12/29: New Jersey at New York 7pm FSN

Islanders website: Has the pregame for tonight's game against the Devils.

ITV.com: Showed practice with DiPietro participating and is a game time decision. Ruslan Fedotenko participated in the full practice. Radek Martinek did not skate and was described as week to week now by Chris King and Steve Mears. Aaron Johnson was out skating before the team practiced with the three goaltenders in full equipment.

Media Blog: Cory Witt reports Ruslan Fedotenko will play while Rick DiPietro will be a game time decision. Aaron Johnson continues to skate at practice.

Martin Brodeur will start for New Jersey.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Islanders are playing a team red hot that has finally settled into it's game and as usual proved all the critics wrong who could not wait to bury them. Brodeur is dominating and the Devils lead the Atlantic and come off of a 2-1 shootout win against Buffalo yesterday.

From the Islanders side of things whoever starts in goal has to give the team a chance to win and the offense has to break through with some quality chances and goals. No word if Bergeron get's back into the lineup.

The other night was expensive in the standings, Islanders need to turn that around and get a win here and it's fair to write at this point New Jersey is opening up the kind of distance that is going to be very tough for the Islandes to catch them if they lose tonight.

Guerin and Comrie have not only scored but have shown some confidence in their offensive games. That has to continue for the long term.

Updated 4:20pm:
Newsday: Greg Logan updated his blog at 4:10pm and reported Rick DiPietro did not comment and it's a game time decision but it's possible the Islanders might be leaning toward caution and give Wade Dubielewicz the start tonight because Joey MacDonald is still here. The blog also reports Ted Nolan had a talk with Bryan Berard which could mean Marc-Andre Bergeron returns to the lineup.

Islanders at the WJC: Day Four

Slovakia lost 5-2 to the Czech Republic Saturday.
Thomas Marcinko missed a penalty shot, had two shots on goal and was a minus two.

Check back later for an update on Canada-Sweden & USA-Russia.

The team USA webcast link is available to listen to the game live.

Usahockey.com:Cameron Eickmeyer has an article on the chemistry the line of Kyle Okposo, Rhett Rakhshani and his Denver teammate Tyler Ruegsegger have shown going back to the summer at team USA's camp.

"If we stick to our systems and dictate play then that's when the offense comes," Okposo said.

"Even you don't see where they are, you know where they are," Rakhshani said.

Updated 4pm:
Kyle Okposo and Rhett Rakhshani each had an assist in the team USA 3-2 win over Russia.

Robin Figren had a first period pp assist for Sweden against Canada in a 4-3 win
where Sweden scored in the last seven seconds of regulation after Canada tied the game with four minutes left.

Stefan Ridderwall was the backup goaltender for this game.

Islander News Articles 12/29:

Newsday: Greg Logan's article is basically a repeat of the comments made on ITV by Ted Nolan on DiPietro. Only new information here is Ruslan Fedtonko lost a fingernail on the hit to his hand against Ottawa.

Newsday: Greg Logan's blog at 10pm has details on Okposo's contract which was a three-year entry-level contract worth $2.55 million which would double if he were to meet all the performance bonuses.

Also reported:
Because Okposo signed before Jan. 1, if he plays nine NHL games or less this season next season will be considered his first year. If he plays ten games, then this season will be considered the first year of his contract.

AHL.com: Report the Sound Tigers lost 4-2 at home against Providence Friday, Jeff Tambellini scored both Bridgeport goals.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's game article is centered around the eight overall penalties which forced the Sound Tigers to play a large portion of the game shorthanded. Providence only had one pp goal but scored shorthanded.

"We didn't come out ready to play," coach Jack Capuano said. "That's a good hockey team. We prepared like we prepare for any other game. They showed why they're in first place, with their speed."

We've got to stay positive. We've been playing well," Capuano said. "We showed how we can play in the third period."

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio also blogged on the loss with comments from Captain Mark Wotton.

Providence Journal: Has an uncredited article on the Providence Bruins win.

Usa Today.com: Kevin Allen at the WJC has a few words on Kyle Okposo from team USA coach John Hynes.

"And Kyle Okposo (New York Islanders) is doing the same. They are both playing very strong, solid games. They are talented players, but their work ethic and leadership have been really important to our team."

Good news travels slow at Newsday

AP: Newsday at 8:02pm finally got around to posting an AP update on Kyle Okposo signing after most of the media outlet's reported it.

Greg Logan/no one on the Newsday sports staff even blogged about it as of this time or found Okposo's agent, Neil Sheehy for a quote. This is a paper that sent Katie Strang and Steve Zipay to Nassau Coliseum for comments from Wayne Gretzky recently and of course has Steve Zipay providing Ranger centric Sunday coverage.

