"It was a close game for thirty five minutes", Islanders captain Bill Guerin said after the Islanders fell apart mid way through the second period during Monday night's game. And, "for the first period and a half, we stuck right there with them", Islanders goalie Joey MacDonald added in the locker room. It is evident that the Islanders would be and could be undefeated if the NHL could make specific accomodations for our team and cut the periods in half, thus having to play thirty minute games. Whether it's fatigue, lack of interest or pressure, the Islanders have begun a trend to let up after the second period in nearly every game this season.
Rookie Kyle Okposo finally ended his scoring drought by sniping a shot with less than ten seconds in the first period to even the score. "It felt like a relief", Okposo said, on scoring his first of the season. Yet, after about two periods of consistent forecheck and hustle, the Islanders melted away, as usual, being defeated 4-2. Even Okposo, who played his strongest game of the season, was beguiled with frustration, despite his best efforts. MacDonald also proved that he can be a helping factor for the NYI this season, with a solid performance in the crease last night. Both the youth and enthusiasm of these two young players seem to ignite the Islanders the last week and a half, however they still need to find a way to keep the flame lit through all sixty minutes.
I can't help but compare the Islanders to the neighboring town's Mets, because every time the buzzer goes off at the second period intermission, you just know a collapse on the verge. If the Islanders can find a way to build off the energy erupting from every Nate Thompson triumphant fight, and a Big Mac save, and clutch goals being wasted and negated by careless penalties, then perhaps we'll start to see more smiles throughout the coliseum, instead of ghost seats.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
islanders vs hurricanes
Again, rookie coach Gordon signals for the lefty and starts our favorite hero, DP. However, I'm uncertain as to whether he looked sharper in warmups or during the first 9 minutes when he let two weak pucks slip past him. During the first intermission however, Gordon yanked Rickie out of the net, and after the game during his press conference said, "He's day to day. But I assure you it was not his performance," regarding the switch. Gordon also explained how DiPietro wants to contribute and help the team in every way possible, but maybe the best way now, to help the desperate Isles, is to mentor rookie MacDonald until DP is nursed back to form.
Now, on a more positive, reflective side, the Islanders showed some signs of life tonight, drawing seven power plays, and although only capitalizing once, they generated fifteen shots on goal, from their new all time record of sixty. Mark Streit and Doug Weight quarterbacked the man advantage well, and Streit netted his second of the year on a perfectly sniped shot from a Weight feed. Also, on the offensive side of the puck, gritty Bergenheim was aggressive as ever, drawing penalties, surrendering his body in the neutral zone and driving into the net for his second score of the season. Bregenheim looked like a Chihuahua on the rink, fiercely attacking the puck on both sides of the rink.
The Islanders face their biggest challenge yet, skating against their oldest and strongest rivals, across town. Scott Gordon said, “As a kid growing up, you play hockey to be a part of the big rivals." The Islanders need a big game against the Rangers on Monday night to rejuvenate themselves and prove to all that they aren't just a freshmen team with old, lingering vets, but youthful, talented groups of guys and although they dropped a heart breaker in the finals second, literally, they will build from this loss and come out hungry. Despite the loss, the Islanders looked better and more coordinated versus the Hurricanes as they have looked all season thus far. With heavy pressure and fresh legs look for the Isles to jump on New York early, and if Gordon mixes things up with more Park and Sim, we should see another "W" on our side!
Now, on a more positive, reflective side, the Islanders showed some signs of life tonight, drawing seven power plays, and although only capitalizing once, they generated fifteen shots on goal, from their new all time record of sixty. Mark Streit and Doug Weight quarterbacked the man advantage well, and Streit netted his second of the year on a perfectly sniped shot from a Weight feed. Also, on the offensive side of the puck, gritty Bergenheim was aggressive as ever, drawing penalties, surrendering his body in the neutral zone and driving into the net for his second score of the season. Bregenheim looked like a Chihuahua on the rink, fiercely attacking the puck on both sides of the rink.
The Islanders face their biggest challenge yet, skating against their oldest and strongest rivals, across town. Scott Gordon said, “As a kid growing up, you play hockey to be a part of the big rivals." The Islanders need a big game against the Rangers on Monday night to rejuvenate themselves and prove to all that they aren't just a freshmen team with old, lingering vets, but youthful, talented groups of guys and although they dropped a heart breaker in the finals second, literally, they will build from this loss and come out hungry. Despite the loss, the Islanders looked better and more coordinated versus the Hurricanes as they have looked all season thus far. With heavy pressure and fresh legs look for the Isles to jump on New York early, and if Gordon mixes things up with more Park and Sim, we should see another "W" on our side!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
islanders stars aftermath
Well, tonight's lack of performance proves a few things. First off, who cleared DP to come back? His Agent? As much as we were in the box tonight, as previously predicted, DP should have been the only man off the ice. What good are 30, 40 plus saves when 5 slip past you? MacDonald was gaining some momentum, and this kid needs a chance, because the one thing our farm system actually does right ( which is rare as is) , is develop talent in the crease. ( Salo, Luongo).
And secondly, I'm inclined that someone lubed everyone's blades with liquid cement. The islanders did not move their legs until the final ten minutes of the third period, obviously, four goals down and four scores too late. Some of these guys are skating with canes and not sticks. Vets like Guerin and Weight need to use their minds, and their sixth hockey sense, not their elbows and pull un necessary, lazy penalties where Dallas capitalizes twice in five tries.
I saw more fight in the 220's section at the Coliseum than on the actual rink. It's good to know someone in the arena wearing an Islander's sweater whether on or off the ice, shows some emotion. Frustration and puzzlement seemed to capture rookie coach Gordon's face, as he, and ?I , and the thousands of fans shook our heads after the final whistle.
To sign off on a positive note, Jon Sim's hustle , which led to the final score with under three ticks remaining, shows that there are some players after all warming that bench that need to be cutting up some ice. Good job Jon Sim, and Richard Park for your consistent hustle, and thank you Sean Avery, for bringing slight excitement back to New York, and make sure you don't forget your silletos in the locker room!
And secondly, I'm inclined that someone lubed everyone's blades with liquid cement. The islanders did not move their legs until the final ten minutes of the third period, obviously, four goals down and four scores too late. Some of these guys are skating with canes and not sticks. Vets like Guerin and Weight need to use their minds, and their sixth hockey sense, not their elbows and pull un necessary, lazy penalties where Dallas capitalizes twice in five tries.
I saw more fight in the 220's section at the Coliseum than on the actual rink. It's good to know someone in the arena wearing an Islander's sweater whether on or off the ice, shows some emotion. Frustration and puzzlement seemed to capture rookie coach Gordon's face, as he, and ?I , and the thousands of fans shook our heads after the final whistle.
To sign off on a positive note, Jon Sim's hustle , which led to the final score with under three ticks remaining, shows that there are some players after all warming that bench that need to be cutting up some ice. Good job Jon Sim, and Richard Park for your consistent hustle, and thank you Sean Avery, for bringing slight excitement back to New York, and make sure you don't forget your silletos in the locker room!
islanders vs stars
Let's see if tonight Mr. Avery brings his man purse to the coliseum. It seems as if he left his magic fairy dust in Texas during his homecoming to New York earlier in the week. The Islanders should look to tighten up on the odd man rushes , because we all know how Mr. Agitator distracts net minders, leaving powerful shots from Ribiero and Morrow open near the face off circles. Plus, after last night's horror show across the river, the Stars should come out shining in the first period tonight, so offering several power plays early on just won't cut it tonight.
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