Two Games In One Day? Likely All Time First For New York

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Updated 12:30pm Wednesday:
Twitter box will be reposted at 7pm, for articles/game recaps/ect.

Nielsen and Doug Weight will not be making the trip to Philadelphia, Jon Sim will replace Nielsen on the top line, centering Matt Moulson and Krys Kolanos.
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I know the New York Islanders have played regular season games in neutral sites long ago, obviously they have played pre-season all over North America. In the past there have been early rookie games followed by NHL teams going head to head afterward.

Cannot recall any instance of this team ever playing two games on the same day as we will not see (Cablevsion partners spamming every preseason game of house team only) Wednesday against Calgary/Philadelphia, or Saturday's double-header vs New Jersey/Montreal.

Not sure what (if any) game we can follow from Philadelphia/Saskatoon across the web. The Islanders website is reporting, the NHL Network will carry the game vs. the Flyers live at 7 p.m. and will also broadcast the game from Saskatoon vs. the Flames at 4 a.m here.

In the past some preseason games have been live on ITV, other instances, Cablevision has only permitted the games be shown days later. If you think Cablevision is lifting any blackouts to show out of town games on NHL Network, don't count on it.

Some of these players on tryouts (Manny Legace) could be making a pre-cameo for signing with Philadelphia tomorrow, while playing for the Islanders. Given eight veterans that must dress as a minimum hard to read much into lines but it seems Niederreiter, Parenteau have their chance with regulars.

It will be interesting. I'm not sure what I'm going to do besides follow the scoreboard and hope for no more injuries. It is preseason, but you can bet with New Jersey losing games (they finally beat Flyers Tuesday) with a new coach they will be pressing hard for some wins, and are ahead of the Islanders in games played as is every NHL team.

At this point getting through games healthy is becoming a factor. Hunter, Schremp, DiPietro, Martinek and other players are all coming off injuries from a year ago.

This is the group that will likely traveled to Philadelphia:
26 Moulson – 51 Nielsen – 29 Kolanos
58 Joensuu – 18 Ortmeyer – 37 McAmmond
81 DiBenedetto – 50 Marcinko – 59 Haley
54 Romano – 33 Yablonski

38 Hillen – 6 Eriksson
42 Reese – 36 Hamonic
71 Katic – 48 Klementyev

30 Roloson
34 Legace
53 Martin

Defensemen Dustin Kohn and Bruno Gervais are both expected to make the trip to Philadelphia per teams website.

Saskatoon Group:
57 Blake Comeau, 91 John Tavares, 15 PA Parenteau
12 Josh Bailey, 44 Rob Schremp, 25 Nino Niederreiter
17 Matt Martin, 45 David Ullstrom, 7 Trent Hunter
14 Trevor Gillies, 28 Zenon Konopka, 49 Rhett Rakhshani

4 Mark Eaton, 20 James Wisniewski
47 Andrew MacDonald, 24 Radek Martinek
3 Calvid de Haan, 27 Milan Jurcina

39 Rick DiPietro
1 Mikko Koskinen


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Islander News Articles 1/9

Another blog entry has already been written and is scheduled for released around 3:30pm. If there is an Islander Insider I will try and get that in first.

Newsday: Greg Logan's early recap (no quotes at this time) reviews the game and the key moment which was the goal twenty three seconds after the Islanders tied it on Tambellini's second of the season.

Note-Mr Logan's early game article above was altered into almost a full update on Rick DiPietro with far less about the game. Thursday night's edited version shortly after the game is a lot different than what is in Friday's newspaper.

Newsday: Mr Logan had more from head coach Scott Gordon and Rick DiPietro on the goaltenders condition and why he did not play in Calgary with a reevaluation coming when the team returns to New York.

Newsday: Mr Logan's article has Mark Streit's comments on being named to the all-star team.

Canadian Press: Has Mark Streit's comments on making the all-star team in an interview and what it will be like returning to Montreal.

Globe & Mail/Canadian Press: Recaps Calgary's win against the Islanders.

