Until the injury toll reached the point where it eliminated lineup decisions on defense, coach Ted Nolan was betwixt and between when it came to deciding when to play offensive defensemen Bryan Berard and Marc-Andre Bergeron to boost the power play and when to bench them to limit turnovers.
If Brendan Witt and Bruno Gervais were healthy, Berard and Bergeron still might be on the bench because it seemed Nolan had reached the point where he was ready to sacrifice the power play in favor of playing tighter defense. Then along comes a game like the Isles’ 5-4 win Thursday in Toronto in which they score a season-high four power-play goals, and it reminds you how much they can do for the attack.
Considering how little he played over the previous two seasons because of back problems, it has been particularly frustrating for Berard to be limited to just 30 games played at a time when he’s trying to regain his feel for the game. “It’s been frustrating, that’s for sure,” said Berard, who was No. 1 star at Toronto with a goal and two assists. “This year, I’ve been healthy enough to play, and the back hasn’t been an issue. Being in and out of the lineup is tough, but I try to hang in there and work hard during practices.
“It seems like I get going pretty well and get my confidence, and then, I’d be back out of the lineup. That’s where it’s been a little frustrating. But those are the coach’s decisions. I like being part of this team; I like being here. It’s something you just deal with.”
Berard said he could understand Nolan’s dilemma because there have been times when both he and Bergeron were in the lineup and the power play still wasn’t clicking. At those times, in particular, any mistakes they make defensively or trying to move the puck become magnified when it leads to a goal by the opposition.
“They talk about turnovers where I’m trying to force something offensively,” Berard said at the pre-game skate before tonight’s game against Atlanta at the Coliseum. “That’s where my game comes in, and when I’m not playing with my confidence, I might try to force things more. The turnovers stick in Teddy’s head. I can’t go out and stop playing my game, but I’ve just got to be a little more careful and make smarter decisions with the puck.”
In Toronto, the Isles avoided egregious giveaways and limited the Maple Leafs to just 13 shots on goal through the first two periods before allowing 18 in the final period. The power play absolutely was on fire, converting four of seven opportunities. Berard said his opening goal came on a set play where he jumps in front of the net if the defense goes to cover Bill Guerin. He was right there for the rebound, and the other three goals, two by Ruslan Fedotenko and one by Mike Comrie, also came on rebounds.
Explaining why the power play worked so well, Berard said, “Movement for one, not even puck movement, but we were moving our bodies around, especially the guys on the half-wall down low seemed to be moving their bodies and switching positions. And then, just get pucks to the net. Fedotenko’s goals were both from us getting pucks to the net and getting rebounds.
“When we do get hot, we do score some power-play goals. Hopefully, at this time of the year, we can stay that way. We’re moving the puck a lot better right now.”
Comments (132)
Here is to hoping the Islanders out skate, out hit and out score Atlanta tonight. If they are on the receiving end of a bunch of power plays - the special teams need to attack like they did in Toronto. That "big guy" line of Fedotenko, Hunter and Vasicek really needs to put forth the same effort as well. Should be a good game.
http://www.islesblogger.com
Great quote on your blog today Michael S.
I gonna plagiarize it and post it here....
“Ok, guys. We’ve won two games in a row. If we win tonight, its called a winning streak. IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE.” - Lou Brown “Major League”
Nuf said. Here's to 2 points TONIGHT!!
I second that Michael S. ... that is an awesome quote!!!
and 505 .... regarding your post on the previous thread...
Posted by Islander505 | February 16, 2008 17:29
"!9Isles
"Friday ... was bring hockey to school day"
Somebody should have brought a couple of hockey goons to the NIU campus.......with some fully loaded Glocks.
Might have saved some lives.
God bless the departed."
Here here to that 505!!!
On the Bridgeport front ~
Congrats to Justin Bourne ... first AHL goal last night.
KO ... starting to put up multi-point games and is on pace to match Tamby's +PPG numbers ... Back to Back 1G 1A games. 6G 11A in 15 GP.
