Islander News Articles 11/18:

Newsday: Greg Logan's Sunday article is about the change in leadership since last season and what Bill Guerin brings to the locker room. He writes people from one end of the organization to the other credit the subtraction of Yashin and the addition of Guerin for creating a new sense of togetherness and purpose.

"He's been great in our locker room," said enforcer Chris Simon, who is close to Nolan and understands better than anyone what kind of leadership is required to play the coach's style. "Billy's play speaks for itself," Simon said. "He plays in the hard areas. He's not a perimeter player. When a guy plays the way he does and carries himself the way he does, everybody listens from young guys to older guys. That's a real good thing."

"The biggest thing to me was the chemistry and the camaraderie on the team, making sure everybody wanted to be there and wanted to be a part of the Islanders," Guerin said Saturday. "I think we have that. We've got a great group of guys. We support each other, and we're trying to make it like a family.

Asked what needed to change, Guerin answered quickly. "It's just a feeling," he said. "There's more a sense of unity this year than there was last year. There's not 17 guys on one page, two guys on one and one on another. Everybody's on the same page."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
No direct quote from anyone regarding Alexi Yashin which is unfair if Logan is going to make such a claim on a team with so many new faces.

No doubt Guerin is a huge positive in the locker room but Guerin himself said it's what you do on the ice, the rest is just words.

Simon's comments are interesting but Guerin has been almost entirely a perimeter player all season who's offensive contribution has been one game Olaf Kolzig struggled where he took a lazy shot from long distance on a five on three that squeaked through. His only goal in front of the net was against Kevin Weekes in overtime on another players hard work. To this point Yashin's season a year ago has been better on the ice than Guerin's.

Alexei Yashin's Islanders made four of the last five playoffs, only he knows how much he wanted to be captain or what he failed to do in the job behind the scenes but it's fair to say Yashin did not have anyone like a Comrie, Guerin to work with either and he's scapegoated for not be supported. He also has to be given credit for a good statistical year from Blake, Simon and especially Viktor Kozlov.

As Blake said himself when he signed in Toronto, Yashin was expected to perform miracles. Kozlov praised Yashin when he signed in Washington also.

Let's not pull punches here either, Yashin was not good with the media and that's not going to win him points with someone who's on a deadline and needs material.

Guerin's grade as captain comes down to the club's record, not how players get along off the ice.

Newsday: Greg Logan also did a second feature on Josef Vasicek who leads the NHL in shooting percentage.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's blog has comments from Bates about his first game and the loss against Hershey.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's article in the paper.

Bridgeport 6, Hershey 3

AHL.com: Has the game report on Bridgeport's 6-3 loss at Hershey on Saturday.

Shawn Bates scored a pp goal in the third peirod in his first game on his only shot.

Blake Comeau and Steve Regier also scored. Sound Tigers were outshot 27-10 over the final two periods and trailed entering the third. Kip Brennan got his money's worth and more in the fighting department. Bates also had a penalty.

Sound Tigers next game is Wednesday which again will be at Hershey.

2 - BRI Brennan, 3:07 - Roughing , 2 min (PP)
2 - BRI Brennan, 3:07 - Roughing , 2 min (PP)
2 - BRI Brennan, 3:07 - Misconduct - Unsportsmanlike Conduct (75.4), 10 min
3 - BRI Brennan, 1:53 - Roughing , 2 min
3 - BRI Brennan, 1:53 - Roughing , 2 min (PP)
3 - BRI Brennan, 14:52 - Roughing , 2 min (PP)
3 - BRI Brennan, 14:52 - Fighting , 5 min
3 - BRI Brennan, 14:52 - Game misconduct , 10 min

Hershey did not score on the powerplay in the game.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sound Tigers on paper should be better than their record to this point by a lot with the talent on that roster.

Saturday Islander/NHL Notables

NY Times: George Vecesy visited the Prudential Center in Newark for yesterday's Islander game to do a feature on access to the arena for local fans.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Nice article, but no game coverage for two local teams where one player is going for five hundred wins? Not George Vecesy's fault but if the Times is attending why is the editor not allowing a game feature?

Canadian Press and countless articles: Report Anaheim goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov was claimed on waivers but the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday.

The LA Times and several articles: Have the background on why Bryzgalov was put on waivers by Anaheim.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I followed this a little concerned an Atlantic team (Pittsburgh) could take him and improve their goaltending. Have to respect Brian Burke for keeping his word but all he got was cap space for a solid goaltender who had a very strong playoff a few years ago and was on a cup winner last season. I'm glad he's staying in the Western Conference.

Sound Tigers Website: Has a preview of Saturday's game at Hershey.

So far Islander management made right calls

CBS Sportsline: Wes Goldstein had an article Friday listing his top ten bargains to date for free agents and busts from this summer's free agent class. Vasicek was fifth on the bargain list with Richard Zednik tenth. Jason Blake and Tom Poti made the bust list at ninth and tenth. Jeff Hamilton and Michael Peca made the bargain list.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Looks like Garth Snow, Ted Nolan and the hockey committee made the right calls so far. Given Fedotenko's salary it's easy to omit him as a bargain but his impact on games are usually very visible. Goldstein's article does not get in right on Vasicek, who's line came to life starting with Bergenheim's placement on left wing and continued throught his injury.

Islanders were supposedly very interested in Eric Perrin in Atlanta who also made the list. Zednik's slow start cannot be ignored but he is producing for them now.
I saw Poti's giveaway for a goal against and to read about a groin injury makes me think Islanders knew what they were doing considering the Caps struggles and his contract and the same can be said of Kozlov.

Fair to say the jury should still be out on Comrie and Guerin because they are paid to be first line players, but overall the Islanders record at this point says they made the right decisions. Still both players have to get their numbers for this to work over eighty two games.

Islander News Articles 11/17:

Newsday: Greg Logan has comments from the players and coach Ted Nolan on Rick DiPietro's play and the team effort in Friday's win against the Devils.

"Not only did he block the shots, but he handled the puck very smartly tonight. He didn't just shoot the puck around the boards and try to make long passes. He made some long passes, but there was a lot of thought. He made some great plays for us."

"I think it's just age; he's coming into his own," defenseman Brendan Witt said of DiPietro. "As a young goalie, there's so many expectations. Last year didn't help because the media was blowing out his whole deal. This year, he knows the type of player he is, and he expects a lot of himself.

"As defensemen, we don't want him to stop everything. We want him to play within himself and not try to stop every kind of shot available. He's very confident and mentally strong. Last year, if a weak one got in, he'd be really upset. Now, he just parks it and goes forward and doesn't dwell on it, which is great."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
DiPietro gets a 1-0 win and part of the story from the primary beat writer is to mention his ego as a storyline? How about his record against Brodeur.

