made a name for themselves last night and it was gritty and fun. I still kick my self for not going last night when I was supposed too.
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moonshine says:
this bar-room brawling started last week in pittsburgh.
and the thing about bar-room brawling is that it may be up to you when you start one, but it’s not up to you when to end one. you better keep your guard up until they’ve dragged the other guy 25ft away.
pittsburgh came in perfectly willing to lose the game, but they didn’t want to know from fighting (witness the turtle positions). it was like last week was supposed to be passed over as just a little joke. now they’d give the isles the win, like crumbs they were going to throw the peons. the islanders said, ‘the hexx with your crumbs, we decide what’s enough now.’ and the bar-room brawling turned into more than pittsburgh had bargained for.i’m not a big fan of brawls (as compared to a fight). but i also don’t like squirts whining about brawls. after the game bylsma went so far as to question the integrity of ‘their doctors’ who cleared tangredi, claiming ‘he has concussion symptoms.’ i find it unlikely, and therefore offensive to suggest, that medical professionals would ignore ‘symptoms’ a hockey coach can see. all in all, a little too much whining. and i say all that even though i add that the islanders need to learn to handle certain games without getting carried away.
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Bryan says:
It’s pretty damn funny to look on pens sites and see the waterfall of tears and all their anger. I love how fans of Matt Cooke can have the nerve to say that Gillies should be gone for “at least the season”. And hearing their announcers on youtube made me sick, I know they have to favor the home side (just ask the Jaff) but they flat out called the Islanders franchise an embarrassment and said they had been for years
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Priest says:
I tend to think that NHL suspensions are generally too low, I would give it out as follows:
Haley: 1
Gillies: 4
Martin: 8-10
Godard: 12Don’t really understand the Konopka in-person meeting. Nick Kypreos says on twitter is is in regards to a questionable line change. Still don’t see how that needs an in-person meeting
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claude says:
Comparing martin – talbot to bert-moore is hilarious.Cooke-savard now that’s comparative.
The way I look at it the fines are an investment in our future. if the Islanders continue to play exciting,competitive hockey they’ll get their money back two fold filling the seats.
Attention Buffalonian mothers hide your kids, the Isles are coming to town!
Free haley and kosiknen from BP!
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Greg Halvorsen says:
Thank God the Islanders did what they did!!! This team has been getting abused for years now……..i am once again proud to be an islanders fan !!!! Go get em guys…….screw the NHL if they dont like our kind of justice. If the leauge just showed some moxie like we did this stuff would not go on. Talbot is a spinless bum…..comparing the attack on him to the Betuzzi hit makes me think that alot of people have never seen Bert’s hit so many years ago. You Tube it and then compaire it to Martin’s (attack) on Talbot…….I Dare You…….Thank You Islanders !!!!!!
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Steven says:
Gary and Colin can go take a walk. If they did their job last night would not be needed.
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tom says:
couldn’t care less about suspensions. glad to see them standing up for themselves finally.
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I think the Islaners became a team last night. This is how you build an identity…You would think the “hoopla” would of ended after the first period but it continued the whole game…love seeing guys like Hamonic and Bailey mixing it up. We also saw alot of skill in Moulson, JT, and Grabner….These guys became Islanders on FEB 11. This game will go a long way in their rebuilding process….Their was also a connection between the team and their fans….proud of the boys.
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Doug F says:
It’s the league’s fault for the game last night. The NHL is now “figure skating with pads on”. Bettman should be ashamed of himself. I was a Islanders season ticket holder in the 70′s and the 80′s and games last night were the norm. Games against the Fylers and Bruins were physical affairs back then. Now you have losers like Cooke,”Maxine” Talbot and Dupuis running at players with their backs turned. Those guys wouldn’t have playing in the 70′s because the Dave Shultz, Clark Gillies, Bobby Nystrom and Terry O’Reilly would have taken care of them.
So Bettman enjoy throwing the book at the Islanders so “pretty boy” Crosby can come back and do his figure 8′s around the league…Islanders you made me proud that I’m an Islanders fan last night.
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hasnizzle~ says:
1st post about talbot…
NICE
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premeditated? i would point out that before the brawls the score was 6-0. i guess that was ‘premeditated’ too.
i caught the comments of the pittsburgh announcers after their previous game, telling the audience about the next one against the islanders that ‘you won’t want to miss a minute.’ i guess they thought they’d have fun.
i also have a suggestion for bret johnson. please, next time, for once in your life, just stay in your crease.
