New York 7, Buffalo 6, Grabner Hat-Trick, Wishart 1st.....Snow Owns Mario

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If only New York was in some kind of realistic playoff contention.

Not a good game at all five on five and Koskinen finally struggled, but sixteen goals in two games, nineteen in three, and three fantastic wins in four days, where they had to work very hard. They just beat a hot, rest team at home and a very good goaltender.

This is not a league where even the best teams play many high scoring games.

That's 2-0 at Buffalo.

Michael Grabner has just been amazing and getting more confident in several area's of the ice, and obviously is making a run at Calder, player of week month, and whatever else is out there, and Okposo is just getting started even with Nielsen unable to finish at even strength. Comeau was not on the list of players practicing Saturday, apparently he was ready and had a nice backhand goal. Tavares another, Moulson looked hurt in second and that could linger. Wishart got his first, Jurcina a big pp goal?

Remember those blog entries on defenders not scoring a while back or five goals on season. MacDonald and Hamonic keep rolling along and improving.

Stick to Nielsen's face no call? MacDonald's play to stop breakaway down 4-2 was robbery.

Al Montoya, far from perfect, but his first NHL win for New York, still cannot find a quote from him which is approaching Freddy Meyer like proportions going from NY-PHOENIX-back, with no interview.
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As for the media side show Mario Lemieux obviously has a selective memory and really did not need to go there and let the league handle the process. Not the first time he has done this when he does not get things his way, and his silence regarding his own players/coaches transgressions to control themselves speak volumes.

Sure Lemieux should stick up for his team, but he wants to call out league, he should face consequences.

Snow for his part stuck up for his team (Al Arbour/Denis Potvin were pleased and they know better than Lemieux) and Garth Snow sounded off like a professional executive, who asked the same questions this blog did, along with Howie Rose about the Pens not controlling their players.

Sure he had a little creative tap-dancing spinning Gillies actions.

Even Mario's former teammate, Rob Brown, had some criticism of Matt Cooke today out of Canadian media here.

Snow should be proud of his players, and respectful of the process with his comments to the public. Charles Wang should not say a word.

New York Hockey getting some media coverage, with friends like Newsday, we need no enemies. Larry Brooks must be very upset the Islanders are getting far more media play, than Cablevision's team to unleash his latest blind-unreasoning assault with no quotes from anyone to support his silly claims, but par for course from him.

Not like Post is covering New York Islander hockey games.

This even forced NY Times, Dave Caldwell, to even include score of Sunday's road win in another rare article.

Islanders website already has post-game up with player comments.

Of course the game now becomes who has the most friends/media of each side defend the other. Hopefully for the New York side, they are done.

Oh well, on to Ottawa and perhaps a player of week for Grabner? He's heading toward the top ten in NHL scoring.

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Tavares Hat-Trick.... New York 5, Buffalo 3

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Heck of an effort and win Saturday night by New York, worth a blog entry because a lot happened.

Tavares could have had five and the Islanders could have had eight or nine if Miller was not at his best. This kids hands, move to the net are getting better and better, he looks very comfortable/confident in front of net. Miller made right play on all three goals.

Of course, even Mick Vukota can score a natural hat-trick here back in 1989 which was ironically a 5-3 New York win.

Vukota got his with about forty seconds to spare vs Tavares.

Early (aside from Grabner's speed or a Comeau miss in front, Tavares-Pareneau 2-0) the first period offense came mostly from the point, but second period the Islanders simply dominated with a level of skating and skill that was a lot of fun to watch.

That second period was a lot like the effort against Vancouver (after first) and several teams recently. Aside from Bailey, everyone was getting chances or kept moving, the Islanders overwhelmed Buffalo and put on pressure they could not stand up against.

So Jurcina get's a penalty at end of first for high-sticking Vanek who is kneeling in crease, next period a 5'5 Sabre makes contact on Milan Jurcina, draws blood but no call with all these officials on ice? Comical, because rule is you are responsible for your stick.

Rick DiPietro played very well, however his stickhandling at the end of the first led to Buffalo keeping the puck in which gave them a powerplay, then another, which led to their 1-0 goal. That may not be fair but as soon as that puck was barely kept in the Sabres got in close and forced a penalty, you could see it coming.

Either Hamonic/MacDonald spread full out to break up a 2-1 in the second which was great and led to Islanders getting a 2-1 the other way. Gervais was outstanding along with all the defenders tonight.

MacDonald has twelve points since December 18th, he is also -8 since 12/27 to go with huge minutes he is given.

Third period was too much of same script, I almost expected Capuano's time out after the first minutes. They have to keep pushing play, not sit back and let game come to them.

Grabner has been so due, his speed every game is generating chances on every shift, and that was a fantastic shot to beat Miller, and finally take off the pressure.

Buffalo was a desperate team 5-1-1 that needed a win tonight to keep pace, both teams could have scored a lot more but in this one New York was the better team.

Would it be a Buffalo-New York game without Hecht scoring? Officiating was again very questionable tonight.

Steve Montador was doing a lot of solid hitting tonight against Islander players, the Islander staff should be showing that footage in meetings.

Round one of four goes to New York, next up what seems like a Devils team that is showing signs of getting it's game back under Jacques Lemaire.

Jon Sim:
If the Islanders and Jon Sim parting was amiable, I have no problem with it. If it was not he signed a two-way contract and was obligated to see through the agreement he signed last summer when he was free to sign with any other NHL team. Bridgeport could have used his scoring on a six game slide and a veteran to help them as he has in the past.

I don't understand why his scoring was missing this year, last year he had thirteen goals and some big ones to keep the club in games. I do believe he got a fair chance this season and played hard, but without the production. Given the current standings, it made no sense to keep him up here, but without Rhett Rakhshani, Nielsen and Okposo this team could well be short a forward in a game they may not want to dress Trevor Gillies.

I'm going to miss Jon Sim, of course I wish him the best of luck in Switzerland.

Updated:
Did you really expect anything but overt negativity from the Dolan's paper after a big night from Tavares and some very good play that has draw praise from opposing players around the NHL?

You think this paper is in business to hype the New York Islanders or credit DiPietro for solid play, it's not happening.

It was a hachet job, designed to be as negative as possible, surprised Baumbach did not lobby for more Al Arbour wins to be taken away.

The good news was Dolan's spin-doctors had nothing new from Wang's December interview, this article was growing stale sitting around waiting for release, so why not pick a night after a good win/Tavares hat-trick to drive away fans?

No arena in the NHL is older than Msg, which is a dump, you think Dolan's paper will ever write that or about the thousands of empty seats at Knick/Ranger games from their mediocre/poor teams?



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Islander News Articles 3/1:

Newsday: Greg Logan's game article claims the source close to Guerin reported him being scratched was " precautionary" and will make his decision in the morning about agreeing to a trade.

Head coach Scott Gordon comments, who Mr Logan claims Guerin has been " at odds with much of this season " discussed how he will fill the possible leadership void as he addressed some of his younger players.

