Islander News Articles 4/2

Newsday: Greg Logan's early recap with no quotes at this time.

Washington Times: Corey Masisak's game coverage on Washington's win over New York with blog updates.

Washington Post: Tarik El Bashir's game coverage and blog entries.

Montreal Gazette: Herb Zurkowsky reports
Sergei Kostitsyn is out with an upper-body injury Thursday and Roman Hamrlik, who left the previous Montreal game did travel to New York.

Telegraph Journal: Kevin Barrett lists former Islander head coach Ted Nolan and current assistant John Chabot as possible candidates for the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL in speculation.

Daily Free Press: Ben Seal has a few words on Islander Prospect Corey Trivino of Boston University.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has the Sound Tigers notebook.

Washington 5, New York 3

Associated Press: Recaps Washington's 5-3 win against New York on Wednesday.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
About as annoyed after a game as I have been since the early loss against Atlanta where they gave up that 3-1 lead, but this one is not about the Isles but the officiating.

Too many reputation calls. Like the other game a bad call was made early and Billy Jaffe said one players is a veteran, the other a rookie so the vet got the benefit of the doubt.

Do the quality of the calls now depend on the spot in the standings?

I see Joey MacDonald having players run him every other game with two knee injuries already and he absorbed more than his share of contact tonight but Jackman overpowers Poti, falls into Theodore and the goal by Bailey is not only disallowed but the Caps receive a power play that decides the game?

Spare me the Caps skill took over the third period, that call decided the hockey game.

I have also seen goals disallowed and coincidental contact with no penalty issued.

How does Rechlicz get four minutes in penalties jumping in after a Cap player instigated that scrum with with a big push?

Meanwhile the flying elbow on Hilbert by Mike Green is only good for a two minute charging penalty?

Nonsense.

All I want is the calls consistent, if Hilbert hit someone like that we would have seen the automatic ejection, five minute powerplay and five game suspension with every Islander defending the league decision.

Now I guess we get to see how bad Okposo was hurt who returned to the bench but never the ice. McAmmond was sick so Isles may need two more players for Thursday.

Islanders made some big mistakes tonight but they also did a lot of good things on offense driving the net and skating. Okposo's goal on Streit's side of the ice (or his natural right wing side) may have been his first right side goal since that floater against Toronto/Toskala in the first Coliseum game.

Bailey made the goal with that screen.

Isles drove the net and made a lot of good plays, including the one off Nielsen's skate and Park making a great read for the goal that should have decided the game.

Considering the players out on defense the Isles hung in ok into the third before officiating gave the Caps the momentum.

Jose Theodore was a goalie waiting to get beat, Caps better be prepared to put up five or six with him in net or come playoff time they are going nowhere but home quickly. Okposo had a shot that hit Bailey in front and I have no doubt it was all that stopped it from going in.

Tambellini, Nielsen, Comeau all played well in this one.

Credit to Sergei Fedorov who skated like it was ten years ago and put that puck to an area for Ovechkin's goal where Thompson did not react. Joe Callahan played over ten games here, his turnover to another AHL player in Keith Aucoin cannot happen and was the first big mistake I have seen.

MacDonald was outstanding up to the point Green's game-winner got past him on what looked harmless. A few times he was under big pressure in the third.

Isles deserved a far better result tonight, don't mind losses because of the other team playing better which did not happen here.

Losing because of officiating bothers me, especially after the high stick on Jackman that drew blood but not even a power play at the end of the Flyer game.

Colorado continues it's free-fall shutout at home. Isles gain six points I highly doubt the Avs have another win/point in them.

4/1: New York at Washington 7pm Msg+

Mark Streit has a groin strain, Joe Callahan has been recalled for tonight's game, add another player to the injury report.

Washington Post: Tarik El Bashir reported from practice Tuesday with Donald Brashear still recovering from a sprained left knee, the Caps have recalled center Keith Aucoin from Hershey. Brashear practiced with the team this morning, but he's doubtful for tomorrow's game against the Islanders.

