2-28-08 Game Notes from the Kitchen

I'm watching the game on the big screen in the living room, but I'm actually back and forth from the stove to the couch. Had to send this out for my friend Webb20...

2nd Period. 3 -0 Islanders... AWESOME ANDY!!! Ok, so it's only the 8th of the season for him, but it was certainly beautiful. I didn't see the first goal that trickled in under the goalie by Comrie. The rest of his shots so far tonight have been weak.

I did see Vasicek's beauty from Hunter that was just gorgeous. But HILBERT??? How fabulous was that? So yes Webby! Awesome Andy!

But while I'm writing this, I see Berard take down #11 and Ricky as well. A penalty shot is awarded and Perrin easily gets it past DiPietro who is probably still a little shaken from having to jump over Berard. So there we have it.

In the time it took to have a late dinner with my family, the game is now tied heading into the third. The message board that was so giddy with pleasure just a few minutes ago is now back to being on suicide watch.

Luckily, their goalie is having as difficult a night as ours. Mike Comrie with goal # 2 to make it 4 - 3 at 3:17 of the third. So even the soft shots sometimes go in Mikey boy.

Random thought: When the hell did Sean develop that eye twitch of his? This is totally new. I noticed it in the locker room on Tuesday, but didn't say anything. I figured maybe it was just sweat getting in his eyes since he spoke with us before he showered. But he was sitting there on the bench blinking away in the 2nd. Someone please take a look at his eyes, thank you.

They definitely didn't need Nielsen getting hurt now. Shoulder injury doesn't sound 'good', neither does "will be evaluated tomorrow."

Is Webby smiling from ear to ear at home? Hilbert is doing everything tonight, including making saves.

With 3 minutes left in the third, I'm starting to get nervous, as I usually do when it gets too close to 2 minutes left. If he's going to lose this for them, that will be the time he does.
And here we go... 2:01....

Sean brings in the puck but he shot it so wide, Lehtonen had to stretch to grab it. On the net Sean, please.
1:40 to go, and Bergie shoots wide.

And at 1:22 Bobby Holik ties it... because that's what happens. Just as Danno and I thought. But for some reason, Jaffe wants to make it Davison's fault for screening. Sure, blame the new guy!

One point is not enough at this time of year. But HUNTER saves the day because Vasicek makes it happen with that 15 foot stick of his!

In all seriousness, they probably didn't deserve to win and let DiPietro off the hook tonight. At least it will be a good flight home. Let this be the start of a nice winning streak. You know... Just enough to make us believe and bite our nails till the last possible day to see whether or not the Islander faithful will have a post season.... Go ahead... I dare you!

*Photo from the Town of Brookhaven Animal shelter.

Post Game 2-26-08

After the insane and dissapointing loss, the press conference was actually very interesting. First of all because this time my fellow bloggers actually got into the act ASKING questions of Ted while he was at the podium. Somthing they seldom do. But considering the difficulty of the evening (seriously... how do you explain over 50 shots on goal and still losing the game?) they jumped in with both feet.

Ted was considerably dissapointed with the power play, as the rest of the Islander faithful is. It's that typical "needing to do the little things" speech we've all heard before. "We didn't executge some of the plays we worked on." We got a good chuckle out of "Do you think they should shoot more?" Yes, how about 90 shots on goal? Would that help? Just a bizarre night.

Once in the locker room, Sean Bergenheim was the first to address the media. He is so open and so honest, that it can be surprising. Not 4 minutes of the typical platitudes that you are so used to hearing. Standing there, sweating in his underarmor, he answered the questions in a fast and furious style, focusing on his answers. He was asked about his "unselfish" play perhaps being the reason there wasn't a little more scoring. "I had a break-away. Parksie yelled for it. It was stupid for me to pass it, I should have been a little bit more selfish there. That is something I learned from, and it will not happen again."

Sean has to learn a little from his mistakes, and take a page from the man he most reminds me of.... be a little selfish Sean. Even Ted said you need to hold onto the puck a little longer, but that will come in time as you learn and grow.

Satan came into the room almost unexpectedly and was immediately asked about the power play, and how his day was since it was trade day. He brushed it off as part of the business. In the middl eof his time with the media, something strange happened. The new puppy, Rob Davison was brought into the locker room by Corey Witt, and sent to his new stall which is right next to Bergenheim's. They managed to get the placard done in time too. Nice touch. But I was surprised that it was Marc Hermann that was escorted over to speak with the newbie first. It took a few seconds, but as the rest of the media throng realized that there was fresh meat in the room, they left Miro alone to go speak with Rob and ask him what he thought of his first night on the Island.

