Pronger Gate

With the entire Hockey universe weighing in on the Pronger Stomp, I was originally going to avoid this battle, but I see there is really no where to hide from it and still be part of the Blogosphere. So… sigh… here goes….

What everyone is eluding to but not saying is that Chris Simon got a raw deal from the NHL because he is of native origin. Ta-Da! Here on Long Island I don’t think we can grasp THAT sort of bias because we just don’t see it. It seems to be a rampant problem in Canada, the home of hockey.

So while there are those that are saying that the unprecedented severe punishment to Chris Simon had to do with the logo on his jersey at the time, which may not be the real case. Certainly conspiracy theories are fun, especially when you’re the underdog looking for a reason that things go so poorly for you. But there could very well be a much darker secret behind it called bigotry.

Ted Nolan has had to deal with it all his life and his son was just victim of it a few months ago. I’m certain Chris Simon has had similar situations that perhaps are not as widely publicized. If the Canadian Native community had their own “Sharpton type” representative, then reports on these incidents would look a lot different. But they don’t.

Having grown up on Long Island, every summer as a kid I went to the Shinnecock Powwow in the Hamptons. I loved it. I had dark hair down to my waist that my mother would put in braids and then buy me beaded leather braid holders when I was there. I’d always come home with a few more items to put in my collection and a wish that I was Native American instead of “just Italian.” In junior high, we actually had classes on the tribes of Long Island and were lucky enough to have two native students in our school, so I cannot get my head around the bigotry that exists. But it’s painfully obvious from press reports out of Canada that it certainly does.

The NHL got this one wrong; with luck they’ll look to fix it. Pronger should be suspended for the rest of the season. And as EJ said on NHL Live yesterday, if Chris Simon had to go to anger management classes, Pronger should TOO! Now THAT’S fair.

So that’s my $1.50 worth. Not even enough to buy a Starbucks today, but two cents can’t even get you gum.

New Record Set in Tampa 3-11-08

I hope Vinny sent DiPietro flowers today for allowing him that hat trick last night. And I'm assuming Torts took Teddy to dinner. He deserved the night out as a Thank You for allowing his last place Lightening to look so impressive for a change.
I haven't even listened to the post game interviews yet. I didn't want them to temper my current state of "WTF." But I don't know why I should be surprised. Deep down, I knew all along this group of Islanders was not going to make the playoffs. The fact that this isn't even the group that we started with, only made it more apparent.
How do you like coaching the Sound Tigers, Ted? I give him credit for keeping his cool on the bench. I give Ben Walter credit for hitting the ice right before introductions. And if you looked at him, he had that "Just Happy To Be Here!" look on his face.
I give credit to Sean for staying "hungry" as Howie put it, even in the face of extreme adversity. But 8 - 4? And giving Tampa a new record for their media guide? The most amount of goals scored in the shortest time frame: 3 in 42 seconds against Rick DiPietro and the NY Islanders on March 11, 2008. Just great.
One more personal opinion that will probably get me in a small amount of trouble, but here goes:
GET RID OF SUDSIE!!! CONSULTANT???? THAT'S A CONSULTANT? I do believe Rick was losing when he was here before, and he's losing with him back in the mix. I never liked the way he conducted himself on the ice with Rick when I watched them at iceworks. It was just too... too.... ODD. He's bad Karma. Dump him! When you hire a consultant, you're supposed to get what you pay for!
Note to Snow: How about next season, the club doles out flu shots by October 15th? I realize this years shot wasn't as effective as it could have been, but at least it could have done something to keep guys on the bench.
So the season is winding down. There are no playoffs to look forward to. Just let the kids play and have fun. Because basically, that's all that's on the bench now. Maybe they can have some fun playing spoiler to another team's hopes. Maybe...

"You win with what you have" -- But can Nolan win at all?