Newsday: Greg Logan in Islanders Newsday blog after Tsn report (8:45pm) writes according to a source close to Bill Guerin the team has a deal in place pending his approval with an announcement either late Saturday but likely Sunday.

Bad News is Mr Logan reports Guerin's situation has been exacerbated by what he writes is a rocky relationship with coach Scott Gordon, some details of which will appear in a story in Sunday's Newsday about tensions between several veteran players and the rookie head coach.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
So much for enjoying another shutout win.

How come Mr Logan simply does not give us all the details now or does it have to be dragged out over weeks/months to create as much negative perception as possible?

Seems like the only time the club gets a special story in Newsday is when it's along these lines or it's obvious bad news. The good news kind of just fades away without much followup.

I'm not in the room, obviously it's been a tough year and of course there are going to be problems especially with a rookie head coach. Every time the Islanders played Atlanta, John Anderson was seemingly blasting his players.

Is this the same Bill Guerin who has praised Scott Gordon on several occasions in papers outside Newsday around North America (with Doug Weight) and went out of their way to do so?

Again, I'm not in the room so I do not know.

I hate to write it but this has to be somewhat of a cross-roads again for Mr Botta who was the one who broke the story on Nolan-Snow last year at a time he went from team official to independent blogger. Will he dish the dirt or confirm where Greg Logan is going with this and if he knew it why did he not report it already?

Why did Mr Logan wait for Guerin's likely departure unless the captain wanted it that way?

I tend to think unless it's well outside the norm these things should be kept in house for all teams. No team in hockey (or any sport) has everyone happy with their coach/manager and when you are in 30th place with four hundred man games lost nothing can be better than ok on the best of days.

This should really help free agency, Snow's status as gm and the Lighthouse.

The other team Newsday covers does not report on their dirt, regardless of whether the coach is fired or the players do not like the coach or one another. Seems like things are done differently with the Islanders in the reporting beyond the lack of updates.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann gives his view of Mr Wang's long interview with the paper on Friday with several of his comments repeated.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann has a few words from Msg on Bill Guerin sitting out as apparently the Cablevision owned club again will receive the bulk of Newsday coverage.

Updated 12:00am:
Tsn.ca: Darren Dreger reports the Boston Bruins are not the team involved in a trade for Guerin and after referencing Mr Botta's earlier report
notes sources close to the veteran forward say he has not yet been asked to waive it and that sources tell TSN that Guerin has been told he likely will not learn which team has expressed interest until the morning, as the Islanders work on finalizing a deal.

NY Post: Dan Martin's coverage of the Islanders win has virtually nothing on the game besides a brief recap with all coverage centered around Bill Guerin. Kyle Okposo's comments about the current captain, calling him " tremendous " as he was asked about the captaincy role for himself in his future.

Daily News: Peter Botte's limited space gave us one paragraph on the game with no quotes from coach or players with all Guerin/other trade speculation.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sure would be nice to get an AP article link with that because Danis, Bergenheim and the team deserve some coverage on the win. When they play road games (or ex-owners go to prison) they get a sports ticker recap where more space is provided than this which is beyond the writer but should be able to manage his game space better.

Buffalo News: John Vogl already has a game article and reaction from the players with head coach Lindy Ruff.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Good stuff from a paper that used to post it's articles by noon the next day after most games.

Los Angeles Times: Helene Elliott reports a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed Scott Niedermayer has been told he won't be moved before Wednesday's noon PST trade deadline despite his UFA status while Espn's Pierre LeBrun's speculates on this and other possible trades.

CP: Reports Philadelphia has cleared enough cap space to finally add Daniel Briere to it's lineup.

Cbc.com: Reports Derek Boogaard of the Minnesota Wild was suspened for five games after an elbow to the head of Brandon Prust in the head with just over one minute left in Minnesota's 4-1 loss on Friday night.

AHL.com: Reports Bridgeport despite Andrew McDonald's callup won a big game Saturday against WBS Pens 3-2 at Harbor Yard with Nate Lawson in goal.

Mitch Fritz had a five minute major in this game so it could result in an AHL suspension for any possible Islander recalls.

1. WBS Pesonen, (18) (Goligoski, Letestu), 16:41
2. BRI McLean, (15) (Joensuu, Kohn), 16:20
3. BRI Iggulden, (22) (Joensuu), 1:44
3. BRI Kohn, (3) (Haley, Bentivoglio), 2:47
3. WBS Engelland, (2) (Goligoski, Letestu), 12:24 (PP)

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has comments from Dustin Kohn and Nate Lawson on Bridgeport's win which moved them into second place in the Eastern Division with blog entries here.

Bridgeport plays the back end of this home and home at WBS Sunday at 5pm.

Times Leader: Has Pens coverage on their loss.

New York 2, Buffalo 0

NHL.com: Recaps New York's 2-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres Saturday.

New York wins season series 2-1-1.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sean Bergenheim's first career two goal game.
Yann Danis second shutout in seven days.

Before the game I wrote we'll see how bad the Buffalo Sabres want to stay together.

For the better part of fifty five minutes (aside from a few odd minutes) they were outworked by the Islanders and did not compete very hard for second chances nor did they generate a lot of breaks for themselves despite their injuries.

Only area Buffalo showed up was in the scrum department after whistles which we saw a lot in the October blowout but not as much in the games at Buffalo. Isles held their own with no fights but like most games are simply not as big as the Sabres with Comeau vs Paul Gaustad.

Not even Jochen Hecht could find a way he seemingly makes his living creating plays for goals against the New York Islanders.

Not a great start for the Islanders either with some choppy play, Bergenheim was the most visible again and seemed to look good whether he was on a line with Hilbert, Sim or whoever. He fell to strip the puck on the 2-0 goal off a nice feed from Nielsen.

Andrew MacDonald a good early shot but for the most part Islanders were chasing the play with Danis playing very well. Jackman had a great chance shorthanded but was robbed by Lalime.

Okposo, Comeau, Bailey again very quiet until that powerplay with six minutes left in the second where they did not score but worked the puck well in the Buffalo zone.

I know Okposo was in on Bergenheim's goal but again Okposo, Comeau and Bailey just seem like their game is more east-west than north-south. Okposo for a right wing seems to be favoring making plays off left wing. Comeau is either struggling or that is throwing his game off while Bailey drifts around the perimeter or screens the goalie from a distance and does not do much else or at best is spotty in games.

Hilbert and Sim again involved and active, Martinek took a big clean hit, Joe Callahan took off the gloves but did not fight. Martinek threw a solid elbow for a penalty, Buffalo hit a post but again had been a play/pass short without much of a second effort.

Callahan, MacDonald solid on defense with a nice play on Jason Pominville in the third, Hillen again is noticeable with his offensive play.

Mark Streit playing twenty nine minutes is too much for a team in this spot.

Danis seems to be in a zone where he seeing the puck very well or getting the bounces.

