2 Games vs. 12 Weeks. 11-22-08

Tonight I emailed someone who has a clue about these things asking what the reason for the league handing out only a two game suspension for last night's hit on Nielsen.

I received an emphatic response "No contact to the head"!!!

I sent a considerably unprofessional response: "WTF???"

It seems that the "neck" is not classified as the "head" area in the NHL. I guess Mottau didn't leap high enough to get his elbow up around Frans' ear. Maybe THEN he would have received that FIVE gamer which was supposed to be the "statement" from the NHL.

I shook my head in disbelief and mumbled, "Oh, Garth is going to be pissed." And that is one man I really don't like seeing pissed off. I knew things were not being deemed as "fair" when Billy and Howie started lambasting the decision. If there is one media guy who I feel is fair and reasonable, it's Billy Jaffe. When I hear him complain VEHEMENTLY, something is really wrong.

So what is behind this? Is there really a conspiracy as we all start to think? "Oh, well, it's against the Islanders what do you expect?"

Considering everything I've seen in the last two years, I'm starting to wonder if it isn't true. Is it something against Charles Wang? Is it something against Garth Snow? Is it an old grudge against Mike Milbury? Or am I just being paranoid like so many other fans.

I am sorry for Frans. He was having a hell of a start. I'm worried for Josh. Something tells me that any chance he had of returning to his junior team just evaporated.

Scott Gordon is being verbally abused for not putting Mitch Fritz out on the ice last night to "seek and destroy" after Frans was helped from the ice. But I cannot really condemn his thinking. I, and just about everyone else who posts on prominent blogs and message boards, am not an NHL coach. Knowing that Gordon thinks every angle of every move, I know he had his reasons. Perhaps it didn't go the way he planned. But I'm certain he felt it was the right move at the time.

It looks like this game against Buffalo is going to be a tough one. They already had a hard time in the first and they played most of it on the power play.

"Think" boys, along with "skate, skate, skate."

And another thing, in the "WTF?" mode. What is with MSG Plus' volume on their HD broadcast? Could it BE any more annoying fading in and out like this???

Another Casualty, this one named Nielsen

UPDATE: Mottau suspended two games for elbowing
And they wonder why the Islanders fans fall into conspiracy theories! WTF?

I am not that upset with the 5 - 2 loss to the Devils. I am, however, very upset at the loss of Frans Nielsen who has been doing so well under Scott Gordon recently.



Injury may be part of the game, but inflicted injury is another thing. Of course, this leaves us waiting on pins and needles to see if the NHL will dole out the punishment they claim will be the norm for an elbow to the head by Mike Mottau.



I did not see the hit. I cannot comment on whether or not Frans had his head down, or the look of intent. I can only comment on what I have heard from the League regarding their desire to take a stand on hits to the head.



Well NHL, while I await the determination of how long we will lose Frans for, I will also await a decision on Mottau. If Pock received a five game suspension and the loss of over $17,000 in salary, what will Mottau receive?



This is a question every Islander fan has on their mind tonight. It almost eclipses the thoughts of a game in Buffalo tomorrow.

The NHL Store Powered by -- XM Radio 11-20-08

I hate traveling into Manhattan. Or at least, I've always believed I hated it.

But Thursday my friend Wendy and I ventured into the city for a quick trip to the NHL store. I haven't taken a LIRR train since IslanderQueen and I went to Newark for that Devils game. I did take the train from Worcester to Boston in October, so I had a little sticker shock when my round trip ticket from Ronkonkoma to Penn Station cost me $23.75. (Worcester to Boston: $9/RT)

The train ride was well over an hour. The sea of people flowed out of the train and onto the platform as we tried to figure out 'left' or 'right'? I played it safe, I asked a cop.

We stopped in Macy's (because it's a law, especially at the holidays) to do a little browsing. We took photos in front of the Waterford Crystal New Year's ball, grabbed a cup of Starbucks and headed back out onto the street towards Bryant Park.

I knew a certain NYIC member would be skating there at about 2 pm, but I was pretty late and knew I'd never catch him, but I wanted to see the outdoor rink anyway.

It wasn't as cold as we had expected, or at least I didn't think so. Wendy was bundled up as if we were visiting the North Pole. It only took a few blocks before she had to open her coat and remove her gloves.

