Isles Practice at IceWorks

Today I ventured to IceWorks like a few others. As a fan, not as a blogger. I left the laptop and tape recorder home. I did bring the camera, because I'm never actually without it. I rushed to leave the house so I could beat the snow. I left without a hat and without a few other things I wanted, but I was trying to beat the snow that had just started to fall. I also forgot to take OFF my "55" Islander necklace as I started wearing it again on the 26th when the Leafs were in town. I didn't think anyone would notice. Um... I was wrong.

I was lucky that it wasn't sticking, even though it was coming down pretty fast. By the time I arrived in their parking lot, I was fighting people with Jersey license plates for a parking spot.

"Whooaaaa!!!! What the hell??? Why are there so many people here" I wondered. It seems there was a girls pee wee hockey game between the IceWorks girls team and this team from New Jersey. But there WERE a lot of regular fans in the bleachers when I barged through the glass doors.

I stood by the glass with my blogger buddies and we just started to chat wildly. Actually we chatted and laughed so much, I hardly looked at what was happening on the ice! I know. That was bad of me, but as I said, I wasn't there as a blogger. I was really there to just see my friends that I haven't seen because of this STUPID LONG WEST COAST TRIP!

I got a nod from Coach Gordon. Hope that means he didn't read my "has he started drinking yet?" question in my last blog. Mike Comrie was all smiles while he was practicing, which is always nice to see from any of them. Who knows how long we'll see him in an Islanders jersey. I certainly don't.

Chris Campoli definitely doesn't look like the same as he did so many years ago when he started on the Sound Tigers. Bruno, on the other hand, certainly does. I am so bad some times that I actually almost pulled a "B.D."

"Wait! Is that Andy Sutton on the ice?" I asked my buddy who wasn't paying attention either. "I think so."

I got excited. I ran up to ask someone I thought would have a clue.

"When is Andy Sutton coming back???" I realized I must have sounded like a five year old asking for a dollar for the ice cream truck.

"Sutton? I don't know! Why??? Have you seen him?" Uh oh, I thought to myself. I tempered my enthusiasm.

"Isn't that him?" I asked sheepishly.

I got that "look" that said it all. "Dee... That's Jackman."

I headed back to my friends without my dollar and no ice cream.

No, Greg Logan wasn't there today but I later found out from Chris Botta's Point Blank that John Jeansonne was representing Newsday and received news of Doug Weight's 2 - 4 week injury update. This sucks. Probably more for Doug than for us. But maybe we'll see him again now from the announcer booth here at home.

I didn't get to see many Islanders employees today. I guess they are recovering from the very long road trip. I can't blame them. Hope they all recover nicely. Two of our media regulars brought their children with them. They are both very good Dads.

Because there was a pee wee game there today, the concession stand was open. It is far better than the concession stands at the Coliseum. One of my friends bought a large hot chocolate that made her VERY happy and I had a Cappachino.

When it was over, we said our good-byes and I headed back into the crowded parking lot and out into the snow that was now starting to stick.

Yep. Today I was just a fan. I was there just to be supportive and have some enjoyable conversations at the glass in the cold, crisp air of the rink. I only took a few photos, here are the best of them.

They practice again tomorrow afternoon, but I doubt I will make it out there. I still have to de-chrisma-fy my house. Yuck.

Hey! Who is THAT handsome young man? Why it's non-other than Tiger Track Tom Liodice. Remember to look out for his Islander's post game review on the Islander's website after each home game.

Fanning the Flames in Calgary

Oh boy. I didn't want to say it yesterday because I've said it so many times before. Full Moon + Thursday = Islanders loss. I see the record remains.

But the team looked good, for the most part. They just can't win a game as they drop 16 of the last 18. We're heading for a new record. And truthfully, it isn't even really upsetting me that much.

With another page in the Rick DiPietro Saga occupying the net, I'll just say this..... Holy Crap do I feel bad for Joey MacDonald! This poor guy! An otherwise very good goalie is going to have a year of really horrible stats to show for some really good games. My heart goes out to you boy.

As far as Rick goes, I can totally understand why this "is he playing, isn't he playing" game is of such great concern. He is the face of the franchise, or at least WAS the face of the franchise, and he is ours for probably the rest of MY natural life. But I can understand the Islanders wanting to be cautious with his delicate, reconstructed body. If there is swelling on that rebuilt knee that would get worse if he played, then sure. Make him sit. I don't see why I wouldn't believe there is. I've never had that type of surgery, or anything close, but I've seen firemen be completely fine one second running drills and then watch joints blow up like a grapefruit while they're having a beer 20 minutes later.

