The Lust For Last...

is what the fans have. But it is obvious that's not what the players have. What is keeping Islanders Country talking every day as the season winds down is the standings and the team's ability to hold onto that last available spot. We usually are talking about the last PLAY-OFF spot as we head into the Easter holiday. But this year, all we want to hold onto is that 30th spot.

When you hit rock bottom, there is no where to go but UP. We're not angry about it. We're looking to the future with hopeful eyes. But we're not on the ice night after night looking to maintain our confidence and our pride. They are.

These boys will not tank on purpose. They are actually improving. Even tonight's 5 - 2 loss to Ottawa was an improvement. Photos from the gallery are here. Their face off win percentage is up slightly. Josh Bailey added two goals to his stat sheet tonight. And as if by wizardry, Bruno Gervais almost potted his THIRD goal of the season, but he was denied by Elliot. Speaking of confidence, that would have done wonders for his.

Joel Rechlicz played a low 6:27 minutes, but he made his presence known for sure. The fans are noticing him, hopefully Scott Gordon is too.

So here they are, still at the bottom looking up. Looking a little tired too with these back to back games. But the Wild come to town on Wednesday and I'm sure the Isles will not make their time in Uniondale very easy.

No matter how much we lust for that last place, NHL players lust for wins. The Islanders are no different. They will squeeze out a few more wins from this hand full of games that are left before Easter Sunday. Then... we will take things from there.

Post Game 5-4 Canes over Isles

Bruno on a caffeine high gets his second goal and does an interview with CJ Papa that sounded like it was recorded at the wrong speed. Did he even breathe?

Tambellini thumped one of the Canes into the boards and he bounced. It was a real shock. It was Tamby doing it.

Streit gets another personal point with an assist and time Jackman gets two.

Rechlicz is just an animal... but one that can actually skate and play hockey. Even though he playe only a little over 7 minutes.

Okposo and Nielsen had a great game, each with a goal and an assist, but seriously the Chia Beards (as Jaffe called them) have to go.

Park, wearing special padding to protect his recovering ribs, not only scored but also took a hit that made me hold my breath.

Dean gets hooked, the officials miss it, and he ends up in the box giving the canes a 2 man advantage in the final two minutes. "Dean McAmmand has earned that kind of respect to have the officials let him have his say. He cares. The kind of guy you want on your team." Bill Jaffe.

I hate to say I'm glad they lost. That's not the way I want to feel. But in these last dozen games, we can't lose sight of the big picture.

They're playing better than we could have ever hoped. But they can't will themselves into a playoff berth. They can't roll over either. But losing is seriously in our best interest. I'm sorry Peter Mannino.

I HATE CABLEVISION!!

8:39 pm: While the Islanders decided to start scoring like crazy (and Congrats to Bruno for your second goal, which I called today in email to someone.) I called Cablevision to lodge a formal complaint about the TV time outs.

I was pleasantly surprised to get a young man who took all the information to lodge the complaint and then ended the conversation with "Let me hand this to our engineering dept. because I know I'm going to hear this when I get home. My dad is a huge Islanders fan."

Oh yes... He will certainly hear about it when he gets home.

So, not only do they put the islanders game on tonight on their overflow channel 14, and supposedly HD (ha ha ha ha ha) 414, but they can't even get the TV time outs timed correctly. So here I am watching the game during play and I'm suddenly watching horrible local commercials for scrap metal companies and lawyers that look like they came from the 50s.

If you are going to relegate our games to your overflow channel so you can air other things, at least have the decency to get the TV time outs right! I'm watching more commercials than I am game.

You know what??? Your commercial that Fios doesn't have local sports in HD doesn't matter to me... IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FREAKIN' AIR THE GAMES IN HD THEN WHO CARES THAT FIOS DOESN'T HAVE THEM.

AT LEAST I'LL BE ABLE TO FIND THE GAMES!!!

First Day of Spring and Finally an Islander Game

Just like our Islanders, this winter refuses to give up. As Spring 2009 arrives, it'll be greeted by cold winds and light snow. The crocuses that are up in my yard defy the cold March air and laugh at it. Spring will not be stopped, and the end of the Islanders '08 - '09 season is imminent.

