Part of the attraction of watching tonight’s game between the Islanders and Flames was the chance to see 24-year-old Eric Nystrom face his dad Bob’s former team for the first time in the NHL. It was obvious on Thursday how much young Nystrom was looking forward to the opportunity despite suffering a terrible injury on Tuesday night, when he caught a puck with his teeth.
Unfortunately, it’s not going to happen. Calgary’s medical team said today that it’s too soon for Nystrom to play. He wore a face shield that extended below his jaw line in practice on Thursday, but there’s always the risk of suffering a blow to the face. Nystrom has stitches in both lips and the roof of his mouth, where two teeth embedded and had to be bent back into place. He also is expected to have a couple of root canal procedures in the near future.
The one positive is that there’s a chance Nystrom’s first game against the Islanders team that he rooted for as a kid will take place at Nassau Coliseum. The NHL is switching to a schedule next season in which every Eastern Conference team plays each Western Conference team every season instead of two out of three seasons. So, it’s possible next season’s game against Calgary could be on the Island.
The Islanders also will be short-handed tonight. Miroslav Satan suffered a strained knee when Vancouver’s Mike Weaver dropped him with a check to the right side in the first period. Satan got through the game, and he recovered sufficiently to try skating earlier today. But it was decided to rest Satan, who is now listed as day-to-day.
Islanders coach Ted Nolan praised Satan’s ability to play hurt, saying, “They can say what they want about European players, but this guy is a real tough guy.” Satan played a month last season on a broken foot, but there was no sense in risking further injury in this case when a little extra rest will allow him to return at full strength.
Nolan said he likely would insert Bryan Berard in the lineup as a seventh defenseman. Defenseman Aaron Johnson, who played on the wing once earlier this season, took part in his first full practice on Thursday since suffering a sprained knee, but he’s not quite ready for game action, and defenseman Radek Martinek, who has a bruised lower right leg, has been skating on his own and isn’t ready to practice.
IN SATURDAY’S NEWSDAY: Goaltender Rick DiPietro discusses his first All-Star selection in a story that will appear in all editions. Because of the late start, early editions of Newsday will have a story about how Josef Vasicek and Ruslan Fedotenko have been affected by their recent benchings, and the late edition on newsstands will have a game story, which also will appear on Newsday.com
Comments (44)
steady,
i've been reading this block for the past few years and you have some great analysis and some interesting things things to say: however, you come off sounding as though you think you're a hockey god who knows all and that your stank don't stink! have a little more humility. ALSO, if you're always on here, obviously you're cpu literate so go freakin online and look if there's a soundtigers game on sunday your freakin self!
I too grew up on LI, actually played a few games a year at nvmc for two years on green machine, watched the isles win four cups in a row and follow them RELIGIOUSLY EVERY GAME on nhl center ice, i've been a die hard for my entire life since i was 8.
please just stop trying to always put people in their place, just talk hockey without all the self-butt-kissing-PLEASE-it's getting old!
I still enjoy reading all your insight, with all due respect!
peace!
Looks like this nad from va beach guy is going for the role of Judas. Wonder if he got 36 pieces of silver from MAB to flame Steady C. like that.
goislesgo105 -- I don't know when the decision was made to rest Satan, but it seems like it was today. There probably just wasn't time to call up Tambellini. The Isles are a continent away from Bridgeport.
Don't be fooled KH. That is our boy Frei. Look at the use of capitals and the use of dashes.
Or maybe not, I have so many groupies it is hard to keep up. lol
The funny thing is, I put myself down more than anyone on this blog, so to think I look at myself as a "Know IT All" hockey guy is comical. I think almost half of the bloggers on here know more than me. Am I opinionated, YES! I do know the game and offer opinions. I also respect others opinion. Not liars, or trolls in sheeps clothing!
I just got done saying how wrong I was about DP's long term contract. Or how about a few days ago when I said how wrong I was about Hunter? I am wrong all the time.
