On the Islanders Beat

Hey, there, easy on Mel! Him and Barry Melrose keep that entire industry afloat. By the way, Jets made the right pick.

You scared me there for a minute Katie! Sounds like a great morning to grabe a starbucks and head to the park!

If the Islanders only worry about Long Island .... then stick a fork in the organization .... that is part of the problem .... for a sport that overall ranks last among major sports ... sharing a market with 2 other teams ... and limiting itself to a small geographic area is business suicide ... and short sighted. To me ... the time line of the Isles' 18 year troubles is when they regressed to a more local centric theme. When I became an Islander fan in 76-77 ... I never thought of them as Long Island's team ... they had a big huge NY on the jersey ... they were NYs team to me... just as much as the Jets and Yankees shared NY with the Giants and Mets.

I'm also going to stick up for Long Island Ranger fans ... what gives? Why should they automatically be called traitors for rooting or the the Rangers .... the Rangers do the right thing by them and market to them ..... also ... I'm born and raised NYC boy ... and root for the Islanders ... does that mean I'm a traitor too??? It works both ways guys ... there are plenty of NYC ... I'll even say ... thousands of NYC natives that root(ed) for the Islanders ... and maybe the fact that they are gone ... and that thousands of Long Islanders who now call some place else home is a reason why the sounds of crickets are louder than the fans at NVMC when non-divisional teams are in town.

More on explaining my previous post in my next post.

Regarding LIRangerFan's post on the previous thread ... I may have stood up for him choosing the Rangers ... but I have to agree with the fact that his post was most definitely not that of an adult ... I'll leave it at that.
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Answer to 7th woman's post on the previous thread.
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Posted by 7th Woman | April 26, 2008 15:52
A few things about your marketing concepts.

a) Modells as a company only stocks minimal hockey items no matter WHERE they are located.

b) The Islanders have full intentions of marketing inside Manhattan this summer.

So part of your regional marketing concepts are incorrect. But I would like to understand why you think they should attempt to market in NJ. They are after all, the NY Islanders. And the Devils ARE the NJ Devils. Most of the out of state fan base for any team comes not from marketing efforts but from transplants.
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7th woman ... answer to your a) comment ... Yes .. I know that ... they are a economy grade sporting good store at best ... I was doing some research for KH ... and the manager of the said Modells store was a lifetime Jersey resident ... we just got into a convo about why they were selling Islander gear ... and he explained to me that parts of NJ was at one time Islander country... but that has since diminished with the rise of the Devils ...

Response to your b) comment ..... that is great ... Manhattan is the media capital ... but I think a grass roots expansion to Queens and Brooklyn should be on the marketing agenda too ... I at one time knew more Islander fans in Brooklyn than Ranger fans ... they were younger then ... but now would be in their 30s and early 40s.

Response to your comment ... that my marketing concepts are incorrect .. if the Islanders only market to Long Island ... they are dead ... and why should the Islanders limit their reach? Have you ever seen a football fan with a Cowboy jersey? A Raider jersey? The Islanders' TV market includes NJ ... just as NJ's includes Long Island .... and here is something to keep in mind ... today ... I was introduced to an Islander fan at the roller hockey rink 10 minutes from the Jersey shore ... he's from Wyoming ... his Dad from Queens ... who was an Islander fan ... he's lived in NJ for 7 years now ... and never went to a Devil game in NJ unless the Islanders played ... he's gone to NVMC about 10 times since he's lived here ... you going to tell that guy he should be a Devil fan since he lives in NJ???

I also saw a white pickup truck today ... painted with orange and blue trim ... with the Islander and Met logos on it .... and written on his truck it said ... I Love My Orange and Blue ... New Jersey tags on his truck ... I gave him the "Let's Go Islander's" horn hunk ... and he did it back and waved .... so don't short sell the team's reach. I gaurantee you a fan with that much passion goes to see some games at NVMC.

The Islanders gotta think outside the box marketing wise ... because when it comes to hockey .... as much as we all love it ... the sad fact is that the average sports fan doesn't connect to it ... so the Islanders have to fight for every fan not with just the Rangers ... but against the Devils too... it's not a good thing to be on the bottom of the fan base list with the least popular sport as it is .... and is it a coincidence that since the Devils became great that the Isles troubles began??? Maybe? Maybe not...

NJ was a huge Islander hotbed in the 80s ... infact a teammate of mine from the 80s born and raised in Middletown NJ was a huge Islander fan ... and used to drive the hour to and from NVMC to see them play.

I have a huge Islander plaque in my home office .... ya know where I got it?? Seaside Heights NJ ... in 1983.

When Broduer is gone in a few years ... the Devil fan base will shift ... their fans right now are luke warm as it is ... since a lot of NJ's population is transplanted NY'ers that relate more to NY than to NJ as it is.
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Posted by Caesar | April 26, 2008 16:17
The Islanders, before focusing on Manahatten, should just focus on Long Island. They appear to be having a tough time just drawing here.

