ON KONOPKA, STREIT AND SEASON TICKET PRICES
Islanders strong early, but lose 3-2 to Washington
9:55 pm: The Islanders closed out the month of February with a record of 8-5-1 after a 3-2 loss tonight before the first announced sellout crowd of the season at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The home team dominated the first period from start to finish and then took a 2-0 lead early in the second on a goal by Travis Hamonic. However, once the Capitals got their legs and nerve back – which they seemed to do when Brooks Laich scored their first goal in two games at 9:45 of the second – the comeback seemed inevitable.
The very next shift said a lot. Bruce Boudreau reunited Alex Ovechkin with Alex Semin and Nicklas Backstrom and the dazzling trio kept the puck in the Islanders’ zone for a while. Doing their best to keep the puck out of the net were Islanders defensemen Mark Katic and Jack Hillen. On other shifts, assistant coach Dean Chynoweth played Ty Wishart with Bruno Gervais. The Islanders are hurting on defense. The spirit was willing, but eventually it caught up to them against the skilled Capitals. Mike Knuble and Semin scored early in the third to give Washington a 3-2 lead.
The Islanders were screwed late in the game by a pair of either sleeping or disrespectful linesman. With Al Montoya pulled, the Caps cleared the puck into the Islanders’ end. Although an Islander was not near the puck, icing was waved off.
Positives: Kyle Okposo (first goal) is starting to come on. Travis Hamonic is one terrific, young, all-zone defenseman. Katic skated well and looks like he could be a depth player. Andrew MacDonald was solid for over 25 minutes. Please feel free to add your own in Comments.
On the negative side, the Islanders – including Michael Grabner and John Tavares – missed on good scoring chances. For the first time in a start, Al Montoya did not make the big saves when needed. I thought Josh Bailey would have a better game. Rob Schremp did little to impress the scouts in attendance. Jack Capuano gave little icetime to his fourth line of Zenon Konopka (6:09, including another decisive victory in a fight), Micheal Haley (5:39) and Matt Martin (7:22, including another shift Montoya pulled).
The Islanders remain 13 points behind eighth-place Carolina with 19 games left in the regular season.
Konopka Wants to Stay: Since Point Blank’s post on Friday about the Islanders listening to offers for Konopka – to be clear, they are not being overwhelmed, nor is there a bidding war – sources close to Konopka say he has made it known that he does not want to leave the team. According to one, Konopka is willing to sign another one-year contract with the Islanders for the same salary ($600,000) he is being paid this season.
My bet is on Garth Snow not receiving a trade offer worth considering for Konopka, and then the practical general manager will have more time to evaluate whether he wants to bring the fourth line center and pugilist back for another season.
Season Ticket Prices Going Down? My son Luke and I took in Saturday’s game, my first visit to the Coliseum in over three months. It was fun to just sit back, enjoy the hockey game and meet so many readers. Nice job by the Islanders fans taking advantage of the $20 tickets, Give-n-Go partial plan and the availability on StubHub to support their team and fill the barn.
After a few quiet months, the fans have responded strongly to Ferocious Friday and the team’s improved play. Eric Hornick of MSG Network tweeted that this is the first time in almost two years that the Islanders have had three consecutive crowds of more than 13,000.
More than that, a hat tip to the season ticketholders that have hung in during this fourth consecutive season without a competitive bid for a playoff berth. I was told by a few people who stopped by our seats tonight that Islanders management is taking a serious look at new, more affordable pricing options to help the franchise maintain its current subscriber base and add more during the offseason. Good idea.
Streit Should Be Held Out: Mark Streit told reporters today that he wants to play this season. The Islanders’ No. 1 defenseman, who suffered a serious shoulder injury during a training camp scrimmage, was cleared to practice (but without contact) earlier this week.