Cannot think of anything last year where DiPietro showed any ego so not sure why Logan brought that up from a goalie who's performance was not hyped by Newsday's beat writer as one of the best in the NHL last season who faced more shots per game than any other NHL goaltender and proved he is a franchise goaltender in this league.

Daily News: Peter Botte covered the game.

"It's not a thing you ever expect. ... Fortunately I was in the right place at the right time," Vasicek said. "I knew I had all the time. I just tried to get (Brodeur) moving, and wait him out."

NY Post: Mark Everson writes one article for both teams game coverage.

Newark Star Ledger & North Jersey/Bergen Record: Tom Gulitti has the Devils coverage.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's Saturday article is on Ryan Kinasewich who is up on a tryout contract from Utah.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Hershey Bears
WHEN — Tonight, 7
WHERE — Giant Center, Hershey, Pa.
ON THE AIR — WAVZ-AM 1300; Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

Mark Wotton-Expected to rejoin team.
Shawn Bates-Expected to play.

New York 1, New Jersey 0

Islanders website: Has the recap of tonight's 1-0 Islanders win against New Jersey.

"These are the games we want to play tight and smart," said DiPietro. "And tonight we played a good game. We limited our mistakes and came out on top. You hope every year you get better and better and things come easier. I feel I'm taking strides in the right direction and I hope it continues."

"I thought he played a real solid game," said head coach Ted Nolan about his goaltender. "Not just the way stopped and blocked shots, but also the way he handled the puck."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
This might have been the worst NHL game I have watched all season, even with so many teams trapping. Maybe it was the ice but both teams were very sloppy and so much center ice play.

Devils seemed all night to be looking for that home run pass for an odd man rush. Islanders defense was outstanding and blocked the lanes and did enough to force the Devils to bad angles.

Worst effort offensively out of all three games but when you win, everyone is happy so you take the points and move on. I cannot remember the last time anyone had the time Vasicek had to make all those moves, it was like a practice drill where it hit the shaft of Brodeur's stick, rolled up, over and in.

In terms of defense the Islanders should be very happy considering it was three games in four days. They got in the lanes and blocked enough chances or the Devils simply missed the net. DiPietro was locked in and did not give anything in terms of rebounds which he did do against Philadelphia.

This was a very ugly game, a good road win from an offense that is struggling to create chances and really did not force Brodeur to be very good. Hunter was dominating at times, some good individual play but nothing to create a great chance.

On the other end DiPietro did not have to make one great save. Devils have too much talent to play this poorly, even without Colin White and Langenbrunner. Brent Sutter
should be under some pressure here because he has too good a roster on offense.

From an Islander standpoint you win ugly it counts just the same and credit the goaltender and defense. A lot of standout performances on the backline.

NYI Fan Central Live Blogging vs Devils.

NYI FAN Central will get a piece of the rock and do a live blog tonight during the game from my blog box:

Live updates begin at 7:10pm when the puck drops:
No Paul Martin for Devils.
Guerin goes back with Fedotenko and Comrie, Hunter back to Sillinger line with Hilbert, Park will center fourth line with Jackman and Simon.

Elias moves to center, Asham starts game on fourth line left wing.

Brodeur vs DiPietro
****************************************************
First Period:

* Devils quick icing.
* Guerin finds Fedotenko for two side angle shots, stopped by Brodeur, good opening shift.
* Hunter went for centering pass had lane to net.
* Martinek good block of odd man rush.
* Save DiPietro on backhand shot, first whistle.

* Parise long shot, save DiPietro, no screen.
* Campoli point shot off Bergenheim pass, save Brodeur, good screen.
* Good tie up by Campoli on centering pass by Devils, icing Islanders.
* Giveaway by Devils, Jackman gave it right back.
* Clarkson vs Jackman fight-Decision Clarkson who got in a punch or two with free arm and take down.

* Pelley second good setup, Guerin shot wide, choppy play. Martink shot blocked.
* Hilbert soft shot stopped from bad angle.
* Gionta shot tipped over net.
* Bad angle shot by Satan stopped and held by Brodeur.
* Eleven minutes left in 1st.

* Park gets shift in Bergenheim's spot. Gionta good shot, Devils second good chance stopped by DiPietro.
* Comrie line some pressure, no shot.
* Parise wrap-around stopped that hits post, Devils picking up play and skating, offsides.
* 8:10 left in first.

* Guerin poor angle shot, rebounds hits Comrie for a much tougher second save.
* Jackman good forecheck but no shot.
* Zubrus shot off DiPietro glove goes wide, Hunter shot misses.
* Vasicek offsides.
* 5:12 left first.

* Devils breakup Satan rush, no sustained offense by Islanders. Devils shot blocked by Islanders defense, out of play.

* Guerin shot blocked.
* Sloppy offense zone passing by Islanders, Brookbank shot wide, DiPietro save on Brookbank.

* Elias wrap around stopped by DiPietro.

* Point shot by Devils off faceoff, stopped by DiPietro, Martinek penalty, Islanders shorthanded.

* Save Dipietro, Park loses stick, shooting gallery for Devils with all shots missing net as they had Park (no stick) and Sillnger running around and pressure for entire two minutes, Witt (with Park's stick) Sutton hold ground. Two saves by DiPietro.

* Islanders chance at end as Brodeur is hit, coincidental penalties as period ends.

Devils better pressure but neither goalie tested much. Islanders struggling to create and a very predictable offense against a beatable defense.
Shots 7-7
Witt: over eight minutes
****************************************
Second Period:

* Teams start four on four Comrie-Johnny Oduya penalty

* Lot's of center ice sloppy play both sides.
* Comrie good shot off broken play from Guerin pass out of box, save Brodeur.
* Sutton hits post from outside on Devil turnover.
+ Save DiPietro throught screen.
* Simon shot blocked, ran forward and clipped him for a foolish offensive zone penalty.

* Devils turnover shorthanded, Vasicek with all day and a backhand that took forever to float over Brodeur for a goal 1-0 New York. Mike Mottau lost puck or blew tire in hockey terms.

* Devils pp continues, Brookbank shot, save DiPietro.
* PP over, Guerin long shot off Comrie pass, save Brodeur.
* Berard bodies Parise off puck.
* More sloppy play both sides, Devils cycling.
* Gionta good shot, save DiPietro from faceoff circle, puck bouncing a lot.
* Islanders three on one could not get shot through without being blocked.
* Very choppy play both sides.

* Chicken Dance, lot's of Islander fans.

* Following the bouncing puck 9:25 left in second.
* Park wrap around on fourth line, save Brodeur.

* More center ice play, Satan line good pressure, but no shot. Berard shot, blocker save. Gervais angle shot.
* Good pressure by Comrie line, save on poor angle shot by Guerin, Fedotenko pulled down, Pelley penalty, Islander pp.