Kip Brennan ... For those screaming for Kip Brennan to be called up instead of the Isles dressing Simon ... Kip has been was suspended by the AHL for 15 games as posted on the Sound Tigers' website on Feb 13. So there goes that idea. 15 games seems kind of steep for steping into an altercation.
Well ... going to kick back and enjoy the game now.
Not even cute or clever anymore lover boy.
LOLOLOL 505 .... ^5 on that one ... I actually laugh at the futility of those posts. Good for a TV timeout chuckle.
Anyone notice that the young guys are improving every game, and don't look as lost?
man TANK HUNTER & VAS line looks AWSOME 2nite...i'm predicting atleast 2goals from that line 2nite...hunter is on a mission 2nite....btw the more i see the youngsters line the more i dont like comeu out there...he looks lost wit those guys
Well with Satan's goal you can count on one thing ... probably 3-5 goals over the next 2 weeks.
Streaky Satan
THAT was as good a period as they've had all year.
If it wasn't for the penalties, they mighta had 30shg.
Was that Richard Gretzky with the assist on Satan's goal?
another 20 minutes please.
excuse me
30 SOG not shg.
1 down 1 to go....
huge goal to start the period
A nice bowl of Wendys' Chili courtesey of MAB to his best friend Steady.
That's an interesting question...if Steady were at that game, would he redeem his ticket for free chili, or would he not to spite MAB?
Steady's next post
Oh yeah,
WENDY'S CHILI BLOWS!!!
LOLOL! Nick .... I think Steady would redeem the ticket for the free chili ... but I think he'd kinda of put a twist on it .... he'd say something like ... See ... I told you MAB doesn't sit well with my stomach.... or MAB gives me the S***s
Think about this ... with Wendy's lowering the standards to 3 Islander goals per game to earn the free bowl of chili ... Bossy would of earned lots of bowls of chili for us fans all by himself.
BTW ... I love that Maloney quote when the Isles scored 10 goals agains the Rangers and the fans got two bowls of chili .... and Maloney said .... all out of breath ... " I hate Wendys"
222
"btw the more i see the youngsters line the more i dont like comeu out there...he looks lost wit those guys."
Patience 222.
That LINE is looking better and better each game. Tambs is starting to make a presence.....I'm likin' 'em more and more each game----of course, it helps that the other lines are playing better.
Nolan even gave 'em a few seconds on the back end of the 5-3/5-5 PP..
Patience..
Look out for a Thrasher revolt in the first 7-10 minutes. They have been DOMINATED so far.. D needs to step up.
20 more SOLID MINUTES again please.
Agreed, 505. What's impressed me the last 2 games is that Tambellini is showing me some more natural hockey sense. It very well could be that he needed to make an adjustment and feel the confidence of his coach to start displaying it. Comeau's game has always been better suited to NHL hockey than AHL hockey, so I wasn't surprised he was able to compete and show his natural instincts straight away.
In addition, Tank is playing like an absolute madman....they're really making it hard for me to stick to my conviction that they should sell (even though I still do, for now....).
I take back every mean thing I have said about Berard this year.
ATTABOY BRIAN!!!
YOU THE MAN!!!
Is it me or is Exelby almost Hollweg-level?
505 and nick, i sort of miswrote that, i'm not 100% against that line as much as i would rather see comeau on the top line wit guerin and comrie.
what a very smart move by comaeu to not fight that goon back and great teammate mood by berard to jump in there...great job to get the 3rd man in
222, no defense necessary. I agree with you that Comeau's game doesn't match that line and he should be with Captain Eagee (my bastardized name of the BC Eagles) and MC Toe-Drag.
Exelby is just mad because he was in the mood for chili .... why isn't he getting a Game or at least 10 minute misconduct? That was deliberate intent to injure when you go fishing between the legs like that. Besides ... he also dropped he also punched a guy who didn't drop his gloves. Coward move .. and I only heard good things about Exelby till then.
And an atta boy shout out to Berard from me too.