I’m usually all for athletes playing when their doctors and trainers tell them it’s okay, but it’s difficult to see the point in Streit’s case. March arrives on Tuesday. The Islanders have 19 games remaining and Streit has yet to be cleared to absorb contact in practice. I would expect to see the Islanders announce in a few weeks that Streit will continue to practice and make his return to the lineup 100% at the start of the 2011-12 season. Anything else would seem foolish.
Trade Deadline Open Thread Starts Sunday: Point Blank will host an open thread on the Islanders’ activity at the trade deadline beginning Sunday afternoon. Although I would not expect a major impact move, you never know. Kevin Schultz and I will carry the thread for more than 24 hours.
Comments on tonight’s game and all the notes above are invited. Thank you.
49 Responses to ON KONOPKA, STREIT AND SEASON TICKET PRICES
Islanders strong early, but lose 3-2 to Washington
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Tom D in NJ says:
A couple off season additions, stabilize the goaltending and next year we win these games…and make the play-offs!
I was hoping to hear a Botta chant at the barn tonight! -
Patrick says:
It’s tough to see this team lose but it’s for the best if it keeps them in the top four of this year’s draft. This team is on the rise. Stick with the plan Garth and hopefully we can get a building built. That is the only thing in the way of the Isles returning to the NHL elite, a la Detroit in the 90s. I think they may have something in Martin, Wishart has had a very poor last couple of games. Montoya looks like an NHL caliber backup. At the very least he’s better than the other goalie whose last name ends in a vowel.
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Chris Mc says:
The defense is definitely hurting. The last two goals were direct results of D-Man pinching and not being able to get back.
Im over Schremp and would love to see Martin or Joensuu called back up to play that wing. The 3rd line had exactly 2 good offensive shifts all game, and not by coincidence, Martin was out on the wing instead of RSH. Hopefully if he’s not claimed on Monday, Schremp is on the ferry to Bridgeport and Joensuu is on the return trip.
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Jim Clark says: A return to the Scott Gordon era when no third period lead was safe.
I hope they reconsider the season ticket prices. Someone like me who bought a partial plan (plus some goodiez) got the shaft. It makes me reluctant to buy again as Wang and Bettman begin their countdown to moving out the minute the lease expires.
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Doug F says:
CB,
I think if the Islanders made a major move prior to the trade deadline it would give a signal to their fanbase that they want to win. It would also be good marketing for next season…
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Kaszycki's Krew says:
Tough loss – especially with a sellout crowd – but I feel the team put forth a good effort. This was a game where our AHL calibre talent showed. Quiet game for the Tavares line. No moral victory tonight. Nothing seemed to bounce our way after the Laich goal. Grabner still getting chances – he has gone ice cold….but……he is getting chances. Seems like teams are keying on him.
I am more optomistic about the hockey department of the Isles than I am with the business side ( arena situation, negotiations with the county, etc.)
We sure play Washington tough – but – we gotta be on the right side of the score next time.
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moonshine says:
not ready for prime time.
down the stretch i just want this team to win its share against the mid-level teams.let’s not overlook that shortly before okposo’s goal the caps had the islanders running around in their own end for what felt like an eternity. so i wouldn’t say the isles dominated throughout the first.
wash was wobbly from last night and gifted the second goal, after that they played a good offensive game.
okposo very good. grabner can’t miss a goal like that, down one late in the game. that sort of thing gets you on the third line. and montoya needs to save the first one, since you control the game as long as you can stay up two goals.
i didn’t have a problem with that no icing call. the d-man doesn’t go after it hard, in fact he lets a beat or two pass before he chases it, trying to get the call. otherwise imo he gets to the puck.
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Steve says:
I’m loving this team and their competiveness, Garth. However, Konopka is a huge part of it. Keep him in the fold.
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Steve M says: 2 open-net chances and they didn’t bury them. It should have been 4-0 Islanders by the middle of the 2nd, but unfortunately it wasn’t.