* Hunter shot from circle, save Brodeur.
* Hunter hits post from circle.
* Campoli save, Brodeur.
* Hunter shot through crease.
* Satan to Campoli to Hunter, Berard to Hinter, Campoli shot saved by Brodeur...clear.
* Comrie get's through defense, no shot, cleared.
* Penalty over.
* Pelley angle shot, save DiPietro whistle.

* Islanders shot through screen, good pressure by Vasicek line.
* 3 minutes left.
* Parise soft shot saved by DiPietro.

* Sutton got picked by official but recovered in his end of ice and Zubrus lost puck.
* Berard reads centering pass well, icing.
* Devils point shot hits Jay Pandolfo, play stops.

* Parise shot, save DiPietro, final minute.
* Parise shot wide, Devils skating hard.
* Islanders offsides.
* Devils good rush at DiPietro by Gionta, save on centering pass on point shot.
* End of second period 11-9 shots.
* 1-0 New York

* Islanders could have had two or three, more dangerous chances that peirod, Devils finshed strong. Ice seems terrible because puck is bouncing like a rock.
***************************************************
Third Period:

* Cood opening shift by Comrie line, good pressure and wrap around save by Brodeur, Campoli pinched well.
* Devils shot wide by Elias.
* Save on Sillinger backhand, save on Hilbert chop at puck.
* Langenbrunner good pressure and shots off DiPietro from bad angles for redirections.
* Hand pass on Fedetenko/Comrie.

* Fedetenko good give and go with Berard off touch pass. Devils penalty.
* Centering pass blocked and cleared.
* Islanders cannot get over center ice with turnovers, sloppy play.
* Penalty over, two harmless shots.

* Devils off sides.
* 13:28 left in third.

* Devils juggling lines.
* Comrie goud chance, lost puck.
* More center ice play, both sides.
* Devils trying to step up play, good pressure.
* Islanders icing 10:46 left in third, Park takes shift with Vasieck line.

* Islanders defense slowed down Parise one-timer on block (Martinek) point shot off faceoff save DiPietro, Islanders icing.
* Center ice play, long shot save and held Brodeur.
* 9:27 left third.

* Clarkson long shot save DiPietro.
* Comrie pressure, Devils clear.
* Satan line cycle.
* Satan bad angle shot, save Brodeur.
* Parise line pressure, shot wide Elias.
* Nice save DiPietro on Elias point shot, heavy Devils pressure.

* Islanders clear, Zajac rush save DiPietro.
* Center ice play, hand pass New Jersey.

* Fedotenko shot blocked, cleared.
* Gionta set play, big save DiPietro.
* Parise shot missed as Devils broke in again.
* Elias rush in shot wide as he split defense as he was forced wide.
* Big Devils pressure again.
* Islander pressure, Hunter turnaround stopped by Brodeur. Jiggs mentions Tonelli like play as Hunter just bulls puck along board.
* Madden bomb stopped and held by DiPietro
* 3:33 left in third....

* Video review-Hunter wrap around. A call from Toronto?
* NEVER. But it looked inconclusive.

* Hunter more hard work and a shot stopped and held by Brodeur.
* Langenbrunner shot, Islanders clear.
* Vasicek clear.
* 2:35 left
* Devils sloppy in center ice.
* Guerin clear 1:50 left.
* Gionta wide, Brodeur out, Devils shot off post.
* Islanders clear
* Play stops puck off Devil 45 second left.

* Time out New York
* Brodeur on bench faceoff outside Islanders zone.
* Islanders clear
* Devils dump in
* Hunter clear...no icing.
* Devils dump in, DiPietro around the boards..


1-0 ISLANDERS WIN........Pass the oxygen.

NYI Fan Central Voting for All Star Team

NHL.com: Has it's link up to vote for the NHL All-Star game and I thought I would share who I voted for and talk about how strange the voting process is.

The good news is you can vote for any player without doing a write in.

The bad news is the primary list of players had some of the strangest choices, many who had poor seasons. Why they simply could not have listed every player at the top when they have that option anyway at the bottom to me makes no sense.

I voted based on the top part of the list and did not see you could write in any twelve players you wanted until after I was done.

You have players like Bryan McCabe on the primary defenders list, players like Scott Gomez and his thirteen goals last year on the list. I don't know if it's based on last year or this year because many players were not very good either year on their primary list.

You have to select twelve player to vote for, three forwards, two defenders, one goaltender. Six from each conference and if you are a Buffalo Sabres fan who wants to vote the entire team in and have that kind of free time, you can spam the vote.

Yes, this goes for those Rory Fitzpatrick fans out there too.

I voted not knowing you could write in any twelve players at the bottom. Given the poor choice of primary players there was no set logic in my voting and some Islander bias here and I did look at last season a lot.

1-Jason Blake based on his forty goals last season with the Islanders, without his production the Islanders do not make the playoffs.

2-Bill Guerin because he had thirty six goals last year on two teams and even though he is not scoring often is the leader of a winning team many felt would be in last at this point.

3-Sidney Crosby because of his age and production and Pittsburgh's record last year.

4-Ryan Whitney of Pittsburgh because he deserved it far more for his club's success than McCabe, Chara or Kaberle who's teams were terrible on defense last year.

5-Dan Boyle because of the outstanding year he had with Tampa Bay and because of how he did well on a club geared toward offense.

6-Rick DiPietro because he had a 9.19 save percentage on a team that gave up more shots per game than any other NHL team a year ago. Without him last year this team is in the NHL lottery. This team was also minus ninety in pp to penalty disparity and still finished ten games over five hundred. He was a dominating shootout goaltender for the most part. And does not have the trap other teams play with protecting him.

After I voted I discovered you could include anyone I would have pulled Dan Boyle and put in Brendan Witt, he was fantastic last season, has been again this year and deserved to be in.

Western Conference:
I do not watch the West like I used to and voted more on reputation in some cases and in others on individual results based on last season.

1-Joe Thornton
2-Pavel Datsyuk
3-Ryan Getzlaf-Best of an outstanding young group last year.
4-Nicklas Lidstrom
5-Dion Phaneuf-Would have been Pronger if playing.
6-Mikka Kiprusoff-Team did not trap like Luongo's Canucks.

Thoughts? Your choices?

11/16: New York at New Jersey 7pm FSN/MSG

Islanders Website/AP: Has the early preview of the Islanders first visit to Newark and the New Prudential Center.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
The Islanders are playing their third game in four nights against a team that must be furious and ready to play their most desperate hockey of the season to date after losing to the Rangers in their new building. You have Martin Brodeur who credited everyone but the Islanders for their win last Saturday trying to get his five hundreth win at home and you have Jamie Langenbrunner back in the lineup for the Devils who scored two goals in his first game.

Meanwhile you have a very predictable Islander offense that is getting most of it's scoring from Vasicek who just matched his total from last season and Satan. Comrie tipped in a shot for a goal against Pittsburgh but the finish has not been there.