I gotta say ... even with the Islanders dominating the game ... and winning .... this was a horribly officiated game in favor of the Thrashers.... did anyone else see that Klee axe job? Broke the stick in half... I noticed it in live action ... ref staring right at the play ..... I think that refs really should have some accountability ... that could of made the game get way out of hand in violence. B/C if someone did that to me in a game ... I'd of went nuts on the guy.
And the penalty against the Isles that turned into a PPG against ... was a BS penalty.
Disgraceful officiating.
Butchy Goring talked about how the Isles have been going to the net and getting production in the post game.
I remember him saying on a few occasions during the losing streak that the Isles have to get guys infront of the net.
That echoed the cries of every coach that ever coached a team I played for when he wasn't happy with our offensive play.... I know that Nolan didn't just discover that strategy... so why were the Isles playing perimeter hockey during that bad streak to begin with?
Great win, let's get another Monday.
Here's hoping the Rags give the ocean piranhas a bloodbath tomorrow while losing in regulation.
(Why is a team that is located 30 miles from the ocean named after a fish? I think San Jose Bytes has a much better ring to it and is far more appropriate for their locale).
Anyone who was at the game tonight should mail their ticket stubs to Steady with a little chili stain on it. Although it WAS MAB who failed to tie up the Trasher (White) on the goal.
Why was HE on the PK?
Yeah I know, it was a 4-0 game at the time, but ....it was a 4-ZERO game. SHUTOUT??? Play 60 minutes Teddy?
Chili gets me sick! :)
There is three in a row boys......Three more and the Maven legend lives on!
Actually fun watching the games again huh! Bergy is going to be something!!!
**MY 8 year old nephew brought my 3 1/2 yr old to his teams hockey practice today....HE skated with the big kids and had a ball! Nothing better than HOCKEY IN AMERICA WEEKEND !!!
Pond hockey all day tomorrow! Can't wait!
YAH GOTTA BELIEVE BOYS.....THREE MORE !!!!
Another impressive win, for everybody on that team.
Bergenheim is going to be really special and I have said this before about him: He is going to be a key to the Islanders success this year and beyond.
Big kudos goes to Berard for defending his teammate. That will not be overlooked by Nolan
I am going to mail Staeady my undies with a chile stain on them.
Anyone re-thinking having Simon in the lineup with the kids playing?
It's hard to go to the front of the net when you just got back from the locker room after spilling two bowls of Wendy's chile in the can because you have the flu. Hmmm, ever fell like playing hockey when you have the flu???
Man the Thrashers were awful tonoght. I would like to brag that the Isles were that good but the Thrashers didn't even show up. But I will say the Isles played their game to a "T".
Hunter must want an A.K.A for his name, but TH Toe Drag just doesn't cut it. But I will say he was animal tonight and deserved to be one of the stars of the game, all he needed to do was get a goal. That game could easily have been 8-1. The Thrashers goalie deserves a bowl of chile for his effort.
Comoeu could use some warm chile on his nut sack after the tap he took. If Exelby doesn't get suspended for that then Colin is blind and deaf and I will question even more the 30 games that Simon got.. Hey Candyman any thought on that play?
What can you say about the "D'???? I know Atlanta was horrible tonight but the "D" stepped up in the absence of Witt and Gervais. Anytime you give up 10 shots on goal you are doing something right. DP doesn't even need to launder his jersey.
Coral Isles,
Point of order from the the part of the country where the state motto is "Green or Red".
Wendy's serves CHILI
NOT to be confused with CHILE.
I can eat Chili.
I wouldn't get anywhere near the equivalent of Al Roker's surgically removed 20 yards of intestinal highway of chile.
Chili is a gringo's 5 star Mexican dinner.
Chile is cruel and unusual punishment to the human body under the terms of the Warsaw Convention.
Have at me D-money.
Obviously a great win tonight... a lot of positives from defense, to the kids, bergenheim, berard, MAB, Tank, Vas, Hunter etc...
But... geeeezzz can HOWIE just shut the eff up....? What is that guy giggling about... ?