Mike Green is also on the ice after missing yesterday's practice with the flu. I'll check on his status later, but he appears to be participating fully.

Here are the forward lines that Bruce Boudreau is using in the scrimmage:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Fehr
Fleischmann-Fedorov-Semin
Laich-Nylander-Kozlov
Brashear-Steckel-Bradley
(Aucoin is rotating in the the fourth line).

Washington Times: Cory Masisik also filed a post practice report that Mike Green is ready, Donald Brashear is not.

03/27/2009 TBL 3 @ WSH 5
03/24/2009 WSH 2 @ TOR 3
03/21/2009 WSH 1 @ CAR 4
03/19/2009 WSH 5 @ TBL 2
03/17/2009 WSH 3 @ FLA 0

03/30/09 Donald Brashear LW Knee IR. Out until at least early April
03/24/09 Boyd Gordon C Finger IR. Out until at least early April
02/13/09 Brent Johnson G Hip IR. Out until at least late March
02/05/09 Chris Clark RW Wrist IR. Out for the season
03/22/09 Quintin Laing LW Spleen Likely out for the season
03/27/09 Alexander Semin LW Flu Questionable for April 1


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sorry folks, this will be the only update at NYIFC until after Wednesday's game with no news articles Wednesday. (check feeders for updates) For New York MacDonald won in Detroit and with Montreal coming in Thursday there should be a good chance Danis again starts against his former team who he recently beat in Montreal unless the coach wants to switch things up.

For Washington only questions remaining are whether they finish second or third in the conference unless they run the table catching Boston or lose every game with Carolina passing them with those teams winning or losing out themselves which are both highly unlikely. Caps are second seed by a point at this time so it is a big game if you see a difference between finishing second or third which no doubt the Caps will.

One thing for sure is as highly skilled as the Caps are, their goaltending is suspect and their recent record says they are vulnerable with that game against Tampa tied in the third very emotional after Ovechkin's celebration in the prior
game against the Bolts for his 50th had them very upset.

Updated 1:30pm
Newsday: Greg Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog reported Joel Rechlicz will be recalled, Sean Bergenheim is still not medically cleared to play.

Islander News Articles 1/20

Newsday: Greg Logan's game recap of the Islanders 2-1 ot loss to Washington with secondary article here that includes Kurtis McLean's comments on his NHL debut.

NY Post: Dan Martin's game recap has comments from Brendan Witt, Yann Danis and head coach Scott Gordon.

Daily News: Peter Botte has comments from head coach Scott Gordon, goaltender Yann Danis and defenseman Brendan Witt on his overtime penalty.

Washington Post & Washington Times coverage of the Caps ot win.

Times & Transcipt: Brent Mazerolle has reaction from local officials on the team leaving Moncton for training camp.

Star Phoenix: Kevin Mitchell has comments from Toronto businessman John Graham, who brokered the deal between the Islanders and Credit Union Centre to hold camp in Saskatoon.

Leader Post: Corey Wolfe has comments from Blake Comeau about Islanders having camp in Saskatoon.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's Sound Tigers weekly notes head coach Jack Capuano called a team meeting while the beatwriter had five questions for Tomas Marcinko.

Washington 2, New York 1 ot

Sorry folks but this is the short version because I am down with a good case of the flu. I intend to let the feeders do the walking tomorrow unless I feel better with the articles.

Not a bad effort but many of the same tendencies as the Boston, Ranger game with some good effort but this group collectively cannot finish with some players too young and others in spots where you cannot expect goals. Nielsen, McLean, Streit, Okposo all generated good chances, they either miss wide or shoot it right into the goalie.

Washington was not very good but at times they got through the Islander defense who bent too often but were not burned for it.

This is not a team getting blown out 8-1 in these games. Even the Devil game they struggled it was a 3-1 game with two soft goals against.