"Medically cleared to play." is a statement that was accurate and correct.... before the swelling ensued. Oh, whatever.

Oh, and not for nothing but.... sure, my Rolodex of men who play this game is short, but I did have some conversations over the last few days and heard that it really isn't that uncommon for a goalie to get a starting nod game day or even right after warm ups. But again, whatever.

Congratulations to Trevor Smith on his first NHL goal. This was the same kid that made us sit up and take notice during the preseason. It was great to see him produce.

Also, I guess Jeff Tambellini only really, really plays well when Daddy is in the building. I know Steve Tambellini has that GM gig, but do we think he can follow his son around to all our Islanders games so that he can score the way he did last night? He was probably calling his wife when the camera closed in on him in the owners box.

"Honey, guess what? Yeah! He scored! I know. Everyone was surprised. Of course. I'll tell him Mom says 'I Love You.'" It was a classic parent moment.

I had a hard time staying awake during the third period, so truth be told I blinked and it went from 3 - 2 to a 5 - 2 final. Has Scotty taken up drinking yet?

Okay, they're home now. Maybe that will make a difference. Maybe not. Rangers on Tuesday. Ice up the knee DiPi. We know how you LOVE to stare down King Henrik.

And Now For Something Completely Different

It's not quite 7 am and my eye-sight is still fuzzy. I did manage to feed the dog, feed my daughter, make her lunch and get her off to the bus stop. I made breakfast and tea and sat down with the paper, the computer and the news on.

As I usually do in the early morning, I check this blog for stats and such. Well, this is the first time I've ever had someone take the time to ask ME questions. Very thoughtful, very detailed, VERY INTENSE questions. I figured the least I can do is have the courtesy of answering them. (As there are those I know who don't.)

Okay, well reader, I think much of what you ask is WAY over my head, but I will try.

7th Woman, I like your writing a lot and can tell that you have a gift for writing well; however, I'm wondering, as an Islander fan who believes that change needs to be fostered in the infrastructure of the Islanders, specifically the rapacious and devious Charles Wang, if you've considered taking braver stances on issues surrounding the team. These issues include the following:

1. Lighthouse/Real Estate grab that Wang is trying to get from the Islanders, using the Islanders as a vehicle and, therefore, putting welfare of the hockey team as an ancillary priority.

7th: First, I'd like to say Thank you so much for the compliment. I appreciate it. However, I sense the challenge at hand. In all honesty, I don't know if I'm up to taking braver stances, even though I am well aware that if I did my readership numbers would skyrocket. I'd love to be able to write articles that would cause a ruckus and get 10,000 hits in a day, but it's really not me.

But let's try. Lighthouse "Real Estate grab"? Whoa there. He owns the property already and from what I've seen, it's the local government agencies that are trying to do the "grabbing." Have you sat in some of those meetings? Everyone wants their piece. I was stunned. Every special interest group, every local agency seem to have their hand out. It's a game that I had no idea existed, but that I also don't think there can be a clear winner at.

As far as the Islanders being their "ancillary priority" in some ways, I may agree. There are bigger fish to fry from a corporate standpoint. The team is an entity on it's own and I know they are working hard at making it better.

2. Wang's past track record of cooking the books at CA and his current claims of losing money from the Islanders and NeuLion.

7th: Cooking the books? Oh baby, we call that "creative finance." Many companies, especially large, multi-million dollar ones, operate that way. It's not illegal, it's just 'different.' The Islanders are indeed losing money hand over fist, as well documented by the NHL and the league auditors. NeuLion is a relatively new company, and as most new companies go, they are probably not in the black yet. But I really don't know too much about their financial standings. But I'm sure it will be a profit center. It's too good not to be.

3. His total mismanagement of the hockey operations of the Islanders throughout his stewardship, which is largely due to his placing an ancillary importance on the welfare of the actual hockey club.

7th: Okay then. Mismanagement of hockey ops? Wait, do you remember who was in charge of hockey ops for the first years? Mike Milbury, who I really like as a person, may not have given Charles Wang (at the time, a self proclaimed hockey dummy) the best advice and direction.

Once Mike stepped down and moved into sales, it did seem a little lost. But I don't think the "welfare" of the club was actually ignored. Mishandled at times? Sure. And changing of the guard has caused considerable growing pains. But I think they are subsiding.