I think there first priority is appealing to Long Islanders first. I'd love for long Island to become as umfortable for Rag fans as Boston is for Yankees fans.

Seriously, Rangers fans that grew up and live on Long Island are just flat out traitors.

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Caesar ... you couldn't be more wrong about Long Island Ranger fans ... see my previous post. Because all things being equal ... then NYC should have no Islander fans.

Also .. I'd love nothing more than Long Island being uncomfortable for Rags fans as Boston is to Yankee fans .... that would be great.

And about the Islanders focusing more on Long Island for marketing rather than Manhattan ... sure ... the Islanders should ALWAYS make Long Island their MAIN focus ... but you can't ignore the other geographical areas ... you are limiting yourself.

Look at all the other teams in the NHL .... aside from Aneheim and LA ... all the other teams are about 100 miles and more away from their next competitor. Take Philly .. about 80 miles or so from NY .... they have a solid fan base ... why? B/C they are in a major city with a metro area poplulation over 5 million ... and they have a rich history with which to celebrate .... and no competition for fans within 80 miles .... and sure ... Flyer fans and Ranger / Devil fans overlap in parts of NJ ... but Flyers dominate south jersey and all of eastern PA, and Delaware.

Isles/ Rangers / Devils have a totally different dynamic .. and they have to fight tooth and nail for fans not just from each other ... but from Basketball and Football ... and even a bit from Baseball ... or they end up in the middle of the sports section ... and sometimes with only an AP snippet that mentions their games.
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Folks ... trust me on this ... for those of you that live in the bubble of Long Island media ..... The Islanders at one time didn't just share the spot light with the Rangers .... they owned it outside of Long Island.

Infact .... when I was at Pt. Pleasant NJ's boardwalk in the summer of 1987 ... there was a huge framed photo for a prize of Pat LaFontaine's 3 OT winning goal celebration ... My %@!^# friend at the time Darren won it. Also a Staten Island Islander fan.

Maybe it is too late for the Islanders in NJ ... maybe the damage the last 14 years in irreversable since the Devils made their mark ... 3 seperate times. That said ... the Islanders should work the 5 boroughs ... get some beat writers back ... hopefully draft the next area super star this summer.... and maybe John Tavares ... who will be a super star among stars.

Just an FYI for inquiring minds ... John Tavares in 2009 is going to make Steve Stamkos this year look like the consolation prize.

19 Isles;

The Islanders for years have not paid any attention to their market outside of NASSAU. There are a whole SLEW of fans and potential fans in Suffolk county that they have virtually ignored for as long as I've been a fan.

Islanders players visit a school it's in Nassau.

Islanders players visit a hospital it's in Nassau.

Growing up in Port Jefferson under the Picketts ownership we were completely ignored.

To say that focusing in Manhatten "is tapping into more fans" while ignoring your UNTAPPED base, that my friend IS the very definition of business suicide. In any marketing campaign you have to tap into your BASE first. Manhatten and New Jersey are not it. Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, Brooklyn etc IS. They've already done a lot in Nassau and have completely ignored most of Suffolk county.

Suffolk county IS the Islanders base. On top of that they have no competition there from the other major sports. Athletes from the Knicks, Jets, Giants, Mets and Yankees don't bother visiting their. With the NHL in utter obscurity a lot of folks are barely aware that there is a major sports franchise playing on Long Island. For a lot folks there is a whole month that can go by with nary a thought about the Islanders.

That fact has and is proving a disaster for the franshise. And those folks just because of the locality are more likely to travel to Nassau for a sporting event than Manhatten. Going to Manhatten is a freakin day trip for those people.

As far as NYC Islanders fans living in NYC, I could care less. I'm just saying that as a sports fan first, I have no respect for fans that root for teams out of their area. My primary concern is that Long Island be number one for the Islanders.

Most of the Rags Schtick is to completely BUST on Long Island residents. The fact that they (Here's lookin at you Steve Sommers) completely deride the residents there as backwards and ignorant hicks is something this franchise should have totally capitalizes on.

Oh, and most Rag fans that live on Long Island are HUGE self loathers. But my anger as a sports fan resides more with the Islanders marketing department who have completely messed up a huge opportunity to capitalize on that.

For them to start focussing on Manhatten at this point is putting the cart before the horse.

The best marketing strategy is a winning team. All the rest is window dressing. The true fan will always buy tickets because he loves the team. It is the casual fan that makes the difference between 12,000 fan night and a sold out house. And with the econamy in the tank, people have less and less entertainment dollars to spend. Quite smply they will not spend it on a loser.

