Saturday's Notes

Today I spent the day "Chrisma-fying" my house. My back hurts and thinking about putting it all back in a few weeks doesn't make me happy. For my daughter, it's a great time of year. She wakes up and the house is decorated, as if by elves. I can't wait till she is old enough to have to do this herself.

Islanders are in Columbus tonight to take on the Blue Jackets. Had this game not fallen in December, I may have been able to convince Big Angry Man to take me on a little hockey road trip. But this close to the holidays, it's impossible. NYIC's Ohio Chapter president, Jimmy14 and his entire family will be in attendance wearing their Islanders jerseys. I hope they make it on TV!

Scott Gordon skated the team hard yesterday. (Or as I always wish for "Skate 'em til they puke.") Let's see if it does anything for them in the scoring column, or just makes them more tired than they were.

My "Holiday Hat Trick" package came yesterday. If you haven't picked one up yet as a gift for someone, or for yourself, I'd like to suggest you do so. This is the best value I've seen in a long time. You can even pick one up at a new Islanders Kiosk in the Roosevelt Field mall. (Very sneaky on the part of Islanders marketing!)

I actually got to catch some of Chris Botta's ESPN 1050am radio show this evening (while putting on my make-up to go out this evening. Okay, I caught ALL of the 1 hour show while putting on my make-up. Yes, it takes that damn long now!!) Interesting that they started out the show speculating that Matts Sundin may chose to be a Ranger. (Where is the puking smiley when you need it.) The league REALLY does need to change the rules to include a deadline for decisions.

If the Rangers take the man who hasn't been able to make a decision since the LAST season ended, well... Good Luck to them. But it will be nice to finally see the "Matts Watch" be OVER. If he does chose to play in the Big Apple, he'll be leaving a huge chunk-of-change on the table in Vancouver. But does he really need it? Probably not.

Okay, time to finish up and head out the door. Enjoy the game all. As best you can. Just remember, it's still hockey. Islanders Hockey. Good our bad; it's ours.

Bailey Not Alone

Real quick, while I wait for my IT guys to figure out what's wrong with our server.

It seems that Josh Bailey isn't the only young Canadian hockey talent that won't be seeing the benefits of what the WJC would give him. Steven Stamkos is also being withheld from joining Team Canada in order to stick around with the Bolts.

That's two young men missing out on what could be a personal accomplishment. But then again, could it be by keeping them off Team Canada, then Team USA gets closer to a medal? Who knows. But at least, it's not just Garth Snow that feels a young prospect benefits more from time spent in the NHL than at the WJC.

Of course, Stamkos is the same kid that Barry Melrose said wasn't READY for the NHL. But we know how that ended. On the other hand, Filatov has been shipped off to serve his country with a pat on the back and a "go get 'em kid." by Columbus.

Breaking Records? Penguins over Islanders 9 - 2

Not quite. The Islanders gave up eleven goals in 1981 against Calgary* (fixed!). So nine isn't a record. And THIS is what Josh Bailey needs so he can miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? His assist points? Okay. FINE!

And how many times a night can we play "How many players can you fit in the box?" Perhaps if there weren't so many five on three pentalty kills it would have only been six to two. UGGGHHH... Okay, What can we possibly say about tonight's game that we can feel good about?

Well, for a change... the MSG Plus HD feed didn't make me think I was going deaf. It was actually a decent levels the entire game. A few intermittent microphone problems but nothing else.

Wait, was I supposed to say something about the hockey game? Okay... WOW! What about those Penguins? Two hat tricks!

I had no high hopes this morning going into this game. I even reluctantly put on yet another blue, white and orange outfit to work (even though it's the Christmas season). I emailed one of my Islander insiders yesterday letting them know that even I was getting depressed, and that's not a good thing. I'm always accused of wearing those orange colored glasses, and even accused on someonelse's blog about being more concerned with what the players look like than their skill level. (Hmmm.... someone doesn't know me very well.) But things are bad when even I start getting upset over the standings.

"Need a hug?" was the response I received. Actually I think I need a "double mocha vodka Valium latte," thank you. And maybe a FEW FREAKIN' POINTS!

As soon as the first period garnered the Penguins four goals, I had a feeling it was going to get bad. By the time the second period started, I was calling for a nine goal game. I got my wish. Considering they gave up four in the first and four in the second, they could very well have given up four in the third and THEN they would have had their record breaking game. (Well, if you're going to lose, you may as well have something to show for it.)