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Islesinoside says:
Z is a great presence to have around these kids.I think it is imperative that he stays. For 600k that makes it a no brainer.
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Jurcina is their good luck charm. Just uncanny! They outplayed the caps, but did not finish their chances. Oh well, next year they will win this type of game. Some of the young stud puppies are looking good, Hamonic continues to impress. Good crowd tonight, Let’s keep supporting this team, they are young, motivated, a bunch of great guys, and oh yeah, they will be really good, really soon!Make an offer to Parise and it equals instant contender!
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Strummer's Army says:
Capuno’s mishalndling of Martin is just one reason he’s not ready for the big job. Another is that the last 3 games have seen very inconsistent efforts from the team and some guys flat out not playing hard.
I guess they are trying to entice someone to take Schremp off their hands but playing a guy you waived over guys your keeping by a large margin is a tough pill. Hopefully his last game as an Isle.
I agree no point risking Streit or messing up draft positioning.
Konopka needs to stay. What better options Snow has for next season for 4th line center I do not know. Down the road guys like Lee (love him very underrated Isles prospect), Cizkas, Ullstrom, Carter etc will push for that job.
I’d like to see the Isles find a young enforcer to develop in the organization. Without Gillies there is no heavy anywhere in the organization. Don’t say Yabo he has serious injuries.
I would like to see the following moved either at deadline or this summer, Martinek, Hillen, Geravis, Eaton, Mottau, upgrade Jurcina, Comeau, Schremp (on his way), Parenteau. Leaves spots to upgrade. More draft picks would be very helpful but so would players ready to roll.
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valentino says:
Pegula is a smart man. Talk about a way to motivate your players and fans. Too bad our owner chooses to keep everyone in the dark indstead.
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MattyB says:
Mabye your drinking Moonshine, but the Islanders absolutely dominated the first period in every aspect of hockey. the capitals had 6 shots?…Its just unfortunate they didn’t show up for the 2nd or 3rd
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Wishart keeps getting better and better. Very impressive tonight in all facets.
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Nice white out! lol
We really let that game get away and in front of a sell out crowd to boot. Oh well, get ‘em next time, hopefully the fans stay loyal.
What’s the record without Milan Jurcina now? Freaking unbelievable -
Jon in Chicago says: As soon as the Caps scored their first goal, you had to know how this one was gonna end. I guess you can chalk some of that up to being such a young and inexperienced team. Problem is I don’t want that to be an excuse again next season.
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Mars Bonfire says:
I hope this game was a message to Wang. Give us a half decent product on the ice and decent ticket prices the fans will come
On another note Shremp and Grabs miss empty nets Montoya was average at best and we still almost pulled it out -
StevieL says:
I was at the game! What happened to the White out?? Had my white going!
More than the no icing call, Martin was tripped right in front of us in the corner in the last minute! No call?
A lot of fun being at a full NVMC! Outside of the bathrooms, it is not a horrible place to see a game!
Team is coming on! I think we are a tough D-man and 1 more solid winger from a playoff team next year!
I want to be there when this team plays a playoff series!
Mr. Wang find us a Long Island home! -
with all the nonsense wang has done to analiate the fan base, to see the strong showing at the nvmc for a team that will probably finish last in the league, dispite their better play, shows that if wang would try to run his franchise in just a little bit in a professional manner and raising the payroll just enough to show that he cares with the right ticket prices and plans as well, their is no doubt that the fans would show up next year in rising numbers that would be respectable. while there is certainly more that has to be done for this team to be a real contender for next year, the fans have now showed that they will do their part. will wang will now do his part? i doubt it but the better play of this team shows everyone that the fans will come out in the right circumstances. can you imagiene if the isles had a professional owner who ran his franchise in a first class manner? this team would have sellouts at least 97% of the time, regardless that the nvmc is a so called “dump”.
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islesrock73 says:
Martin needs, and deserves more ice time. Konopka should be singed tonight, if not sooner. Bailey to the press box.