Third period Islanders could not put them away with powerplay nor could Sabres do a lot with their powerplay. Some good defense but not great execution for the most part from either side in that department.

Buffalo had a little more urgency in the final few minutes but Bergenheim made a play that created the 2-0 goal and that was the hockey game.

Next up the return of Colorado's leading scorer Ryan Smyth (pending trade) and a club playing like a fifteenth place team in the Colorado Avalanche on a four game losing streak against the Eastern Conference.

Buffalo at New York 7pm Msg+

Updated Player Pos Injury Expected Return
02/05/09 Maxim Afinogenov RW Groin IR. Out indefinitely
02/22/09 Ryan Miller G Ankle Out indefinitely
02/26/09 Jaroslav Spacek D Upper Questionable for Feb. 28 at N.Y.
02/27/09 Thomas Vanek LW Face IR. Might return March 4 vs. Montreal

02/26/2009 BUF 1 @ CAR 2
02/24/2009 ANA 3 @ BUF 2
02/21/2009 NYR 2 @ BUF 4
02/19/2009 BUF 3 @ PHI 6
02/17/2009 BUF 4 @ TOR 1

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Buffalo is playing win one/lose one hockey but are right in the mix for the final spot and this being their last game before the trade deadline should play their best if they want to stay together.

For the most part the Sabres are scoring their three-four goals a game which will make it tough on the Islanders unless they start getting some balanced scoring with the kid lines and Hunter due for a few goals and Streit the only defender finishing combined with the powerplay needing to score a few goals.

Patrick Lalime started the previous Coliseum game and is the expected starter for this game. Only Scott Gordon knows who will be his starter, if a rotation I guess it's Yann Danis turn.

Islanders had their worst game of the year in what seems another season last time Sabres came to New York losing 7-1 but went 1-0-1 in Buffalo since.

With Vanek out the scoring pressure goes up for Derek Roy, Pominville, Stafford and Kotalik. Tim Connolly has had another year of more time injured than playing but obviously is talented despite Mike Milbury who drafted him criticizing him a short time ago. The pressure should be on Connolly.

For the Islanders without Witt and perhaps Radek Martinek a defenseman or two Bridgeport callups likely becomes at least three and maybe four AHL defenders in the lineup.

Bridgeport played the same backline against Philadelphia Friday:
Lee-Gleed
Fraser-Wotton
Kohn-MacDonald

Utah has made no callups at this time and Bridgeport has games Saturday and Sunday.

Will add in updates/when I can.

May not have a game review until Sunday.

Islander News Articles 2/28

Newsday: Greg Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog has the transcript of Islanders owner Charles Wang's interview who invited Newsday sports editor Hank Winnicki, news side reporter Eden Laikin, Jim Baumbach, Mark Herrmann and himself to discuss the Lighthouse Project in a wide-ranging interview earlier Friday. According to Mr Logan in attendance were Michael Picker, president of the Lighthouse Development Group, Lighthouse public relations head Paul Lancey and Islanders general manager Garth Snow.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Transcript is too long but this is the version with Mr Wang's direct comments.

Whatever articles with writer opinion beyond this I will post below it but the transcript really is the entire ballgame where Wang-Picker answered anything I could think about the team, this process and the Lighthouse project.

You can essentially bookmark this as the blueprint for whatever happens ahead, seems Mr Wang was completely transparent in every area and did an excellent job.

If I read things correctly the Smg lease will be bought out at some point in the future if the project does move forward.

Newsday: Mr Logan's interpretation of Charles Wang comments.

Newsday: Mr Logan's other article is mostly a repeat of his blog entry on Brendan Witt's suspension with general manager Garth Snow's comments. Nothing from Witt about being suspended at this time, just mostly last night's comments from the NY Post.

NY Post: Dan Martin's Saturday article has Witt's comments from the postgame and added Witt will not appeal the decision with Garth Snow's statement.

Globe & Mail/CP: Report goaltender Rick DiPietro and Andy Sutton of the Islanders will be part of the committee to name a replace for Eric Lindros as NHLPA Ombudsmen this summer as Buzz Hargrove was named to the spot on an interim basis Friday according to Tsn.ca.

Buffalo News: Has coverage from Bucky Gleason & Jerry Sullivan of the Buffalo Sabres coming off their shootout loss to Carolina Thursday, they are without goaltender Ryan Miller after being injured last weekend.

Sporting News: Ray Slover has a few words on Bill Guerin waiving his NTC and trade deadline speculation on the Islanders.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Slover needed to do a better job here and point out what Mr Botta/Tsn included which was he would agree " under the right circumstances " which was left out of his commentary.

These things have to be including because it's simply misleading otherwise.

Sportsnet did an even sloppier job Friday without including that part and went a step further writing Guerin would only accept a trade to an Eastern Conference team here with a nice picture of Doug Weight next to the article which Guerin, Snow or the club did not have a single quote about.

This is how people read information and by the time it reaches outsides sources it is so out of context it's essentially worthless.

Vancouver Sun: Brad Ziemer reports with Vancouver claiming defenseman Ossi Vaananen from the Philadelphia Flyers, the Canuscks now have eight defenders and one coming off injured reserve with depth in the AHL.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Going to be interesting to see what Garth Snow does with his defense. Not making a move to claim Vaananen leads me to believe Brendan Witt is in his future plans unless a trade brings back a defender, no one is talking about Radek Martinek's status for Saturday.

Windsor Star: Reports former Windsor Spitfire Josh Bailey is among 28 players from 25 different National Hockey League teams who will be participating in the Donation For Minutes Weekend to raise funds for the international humanitarian organization Right To Play, which provides facilities, equipment and training for coaches in 23 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America.

Each participant is donating funds based on minutes played and honouring a coach or role model that impacted their life as part of the weekend celebration.

Bailey, who will donate based on the minutes he plays in Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, has designated former Spitfires captain Mickey Renaud, who died last year, as his role model.

Windsor Star: Jim Parker has Spitfire gm Bob Boughner's comments there is zero chance Josh Bailey will be sent to Windsor to play in their upcoming playoffs before Wednesday's deadline and has had no recent contact with the Islanders. The article notes even a long playoff run for Windsor would not go very far beyond the end of the Islanders season for Bailey who is not AHL eligible for Bridgeport's playoffs.

The article also note The New York Islanders appear ready to give Barrie Colts enforcer Peter Stevens a pro chance and have asked the six-foot-three, 219-pound Stevens to join the East Coast Hockey League's Utah Grizzlies once Barrie's season is done which the Times-Herald Record confirmed with his comments a few day ago
here.

Barrie Examiner has a profile article on Stevens earlier this month here.

AHL.com: Recaps what is likely Bridgeport's final visit to Philadelphia in a 4-1 Sound Tiger win in Peter Mannino's return in goal.