Calgary Herald: Scott Cruickshank recaps tonight's 5-3 win by Calgary against New York.

Calgary Herald: Vicki Hall has Kyle Okposo's comments about playing against his boyhood idol, Jermome Ignila as both players comment while Scott Gordon praised Okposo's play.

Calgary Sun: Has Flames coverage on the game while Steve MacFarlane had Eric Nystrom's comments that it's tough to see the current Islanders struggle based on his experience growing up around the club but be back on top soon. Mike Comrie also talks about how brutal losing is and the toll it takes but feels the Islanders have some great young prospects that are learning as they go.

Sarnia Observer: Reports at press time there have been no trades involving the Sting heading into Friday's noon trade deadline in the OHL.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sarnia a while back was one of the teams considering trades because they were struggling but won some games. Matt Martin, Mark Katic, Justin DiBenedetto are Islander prospects who play for Sarnia.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's article is on goaltender Peter Mannino who had struggled recently but also has not played in almost two weeks with the limited games and the Islanders situation in goal forcing Danis to get a start. Mannino and head coach Jack Capuano comment.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio previews Friday's game against Scott Gordon's old team in Providence.

The Hour.com: Mike Madar has an article on Mike Iggulden and Andrew MacDonald being named to the Canadian All-Stars and has a complete Sound Tigers report.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Excellent report, very well detailed, surprising for a paper not providing daily coverage.

Calgary 5, New York 2

Congratulations to Trevor Smith on his first NHL goal.


AP: Has the recap of New York's 5-2 loss to Calgary on Thursday.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
This game was there for the Islanders.

They hung in, killed the double-minor to Okposo, another penalty and then tied the game on a great shot by Tambellini off a Gervais play who did a nice job on offense tonight and was better with Streit. Right off the faceoff Calgary seemed to have an immediate odd-man rush MacDonald stopped where the defense disappeared.

And therein lies the story of this game and many others, what happened to the coverage?


Calgary did not turn into the 1981 Islanders at this point and bury them, the current Islanders simply faded away.

Soon after Calgary scored the 3-2 goal on another breakdown where a bounce, a breakdown or a deflection finds it's way onto someone's stick for a high quality chance that leads to a goal.

It's the theme of almost every loss.

Martinek stumbled on a goal against, Pock threw a nice hit but was not in position later for a goal. Witt is struggling an awful lot out there with the speed of the other clubs and is getting no bounces as we saw on the second goal.

Calgary for their part did not play great but created better chances MacDonald stopped (who was fantastic) than the ones they actually scored on.

Physically the game was a mismatch and anyone who tells you a defense with it's top five only missing two man games to injury vs what's happening here is not telling you the entire story.

On the other end of the ice the young players just keep getting better and it's not the goals but the little things. Okposo diving to keep a puck in on a powerplay and taking a few full windup shots and his work down low. Trevor Smith driving the net and not just shooting the puck into the goalie but showing the hands/composure to pull the puck back and give himself the open net, just before that Jackman and that line had another good shift and Jackman almost finished.

Bergenheim early got into a good spot to shoot.

Islanders just missed a few goals tonight and seemed to go for it on offense and got in close on Kiprusoff, when they did a price had to be paid. To their credit they skated well and forced Calgary to take a lot of penalties, the powerplay did not have a good night.

Islanders also got no breaks. The goal Glencross scored a puck shot from the point is redircted/blocked and out of nowhere it's on his stick in perfect shooting position in the middle of the ice. The second goal Witt blocks the pass it goes right to Rene Bourque who shoots it through him and past MacDonald.

Without MacDonald it could have easily been eight or nine but he failed to handle a soft shot early and it forced the Islanders to take a penalty that led to the 1-0 goal where Mike Cammalleri not only scored but in his motion put down Martinek and no Islander stood up for him.

That I did not like all with no response from his teammates.

Disappointing but there were a few good signs from the young players. Scott Gordon in the post-game talking about Hilbert and Nate Thompson coming back soon cannot mean any of these young players sit?

All due respect to Hilbert but Trevor Smith has shown better hands in five games than he has in almost two years.