Why are you telling us you played for Green Machine and how many games a year you attend? It is like you are trying to prove you are an Isles fan....???? Sounds like someone we know huh ??????
I guess you are right about looking up the Sound Tigers Schedule myself, but I thought I would ask while chatting if anyone knew. Why does that bother you????
People never seem to amaze me....
3-1 ISLESSSSSSSSSSSS Keep it going boys! Silly and Hunter lighting it up!
"never cease to amaze me"....sorry
Posted from previous thread.
Posted by 19 ISLE in NJ 22 | January 11, 2008 21:43
WOW ... 3 goals in one period ... 3 goals by two of the guys that get beat up on in this blog.
Who's the offensive machine in the white jerseys tonight?
Okposo with 2a on the PP tonight ...the Soundtigers lost but a good first night for Kyle. Walter had 2g on the PP. Tambellini and Kohn also assisted on the PP goals tonight.
KH beat me to the punch. I'm sure if the game wasn't somewhat closer, and time permitted Tambellini would have gotten the call, but being all the way in Calgary is probably the reason he's not up.
I doubt Miro will miss another one, but if he does I would lose my mind - which sadly wouldn't be that difficult at this point - if Tambellini didn't get the call for the Ottawa game
You're right 19 Isles ...I was thinking the same thing ...and as someone who kills them the most I'll give them credit when its due ;-) ...thats the thing about Hunter that's madening - not that he was facing much oppposition going to the front of the net, but when he's there he's affective ...when he takes these lazy shots from the perimeter he isn't ...I hope they keep it up though ...would be nice to get some space from 8th place
Timing is everything. Most of the year nobody even mentioned DP in the Canadian Sports press. Now he stands on his head on the road trip and get named to the All-star team and suddenly they can't stop talking about him.
Kevin T.
Maybe they kept guys like Tamby and Walter down there to play with Kyle....I'm sure if they really needed those guys up in the big they would go, but might be that they want to surround the new kid with talent!
Just a thought!
"Islander505's post on January 11 at 3:18 and read from there."
I tried to time the post for 3:16 (John)
So who's the defensive disaster in the white jerseys tonight?
No Martinek, now no Witt.
Two Alaskans and Berard making up 50% of our D Corps.
Where's my bible.
So all this talk about Tambs and KO and Walther and every other forward down in bridgeport.
What kinda d-men have the got down there?
where is Witt?
Steady
"never cease to amaze me"....sorry
Nah, I like the first one better
Anon
Witt left the ice early 1st with an injury no word from the Calgary announcers
steady,
this is exactly what i mean about you, i am no-one else except nad from va beach, a humble science teacher with nothing better to do, and yes i just did decide to start posting today,
who do you think i am (another name b.s.?)
you couldn't be farther from the truth!
this is what makes you sooooo extremely amusing and annoying at the same time, you think you know everything!
i usually just like to read, is it a crime to start posting now?doesn't everyone have to start sometime,? if we could actually look back about a year or two i did make a post or two.
isles r resilient to say the least,
as usual!
4-4 going into the 3rd,
we really need 2!
go isles,
bossy22
My sincere apologies Nad...Welcome......Please just go read your first post and see how you treated me. What would you of done if you were me????????? Enough about us....Great game going on.
Oh God Silly just got 4 for high sticking while on the PP...I;m gonna go break my remote now. good night!
Observations...
Guerin's keeps getting back-checked when he winds up for a shot. How much time does he think he has?
Where was the hustle on the shoot-ins for the power play!
Two gaping nets for Vacisek. He has to bury those ones!
On a positive note, the offense and breakout passes has caused Calgary to respect the Islanders more. This gives them more space.
Kevin T.
WOW!!! 2 points ... Huge!!
Bring on the Sens
Wow, who knew Richard Park had those moves. Finally a win in the shootout.
Lots of good signs, but did you notice how often the announce said "ill advised pass"?
Kevin T.
YES!!!!!!!
Sillie with a 21st Century (or post lockout) Hat Trick!!!
What a pleasant effin surprise!!!!