Yesterday, as I was driving to work, Scott Gordon was on 92.3 FM for an interview before the morning practice and afternoon flight. (Yes, I can hear the radio station where I live.) The DJ who was interviewing Gordon was not a sports reporter. The questions he was asking seemed foolish. But Gordon answered them with his usual stoic grace. This was the second Gordon radio interview I caught in the last few days. My comment that at least I didn't have to raise the volume on my radio to ten, the way I have to when our GM is on the radio, got me in a little trouble. But trouble likes to follow me anyway.

Tim Jackman was rewarded for all his hard work with a one-year contract extension. That made everyone in Islanders Country pretty happy. This extension is a no-brainer for sure and not the surprise moves I am used to from our GM.

Talk has sprung up about Kyle Okposo's plans for Spring. Should he skate for Jack Capuano's Bridgeport Squad? Should he be tagged for a stint with Team USA? Sorry Jack. My personal opinion is let him skate for his country, should he be asked of course. Now, that may make Josh Bailey a little miffed since he was not allowed to represent his country at the World Juniors, but come on, there's a great Canadian hockey player born every minute. When we find an American born hockey player with the goods, especially one with Kyle's bloodlines, then we have to show him off a little.

Isles vs. Robo-Hockey player Rod Brind'Amour and the Canes at 7pm. My pizza and I will be waiting.

They Said They'd Be Back!!!!

I couldn't take it any longer. I had looked at the calendar and noticed that I was nowhere near being able to see a live game until Wednesday the 25th. This was not doing my soul any good.

I checked the practice schedule and headed to Iceworks this morning at 11 am for no good reason other than it was calling to me.

No laptop, no camera, no ulterior motive. Just me and a box of oatmeal raisin cookies.

For some reason, many of the plastic bleachers are broken. Considering how much money they've sunk into the place, I was really surprised and saddened by that. I took a spot on the bleachers center ice and just watched.

It was so good to see Doug Weight out on the ice in a yellow jersey. That's the "Don't touch me yet!" jersey, right? But he was working up a sweat, getting back to his old self, keeping up with the kids.

It's amazing how much fun Kyle looks like he has out there. I know that he and Josh Bailey are young, but they do look like they have fun even when they are working.

Also good to see on the ice was Andy Sutton. He was NOT in a yellow jersey. You can't miss Sutton as he is at least a head taller than everyone else. But he looked good.

Also looking good, and not as despondent as I would have expected was Bruno Gervais. He was skating by himself center ice, practicing his backwards defense moves. He really does skate beautifully.

Jackman was trying desperately to get a puck over the netting to a group of kids that were there. He finally tossed it over a doorway instead. He and his toothless grin made the boys very happy.

I was made very happy but a smiling Sean Bergenheim that stopped me to say Hello. When I asked him how he was doing, he smiled broadly. "Good. I'm feeling good. I should be back on the ice soon!"

I told him to hurry up.

Scott Gordon was taking his time today really talking to them. They surrounded him in a huddle listening intently.

I took a deep breath of the cold air, and headed back out to my car to head back to work. It was just a quick fix to get me to Friday.

Hopefully. Although I really wish I had remembered my damn camera! But Newsday DOES have a VIDEO!

The Magic that is Marty

I can't believe I had to defend Marty Brodeur on Facebook tonight. I'm wondering what the hell that was all about. I'm an Islanders fan who can recognize what's good for the NHL when I see it. And for some reason, I get sucked into conflict. The only good thing about tonight was that I didn't have to defend his personal life as I have usually had to do previously. (I really don't give a damn that he cheated on his wife. That takes nothing away from his NHL career.)

But even though he's wearing the jersey of a team I have to root against, I can still appreciate what he does for the game. I can be happy for the man that I began watching when he was little more than a teenager.

My first memory of this future Hall of Famer is from the early 90s when he was thrown into a playoff game, and lost. He cried over the loss. I cried with him. I've watched him turn into the amazing, intelligent goalie that he is. I hope I can watch him turn into a formidable coach one day.

Congratulations Marty Brodeur. You deserve it. Let's see how many other records you can break before your career comes to a close.

TRADE IN YOUR JERSEY!

FINALLY!!! I've been calling for this promotion for years now! Let's get rid of these Fish sticks jerseys so they are nothing but a bleak memory!