Only thing that's going to get worse is the frustration from the players losing to this degree.

New York at Calgary 9pm Msg+2

Jiggs McDonald's final game who did a great job as always and had a lot of chemistry with Billy Jaffe.

Islanders website: Jason Lockhart had an excellent feature on Mark Streit with his comments about making the all-star team. The website had another release and a brief ITV tribute.

Calgary Herald: Jean Lefebrve has comments from several Flames they cannot have a let down playing the Islanders along with several radio and media predicting the game will be a mismatch here.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
First team I have seen the print and radio media predict a game, I guess one of them forgot the Islanders were not only a playoff factor but made four of six playoffs and were in sixth at this time a year ago?

Calgary Sun: Also covers the Flames.

Associated Press: Also has the ugly sidebars heading into tonight's game.

Injury Expected Return
12/30/08 Jim Vandermeer D Ankle IR. Out until at least mid-January
12/30/08 Rhett Warrener D Shoulder IR. Likely to miss 2008-09 season
01/04/09 Wayne Primeau C Foot Out indefinitely
01/06/09 Brandon Prust RW Jaw IR. Out until at least late January

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Calgary comes in a dominating club at home that just beat the Sharks big with players like Jerome Iginla, Mike Cammalleri & Damon Langkow and even Todd Bertuzzi at the top of their leaderboard. The Islanders come in with injury questions (Weight/Martinek/DiPietro) and a club on the verge of making some terrible history going back to 72-73 if they lose tonight.

Of course they also won in Calgary last season in a shootout which most will not remember.

Not much to write here, if the Islanders team defense is not on it's game it could be a very long night for whoever starts in goal. What few are talking about is the Islanders have been competitive on this trip but are not getting the results as they have lapses as mistakes/penalties snowball where the opposition seemingly always makes them play the price which ultimately decides things. You cannot lose games to a fourth line with Jason Strudwick on it or allow a two goal game by Mike Grier.

I would guess Martinek was not flown back to Calgary just to practice. It seems Meyer will now not play as the injury parade never ends when someone returns.

A nice four day break after this game.


Updated:
Newsday: Greg Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog reports Rick DiPietro will not play tonight with swelling in his knee although head coach Scott Gordon maintains he could have played while both the coach and player comments. Yann Danis has been recalled, DiPietro will be sent to the doctor when the club returns home.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
DiPietro or the coach are making sure at this point there are no doubts at all, apparently the practices have caused another issue where he could play but no one is taking any chances. DiPietro is not ready to call it a season nor is that on the radar but if he cannot practice for more than a few days at some point soon without something happening it has to enter the discussion.

Of course he could stay off skates until August and still have swelling or problems the next day.

Yann Danis according to Mr Logan was called up, it is not on AHL transactions at this time.

Islander News Articles 1/12:

Newsday: Greg Logan's game article at this time has no quotes but recaps the game with several Islanders breaking out of scoring slumps.

Newsday: Greg Logan has reaction from Rick DiPietro on his first all-star selection who praised Martin Brodeur.

"Being a fan of hockey growing up, you watch the skills competition and the All-Star Game," DiPietro said. "It's kind of cliché to say the dream came true, but it really did."

"When you get a chance to play against Marty on a consistent basis, you're learning from the best," DiPietro said. "I've had the last six years to study him and watch how he carries himself. You learn a lot, and it definitely makes you pick up your play when you look down at the other end and you've got arguably the best goalie to ever lace up the pads. It definitely increases your intensity level."

Newsday: Greg Logan's other article despite the win had criticism from Ted Nolan on how some of his players have been struggling, especially Josef Vasicek who has taken one shot or less in fourteen of his last sixteen games and Ruslan Fedotenko, who are both quoted.

"Joe Vasicek is a good player. For whatever reason, the last five or six games, he hasn't been skating and he's been losing some battles. I had a good discussion with him. I talked to Tank, too, and showed him a couple things we felt he wasn't doing the best. We've got to get him into position where he's going to get the puck and do some creative things with it."