BEAUTIFUL!!!
Unbelievable!
I thought four points on this trip would be acceptable and five would be a success, but I also counted on points against Edmonton.
I also now know that NHL rinks are tilted towards the Pacific Ocean. Either we are that terrible--or the Western teams just bring it every night in another gear. I may learn to hate a more balanced schedule.
I'm not in the mood to write more, but let's hope Witt is okay and let's also give Freddie Meyer his props--he has filled in very well.
Yo merrick...you hit it...meyer was clutch tonight. Good for him. Thank god they finally took 2. Losing in ot was starting to get old. This team is seriously over-acheiving. Not only are they super slow, but they can't pass. Bad passes slow us down even more on breakouts... If that's possible
A pt against he Sens and we got a .500 trip against some good clubs. Agreed Merrick, you pegged it....Meyer played well.
Campoli has not been the same since plaing with MAB....No, I am not blaming MAB for that....I just do not get the pairing!
Great game Silly!
That was some ugly hockey. But I'll take it. Never realized Calgary was so stacked. They have a lot of great players. Kiprusoff was bad tonight.
Yeah ... I have to agree ... the passing leaves a lot to be desired... I noticed it more on this trip than before.
It seems the Isles want to lug it up ice then make a low percentage pass .... they managed to squeeze out a bunch of nice passes tonight .. but couldn't finish.
I have a feeling that they will play the Sens good on Sunday ... they'll be used to the high octane of the west ... and not have to go from a slow grinding game to high octane .. which is a tough adjustment for them.
Merrick hit it on the head ... the west teams bring it ... no wonder a good offensive team like LA is stuck in the basement ... they have no D to stay in the games.
Let's also remember that Buffalo, the Bruins and Rangers all have more loses than the Islanders do during this four game stretch. This is really big coming back to the east. These other teams had a chance to gain ground and blew it.
From the the Dept. of For What it's Worthless
AOLSports released their weekly power rankings today.
Isles are 26th out of 30 in the league.
Caps are TENTH in the league.
(I guess that 13th in the standings in the East isn't held against 'em)
great 2 pts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yippie,
sillenger,
park,
d-p!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dp has to be considered for mvp ( i understand that we're only 1/2 way through)
another 40+ shot game, wtf.
it suxxx though,
we are in range of 7th (the b's) steady territory,
however, 6th and further up seems difficult at best as of tonight, considering games played etc...,
of course, things can change quickly!
steady,
thanks for the cool down, i really am just another fan,
nobody with a hidden agenda and especially not an imposter or other. thanks for the welcome,
i am also sorry for the rant, i was just being an emotional isles fan with displaced aggression via beers after a long day with the kids in the classroom, thanks for stepping up,
i have new found respect for misplaced isles fans in boston.
i think it stems from my jealousy of your free ice and pond hockey in new england that i was sooo used to in school in rhode island.
now that i'm in va bch i barely get a random frost:(:(
cheers,
onto ottowa and another 2!!!!!!!!
peace
nad
Anyone, guess the year???
I'm with my dad at the game against the pens (when i was 10) in the best of five 1st round when we were down 3-1 in the 3rd period of game five, when bossy, tonelli and the tonelli scored again in ot to propell the isles onto the next round and eventually another cup,
was it ????????????????? I also had an apple juice can which i didn't open (in my pocket) and after the game when we were on our way to the car and the isles were on their way to the 2nd round, my dad pulled it out and poured it over my head (and it was a freakin cold spring night) and also one of my best memories with my dad,
peace
nad:)
i believe the was 1982?
Nice anecdote nad... You should submit that on the Islanders website. A couple times a month, they ask for fans' "Islander memories" for inclusion in the team newspaper (I think it's called Islanders Insider? Islanders Insight? Islanders Illustrated?), which they distribute at home games.
Great, ugly win as others have said. With these west coast trips usually the killing fields, I'm glad for any points, no matter how we get them. After this, the furthest west we go for the rest of the season is visits to Toronto and then Minnesota in early February. So, it's definitely a big leg up on any other teams in the east that still have their west coast swing in front of them.
