New York 1, Tampa Bay 0 |
New York Islander Fan Central | 2/21/2008 07:51:00 PM |
NHL NYI
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Tampa Bay Lightning
Could be the last time we see Miroslav Satan celebrate a goal in an Islander uniform at the Nassau Coliseum?
Islanders website: Jason Lockhart has the recap of tonight's 1-0 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning with Ted Nolan's comments who credited his club's will and their attention to detail as the difference along with earning their breaks. Rick DiPietro talked about the hard work leading to results while Miroslav Satan felt neither team had fresh legs but it was a patient game and his team is very happy with the two points.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
Felt like an early season win where you wonder about the offense and flow from the game but you have to give the club credit for three wins in four days and now six overall because it's been a heck of a stretch. I want to see the quickness and extra step that we saw for the first three games of the winning streak but they have really gone all out as a team to get back into contention and they have gotten the scoring when they need it.
DiPietro was locked in and was outstanding when he had to be and you could see it the last three games in his quick and sharp reactions and did tonight with some saves where his glove snapped up a few chances by Tampa.
This defense just keeps stepping up at a point you expect them to collapse with the names back there but they have shown the chemistry and worked very well as a unit. Fata got an assist on Satan's goal and again this group did outstanding overall.
Cannot praise this group enough, especially Meyer and Martinek again with huge minutes. Berard continued and did a solid job after he looked hurt briefly.
Isles played a descent first period but most of the shots were from the angles, the penalty by Comeau for delay of game and the call on Fata where the Lightning player fell on his own did the job shorthanded did the job. DiPietro again looked sharp.
Tampa had the best chance off an Islander turnover but the Isles had the most shots and Guerin almost got his shot past Kari Ramo. Isles shots were more quantity than quality but they did win the puck in the neutral zone and gain the zone.
Fan reaction to Simon speaks for itself as does Comeau continuing to play the right side where he does not look as confident. That line seems to be used more like a traditional fourth line now as the Isles look like they are struggling to get high quality chances and have not looked like a team with a lot of extra energy the last three games, of course it is three games in four days and four in six.
Isles pp and a Guerin mistake almost cost them and gave the Bolts a little life, Isles power play did not look sharp again.
Berard found Comrie who's shot hit outside the post in what looked like Isles best chance besides the goal but continued. Tampa Bay made their share of turnovers, Isles defense doing a solid job keeping the pressure down for the first half of the second period.
DiPietro a big save with the mask on Dan Boyle, Isles offensive zone penalty.
Isles outshooting Tampa but Bolts had the better second period chances. Satan's wrist shot was a beauty but what a play by Bergenheim to find him.
Seemed like a very quick whistle on that disallowed goal for the Isles.
Would be interesting to see O'Brien and John Tortarella in the lockeroom after this game.
Folks may see five wins and eleven out of twelve points. I see Buffalo, Boston and the Rangers adding points so the Isles must keep winning and do likewise or it's not going to happen for them in terms of a playoff spot.
Islanders did pass the Flyers tonight who lost to San Jose and are officially out of the Atlantic basement and only one point behind the Rangers for third. Pittsburg, Buffalo, Boston among others added to their point total tonight.
But they have put themselves in position once again and it's been very impressive.
This team has made it very tough on Garth Snow moving forward and that's a very good thing. A well deserved day off tomorrow for New York before an early game in Newark Saturday against the Devils.
Icegirls should save that for Henrik Lundqvist.
DiPietro's been coming close to the flag all season when he charges out after being announced as a star and it brushed him a few times.