"I didn't shoot much, did I?" Vasicek said. "I don't know why. That's the thing, I guess early in the season, I didn't think about it as much. Lately, we've been getting some chances, but it seems like we always hit the post. You start to think about it a little more, and that never helps."

"It's really up to Teddy how he's going to split up the ice time," Vasicek said. "I'm just trying to do my job and play as hard as I can. I've got a lot of respect for him. I know he knows what he's doing."

New York Times: Jeff Z. Klein makes a statistical argument why Rick DiPietro and Tomas Vokoun should not have been selected as reserve goaltenders for the All-Star game based on shots against and save percentage.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Perhaps the Times should send Mr Klein out to cover Islander games on a daily basis so he could get his answer beyond numbers? If there is a goalie playing with less margin for error facing the quality chances DiPietro faces nightly I do not know of one. Islanders goals against down significantly from last year and an improved record
is why DiPietro deserved to be named.

Oh yes, in the first four games of the Islanders' five-game road trip, DiPietro has faced an average of 39.5 shots and has gotten three of four games to overtime.

Calgary Sun:Steve MacFarlane has comments from Jerome Iginla, Ted Nolan, Mike Keenan on how well Rick DiPietro played.

"He played well. I thought we had a lot of chances, especially in the first period," said Iginla, who somehow found his side down 3-1 heading into the the second period. "He kept them in there."

"I looked at it. We had three good chances to score," said Flames head coach Mike Keenan of the powerplay opportunity. "He's a very athletic goaltender. He picks up a lot of points for them."

Calgary Sun: Eric Francis has reaction from Rick DiPietro on Ovechkin's contract and Charles Wang's decisions.

"If anyone's a trend-setter, it would be our owner," said the 26-year-old Islanders netminder of the oft-ridiculed Charles Wang.

"People are always first to point out how crazy he is and the crazy things he does. Then at the end of the day people start following suit. We do my deal, and everyone is all over him. He hires Snowy (GM Garth Snow), and people criticize him for that, and next thing you know, Dallas hires Brett Hull. He's ahead of his time.

"If you're a business person in general, and you have a chance to lock up one of your young franchise guys for a long time in this salary cap age and it's tough to hold onto top players, it seems like the smartest thing to do."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It should be noted Eric Francis has always gone all out to rip the Islanders out of Calgary over the years. It was likely the first time he has seen DiPietro since the draft in Calgary in 2000.

Calgary Sun: Steve MacFarlane had an interview with Ruslan Fedotenko on his great final with Tampa Bay against Calgary in 2004 and the celebration in the Ukraine.

Calgary Herald: Scott Cruickshank's game coverage and some comments on Rick DiPietro on spending two days in Calgary:

"The thing about having two off days in Canada is that you get to see a lot of hockey highlights," New York Islanders netminder Rick DiPietro was saying before Friday's game at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

"I feel like I've already scouted the Flames by watching TSN."

New York 5, Calgary 4 shootout

Islanders website: Has the recap of Friday's 5-4 shootout win against the Calgary Flames. Brendan Witt has an ankle sprain, Miroslav Satan did not play with a strained knee.

"We kidded with the guys during the first intermission that we're not good with a two-goal lead," said head coach Ted Nolan. "But give this team credit for fighting back and finding a way to win."

"It was a very gutsy performance," said Nolan. "The guys responded tonight. One thing we preach is that any guy on any given night has to step up if guys go down."

"Look at our penalty killers who have done great work all year," said Nolan. "Every time a team is down for four minutes, the guys are exhausted. Credit the work of guys like Hilbert, Sillinger and Park. And you can't stop the power play without our best penalty killer, Ricky."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I'm sure everyone is going to write the same thing that it was not pretty which of course is true but it was critical the Islanders get a win here and despite losing Witt and going with seven defenders they found a way to survive and get the game to overtime, then a shootout. Maybe they even found something in Park who looked great on his shootout goal with three moves which froze Kiprusoff. Billy Jaffe made a good shootout observation when he noted Sillinger's shot was like Linden's but Kiprusoff's stick is on that side, unlike DiPietro where his glove is on that side so there was less space for Sillinger who made a perfect shot just above the pad.