Either DiPietro steals a low scoring game or the Islanders breakout and their offense wins a game. Cannot go three games in this league with zero points accumulated. In the second half last year Islanders lost three games in regulation over twenty games. The words, the speeches sound great but it has to happen on the ice.

Islander News Articles 11/16:

Newsday: Greg Logan has player reaction on the 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh Thursday and complaints about the penalty disparity.

"These are four-point games," forward Mike Sillinger said. "We don't want to look back and say we played a good game, but we lost. We've got to find a way to win these one-goal games, and I think a big part of it is executing on the power play."

"We made some mistakes," DiPietro said of the turnovers. "I don't think that was our best effort."

"Sean Bergenheim bumps their goaltender and they [get a power play], and Crosby bumps ours [and gets no call]," coach Ted Nolan said. "I don't know what the difference is. We've just got to live with it, but [eight penalties to four] is kind of lopsided."

Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Dave Molinary has the Pens centric coverage.

Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Rob Rossi has reaction from the Pens on breaking their losing streak.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has a feature on Shawn Bates. Thursday he updated his blog with a practice report where Bates played left wing on a line here with Ben Walter and Steve Regier.

Everything feels good," Bates said after Thursday's practice at the Arena at Harbor Yard. "I'm feeling ready to go, ready to play a game."

"It's one thing to ride the bike. It's one thing to do what Garrett (Timms, the Islanders' trainer) has been doing with him," Capuano said. "It's another thing to play a hockey game. Conditioning is going to be a big thing for him."

"For anybody who hasn't played that long, it'll be a little tough," Capuano said. "His enthusiasm, his excitement, being ready to play, that's going to off-balance some of that rust."

Vancouver Province and countless articles: Report Brett Hull has been named to interim gm of the Dallas Stars. This article examines the trends which began with Garth Snow.

Pittsburgh 3, New York 2

Islanders website: Has the early update on tonight's 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"We didn't set-up well," said Bryan Berard about the power that went 0-for-2. "We squeezed our sticks too tight and we didn't get enough shots through. We were rushing too much."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Did not create enough chances in Pittsburgh's end of the ice or work them enough in the corners. This is another game you have to take into overtime and get some kind of points in and it can snowball which is why the Flyer loss was important. They are getting some scoring from unexpected sources like Vasicek, but they need a lot more from this lineup.

Pittsburgh looked like a team waiting to lose this game in the third period and have been struggling so badly Mark Recchi and Darryl Sydor were healthy scratches.

Power play at the end looked totally lost and Pittsburgh almost gave them a great chance in the final seconds and if Fedntenko passes back to Park it's a tie game going to ot. Give up a two man power play to Pittsburgh and they will score, even if DiPietro should have had his post better on the play.

Too many turnovers from the defense, the one that led to Laraque's goal was a killer by Witt. Sutton did a solid job again.

Another expensive night with three teams in the division getting a least a point, about three of four things could easily have happened and I would be writing about at least one point. Park getting robbed, Hunter's post shot.

At times the Islanders have played better in the two losses then in some wins, it's not a lack of working hard.

11/15: New York at Pittsburgh 7:30 pm FSN

Media Blog: Cory Witt reports Jiggs McDonald will return to the broadcast booth for the next two games. Butch Goring is the expected replacement for Billy Jaffe on the commentary who's wife is expecting at any time.

Al Arbour will not be coaching this one.

Islanders website/AP: Has the early preview of tonight's game at Pittsburgh where the Pens go in on a four game losing streak.

"It's easy to look at the way things have gone the last few games and be critical and be negative, but we probably played our best game in the last few (against New Jersey)," said Crosby, who extended his point streak to 17 games. "We deserved to win, but it didn't happen."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A team on a four game losing streak on home ice with a very strong offense and two franchise offensive players is not a good matchup for the Islanders because they will be desperate here. New York will as always have to play the game in Pittsburgh's end of the ice and work their defense in the corners as they put pressure and shots on their goaltender. Last game for their two goals Islanders worked hard but had a lot of shots blocked and gave little in terms of offense, tonight I expect DiPietro to be tested a lot more.

Still no word on what the story with the defense will be in terms of Bergeron, Berard or both. I expect Guerin to return based on his comments. Park is likely going to center the fourth line but will likely move around based on how well he has played.

Islander News Articles 11/15:

Erik Boland: Has an update on Bill Guerin for Thursday's game against Pittsburgh who will wear a protective visor while Ted Nolan talks about the captain's value to the club.

"Something fluky like this is tough because other than that you feel great," Guerin said. "It's not like a wrist or arm or a leg, or something like that where you know you can't skate. Physically you feel fine, it's just this fluke incident that you're missing time for."

"It could have been much worse."

"Just his presence," Nolan said. "His mannerisms, the way he talks to his teammates before the game, the way he gets ready on the bench, the respect factor he has. All the intangibles. He's one of those guys you can get by without for a game or two but more than that, it's tough. We're glad he's back."

In terms of Lighthouse Project reaction in Newsday:
Chris Mascaro & Edin Laikin had positive and negative comments from residents and civic leaders with concerns and praise for the project. Peter KIng: Does on article on how Mr Wang decided on this concept when he visited NHL arena's a few years ago.

Pittsburgh Tribune Review & Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Have the Pens coverage which centered around Kris Letang joining the club to give them the right handed shot they need from the point and struggling Marc Andre Fleury getting the start against the Islanders. DiPietro is quoted about the ten pounds he lost helping his legs as the season progresses. Former Penguin Richard Park had a few words about how dangerous Pittsburgh's powerplay is. Former Sound Tiger Alain Nasreddine cleared waivers and was sent the to Pens AHL team in Scranton.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio notes Walter and Bates going to Bridgeport and why Bates can only stay with the Sound Tigers until around Thanksgiving. As usual he's well ahead of the New York papers and has the Pens stories on LeTang and Nasreddine.

Ct Post: Listed the Sound Tigers individual player statistics.

WE'RE ALL ISLANDERS ?

As a fan who owned a mailing list, moderated a message board I always used to laugh to myself at the people posting and wrote we when talking about their team as if they had some kind of personal stake in it.

I have kind of come around on that and feel that way myself at times now, but not to a point where I'm going to protect the New York Islanders at all cost, right or wrong.

It's kind of funny when you see a hockey incident where two teams have several fan sites and long time fans of the team wrap themselves up in the teams flag regardless of who is right or wrong as they rip the other side.

It's also clear a few of these fan sites may have their living depend on protecting the team that gives them insider access and sure do seem to react to protecting the sweater as if they are part of that team, in other words, we.

Even worse is now the long time fans of the team employed by newspapers also have no problem protecting the team and lock room beat they are assigned when the pressure is on from outsiders. It almost comes off like an obligation when you see some people doing backflips to get out Sean Avery's message.