I will tell you this guy is a great interview. A big smile, a booming voice and very engaging. He mentioned he had arrived late and didn't have much time to get to know the new team mates, but he was welcomed warmly by the Islander fans, which he appreciated. He was looking forward to getting to know his new surroundings better. I believe him. He should do well here.

Bill Guerin walked into the locker room freshly showered and dressed while Davison was still talking. What I found interesting was his comments about how his wife would deal with trade deadline day, that it was nerve wracking and difficult. Exactly what I thought it would be. I can't even imagine how hard it would be to not know where you're going to work in just a few hours, and expected to just pick up and go... smiling.

So we made it through another trade deadline but not another game with the Penguins. It was an ugly loss, but at least we didn't lose the farm today. Only two players left the ranks, we can all breathe again. Now start winning damnit!

Game On....

So I'm here, but I won't be Tom. He's here, but I can try to do some sort of play by play on tongiht's game. I would love to see the Penquins WITH Sydney, but he's not well enough yet. Speaking of well enough, I hear Witt might be well enough by Saturday. That would be nice.
Hossa wasn't in the warm ups... Guess he couldn't make a flight out.

Nice to start out with a 5 on 3, too bad they can't do anything with it. I'm sure they are more relaxed now that this is all over. Ok, not for nothing (in my best Brooklyneese) I can't wait to see Sydney back on the ice. I'm looking at the Penquins, I something is missing. Yes, the face of the NHL.

Looks like Tamby is doing exactly what they wanted him to do.. SHOOT, go to the net, and be fast. It's very pretty. SOG now 9 - 0 with 11:34 in the first.

I saw it coming, beleive it or not. There was no way that Rick was getting out of that without a goal behind him. Sure enough, with only 2 SOG, one goes in behind him and they are down by 1.

And with 6 minutes left, the Penguins are down by 2. If they can't do this now to even it up in the first, I will be very dissapointed. But then again, I'm sort of used to being dissapointed, now ain't I?

Oh look! Nope. They did nothing with the opportunity. Did we expect anything else. And tell me... why the hell is the cotton candy now ORANGE and not pink? I don't get it. It's ugly.

9:34 of the second with shots 29 to 7 in favor of the Penguins and the kid line does produce. Finally a goal in the Islanders favor. Nielsen & Tambellini for the goal. Nice. I'm sure that makes Garth feel good.

I was told to call Hilbert "Awesome Andy" from here on in. And I will, if he does something that is "awesome". Penguins a man down yet again at 6:40 0f the 2nd, it would be nice to tie it up here.

Frustrating is the word for the Power Play as they can't get out of their own zone and cant convert on anything. The power play expires and they are once again, trying to protect Ricky. They were supposed to be able to get the score even on the man advantage and instead heard nothing but discontent from the Islander faithful in attendance.

Here's to CJ Pappa who must log about 6 miles a night here at the Coliseum going around in cirlces covering everything before he heads to Channel 55 for the 11 o'clock news. At least, good bad or indifferent, they'll have coverage of the game when some of the other 11 o'clock broadcast will just ignore the Islanders.

Even more frustrating, the shots are now 32 - 10 Islanders and they still can't covert a goal. There were so many passes in the last three shifts, we were getting dizzy up here.

And the Penguins take another Penalty, but we should just say, no thanks. There is only 1 minute remaining in the 2nd, and they look like they will go to the locker room down by 1 still when they had so many chances to tie it up. And sorry, but Conklin is not "just that good." They timing is just off, and it shoudln't be. They should be electric right now. There's a power shortage.

Sweet, but not to be. At the very beginning of the third, it looked like newbie Davison had his first goal, but it was just an optical illusion. And so are the Islander playoff hopes if something doesn't happen soon. 1704 of the 3rd, SOG 37 - 11 and we're still down by 1. They need to catch on fire, now. As in RIGHT NOW.

Martinek in the box for holding, so now the Penguins get to be on the power play. Do we think maybe Park can get another short handed goal? Or are they just going to let DiPietro have a coronary in his own zone?

For someone new to the team, Ted is certainly giving him enough ice time to get his feet wet. He's had seven shifts so far. But we need a win Ted. come up with the right strategy to make it happen. Make it exciting.

The crowd tries to will them on at 8:25 left of the 3rd. Some of the are flying to other end, but they just can't connect to the net. Nice SOG by our new #3. So, what does this guy look like? Ken called him 'handsome.' I asked if he was blond with a bad attitude. Tommy said "No." And speaking of Blond with a bad attitude -- has anyone else noticed that Wade Belak is like Jason Blake on steroids? Where has he been all my life? Just kidding.