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Ethan K says:
Todd Bertuzzi ruined someone’s life, he followed the guy who was completely unwilling to fight around the ice, punched him in the back of the head and tackled him down and sat on him when the guy’s neck was snapped. Matt Martin lightly hit someone in the cheek that made him lose him balance and fall to the ice… that’s a gross comparison.
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mike says:
how can the NHL judge what type of suspendsions to hand out after giving cook a repeater only 4 games for a reakless life threating hit from behind there going to shoot themselvs in the foot if they get the ruleing wrong…the nhl is just shooting themselves in the foot…i see the nhl giving gillies atleat 10 gms or gone for the yr… i would give him 5 gms bc he left his feet… martin getting 5 gms i would only give him 1 gm…
As a DIEHEART FAN that has never seen this team win a playoff seris, will NEVER FORGET THIS ONE…lets hope they stand up for each other for the rest of the season and beyond… -
Garth and Charles both have to response with fire like the team showed last night. Do not let players or the league push you around. Just mention Cooke name and all the cheap shots against the Isles and the Bos vs Montreal fights.
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brett says:
Go Isles! Straight to Quebec where real hockey fans won’t put up with such atrocious play. That sucker punches from that pussy Martin and taunts from your sister banging star goon hillbilly Gillies are considered respectable plays from you guys is sad. It’s good to hate on players like Cooke, but to turn around and praise even worse behaviour by your team is pathetic. What’s happened to LI? Have you been infected with Jersey disease?
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cjzimm says:
Mubarak….er… I mean Colon Campbell will probably suspend the whole team for the rest of the season. I think Tavares looked at his son the wrong way once.
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Garthsnow says:
I can only imagine what the lineup will look like on Sunday.
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Chris Stephenson says:
If the league was more consistent with calling penalties on the ice, things like this wouldn’t happen.
Let’s be honest, I love what this team did last night. Not for the goonish way it turned out (even though it was inevitable) but for the simple fact they nutted up and showed pride, team and family by putting a beating on the Pens…both on their faces and the scoreboard.
They may only be “Islanders”, the laughing stock of pro sports (for now), but they are professionals and have their pride. I am glad they took matters into their own hands, and let some of the other baboons who take runs at Tavares, etc have a preview of what to expect if they try anything anymore.
Good job by the Islanders. I am proud of what they did last night, and when was the last time any of us could say that?
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this game gave me the motivation to go onto the isles site and buy tickest for Thursday baby!!!!it’s fun again!
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Neil says:
For all the discussion on fighting, let’s not lose the fact that 1) the score was 6-0 before most of it started 2) the Pens outshot the Isles for the game, and 3) Koskinen played his 2nd strong game in goal.
Kudos to the Isles for sticking up for one another. Gilles hit was wrong, but aside from that it was no worse than the barage of cheap shots they’ve been receiving the last 2 years. How many times does the NHL network think they can re-run the Johnson punch – and Fleury’s high 5 afterwards – before this young group is embarassed? Well, they’re not embarassed any more.
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Isles Revamped says:
How can you say Gillies and Martin each get 10 games? Are you guys freaking crazy? First of Martin did not even land a punch. The worst thing he did was horse collar a guy.
Can you explain how KO gets golaie interference when he is push from behind? What about Letang crosschecking JT when he is on the ice and JT gets a slashing penalty? Rupp a known heavyweight fighting Hamonic. Rupp has more time in the box then Hamonic does in the NHL. I mean come on people they media is portraying the Isles as the devil and the Pens as Alter boys. give me a break. The Whiners have obviously never played or were the pretty boys that everyone else had to fight for.
GO ISLES. -
hoser14 says:
I have no doubt that the league will come down Islanders as they always do, hard. With Colon Campbell, NHL’s Dean of Discipline, all bets are off since Colon loves to crap on the Isles at every chance he gets. I see Matt Martin getting 5 to 7 games and Trevor Gillies getting about 3 to games. I can only see Micheal “The Comet” Haley getting a game or two at the most.
I see Penguins fans on HF’s Boards don’t understand why the Isles were picking on poor ol’ Miss Maxine Talbot? When you blindside a player and the refs somehow don’t call a penalty, the other team gets mad and then even. Gutless Puke!
As for John Tavares, after numerous non-called cheap shots, Kris Letang runs him into the boards and than cross-checks him, Letang gets a love tap and acts if he’s been shot. Good for JT!
If Brent “Bent” Johnson had stayed in his crease, RDP wouldn’t have his face broken in and Haley’s Comet would have to skate all the way down to the Pen’s crease. But then again giving up 7 goals on 27 would wipe a smile off one’s face to go along with the sunburned neck.