4. The habitual usage of Newsday and Islandermania by the NYI to disseminate propaganda, largely by framing issues surrounding the team very narrowly to the point of complete idiocy and contempt for the paying consumer.

7th: I'm sorry, I really had to giggle at this one. You call it "propaganda" and I call it "marketing." Okay, let me let you in on a little secret. I actually work for the advertising agency that is producing those Newsday ads. I'm close friends with the editors who write that "propaganda," and sometimes, they even run it by me before it's sent in for approval. It's not easy to find things to "sell" when you know your product is the lowest one on the food chain. But I actually applaud Chris Dey and his effort to continue to try to market the team and give the fans emotional ownership of it even if we are tanking the season.

As far as IslanderMania goes, I don't venture onto their site that often, but from what I've seen the members bash the team and the front office as much as they offer up information and sales pitches. From a marketing concept, getting involved with the message board was the right thing to do and exactly what many of the other 30 teams do.

5. The connection between "friends" Alphonse D'Amato (member of SMG board) and Charles Wang, whom D'Amato convinced to buy the team.

7th: I wish to God I did know ANYTHING about that! That sounds like a smoking gun of sorts! I only know Alphonse D'Amato from Sons of Italy dinner dances a long, long, LONG time ago. And I know my mother didn't like him much. County politics is so far beyond my scope of knowledge that you may as well ask me about quantum physics, I'll have the same answer: huh?

6. SMG current role with the planning of the new Lighthouse. If they're currently bleeding the Islanders dry, as is the fashionable rhetoric, then why would they be involved after the expiration of the current lease in 2015 at all?

7th: If SMG has ANY role in planning the new Lighthouse, I would indeed like to know because I would have something to say and it would be ... Bullshit! SMG does nothing for the patrons of the Coliseum and their food concessions are inadequate compared to other venues. They have been a thorn in the side of the fans for years. If they have any involvement in a new arena I will puke.

I remember one early morning STH event that SMG sent collectors to the parking booths and only had one open. Traffic on Hempstead Tpke was backed up and we waited and waited to get in and had to pay $6.75 to park. This was very unusual as the early morning events were usually free.

Well, Mike Milbury almost had a stroke when he found out what they were doing. He went downstairs to their offices to "discuss" the situation. He returned with xeroxed vouchers for parking for the game that night.

It was just one little instance of how SMG loved to poke the bear. Besides, SMG has brought in the world's worst wine to the Coliseum and I hate it, and they also raised the price of tea from $2 - $3. Bogus!

So there you have it. My opinions, 45 minutes later. Certainly not what you were expecting, but what my first thoughts are.

Calgary tonight; I hope I can stay awake for it! Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go pull out my "colors" for the day.

Communication Breakdown

I woke up cranky this morning. The news on TV didn't help much. Civilian deaths in Gaza, financial ruin from coast to coast and heavy rain making my morning commute miserable. Top all this with the fact that my hands are so swollen, I had to pry my wedding band off because my finger was turning blue, and I'm just having one hellova day! And it's not even 9 am.

I was going to weigh in on the contention of a communication problem withing the organization we follow most closely. But I have my own communication problems in the organization who pays me. I have been trying to do payroll for two days and no one knows if a particular junior sales person actually WORKS for us any longer. (He took off for two days prior to the holidays, and I haven't seen him since.)

Communication problems are a staple of the corporate world. The adage "the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing" is older than dirt. So in actuality, two differing stories by employees who perform the same function is no really news.

But with the strife in the world, the problems at home, our own pitiful bank accounts, we need a diversion to follow to take our minds off things. For us, the Long Island Hockey faithful, we have the Islanders. And when they are not playing for days on end, we start to twitch.

Last night I flipped back and forth between the Devils game and (of course) the Leafs game. I needed the diversion. Even if the Leafs are 10 points ahead of us in the standings. I needed the diversion and comfort of a familiar form to focus on -- even if he is in Blue & White now.

He didn't disappoint me. The Leafs and the Devils both lost last night, but Jason Blake garnered his 10th goal of the season on a short handed goal, just like the ones he used to score for us -- charging the net, splayed on the ice and not giving up. I'm assuming he will be able to get to that 20 goal mark this season just as I expected.

So we turn our attention to Calgary and all the questions that we have. Will DiPietro play? Will Doug Weight play? Will Martinek make it back from injury and play more than 12 minutes before being placed on the IR AGAIN? Will Nielson be ready? Will we win one freakin' away game -- EVER?