You would think that a free bowl of chili is the greatest thing on earth or at least the funniest thing... according to how much laughter was coming out of that guys face all game.
The Islanders play probably the most dominating game (Atlanta was terrible too) and all HOWIE can talk about is a free bowl of chili... and how many shots it will take for the Islanders to break their all time record for fewest shots allowed... as if they get bonus points for it.
The shot record is worth mentioning and talking about after the game if the record is broken, (which it was) but the non-stop talk about "was it a shot, wasn't it a shot...?" "did the puck hit Dipietro or Bergeron, does it count as a shot on goal....?"
He is unlistenable. Picking fights with Jaffe regarding the 3rd man in penalty on Berard... pretending like he doesn't understand why a 3rd man penalty was called.
I wanted so badly to just enjoy this dominating game... and I have to listen to HOWIE's non-stop chatter and giggling about chili and SWAG.
DOC
DOC
Call up Jiggs and have him come back for a few more games lol.
Yeah Doc,
I have to agree, Howie got on my nerves tonight.
I generally like his call of the games but he really bugged me and he REALLY got to me when Jaffe asked him about "jinxing" outcomes like potential no-hitters by talking about 'em. I have THROWN guys out of dugouts for doing the same. And then Howie's disdainful "I have no control over what happens on the field/ice" was the capper.
Show a little respect for healthy superstitions Rose. You just might get to watch history someday.
Speaking of announcers.....
The one-time Beast of the East lost again tonight.
Tsk-Tsk. Lucifer and Beezelbub must be melting in the booth.
They just haven't been the same since the Isles and Freddy IV had the Sen's and Spezza for brunch on St. Christopher's Day.
Love it.
I agree that Howie is good but can get annoying at times. Does anyone know why he replaced Jiggs? I wasn't living on LI when that switch was made.
I'm with you DOC ... I have never been able to stomach Howie Rose for long ... He's always been like that ... giggling ... and interupting his own call of the game for useless statistical BS ... or talking about something totally unreleated... I think Jaffe wanted to enjoy commenting on the game ... and resisted the urge to back hand Howie in the back of the head....
505 ... Howie is a jinxxxx ... he always preceeds a goal with one of his .... shut out ... or this person hasn't scored against the Isles in blah blah games .... or ... this so and so player usually is an Islander killer but the Isles have shut him down all night .. and then 15 seconds later that guy will score....
My solution ... if you have an SAP feature on your TV ... hit it ... it masks out the commentary ... and all you hear are the mics around the rink .... get the player grunts ... the sounds of the sticks .. puck .... skating ..... the players yapping at each other ... the official yelling to play the puck etc.....
I do that during certain points of the game when Howie annoys me ... that happens for about half the time.
Enjoy
505
If Ottawa is slumping, i would call Philly imploding. That's fine by me though, let them continue to lose.
Pick me up off the floor boys; I never saw anything like tonight! And BIG kudos to Berard (btw, my son cracked everyone up on Exelby-Comeau by asking why Comeau was getting a prostate exam when he wasn't 50 years old).
Since I'm a fan, however, I'll nitpick on the teensy things I didn't like.
1) On the five minute major in the 3rd, did Nolan have to wait 3 1/2 minutes to give the kids some PP time?
2) Comrie still makes me sick.
OK; I'm done.
Btw, before Comrie blew umpteenth opportunity in the clear during the second period by waiting until eternity to make a decision on what to do, everyone in my section was certain Atlanta had scored a goal over DP's shoulder--but the ref waived it off. Did they ever show where that puck went?
Merrick,
"Did they ever show where that puck went?"
It hit the post and went straight across the crease.
And thank God, for Howie's sake, it didn't count as a shot on goal.
As far as the 5 minute major in the 3rd, what bothered me more was that the Isles went back to their 4 corner offense. Sets a bad tone for Monday.
Make 'em play 60 minutes Teddy!!! (Okay, I'm repeating myself now).
Comrie is a passable 2nd line center.
I want next year's nbr 1 center's last name to begin with COM but end in EAU.