Once in a while they will rip an unpopular player in the room who's a target of the fans but for the most part they make sure they do not become a problem because it could effect their job. And something that an old book called Ball Four by Jim Bouton has always been right about is your as smart or dumb as how well you are playing.

Larry Brooks ripped Brendan Shanahan a while back, a few days later he did a public retraction as if he knew it would hurt his personal working relationship with Shanahan and led to other players tuning out Brooks. Either that or the Rangers p.r people called the Post sports editor and Brooks was called on the carpet.

Many of these people are life long fans and even thought they are passionate and critical it's another thing when outside media from other teams rip their team. It's one thing for the local writer to rip a team or a player, it's another thing entirely when a writer for the opposing team does it.

As Otter said in Animal House " He can't do that to our pledges, only we can do that to our pledges."

It's kind of sad because in the end it's like a bunch of politicians lobbying for their party now. No wonder Msg pays so much to own all Islander, Devil and Sabre content on their network.

This does not even bring into play the life-long fans of these teams or former players with ties to the organization currently working in the media for outlet's like Tsn.ca/Espn or any other hockey news information source. Most of these folks are former players and coaches with life-long bonds to organization's and possible future jobs back in hockey are in the balance.

Of course the Islanders do not have this problem because they have virtually no
die-hard fans representing them in the media business which is why the proverbial glass will always be half empty win or lose. When the next Tucker-Peca incident happens that's why you can read out of Toronto Peca jumped into Tucker's clean hit and the person at Newsday will be too busy telling the fans about the Islanders trying to remain viable to even bother taking a stance because they have no passion for the team beyond filing their story.

When Evan Grossman put himself on the hook and wrote the Islanders would beat Ottawa in the playoffs he was blasted in Canada, why bother?

If there are any fans with private web sites they are outnumbered and do not want to become a target by themselves and take on the masses who are backed by teams or correctly do not want to stick up for the club when it is wrong which I personally think is the correct choice. You have to give the organization praise when it's merited and be critical when you need to be or why bother unless you are a paid employee.

As I have written previously we have a writer or two at Newsday who's job is essentially a paycheck and an assigment and the job requirement is not for a
die-hard fan. If an incident takes place they will tell the Islanders side of things while the shock jocks at the paper like a Jim Baumbach or a Mark Herrmann will come in and remind us the Islanders are just not a major player on the New York sports stage or just make sure some negative angle is a major theme of what they write.

It's kind of like the Chris Simon incident last year, as fans we had to read about Simon and what he did wrong and most of it was fair and accurate. That said when Ranger sites or writers tell us about Chris Simon they forget to include his suspensions and stick swinging incidents when he wore their laundry a few years ago or how he beat up Dave Scatchard who was playing in a shoulder harness.

And sure you can go back as far as when Cairns wore a Ranger jersey and Rich Pilon an Islander jersey. The laundry changes, the spin for the laundry does not.

What I'm getting at is can some of these sites and writers tone it down and not lobby around their own team every single time, right or wrong? Are they under so much pressure and so biased it's not possible as if they feel they must influence public opinion?

Ben Walter, Bates to Bridgeport & 10,000

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio updated his blog Wednesday and reports Ben Walter and Shawn Bates should be joining the Sound Tigers at practice Thursday. Bates will be with the club until around Thanksgiving on a conditioning stint.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I guess this means Guerin returns to the lineup against Pittsburgh and a decision on
whether the Islanders dress seven defenders with Berard's return or Jackman sits down. Still no word on where Freddy Meyer is going to play. It will be interesting to see what happenes with Bates when his conditioning stint ends.

Updated 7:30pm
Point Blank: Chris Botta updated his blog and confirmed Guerin went to Pittsburgh and his playing status will be determined after the morning skate along with Walter and Bates going to Bridgeport.

USHL.com: Finally released it's fan Q & A with Islander prospect Blake Kessel today.

New England Hockey Journal: Matt Kalman has an update on Petteri Nokelainen now that he is healthy and getting an opportunity with the Bruins.

FastHockey: Announced Pat LaFontaine has joined its Strategic Advisory Board. This company claims to be the Web’s leading resource for amateur hockey content and player recruiting and lists several major NHL figures as part of this company including former Islanders Marty McInnis, Ray Ferraro, Scott LaChance, Ted Crowley.

Took a little look at the page counter today folks, 10,000 page views for New York Islander Fan Central, thanks so much for the great support.

I added a feature today asking for feedback about what you like about this site and put in a spot if you think the site needs more work. Anything specific please send an email with comments and suggestions as always.

Major Nassau Coliseum Update

So much for an off day. The news surrounding the Coliseum project is critical news to the teams future and must be covered here. Newsday sees it as such also with more coverage than any game or event this hockey season.

Greg Logan's article: Describes the renovation plans, has comment from Rick DiPietro about the project but asks Charles Wang what's the future of the Islanders if this plan is not approved.

"Everyone asks me that question," Wang said when asked recently if there is a point at which he would have to move or sell the team. "I've been here on Long Island for 55 years. I don't want to go anywhere else.

"Yes, there is a point. But the last thing I want is for anything to be construed as a threat. If I wanted to, I could have made threats a long time ago. We've got to get it done. Lou Lamoriello got it done in New Jersey, and Bruce Ratner is getting it done in Brooklyn. We've never been this close before."

"If we can't get this done, we've got big problems on Long Island," Wang said. "It's going to be the crown jewel."

Mark Herrmann : After thirty plus years and four championships still questions if Long Island can house a professional sports team and if it's worth spending the money on such a project given what Wang loses per year running the franchise? He also has a long history of the companies that used to operate and generate big money for the region. For some reason Herrmann brings Ranger fans into this discussion

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Herrmann forget's without the tax exemptions MSG was given in the early 80's along with low cost electricity they still receive the Rangers would have moved to New Jersey and the Knicks to the Coliseum because the Garden was bleeding red ink and went throughout several ownerships and were not viable. I wonder if he would have written the same article about the Garden's viability in those days?

Business reporter Elizabeth Moore: Has comments on the presentation and more specifics with comments from gm Garth Snow and Bill Guerin.

Elizabeth Moore: Did a second article on some of the failed history and Al D'Amato's involvement and does an article on the developers and the community concerns here.

Daniel Wagner: Has an article on the history of bad deals regarding the concessions and lease that have created the problems over the years along with some construction details as to what a renovated Coliseum and the site would be comparable with.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Great plans, but the same old story.

The Republican machine that made problems for the Coliseum since the day it opened and gave Smg that lease along with some democrats see that land as their own for what they want and will never give it up to Charles Wang or Scott Rechler because they make no money from it. They prefer nothing ever be built than to surrender that land. I'm not sure what Wang will do with the club because he is bound by the lease until 2015 regardless but the Town of Hempstead, Smg are all about what's in it for them and perfer things stay as they are then forfeit their plans for that property which does not include the Coliseum or a hockey team.