Hilbert shoved Malkin, and even old room mates Sutton and "Tank" got into a little battle after the whistle. That's a shame. But the frustration level was just too high, especially during the post game. Scott Gordon couldn't even look at the camera.

What now?

So much More than just a Store - DiPietro too!

I went back to visit the new Islanders Team store at the Sunrise Mall again. As impressive as it was the first time I was there, it had even MORE great items in it on Monday.

I had a chance to chat briefly with Terry Goldstein, the Director of Retail Operations, who has plenty of reason to be all smiles. As he walked me around the store, explaining what had changed since Monday, I couldn't help but think, this is a man who really enjoys his job, as busy as he is. (He had to field at least three phone calls in just the 10 minutes we were trying to talk.)

The store is carrying one-of-a-kind artwork that Mr. Goldstein had a hand in designing. It was all elegantly displayed in the DiPietro area. If you have a serious collector on your shopping list, this is the place to go. You won't find these items anywhere else. (Like a 3-foot tall Bobble Head.)

"There is no store that carries the amount of Islanders products that we do." Mr. Goldstein told me with pride and a smile. And having visited local sports stores, I can tell he's right.

For the Dynasty era collector, they have re-done all the Stanley Cup mini banners. They are all custom made, really beautiful, and they have all four years. A nice stocking stuffer at only $12 each!

There are sweat shirts and t-shirts that can't be found anywhere else that have strikingly different takes on our Islanders logo in many different colors. That's great for me because that way, I can wear my Islander pride no matter what color outfit I have on.

As Mr. Goldstein explained, for the last six years, the women's merchandise sells better in the store than at the coliseum, so they will be expanding their women's lines in the Team stores a little at a time. So stop by often ladies to browse not just for others, but for yourselves too. As women, we are usually ready to spend on our loved ones and reluctant to spend on us. We can splurge now and then! We deserve it!

The children's area takes awhile to get through because every time you move your eyes, there's something else to see. There are great gift packs for infants if you want to get a new little Islanders fan started out the RIGHT way. Sparky also now comes in two sizes, so get one to go along with that great little sweat suit that the baby can wear on game days!

As far as outerwear goes, check out the totally reversible jackets. Brand new and really great looking.

I asked Mr. Goldstein if they were going to be carrying any Sound Tiger merchandise and he said they may have one or two items. He's still considering it. Right now he's trying to figure out how to get another one of the jersey lettering systems to fit into the store.

The one at the coliseum has been a big hit, and they actually have to cut off the line for on the spot lettering because they run out of time. But you can buy a jersey at the either of the team stores and they will have it back to you in less than a week. If they put the machine in the store, it could be ready for you in a few hours! And isn't that what we all look forward to? INSTANT GRATIFICATION!! I remember the days when it took almost a month to get anything lettered.

The ITV studio portion of this store will give fans the opportunity to actually watch portions of Islanders Illustrated, the MSG Plus series, being filmed. They will not close the store during filming. What a chance to see how TV production actually works and watch Shawna Ryan and Steve Mears do what they do best, talk about the Islanders.

The team stores will be a great way to stay connected to the Islanders all summer as they plan on having Player signings and events almost bi-weekly. And I'm certain it will be a big part of next off season's Ice Tour.

"It will be the only place in the mall where a real MSG show will be filmed." So enjoy watching TV in the making along with your shopping experience. They may even be able to do some live feeds during player signings if they can get the right signal strength.

There are two very dedicated (and patient) women who are running this store, along with various other employees, who are there to help you find exactly what you're looking for, or just to talk Islanders hockey.

Monica, who has been doing retail for the Islanders for many years is well versed in all the product lines and is a wealth of information. Dani, Hockey-Mom extraordinaire will help you pick the perfect gift as well as discuss the details of the power play. She's a fan through and through as well as a consummate work-a-holic.

So stop by the store today from 6 - 8 pm, and see Rick DiPietro before he hits the ice again, or any day. The Team Store will be open seven days a week, the same hours the mall is open.

Blake Watch - Leafs 4 - Isles 1/2 that

Jason BLAKE - 3 pt night.

BLAKE Comeau - 0 pt night.