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I agree, how do you play a guy you just waived? CB- I assume that Charles wont speak with you?
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PotvinRocks says:
Two weeks ago I saw a game at Brigdeport and I thought Katic was the Sound Tiger best pure skater.
Rob Schremp has proven yet again That he doesn’t have the compete level to play in the NHL. It’s a shame to see his talent go to waste.
So I’m guessing that if Lawson is claimed (doubtful) then the Islander would claim Ty Conklin.
Islanders have to finish lower than Edmonton if they are going to be able to draft Adam Larson. -
We need BROOKS LAICH, play him with JT and MM and we have a great first line. BROOKS LAICH, on the first line. Grabs, Neilson or Bailey and KO second line.
Comeau, Bailey or Neilson with Parantau or Martin third line. Z, Haley and P.A. or Martin 4th line.
Don’t waste a roster spot on a useless player like a Gillies its not needed.
Keep Montoya or get a Theodore or an Anderson with DP and keep Poulin and Mikko in the Bridge.
D is pretty set and depth is something we have. Mottau and Hillen as 7 and 8 and I really like Wishart and Katic we can really put together some good trade packages.
The other thing I would kick the tires on would be of course Parise (probably not gonna happen) I would at least look at Jason Arnott great vet,knows how to win. Has been a captain and has played a ton of big games and can play on any line.They are really close and a few smart moves and they are set. 300 less man games lost to injury would be nice too.
Thanks for all you do. -
steve says:
We need to use the first(#1-#3) and our two seconds(#30-#33 and #50 from Montreal)to get a Weber or Parise.
We still have Lee, Nelson, Cizkas, Kabanov, Petrov, Ulstrom, Rakhshani, Niederreiter, Poulin, Koskinen, Nillson, and De Haan on the way. With Tavares. Moulson, Parenteau, Nielsen, Grabner, Okposo, Baliey,Comeau, Joensuu, Martin, Hamonic, Macdonald, we need quality not more quantity. -
Littleworth says:
The draft pick is important….the pieces are starting to come together but like any young team the team has let downs, and the end of the 2nd and begining of the 3rd period was one of those let downs. However they will come together and mature, and a move for ZP would be the best move, and have a solid pick Sean Coultier(dont know if im spelling that correct) Great news that Striet is healing but we should hold him out till next year…any word about my friend Rikky?
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minus: Schremp and Bailey had a chance to keep puck in zone in 3rd period or at least make it tough for the Capitals to move out of the zone. Neither one of them took the body and 6 seconds later it was in our net. I hate that.
Plus: Sellout crowd and the feeling that this team is pretty good unhealthy and just plain good with a healthy defense.
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Now What?! says:
what the hell happened to the white out?
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50 in 50 says:
Schremp should pack his bags. He has been one of the laziest players on the ice all season and his direct lack a dasicle play led to a goal against us.
Another disappointing night for Jack Hillen, he refuses to play the body in the defensive zone and that translated into a goal against.
Good job keeping the 4th line on the bench Cappy, that worked out well. 9 out of 10 shifts they are banging bodies and putting offensive pressure on who ever we play. Makes alot of sense to sit them and roll 2 and 1/2 lines that looked tired with 8 minutes left to play. Im getting tired of of this roller coaster of a season
P.S. Mr Snow please sign Z and put the C on his sweater, He deserves it! Good for the room and great for the press.
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Winter Park Mark says:
#24 re: Conklin — I don’t think there’s a chance the Isles claim Conklin, he’s making something like $1.5M. What’s the point at this stage of the season?
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Anthony says:
Why isn’t Martin getting more ice time.We also are in desperate need of a big Dman.Jack should take a tip from Caps coach,call a timeout when your team is reeling.Snow please sign Z and lets get a coach with some experience and emotion.