EA comes before RI.
Time to set up the scholarship fund for the Trottier/Sillinger Summer Camp.
Sharp line by your boy, I like it.
If Exelby wants to continue his career in proctology, he should ask Waddell for a deadline trade to San Jose.
That was dirty.
Hey,
Let's savor the victory. (until Monday).
It was almost a perfect game. (YA HEAR THAT ROSE-YA SCHMUCK!!!). On a night when Best wrote a great article about one of the great announcers of all time (Red Barber's 100th B'day-RIP) Howie Rose reminded us (well oldtimers like me anyway) of how spoiled we once were with quality sports announcers.
I know I am as guilty about this as anyone, but let's not pick on anyone (except ourselves and HOWIE ROSE) til Monday.
Our boys had it going tonight, keep it positive through Monday and maybe we can get a similar outcome.
Just some audacious hope on my part.
That was THE BEST GAME PLAYED BY ANY ISLANDER TEAM IN A LONG LONG LONG TIME.
All I can say is wow, what a game. I finally got to explain to my daughter what it was like to watch the Isles glory days. Sure they played two teams in a row that seemed to forget to play hockey, but it was still a total effort.
We also had a rousing discussion about protective cups and their necessity in sports... and the use of the word "thug," and why her father yells at Howie to shut the f*** up and call the game. I was giddy with excitement to, but I felt like Howie was barely paying attention to the game by the end.
For all the mistakes he makes while calling the game, I would bring back Jiggs in a heartbeat. The man would never get a case of the church giggles in the middle of a game, and he truly bleeds Isles blue. I suppose it could be worse, anyone who's listened to a Devils game on the FAN would testify.
Also, does anyone know why Boulton and the other Thrasher got sent off at the end of the game? FSN didn't show any replays.
Let's go swimming with sharks!
Yeah ... I think that last night's game was as close to a perfect game as one can play. NO ONE is immune from mistakes as long as humans play and officiate games. That said ... the Isles kept their mistakes to a minium ... and Atlanta just didn't play that well. The score could of easily been 8-0 if Lehtonen played like the rest of the team did infront of him.
On 505's Audacious Hope ... with acknowledgement to Obama's trade mark slogan ... Hope is one thing ... and I always hope ... but the Isles can't have a let down on Monday ... San Jose is kind of like the Isles ... Jeckyl and Hyde ... except they are more talented. If the Isles sit back and hope they win ... they will lose ... hope must be proceeded by WILL ... and EFFORT ... and HARD WORK ... hoping their effort will reward them will only end in failure .... as far as we as fans are concerned .... we have no control over their play ... but the fans at NVMC can help energize the team ... Hope as an ambiguous slogan of pacifism that passes on the desire for an outcome to a chance action by a 3rd party or luck. Only the Islanders can control their destiny... but I hope ... that they NEVER HOPE to WIN ... I expect them to KNOW they CAN WIN ...
I guess I might be saying all this wrong ... to put it in other terms ... I can hope I win the lottery ... but "you gotta be in it ... to win it" ... and then you can hope .... However ... I work ... I don't Hope to get paid for my work ... I expect to get paid for my work... because I work my butt off.
So I like to not think of the Isles chances of winning not be akin to winning a lottery ... as if just showing up gives them hopes of winning the game... I expect them to work their butts off ... to out hustle the other team and play a smart game ... to be enabled by their confidence and training .... then they can EXPECT to have a payoff for working hard.
So I don't hope the Islanders win .... I expect them to win when they play hard ... if they lose and play hard ... sure ... it's frustrating ... and the outcome may not be desirable ... but I can take the positives ... and expect the team to work on the negatives and improve on their effort. You have to learn from your failures ... every team must overcome failure at some point(s) during the long season. It just frustrates me when they take a long time to learn from their mistakes.
I kinda like to think that we have the Audacity to EXPECT Victory. 505 is one of the most die hard steadfast believers that this team can take the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the throat and make some noise ... that is beyond hope ... that is pure confidence ... and if his spirit and will were injected into a player like Hunter or Comrie ... the Isles would be #1 in the conference.