I gave up my season tickets this year because my buddies no longer wanted to split the cost of the tickets. It is very expensive to buy two seats for a full season. After thinking about it, I decided that I just was not happy with the direction that the team was going in and I was no longer willing to shell out thousands of dollars to watch an inferior product. So, I gave 'em up.

Full marks to the Isles sales staff, as they have deluged me with calls, letters and emails offering all kinds of ticket plans. Finally I told the sales rep to call me back after the team had won two playoff series. That was the last time I heard from them.

The Toronto playoff series proved that there is a rabid fan base for a winner. In all my years of going to the games those were some of the most memorable. And I saw two Cups hoisted on home ice.

Build a winning team and people will flock to the Coliseum. As of right now I don't blame anybody who won't pay to see this sorry excuse of a team.................Sir William

I will defer on all the Long Island Traitor, Nassau-Suffolk and other marketing plans for a sec....

The 1st two lines of Katie's blog about THE JET'S DRAFT PICK attracted my attention...

"Anyways, after this you are either probably celebrating or drowning your sorrows. Either way, adult beverages are probably involved,

Katie.....
I'm not sure what Gen X or Y or Z generation that you are a part of.....but DRAFT DAY IN THE NFL is no reason to drink...lightly or heavily.
Five minutes (which after today will be well beyond my statute of limitations) of watching that meaningless overblown Berman-led drama while cringing at bearing witness to Mel Kiper's Helmet-do on ESPN was enough to swear me off of drinking for a year.
(Well, not quite...but...I thought about it...for a minute). Exacerbated by the crowd shots of NY fans at their ABSOLUTE WORST, in of all places, the shrine known as Radio City...well..it convinced me of the accuracy of what I learned at an early age.....There are days to drink in public...and then there are Ted Mack days....
I've now added NFL draft day to the amateur list, that includes New Year's, St. Patricks and Cinco de Mayo, of days that keeps me a teatotaler.
Thank God there are still 361 other quality days available each year.

Just an observation......from 2 time zones away.

Okay, I'm probably in trouble now.....(like I care).......
But I just took a major run at Zipay about his "Cool Stats" blog.

What a cheapschit shot he dredged up about the Isles.
Unbelievable.

Scenario.....Let's say the Pens go up 3-0 on the Rangers......
What are the chances he will write or blog about the fact that there have been only 2 teams in NHL history to overcome a 3-0 deficit?
Cuz WE ALL know who one of those teams were.

Yet he drags the crap in his blog out of oblivion.

"At the very least, this provides an excellent opportunity to turn your attention away from the excessive draft coverage and the unsightly amount of hair gel Mel Kiper uses to keep his coif intact...."

Hair gel??? Katie

In my day it was called Kiwi Shoe Polish.

505 -- Don't waste your time with Zipay the Pinhead. The guy is a loser, and I would be surprised if he is not swept out when Newsday does a housecleaning after the new owners take over. The guy is already covering the least-watched sport and writes in the tone and from the perspective of a fan, rather than a journalist. Not up to Newsday's generally high standards. (As I have mentioned here before, I think Newsday other hockey writers are outstanding.) Simple solution: Don't read him. I no longer do.

Caesar ~

I was always under the impression that the Islanders catered to Suffolk Cty. I used to go to Suffolk every 2 weeks or at the least once a month to Riverhead from the 70s to mid 90s .... and sure ... there weren't Islander banners hanging from the lamp posts ... but it didn't seem any less Islander country than the Mets or Yankees.

Infact there was a diner at the traffic circle across from the hospital in Riverhead that had a great huge photo of Denis hoisting the cup ... along with other great moments in LI history.

I wouldn't consider visiting hospitals and schools as much a marketing campaign as I would a community service ... although it admittedly has an impact on promotions .... I can see how you'd tie the two together.

I think if the Islanders need to increase their foot print in Suffolk County they should most definitely exploit that market. Combined I believe that Nassau and Suffolk have a population of 2.75M people over a vast land area. That population size is respectable .. but that being said ... the furthest point of NYC is probably just as far from NVMC as Riverhead is..... and you shouldn't ignore a population of 8.25M people within 50 miles ....

Oh, and one thing Caesar ... I never said the Islanders should focus on Manhatten .... I never even brought Manhatten up ... I was responding to 7th Woman who informed us that the Islanders were going to market in Manhatten .... I said it was great ... but the Islanders should also add Brooklyn and Queens to that agenda.

And you not caring less about fans in NYC is just as reckless as the Islanders not caring about Suffolk .... Queens I believe is actually closer in distance to NVMC than the western Suffolk border is to NVMC ..... Hockey has no political boundaries ... and neither does most other sports .... it's regional.

Fact is ... the Islanders share a market area that is dense in population with 2 other teams ... the other more popular sports only have to share that same market area with 1 team .. that is a hurdle the Islanders have to endure .....

I'd suggest that the Islanders really have to start at the grassroots ... they should sponsor youth teams in Suffolk, Brooklyn and Queens.