The shot disparity is staggering, and with 8:04, we're still losing. It's 46 - 13. Why can't that be the score and not the shots? Oh... 'cause then it would be like... basketball. in the first quarter.
And just like that, one get's roofed into DiPi's net and it's now 3 - 1. Staal and Malkin. No stopping them for sure. Say GoodNight Irene. This game is done.

But a nice first night on the Island for #3. I'm sure it'll be his scared butt they'll trot out into the locker room to meet the media. Poor kid. Welcome to Long Island boy. How did it feel to lose?

That's All Folks...

The deadline came and went, and I spent a lot of time being an owl, "Who? Who?" Only 24 deals total this deadline and nothing as earth shattering as last year. Which is a good thing I suppose. Unless of course, Marian Hossa will be the one that hosts the tearful airport press conference of '08.

I arrived at the Coliseum later than everyone else because I didn't have the best excuse to get out of work. "But it's Trade Day! I have to leave early!" wasn't going to cut it at 11 am. But by 2:45 pm, I just said "Gotta go!" and bolted out the door not stopping to say anything else to anyone.

I heard about the Hossa to Pittsburgh deal in the car on XM. Pittsburgh is going to be very scarey for sure. But the shock came as I walked into the arena and stepped up to the blog box table and OkposoNet Ken said "They traded Simon."

"What?" I thought they were just kidding me, they've pulled these stunts before. "No, no joke. He's traded to the Wild for a draft pick." Tiger Track Tom confirmed what the others were saying. I was just stunned. I would have never expected it. But I didn't even have time for it to sink in before the word came that Bergeron was gone as well. I stopped putting my computer together in order to text Dan about the trade as he really liked MAB and feel that he will continue to get better. He wasn't exactly happy, and he let me know it.

Again, I didn't have time to get my act together up here before we were all called into the press room to wait for Garth's official press conference. We waitd in room 6 with everyone else while we watched the TSN coverage continue on a big screen TV they had set up for the "real media." We listened to TSN announce that the Islanders were done for the day even before anyone here alerted us. We also found out that some of the trades weren't announced here in order for the players to be told first, but that the Canadian media had beat them to the punch, as usual. I'm certain it's a devasting thing to find out you have a new job by the likes of Mike Milbury sitting on camera with Darren Pang.

Garth entered the room in jeans and a polo shirt. "I dressed down for you guys. It's only been two days in these clothes." It could have just been a joke, but it didn't look that way. He seemed a little weary with a 5 o'clock shadow, but he smiled non-the-less as he addressed everyone crowded around him. Everyone stands close because once again, WE CAN'T HEAR HIM! To make matters worse, the air conditioner decided to start running full blast overhead. As Josh said, "The most soft spoken man in the world, in the noisiest room in the world." The camera crews drew closer to him. I stayed in the back as usual and just read his lips.

I did a terrible job of it. So, all I know is he wasn't unhappy, he answered the questions with a smile and didn't answer the ones he didn't want to. I did hear him say that moving Simon was to the benefit of Jeff Tambellini as it opened up a spot for him. He was happy to reunite the "kid" line.

Once Garth was done with the media, he was gracious enough to meet exclusively with the Blog Box crew on the other side of the room. I was busy on the other side of the room and had to be summoned to join them. The crew had a chance to ask their own questions which you can find on all their Blogs. Check out OkposoNet, Islesblogger.com (with photos) and Tiger Track for his always amusing play by play, and B.D.s' Bouncing Puck on Hockeybuzz. Again, I just listened. Garth asked me where my recorder was, I told him I didn't need one. But I'll remind him that when he discussed the up-and-coming "kids" that would be benefiting the line-up he didn't mention..... BERGENHEIM. I don't forget these things Mr. Snow.

I'm sure he's glad this is over and they can concentrate on making the team better in order to make the playoffs. He reiterated that their main goal is always keeping their eye on vying for the Stanley Cup. Some day, maybe they'll actually get close enough to it. Considering tight standings this year and the parity of the league, '08 is NOT the year for the Islanders.

At 5 pm Ted did his pre-game press conference in the corridor outside his office. We were late, but it wasn't my fault. We came in on the tail end of it, but I can tell you, he seemed fine. I was curious, just as everyone else was, 'How is Ted going to handle the Simon trade?' Easy. Like the consumate professional he is and with that warm, loving smile that he always shows when he speaks of things that are close to him.

Now everyone to work! No more worrying about getting up today and finding out you need your butt on a plane halfway across the country. Everyone relax, hit the ice, and please ..... Start a new winning streak. WE need the points!