Isles vs. Tampa Bay 4/4/09

Can someone please remember to go to Wendy's and order their free Chili tomorrow! I keep blasted forgetting! Even if I don't eat it, I can always give it to Big Angry Man! Hmmm... I should probably pack it up. Islanders are on a power play and the mustic has decided to go haywire. Later for you!

9:13 pm, and once again, while my head is down, Josh Bailey scores another NHL goal!


I figured I've only got one more game here at the Coliseum, maybe I should actually take a photo of Coach Gordon. Besdies, I'm just a tad bored. Ho humm...

9:03 pm: Tambellini does have one hell of a shot! It rang so loud off the post, I think everyone woke up!

End of 2: It seems the door didn't open to the tunnel yet again and a collision and arguement ensured. It turned into a dogpile. Considering how meaningless this game is, it has become rather "chippy" wouldn't you say? Would have been nice for Doug Weight to score one more on that last shift of his. So close. Very close.

8:36 pm: Tampa scores and the lead is cut to one. Islesblogger MIKE is cheering Tampa on! But I understand.

8:30 pm: Okay then So first Radek Martinek scores the second goal of the evening on a power play and when I'm trying to figure out how to spell his freakin' name, the Wrecker gets into it with Konopka. They each get five for fighting and Joel gets an extra 2 for charging. Iggulden gets the time in the box for the Wrecker.

Interesting: Thompson gets kicked out and Fritz takes a face off. Mind you if we could end the game at the end of the first, our face off percentage would be at 50%. Better than it has been all year.

At least the Islanders kept the action in the Tampa zone, but still the score remains the same and the SOG are almost even at 12 - 13

As the second period begins: I'm looking at the stat sheet and Joel Rechlicz has already played five shifts in the first period. Also, Hillen is on the ice, so maybe it was just a skate problem before. Now, I don't know if it's because Mary St. Louis is just so short, or he just hasn't been that effective because I keep missing him even though he has had seven shifts in the first. And the Isles are on a power play at 8:13 pm, 13:23 of the 2nd. Let's see if they can do something with it.

7:44 pm: With only a few seconds left in the third, Hillen hit the ice at the blue line awkwardly for some reason. Could be a rut, could be a skate blade. He made a second attempt to get up and went down again. He limped slightly, continued to skate and went t the bench for the final 2.2 seconds. Hope he's okay. He's been getting major minutes this game. They are interviewing Jesse who had the assist on Park's goal.

7:35 pm: Big missed opportunity for Jesse as he came SO close to banging one over McKenna.
7:23 pm: It's Town Of Oyster Bay Night here. And the Town Supervisor gave a semi-thumbs up to the Lighthouse project while also promoting their brand new ice rink.

That's the one I still have a bump on my head from... ouch.

7:17 pm: And Gary tells me, THIS IS WHY WE brought him up! As big Mitch Fritz squares off with Koci. And (Nice of Wrecker to deliver his equipment to the sin bin.)


7:10 pm: 19:37 on the clock. I blinked. The puck went in the net. They're going to rush this game I see. 1 shot, 1 goal. That's another one for Richard Park. The man who was longing for playoffs.

7:05 pm: This year's winner of the Bobby Nystrom award is big #28, Tim Jackman. Congrats to him.


6:55 pm: One more reason for me to hate the fact that we don't have an audio feed in the blog box even though I can see CJ Papa doing the pregame show at ice level. Islanders Point Blank media star Chris Botta was just interviewed by CJ. I'll have to find out what he said later.

6:44 pm: So Big Angry Man said the only reason they have both Fritz and Rechlichz in the line up tonight is so they will pummel any Islander who scores a goal. he he he he...


But it was nice to hear the crowd up at the glass chant "Wrecker! Wrecker!" He IS a fan favorite.

Well, we are down to the wire here at the Coliseum. Tonight there are two teams vying for... absolute LAST place. So far, the Islanders are winning that battle. But in my estimation, I think the boys from the Palm Tree state would love to have that dubious distinction.

I had an odd thought about it. Suppose they want it so bad, they decide to pull their goalie ... for the whole game? Or maybe send three players out blind folded? Come on? It would be funny.

But one man who won't be on the Coliseum ice tonight is Tampa super star Vinny Lecavalier, much to the dismay of many female fan.

There are FIVE Sound Tiger call ups for tonight's game; Fraser, Fritz, Iggulden, Joensuu and Rechlicz. This is where the "system" comes in handy. Doesn't it?