This was a Calgary team that was something like 16-2 recently even though Phoenix beat them this week. Calgary came out flying but DiPietro held them in and finally the Islanders made some plays with Gervais finding Sillinger for a breakaway goal, Hunter defelecting in a point shot and Fedotenko finding Sillinger again for a clear path at the net.

No skilled goals from sustained pressure in the offensive end, that's what the Islanders need and what I was looking for. For them to stay in this race long term they need it. Four games on this trip and not one goal from sustained offensive pressure.

Calgary came out the Islanders hard in the second after Nolan's goal. They got some deflection goals, a screen goal. Only goal that bothered me was Berard letting Dustin Boyd get position and bang in that rebound. I know Berard has not played much but those were the kind of mistakes that caused his benching.

Islanders could have folded giving up a 3-1 lead and falling behind, but Fedotenko tipped in a shot and after that the Islanders hung in despite some high sticking penalties in the offensive zone that could have killed them down the stretch.

Penalty kill again was outstanding which starts with the goaltender, some big scrambles but they hung in and they did it without Brendan Witt and Radek Martinek which is no small sidebar. Too bad Comrie could not finish his chance in regulation or the pp could do something which again looked lost most of the game.

You take the two points and the fallout and see what happens now with the defense and Satan. This defense now will have to be by committee with Campoli and Gervais having to play huge minutes.

They also have to protect DiPietro better, too many shots against, too many quality chances against.

I have written this a dozen times after games but it applies here, they found a way to win the game and the two points go in the books. They are also finding ways to get games to overtime where earlier they would lose regulation, those points are huge in the end.

Given the Devils, Flyers and Pens are not losing they needed a win here.

We'll see what the injury fallout from this game is. Ottawa plays Detroit Saturday so hopefully the Isles catch Ottawa coming off a tough game.

1/11: New York at Calgary 9pm FSN

All star reserves will be announced at 12pm EST. All I'm going to write is if Bill Guerin is on pace for thirty and they have a slot based on past selections he may bump DiPietro or Witt.




Islanders website: Has the preview of tonight's game against the Calgary Flames.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Calgary won six in a row before losing to Phoenix who kind of had an outburst similar to the Isles in Carolina which cost them the game. Mike Keenan has the Flames playing very well with Adrian Aucoin having a nice bounce back season after two years or injuries in Chicago. Kiprusoff is a world class franchise goaltender overall despite his struggles and Calgary got ripped into by Keenan for their last game so you can bet they will be under the same pressure the Islanders are under to start well.

Islanders tv report on Thursday had Satan sitting with the origional lines from the Colorado game all reunited. Aaron Johnson dressed in a fourth line spot while Blake Comeau played on the top line. No word on Radek Martinek.

Islanders have to hang in here and find a way to get points, they cannot expect DiPietro to hold them in every game to this degree and they are not going to get the gift goals Luongo allowed.

The seperation in the Atlantic division is starting to be a factor for the Isles too. Calgary, Ottawa or whoever Islanders have to win some games.

Islander News Articles 1/11:

Newsday: Greg Logan's article is on Eric Nystrom who grew up a die-hard Islander fan and lives down the street from Rick DiPietro in the summer and trains with him. Miroslav Satan sat out practice but is expected to play.

"It's a little far from home," Nystrom said wistfully. "It would be nice to get back and play a game . But this is great. I'm real excited; I know a bunch of guys on the Islanders, and I'd like to get one on Ricky. I'd have all summer for the bragging rights."

Newsday/countless sources: Report on Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals signing a 13-year, $124-million contract extension yesterday with the Washington Capitals that he negotiated without an agent. It still does not eclipse Rick DiPietro's contract in years which is noted in the article.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Is this why we had a lockout? Seems like this is what owners have to pay franchise players to keep them for their career because if Ted Leonsis did not give him this offer someone else would have as soon as they could. I wonder how DiPietro feels about this and Mike Richards contract because more and more it's proving he did leave money on the table if he does play the entire length of the contract.