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Jimmiehill says:
I agree credit goes to season ticket holders who know before season starts isles are a bottom 5 team due to lowest payroll…yet fans want to be a part of it. At least Ottawa fans didn’t know last place was destiny.
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Jisles says:
The Grabner-Okposo-Nielson line can play against any line in the league. The Tavares line needs to be better: Nino there next year or even Comeau would be better than P.A, but hopefully a free agent or traded player. That line is lacking, imagine if Tavares was with Okposo and Frans! I hope J.T-M.M-P.A is not happening next year, at least P.A. Would not mind seeing Martin in there either.
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Will says:
just please give me a reason to go to islanders games next year and resign ZK he is the most meaning full player we’ve had in years, maybe decades. Garth please make the right move we need him
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brian says:
More bows for losing a hockey game and being out of the playoff race. Oh, but the gutty gritties sure played hard. Dear Lord!!
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Strummer’s Army, on wishart look at the second caps goal. the play goes right through him, just in front of the net. a reliable d-man has to make that stop. for the rest, he did play decently. parenteau was a little better too.
Matty B, i don’t think you can dominate a game when you have so much trouble clearing out your own end.
PotvinRocks, i like the way katic skates too. for his size he’s also not shy about contact. there’s potential.
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Y2G says:
Preds in “serious” negotiations for Weber on a contract extentions…parise or nothin’, better off taking the 2 or 3 pick b/c Parise will probably go to Kings
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TimQ says:
xchfs (25) – I had the same thought watching Laich last night. A strong power forward that can physically take on D-men, and has some scoring ability, would make JT and MM much more effective.
I see plenty of ‘young’ defensive mistakes from Hamonic and Grabner but I’m willing to accept them as growing pains. I’m not willing to gve guys like Comeau the same latitude. He needs to pick up his game or hit the road.
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Julie says:
Re STH pricing: Since the phrase used is “more affordable seating options”, I wonder if (again) the prices of only some tickets are going to be lowered. I am in the 300′s row C. I remember a couple of years ago when my ticket price went up while the seats in the upper 300′s decreased. If this is the case I will be really annoyed and will most likely not renew.
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
CB – I think you said everything about the game worth noting. RE: Josh B. … He needs to shoot more. I noticed most teams are guessing pass from Josh and guessing right … Sometimes a quick step in a direction opens up a shooting lane and moves the coverage. Josh will figure it out.
Zee should be re-signed if only for depth and his top notch face off / pugilist skills.
Streit needs to just practice and get ready for next year. RE-Injuring that shoulder at this point would set back his recovery to who knows when.
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gordy lane says:
unfortunately they just could not bury those early opportunities and also could not convert the ko to grabner open netter late. before the first non call icing the caps basically stood on the puck along the boards. must have killed about 10 seconds then the puck finally comes out and martin is taken down, no call. then jt trip by the goalie, no call. moulson cross checked with puck at his feet, no call. I just hope when the isles start to win on a more consistent level the calls even out.
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D in BIG D says:
Streit should not return this year.Schremp may actually help BP but he serves no purpose in the NHL.Sign Z already to another 1yr deal and lets stop focusing on who the 4th line center will be!!!We have bigger issues on the back end.Katic seems ok but c’mon another 5’10″ player!!Isles need SKILLED SIZE.I say goodbye Martinek,Schremp,Hillen.Comeau stays we have 0 options for his replacement @ this point.Keep picks and sign some mid level FA’s to fill in blanks.
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Hey Capt. Jack says:
Why is the Tavares line out against the other teams number one line? Do you think they are able to shut down the oppositions number one AND score for this team? Tough to score when you’re running around in your own end trying to catch #8 in white. Isn’t Neilsen considered one of the best defensive forwards in the league? Why not put that line out against the other teams number one. They have the speed for the transition game unlike OUR number one line that ends up running around and chasing in our own end until they are exhausted and have to come off. It’s called coaching. Get the best matchups for your team. Especially when you’re the home team and can get that last change. Just sayin.