Republican Round Table Sat Morning 4/4/09

I won't be able to write the entire thing right now as I'm sitting here in the blog box waiting for something (anything) to happen. Waiting for the Isles vs. Tampa. But I spent the afternoon listening on the sidelines to a group of Republican Assemblymen and representatives from various sports groups, Hofstra University, OTB and the Dept. of Tourism.

They all sat quietly while Michael Picker laid out the problems currently facing the Lighthouse Project team with regard to the time line for decisions on the DGEIS.

"The problem is the DGELS is only supposed to be reviewed for completeness and accuracy alone, not for conclusions."

It was a very interesting meeting, to say the least. But I did walk away with a few harsh realities.

1) Politics is the bane of Long Island's existence.
2) 30 people dictate the good of everybody else.

There was not one soul on the panel of speakers who had any objections to the Lighthouse mix-use development being built. It would have benefits that extend in numerous directions. Everyone was in agreement. But at the end of three and a half hours I asked, "Now... what are you going to do about it?"

And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the $3 billion question.

More to come on the (actually, seriously) fascinating meeting some time over the weekend.

Keith Primeau Using His Head Once Again

I almost thought it was a joke when I saw the headline on NHL.com, but it's not. It's actually a very noble thing. Keith Primeau will be donating his brain to science when he dies.

Primeau was my favorite Captain. I know, he's a Flyer. According to my husband, I shouldn't feel this way.

It was the way he carried himself during playoffs that made me really appreciate him as a player. The fact he had to cut his career short due to concussion problems was truly a shame.

In light of the deaths caused by head trauma these past few months, this is a wonderful thing for him to do. He is currently an assistant coach for a high school hockey team in New Jersey.

Yes, Keith Primeau was my favorite captain.

10 Days, 5 Games and Done

That's what the Islanders and the fans have left.

NY Baseball is taking over the minds and hearts of NY sports fans with the two brand-new stadiums that will draw record setting crowds at record setting prices. Money will flow, newspapers will be filled, airwaves will be crowded with the sounds of the Boys of Summer.

Meanwhile, back in Uniondale, the only major sports franchise on Long Island will remain desolately waiting. The more I think about it, the more upset I become. How long did it take them to build the new Yankee Stadium? How long did it take to build CitiField?

How long does it take to build ANYTHING in Nassau County? It is exponential.

There were only two dates in the news yesterday that offered me any hockey to look forward to in the coming months. The first two Sound Tigers play off games at the Coliseum will be April 17th & 18th. I have already purchased my Group Loop package for the Friday game. I wouldn't miss it. Should the Tigers move on, I will be heading to Bridgeport as well.

Then there was the announcement of the Draft party in June to be held once again at the Coliseum. I don't believe it will turn into the same fan-stampede as it did last year. Or at least, I hope not.

I can only suggest to the powers that be that it would be really great to have Rick DiPietro as the Master Of Ceremony this year. The fan base would love to see him and I'm sure he has stories about his draft experience to entertain us. We miss Rick, especially with the demise of ITV coverage.

Game Day Saturday, but will either team really want to win? Ten days, Five games... and done.

Habs & Fans 5 - Isles 1

Where the hell do they all come from? It's a Thursday night! Don't any of these people work? I was told there were at least 13 busloads of Habs fans tonight at the Coliseum. It was a sea of Red. We all know how passionate the Canadians are about their hockey, but is this a roving band of gypsies that just follow the team from city to city? Do they pitch red tents in parks at night and dance around camp fires?

Okay then. We didn't expect much tonight, did we? We knew with the line up this game wasn't going to be easy. But it got down right ugly and then down right hard to watch.

Joel Rechlicz, who spent three seconds more in the box than he did actually on the ice, attempted to dance with big Georges Laraque. I think the veteran got a little bit of a kick out of watching the rookie try to have a go at him. I was happy young #40 wasn't a casualty.

But watching Doug Weight, out of sheer frustration, take on Glen Metropolit with a handful of minutes left in the third, just astounded me. Okay, it was a little interesting watching the look on Metropolit's face as he tried to hold Weight at bay. But it wasn't necessary for sure for anyone but maybe Doug.

Jeff Tambellini had the lone Islanders goal with a rocket shot. The type he is used to scoring in the AHL. Hopefully, he'll get used to scoring them in the NHL.

And as if that wasn't enough, Andy Hilbert left the ice with a rib injury. He did not return. The way it looks now, I don't think any of them are likely to return to close out the season.

It was just a bad day all around. I shall put an end to it now.

Good night.