Steve Zipay of course had a quick blog on Ranger practice today and their transactions.

So let's recap:
Islanders tv contract only reason team is still here article from Neil Best: Check
Islander fans do not care about Jason Blake article from Mr Herrmann-Check
Islanders sign their franchise prospect-?

Michael Fornabaio reported the signing in his blog and linked to it this afternoon, where was Newsday's sports department with the hype for this announced signing?

Islanders practice update Friday

ITV.com: Had the following notables from Friday's practice:

Satan will go back down to his forward spot on the powerplay which Ted Nolan said would be changed again.

DiPietro rested and based on the morning skate will be a game time decision tomorrow but still has to be cleared to play. He used the treadmill and was reportedly walking without any problems but there was swelling of his knee.

Ruslan Fedotenko and Radek Martinek did not practice, Ted Nolan expects Fedotenko will play tomorrow.

Andy Sutton was not at practice due to being sore or banged up which could be a day off or an injury, that was not discussed in Ted Nolan's interview but by Steve Mears and Chris King who covered the practice.

Mike Sillinger stayed in Ottawa for a family event.
A Dubielewicz assigment to Bridgeport could be coming to get him some work.

Robin Figren's incredible goal at WJC

Robert Nilsson did this playing for Bridgeport a few years ago. This one may have topped it.

Unreal goal.

A few words about Dubie

First a little background to dispel any myth this is a minor league goaltender who is over his head.

As a Sound Tiger, Dubielewicz has claimed numerous records for shutouts (15), saves in a game (52) and highest save percentage in a season (.946), which is also an AHL record. His numbers throughout the 2006-07 season were once again stellar posting a 22-12-5 record with a .922 save percentage and 2.69 goals against average. Those numbers earned him a spot on the Canadian All-Star roster.

Named to National Collegiate Athletic Association (West) All-American Second Team, 2001-02.
Named to Western Collegiate Hockey Association All-Star First Team, 2001-02.
Finalist, Hobey Baker Memorial Award, 2001-02.
Named American Hockey League Rookie of the Month, December 2003.
Named to American Hockey League All-Rookie Team, 2003-04.
Named to American Hockey League All-Star Second Team, 2003-04.
Shared (with Dieter Kochan) Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Trophy (AHL - Fewest goals against), 2003-04.
Winner, Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Trophy (AHL - Rookie of the Year), 2003-04.
Selected to Canadian All-Stars (AHL), January 29, 2007.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Just because our media does a brutal job letting us know the background of players does not mean you have to buy into it when they make judgements. It's up to you in the end but keep in mind some of these media people barely follow the Islanders much less their prospects are the ones who create perceptions about players.

I followed Dubie as a prospect writer and several NHL teams wanted to sign him when he was at Denver. This is a two time all star AHL goaltender who set all time league records as a rookie for Bridgeport. His last AHL playoff series against WBS he did everything but steal the series from the first seed that year.

For those curious here is a summary of Bridgeport's 2003-04 playoff series against first ranked WBS Scranton Penguins, Dubie played every game in the seven game loss and gave his club every chance to win before finally falling in seven games
here.

Some of these games he flat out stole for Bridgeport while WBS kept changing between Marc-Andre Fleury and Danny Sabourin.

Wade Dubielewicz is an NHL goaltender and has the ability to be a starter in this league. His resume in Denver and Bridgeport have been outstanding and he thrives on work and shots. He has nothing to prove in the AHL any longer and in some very limited looks won critical games for the Islanders, not only last season but in 03-04
when he won a huge game in Philadelphia.

If Rick DiPietro cannot go for a while there is no rush to bring him back. Dubie will give the Islanders every reasonable chance to win hockey games.

Islanders at the WJC: Day Three 12/28:

Another big day for the Islander prospects in game three at the WJC.

Kyle Okposo and Rhett Rahkshani each had an assist, even rating and took five shots in team USA's 4-2 win over Switzerland.

Stefan Ridderwall started for Sweden and made sixteen saves in a 10-1 win over Denmark.

Robin Figren had a goal and an assist, with three shots and was a plus one for Sweden.



Islanders website/Jason Lockhart: Ryan Jankowski has a running blog updated on the prospects and had some updates during team USA's game Friday.

Islanders sign Kyle Okposo

Islanders website: Report today they have signed Kyle Okposo to a three year contract.

It would be an understatement to say we're excited about coming to terms with Kyle Okposo on his first contract with the Islanders,” said general manager Garth Snow. "As a hockey player, Kyle is the complete package. He has skill and character in abundance. Our organization is going to work extremely hard with Kyle to make him the best player that he can be. With the energy, enthusiasm and heart Kyle brings to the rink every night, there's no doubt he's going to be a favorite of Islanders fans for a long time.”