You would hope the political climate that got the Devils, Mets, Yankees, Giants, Jets and Nets new homes would guarantee this project be approved but some Nassau County politicians have been fighting this forever and see it as their land for their personal business interests.

No doubt we will see negative reaction from the usual suspects soon enough.

Newsday: Greg Logan's blog update is on the Lighthouse project with more reaction from the players and coach Ted Nolan.

“A facility like Charles is attempting to build is fabulous,” said Nolan, who is in the second year of a three-year contract but hopes to remain with the Islanders and continue his efforts to revive the tradition of a four-time Stanley Cup franchise. “It’s something special for the fans here who went through good years and bad years and who see the team is starting to come back.

“I’ve seen videotapes and presentations of it. Even if it’s half of what I’ve seen on video, it’s going to be something spectacular.”

Ted Nolan state of the Islanders

Islanders website: Has an update from Ted Nolan on the state of the team where he praises players and updates the injury status of Berard and Guerin for the next game. He also makes comparisions to last year's team. Richard Park is singled out by the coach for his efforts.

"Last year the players didn't know me and I didn't know the players," said Ted. "We didn't know each other. We probably started building that trust halfway through the year. We built upon that at the start of this year with the strong leadership of Sillinger, Witt, Park and all the guys from last year. With new guys we brought in this year, the adjustment has been much quicker."

"We're happy with where we are now," said Nolan. "Guys are getting better and everyone is feeling more comfortable around with one another. We're on the right track to where we want to be."

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio updates his blog today on the Sound Tigers.

Islander/NHL notables

Newsday: Greg Logan updated his blog with Mike Sillinger, Rick DiPietro, Chris Campoli and Ted Nolan commenting on what went wrong with the special teams in the loss. Some things in the newspaper are repeated on Berard returning if he's cleared to play.

Dallas Stars Website: Report GM Doug Amrstrong was fired today with a 7-7 record after making the playoffs four years in a row by owner Tom Hicks.

“As an owner I have to be responsible for one person in Hockey Operations and that is the General Manager of the team,” said Hicks. “I thought that the team needed a change in direction. I know that change can be healthy and it was my determination that this move needed to be made. I want the Dallas Stars to return to being one of the elite teams in the league.

“Doug has been a great member of this organization for 17 years and has been a big part of the success we have had here in Dallas, starting under Bob Gainey and winning seven division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, making two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances and winning the Stanley Cup in 1999. He has been our General Manager for the past five years, and we’ve been to the playoffs the past four seasons.”

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Hicks has always been a very tough owner to work for and now that he cannot overspend as he did in the past someone had to pay the price for a mediocre start and in this case the long-time GM pays the price instead of coach Dave Tippett. Hicks is the man who also runs the Texas Rangers and signed Alex Rodriguez to a two hundred fifty million dollar contract which he would up paying part of just to trade him.

The Star Paul Hunter did one of countless articles on the latest Sean Avery, Darcy Tucker disgrace with Leaf shockjock from FAN590 Howard Berger in the middle because a New York Ranger player supposedly told Berger, Avery made an insulting commment to former Islander Jason Blake about his medical condition which Tucker responded to which triggered a pre game warmup incident. Avery and Tucker have met with Colin Campbell to see if and fines or suspensions are issued.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
This league would be far better off without Avery, Tucker or Howard Berger's involvement in any way because all three are about drawing attention to themselves. Good thing it's hockey because it may be a story in Canada but here it's a non-story here unless someone needs another excuse to not cover hockey.

So much for that Hall of Fame event when this stupidity tarnishes it and hockey's images. Campbell wants to make long suspensions for violence and make statements he has to do the same with this kind of conduct. Issue suspensions and hold the coaches accountable for their players conduct. That's why bench clearing brawls ended and that's how they will eliminate this.

Let's see Avery get five games, Tom Renney get five games for instigating and Tucker and Paul Maurice get two games. And if someone on the Islanders are involved let them be suspened without pay.

That's how you stop this for good.

Updated 6pm:
Tsn.ca: Releases the typical polished Msg statement from Avery where everything is denied, the league let's both players off with fines.

Islander News Articles 11/13:

Newsday: Greg Logan has comment and player reaction on the club's loss to Philadelphia where the special teams were a reason given. Berard if cleared will return to the lineup Thursday.

"You hold a team to 17 shots in their own building, you can't be too disappointed," coach Ted Nolan said. "Their three goals all came on broken plays."

"There was no power in the power play," Nolan said. "You have to get shots through."

"We were not sharp on the power play," Sillinger said. "You have to take the shot when you have the shot. Every time we got to the middle of the ice, we threw the puck back to the corner. If there was one area where we lost the game, it was special teams."

Newsday: Logan's second article was an update on Bill Guerin, Bergenheim's return to the lineup, finding DiPietro some time to rest in the schedule and a few other items.

NYI Fan Central Comments:

Note-Of course after Dan Martin did his preview to ask about attendance he was not permitted to travel to Philadelphia for the Post. Why did they even bother with a preview?

Philadelphia Daily News & Phiadelphia Inquirer Phillyburbs.com Delco Times have the Flyer centric coverage.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's article is on Sean Bentivoglio starting to score for the Sound Tigers.

Philadelphia 3, New York 2

Islanders Website: Has the recap of Monday's 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Tough way to lose a very winnable hockey game and the kind of game you want to come out of with at least an overtime point. Another game in Philadelphia where the Islanders simply could not finish enough and did not give up much but any kind of breakdown wound up in the net. Fedotenko a giveaway, Gervais makes contact with the skate of Upshall and he goes in and scores. Finally Vasicek falls or misplays the puck on the pp, Bergeron gets caught in the middle and DiPietro could not make a second save.

Park, Sillinger and Simon came through and made plays that led to goals or scored, they got the secondary scoring, but not the primary scoring from the top line. Too many blocked shots or missed chances and a game that for the most part was a good road game for the Islanders to play.

Philadelphia finished three Islander mistakes, it easily could have been four when Vasieck lost a puck in the second peirod.

Cannot complain because they out shot Philadelphia and outworked them in their own building and played a strong defensive game. Still it's a game you look back on later and think you gave away two points. Not sure Bergeron should get all the blame here on the game winning goal against but he likely will.

11/12: NYI Fan Central Update

As always my thanks to everyone who has visited, e-mailed or posted in the topics.

A few more small changes to the site were made for those interested.

* I have created a new e-mail account for the site. It is nyifancentral@yahoo.com for those wishing to contact me. I will still respond to the old one for those who have it but I have removed it from the site.

* I have finally been able to enhance the link to the message board for those who do not know we have a message board attached to this blog. Anyone interested in talking about the games or talking about their own Islander-NHL related topics feel free to join the free little low grade board.