Considering the abysmal power play unit, and the inconsistent play of the NY Islanders veterans, can anyone really pin-point what’s gone terribly wrong with this team? The season started so bright, and then the light kept getting further and further away until it is now only a flicker in the tunnel as the train speeds toward the golf course.
Today I had a pointed exchange with one of my favorite hockey writers on this very subject. The email exchanges are always brief, but always leave me thinking. Considering this particular hockey pen-pal has been in the business longer than I’ve been a fan, I tend to defer to his wisdom, even when I don’t agree with it. I’ll admit; I’ve been accused of wearing rose colored glasses (or are they orange?) on more than one occasion and told that I don’t look at things objectively or as “uniquely” as I should. I hate to say it, but that is true. But those orange glasses seem to match my orange high tops, and they‘re pretty comfy.
Ok, but if I am indeed challenged to look at things from a different angle, what would I see?
At first glance I see a roster that looks quite different from the one they started out with back in September. Injury has plagued this team -- a team that prided itself on chemistry. They have chemistry now on a line or two, but it was cultivated in Bridgeport.
If I keep looking sideways I can see the game summaries I kept as I charted the amount of ice time certain players received during the course of the season. Yes, yes….. I remember being disappointed about certain players not getting the opportunity to adequately prove themselves. At the time, I said nothing. Now when the chips are down, Nolan has no choice but to let them play, and still there are inequities. For the longest time, Jeff Tambellini seemed to be Ted’s personal yo-yo as he rode the ferry back and forth, sometimes without even unpacking his gear. Was that the right way to handle him? Maybe, considering Tamby was angry enough to prove himself at the AHL level for sure.
Nolan is always cool under fire, sometimes emotionless. It truly takes a lot to get him going. He has blown up at officials, but only on rare occasions. I’ve never seen him take anything out on his underachieving players. The league certainly doesn’t need another John Tortorella, but a little fear might be a good thing on the bench. The entire organization respects Nolan, but maybe the players need to fear him almost as much as they respect him.
If I turn my head the other way to look from yet another angle, maybe it’s a trust issue. Does Ted trust the players he has on that bench? Do the players trust the coaching staff? What’s the real issue here?
Perhaps Ted was too easy on them after some glaringly lackluster performances this year. There were nights that I walked away from a horrible defeat saying “I hope Ted skates them till they puke tomorrow!” only to find out that he canceled practice. I assume he felt they needed a mental health day or something. But maybe they needed more structured discipline. Check the press conferences from this week on ITV. Ted talked quite a bit about discipline; and discipline is something that CAN be taught, talent is not.
Could Herb Brooks coach this year’s Islander roster to a playoff spot? Uh, um…. Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps the veterans don’t have anything left in the tank, and the young guns don’t have the experience to get them where they would need to be. We’ve heard time and again this season, the Islanders are a team of peripheral players with no superstars, no superb talent, and no-edge-of-your-seat boy wonder. They are just GOOD, solid hockey players with a star-caliber goalie who can’t seem to find a way to be consistent… or healthy.
So while Garth Snow is looking at what the team needs in the off-season -- which is going to start the second week of April this year -- maybe Ted needs to do a little reading, a little soul searching and perhaps try a few exercises in mind control. Because although he can “….love them for who and what they are” he needs to be able to LEAD them too. No matter whom “they” end up being.
Ted: You have a tough road ahead of you and I wish you luck. The good thing is… there aren’t that many more games left this season for everyone to analyze your every move. Wait… maybe that was the BAD thing. I can’t be sure.

3-8-08 Islanders vs. Flyers - not really

I’m watching the game from the couch, but considering the third is about to start, and they are down 2 - 0, I really don’t’ want to write about the game I’m watching. What’s the point? It only goes to prove that DiPietro can lose just as easily as Dubie and no one can score.

Instead my thoughts wander to what happened in the locker room on Thursday night after that devastating loss to the Rangers. The room belongs to Greg Logan, it always belongs to Greg. He IS the voice of Islander Country. He is our eyes and ears and the best at disseminating what’s going on. Granted, others ask questions, but everyone does give Greg his breathing room and respect. I think this is why Guerin, in his obvious frustration over the ineffectiveness of the power play said “I don’t know what to tell you Greg, I wish I did.”

The captain takes the weight of the team on his shoulders, and it shows in his face. He has no answers and it is eating at his insides. While the media throng was interviewing Dubie, Guerin sat on the bench with an older gentleman with a pad. I don’t know who he was, but they chatted as friends. It seemed like confession, and when dispensation came, Guerin actually smiled and let out a barely audible laugh. “Email me.” he said as he left to go shower.

Brendan Witt entered the locker room shirtless and quiet. He was there to show he wasn’t injured that badly, except maybe his spirit. I was only four feet from him, but I couldn’t hear him, he spoke in pained whispers. They didn’t pressure him. Blogfather Chris Botta turned to Logan with a smile, “Greg, I brought him in here for you.” But I think he had what he needed, and if not, he would go out into the hallway and get it.

CB was in a very good mood considering what transpired on the ice; he even jokingly smacked Tiger Track Tom Liodice around before walking to the back of the media pack. This took Tom by complete surprise and he looked at me and just mouthed “Ouch!” Blog Boxers soon to receive hazard pay.

Scott Gallof (http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=13950) was quiet and wide eyed in the room as all this was going on. This proved only one thing… we have all become jaded. This was his first experience and he was quietly amazed. The rest of us have integrated so well, we are no longer awestruck. Maybe it’s time to send us into the visitor’s room in order to get that excitement back. (hint hint hint)

I could hear Sillinger outside the room; I took a peek and saw him on his crutches with a weight belt walking gingerly down the hallway.

Blake vs. Blake: It was time to go but the Blog Boxers were the last out of the room. As Master Corey Witt was handing out the final game summary, he actually spoke to me. “He’s playing in Toronto now; don’t you think it’s time to take that off?”

I think my eyes almost left my head. Mr. Witt is the epitome of professionalism and a man of very few words, so I was stunned that it has taken this many months for him to say something about the necklace I wear everyday. I needed a good comeback, but couldn’t think of one immediately and he already was 10 paces ahead of me.

“Give me something to replace him on this ice, and maybe I will! ‘Cause right now, I got nothing.” There were collective “oooohhhhsss” from my BB buddies behind me. This was a verbal smack down.

“Change the five to a seven, they have the same name.” His response was quiet and emotionless, but direct non-the-less.
“Comeau? Not even close!” I snapped back.

What Master Witt doesn’t realize is how much this necklace has come to mean to me over the past several years. I can’t just arbitrarily change the number on it. It was special to me when my husband gave it to me for our 11th Anniversary. It’s still special to me now, even if the little water bug is in a Leafs Jersey.

But I’ll give you this Master Witt: IF you allow me come to the morning skate on March 18th, and you can get the OLD Blake to spend two minutes with me, I will have the “55” removed from my necklace before the start of game that evening. I promise. And if you don’t know how hard that will actually be for me…… Just ask my husband.
BTW: Islanders lose 4 -1 … AGAIN.