If Mike Comrie was skating tonight, I would have bet even money that Jason Blake would have probably had a Gordie Howe hat trick.

Interesting interviews he gave to CJ Papa both before and after the game. Blake has always been one that can't hide his emotions. You could tell he still hurts a little when he said Long Island was "home" for seven years. And considering how poorly he's been doing in his new "home," you can guess he thinks about it often.

Until, as my husband pointed out, he cashes his paycheck. Rude but true.

Comeau, on the other hand, played hard but had nothing to show for it. Well, until tomorrow when the bruises turn a lovely shade of purple. He slid into the net and was slow to get up after smacking the post before it dislodged. He also had to leave the ice with a hand injury, but did return. He didn't look comfortable on the bench, but he was playing through it.

My boy Sean was a -2 for the evening and was called for a marginal penalty that earned the Leafs one of four. You have to stop that Sean. I can't take the taunting at my house.

I held my breath when Nate Thompson took on Ryan (porn star mustache) Hollweg. But he managed to stay on his skates long enough to get a few in before falling to the ice. The linesmen were smart to stay close and broke it up as soon as they landed.

I'm still waiting for Josh Bailey to earn his first NHL goal. I'm sure, he is too.

Not the way the Islanders wanted to start their 4 game road trip. But those are the breaks. Some times you win... some times you lose. Some times... you get used to it.

Tomorrow is another day.

Oh, and don't forget to Rock the Vote on the Blog Contest at www.yesislanders.com.

Blue (Maple Leafs) Monday? We'll See

After spending an entire Sunday recovering from far too much Christmas party merriment, I'll try to clear my head with a few Monday morning thoughts. And as reciting the alphabet backwards is the way to increase concentration, I'll work backwards here as well.

Tonight the Isles are in Toronto to see Brian Burke's Leafs and old friend Jason Blake. Neither team is doing well, and the Leafs are having their own injury problems. This game belongs to either team. I suppose it will be up to luck and desire to see who walks away with the points tonight. So far the Islanders have lost four of five games to the Leafs. Let's see if they can change that percentage tonight.

I did wander over to the Leafs site and found one of their call-ups has a blog, Jaime Sifler details his first road trip as a Leaf instead of a Marlie. What I found quite charming about it is the details of moving up to the NHL from young eyes. It's a dream come true for him. It just underscores the point that playing in the NHL is a privilege not to be taken lightly.

That privilege was spit on by Sean Avery, and on Sunday Point Blank's Chris Botta decided to open his memory bank and divulge an interesting story of Avery's side show in the Coliseum tunnel. From the start, I was told anything I witnessed or heard in the tunnel or locker room hallway area was off limits. The recollection of Avery mouthing off to Garth Snow looking for a fight didn't surprise me one bit. But it did leave me angry and disgusted. As if I needed more ammunition to hate this guy. Would he have mouthed off to Snow if they were in the parking lot with no one else around, and Garth was in jeans and sneakers? Probably not because I can only imagine that Avery would have left that conversation by ambulance. The fact that a few of the 38 comments so far would even think to defend this arrogant idiot also amazes me.

In defending my opinion that the six game suspension was warranted, I did say to certain other (Canadian) reporters that had the comments Avery made been racial or homophobic, would they have look for them to be ignored by the league? So what do we learn? That Avery already used racial slurs against ex-head coach Ted Nolan. The difference: It was on the ice with no cameras documenting.

Also on Sunday the Dallas Stars website added their take on the situation with this article, but they have also removed Avery's name from their roster. All I can say is... GOOD.

Saturday night's game certainly didn't end the way everyone wanted. A 5-1 loss to another struggling team is not what any Islander fan wanted to see. I didn't watch the game because they didn't have the TV on at the party, but I did receive text messages from my fellow Blog Boxers, until they too became disheartened with the score. (I wonder if it was because I didn't wear my colors to the party? hmmm...)

Blake Comeau rang off the post and played with passion we didn't see at the beginning of the season. He knows an opportunity when he sees it. Well, #57, as Coach Gordon said, the job is yours to keep or lose. Gordon doesn't kid around. Personally, I'm happy to see him back. He was very impressive last season and it was even mentioned to me that I may have to replace the "55" on my necklace with a "57."

So far, there is no new number hanging from my charm. I'm still waiting to be impressed.