The Penguins were not laughing on the bench at the end of the game, because it was empty.
Let’s see if the Isles bring the Same “don’t mess with me” attitude to Buffalo tomorrow afternoon.
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Tom D in NJ says:
I have never been a fan of Bettmann or his new NHL,so I too expect the worse for our guys. I do hope that last night was a turning point for our franchise, but it still comes down to Wang and his actions. I continue to give credit to the majority of our players and Coach Capuano for playing hard under very difficult circumstances. Last nights effort and show of unity ranks high in my memory bank of classic Islander moments. I only hope that we continue to move forward as a franchise.
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Matt says:
I heard a penguin fan threw keys from the stands and hit Haley in the face. I dont even care about the suspensions, team came together and fought for one another. Its a lot more important in the long run.
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Sorry CB for the second post but if the League I.E. cambell had done his job and suspended Talbot for the defenseless hit on Comeau then maybe they would have a leg to stand on. You don’t want to make the calls than you deal with the ending.
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“League sources tell Point Blank that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and his hockey operations staff will not be lenient with the Islanders for their actions on Friday.” – What a joke. I just watched the game again and every incident is provoked by a Penguin player. The only suspensions that are warranted are Gillies and Godard. Im not getting into the Martin thing again. To make a statement that the hockey operations staff will not be lenient on the ISLANDERS is a f*ing joke. Watch the game again and tell me what the ISLANDERS did. Aside from Gillies cheap shot they did nothing. They stood up for themselves and fought people straight up and threw no bad/borderline bodychecks the whole game. I really hope someone in the Isles organization speaks out because if they come down hard on the ISLES (nevermind the Pens right? cuz they didnt do anything wrong) then it really makes you question this whole sport. The whole hockey operations should be torn down from the top and rebuilt. Theres just no words to say to describe how biased, inconsistent, and sloppy this league is run as a whole.
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This game was 15 years in the making. I have been an Isles fan for 30 yrs and since Al Arbour left this team has been soft; always using the excuse that the 2 pts were more important then any payback. I am sure somewhere in their native countries Ziggy Palffy and Kenny Jonsson wished this type of game took place many years ago!
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Big K says:
Just caught the Penguins announcers in a 17 minute youtube clip…these douches are unbelievable with the crap they said…”Get out of here Gillies and get back in your cage”…”you’ve done nothing in the NHL”…”the Islanders franchise is an embarassment to hockey”. And my favorite was the sarcastic “Oh Martin, you are so cool”. Makes the Hofstra color guys look as professional as Joe Buck and Phil Simms.
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I don’t mind if they get fined and etc, I just wanted to see my team fight for their right. Which they did! I am so upset I didn’t go to last night’s game, I am beyond upset with that but at least I got to see one of the best Islander games in years.
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therain93--terriers fan says:
Those loveable lugs — this was an oustanding game. Suspensions won’t hurt our playoff hopes, but I hope the team does right be these guys.
Be prepared for the Islanders rule of two, only worse.
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LouD says:
I’ve been saying this for years now and have been getting ignored the whole time. The NHL is a poorly run league and Bettman should be removed by the owners. The NHL is a laughing stock to the sporting world. Forget the Islanders not getting respect. By who? The incredibly small percentage of viewers who watch the games? The real problem is the league getting no respect and it has everything to do with games like last night. They just lost a bunch of fringe fans because now they’re saying “see, I knew hockey was just about fights”. Not only that but fringe fans can’t understand the rules. Why are two exact hits penalized differently? The refs look confused on the ice half of the time and have no real leadership. Nor is there any accountability on the refs from the league. And the league? Owners,gms, and players are afraid to question their moves and motives because it seems the league uses that to punish them unjustly. It’s a dictatorship not a league!!
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Blizzard says: Classic. As has been said if the Refs gave the Islanders one once of respect last nights game doesn’t happen. Pittsburgh is a dirty team and they get away with murder. Do you think if the hit on Comeau was on Cindy it would have been disciplined by the league or penalized for that matter?
NO JUSTICE NO PEACE!!!!!
GO ISLANDERS!!!!!!!!
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Oggie Ogelthorpe says:
Finally! Last night’s offensive and pugilistic display, lead by recent call-up Michael Haley(‘s Comet), is helping to put the smile back on the faces of the Islander Faithful. It seems that the locker room chemistry of this group is, at long last, manifesting itself on the ice. I have not found myself yelling and cheering at my television for an Isles game in some time. Kudos to all the members of Islander Country who stuck it out to the end of last nights game and didn’t “beat the traffic”. “Eddie Shore….Old Time Hockey?”… “Coach?..Our line starts?”