Heck .. the Rangers had the Ramapo Rangers in Rockland County, Richmond Rangers (Staten Island), and also a youth team in NJ ... and those are the ones I know of.

This offseason would be nice if the Islanders made the rounds of all the youth clinics that go on over the course of the summer through out Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Islanders ..... after all ... Staten Islanders are NY Islanders too ... capitalize on that ... especially since most Staten Islanders relate more to Long Islanders than the do Manhattenites.

Oh ... BTW ... NYC's colors .... Orange, White and Blue ... look at the NYC flag sometime .... It almost looks like the classic Islander jersey with the NYC crest on it.

Caeser .... with all respect ... I agree with you on the Islanders exploiting the Suffolk market .. they should go after that just as much as Queens and Brooklyn ... as part of their base .... but if their campaign doesn't work on Nassau residents ... how can they make it work in Suffolk, Queens and Brooklyn???

Oh ... I think themass and Sir William put it perfectly ... a winning team..... that helps marketing a lot ... no matter where....

I think themass said if the Islanders put out a quality product they can fill that piece of crap building.... 16,232 I think it is? That should be no problem .... there was a time I thought that building needed to expand to 20k ... because I had a hard time getting tickets .... and that was the late 80s.

I think we can debate this till we are orange and blue in the face ... bottom line ... the Isles need to assemble a perenial contender. When a long time dedicated fan like Sir William decides to not spend his hard earned bucks on expensive tickets for a mediocre at best product ... that is a telling sign.

Here is something to keep in perspective of how regional the Islanders are (were) ... I live pretty much smack dab in the center of the State of NJ ... about 10 minutes from Six Flags Great Adventure .... I did a mapquest ... and I live exactly 75.5 miles (lots of curvey line driving because of Staten Island and Belt Parkway driving ) from NVMC .... East Hampton? .... OK ... yeah the boonies .... but that is 81.4 miles from NVMC .... and the population east of NVMC is much less than that of the same distance west of the NVMC ... can you see where the gravity of the potential fan base is?

I thought I'd also bring this up ... cause ... why not ... if I'm going to reach out as far as East Hampton ... might as well use this reach .... at the arena I play ice hockey in ... there are two huge posters ... one is Martin Broduer ... the other one is Rick DiPietro ... and then a smaller poster at another corner of the complex of Jim Dowd (native jersey boy) in a Flyer jersey ... not one Ranger poster ... I used to suspect that is because Devil fans and Islander fans have a common enemy. However ... the head coach for all the youth clubs of the prime youth club there is a big Ranger fan ... so who knows?

Funny thing is ... Long Island's youth teams play the youth teams that play in that arena ... which is about 10 minutes from Asbury Pk.

But I digress ... the Islanders need to win to re-build the fan base ... a mediocre product doesn't attract a demanding NY fan base.

"Make sure to stop by Field 6 to show your support for a good cause. Islanders inflatables will be set up for children to play with and you can even take a picture with Sparky and the Ice Girls"

Still anticipating the long awaited Ice Girls Area Code Trip.
And they should schedule it backwards chronologically from area code 516.

And do I smell some kind of conspiracy here? Everytime there is some mention of an Ice Girls public appearance....it's with less than 24 hours notice.

No conspiracy. But if you want to know where the Ice Girls will be, maybe you should check the community calendar of the Islanders website that has the entire sumer schedule of appearances on there.

Man, these blogs are a stretch. I think its sad the Isles claim to fame is a hard fought 1st round LOSS to the Leafs YEARS ago...but this meet and greet crappola is even worse.
Look, get some talent, get some balls, and the small fan base will show up. Score. Hit. Fight. Its simple.

Posted by Islander505 | April 27, 2008 10:12 "Make sure to stop by Field 6 to show your support for a good cause. Islanders inflatables will be set up for children to play with and you can even take a picture with Sparky and the Ice Girls"

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Islanders inflatables eh? Well if you found something to keep Nolan away from his players wife's I'm all for it.Is DP gonna play with the inflatables?Hope he doesn't fall off and hit the unstable mellon.

"But if you want to know where the Ice Girls will be, maybe you should check the community calendar of the Islanders website that has the entire sumer schedule of appearances on there"

THANKS 7th Woman.....you're number 1 in my book.

Lot's of Family Fanfests scheduled all Summer. That's good.
Hmmm...there's nothing scheduled for July 6th (my b'day).......
Perhaps it's not too late to line up a a 505Fest at Jones Beach Field 6. "Touch" football....barbeque...COLD beer and a "who can put the puck in the ocean" contest featuring Hilbert, Tank and Hunter. Followed up by the traditional wet T-shirt contest judged by yours truly and Sir William. (Must be 50 or over to judge...sorry kids).