1. BRI Joensuu, (16) (Iggulden, Colliton), 7:49
2. BRI Bentivoglio, (7) (Wotton, Fraser), 5:22
2. PHI Laliberte, (17) (Matsumoto, Curry), 7:50 (PP)
2. BRI Haley, (2) (Bentivoglio, Haskins), 9:05
3. BRI Walter, (15) (Joensuu), 15:29

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's game coverage with comments from head coach Jack Capuano and Michael Haley's line that keyed the win with Saturday's preview report no one at this time has been recalled for Brendan Witt (and maybe Radek Martinek) who left Thursday's game with blog entries on the win here.

Philadelphia Inq/Daily News: Combined Phantoms page with game coverage.

Islander News Articles 12/28

Will add to this blog entry tomorrow morning with more articles as available.

Newsday: Greg Logan's early recap credited the teams strong defensive play and pointed out they played a part of the second shorthanded for over five minutes but only trailed by one entering the third period.

Head coach Scott Gordon, Mike Comrie, Kyle Okposo discussed the Islanders effort in coming back to tie the game.

Newsday: Mr Logan's second article was mostly a repeat of his blog on Bill Guerin in the future along with Scott Gordon's comments about Rick DiPietro likely being sore but he had not spoken with him. Mr Logan speculated on a possible trade to Columbus for Weight and reported the Blue Jackets had a scout in Buffalo.

Star Tribune: Michael Russo wrote Saturday afternoon with Derick Brassard out for the season in Columbus because of a shoulder injury, the Blue Jackets are reportedly inquiring about the Islanders' Doug Weight.

That rumor seems to be what was floated in the Columbus Dispatch blog Saturday here in sports columnist Michael Arace's shared blog.

Columbus Dispatch: Tom Reed reported the Dispatch has learned the Jackets have been in trade talks with six or seven teams. Gm Howson would not confirm a total.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
We'll see when Weight gets close to returning if anything comes of this but it's interesting. Islanders put a lot of effort into Weight's countdown only two points short but if Garth Snow feels this improves his club it's something he has to do even if Bill Guerin is not thrilled.

I do not think Kyle Okposo was in his spot on the powerplay the way you would spot someone when there is an injury.

It has to be noted Columbus also has a forward Garth Snow tried to trade for last spring in Kristian Huselius here who has a club-worst minus-9 rating (ten goals) and fewer assists (11) than defenseman Mike Commodore (13).

Kristian Huselius is signed to a four-year, $19- million contract.

Hilbert is a left wing who is out, Sim cleared waivers but Trevor Smith is also a left wing. Columbus would have to take back some salary to make this work.

Buffalo News: Has John Vogl's coverage.

AHL.com: Reports the Sound Tigers lost 5-4 at WBS Pens Saturday. Peter Mannino had nineteen saves in net.

1. BRI Smith, (17) (Skinner, McLean), 5:54 (PP)
1. WBS Taffe, (15) (Stone, D'Aversa), 6:45
1. BRI Skinner, (1) (Hillen, Walter), 9:03 (PP)
1. WBS Taffe, (16) (Engelland, Stone), 19:04
2. BRI Smith, (18) (Iggulden, McLean), 19:10 (PP)
3. WBS Johnson, (2) (Letestu, Cashman), 2:25
3. WBS Minard, (23) (Stone, Taffe), 2:48
3. BRI Pitton, (1) (Hillen, Haskins), 11:23 (SH)
3. WBS Minard, (24) (Taffe, Pesonen), 11:29 (PP)

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has the recap of Bridgeport's 5-4 regulation loss to WBS Pens on Saturday with comments from head coach Jack Capuano, who did not feel his team created enough but credited his goaltender. Brett Skinner and Trevor Smith also talk about a game Bridgeport was outscored 4-0 at even strength but had three on the powerplay.

A separate feature was done on local prospect Jaime Sifers of the Toronto Maple Leafs by Mr Fornabaio here.

Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Covers the Penguins along with Citizens Voice here.

Bridgeport is off until next Friday.

Buffalo 4, New York 3 Shootout

Sports Network & Associated Press: Has the recap of New York's 4-3 shootout loss to Buffalo.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
It did not make up for Satan not finishing in game five of the playoffs in the final seconds to force overtime but that was one heck of a great ending to regulation for the Islanders tonight.

Heck of a play to feed Campoli who made a big time shot.

They did not win the shootout, but they sure did not quit.

This one feels like a win, it's the kind of regulation point they did not get all season to force overtime.

Joey MacDonald was outstanding all night again, he stole the point early with a few great saves on his end, especially early and on one great chance in the third on a full windup shot.

The Islanders had problems with the Sabres speed.

It took about half a game for the Islanders to get going on the offense, a lot of the night they were outnumbered in all three zones but when things starting clicking the chances started coming.

Those chances came from a lot of players too.

Good rush by Meyer, pressure and chances with the Sabres scrambling at times, Tambellini made a great play to start the cycle for his goal before Streit found him with an open net for the Islanders first goal. He also drove the net a few other times. Guerin again had a very big game and took the puck at the Buffalo net with his chances.

Islanders drew some powerplays by working through checks and keeping the legs moving.

You can see how happy Guerin was for Tambellini by his reaction and it was the same the night before with Tambellini thrilled for Guerin. Bailey for a quiet game again made plays to generate chances.

Okposo should be using that big shot every game and at times looked dominating, I'm not sure he belongs on the off-wing powerplay on point.

Comeau when he was not watching the powerplay again looked very good and should be on every powerplay instead of Sim. Colliton for his minutes was very strong on the puck and almost won it in overtime, I wonder what he would do with some skill next to him besides Jackman?

Richard Park gave all he had, not going to finish this often. He had the first quality chances at Miller and one in overtime.

Bergenheim is going to play his way into a benching with these penalties, first one that led to the five on three, then the one in overtime? For all his skating and hard work he is not learning from these mistakes. Almost felt like the Islanders were going to win in overtime before his penalty.

Witt was amazing at the end of that overtime penalty when Colliton and Streit were exhausted and Buffalo countered with a two on one, he spread all out for the block and then made a clear after being out almost the entire penalty kill.

I know Comrie scored later but he admired his nice hit on MacArthur while he got up, drove the net and scored the 3-1 goal that should have finished the game. No excuse for that kind of play despite his line with Comeau and Okposo again having a strong effort.

It would not be an Islander-Buffalo Sabre game if Jochen Hecht did not score his obligatory goal or make his play to lead to a goal. Kennedy looked good and was very visible for Buffalo. I'll take Maxim Afinogenov's speed/skill in this lineup any day if Garth Snow wants to sign him this summer.

In terms of the playoff race it's a point they had to have against a team they beat in Buffalo already however in terms of how they played most of the second half of the game it was a strong effort.

Would love to see this game a year from now with a few players a year older for the Islanders.

Howie Rose sounded like a man who would rather be elsewhere or had a plane waiting, don't let us keep you.

New York at Buffalo 7pm Msg+

Sports Network: Has the preview for tonight's game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Buffalo comes in off a 3-2 loss at Washington Friday having lost three in a row.