Interesting stat from Deb on the post-game show that illustrates how damn good DP has been on this trip. He has faced an average of 39.8 shots per game (my god that is embarrassing!!) and has a save percentage of .925, which if it were for the whole season, would be the 5th best in the league. And we all know that he has faced VERY high-quality shots on this trip. We can thank him for all 4 points so far. Do I hear 6? St. Christopher?
yes indeed, 1983:)
we were down 2 games to 0 as well as 3-1 in the 3rd of game 5.
oh the days:):)
just a little memory lane tidbit:)
peace,
nad
I hate to be picky but it was 1982 that the Islanders beat Pitt. In 1983 the Islanders defeated Washington, the Rangers, Boston, and then the Oilers for the fourth Cup.
Just get back from the game in Calgary. Last time Islanders visited Calgary in 2002. Great game! Rick DiPietro was awesome! It was such a noticeable goaltenders difference. Kiprusoff allowed 3 goals on 9 shots in the first period. DiPietro showed why he is in All-Stars. It well deserved. However I must say that Islanders offense played awful tonight. So often they miss pass from each other. Second period was very sloppy until the last 5 min when Islanders put some pressure on Kiprusoff.
Great night DiPietro! It was a real pleasure to see you in Calgary. Hope to see you again not in 5 years, but sooner.
Congratulations Islanders and all fans with such a positive ending of long road trip to the West.
They probably didn't call up an extra forward because they're on the west coast. Berard probably traveled with the team and was there already.
Sillinger and Park as one and two in the shootout? Not the most intimidating duo, but it worked. Hope Wit's OK, or Johnson better be ready to work when he's healthy.
Foxi
Once again a nice turnout of Isles fans in foreign stands, especially for the saddledome. After the 1st 2 goals the cameras gave quick hits on cheering Isles fans.especially heartwarming since NHL network was using Canadian feed.
On to Ottawa. Yes, KH I am calling out the heavy artillery for this one. For those of you non-believers in the Catholic faith as well as for the rest of us non-practicing gentiles, St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers as well as the patron saint of sports.
I have not spoken to this guy in years and in view of the fact that our boys are ending a long trip in what I have recently deemed to be Satan's den, overseen on the spiritual air by Lucifer and Beezlebub themselves, I am imploring my old friend Chris to guide our boys safely and victoriously through this Hades of the North.
Join me now in a moment of prayer.
Though our defenses are weakened, our hearts are still strong, I call on the grace of our dear Lord 2 Steady our boys and give our brave Richard the Italian Heart the strength and wisdom to wield a mighty sword and smite down these Ottowan infidels.
Amen, Emunah.
Nad...We are all good. I myself was at that Pitt game at the ripe old age of 12. I remember seeing my father scream and show emotion I had never seen before when Tonelli scored. We parked at Nassau Community College and crossed the busy street, and then through a hole cut in the fence to get to the games. We shared season tickets that year with one of my dads business partners in the first row of sect 205. Right down the row where Jigggs and Eddie used to do there broadcast. WHAT A GAME !!!
Does anyone over 36 remember the year we had a guy that would walk around the arena and play that trumpet ???? He would also go to other arenas and do the same thing. I was at the game where right in front of me, he flipped over the railing onto the loser walkway. He must of been BOMBED DRUNK!
HUGE 2 PTS. LAST NIGHT....How about our shoot out line up. Think Ted is sending a msg to the first line?????