Said Okposo this morning from the Czech Republic: "This is an incredible day for me and my family. I want to thank the Islanders for making it happen and I want our fans to know that I can't wait to begin my Islanders career. My focus right now needs to be on Team USA, but I'll be more than ready when my pro career starts in a few weeks.”

ITV.com: Has a brief statement from general manager Garth Snow on the signing.

Islanders website: Chris Botta explains the circumstances of the signing and makes clear no decisuion as to whether Okposo will play in New York or Bridgeport has been reached at this time.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Whether it was now or in the summer this was going to happen eventually. Hopefully everyone connected with him will congratulate him and wish him the best of luck.

Seems like he signed a standard contract based on the max a player can get.

From the Islanders side of things they really do not have a spot for him unless a trade happens or he plays in Bridgeport for a while.

Ct Post: Micheal Fornabaio confirmed the signing and reminded Sound Tiger fans to hold onto their tickets for January 9th, just in case Okposo does play for Bridgeport.

Islander News Articles 12/28:

Newsday: Greg Logan's article has comments on the breakdowns and mistakes that led to Ottawa's goals. Ted Nolan comments on a powerplay that keeps allowing goals, Brendan Witt, Wade Dubielewicz and Bill Guerin comment talk about the loss.

"It was a tough break to take a penalty when we already had one," Dubielewicz said. "A tough team like that with a five-on-three, they're going to bury it. From that point, I felt we were kind of on our heels. The five-on-three pretty much killed us. 'Hunts' makes a strong play and the guy falls down. It's a bad break."

"The game turned in the first two minutes of the second period," Guerin said. Referring to Spezza, Heatley and Alfredsson, he added, "They've got the best line in hockey. They dominate at five-on-five, never mind five-on-three. We put ourselves in penalty trouble, and it made a big difference. There's not much one guy can do when he's being thrown to the wolves."

"We didn't play an intelligent game," defenseman Brendan Witt said. "When we beat them at home, we were disciplined. But we exposed ourselves tonight and they took it to us. They scored three of five goals off the rush. Dubie's a good goalie. It seems like when he's in, we really expose ourselves instead of just playing with confidence. But he proved last year he's an NHL goalie."

Newsday: Greg Logan got comments from Chris Botta on Rick DiPietro's injury status, Ted Nolan comments on Radek Martinek now point to his day to day injury lasting a few weeks as he is in a walking cast. Shawn Bates season ending hip surgery and Dubie speaking to Ted Nolan about a Bridgeport conditioning stint before DiPietro was injured.

Team spokesman Chris Botta said there's a chance DiPietro might return to the lineup as soon as Saturday night against the Devils at Nassau Coliseum. "We're very convinced he's OK," Botta said.

Asked about Martinek's condition, Nolan said, "Last time I checked, it wasn't a serious injury. But it's enough to at least be two weeks."

Newsday: Greg Logan's pregame blog points to a lot of instances where the Islanders have not been up front with regard to injuries and expands a lot more on his second article.

Ottawa Citizen & Ottawa Sun: Have the Senators coverage on their win.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's article is on the return of Jason Pitton from Utah who still is recovering from a shoulder injury and has to be checked out by the Islanders team doctors before returning to game action.

"I was able to go down and play a whole lot," Pitton said. "They roll three lines and an extra, so I got a lot of ice time. It was an experience I hadn't had before. I worked on my game. I worked on my skills."

PROVIDENCE BRUINS at BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS
WHEN — Tonight, 7:30
WHERE — Arena at Harbor Yard
ON THE AIR — No radio; Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view

WCF Courier: Jim Nelson has a feature on Islander draft pick Blake Kessel.

Ottawa 5, New York 2

Islanders website: Has the recap of tonight's 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators.

"We can't afford penalty trouble and missed assignments," said head coach Ted Nolan. "Our special teams weren't very good. I thought we played well in the first but then we took too many penalties. Giving up so many shorthanded goals is a concern. We keep doing the same thing over and over again. We can't do that again. It's one thing if our power play is not scoring, but giving up a shorthanded goal is another."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Self-inflicted loss.

Dubielewicz was outstanding and gave the Islanders the kind of goaltending that was good enough to win most nights. He should have sued for lack of support in the end.

This powerplay from the point is a nightmare. It's to the point Berard is almost unplayable which really was the play that decided the hockey game. You could see the shorthanded goal coming and clearly so did the Senators who read Berard's pass and got behind him. Islanders could not even clear the rebound after Dubie made his save or the shot hit the post.

All due respect to the Ottawa but when you give up five quality chances and a goal against with your powerplay combined with being pushed into a bad penalty like Bergenheim's at the end of the first period, you do not deserve to win.