Buffalo News: John Vogl reports among line changes that Defenseman Craig Rivet, who missed his seventh straight game with a shoulder injury, was the only banged-up Sabre to make the trip to Washington. Ruff said Rivet will be evaluated by team doctors today.

Forwards Nathan Gerbe (upper body), Patrick Kaleta (neck/head), Paul Gaustad (upper body) and Tim Connolly (rib) did not come for the Sabres’ morning skate.

Buffalo is 1-4-2 in the second of back to back games and 9-8 at home this season.

This was Buffalo's injury report as of today:
Updated Player Pos Injury Expected Return
12/23/08 Craig Rivet D Upper body IR. Out until at least early January
12/23/08 Tim Connolly C Ribs IR. Out until at least late December
12/23/08 Paul Gaustad C Upper body Questionable for Dec. 26 at Washington
12/19/08 Nathan Gerbe C Upper body IR. Out until at least late December
12/23/08 Jochen Hecht C Ear Questionable for Dec. 26 at Washington
12/22/08 Patrick Kaleta RW Head Out until late December

As of 12:30pm there are no recalls by the Islanders for Andy Hilbert which means Fritz or Sim play.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Only the Islanders know what the story is with regard to Rick DiPietro playing again tonight, a fair/good guess would be Joey MacDonald.

Patrick Lalime has played both games against the Islanders this year.

I have no doubt the Islanders have not thrown in the towel on this season, if a win does not give the club some confidence from here, nothing else will.

Islander News Articles 11/23

Newsday: Greg Logan recaps the Islanders 4-2 win in Buffalo. Joey MacDonald talks about how getting right back in goal helped his confidence while Bill Guerin talked about the Islanders play with the lead.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
The part about the club being " incensed " about the two games suspension to Mike Mottau was edited out of the earlier version of this article. What was not edited in was a single comment from head coach Scott Gordon on a rare night ITV did not have a postgame.

Newsday: Mr Logan has reaction from general manager Garth Snow on Nielsen's injury/Mottau's suspension including where Mike Comrie and Josh Bailey stand in terms injury/nine game trial. Also included in Sunday's print edition was an edited version of Islander Insider from Friday here.

Buffalo News: John Vogl's game coverage points out Buffalo after forty minutes held a 31-14 shots advantage and had taken 30 of the last 34 shots while the Islanders on the strength of three powerplays opened with 10 of the first 11 and still led 2-1.

Buffalo News: Mr Vogl/Mike Harrington had the game notes which included Tim Connolly's latest injury the Islanders long injury list and Mottau suspension.

National Post/Ticker: Had Bill Guerin's comments praising Trent Hunter for standing up for Nielsen and suggested the officials on the ice should have access to replays on the ice to determine if someone is hit in the head.

Vancouver Sun: Theresa Tedesco had a very interesting five part article on the Nashville Predators ownership situation/league
individual market finances/Jim Balsillie/Relocation Rules Process/Bettman legacy where claims the concerns of debt among the NHL ownership are increasing. Bill Daly NHL deputy commissioner also had a few comments on different subjects.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
This is the time of year we start seeing articles about how much revenue the six Canadian teams generate.

The writer used Forbes for some worthless filler estimates but the kicker here is Wayne McDonnell Jr, a clinical assistant professor of Sports Management at New York University was brought in for a few comments.

Mr McDonnell worked as a financial analyst and accountant at Madison Square Garden according to the writer.

For those who recall during the lockout the Cablevision owned Rangers claimed the highest losses of any NHL team and we all know the league has this little litigation problem with the Ranger ownership where Mr Bettman threatened one action he could take would be to kick the Dolan's out.

Sorry, but those subjects were not included in this article.

Sound Tigers.com: Recaps Bridgeport's 4-1 loss. Jesse Joensuu had a first period goal.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's game coverage centers around all the penalties Bridgeport took with head coach Jack Capuano's comments along with Blake Comeau and goaltender Yann Danis.

Note-Bridgeport is home against Philadelphia Sunday at 4pm in Mike Sillinger's first game.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio blogged on the Sound Tigers loss in Hershey on Saturday which dropped them out of first place.

Lebanon Daily News: Dan Sernoffsky also recaps the 4-1 loss in a game Yann Danis had stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced through two periods.

New York 4, Buffalo 2

Associated Press: Reports the Islanders on Saturday defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 along with Sports Network recap here

NYI Fan Central Comments:
After last night they had to have two points here and they found a way, granted they played a struggling opponent but this is the kind of team that is supposed to give the Islanders trouble because of their speed.

Joey MacDonald did what number one goalies are supposed to do and that is keep their team in the game which is exactly what happened in the second period, he did not have to make a bunch of big saves but did not allow any poor goals. Huge win for the Islanders and MacDonald who you think would be a little shaken after five goals the night before but kept his composure and got the job done.

Cannot ask for any more from a goaltender.

Confidence and results are everything in this league, that's why we see teams like Buffalo and Ottawa pressing despite their speed and skill.

Where was the Islanders desperation being out shot 18-2 against a struggling team?

Nice shot by Streit, good deflection by Sim but does not change how the period played out where the Sabres did block some chances. Guerin made a very nice cut to the net for his goal which is exactly where he needs to be shooting, Weight made a good pass to Hilbert who found Guerin.

Islanders again came out and had early powerplays (nice work between Weight-Guerin-Bailey) but could not make them pay off at a point where they needed to finish a play. Lalime made a few good stops too.

Would like to see Bailey use his shot.

Hilbert one way or another is creating goals, this one off a deflection of a Trent Hunter shot on a slick backhand pass from Bailey. Hilbert's pass to Guerin was off a very good start of the third where the Islanders came out and skated.

Colliton had five blocked shots to lead the club, Fritz dropped Peters for his two minutes and had a chance or two on offense. Weight two more points and almost twenty minutes of ice time?

Good defensive effort from the backline with Scott Gordon aside from Streit keeping everyone under twenty minutes. Witt had one very good defensive play.

Third four goal game of the season, I think for now it's time for the media to forget the blown third period lead angle because it seems to be in the past.

I think what Bergenhiem did before the Sabres second goal would be what Peter Laviolette used to call a " drive-by " or did not want a ten-game suspension for the hit he looked like he could have thrown.

Right after that he had a great shift with Weight and Guerin where Rivet robbed Weight and Bergenheim did some great work. Killed any momentum for Buffalo off the goal they scored.

More recap tomorrow updated in this blog entry but the Islanders had to get two points after last night.

We'll see what they can do on Monday in Montreal as Scott Gordon has a goaltending decision to make.

New York at Buffalo 7pm Msg+

AP: Previews Saturday's game against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC arena.

Since beginning the season with four straight wins as part of a 6-0-2 start, Buffalo (9-7-3) has gone 1-5-1 and been outscored 21-7 during their current slide.