Bryant Park is beautiful and gearing up to open a splendid array of little shops and food stands on November 22nd. The entire area will be open 7 days a week until January 25th. They have a Christmas tree at the Rink which pales in comparison to the ones at Rockefeller Center or the EAB plaza. But they also have a place called the Celsius Lounge, A Canadian Bistro. Okay, what hockey fan can resist checking that out. Interesting concept of outdoor dining in winter with space heaters overhead each table. The bar looked really inviting with a wild array of Martini's. But with what I needed to do yesterday, I couldn't drink.

Wendy and I made our way back out onto the Avenue in search of lunch. We never found it. We found shoe stores, street vendors and traffic. But we never found that perfect little New York cafe to grab a light lunch. We passed the NHL store and walked two more blocks. Out of desperation we settled on Europa Cafe chain for a sandwich and water. It was already after 3 pm. We didn't have much of a choice.

I wanted to be at the NHL store by 4 pm; I was on time. I couldn't take it all in at once. Even though not as large as you would think, it was jam packed with items under that custom made hockey stick chandelier. The XM 204 studio hovers above the store behind the glass and you can hear the show going on as you browse. There are TV monitors and computers and a Reebok Skate display set against an "Ice Wall." This is one of the most high tech stores I've ever seen. And every time you look in a section, you find something you didn't see before.

There is a Starbucks in the back of the store that is much smaller than I expected, but it didn't matter. It was inviting enough for my friend Wendy to sit down in with a Chai Latte and her Blackberry and wait for me to be done with the real reason I was there.

I never expected to be summoned up the stairs and into the XM studio while there was a broadcast on. I was visibly nervous and a little clumsy as I tried to climb atop a chair that was three feet higher than a standard bar stool. I fumbled with my purse and my camera not knowing where to put anything to not be in the way. I didn't speak, only nodded and gestured. I was a mime in a room full of radio technology, producers and personalities.

Granted, I did do the live radio show with Rob Kowal at WGBB last October, which was impressive in itself. But this was all that, times ten. I was offered a headset to listen to the last segment of the NHL Hour and I almost blew out both my eardrums because the volume was so loud. Producer Greg Baldinger adjusted the volume for me and I sat and listened to Commissioner Bettman interview my other media Pen Pal Stan Fischler. Truthfully, it was surreal.

I noticed that Mr. Bettman had a photo ID security tag hanging from his belt. I thought to myself how strange. Does someone in his building NOT know it's him? I found out a little later that the security in the NHL building is almost as tight as a courthouse with out the metal detectors.

Well, that's all for now. I will have my personal interview with Mr. Bettman in a few days. Just know that he was more than accommodating, kind and cordial. He gave me his time and attention in his very hectic schedule last night which included a trip to see a brand new grandchild. In all honesty, do you think there is another executive at his level that would ever do such a thing for a suburban housewife and Internet hockey blogger?? Yeah. Right.

Islanders take on the Devils tonight in Newark. John Jeansonne has a great opening line in his Newsday article this morning about reviving a woolly mammoth. But when his reference started out with Brendan Witt's return, I soured on it. Witt should never be compared to an extinct dinosaur. If he wants to pull that joke on Sillinger, that's one thing. But not Witt.

Sillinger will be playing with Bridgeport, which makes Sunday's game really difficult to pass up!

Mitch Fritz has been called up to replace Okposo. So now maybe the perpetual blog commentors can rejoice.

Thank you to all that made my day in the City one I will never forget. CHEERS!

Two more points boys! TWO-MORE-POINTS.

IBC Coach’s Breakfast 11-19-08

7 am was way too early for my liking, but I made it to Bethpage Park by 7:05 am even after taking a short detour and stopping for gas. This was the first Coach’s Breakfast for the IBC this season, and Scott Gordon’s first presentation to an intimate group of the Islanders fans from the business sector. I couldn’t wait to see the reactions. I got exactly what I had hoped for.

Master of Ceremony, Mike Bossy started off the presentation portion of breakfast by telling some great little stories, and he does a great impression of Clark Gillies. But my favorite was when he interrupted his own introduction of Scott Gordon and his video presentation to say “When Scott told me he was bringing a video, his computer, a flash drive and was burning a CD for this morning’s breakfast meeting, all I could think of was Al Arbour’s idea of a coaches breakfast would be a coffee in one hand and a cigarette in the other.”