Ottawa skated well but for the most part the Islanders stayed with them or kept the chances to the side, I don't know where Howie Rose or Billy Jaffe were calling the game from but the first period was not that one-sided in terms of quality chances.

Gervais stepped up and when he did not score Ottawa had a great three on one counter that Dubie bailed them out of. Vasicek did not finish his chance. Campoli got a penalty for charging Gerber late.

Ottawa did not create one goal that was not off a big Islander mistake or change outside of the high stick goal. You almost get the impression Howie Rose expected the five on three goal when he brought up the Sens did not have one all season.

The 2-0 goal was off a bad line change at the end of that powerplay, the 3-0 goal was a Berard disaster where Ottawa almost scored before that, the fourth goal was a lucky high stick batted in and the fifth goal Freddy Meyer and Sutton fell asleep.

No excuse for such poor plays and decision making which killed any momentum after Guerin made it 3-1 and then almost made it 3-2. Islanders had some jump on offense and skated well enough, but they could not draw any powerplays or get any second shots.

Self inflicted all the way and a very expensive night in the standings. Guerin's shot seems to be coming around, that last shot was his best one of the season.

Add Fedotenko with a hand injury to the day to day injury list. The way Tambellini is producing he's earned another callup. I love Comeau's game, who should be getting more ice time, he threw a hit in the first that rocked a Senator player.

DiPietro & Martinek injury updates

Islanders website: List Rick DiPietro and Radek Martinek as day to day.

DiPietro is out with a knee sprain and could return when the Islanders host the Devils Saturday Martinek suffered a leg bruise against Washington and is also listed as day to day.

12/27: New York at Ottawa 7:30pm FSN

Islanders website: Has the preview of tonight's game against the Ottawa Senators which reports Wade Dubielewicz will start.



NYI Fan Central Comments:
Ottawa is coming off a five goal win against Buffalo and are not the club that was struggling when they last played the Isles.

Regardless of who plays in goal Islanders have to keep scoring and keep getting points. Dubie will be fine if he get's any kind of help at all in front of him but Ottawa is a tough task for any club because they can score in bunches and have the kind of speed and skill the Islanders simply do not have.

No idea what Martinek's status is for this game. I would guess the same lineup again with Berard.

Bergenheim, Sillinger and especially Fedotenko are all overdue to give the club some scoring support.

Ottawa Citizen: James Gordon has comments from coach John Paddock and Jason Spezza about the Islanders, while reporting Martin Gerber will start tonight.

"They're a team that, they continually don't get viewed upon with a lot of positives a lot of the times, but they keep finding ways to be in hockey games," Paddock said following the morning skate today. "They lose their goaltender last night ater the first period and they still find away to win.

"They did that last year...throughout the stretch run," he added. "They continue to find ways and it's a credit to their group of guys there and it's a credit to (Islanders coach Ted Nolan."

"There's a lot of good NHL goalies out there," he said. "I'm sure Dubielewicz is looking for an opportunity to show himself, but Ricky is one of the best when he's playing well, he played great against us the last time we played them in their building, and he's definitely one of the top goaltenders."

Islanders at the WJC 12/27: Day Two

Thomas Marcinko had two penalties, three shots and an even rating in Slovakia's 2-0 loss to Canada on Thursday in a game he played well defensively and saved a goal.

Islander News Articles 12/27:

Newsday: Greg Logan's has Ted Nolan's comments on the Islanders win and Rick DiPietro, who will not travel to Ottawa and undergo an MRI Thursday. Joey MacDonald has been recalled from the Sound Tigers. Wade Dubielewicz comments on his infrequent play and credits his defense, especially Brendan Witt. Richard Park talks about the game winning play and praises Jason Blake.

"I twisted it funny in warm-ups," DiPietro said on his way out of the arena, declining further comment. "We don't think it's serious," coach Ted Nolan said. "DiPietro pulled himself. Give him full marks for attempting to try it."

"I noticed Ricky tweaked something in warm-ups," Dubielewicz said. "I stay on high alert. I saw him go down once in the first period and wince, and I knew I was going in."

"Blakey is a heck of a hockey player, and he was just trying to make something happen, Park said. "It's not about knowing him ... It's just instinct out there. I didn't even know we had 10 seconds left. To win those kinds of games is good for our hockey team right now."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Did Greg Logan actually watch this game? How was Rick DiPietro shaky on a perfect two on one goal and two players alone in front of him How about some credit for an assist?

No comments from Mike Comrie, who had two goals and the game winning goal, nothing from Gervais on his game or Guerin, Hilbert with big goals?

Newsday: Greg Logan's second article was about the Islanders tough upcoming schedule for the most part while noting Radek Martinek is day to day with a bruised right leg.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann of course shows up to make sure the booing and indifference about Jason Blake is what the Islander fan and his time here were all about after making sure we read his mantra about Eddie Giaconmin and Mark Messier returns to New York.