Isles fans--we have hit a new low.
We are the softest, weakest team in hockey
And, we think the future is a fruitcake like Trent Hunter.

I hope the team moves.

The Ranger scribes took A BEATING today on national TV for putting the focus of the series on whether Crosby dives.

NICE JOB GENIUSES....

Now your team is down 0-2 and Avery showed the frustration at the end of the game by spearing Fleury.

Keep up the great work spewing out of your keyboards boys
....Staple, Zip.....

THIS SERIES IS ALL ABOUT CROSBY DIVING AND GETTING SOFT CALLS.......
Brilliant.

If I was Renney, I wouldn't let either one of you guys within 2 miles of my locker room.

Looking forward to the next anti-Islander trash you'll write now.

505;

The Rangers complaining about the refs is premeditated. They started complaining about that stuff LOOOOOOONG before the puck even dropped in this series.

When a team employs the services of Avery and Hollweg they really can't complain about the calls on the ice. Those are two of the dirtiest players in the game today as voted by their peers. Avery makes his living running goltenders and elbow dropping them from behind.

Hollweg earns his living on boarding, charging and high hits from behind.

Either way, the complaints about the refs seem to be the Rags built in excuse for losing. All things being equal, that franchise has benefitted from the lousy reffing more than they've been hurt by it.

Can't really take their whining and complaining seriously.

505 ~ Chickendirt

Zip n Staple were complaining and whining about the refs before the Rags even got into Pittsburgh .... they were defeated before the zamboni cut the ice after the morning skate prior to game 1.

You guys got it spot on!!

The fact that they made a huge stink over Crosby's "favorite son" status .. just is shameful ... who cares? The Rags had to go out and play their game. The Rangers also had been the benefactor of some soft calls drawn by Drury and Jagr a good part of the season ... that crap happens ... its been part of the game since ... well ... since the begining of the game.

If I whined about officiating when I play... my coach would give me a shift off so I could re-think what I should be thinking about ... and that was MY GAME .... as soon as you let bad calls / non-calls seep into your skull .... you begin playing with a defeatist attitude and you might as well just hang 'em up.

When you feel a call has went against you ... you have to channel your frustration to determination ... and conquer in spite of the disadvantage ... it makes victory taste that much sweeter.

Isn't it embarrassing when "journalists" whine about officiating as if they're fans?

Anyway, Rag whining (by coaches, players, fans and media fanboys) is the sweetest sound in the world. If there were a Rag Whining Music Choice channel, I'd have it on frequently as soothing background music.

Speaking of Zipay "playing fanboy";

"This was not a terrible game for the Rangers, neither was Game 1. But their defensemen are getting outworked and outhustled by the Pens forwards -- not just Crosby and Malkin, but Jordan Staal, Tyler Kennedy and Adam Hall."

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The Rags blowing a three goal lead and losing 5-4 is not a "terrible game"?

Getting shutout in a game two is not a "terrible game"?

The D getting outhustled and outworked is not a "terrible game"?

This homerism is disgusting!!!! I think if Logan ever wrote this of the Isles the fans would be out for blood!!!

Chickendirt, I agree with you... I am not sure if I believe all Islanders fans would object if Logan were a homer, but I personally am glad he isn't. But it's true, the bitter cynics on this blog would have a fit if Logan soft-pedaled the Islanders' problems as a team and an organization.

It is an interesting difference in mentality between Islanders and Rangers fans... Ranger fans like to be reassured that their team is superior, even when the facts don't back it up. Examples: Chanting "Henrik's better!" at Brodeur. Chanting "We want the Cup!" at various points during the season when no other team's fans (given the same record) would do so, because they wouldn't perceive their team to be poised to win the Cup. Referring to the Rangers as having a great history as a franchise, when in fact they are the Cubs of the NHL (though their fans yap like Yankee fans). Islander fans, on the other hand, are henny-pennies -- we always view things in the most negative, alarmist light.

Avery showed more of his true colors at the end of the game. Spears the goalie, yet will not drop the gloves b/c King George was on the ice. What a WUSSSSSSS BAG ! AVON AVERY not getting it done!

2 games and Lundquist getting out played. A big time goalie steps up. We shall see. If you cannot hold a 3-0 lead in the playoffs, stay on the porch !!! That is like giving 505 three shots of jd head start...He would CLOSE the deal ! :) :)

OK where are all the Stranger fans? We told you it wasn't going to be that easy.

Posted by Steady | April 27, 2008 22:34 .....................

2 games and Lundquist getting out played. A big time goalie steps up. We shall see. If you cannot hold a 3-0 lead in the playoffs, stay on the porch !!!.....

Of all the CLUELESS statements Steady has made throughout the year,this one trumps them all.

Steady,DID YOU ACTUALLY WATCH THE GAMES?If you did you are really clueless!