There was laughter filling the room and even Gordon chuckled, “Well, I don’t have any cigarettes.”

Scott Gordon certainly comes to class well prepared. And his class this morning was captivated. He showed a video from the New England Patriots driving home the points of never giving up on a play, no matter what the sport is and connecting that concept to the business community.

“We’re changing the culture of the team. The way we work, how we practice, a different style of play, the mindset is a level of accountability and a style that is exciting to watch.” He touched briefly on his winning record in the AHL and admitted it is a slow process. He said having the accountability factor from the Captains and the players is like having 20 coaches in the room.

Scott explained how he breaks down each game into separate video clips and files them in his computer folders to use to explain things to individual players or to the team as a whole. One of the best lines from the video was “If you don’t run during the game, you’re going to run after it.”
He is trying to get this current team to play to win instead of playing not to lose. These are phrases we’ve heard from him since he first landed in Uniondale.

It broke my heart when he used a clip of Sean Bergenheim to drive home a point about team work. It seems Sean was in trouble for skating by Doug Weight when he was engaged in a little pushing match with an opposing player. It was Bill Guerin who skated over to stand up for Weight. It was about team work and standing up for each other. That clip was then contrasted by a clip of Andy Hilbert doing his best impression of a bowling ball into the net to save a goal.

“There are two types of players in the NHL. Those who have uncommon talent and those who have uncommon effort. Anyone can have uncommon effort.” Gordon commented that you have to have one to STAY in the NHL. But again, this theory transcends hockey and can be applied to any job. It’s also the way Gordon is looking at making the most of what he has.

Ted Nolan always used to say “You have to win with what you have,” and as much as I liked Ted, I never really saw him try to make what he had any better. Scott Gordon is determined to make those on his roster better players for the organization and for themselves.

One of the attendees asked him how the older players are handling his new system.

“It really is more a mental thing than physical. Trent Hunter has been one of the most successful. Every player last year (in his Providence AHL team) had career years. Doug Weight is on line to have a +70 point season. He had 29 points last season.” Personally, I think Doug Weight has really surprised a lot of people, including himself.

“My first four years in Providence I had a 1 year contract. All I knew was that all I could do was the best I could, that allows me to keep my focus. If you’re not pushing yourself each day, you’re cheating yourself and your team.” Again, he mentioned this is a theme for any business.

At the end of the presentation the attendees were encouraged to mix and mingle and even offered photo opportunities with Mike Bossy, Bobby Nystrom and Freddy Myer. The Lighthouse team was also there discussing current developments and answering questions.

Gordon tried to make a break for it by 8:30 am because, after all, he did have a team to take care of. But he was gracious enough to stand in his coat toting his computer and other equipment long enough to sign copies of Islanders Illustrated for many very impressed members.

When I brought some of my own team members to meet him, Scott looked at me and smiled “Do you show up at EVERYTHING?” Feeling somewhat deflated, but understanding the question I just answered truthfully. “Yes Scott. I do.” Especially when there’s coffee.

The Islanders Business Club is a wonderful way to interact with other local companies both large and small. It’s networking that works.

11-17-08 Joey! Joe-y! Joe-y! 11:15 pm

Can you believe it? What a finish! Please, dear friends, for all of you who criticized Garth Snow for giving Joey Mac a one way deal... I will gladly accept your apologies. Thank you.

"He showed everyone how good he is." So said Frans Nielsen, the man of the hour who won the shoot out that gave the Islanders their two points for the night.

"We had a very bad first period. But Joey played great." Yes he did.

It seems that everyone had the same exact thing to say about Roberto Luongo, "You don't see a lot of net." and "If he sees it, he's going to stop it." That's about it in a puck bag. (what the hell is a puck bag anyway? oh never mind.)

While Nielsen was addressing the media that had their recorders circled around his head, I watched him smile and recoil a little when he was being praised. "We've got a streak now." he smiled uncomfortably, "it's great when you're winning." His very long dark lashes framing hazel eyes. "We don't make as many simple mistakes as last year, and we try to have fun out there."