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THE PORK CHOP EXPRESS says:
When the team does not have enough talent… You cannot take off any shift. This is a pure example. The Isles outplayed the caps for the 1st period and the score could have been 4-0. Then the caps called time out and the the tides flipped. The Caps have enough skill to win a game in 30 mins. Once they turned it on the isles were no match for their size, speed and talent. Similar to Boston, Philly and even the Leafs. The Isles were totally running around in prevent mode. Granted the Isles D-core is the undermanned but this proves the point. The isles need to become stronger and faster with puck protection and movement. We do need a couple of bigger fowards to open the ice for our smaller talented ones.
More notes of the game.
1. In order for Grabs to take it to the next level he needs to skate towards the middle of the net. In the past couple of games the dmen are keeping him to side and he can’t get a good shot off. If he dips to the net, he might draw a penalty or a better rebound.
2. The coaches should preach if there is an open net…. SHOOT and NOT PASS!!! There were a couple of time the isles took the extra pass and not the shot.
3. The Power Play needs to be a lot better. It is the same scripted play they run and you can see the other team cheat. You know the puck will be going to PA (key pass) or Macdonald (key shot). The key of a good power play is quick puck movement and quick cycling of the players. This will keep the other team PK moving and will hopefully catch them out of place or get them tired.
4. I would now like to see Martin play with Comeau and Bailey at least for a little bit. It would be interesting to see MArtin in more offensive mode.
P.S. >>> Forget about Weber. The Preds have cap space and they are not going to let their best player leave. The tandem of Weber and Suter is the reason why they are a playoff team.
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claude says:
A year ago the Islanders would have given up the two goal pad and lost .Yesterday, ditto.What rebuild?
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A Real hockey fan says:
.. The Isles were ‘undermanned’ on Defense and it showed a lil bit but they played a tough gritty game with good effort, Wishart shows flashes but is a big kinda raw player who needs some seasoning
.. I hate to say it (sound like a whiner lol) but man the Isles get NO CLOSE CALLZ, NONE! Its kinda pathetic and its been like this for years
.. Matt Martin needs more ice time, i know hes a rookie with only 45 games but you see his game has something we need, hes a REAL power foward in waiting!
.. Please sign Zenon Kenopka ASAP, and put a “C” on his jersey, he brings so many intangible to the team that are not seen in the scorebox. Only $600K and he wants to stay here? = Cmon garth get off your a$$ and please sign him
.. Glad to see the old barn sold out, Long Island has shown that it will support a hockey team with a good product and a ‘pro-active’ owner/managment! Are you seeing this Garth/Wang? Lets go Isles
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I know it is always so easy to blame wang for everything. of course he definitely does not make all the right decisions but who does. the man has lost millions upon millions of dollars on this team. he is stuck in an old building and is willing to build a new one on his dime for the most part from what I understand. yes the lighthouse is overkill but he doesn’t seem to have any say in the matter. the team was willing to spend this offseason but the players decided to go elsewhere for less money. are the price of the season tickets to expensive for the product on the ice, yes. it makes sense to lower the ticket prices and fill the arena then to have less tickets sold on a higher price point. you will receive more money from the overpriced food stands and the merchandise stands that should help make for lower the cost of the tickets. as CB said maybe that will be soomething that changes this offseason. not every owner is going to be george steinbrenner or mark cuban. he is certainly a lot better then spano(jail) and the 3 or 4 headed monster not sure if they have issues as well. so I am willing to cut the man some slack and hope that he and the fans are rewarded.
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mick12 says:
It was great to see a full house. Where was the white out? Rob Schremp has more moves than a singles bar but all ways seems to leave without the “goal”. He would really be amazing in a no check league. It was great to see KO & Hamonic get on the board. Keep the Faith!
Where is OUR Terry Pegula? Loved what KO did tonight. They had their chances, they just didn’t bury them.