Ovechkin did not even need an agent to negotiate this deal. No doubt some of the jealously from Toronto and markets that could not sign him will produce criticism for Leonsis. Congratulations to Ovechkin who will no doubt be featured on the NHLPA site for this deal.

Newsday: Neil Best reports in his blog Newsday.com offers more Islanders stuff than ever and then goes into the seniority list at Newsday.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Compared to when Newsday was covering the Islanders when they were winning the Stanley Cup or even in the 2002 playoffs when they were getting close to ten articles in one day's paper?

Islanders now have a Thursday web feature, the Sunday agenda is controlled by the Rangers beat writer which is a disgrace considering John Dellapina and Larry Brooks already do this for the Rangers on Sunday.

It will be interesting to see if the club is happy with a coverage increase or if they want Mike Bossy used to talk about which is not just a fair share but what they deserve from the local paper.

Sorry gang, I come from a time where the Islanders could play a weeknight home game against a Western Conference team and draw the backpage of the Times, Post and Daily News. I'm not expecting that again but my point is the Isles as a franchise should not be satisfied or settle for what crumbs they can get here.

Calgary Herald & Calgary Sun: cover the Flames who could have some words from former Islanders Adrian Aucoin and perhaps Eric Godard.

St Cloud Times: Kevin Allenspach has more on college prospects leaving programs with Kyle Okposo the focus and Don Lucia comments.

"I don't think it's a financial decision," said Lucia, 49, who makes it sound like the players respond to a pied piper whenever an NHL representative starts talking. "From the (pro) teams' perspective, why wouldn't you sign someone when it's cheaper to do so now than it was in the past? They use that adage 'Bring 'em all in and see who survives.' They use the curve that 'You're going to have to spend some time in the AHL anyway, you might as well get started now.' I guess I'm getting to be a dinosaur but, to me, it's 'Get your degree.' How many of these players are really going to make a living for a long time playing hockey?"

National Post: Mark Spector has comments from Mike Sillinger and Bill Guerin on steroid use in professional sports.

"It would make you more powerful. I just don't think it would make you a better hockey player," reasoned New York Islanders forward Mike Sillinger. He has played for a dozen NHL teams in 17 seasons, and claims no knowledge of steroid use by a teammate. "The game's played at a high speed, and you have to be able to think the game. [Steroids] might make you bigger, faster, stronger. But it's not going to make you a better hockey player."

"I don't think anyone can even scratch the surface of where baseball is going," Islanders winger Bill Guerin said. "Everybody was doing them."

Calgary Herald: Jean LeFebvre has Eric Nystrom's comments on what the Islanders meant to him growing up and Dubie's mask with his father's picture on it and how it came about.

"He's following the tradition and the legacy on Long Island that my dad had a big part in building," said Nystrom after meeting with Dubielewicz after Thursday's practice. "He was part of those championship teams. There's a strong tradition there and these guys are filling the tradition."

"I didn't really have much of an idea of what I wanted to do with my mask," said Dubielewicz, who has a painted image of former Isles captain Denis Potvin on the other cheek. "Then a couple of guys came up (with the concept) of getting some of the heritage on there and I thought it was a great idea. Like Eric said, there's a strong tradition on Long Island and obviously his father was a big part of it. I thought it'd be pretty neat to get some of that history on a mask."

Albany Business Review: Reports a new business venture for Bob Nystrom as well.

Edmonton Sun: Derek Van Diest reports Robin Figren will be staying with the Oil Kings for the rest of the season with gm Bob Green's comments.

"I definitely wanted to stay," Figren said. "I really enjoy it here and I think things are going really well for me. I think we have a good group of guys and I didn't want to go anywhere else."

"There were future considerations that we could have gotten for Robin in terms of younger players or draft picks," Green said. "But I've been at the draft long enough to know that it can be a crap shoot. There's no guarantee that when you get draft picks for good players that they're going to turn into good players.

"It would have been nice to do that, but by the same token, Robin is a great person to have around. In dressing room the younger players really respect him and he's a good leader."