KH Sorry, but I disagree. There is a huge difference between highlighting the negative and simply speaking the truth. The Islanders were a horrible team this year, period. Even if the club had not suffered so many injuries, they were not a playoff team. Simply put, they took a big step backwards this year.

When your team goes from 6 twenty goal scorers to 2 and your top point producer can't crack 50 points, you stink. When your top 4 scorers were -21, -15, -11 and -17, you stink. When you finish 26 th in a 30 team league, you stink.

There is nothing wrong with being realistic. As a great man once said "Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining."

Yeah ... I'm gonna take Sir William's side on this one .... the Islander's stunk? That is kind of putting it nicely.

I think Greg Logan ... as any sports journalist would have to ... has to balance his critique and praise for a team that he covers .... because basically ... if he railed the team over and over without dredging up the positives ... he'd never get any inside scoops ... Sports journalism is a bit like politics ... it's about who's got seniority ... who's with the winning team ... and who's greasing palms ( positive stories).

But I've never seen Logan discect the team's whoas more critically than we have over the course of the season ... I don't think any reporter can without losing the inside track with the team.

Fluff journalism is prevelent in sports .... look how long the steroids issue that was obvious to fans to finally got taken seriously.

A journalist reports the story, a jourbalist becomes part of the story.
Baumbach became THE STORY when he wrote his article about Arbour.
This week we have seen Staple and Zipay become THE STORY with their pre-Pen series (pig-Pen?) articles about Crosby diving and referee bias. So much so that THEY became the pre-game and in-game story as every NBC talking head EXCORIATED them iin front of a national audience yesterday.

Give me a low-key, professional REPORTER like Logan anytime.
I consider myself mature (well....at times) and intelligent enough to draw my own conclusions based on facts presented. I DO NOT need a writer or reporter to make those conclusions and to wax poetically for me.

It is incumbent upon real fans to not allow the medium to become the message, but rather insist that the medium adhere to a policy of only conveying the message.
Marshall McLuhan may have been correct about "the Medium", but it doesn't mean we have to allow or accept his theory.

Standing Ovation for 505 on his last post .... my sentiments exactly ..... just present me the facts .... I don't need any colorful explanation.... too many reporters these days insert themselves into the story.

I'm lucky in one respect ... I get to see a lot of the raw data, facts and video at work before the media homogenizes it.

Bottom line ladies--Im scoring in the playoffs and your team cant make the playoffs. I torture your "star" goaltender because there is not a single person on your team that can stop me. So, call me a punk all ya want--I own you and the cry baby goaltender the idiot signed for 15 years. Who wants to fight me?
You are the weakest team in hockey.

When the season is over I'm going to get a boob job. Looks like I can make an apointment for friday morning.

We all tried to fight you and you did not drop your gloves.

In the pivitol game yesterday you ahd 12 minutes of ice time and did not register a shot on goal or get under anyone's skin.

You again speared a goalie at the end of the game, proving DP and Brodeur are rigth about what they say about you.

When King George tried to fight you, you turtled and kept your gloves on.

p.s Tell your goalie that a 3 goal lead MUST be held on to in a playoff game.

Nahhhhhhhhhhhh Nahhhhhhhhhhhhh Nah Nah....HEyyyyyyyy Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Heyyyyyyyyyyyyy Good-bye !!!!

The last time I dropped my gloves I broke a nail. I just had a spa treatment before the playoffs and I just feel so pretty with my fake tan. Do I look orange on tv ? As far as the goalies go, I just have a thing for men who wear a mask.

I go tanning and paint my nails for the media hype and to get in touch with my feminine side. I am so angry I cannot get under the skin of the Penguins and my ice time has been cut in half. I hope George Laraque does not punch me.

Steady, dead wrong, no disrespect intended. The one guy you can't blame the 0-2 hole on is Lundqvist. I'm not sure if you watched the games but 4 goals went off people in Game 1 and he was outstanding yesterday. He is NOT being outplayed by MAF because the Rangers aren't putting anywhere near the pressure on MAF as the Pens are putting on Hank. He kept them in yesterday's game and he played well in game 1 facing many more dangersous scoring chances.

I know when you lose a three goal lead you look to the goalie first, but in this case it never should have been a three goal lead. He kept them in the game early and they just fell apart defensively after that. The final score of that game should have been 7 or 8 to 4. I really can't blame him on losing the lead. He made many great saves to keep it from getting out of hand and goals were going in off of everyone (on MAF as well).

Hank has been the best Ranger on the ice, the rest, especially the D, have not played well. I'm sure you're all enjoying the 0-2 hole, I would be if it were the other way around. But to say that MAF is "outplaying" Hank is incorrect. Without him this would be worse. He's a big time goalie, no doubt, and we're lucky to have him!