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They did awesome last night! I’m so proud of them. That’s what we needed. Something to bring the boys together. I’m so mad at myself for not going last night.
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And my whole point was that games “like last night” would never happen if the league had it’s **** together. But they don’t, and the players now have to protect themselves because the league doesn’t. That is of course unless your name is Crosby or Ovechkin. How in the world do the owners allow Campbell, a former coach with obvious bias’, become the discipline guy? How about going outside the league for someone, you know, who doesn’t have grudges and favorites? Everything this league does is questionable. Are the games even real or does the league tell the refs to go light on the more popular teams to ‘help’ the league grow? This is a complete joke.
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If the NHL is going to blame someone for last night’s game, they should blame themselves. IF they suspended Talbot after the last game, then maybe the game plays out differently. But Mubarak/Campbell can’t provide fair and equal justice so teams have to take matters into their own hands. And Grabner will make the pay on the power play and Gillies will make them pay on the ice. Resign Gillies after Mubarak supsends him for the season.
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islesrock73 says:
You know the Islander hating “Colon” Campbell will give the Islanders a colonoscopy. Expect crazy, and unfair suspensions folks. For the first time, in a long time, I am proud to be an Islander fan.
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StevieL says:
How is Gillies hit worth more than Cooke’s cheap hit?? My feeling is someone on the Isles will get the same as Goddard! My feeling is Goddard and Martin both get 10, Gillies and Haley 5. It might be pointed out it is the second time in a week that Brent Johnson left the crease to join a fight! What’s that worth??
It will all be worth it! We became an Islander “team” last night and Tavares, Moulson and Grabner will benefit from It! I am proudly wearing my Islander “Old time Hockey” cap (autographed by Trottier!) today!! -
Mars Bonfire says:
Now we know which teams will be in the 2012 Winter Classic
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Steve M says: Funny only one little article mentioned on NHL.com about the game. The Penguins are such suck-ups to Bettman
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Is it Spring Training Yet? says:
It’s a shame but the NHL has gotten so used to us being push-overs and doormats, that when we finally do something about it, they react as if -no no we cant have the nice little islanders doing this to our baby the pens-or any team for that matter. It’s as if the Islanders are only in this league to be beat down emotionally and physically-for all other teams to have a laugher and a fun time against. IM EFFIN SICK OF IT! The team stood up for themselves no its time for Wang and Garth to stand up for themselves!or else its Wang,snow and the NHL sucking the life out of us fans.
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U.S. Less says:
Are we really this hard up? Has anyone forgot about those 21 games earlier this season? We have a single game where we score 9 goals and its like we won a play off series, no, its like we made the playoffs. This is the type of game that needs to be played when you are fighting for a division or conference title not for kings of the cellar. This is a game that sparks a team to gain a championship not to get 25 wins in a season. We had an entertaining game but that is it. We are still in the cellar and all the other crud this team has endured is still forefront in my mind.
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2Bit says:
IF any Isles player gets more than 4 games this will be a joke, To say it was premeditated is ridiculous. The Islanders called up Haley for added protection, not solely to crush heads. We played a good clean game until the score was 6-0. Yet, from the start of the game it was the Pens broadcasters making a mockery of us! Playing slow motion clips of D.P. getting his face destroyed by Johnson and stating they’ve been looking forward to this game. What were they looking forward to? The Pens taking liberties with our players & breaking a few more faces???? Well, suddenly the tables got turned and OUR guys weren’t going to stand for it anymore and it was whaaaa whaaaa whaaaa ALL THE WAY HOME! These Pens announcers are freaking little piggies and should be ashamed of themselves!! So should the league if they think Pittsburgh didn’t have this coming.
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Trevor and Z need to be signed and Michael needs to say goodbye to Bridgeport forever.
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As of now they are saying Gillies & Martin are going to get at least 6 games….what a joke….The blindside hit by Orpik should get one game, Martin should get 3 games, Gillies 3 games, Godard should get 12 – 10 for leaving the bench and 2 for 3rd man in/intent to injure Haley/concussion on Hillen. No fines due to incident to Isles, No suspension to Bylsma…but Pens Organization should be slapped with a big fine or suspension of TV analyst for speaking his mind against another NHL Franchise in such a disgusting uncalled for rant. That’s what should be done no more…..everyone is making this out to be the Bertuzzi incident all over again, C’mon get it right NHL…
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heres another good one: “Islanders forwards Matt Martin, Trevor Gillies and Zenon Konopka are scheduled for in-person meetings with the NHL to discuss their roles in the contest.” – TSN.CA. No mention of any Pens having hearings. Why the hell is Konopka scheduled for a hearing? what did he do? Publicly stand up for his team then go out and back it up by playing a smart, aggressive game?