We can't hope ... we gotta believe... Forgive me while I quote a classic movie ... Empire Strikes Back from 1983 ... a great year .... That little green dude named Yoda told Luke Skywalker ... "You either do .. or do not ... there is no try" ... and when he couldn't .... and Yoda brought Lukes X-wing fighter out of the swamp ... Luke said ... "I don't believe it!!" and Yoda replied "That is why you fail."
I know that scene was a pure fantasy Sci-Fi fictional account ... but it was the message that is important.
Last night was a great example of keeping a team down with a killer instinct when they smell blood. They just didn't let up. I love that attitude.
I don't know if the Isles consider themselves sellers after the way they have played their last two games, but I just read this on the Montreal Gazette.
"Would the Canucks give up their young D-man Luc Bourdon for Isles UFA Miroslav Satan? Or do they need a centre more?"
Geeeeez, if the Isles could get Bourdon for Satan that would be a HUGE coup for Garth Snow.
Big time steal.
Empite Strikes back was from 1980, Jedi was 1983.
Dude ~ You are absolutely right ... I got my good years mixed up.
Steady rocks lol - I shouldn't encourage em'
I was at the game last night and I can agree that it was some of their best hockey I've seen in a LONG time
For those of you who are still looking to trade Satan, then watching the Sharks today and tomorrow would be interesting for you.
San Jose is rumored to be inquiring about his services, and supposedly, they might be willing to trade Steve Bernier for him. Might be a good idea to take a look at the kid, and get some thoughts.
a little stat that went unnoticed last night that i think is huge is that the "kids" line drew 4 penalties last night....great job by that line to keep there legs moving and to frustrate ATL
I had given up hope of ever getting back on the blog but I see in a recent blg some low life used my handle and termed the team "putrid". Ahhh the life of a wannabee.
I remain concerned about our push up the ladder. We're starting to win when it really doesn't matter. Is a first round playoff exit what we really want or is the true rebuilding of this franchise paramount to the devoted fans? The chance at grabbing a potential franchise player like Stamkos is fading. We should be going exclusively with the youth while trading the likes of Miro, Silly, Comrie, Hunter and any other aging vet who will return us prospects and draft selections. If you're the youngest guy in the grave yard does it really matter?????
The kids played well, and their work might be rewarded. According to a different board, Garth Snow was a guest on a talk radio show up in Toronto and declared unequivocally he will not trade Tambellini, Comeau, Nielsen, or Okposo....I hope Bergy wasn't included in that only because they already see him as an NHL regular and not a prospect. However, he said he would "entertain any deal that makes the team better in the short or long-term." Sounds to me like our boy Garth is looking for trading partners and realizes that despite the play recently he still needs to reload the team. It's very good to see.
I hope that Bernier rumor is true, I would take him on this team in a second....and I loved the Isles' effort last night, but I'm most proud of them for a different reason. Atlanta played what might have been the worst, most undisciplined game I have ever seen from an NHL team, and the Islanders continued to play their game rather than stoop to their level. I wish the Jekyll-and-Hyde should stop, and I refuse to drink the Kool-Aid that this team as constructed is built for the long-term health of the franchise. But man, last night's game was fun to watch.
Also, if Exelby isn't suspended in the next 48 hours I plan on calling Bettman's show again this Thursday to demand an explanation. He deserves at least 3, if not 5, for that.
Prospect update: Colin Wilson scored the overtime winner last night in a 1-0 BU victory. It's looking like he'll be leaving school after this year, and man would he look good in the blue and orange.
There has got to be more than one Miggsey posting....
If they play the Sharks like they have played the past 3 games, I bet we are in for a few surprises.