Well said Brian, and bregrudgingly I agree with you. Lundqvist has really been playing well, its been the defense thats been the let down. Not counting the good saves Lundqvist has made, there were a few blown backdoor chances by the Pens where they were allowed to just stand at the front of the net unhindered. Particularly in the second period I thought the score should have been 3-0 going into the third. In the third though the Rangers controlled the play. This series is still a lot closer than it looks (unfortunately).

Also... holy bandwagon...even up to Zipay himself. Rangers were in both games, why does it seem like everyone is throwing in the towel already? I mean, I really hope this series is over in two more games but I doubt that will be the case.

I guess Steady is looking pretty foolish right now buy saying Lundqvist has been outplayed in the Penguin series.Steady,you are no longer under consideration for the Islanders GM job when Snow gets the boot. Or the Islanders coaching position when Nolan gets fired next month.You may still apply for the head ice girl job so you can try to abuse Henrik next year.I bet you'll look real sharp when the gals wear the Orange outfit.

How do I get consideration for the Head Ice Girl position?

Odd(?) that no Ranger fans would be interested in a free pass to their locker room.
Clearly the sweet stench emanating from Avery's locker is overwhelming their sense of virility.

505, even as a Rangers fan you'd have to fight me for anything that mentions "Ice Girl" and "position". Throw in the blond chick who works the between period promotions and I'm all in.

505, from previous post. I've actually been thinking about getting into Sr. League BB. At 36, I know I can still hit. My problem is I have 45-50 year old knees. And if I can't catch anymore, well, I always found the other positions unfullfilling. You just can't match the responsibilties of catching. During summer league doubleheaders I would catch the first game and DH the second. I couldn't stand DHing.

I wouldn't say that Lundqvist was being outplayed ... MAF is having a solid series so far ... but 2 games doesn't make a series .... but I will say that Lundqvist did have a hand in blowing game 1 ... deflections are part tough luck ... part bad anticipation and positioning ... a goalie ... and my goalie friends on here will probably agree ... a goalie has to anticipate deflections and cut down angles .... other than that ... Lundqvist has had a strong series ... and was particularly effective in game 2.

From where I stand ... Lundqvist carbon copied the rest of the team in game 1 ... he started playing back ... and he tends to do that and cheat back in his crease more relying on his outstanding .... yes I said outstanding butterfly skills .....

However .... I scratch my head when ever I watch a hockey game with a dominant butterfly goalie ... Hasek, Luongo, Lundqvist ... and other BFGs .... they are soooooooooo vulnerable up top ... wrap arounds are denied ... but those goalies are fodder for forwards if they shoot high .... Staal's goal yesterday in close he lifted up top shelf on Lundy .... and I always am flabberghasted as to why other players don't do the same.

The Pens I was surprised didn't take that into account .. when they started to take control of the game and challenge Lundqvist up high ... especially on weird angles.

I've always been a student of the game ... and when I play and I see a goalie rely on the butterfly ... I salvate for a chance to rip one top shelf ... after pump faking a low drive. Or going on my back hand and lifting it over the goalie's pads.

Watch for that in the rest of the series ... Lundqvist will be giving up goals up high.

Brian,
Re Ice Girls....AND ALL THIS IS OT SPORTS FANS....
In spite of being a Ranger fan...well..there would STILL be no fight.
I'm older, wiser, uglier, fatter, and balder (a lifetime of too many U-turns under the sheets).
I'd win hands down.

As far as MSBL.....DO IT.
I started playing again at age 37 when I hadn't picked up a ball in 15 years. It was a decision I have never regretted and even now....being out for a year....I am oh so close to going back at 52.
(I'd have to put the ciggies out again).

I understand your "catcher's mentality".
First two years I ONLY wanted to pitch (and hit).
Had the same "wanna be in control" thought process. (BTW, I always deferred pitch calling to catchers....unless they were morons).
After 2 years of 150+ pitch games and way too many 7-8 out innings (defense can be spotty in MSBL), I finally blew out the rotator, and am only good for about 30 pitches a game now.
BUT I COULD AND CAN STILL HIT!!!
So I'd hide myself at 1st/3rd or the outfield (LF/RF) and get GREAT SATISFACTION out of knocking down opposing 1st basemen or making outfielders run really far for little white balls. (I bat left).

There is no feeling like crushing Mr. Diamond or Mr. Spalding, and having a wider "safety zone" to hit it into, unlike golf.

DO IT BRIAN.... You will not regret it.....do some catching and focus on HITTING!!! Like I said.....if you can catch 5-6 innings....you are a valued commodity.
Besides...if you can catch....my guess is you have probably pitched at some point in your career....throw a coupla innings.

Guys I have NOT POSTED in over two weeks. I went back and read what you are all talking about, but that WAS NOT ME !!! Although they did write like me and the line to 505 was kind of funny.

Just another one of my many fans.

Those that know me, know I picked the Rags to win this series and go to the cup.