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Orange&Blue says:
As long as Cindy Crosby plays for the Penguins, they will get all the breaks possible. He is the poster child of Bettman’s NHL.
Look at the bright side, the whole NHL world now knows what a wimp Talbot is as he lay on the ice at Konopka’s mercy! It is open season on the Pen’s now! Keep your head up, Cooke!!
This team became a TEAM last night!!
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Derek says:
That was by far one of the best Islanders’ games I’ve ever seen. If hockey was like this every night, ratings would be through the roof. Trust me b/c the Isles have the worst luck in the league, the suspensions will be inflated. I estimate Haley 5 games and Martin/Gillies 10 – 15. The Pens will get off easy.
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Strummer's Army says:
#1 Snow should resign Joel Riechlecz ASAP! Yablonski has been a major bust and Bridgeport has no heavyweight and almost no protection. Isles will need someone for the next while and Joel is good and young enough to develope. Since he has an AHL only contract Isles should be able to sign him to an NHL deal.
NOT ONE ISLE DESERVES A SUSPENSION. What did Martin do that we haven’t seen done many times before without suspenion? He missed on the hit anyway.
Godard deserves more then 10. It was Godard, Kennedy, Johnson, Letang and many of the other Pens that continued to escalate right to the very end. How about Godard targeting Hillen and Kennedy going after Frans repeatedly?
How about Blysma putting Johnson back in the game to protect Fluery from getting into a fight and Johnson only to fight. Johnson was up to his old tricks. He had no reason to leave his crease last night but he instigated it all. He went to his blue line and was going to continue hoping to fight a rookie goalie (hope Mikko would have killed him). He and Godard pounded on Haley together. Rarely have I seen that in hockey. That alone should get Johnson and Godard more games. Blysma is the coach and inserted Johnson back in to fight because they decided they wanted to go dirty.
The NHL should got involved years ago and protected NYI and punished dirty players like Talbot, Cooke, Kennedy, CROSBY and NYI would not rightfully feel they had to protect themselves. I have reviewed the incidents several times and no Isles needs suspending. If NHL comes down unfairly on this organization yet again, Snow, Wang, Botta, all the other writers need to expose the NHL and come down hard on it. We don’t have to take this. Seriously if I was an Islander I’d destroy Campbell’s kid as payback for how unfair his idiot Daddy has been to NYI.
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Fee-Show says:
I was at the game and expected the 3rd period to be nothing more than a scrimmage, take a shower, and go home. Then Oprik takes a cheap run at Grabner and emotions start churning again. The dirty birds got what they deserved! As for the suspensions…you know that “The Little Twirp and his Colon” will throw the book at us, but in the long run, it’ll be worth it.
Anybody have Yablonsky’s number? -
HyeDray says:
What happened last night had to happen for the sake of the Isles. I have no problems with that. But I agree the Isles will get slammed hard.
My guess:
Gillies — 8 games +
Konopka — 4 games
Martin — 8 games +
Haley — 2 games
Capuano — 2 games
I wont guess the fines.Pens will lose Godard and maybe Bylsma for a 2 games. I would not mind seeing Johnson give a few games. What was he doing at the blue line when the fights were going on. Darn right he wanted Haley or anyone else. he too should be gone for a few games.
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Jisles says:
You may think that the league does not respect the Isles, but remember that Bettman is from Long Island and grew up an Islanders fan. He was even in the building when they won one of the cups. Just sayin’.
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50 in 50 says:
I say Garth Snow, and Charles Wang need to have a push back statement to coincide with the statement the players made last night on the ice. A full review of the game without the biased assanine comments from the media needs to happen. The Islanders didn’t start the fights (except Martin) but rather stood up for themselves. A clean heavy shoulder to shoulder hit by Gillies is not suspendable even though its being portrayed as a life ending collision. I hate $hittsburgh and the NHL for allowing them to dictate the leagues rules. I can see it now, Collie rolling over and whispering to Cindy does that make you happy…
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Gary in Fla says:
#70 Goddard has to get a 10 game mandatory suspension. He may get more for throwing punches when a player was engaged in a fight. As for ZK…4 games for what? only thing I can guess is his criticism of the league with his “But I mean, we could send in 22 different tapes of John Tavares getting run and Blake Comeau getting run and our best players being run. We want to keep these
players in the game.” comment.Turning point game indeed. Was like watching the Isles abuse the Guins and Mario in 92. GO BOYS GO!