The Sabres registered a season-high 40 shots against Martin Biron on Friday, but the former Sabre was perfect in leading visiting Philadelphia to a 3-0 victory.

Right wing Mark Mancari, the second-leading scorer in the AHL was recalled from Portland and inserted into the lineup, defenseman Nathan Paetsch played for just the fifth time. Tim Connolly/A. Kotalik are out for the Sabres.

Goaltender Ryan Miller hasn't been sharp lately for Buffalo, allowing 13 goals during a personal three-game losing streak but Lalime could have sat on the ice for all the work he got in the Coliseum game.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
You go into a game like this without Okposo, Nielsen and the speed/skill they bring against a club that will be desperate to come out and take the game at the Islanders who are outmatched in the speed/skill department head to head. A lot is being asked here which is why Friday was so important to set the tone for the roadtrip with a good effort.

Scott Gordon needs the best game from his skaters, it still might not be enough against a club that scored four first period goals against Boston before losing before Friday. Sabres will be more than happy to trade chances given the skill disparity.

Do I even write about the eight goals and Coliseum game? Sabres no doubt will be looking for a big effort and to run the Islanders out of the building while Scott Gordon's players should want to send a message of their own after that memorable loss.

As I write this Nielsen is going to be out for the Sabre game according to Mr Botta Point BlankJeremy Colliton will be recalled.

Maybe, maybe not but it has to be written Trent Hunter just lost his center and the Islanders recalled a player with one AHL goal in eighteen games to take his spot.

You look around this lineup and see Fritz, Jackman, Colliton, Bailey, Tambellini, Park, Hilbert there are seven combined goals for seven players dressing.

No hiding from this for long if at all.

Islander News Articles 10/14

Newsday: Greg Logan went all out to make DiPietro not playing in relief of Joey MacDonald the story of the day while Scott Gordon explained his philosophy on pulling goaltenders while the beatwriter accused the coach of only answering questions he wanted to. Joey MacDonald gave his comments with the beatwriter again cornering him on the subject of DiPietro's availability.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann barely stopped short of writing DiPietro was injured and could not play but dressed anyway while Nate Thompson defended his goaltender. Joey MacDonald also talked about the game along with more from Bill Guerin.

Newsday: Greg Logan has comments from Nate Thompson about the fights and Bill Guerin on the penalties.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's over the top Newsday is attempting to play doctor and second guess the coach to this degree. MacDonald had a shaky couple of costly goals, others were just breakdowns no goalie could stop with open nets. Islanders had Campoli, Martinek, Sillinger from the playoff with Buffalo injured today but as usual Mr Herrmann needed to kick a little extra dirt on them and stir the pot asking what's changed since the playoff series with Buffalo?

It's three games and they could have won two, tone it down Mr Herrmann. One thing that has not changed is how vindictive Newsday is running down this club every chance the get and targeting DiPietro.

If Gordon wanted DiPietro to sit out regardless, Danis would have been recalled.

Sure seems many Newsday staff writers have some major issues with Rick DiPietro for just about anything and are not going to make it easy for the club with the injury policy but who can blame the team given how poor they have been treated by the local media for so long?

Daily News: Peter Botte was permitted by Daily News Sports editor Leon Carter to make his first appearance at Nassau Coliseum since last season and jumped right on the DiPietro bandwagon wondering why the goaltender was was not used in the third period with Scott Gordon's comments who felt his club did not play a very good game with Mr Botte writing that his answer was to deflect from discussing his goaltender.

NY Post: Dan Martin's coverage included Bill Guerin's comments about how much work this team has to do along with Scott Gordon.

Newsday: Jim Baumbach had a few words about DiPietro as he had selective amnesia about what goalie won the season series between Lundqvist-Brodeur and Rick DiPietro a year ago along with what goalie faced the least shots per game in the Eastern Conference and for three months still could not get his save percentage above nine in Henrik Lundqvist.

Lundqvist is seeing even less shots than he did a year ago to date so credit his early play but any goaltender should win with less shots and a trap, an argument the media uses often against Martin Brodeur which seems a double-standard by Mr Baumbach.

Buffalo News: Mike Harrington has the Sabre coverage.

Updated Tuesday Morning:
Newsday: Mr Logan blogs Tuesday morning with captain Bill Guerin's comments who did not excuse fatigue for his teams play and pointed to his time under former Devils coach Jacques LeMaire's system taking a long time for the club to learn. Mr Logan then gave early impressions of the lines and young players while forgetting Nielsen's first period chance where he got to the perfect spot and was robbed shorthanded on a great feed from Hunter.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Curiously Mr Logan felt despite Guerin's comments on the future things look grim for a team right now that is only 1-2 that has yet to play close to it's full lineup that easily could have been 2-1 if not for interference against MacDonald.

Newsday: Anthony Rieber in the latest Newsday disgrace claims the Islanders since trading for Ryan Smyth have been timid and cheap in the decision making process despite what the Islanders paid Mark Streit or Mr Logan's claims of the offers Drury or Scott Gomez being virtually the same (not front-loaded) as the Ranger contracts were.


Sarina Observer: Dave Borody has comments from Islander prospect Justin DiBenedetto along with Sarnia head coach Dave MacQueen on his five goal, seven point game on Sunday.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has a blog update with his early Sound Tiger impressions along with the lineup among other items.

Buffalo 7, New York 1

Islanders website: Recaps the Islanders loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday afternoon.

Cannot do anything about today at the Coliseum but here is Sault Star on Islander prospect Justin DiBenedetto's comments after his five goal, seven point game Suday, which Peter Ruicci reports about.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
That was just brutal in every sense of the word, the loss of Martinek was painfully visible.

The Islanders were just that poor in every area, when the time came to send a physical message they also looked overmatched with Bergenheim going out of his way to stick up for his teammate.

I would love to credit the Sabres for putting on a show of skill and speed that just blew the Islanders off the ice on this day but this was just an Islander team that could not get out of it's own way against as easy an opposing goaltender you can hope to face who was hardly tested.

A nice shorthanded feed from Hunter to Nielsen in the first, a very good shift to open the second from Guerin-Weight-Sim but for two periods that was it until Hunter scored.

Discipline? Mike Comrie has to knock off the Jason Wiemer imitation every time he takes a hit he does not like, even if the ref blows the call. All it does it put the club shorthanded and he was very lazy to take another penalty in the neutral zone.

Okposo looked as out of sync as anyone while Richard Park looks like a fourth line player who should not be on a line with Comrie or Okposo.

MacDonald was terrible and that's being kind, he did not have his angles, that shot that hit him early and dropped behind him reflected a goalie struggling.

The Islanders forced Lalime to do virtually nothing for two periods, Tambellini looked like a deer in the headlights most of the game again not getting involved and taking an offensive zone penalty, can Comeau look any worse?

Streit looked a lot like Marc-Andre Bergeron and others last year on at least two instances with the man advantage. That brief five on three in the third he was just throwing pucks at the net. That's too much asking Jack Hillen to play an off wing on defense with Brendan Witt.