Lundquist played great yesterday or they would of got crushed. In game one, to not hold a three goal lead is unacceptable. So in terms of that game, there is no excuse. Do not give me any bs of off skates, deflections, blah blah blah......That game needs to be won.

As for Anon and others calling me out....You are the clueless ones. WHY ARE YOU ON AN ISLANDER BLOG ????

One more thing Brian....
Play in a league that does some crossover games with MABL (18-30 year olds).
Another great satisfaction is taking some young buck's 85+ heater that was aimed at your overhanging belt buckle and depositing it over the 440 mark in right center and watching the look in their eyes as your sorry old ass SLOWLY trots around the bases. (Thank God for altitude and aluminum bats).
And then watching the next inning as "the kids" are flailing away and popping up well spotted 65 MPH schitballs.

I have long maintained that Greg Maddux wouldn't last more than 3-4 innings in an MSBL game... We're used to seeing junk like his all the time. He can get away with it in the Big Leagues....cuz no one pitches like that....but we would quickly catch him in MSBL.

But that's just my biased self-serving opinion....I could be wrong.

I am amused at the attention Iclander fans give me. All of you want a guy like me on the team..someone to breathe life into the dour building you inhabit. I not only play with heart, stir things up and score key goals, but, I can beat any Icelander in a fight.

In the past 10 years, never has a team devoid of scoring talent sported such a weak, listless team. Ladies, us Rangrs have a rivalry with Philly and NJ much more than NYI's now...its very sad. The Icelanders have so little heart, so little muscle, its a breeze to play them.

You all keep talking about being tough..NO ONE on the Island can deal with me, let alone the concussion prone sissie from Beantown. Hes a fruit, like all of you

Sean~

Why did you back down to witt and Brennan? Why did your coach only give you 12 minutes of play time last night in a must win game? Why are you posting on an Islander Bog board?

why do you go tanning? Why do you wear nail polish?

Why did you not drop the gloves after spearing the goalie yesterday?

Move along Avon Avery...You are way to easy of a target!

p.s Why do you use Steve Sommers word "Icelanders?" The guy is a dried up raisin that NO ONE LISTENS to and is on at 3am. He knows less about hockey than you if that is possible.

Steady,
"Although they did write like me and the line to 505 was kind of funny."

Yeah, Steady, my gaydar antenna went up when "you" started blasting Lundquist.......as well the fact that by now I think you know that "3 shots of JD" is not my weapon of choice.
But it WAS funny.
To whom it may concern....
If it's shots...Jameson or Tulemore Dew.
If it's simple basic drinking....Capt Morgan and coke.
If it's drinking affiliated with sport's spectating....Beer--COLD.
If it's morning after drinking....any rotgut vodka with cranberry or tomato juice..
If it's "I need to temporarily go over to the dark side of my personality"......any Scotch, preferably Pinch.
If it's stranded on a desert island with Jessica Biel....any day old slightly fermented coconut milk with a twist of sea anemone will do just fine.

"If it's stranded on a desert island with Jessica Biel....any day old slightly fermented coconut milk with a twist of sea anemone will do just fine."

Stirred.....not shaken.
I call that the poor man's Bond.

Sean-

Why is my team never in the playoffs?
Why are there more Ranger fans than Icelander fans at Nassau?
How come the Islanders have no one on thee team who fights?
Why is Brendan Witt a HUGE poser, never fights, and is slow?
Why can a pee-wee team physically beat the Islanders up?
Why do I like men?

Why are we all obsessing on Sean Avery? Im happy he is doing well, it has no affect on our team, and thats all there is to it. Go to the Ranger site to talk about Ranger players.

Steady: you are getting weird man. Sean, ya need to grow up.

LETS GO ISLANDERS!!

LOL.....

KH?????
Posting on Zip's blog just now?

Who was it that advised me to stay outta there a few days ago?

Beeyootifull.

Whoever pays Avery $4 mill a year is asking for trouble. this guy is a total flake. Honestly, the guy is a little weasal, how about him spearing Fleury yesterday and then practically hugging the linesman so he woudn't get his rear kicked. I hope someone knocks his teeth out. btw, Dallas looks like the real deal, would love to see them make the finals.

Mike- Avery may not be wirth 4mm, but he's pretty hot..gotta admit.

Nite Nite.

I want the ranger fans to leave this board now.
Leave me alone.

Jacobs.....If you cannot tell that all the posts after the one I told you it was NOT ME are fake, than I can't help you. I have many trolls that have it in for me b/c I am a true Isles fan and post the truth.

All the ones above are one of those trolls....He goes by Gary, #1, Sam Rosen, JD, etc. etc. HE is a lost soul that comes on here b/c we all know hockey and he hates the fact most of us have forggoten more hockey than he could EVER learn.

It amuses me though. Keep it up my lost puppy.