Scott Gordon for his part was critical of Yann Danis (in goal with no margin for error) and for his quality saves is absolutely right about his mistakes but he has not played a lot and a great deal is being asked.

Joey MacDonald and how he performed was taken too much for granted.

Sure the call on Witt was weak and decided the game but the mistake by Danis with the powerplay should have finished them.

Of course when you score one goal a game, it's more than a problem. Even with the five on three Guerin was taking low percentage outside shots before Nielsen found Okposo.

We'll see what happens against Anaheim.

Washington at New York 2pm Msg+

Star Phoenix: Should have coverage of Monday's announcement of the Islanders having camp in Saskatoon.

Newsday: Greg Logan has goaltender Yann Danis's comments as the Cap game is previewed while Mr Logan speculates on whether Dany Sabourin will be placed on waivers or Curtis Sanford will be made available in a trade given he cleared waivers for Vancouver.

Washington Post: Tarik El-Bashir reports in the Caps blog Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Viktor Kozlov, Sergei Fedorov, Michael Nylander, Shaone Morrisonn and Brent Johnson didn't take part in Sunday's optional practice.

Coach Bruce Boudreau said Johnson is "feeling under the weather" and that Jose Theodore will start in net against the Islanders.

*Boyd Gordon (back spasms) will likely be back in the lineup against the Islanders, Boudreau said, adding that Gordon didn't play against the Bruins Saturday because the team had no need to rush him back.

*Meanwhile, neither Poti nor Morrisonn are making the trip to New York.
************************************************************************
Washington Times: Cory Masisak previews the Islanders with more on the Washington injuries.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Not much to write on this game. Caps come in off a win against Boston, they have defeated the Islanders this year at home but it was a competitive game. I would expect Scott Gordon plays Danis again with Mannino starting in Bridgeport Sunday but who knows?

We should get to see Jack Hillen play some hockey if Campoli does not play. With only one more game before an eight day break I expect anyone injured will stay out of the lineup.

Islander News Articles 12/17

Will update this blog entry late AM/early PM if any additional news when possible but will be very busy tomorrow.

Newsday: Greg Logan's early recap is on the Islanders coming back in this one because of a red-hot powerplay but questioned why Ovechkin was that open despite Semin making a mesmerizing play for his second period goal?

Head coach Scott Gordon, Richard Park and goaltender Joey MacDonald comment on the loss.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
The early recap also has the following " The Isles began the third period on their third power play, but that's where the catch-up push ran out of steam. "

Guess someone was not expecting a late comeback.

Newsday: Mr Logan's second article is on Ben Walter who discusses the differences between practice time and scouting in the AHL and that Bridgeport head coach Jack Capuano has gotten everyone to " buy in " to what the system is.

Mr Logan has a few words from Scott Gordon on possible time tables for DiPietro, Okposo, Sillinger.

Newsday: Arthur Staple had Doug Weight's interesting comments no one cares if we win again other than the twenty four in the room after a minus five (along with Brendan Witt) as he was upset with the loss while Mr Staple had a few words from Richard Park and former Islander Tom Poti on their system helping them.

Of course Mr Staple questioned announced attendance instead of asking for a few words from Mark Streit who had three assist, I wanted to know what the defender thinks.

Washington Post & Washington Times: Has coverage of the Caps win on Tuesday.

NY Post : Dan Martin's article had Doug Weight's comment that only coaches can take solace in a point while Jon Sim comments about urgency and baby steps. Richard Park talks about the club having had enough and needing to find answers, Bill Guerin on trying to build on small things and the club being desperate to get out of this.

Daily News: Peter Botte's article focuses on Doug Weight's comments who takes nothing from an overtime loss while goaltender Joey MacDonald talks about the game.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
I added feeds from both papers to the sidebar with Newsday, Islanders website and Mr Botta (Point Blank) Mr Fornabaio (Sound Tigers blog) even if the coverage is infrequent.