Again, easy to write it's a bad day and that they are developing but Buffalo did not have to be very good at all today.

On this day the Islanders played down to the worst of their expectations, will be interesting to see how Scott Gordon reacts because no goalie change fixes how poor this team looked today in virtually every area.

Buffalo on this day barely had to break a sweat, Lalime could have sat in his crease and still would have won handily.
**************************************************
Goes without writing it the worst news of the year for our league is the death of Ranger prospect Alexei Cherepanov who died during a game in his native Russia on Monday at the age of nineteen here.

New York vs Buffalo Msg+2pm

Islanders website: Has the preview for today's game against the Buffalo Sabres.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Former Islander Tim Connolly is out with an injury for this game with the Sabres coming in off a 2-1 shootout win against Montreal here.

Since the lockout ended this second home game has not exactly been friendly to the Islanders. Usually the club seems to come out flat after the opener and a little mini-test to see if things are a little different under a new coach. Of course Islanders usually have a lot more road games played by the time they come home.

I remember the Washington game last year where they outplayed the Caps
but lost a close game along with the Post making a big issue of a thousand people or so not being at a game that was an announced sellout that Mr Botta was not happy about. One Florida game a few years ago they could not get out of their own way.

Injuries? Wake me when they take the ice, no pregame but an actual postgame. Funny the Isles put up a live link for postgame coverage for the folks who wanted to hear from Gordon and the players, not the Msg spindoctors with Butch Goring.

Like ITV who did the Monday pregame on Saturday night (who can blame them with hard how they have been working with these updates) this blog was a little prescheduled.

Not sure if I can catch this one live Monday. I'm going to target a game for a live blog here and I'm thinking the Tampa or Dallas game.

Islander News Articles 10/13

Newsday: Greg Logan's article is partly about what goaltender Joey MacDonald did to improve this summer as the writer drew comparisons with former goaltender Wade Dubielewicz circumstances and how he was not in the best shape at this time a year ago with a little more revised history that includes writer speculation on Dubielewicz relationship with Rick DiPietro.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Game today sure did not seem to be the theme of this article.

Only value here was MacDonald talking about how much he improved in his movement from side to side and how he went about it.

A lot of revision to Dubie-gate with the beatwriter now providing the angle Ted Nolan wanted to send him down after the Leaf game in October but Garth Snow kept him where during the summer it was the former coach who praised the goaltender while the general manager back in April talked about Dubie's early season conditioning.

First time I have read anything about the DiPietro-Dubielewicz working relationship which the beatwriter did not mention last summer when the story on Dubielewicz not returning broke.

Buffalo News: Mike Harrington previews today's game from the Sabre-centric angle with head coach Lindy Ruff's comments which could also include a goaltending change to Patrick Lalime with the Sabres in a four game in six day stretch.

Toronto Sun: Reports Islander prospect Justin Justin DiBenedetto had a five goal game Sunday night in a 7-2 win for the Sarnia Sting against the Sault St Marie Greyhounds in Ontario Hockey League with the Sarnia Observer having a few words on the game here.

Sportsbusiness.com: Announces TSN will market and distribute real-time scores and official NHL stats generated by NHL HITS (Hockey and Information Tracking System), including boxscore data, cumulative season statistics for players and teams, player career statistics, league standings and official scoring leaders.

In addition, TSN will market and distribute the "NHL Daily Dose," a daily online video that briefly re-caps NHL action from the night before.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Interesting they can do all this but not provide hockey fans with an Rss feed for their hockey-centric updates.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps the 2-1 shootout loss at Hartford with comments from head coach Jack Capuano who praised Bridgeport goaltender Peter Mannino for his play with a brief report card on the game here and today's countdown about the number five here.

Brandon Sugden signed to a tryout contract by Hartford did not play in this game for those wondering.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio had more post-game in his blog.

Hartford Courant: Had a staff report on the game.

Islander News Articles 2/14:

Newsday: Erik Boland covered practice and reports on Chris Simon's return with comments from Ted Nolan. Several Islanders felt his suspension was excessive.

Also reported is Brendan Witt is expected to be out seven-ten days, while Bruno Gervais is expected (rib muscle strain) is probably out five more days.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Not much of a preview for an important game tonight by Mr Boland. Those injuries could be a season killer because it means Bergeron-Berard-Johnson must play a regular shift with Martink, Meyer and Sutton. All three must provide offense by getting the puck to the forwards without hurting the club on defense.

Daily News: Peter Botte was actually permitted to go out and cover an Islander practice which is a bigger headline here beyond his article on Chris Simon with the player and Ted Nolan's comments.

Also reported is Brendan Witt could miss longer than seven-ten days with his knee sprain.

Sound Tigers website: Reports on Bridgeport's 3-0 against Worcester Wednesday. Trevor Smith, Tim Jackman and Kyle Okposo each recorded a goal and an assist in the victory.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps the Sound Tigers win with Mike Morrison and Jack Capuano's comments.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has the Sound Tigers weekly with the upcoming games and a lot of information on several team subjects. Dustin Kohn is recovering from his shoulder injury with more on Kip Brennan's suspension.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio also has a game recap in his blog.

Globe and Mail: Tim Wharnsby reports on the Maple Leafs 1-0 loss at Buffalo with Mats Sundin's commments "We have another game [tonight] and if we play as good as we did [against Buffalo], we'll have a good chance of winning,"

Islander News Articles 12/20:

Newsday: Erik Boland covered the game and had comments from Rick DiPietro, Ted Nolan and Brendan Witt, who credited Bergenheim's screen for his goal.

"I think the focus was good," "We played the type of game we've talked about playing. The last month we seemed to get away from playing our smart kind of style and being opportunistic, and we did that tonight. Unfortunately, we weren't able to score more goals."

Newsday: Greg Logan's afternoon update on Kyle Okposo basically repeats Garth Snow and Don Lucia's comments, he also correctly points out Okposo's recent comments to the media in Minnesota he was not happy.

Newsday: Greg Logan reports Simon is expected to appeal his sentence while Colin Campbell apparently gave the impression Simon had a drug or alcohol problem because he said he will meet with drug and alcohol doctors. Mr Campbell forgot to include the league's program also includes behavioral issues. NHL public relations head Frank Brown clarified Campbell's mistake while Islanders spokesman Chris Botta confirmed confirm that drugs and alcohol is not an issue.

Meanwhile Ted Nolan was incensed with Colin Campbell for a stereotypical remark, who called Garth Snow to clarify his words while Ted Nolan was preparing for the game and defended his player as did Ruslan Fedntenko but in the meantime Nolan ripped Campbell.

"It's a stereotypical comment that people say about ethnic races ... For Colin Campbell to come out and say something like that, it's idiotic.

"It's disrespectful to Chris. For him to come through some of the things he's come through to be where he is in his life, it's very, very disrespectful, and it's hurtful."