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Bryan says:
It doesn’t matter what the league does to us, it wont take anything away from the game. I couldn’t be any happier with the teams performance last night.
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EJ says:
This is the time when Wang and Snow come out of hiding and adress ALL that is coming to gain some respect with the fan base and players.
With the same emotion that was had last night, minus the fists, their “verbal” response must be aborbed by all in Isles Country. This could be a huge turning point for us in many ways.
With out mentioning names, the two annoumcers on the NHL Network ” on the fly” from last night are a joke.
I can just see Bettmman and his back pocket buddy Campbell sitting in a dark room playing the “Network’s” post coverage over and over..
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peter debenedetto says:
Did I or did I not see Grabner and Okposo torpedoed into the goalie??? Was Hillen not roughed up all night? Did A-Mac not get butchered by whoever that was? Did Adams not deserve the fight with Haley??? Did Letang not rough up JT before getting chopped by John? Is the rest of North America watching the same games????
I don’t care what the suspensions are….that was a long time coming. Doormates, Mickey MOuse, lowley, hapless……what ever it is, what ever has been said. For a team that lost 20 or 21, there are still 2 teams under us and a few teams in reach. Enough disrespect. These are grown men, not monks. They have pride, heart, compassion. Do whatever you want NHL. We’ll just bring up Yabo, then you’ll really have something to suspend.
ps….where’s Simon???
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DenP says:
I guess there needs to be some “policing” by the league? However, I think hockey needs a little more toughness. Why is it that hockey attendance is down everywhere? Because the league has gotten SOFT!!!
All that sparing and scoring and it was still a 1/2 hour into sports center before they highlighted the game. Why? Most of America doesn’t care, a little more of this, and I don’t me bench clearing brawls everynight, and more people will watch.
Every fine and suspension will be worth it. We proved to the NHL and its fans that we are nobodies door mat!!!! I was proud to be an Islander fan last night. I was there and it was the best game I ever saw live!!!
Lets Go Islanders, I hope Nabby enjoyed the highlights on sports center.
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Sheppy says:
Gillies should get no more than what Cooke got for the Fedor Tyutin hit (four games). Haley should get a game for fighting on his way off the ice. Martin shouldn’t get anything. I can’t believe what the NHL has become. Martin would have gotten an extra two minutes for roughing in the 70s or 80s. I blame the instigator penalty. With the instigator penalty, you now have guys who really have no back bone going out and running other guys (e.g., Tucker, Avery, Cooke, Talbot, etc.). They have no fear that anyone will do anything because they will just turn away and, if the other player drops them, the other player will get the instigator penalty. Get rid of the instigator penalty.
Godard should get 10 games, Bylsma two, and I would suspend Johnson for a game, too. He should get the same as Haley.
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Justin says:
CB your reporting is getting sloppy, look at the tape there was no punch missed or otherwise. Martins hand is wide open not closed and makes contact with talbots glove.
You have to check these things out before reporting sensationalizm. No Punch was made, Martins hand was wide open and made no contact at all with Talbots head. I am sure you mean no harm but lets get it right. -
Newsday didn’t get it right either, Maybe Snow took offense to misreporting also. It all started with Butch getting it wrong on tv.
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admin says:
I never said the punch landed. Read again. The NHL is going to suspend Matt Martin for intent, of that you can be sure. Whether Martin missed, held up or any other person’s version of the event won’t change that. The league is looking at it on their own. They’re not going to take into account a newspaper or Butch’s view…CB
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Frustrated Voter says:
We love you Matt Martin.
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C.B. a closed fist shows possible intent as in punch. An open hand is neither
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anthony c says:
I felt like I watched a re-enactment of the movie slapshot. And it was glorious in every sense of the word.
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Y2G says:
1) If or when this rebuild comes to fruition this will be the night that started it all
2) Haley is a better-fighting version of Prust
3) Either of the top 3 picks will only add size and toughness (imagine Larsson and Hamonic as a top D pair for 10 years- could be like Keith/Seabrook)…
Bylsma will get a game too
I don’t think anyone had to worry about Talbot spine being crushed as he doesn’t even have one!