BTW, when I quoted Major League, I was making reference to Kerry Cornils using the quote in the game notes yesterday.
http://www.islesblogger.com
JoVas, Tank and Hunter have been playing great!! They look like a real first line. I know that they probably can't keep up this kind of play all year but this is what this team could look like if we had a REAL first line. We have no forwards in the top 30 in any scoring catagories( goals,assists,plus/minus).Imagine what this team would be like if we had Parise,Jokinen and Gaborik as a first line to go with the rest of this team. Hilbert should not be on the first line but who else do we have. I love Park and Hilbert on the PK but Garth has to be a seller and get us one or two forwards that can be top 25 type forwards. Then when we add Okposo who can be a top 25 forward we might have a team that we can all really be excited about.
Does anyone know the thinking behind trading Nokelenian, who was a first round pick for, Walter who was a 5th round pick? Petteri is playing for the Bruins(6 goals) while Walter seems buried in Bridgeport.What was up with that trade Garth?????Anybody??????
>>According to a different board, Garth Snow was a guest on a talk radio show up in Toronto and declared unequivocally he will not trade Tambellini, Comeau, Nielsen, or Okposo....
So they won't trade Tambellini or Nielsen, but unless there are multiple injuries, they won't play here, either. Honestly, Nielson and Tambellini are hitting 24. They are tweeners and at this point have very little value.
It's spelled Islander505---no space,
But I understand why you need to put a space.
Your posts all have a similar pattern,
With the exception of the word "Asslanders" (which has probably been branded into the soft tissue on your upper inside thigh), It pains you when that gelatinous ooze within the cranium has to develop, translate and enunciate any word that is more the 3 syllables long.
There's a simple permanent cure for your pain, and it is usually self administered.
Can't do it?
OMG 505 ... I almost spit out my beer reading your last post! LMAO!! It would be a shame to waste any beer ... so try to be more gentle with the afflicted.
The Soundtigers are on a nice little run ...they're moving up the standings ...
Okposo 2a tonight ...and Trevor Smith has been on fire as of late with another 1g 1a game ...
See what I mean?
An entire paragraph and not a single word with more than 3 syllables.
Oh the pain.
Wow, I'm surprised he can count to 25....I'm sure watching Rag hockey for the last 68 years has been far more fruitful.
I really don't understand the hatred Rangers fans have for Islanders fans and their obsession with moving the Islanders to Hamilton. A little bit of friendly digs back and forth is fine, but some of you are so hostile.
Should the Islanders move, it would be out of Nassau county as they have been one of the main reasons the team has been without a new arena for so long. Hamilton, Ontario will eventually get a team (The "Islanders" of Canada) but they will be another problem team to the "Rangers" also known as the Maple Leafs.
There isn't much room for expansion - and sorry to say Las Vegas will get a team before Hamilton.
Steadylover, (does it hurt to read that when I combine the words?)
"The real pain is watching Icelander hockey for the last 25 years!"
THAT is a pusallanimous response from you.
Here, I'll make it easy for you:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pusillanimous
Michael S
The skank (simple easy to understand one syllable word) who is posing as Steady isn't even a Ranger fan.
He is doing the same thing to bloggers on Zipay's board.
He lives somewhere in the depths between whaleschit and magma residue.
You guys are nuts, Howie is great. Listen to a game outside of the tri state area and you'll realize how good we have it. Better yet listen to a game on Versus.
I hate to throw cold water on this win, especially since it was probably the Isles most dominating win of the year but look who they have been playing. Philly, TO, and ATL??? Come on guys, these teams suck. dont get me wrong, a win is a win but lets not lose focus.
Trade Satan, Tank while they are hot!!!!!!! And ship out MAB and Comrie while your at it.
Quick note, I read that the Devils are interested in aquiring Havlat from Chicago. Havlat would be a perfect fit on LI. Come on Garth get Teddy some talent!!!!!!!!
"You guys are nuts......"
That is irrelevant, but an acceptable conclusion.
".......Howie is great"
That is irresponsible.
Howie's ok..
"Listen to a game outside of the tri state area and you'll realize how good we have it."
That is the classic myopic "center of the universe" affliction of everyone who lives within the jagged circle bordered by the Delaware River, Tappan Zee Bridge, Connecticut River, Montauk Light House, and the Atlantic Ocean,
i.e everything outside the barbed wire is second rate.