Ted Nolan praised Blake and of course Mr Herrmann makes sure we know about the club's financial losses even though both teams spend near the cap and the Islanders made big offers to other players this summer because that's what Greg Logan reported.

"This was my home for 6½ years. I had the time of my life." "At least they did something," Blake said after the game. "It's just a game. It's nice to be back, even though you get booed a little."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's sad but many Islander fans do not get it about a player like Jason Blake with such a young fanbase these days, but the players stories are not told in Newsday which is why the fans do not connect with them or feel any real loyalty beyond the sweater they wear. That's why Kenny Jonsson who was here forever left as if it he meant nothing to the fans or we go months in between articles on Radek Martinek.

It's just a job for Newsday and they make it just a job telling the players story which is too bad because Jason Blake loved being a New York Islander. Not enough people knew that going into tonight which is where the media failed Blake and the fans.

That's why anyone who does a good job here gets an under-rated label or we read if he played in another market.................

Of course when Blake complained about his contract negotiations last year, Newsday was front and center which helped turn the fans against him. After his hat-trick against Philadelphia at the trade deadline passed he told the fans he wanted to stay here, but it was not a big story for Newsday.

Where was Newsday when he showed up for game two against Tampa in the 03-04 playoffs with an injury that was supposed to keep him out for a month and won the game with two goals?

We sure heard from Newsday when Blake got into it with Steve Stirling, however.

I felt bad for Jason Blake, he deserved a long-loud ovation from the fans because he gave this club all he had and more.

When it comes to marketing players in the local media, folks like Mr Herrmann are not interested in the New York Islanders, this is the end result.

NY Post:Brett Cyrgalis throws together a limited space article that opens by talking about the Islanders scoring problems even though they have been better in that deparrment lately with a few words from Dubielewicz, Nolan and Comrie.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Brett Cyrgalis is the person the Post assigns up for occasional off-day Ranger coverage so of course what we get here is information that's Ranger background centric in some manner.

Daily News: Jesse Spector is the latest newbie assigned to cover the Islanders this year, who in his limited space has comments from Ted Nolan about Rick DiPietro and a few words from Wade Dubielewicz.

"If a couple of pucks would have gone past Witt, they would have gone in if they didn't hit me," Dubielewicz said. "You've got to give that guy credit - he's a warrior. ... I don't know what his quote is, it's something like: 'Pain lets you know you're alive.' He's crazy, man, but he does his job really well."

Toronto Star &
Toronto Sun & Globe & Mail : Has the Maple Leaf centric coverage with a few words on Jason Blake.

"We've only got so many seconds left in overtime," he said of his extended bout of stick-handling. "I was trying to make a play. [Park] made a great play by poke-checking it."

"He turned the puck over an awful lot tonight," Maurice said. "You can't turn it over there at any point in a game."

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has reaction on the Sound Tigers 5-4 win against Hershey from Sean Bentivoglio, Frans Nielsen and Jack Capuano.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's notebook reports ECHL All-Star, Trevor Smith has been reassigned to Bridgeport along with Jason Pitton. Keith Johnson and Olivier Labelle were sent down to Utah.

"Smitty's back for good," Sound Tigers president Howard Saffan said. "Smitty achieved down in the ECHL just as we thought he would. He was a unanimous choice for the ECHL All-Star Game. He earned his stripes. He deserves to be here."

"You'll see him on the power play," Saffan said, adding Smith will probably play on the second line. "Pitts has been playing outstanding at Utah," Saffan said. "Again, like Smitty, he's earned his stripes. He's deserving of coming back."

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio also has the Sound Tigers weekly with the upcoming games and notes around the team and the league.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Usual excellent work from the Ct Post beatwriter.

York Daily Record & Patriot News: Has Bears coverage.

New York 4, Toronto 3, OT

Rick DiPietro left the game following the first period with a knee injury and will be re-evaluated tomorrow.

Islanders website: Has the recap of tonight's 4-3 overtime win against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"We said in between the first and second periods that you never know what's going to happen," said head coach Ted Nolan. "You have to give Wade a lot of credit. He's been working hard in practice. When you're called upon you have to be ready and he was certainly ready tonight."

"When Richard forced the play like that, I saw a 2-on-1 develop," said Comrie about Park's poke-check on Blake. "It happens pretty fast. Once you see the defenseman play it well, you have to go to the net hard. Park made a great play to get the shot through. The rebound was just sitting it there for me and it just trickled by Raycroft."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
That was a lot of fun tonight, good pace by both clubs, three first period goals by the Islanders and an incredible finish where Jason Blake was stripped by Park who's deflected shot left a big rebound for Mike Comrie to finish in the final seconds of overtime.