Ahhhhh..... hockey. Life's little diversion that we can't live without. And once again... I'm late for work.

They say there is No Place to Go But Up --

when you're on the bottom that is. Well, that's where the Islanders are and they seem to be staying.

Whether it be because of staggering injuries, a lack of experience, a lack of talent, or just plain bad luck, the numbers are just painful to look at (and I work with numbers all damn day long!).

Twenty-eight points and the highest goals against in the league. Atlanta is close; probably not a distinction they are happy with.

So what did I get out of staying up past my usual work-a-day bedtime to watch this game from Edmonton?

1) The pleasure of listening to Jiggs, Jaffe & Doug Weight. What a team they were.
2) The smile I got from watching Okposo and Blake Comeau score.
3) A reason to wonder if there actually IS a conspiracy against the Islanders in the Toronto war room.

That's about it. Everyone on the net asked if the Islanders are not getting the respect they deserve from the refs. Last night was proof positive they don't.

The Islanders have no Sidney Crosby who can get away with punching an opponent in the nuts and walking away as if nothing happened. The Islanders are the team that has players called for interference when they're hauled down. Is the glass half empty or half full?

If we stay at the bottom, the prize is the great draft that is coming up. If they continue to play edge-of-your-seat hockey, do we really lose anything by basement dwelling?

I made the suggestion last night that maybe the Islanders should trade in their contingent of Bloggers for a cabinet of exorcists and medicine men that can break the injury curse. That garnered a chuckle where I wanted it. Because the best thing we can do is laugh right now. Hope has already left the building.

And I'm back! But just not quite READY!

Odd how quickly a six day vacation can fly. You blink -- it's over, it's Monday all over again and you are back to the same routine as before you left. The New Year doesn't make a difference, it's just one long winter's day. All that's left now to show for the time away is several extra pounds and a full memory card on my Canon Power Shot.

But before we get back into hockey mode for today as the Islanders are playing yet another "too late for my taste" western game, I'd just like to mention a few things I came away with from my 'travel and unpack' day.

First, the Sunday Boston Globe: I now know what a GOOD newspaper is supposed to look and read like. I read various sections of yesterday's edition for three and a half hours of my almost six hour trek home. After the first hour, it struck me.

"Oh My GOD!!! This is JOURNALISM!!! No! REAL JOURNALISM!! This is what I aspire to!" and will probably never achieve. Every article was well written, thought provoking and emotional. There were hard news articles that were so graphic, I had to stop reading because I was getting so upset. There were Sports articles that made me read about Sports I couldn't care less about. There were even articles on books I will never read, but GOD, how the words made me want to.

In the next two days I am sure I will link two of these articles as they are perfect for our hockey discussions and are too good not to share.

My husband had his own feelings about my comment.

"How many years have I told you what a 'rag' Newsday is, Dee? It's garbage." There is no love lost on our home town paper from my husband, the Rescue Captain of a Volunteer Fire Dept. and ex-Newsday carrier.

On the first level is the seemingly unending jabs Newsday takes at Long Island's Volunteer service. They are constantly looking for that headline that will be demeaning to those who put their life in harm's way for no pay and to protect their community. But when important community service stories are presented to them for publication, they are buried with two line subnotes or ignored all together. This is fact, not fiction. I have proof.

He also has a very good argument regarding their delivery system. Your newspaper is now delivered by someone in a car or van and tossed at the end of your driveway. You are sent a computer generated invoice at the end of each month. On the invoice is a place for you to put in a "tip" for this "service." But wait.

This distribution system is far from the local youngster on a bicycle delivering 150 papers each day to your door step and stopping in to pet your dog. These are faceless adults who drive by in the dark of early morning and drop your paper at the curb.

These are Newsday employees with designated routes and hours. I do not tip my mailman on a monthly basis and he delivers my mail to my front door and sometimes even takes mail with him that I've stamped.

If the Newsday carriers are not making enough money and relying on tips from customers, then perhaps they should unionize like the rest of the newspaper industry workers. Newspaper delivery is no longer a personal service. It's a job. We do not tip the Fed Ex guy or the UPS man until the end of the year. Why should I have to tip a paper carrier monthly? I don't.

And finally, it's National Whip Cream Day. Enjoy some however you like. Because maybe a nice shot of RediWhip will make a rather harsh first Monday back from Vacation relaxation a little easier to get through.

It's Blue, White & Orange day people!