Updated 9am
Newsday: Greg Logan in Newsday's blog gives his overall take on all of yesterday's Simon-Campbell-Nolan events and the suspension but also makes a fair point about racial sterotyping and Simon being guilt of a racial slur himself which led to one of his past suspensions.

NY Times: Found someone named Frank Litsky to cover Simon's suspension with more elaboration on Campbell's meeting with Simon but of course did not cover the hockey game which is only hypocritical of the Times sports editor.

“He is very contrite and very apologetic, very quiet, almost to the point he is somewhat humiliated of what he has done,” Campbell said. “He’s been contrite, but he’s never come out and said, ‘I will never do this again.’

“We dug out the clips on the things he has done in the past and looked at them and think we have been fairly kind in assessing as low number of games to a couple of those incidents. It just hasn’t been a deterrent. So what is a deterrent? I am hoping 30 games and the help he is going to get, the counseling.”

Daily News: Peter Botte other than covering the suspension did not write a single word about the Islander game last night or apparently was permitted space for a game article. But did have more from Nolan after the game on Campbell's mistake and a lot of repeat quotes in his limited space.

"It's easy to say you're sorry after the fact," Nolan said following the game. "It really bothered me, the implication, even if it was just a careless omission. These types of things are very damaging for someone in (Campbell's) position to say when he has no factual information. If we said something like that, we'd be suspended. But there are no repercussions.

NY Post: Dan Martin wrote about ten words in one paragraph on the game and made sure to report Nolan's anger with Colin Campbell's mistake. Only thing noteworthy here is Nolan said Simon's suspension could run longer than thirty games.

"I can never predict what's gonna happen down the road," Nolan said

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Total joke sports editors Leon Carver (Daily News) or Greg Gallo/Dick Klayman (Post) did not allow Mr Botte or Mr Martin space to do a proper game article with the Simon suspension update. I cannot blame the writers for space to cover games but the game is the reason people attend and needs to be written about always.

My culture is different from Ted Nolan's so I have to defer to something he would consider offensive. Only Colin Campbell knows if he meant anything ethic about it which seems doubtful if he called Garth Snow to clarify what seems a misunderstanding but frankly I did enjoy reading Nolan blast Campbell for his poor people skills which has a little to do with this and a lot to do with his past conduct in a job I feel he has no place being in.

Nolan is correct in that if a coach or player made this kind of mistake a fine or discipline would follow, mistake or not.

Buffalo News: Bucky Gleason covered the Sabres win.

Globe and Mail: Roy MacGregor has a full feature from Chris Simon with comments about his suspension and reports he has had plenty of support from all circles of the NHL and beyond but they cannot come forward. He gives his full version of what he did on the ice and about some of his career suspensions.

What I did was wrong," Simon said."I'm not a complainer. I've never complained before. I took my suspensions and moved on. But I don't think this one was fair."

Simon anticipated the suspension, but thought 10 games would be "on the high end." Online polls and radio talk shows, on the other hand, have suggested 30 games might be on the low end.

"I wasn't trying to injure him," Simon contended. "I tripped him and I was telling him to [expletive], and I did step on his foot. I pushed down on his skate, I don't deny that, but I wasn't trying to hurt him. I don't think a player has ever missed a game from one of my suspensions.

"I look at other guys who have been repeat offenders. One guy used his skate a second time and he got only five games. What I did was wrong, but this is unfair."

"He plays an agitator role," Simon said. "You have to let him know you're out there. That's not an excuse for stepping on his foot, but it's being described as something it's not. It's letting him know I'm there. It's like a shot in the arm."

At no point, he said, was there any intention to cut. "Guys were laughing on the bench," he said. "I don't think they'd be laughing if they thought he was hurt."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's an article Newsday's limited hockey staff or New York's hockey media did not have the time to apparently bring us or Simon knows how poor the NY hockey media is so he did not take their calls. Logan ripped him in his blog and did not cover the game last night.

As for Mr Simon's comments:
I'm a thirty year plus Islander fan who knows the hockey mentality and understands when players like Chris Simon talk about the code. What he did was wrong and despite what he says his intentions were could have seriously injured Ruutu. He not only stepped on his foot but brought his skate down on it like a stomp, he did not just press and there are a lot of ways to let a player know you are there in a game, this is not that way.

And fair or not what he did last year has a carry over effect whether he cares to see this or not.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio covers the Sound Tigers 3-0 win at home against Steve Stirling's Norfolk Admirals gives Bridgeport a three game winning streak. Jeff Tambellini had a shorthanded goal and assist who skated with Frans Nielsen. Attendance was 1,309, beating out last Wednesday's 1,611 as the team's smallest-ever announced crowd.

"We're keeping the puck, not just throwing it away," said Jeff Tambellini, who had a goal and an assist in the three-goal second period. "When we're all getting more poised with the puck, making plays coming out of the zone, the game's a lot easier."

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has an Okposo update where the only new information was Howard Saffin deferred comments to the Islanders.

Ct Post: Sound Tigers weekly was also released with the upcoming games and blogged on the Sound Tigers win
here.

Virginian Pilot: Paul White has the Admirals Coverage of their loss to Bridgeport.

Pioneer Press: Charley Walters reports the maximum bonus that Gophers sophomore hockey player Kyle Okposo can get, is $255,000 spread over three years. He'll make $62,500 if he plays in the minors, $765,000 if he plays in the NHL.

Buffalo 2, New York 1

Islanders website: Has the recap of Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres with comments from Brendan Witt and Ted Nolan.

"The one thing you're looking for is effort," said head coach Ted Nolan. "Tonight we certainly had the effort. We wanted to have an honest effort, play hard and get some shots to the net. We did that tonight. Miller made some great saves and once in a while a goalie has to steal a game. Tonight, Miller stole the game."

"We're at .500 now, so we have to try and get these last two games before the break," said Witt. "We have to stick with our plan and not get frustrated. We'll get some bounces and the flood gates should open. All we can do is keep shooting the puck."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
What can I write?

In the context of one game the Islanders worked very hard but the other goaltender played well. This was not like the game against Montreal where they threw forty five harmless shots at the opposing goaltender, they worked and skated but like all season this team simply cannot make the kind of play where the goalie has no chance or have the kind of talent that can create skilled goals when they need one.

It's not easy to win games with less than two goals most games in this league, something's going to happened and on this night Freddy Meyer took a penalty that seemed a marginal call, Brendan Witt's stick broke which allowed the Afinogenov to set up the kind of goal the Islanders do not seem capable of setting up which is one where a shooter has an open net and some time. First Buffalo goal the rebound went right to their forward off Meyer or DiPietro.

In the overall picture losing the point was a disaster for a club struggling so muchy overall it's hard to see things getting better unless they can bring this effort every game and find something that works in terms of finishing.

The Islanders skated well, if they can bring this effort to their next game we'll see what happens. They just do not have the offensive talent to create skilled goals and would have been shutout if Miller was not screened on Witt's shot.