Between the chant after the goals lately and booing Jason Blake it was a poor showing by some of the Islander fans tonight, even if the overall building was very loud and supportive.

That first period looked like how it was supposed to be drawn up this summer in terms of the offense. Comrie and Guerin producing as a first line and the secondary scoring chipping in. That's four goals for Andy Hilbert in seven games, backboard bounce or not and it easily could have been four or five.

Of course it was against a terrible defense and goaltender but that does not take away from the Islanders, who came out and had a good offensive first period.

Dubie was great when he had to be. That overtime sequence he was fantastic, even with a little luck on Sundin's crossbar. Toronto had some good pressure on him, too bad Sillinger did not finish his chance in the final seconds of regulation.

I did not see Richard Park's ot penalty, but who are the officials kidding not calling Bell for hooking Campoli with an open net in overtime?

Sloppy first period of both sides defensively, Toronto did not get much against DiPietro but he had no help on either goal against. Without his pass to set up Comrie's first goal Islanders do not get to overtime so his starting did help the Islanders win.

Gervais played over twenty seven minutes in Martinek's spot and did a solid job. No
one even mentioned Berard's return on the telecast until he touched the puck.

Another shorthanded goal against is becoming a problem.

More tomorrow on the game. We'll see what the fallout of DiPietro's injury is and Radek Martinek.

Point Blank: Chris Botta has a classy blog about what keeps him going as the organization celebrated his 20th anniversary with the franchise and pointed to tonight's game.

Newsday: Greg Logan had a blog during the game on DiPietro's injury with no updated news. He also had a few words on Jason Blake, Richard Park's goal Saturday and a few other items on the upcoming schedule along with a few words on team USA's win on Wednesday.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio blogs on the Sound Tigers win. Mike Mole was called up to replace Joey MacDonald.

Sound Tigers website: Reports on Bridgeport's 5-4 win at home Wednesday. Jeff Tambellini had two goals and a four point night, Sean Bentivoglio returned to the lineup with two third peirod goals and Frans Nielsen scored.

12/26: Toronto at New York 7:30pm FSN

Islanders Website/AP: Has the early preview of tonight's game against the Maple Leafs.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Hopefully the fans stand up and give Jason Blake a well deserved standing ovation for all he did for this franchise. Islanders miss his abilities badly because he was of more value to this franchise than any other he could play for.

As for the game Islanders better remember that 8-1 game, come out from the opening minute and try to score against a club that gives up goals if you put on the pressure. Toronto is one of those clubs that can win a 6-5 game so if the Islanders play for a 3-2 game they may not get it.

Scoring has been a little better lately. I expect no lineup changes because Ted Nolan does not make changes after wins, but we'll see because Islanders play in Ottawa tomorrow.

Andrew Raycroft get's the start for the Leafs tonight.

Sound Tigers are at home tonight against Hershey.

12/26: Islanders at the WJC Day One

Kyle Okposo/Rhett Rakhshani-USA
Robin Figren/Stefan Ridderwall-Sweden
Tomas Marcinko-Slovakia

Wednesday December 26th
Group A (ČEZ Arena, Pardubice):
10:00sm EST - Sweden - Slovakia
2:00pm EST - Czech republic - Canada

Group B (Tipsport arena, Liberec):
10:00am EST - USA - Kazakhstan
2:00om EST - Finland - Russia

A video feeder for team USA has been made available and linked to NYI Fan Central
here.

To listen to Team USA's webcast of today's game click here.

Updated 1pm:
Islanders website: Jason Lockhart reports on team USA 5-1 victory over Kazakhstan. Kyle Okposo had a third period goal and an assist, Rhett Rakhshani scored game-winning goal from Okposo, both players combined for thirteen shots.

Sweden defeated Slovakia 4-3 with Robin Figren scoring a shorthanded goal, a powerplay goal and took seven shots with a penalty and a plus one. Stefan Ridderwall was the backup for Sweden.

Thomas Marcinko has a goal, a penalty and two shots and was a plus one for Slovakia.
Robin Figren and Thomas Marcinko earned Player of the Game Honors.

"Robin was the best player of the game," said Islanders scout Anders Kallur. "He was in a class by himself. He created chances, scored two goals and hit the crossbar. Every shift he competed hard and was rewarded with both power play and penalty kill time. His puck skills created many chances from the left side in the offensive end. On his shorthanded goal, he came from the left wing with good stickhandling. He took a wrister that went top corner. On the 3-1 goal he came out of the corner and scored a backhander through the five-hole.

"As for Tomas, he did not dominate, but he did some good things offensively, including scoring the 3-3 goal and hitting the crossbar. It was a good start for both of our players."