I included the Times in case an Islander feature is done.

The feeds are also still in the media section with the Times.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports on a third of the Sound Tiger roster out with a virus running through the club. Jeff Tambellini was one of the last players off the ice with captain Mark Wotton.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio also had the Sound Tigers weekly.

Washington 5, New York 4 OT

NHL.com: Recaps the Islanders 5-4 overtime loss to Washington on Tuesday.

AP: Recaps tonight's game.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Funny watching the versus in-studio preview and Brian Engblom saying how Mike Sillinger on faceoffs will be a key tonight.

Not like Sillinger was a late scratch.

Washington did not play very well nor did they have to be very good. Islanders to their credit worked for some bounces and produced a third period comeback of their own to force overtime.

What can I write folks that I have not been writing almost every game?

Youth movements and rebuilding do not start with Andy Hilbert, Richard Park in prime scoring roles or on a line with Trent Hunter. They give all they have but scoring is just not something they can do on a regular basis.

Tonight was more the exception than the rule and still it was not enough.

I know Park scored and was in front for the latest deflection goal (Tom Poti) by a Doug Weight shot and even had a third period breakaway but at even strength what did Brent Johnson have to do for two periods besides Weight intercepting a pass for a chance and a few scrambles in front of Johnson?

Career scoring records do not lie, if you expect Park, Hilbert or Tim Jackman to produce enough to carry your offense the team is not going to score enough goals to win many games.

I wish one (or both) of Park-Hilbert would become what Jason Blake was on offense and that changes but I do not see it happening. Park was everywhere tonight and it still took a third period penalty with the man advantage and got crunched in overtime.

If those are the key players on offense vs the opposition (Ovechkin, Semin) for the Caps (but insert any teams star player on a given night) the percentages of winning many games are not very good.

Jon Sim has a better chance to score than both in a key moment but at this point you have to wonder why he is on a powerplay? He found something to feel good about and needed it.

Shifting Blake Comeau from left wing to right wing (for Sim) and back is not going to make him an effective player from shift to shift. Aside from a third period chance he deflected in a goal against and had little impact but what does the coach expect from him when he moves him around?

Did he not learn this lesson when he moved Okposo to the left and he struggled? After what he did against Atlanta and in Philadelphia just send him out on left wing and play him with the offensive forwards.

Meanwhile Ben Walter saw more key moments to produce offense than Comeau, Bergenheim and was on for the overtime goal, he struggled on faceoffs.

Bailey was not very visible for his minutes, he seems to be playing with a lot of different wingers. Comeau should not be on his right side, even the announcer on versus noted Comeau is a left wing but playing mostly the right side tonight.

Tough time seeing what Scott Gordon is trying to accomplish here besides make Comeau a confused player with a poor plus/minus.

Bill Guerin needed to hit the net on that second period chance.

Joey MacDonald made some good saves but let up two goals that were killers and was slow to react a few times. Defense was not pressed a lot by the Caps but one time they did Witt and Meyer were eaten alive. Overall Islander defense did not let up a ton of great chances but again, Washington was not skating well.

Witt's misconduct led to the first goal.

Sutton had a nice deflection goal off a Washington player.

Give the Islanders some credit for skating hard and getting the bounces to tie the game against a team that did not play very well with a very beatable goaltender in Brent Johnson. Crowd got behind the club when they tied the game with the loudest cheering in a while at a home game.

Earlier in the year a point out of this would have been a good thing, at this point it's virtually worthless.

One play short of a shootout. Ovechkin was quiet but in ot hit the post and never should have been where he was in the winner, at that point you take a penalty if necessary but cannot let him shoot from there.

Of course you have to catch him.

Next up Marian Gaborik is ready to return for Minnesota. Will Okposo be in Minnesota?

I thought that was Mitch Fritz, I really did but never saw him after that one time for the person who e-mailed.

Not exactly Michael Peca dressing against the Blues and going off in 2002-03 for motivation.