* A new live scoreboard has been incorporated above the upcoming games so folks can come here to get the scores. The team pages are well updated with full stats.

* The Al Arbour tribute header keeps getting moved around. I finally found a home for it above the news articles.

* More tweaking of the news feeders are constantly being done.

* I did put in a Grizzlies section with the teams primary paper linked to a feeder for the person who asked. I also have the website and the ECHL site.

* Ct Post and TSN still do not have feeds so all I can do is put up a link to the article page. Mr Fornabaio's Soundin Off page does have a feeder link here.

Guerin out, Bergenheim in vs Flyers

Bill Smith looks sharp in the legends game this weekend. No picture of Butch Goring who also played.


Newsday: Greg Logan gives an update on Bill Guerin who did not travel with the club to Philadelphia because of an eye injury but could return against Pittsburgh. Sean Bergenheim returns to the second line left wing position and Richard Park moves to right wing in Guerin's spot with Sillinger and Hilbert. Simon, Ben Walter and Tim Jackman make up the fourth line again. No mention is made of Berard or Meyer.

“Bergenheim is ready to go,” Nolan said. “His hands were a little rusty this morning, but that’s to be expected. I’d rather have some rusty hands than a rusty attitude. One thing about him is that he’s full of energy and he should add a little spark to us.”

Media Blog: Cory Witt reports Howie Rose will miss tonight's game. Steve Mears will call his first NHL game on television, with Chris King taking over play by play on the radio end. Butch Goring will move to the radio side to provide commentary.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
You keep Bill Guerin out until he's ready and do not risk a second injury to his eye, regardless of how long it takes. Good news is Comrie was not on that injury report because it did not look good Saturday and he's had shoulder problems in the past.

Interesting that Bergenheim who was played on right wing several times in preseason comes back from injury and get his second line left wing spot which is the right move to me because that's where he can help the most and his skill set in terms of offense is better than Richard Park. A third line of Hilbert, Sillinger and Park are likely not to do much damage but are due for a huge breakout and go in with some practice time. The work ethic will never be lacking from them.

Islanders need some offense from that fourth line tonight, Walter looks like he's very composed with good offensive instincts and Tim Jackman knows what to do when they are on the ice. Simon has the hands to convert some goals and is due, even though he's been spotted on the other lines and has seem a limited role.

NHL.com: Did not include Miroslav Satan and his two game winning goals in the top three for player of the week.

NHL.com: Long time Flyer writer Chuck Gormley does a full feature praising the Islanders for their excellent start with Paul Holmgrem credititing gm Garth Snow and notes the Islanders are the second least penalized team in the league at this time. Solid work all around here from Gormley.

“We're a resilient bunch,” said goaltender Rick DiPietro, who was tied for third in wins with eight entering this week’s divisional games against the Flyers, Penguins and Devils.

“This is a real good character kind of team that doesn't quit,” echoed Nolan.

“It’s pointless to analyze it,” Satan said. “I'm just glad to help the team.”

“I think Snowy did a great job over the summer,” Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren said. “He picked up some players who were leaders and he’s got a very competitive team. And (Ted) Nolan has always been a good coach.”

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Part of the penalty story is the lack of games played but make no mistake this was a club that had a minus ninety disparity last season. It's a critical jump to be second, especially with the five on five numbers not nearly as good.

Put Butch Goring in Hockey Hall of Fame

NYI Fan Central Comments:
With all the talk of the Hall of Fame induction today for Scott Stevens for his three Stanley Cups with New Jersey combined with Al MacInnis, Ron Francis and Mark Messier being inducted combined with Butch Goring mentioning he was going to Toronto to play the legends game on Hall of Fame weekend the question has to be asked how can Butch Goring, who never goes a trade deadline without being mentioned as the all time standard for trades that bring championships combined with his career numbers not be in the Hockey Hall of Fame at this point?

This was a player who was a star forward with Los Angeles, his 1,107 NHL games netted him 375 goals and 888 points. Despite his aggressive play, Goring recorded only 102 penalty minutes in his NHL career. With the Los Angeles Kings in 1978, he became the only player ever to win the Lady Byng and Masterton Trophies in the same year.

Butch Goring came here and was not only a key part of four straight Stanley Cups which has not been matched in pro sports to this day but won the Conn Smyth for the 1981 playoffs. Every Islander who talks about those teams credits Goring as critical to their success. Goring scored 28 goals and 68 points in 99 playoff games with the Islanders, totals that include five playoff game-winners.

Meanwhile his banner does not even hang in the Coliseum rafters when even Pat Lafontaine had a ceremony and Bob Bourne was inducted into the club's new Hall of Fame last year?

This does not enter into any Hall of Fame discussion, however no Islander team worked harder with less talent than the team Butch Goring coached in his first season with the club. His dismissal was a joke considering Mike Milbury altered his club's first year chemistry.

Butch Goring went to Alaska and inherited a program with ownership problems, then
won a championship as a coach in Germany. He was a part of several Coliseum charity games in recent years and was at the clubs 25Th Stanley Cup anniversary.

Today he's still a great ambassador to the NHL and his insight into Islander telecasts finally had made that segment of the telecast of value to the broadcast for maybe the first time ever.

Meanwhile Butch Goring is as classy as ever, going up to Toronto to participate in the legends game during induction weekend.

Time for the selection committee to get together and make Robert “Butch” Goring a Hockey Hall of Famer, it's long overdue.

11/12: New York at Philadelphia 7pm FSN

Islanders Website/AP: Have the preview for tonight's game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Let's get the 800lb gorilla out of the room.

* Islanders have not won five games in a row since the start of the 2002 season.
* Bill Guerin may miss a game or more here.
* Islanders are playing a team that is not playing with the pressure of it's home opener coming off a long west coast trip this time.
* Islanders are playing a team that jumped all over Pittsburgh with it's pp in their last game and are settling in at home.
* Satan's carried the offense, a lot of players have to step up here for the first time all season and finish some chances.
* Islanders do not usually excel in situations where they have a margin for error, in fact it's games like this they historically lose big.
* What's a road game much less on a Monday after a schedule that's been more like an NFL schedule for a month?

Now that I got all that out of the way:
* I expect the Islanders to be shorthanded in this game and will have to step up and shut down a hot power play.

* Last game in Philadelphia the Islanders did everything but tie the game and were the better third period team.

* Laat game for the most part the Islanders contained the Flyers offense and kept the pressure off.

This is a statement game to me. Win or lose I want to see a big effort here from the club, some players step up and produce and a club that can compete with what is considered a contending team in their division in their building.

Sillinger, Hilbert, Comrie, Guerin (if he plays) have to finish a few and do their part on the score sheet.

Islander News Articles 11/12:

Newsday: Greg Logan talks about the differences between this year's club and last year's and how tough it has been for the club to stay prepared with this schedule. Ted Nolan praised his players. Bill Guerin will be evaluated to determine his playing status.