Updated 3:30pm
USA Today.com: Kevin Allen has a running blog on the WJC with his post game comments after team USA's win.

Islander News Articles 12/26

Newsday: Greg Logan has an article on Jason Blake's return to New York which is mostly backround with some quotes from earlier this season.

Mississauga News:Gerry Timbers reports Islander prospect Luch Aquino leads the IHL in scoring with 15 goals and 32 points in 25 games for the Fort Wayne Komets.

Toronto Sun: Mike Zeisberger has a few words from Jason Blake after the writer makes sure to put down the Coliseum atmosphere where he also gives his side of contract negotiations last year.

"It should be fun but I hope they don't boo," he admitted. "That would be tough."

"I didn't want to leave, and I didn't want them to trade me," he said. "That was the point I was trying to make but it was portrayed the wrong way in some circles."


"It was a difficult place to leave," he said. "The organization was great.
The owner and management were good to me. "I haven't thought about being back too much but people have been talking about it alot. It should be exciting."

Islander News Articles 12/23-24-25

A little catching up from the last few days:

Pioneer Press: Bruce Brothers asks Gary Bettman about the Islanders trying to sign Okposo, while George Gwozdecky, president of the American Hockey Coaches Association, labeled the Islanders' actions "deplorable,

"I don't think you can just look at the team in these circumstances; you've got to look at the player and the totality of the circumstances."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
For those keeping scoring at home George Gwozdecky is the head coach of the Denver Pioneers. In others words he's Islander prospect Rhett Rakhshani's coach and basically Mr Gwozdecky sent him own little message here to not even think about signing Rakhshani. I wonder why Bruce Brothers did not put that in his article as if he was trying to make Mr Gwozdecky here seem like he has no stake in this.

Pioneer Press: Bruce Brothers has more from Garth Snow on Kyle Okposo who did not comment on negotiations but did say the club has a plan for Okposo.

"I've gotten to know him; he's a special player, and more than anything he's a special person," the general manager of the New York Islanders said by phone from Long Island.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Someone has to help me with this one. Why would Bruce Brothers make issue of Okposo possiblity geting getting hurt at the WJC as any kind of difference whether he was returning to Minnesota or signing with the Islanders?

Ottawa Sun: Bruce Garrioch reports Doug Weight wanted to be traded to the Islanders as opposed to Anaheim to be with his friend Bill Guerin but the Isles only offered a draft pick. Neither Weight's agent Steve Bartlett nor Blues president John Davidson would comment.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Bruce Garroich puts about fifty rumors into one article, usually with no quotes so do not put a lot of stock in this. St Louis and Weight's agent have no comment. We will find out of it's true come summer time if Guerin is still here and Weight is an unrestricted free agent.

South Bend Tribune: Steve Wozniak has a feature on former Islander assistant Jeff Jackson who is the head coach at Notre Dame.

Point Blank: Chris Botta checked in Christmas Day with a blog on Jason Blake and what he's meant to the New York Islanders as he makes his return Wednesday.

Islanders at the 2008 WJC

NYI Fan Central WJC Section has been updated and moved to the top of the blog for those wishing the follow the games and the running blog set up by the club to cover the Islander prospects. All articles on the players and special features will be part of the daily updates here until the end of the tournament.

Islanders Website: Assistant GM Ryan Jankowski checks in on his way to the Czech Republic in a blog that will run throught the tournament.

Kyle Okposo, Rhett Rahkshani, Stefan Ridderwall, Thomas Marcinko, Robin Figren, are the Islander prospects participating.

Merry Christmas from NYI Fan Central

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM NEW YORK ISLANDER FAN CENTRAL TO EVERYONE....

Peace on Earth !!!!!!












Good will toward men !




New York Islander Fan Central will be back Wednesday Morning.
Have a great holiday.

Islander News Articles 12/23:

Newsday: Erik Boland covered tonight's win with comments from Richard Park on his goal and Ted Nolan on the club's effort.

"This gives us a great feeling going into the holiday. It will make the food and everything taste better," said Park, who scored his sixth goal of the season. "The last two games have been good for us. A different guy has stepped up for us."

"I think Richard Park's been our most underrated player the past couple of years," coach Ted Nolan said. "He does everything."

Newsday: Erik Boland's other article is about how the veterans have helped Blake Comeau with a few words on Kyle Okposo and if they could become Islander teammates?

"They've been great with me since I've been here," Comeau said before last night's game. "Coming up here, you're a little nervous, but they all told me, don't panic with the puck, make plays and when I get the chance, shoot the puck."

"I'm not sure what's happening in that situation, but all I know is I've seen Kyle play at minicamps and he's a great player," Comeau said of possibly playing with Okposo.