Well, Franz, winning is fun for everyone. Especially the fans that all went home extremely happy chatting about the Islanders goalie that faced Luongo the great and skated away with the win.

"You have to lift your game up against a guy like that. You've gotta bring your "A" game. That's why he gets paid the big bucks."

This is how a smiling Joey MacDonald saw the evening. "Everybody is buying in..." to Gordon's system. Yep, they certainly are. Gordon's got Guerin "directing traffic in the offensive zone" and Doug is cheering the team on telling them to "skate, skate, skate."

Yep, "It's great when you're winning."

Okay. I'm baking cookies for tomorrow's meeting. So that's all for now!

11-17-08 Firefighter Appreciation night

9:11 pm: Why do I think this game is giong to go into overtime? SOG now 28 - 25 Isles, 8:15 left and we're still tied at one. Loudville, although not as filled as it could be, is singing their hearts out.

Oops, I may have spoken too soon. Campy takes a penalty that he doesn't believe he should have received. He pleaded his case, but to no avail.

So Vacouver goes back on the power play with another chance to put this one away from us.


8:53 pm: Start of the third. So, during intermission they had that interactive texting thing on the jumbotron. Text to chose what song the Islanders come out to. Neat idea. Except once you do that, they reply with a little sales pitch for the next games. Actually, it's a very neat idea.



8:15 pm: Start of the second and it's getting a little tense on the ice. Lots of chances and nothing to show for it. Canucks have taken a few penalties for cross checking and hooking and there have been battles in the corners, but we can't get a goal to tie it up.
And there were collective groans as Guerin lost the puck in his skates when he had a perfect opportunity to score.

I think "Go Go Gordon's" 'overspeed' method has met it's match in Vancouver. They are outskating the Islanders in every direction.

I'm late back to my seat because I wanted to walk around with B.A.M. for a little and get a pretzel. (okay, I wanted him to PAY for a pretzel.) It took forever.

"Jesus, if we were in Boston I would have had two pretzels a Jack and Coke AND gone to the bathroom by the time it takes to get through ONE line here!" When you visit another arena, you realize how tough it is to navigate our concourse. I don't think we should travel any more.

Martinek sits and another penalty is killed off, which is great. But they can't seem to make anything work on the power play. Park made a good attempt at another short handed goal but was denied. It's not as if the Islanders aren't getting chances, they're just not going in.

And just as I said that, Doug Weight evens the score at 5:25 and one finally finds the back of the net behind Luongo.

That's a start!!

Kyle gets 2 for slashing, but I don't think anyone agrees with the call. His stick did get up in the face of Roberto, but he was diving to cover the puck. It really was his fault!

++++++++++++++
7:02 pm And we're off!


19:48 and the net is off and Hilbert did his best impression of a bowling ball. But at least it doesn't look like anyone was hurt.

So I sat in the car for a few minutes to hear Islanders Point Blank's Chris Botta on XM 204. I had heard Boomer announce that he would be on during his earlier stint on XM.I'm not even going to call a blogger, or a journalist. He's turned into Media 360, but as always, he's very entertaining on the radio.

Brentwood Fire Dept. brought their Tower Ladder and presented the colors on the ice tonight. Also on the ice, unfurling the flag were members of the Bravest Hockey team. Singing tonight's National anthem, Danny Rodriguez, the singing Policeman. And another big check handed over from the Islanders to the Stephen Siller foundation.

19:11 with only two SOGs, the puck gets right past Joey and in the net by Pavol Demitra. But that's okay, it's early. Can't lose faith so quickly, can we? No.

With Campoli in the box, I got a little scared for Joey when the puck bounced off #9 Piat and right back toward the crease. But no damage done and the penalty expired.

I'm in a very good mood tonight as finally Big Angry Man is here and sitting in the section in front of me along with my daughter and some of her friends. Of course, my daughter is ignorning me. At least my husband isn't.


Congrats to Andy Sutton on his 500th' NHL game. You don't look a day over 250.

Hey! Is that OUR Rob Davison? The guy who scored the bouncing goal from the oppostite goal line last season? Yep. Meet Tim Jackman. Now they both get five for fighting at 7:00. And as Ken said, "and he was such a NICE young man!."