It's a lot better. Everybody says we brought a lot of guys in, but we brought a lot of good people in. And all the guys from last year knew what kind of system we had and they helped with the coaching of the other players."

"Every game is going to be down to the last period and maybe the last five minutes," Nolan said. "Our goaltender loves playing in those situations, and our kids [on defense] are feeling a little bit more comfortable. Chris Campoli and Bruno Gervais are getting more experience as we go, and they're getting out there the last couple of minutes. It's good to play those kind of games, especially when you win them."

NY Post: Dan Martin showed up for a rare game day article and the lead was to ask about the attendance differences between this year and last year? He also asked Ted Nolan about the differences between playing on the road, reported Freddy Meyer practiced with the club Sunday, will be with the team tonight and got a quick word on Miroslav Satan's game winning goals.

"We have to take the same attitude with us," Satan said of the Isles, who haven't left Long Island since Oct. 18. "If you want to be successful and be at the top, you have to be able to do the same things away from home. That's what good teams do."

"It doesn't matter where we play, whether here or in Africa, if we play like we have been, we'll be fine," he said following yesterday's skate. "Everything's falling into place right now."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
So let's recap, the person who writes the headline (not Greg Logan) for Newsday cannot even spell the title correct, the NY Post writer who barely covers the team and did not cover the Penguin, Ranger or Devil games comes back and the lead in his article is to ask the coach about last year's attendance after he earlier tried to dispute a sellout against Washington with the three paragraphs he was given for game coverage?

Will the Post even send Dan Martin to Philadelphia or will the club get another A.P article tomorrow? This update was not filed from Philadelphia or he did not include it in the heading.

Personally, the A.P will do a better job than Martin regardless who seems to have a lot more enthusiasm for his other assignments on high school and college sports. Can Greg Logan make somewhat of an effort to tell us who went on the road trip or is that asking too much?

Philadelphia Inquirer : Tim Panaccio's article is on the Flyers special teams which scored four of it's five goals on the power play (one empty net goal) and are doing a good job short handed. Simon Gagne (concussion symptoms) Sami Kapanen are not expected to play against the Islanders.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's article is about the Sound Tigers efforts in their win Sunday at home against Hershey.

"Mentally, we had to get a game where we got a lead and finished it off," Tambellini said. Kip Brennan scored his first on a late power play to finish it. "Systematically, we were pretty sound (Sunday) in all aspects of the game," coach Jack Capuano said. "We've got to continue to do that. Joey made some key saves, but for the most part we kept them outside the dots, especially in the first period."

York Daily Record & Harrisburg Patriot News : Cover the Hershey Bears.

NY Post: Larry Brooks writes about the injustice of Versus not showing the Hall of Fame induction tonight in the US live or on tape delay and questions with his usual sarcasm why the " Versus will be all over the critical and compelling match in Florida between the Hurricanes and the Panthers in Florida. " He also writes by scheduling five games on a night that should remain dark, the NHL essentially guaranteed that the mundane playing of early-season matches would in large part overshadow a marquee event like the Hall of Fame inductions.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
So where was Larry Brooks in other years to lobby against this injustice? For a while he was on the induction committee if I recall correctly? I do not remember a calls from Brooks to shut down the NHL when Pat Lafontaine was inducted or Clark Gillies or Al Arbour.

Bridgeport 4, Hershey 0

AHL.com:
Has boxscore of Bridgeport's 4-0 win in a very physical contest with a lot of penalties against Hershey at Harbor Yard Sunday afternoon.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Too bad the Sound Tigers have had so few games on radio, good turnout in Bridgeport with 4,548.

No one who played for the Islanders Saturday was in the Sound Tigers lineup which also means no one was sent down for a possible Bergenheim or Berard return to the lineup even with Meyer likely rejoining the NHL team. Tambellini and Regier scored, the Sound Tigers physical players in Spiller, Morency, Bootland, Rullier and Drew Fata got their money's worth. Joey MacDonald made twenty four saves for his shutout.

Only third peirod goal was scored by Bridgeport in the last two minutes after a Hershey penalty.

Sound Tigers.com: Will have a postgame up at some point after the game.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio updated his blog on Sunday's shutout win.

Islander News Articles 11/11:

Newsday: Greg Logan has the coverage on Islanders 2-1 win over the Devils Saturday with comments from Satan, Devils coach Brent Sutter

"It's the first time I've been in that position on the power play this season," Satan said. "Those are plays I'm used to. It felt like my office. I was very comfortable there, so it wasn't that hard. I'm sure everybody would like to be there, and I'm no exception. That's the fun time to be out there.

"We passed it around for awhile and heard some impatient noise from the crowd, but it worked out perfectly. It came right to me."

Newsday: Logan also had an article on Freddy Meyer claimed on re-entry waivers, an injury update and more from Satan on his sticks.

NY Times: Dave Caldwell makes a rare Coliseum appearance to cover both sides where Brodeur, Satan and Brent Sutter are quoted. Brodeur did not get his five hundredth win Saturday.

“Whether it’s legitimate or not, it’s still a 1-1 game at the time,” Sutter said. “It’s tough. You can’t lose hockey games that way.”

NY Post: Devils beat writer Mark Everson covered the game for both sides at the Post with comments from Rick DiPietro and several players.

"We didn't panic. We got that power play and we capitalized. We had to be equally patient as the Devils tonight," Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro said. "We're playing well and getting consistent effort."

"It was a [bleeping] terrible call. There's no way around it," the Devils' Zach Parise said.

"I don't think he needed to call that," Jay Pandolfo said

Daily News: Peter Botte provided coverage of the Islanders win with quotes from Satan, Brodeur and Sutter, a brief update on Bill Guerin is given.

Newark Star Ledger Jeremy Cothran & Noth Jersey.com/Bergen Record: Tom Gulitti has the Devils centric coverage on Satuday's game.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's article is centered around the teams toughness and how it's an element the Sound Tigers lacked last season.

Hershey Bears at Bridgeport Sound Tigers
WHEN — Today, 4 p.m.
WHERE — Arena at Harbor Yard
ON THE AIR — No radio; Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

Ottawa Sun: Bruce Garrioch in his weekly rumors section (which is extensive) mentions the writer this summer Adam Proteau of THN callling the Fedntenko signing the worst of all free agent signings and brings up his production as proof the Islanders must be satisfied. Garrioch also claims sources say general manager Garth Snow is quietly working on a long-term extension for Fedotenko.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Don't read too much into Garrioch rumors or speculation folks, even if it's potentially good news. Garrioch puts countless rumors from sources in his weekly article and most are not true.

Don't worry gang Newsday has a Sunday writer to address NHL features like this.

Forgot, it's Ranger beatwriter Steve Zipay who mostly provides Ranger centric information in the Islanders primary paper.