Daily News: Peter Botte's limited space game report is on Richard Park's overtime goal with quotes from Park and Miroslav Satan and Ted Nolan. Also reported is Kyle Okposo will be sent to Bridgeport (no quotes) and Shawn Bates will have season ending surgery on his hip.

"We knew going in we didn't have the firepower to blow anybody out 6-1...but we're getting back to the way we need to play," Ted Nolan said.

"We've been falling, so to get these four points (this weekend) is huge," said Miroslav Satan, who also scored to extend his point-scoring streak to six games. "All of a sudden, the picture looks a little brighter."

John Dellapina has a three page article on Drury/Gomez and a full game preview for today as well as a blog and games for the week updated.

NY Post: Jay Greenberg makes a rare Coliseum appearance so Dan Martin could be the second or third Knicks writer and does a good job in his short space letting the fans know the Islanders have problems scoring. Of course if this were a Ranger game he would be selling Lundqvist's goaltending as the story but nothing from DiPietro.

NY Post: Larry Brooks does a little stomping of his own on former Ranger Chris Simon.

Washington Times: Corey Masisak has the game coverage and comments from coach Bruce Boudreau on the Islanders back when they were a dynasty.

"They were so darn quick and so good. You didn't realize how good those guys were until you were actually playing against them and getting beaten 7-1 — which happened a lot."

Washington Post: Free subscription only.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann has a mostly Islander-centric feature on Mike Bossy and TV star Kevin Connolly going shopping with the United Way.

Newsday: Neil Best has a mostly Islander centric update on the history of the teams television contract with former general counsel Bill Skehan speaking out about why the Islanders are signed until 2030-2031 and will
will receive about $20 million from Cablevision this year.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Of course Mr Best makes it mostly negative about the club's losses and questions if the teams is worth the value they get each season and if they would still have a franchise without this contract before making sure to get in a Christmas plug for the Garden.

Islanders seemed to do well enough financially as soon as Roy Boe sold the club to John Pickett.

Newsday: Steve Zipay's Sunday Newsday feature in the Islanders only full time paper is on...............Henrik Lundqvist.

SoundTigers.com: Has the recap of Manchester's 5-1 win at Harbor Yard Saturday.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's game coverage on the loss with Captain Mark Wotton's comments as Bridgeport fails to get back to five hundred with Drew Fata, Jack Capuano and Joey MacDonald. His blog here has more on the loss.

"We were a little sleepy-sleepy the first seven or eight minutes," coach Jack Capuano said. "We were outstanding the rest of the game."

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has a great feature on Dustin Kohn staying with a Westport family which is an idea Howard Saffin credits Bill Torrey for going back to the days of when Bryan Trottier stayed with a local family.

Union Leader: Covers the Manchester Monarchs.

QMJHL: Karl Jahnke has an article with former Islander assistant coach Danny Flynn who's coaching the Moncton Wildcats, where he also worked for Ted Nolan as an assistant where they won the league championship.

"Working in New York was a great experience; the players were very good to me. But the opportunity to put my stamp on the team in Moncton was something I couldn’t pass up. I’ve been coaching 20 years in junior and college hockey, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m excited to be back and I want to build a championship calibre team."

New York 3, Washington 2 ot

Islanders website: Has the recap of the Islanders 3-2 overtime win Saturday against Washington with comments from Ted Nolan and Bill Guerin.

"Tonight Billy found a way and got us a big goal," said head coach Ted Nolan. Billy is a big addition to this team. You look at Richard, who has been one of our best forwards the last two years. He wins faceoffs, plays on the power play and penalty kill. He adds great value to this team."

Added Guerin: "Faceoffs are so important in this game," said Guerin, who scored following a faceoff win by Mike Comrie. "When you win those draws you have the puck more and create more opportunities. Those were two key faceoff wins."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Last two days have been huge. not classic wins but games the Islanders had to have two points. Two games over five hundred vs two games under five hundred is a lot of ground to make up in this league.

Hopefully the wins gives this team the confidence they will need moving forward.

A lot like the first Coliseum game against Washington, except this time Guerin found the net late.

Seemed like the earlier season formula to stay in games kept the Islanders in this one and it paid off. Washington had very little pressure or quality chances thanks to solid team defense across the board in this one. DiPietro was solid, but did not have to be great and steal the game, but as always he has virtually no margin for error.

The setup to Satan and his rush to the net was perfect, twice he dropped the shoulder this season and both times the goaltenders were beaten.

Hard to blame anyone for Ovechin's goal because he's a star player and knew where the screen was.

Park was a one man wrecking crew on his goal but one Cap did hit another with the stick and Kolzig for some reason had five hole wide open.

Islanders need to build on this Wednesday.