Gutsiest performance of the year in my opinion because of the circumstances. Injuries, a Calgary team that was fired up after a loss at home and after playing a so so first a pretty awful second I thought they played as a team their best period of the season in the third because of the circumstances. A great 2 pts. Another awful game by the refs missing the Nolan elbow on Hilbert (did they miss it it did they not want to call it?) and a obvious hitting from behind on Comrie (they had to see that the puck was right there) which would have put the flames down 2 men. The refs don't seem to have a problem putting the Isles down 2 men.
netminder39,
you're not being picky, it was 1982,
i was agreeing with you and mistakenly put in a 3 instead of a two:)
i think their (pitt's) goalie was named dionne, i remember all of us chanting "diiiiiiii ooooooon, diiiiiiiiiiiiii ooooooooon" to unsettle him:)
steady, i definitely remember the trumpet guy, he was kinda tall and skinny (maybe) anyway, he was extremely entertaining; however, he seemd to be a little off, short a few cards of a full deck, no?
do you all remember just standing up every single time bossy skated with the puck down the right wing b/c half the time (it seemed) he would actually score!!!!!
ok, back to 2008,
lets see what happens tomorrow night,
it seems the boys are falling like flies right now,
lets see who ready to step up next,
we need to put some distance b/w ourselves and 9th!!!!!!!
peace.
Isn't that just warm and fuzzy; Steady and the Nad are pals now. Maybe you two can meet up in Virginia, rent a room with a tub and splash around in some apple juice while sharing memories of the glory days.
I'm happy to finally get an overtime win on this trip. I'm a liitle worried about the injury to Witt especially with Marty still down. Berard can't clear guys from the crease like Witt can. If Witt and Marty can't play sunday then I think you need to call up a stay at home defenseman from Bridgeport. Any thoughts on who that might be?
This islander team really can use an infusion of speed.
Here's an interesting stat for everyone to ponder. The Islanders are 6-0-1 when Trent Hunter scores a goal. If he and Sillinger get hot and bring tank along for the ride, and the new first line of Satan, Comrie and Geurin find chemistry....oh my!!! Going to be gone till late tomorrow. Enjoy the game tomorrow, and let's hope for another two points.
nad- I thought it was a typo.....:-) good memoety though
I remember that Pittsburgh game in 1982--attempting to listen to it from a radio in a pre-gentrified Capitol Hill townhouse. To be honest, I can't recall if I was able to get the Pittsburgh signal or Islander signal--but I suppose it was Pittsburgh because I don't recall John Sterling going nuts (I think he was still doing radio in 1982, but I could be wrong).
Great find on Hunter--Netminder. He is definitely having a rough year, and notwithstanding his lack of speed, I still see flashes of good playmaking on offense and think he sees the ice very well.
Btw, great interview with Mike Bossy from Fran Healy on FSNY before last night's game. Bossy's just a class act--as were so many guys from the Cup Years.
You pegged him Nad. Definitely something wrong with that guy. He was Canadian. Reason I know that is b/c we heard him talking after taking a digger over the rail. Never saw him again. Was it you Miggsey? LOL
I guess it is me that starts stuff before coming pals with people on this board. AZS and Miggsy were my foes last year. I even had it out with Mr. Peace Merrick. Now we all go together like Peas and Carrots Jennyyyyyyy. :)
Imagine a win in Ottawa. Our gullable a^^es will be chanting for the cup at the next homestand!
Steady
"....How about our shoot out line up. Think Ted is sending a msg to the first line?????"
Not at all. Camera was on Ted before the shootout and he was laughing and having fun back there. I think he was happy with the one point and keeping everyone loosey-goosey. My take with his picks was "well, let's see how these guys do". Besides, Guerin was quoted recently saying that Ted is not a "mind game" type of coach.
Whatever it is Ted, To quote Sean Avery's TV Icon from Runway.....
"MAKE IT WORK"
John Sterling did not call Islander games during their Stanley Cup years I think he left in 1979 I think it was Bob Lawrence who called the games on radio with Jean Potvin. I'm sure if Sterling had called that Nystrom OT goal against the Flyers he'd still be screaming Islander Goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steady: I'm with you on the Campoli/Bergeron pairing: it's killing Campy's play and I can't believe Gallant hasn't noticed it. Hopefully they think it's a character builder because if they're right then Campoli will have the most character of anyone in the league. He must be seething having to play with MAB. I can only hope the return of Marty means someone else gets the joy of playing with the Mad Bomber.