The Islanders have just announced on their website the following Team Store Promotion:


TRADE IN YOUR JERSEY: Beginning on March 22 and running through April 4, fans will be able to trade in their old Islanders jerseys—and receive 30% off any new jersey that you select. All of the old jerseys will be donated to two charities—The Inn of Hempstead and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

While I wish they weren't being given to charity, I'm still happy with the idea that they will be giving credit towards NEW jerseys.

Go through your closets. See what you have. Trade UP!

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2009 - Where's my Hockey?

I really have nothing for today. I didn't watch the games on Versus last night. I opted for the Channel 2 comedy line-up topped off by CSI Miami.





But in honor of the day, let me just repost this photo that NYICer Viking took this Saturday in Boston when he attended the Isles Bruins game with some friends.





While enjoying the ambiance that Boston offers, he ran into one of the NY Islanders old friends, one perfect for the day. Do you recognize the guy in the middle?

Yep. It's the Pirate himself. Back in Boston after suffering an injury in Europe. Bates' season is over and he was on crutches, but it was okay. His arms work fine enough to get that brew to his mouth. Get better soon.

I'll be wearing green today and missing my ex-mother-in-law's Irish Soda Bread. Store bought just doesn't compare to what she used to make.

And to the blue-eyed Irish Prince of the NYI, have a safe day at the parade. I'm sure you're there.

Monday Morning Mish-Mosh

What a weekend! It's amazing how much you can cram in a 48 hour time frame.

A Saturday day game in Boston that I expected to be another Bruins blow out against the Islanders turned into a well fought 2-1 loss. Kudos to Yann Danis for an amazing effort.

Also notable for me in that game was Jack Hillen doing exactly what Scott Gordon expects of his squad. "Don't you ever give up on the play!" Jack didn't. Even flat out on the ice protecting the puck and having the where-with-all to clear it with a backhand poke while he was being mugged. I liked him when he first skated in an Islanders sweater. I'm liking him more and more.

Sunday's win just proves that the Islander boys haven't gotten the memo from the fans. "Excuse me, guys! You're supposed to be losing."

They will have none of that. So Peter Mannino called up from Jack Capuano's Bridgeport squad has his first NHL win in front of his parents in Chicago. It must have been a great day for him.

Mark Streit (whom I can't seem to find a picture of on my computer) has a three point afternoon as my husband yelled at me asking who was the last Islanders defenseman to score a hat trick. It's obvious Streit will be the NEXT one. He was on fire.

My Sunday was capped off by attending a surprise party for one of my favorite PR people and new found friends. Yes, "Lighthouse Katrina" is now officially in her "adult" years. Her mother Linda staged a party for friends and family to celebrate the occasion complete with balloons, DJ and goody bags. Oh, and Mickey Mouse ears. No adult gets through life without having their own set of ears.

This was one heck of a week for Katrina as she vacationed in Canada, attended three hockey games (two of which were Isles games), did a guest blog for a Habs site and STILL managed to have her finger on the pulse of everything Lighthouse. Yep, multi-tasking mayhem Katrina!

Finally, I was awakened at 5:30 am by a very vivid dream that included ex-head coach Ted Nolan. So, if my Moncton readers could let me know if there is anything wrong with Teddy, I'd appreciate it.

That's the morning's mish-mosh. I guess I should start heading to work.

Where's Dina?

Well, now that the Islanders school assembly program is over, Dina has a little more time on her hands so this weekend she decided to go to Boston to be the Islanders fan that she is.

Spending the weekend in Boston is always great fun. Being able to watch an Islanders game at TD Bank Center makes it even better. It's an amazing arena to watch a game. No matter who is playing.

Dina must have felt that way since she decided to see the Celtics play there on Friday night as well. So decked out in (presumably) her green Bailey t-shirt, she cheered on her favorite hockey team to a well fought 2-1 loss.

I don't have any photos of her at the game, since she refused to oblige me. But I'm sure she made her Islanders presence known in that very loud arena on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

Another afternoon game awaits us today as the Islanders take on the Chicago Blackhawks at 3 pm today on MSG Plus. I was surprised to see there was a pre-game show yesterday, so I'm guessing there is one today as well.

Dear Boys In Blue & Orange: Hope you received the memo. ;o)