I, too, I suffered from that affliction for a good part of my life.
Fact of the matter is, except for deli's and pizza, not everything is better outside the borders.
There are A LOT of great sports broadcasters calling simple events like college football and AA baseball as well as upper level American sports throughout the country. And some are better than anyone in the NY area.
Howie is adequate. But after nearly a full season of him, I notice that at times he is easily distracted and loses interest in the event (hockey) he is covering. Saturday's 3rd period was an ugly manifestation of that.
While I have never heard him do a baseball game, it is clear to me that his first love is baseball (not a bad thing in my Doubleday mindset) and if it wasn't for the paycheck, I think he'd rather be covering rookie fall/winter league baseball in Phoenix.
There are MUCH better hockey announcers outside the barrier of the "tri-state area".
BUT, he is a whole lot better than the devils in Ottawa.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
I have to agree with you 505...
I work in the media, and have gotten to work with a lot of broadcasters outside of the Tri-State area. I too once had the NY has the best of all worlds affliction. True ... there is a great concentration of some of the most talented people in various disciplines working and living in this area ... but there is a whole world out there with talent also.
Howie Rose to me has to be one of the worst play-by-play announcers .. I have worked with ... and can't stand Sam Rosen ... but he's better ... not more accurate ... but much more intune with calling the game on the ice.
How many times is one of Howie's stories interupted by a goal or big play that he has to stop mid-sentence to once again call the game ... a step behind mind you.
Jiggs blows him away ... even with his occasional flub. He calls a great, exciting & energetic game. He knows exactly when to jabber about a side story ... and when to get to calling the game. It is more the color commentary's job to interject the side notes.
Howie is most obviously a baseball fan first ... which is fine ... I have no problem with that. I love the game too. However I can tell that he does a better job calling the Met game then he does the Islanders. Maybe it's because during a baseball game you have time to share stories and the such inbetween pitches or visits to the mound or some other delay.
I NEVER liked Howie Rose .. I also know he would jump at the chance to have Sam Rosen's job ... so lets not fool ourself. He's a Ranger fan .... and I might add I give Howie credit ... because he's very professional in dealing with the Islanders .... and to that I tap my hockey stick on the boards to him.
That's it for now on Howie .. pointless to harp on it.
Why me God? Why must I be the one that these Ranger fans mimic and abuse?
Was I the one who gave them the "bird" on national tv? no
Was I the one who was mean to mm and mookie? no
So why???? I guess they or she just loves me. Too bad I am straight and happily married!
***Big game at 2pm today......4 in a row is a streak. 5 in a row means we are red hot. 6 in a row means I am the MAVEN! ***
Let's get TWO TODAY boys...TAKE TWO !!!
Steady
remember: often imitated, never duplicated!!!!!
my only prediction for this game is this:
look for the Bridgeport line to be the difference maker in htis game. The minutes have been going up for them , and they could create more power play time for the Islanders. Either Comeau, or Tambellini might score today.
Again I'm going to take a look at Berneir from the Sharks.
The whole team has been playing good the last 2 weeks, starting with the penguins game. I agree netminder39, the kids are playing great, it goes to show what a difference speed can make. I know we don't have the most talent, but i love the heart of this team. Hopefully Snow only trades 1 or 2 vets at the deadline, Satan for Bernier would be a steal.
By the way Steady, do you think they could make us use passwords here to post so that we don't have to read the bs the fake posters submit anymore, getting pretty annoying.
GO ISLES GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Netminder,
"look for the Bridgeport line to be the difference maker in htis game."
Well, that would be appropriate and a nice news story lead in as it's Kids Day Too at the game today.
I'm all for it.
I'll buy a beer on 3/6 for anyone who is at the game today and can get their picture taken with the Hofstra mascots Kate and Willie (The Flying DUTCHMEN) with a Heineken in their hands.
Do they still have those mascots now that Hofstra is the Pride?