Count Them 30th, but Don't Count them EASY

We warned you! All 29 of you! If you thought you could just walk away with two points and not have to work for them, you are finding out the NY Islanders have other plans. You'll have to TAKE them.

While the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and the Utah Grizzles will both be playing in the post season, there are no playoff hopes for the NY Islanders. There haven't been since, oh, Christmas perhaps. But that doesn't mean that this team doesn't make it entertaining to watch every single game left.

CJ Papa, Bill Jaffe and Howie Rose are all planning their next assignments after Easter. Their reporting on these games has become more relaxed and enjoyable. Jaffe is always ready to point out the little things that will mean so much to the club NEXT season. Even if September seems so far away right now.

With yet another injury to All-Star Mark Streit, I had little hope of last night's game being anything less than a harsh loss. But I, like the rest of Islanders Country, was nodding with quiet satisfaction as the Islanders were actually ahead for a good number of minutes.

There ARE bright spots on the ice. This helped to balance out my anger an despair over the political occurrences of yesterday regarding the Lighthouse project.

I have never been involved in politics. I tend to stay as far away as possible. I vote, but I do not try to get caught up in the red tape of it all. (Okay, I admit I will occasionally turn off Home Ice and listen to NPR. shhhhh... THAT'S a secret.) But this political push-pull between Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead truly has me wringing my hands and shaking my head.

My "emotional ownership" of the team and the place I grew up is causing me undue heartache. I cannot imagine my life without being able to attend an NHL hockey game. I will not travel to Brooklyn or Queens more than occasionally to see one. I would seriously rather cross the sound to Bridgeport or spend a weekend in Boston.

Better yet, I would rather spend a four day vacation in Columbus. There I could watch an NHL game in a state-of-the-art arena. Dine in a variety of great restaurants, skate with my daughter at the Chiller practice facility, stroll the cobblestone commons toting my Starbucks and a danish and check out the condos overlooking it all, just to see what MIGHT HAVE BEEN IN NASSAU COUNTY!!!!

In all honesty, if you think that this project is too big to work, you have not done your homework. I'm heartsick.

Oh, yes... Ovechkin is a hockey God and Mike Green was chosen 29th in his draft. How many picks does Garth and Company have this year in the top 60???

The Islanders are on the road to greatness, Nassau County is on the road to nowhere.

Kick Me, Kate

It's 7 am on Wednesday, April 1st. The last thing I expected to read with my morning tea was an article about TOH Supervisor Kate Murray petitioning residents to obtain stimulus money to renovate the Coliseum and basically giving Charles Wang and Company a big FU.

A large part of me is hoping that due to the timing of the entry on Islanders Point Blank, this is all just a cruel joke.

Read it for yourself, and formulate your own opinion and response. There were well over 100 responses in his comments section already.

Right now, I can only say to Ms. Murray that if you think President Obama is going to be interested in giving Federal Stimulus money to renovate the Nassau Coliseum you are no better than that photo I have borrowed from the Internet.

I do believe that Mr. Obama has a few more important things to deal with right now than our little political power struggle over a County in dire need of tax revenue, a Republican Supervisor with lawn mowing goats, and a Real Estate development group looking to build a multi-use development that would benefit EVERYONE on Long Island.

As Mr. Wang has said before, there comes a time where you just throw your hands up and say "I'm done."

Ms. Murray, you are doing everyone a considerable disservice with your childish stances. The needs and wants of the majority should not be controlled by the temper tantrums of the few. THAT is NOT how politics is supposed to work.

But this is the way politics in Nassau County has worked for years; the ever present caving to smaller interest groups with deeper pockets and at times coercion. Nothing gets done in Nassau County. And if it remains political "business as usual," nothing will EVER get done in Nassau County.

Hey Ms. Murray.... Here's your sign!

The Accolades Continue for Bruno Gervais

He was a fan favorite right from the start. The skinny kid from Longueuil, QC, Canada, drafted in 2003 in the 6th round. He hardly spoke English when he played 76 games on the Bridgeport squad in 2004. He was barely 20 years old. He looked like he was 15. But he came away with 8 goals and 22 assist points that first year along with the hearts of the Sound Tigers Booster Club.

He shuttled back and forth from Bridgeport to Uniondale the next season, and the Long Island fans found him just as charming, just as engaging and just as warm.

In May 2008, Bruno Gervais was named the Professional Athlete of the Year by the Nassau County Sports Commission. His contributions to charity work is exemplary both in the US and in his native Canada.

He is a source of pride to both his parents and this Islanders organization. He was so affable, Islanders TV even named an award after him, The Bruno Award.

Sadly, because of the cutbacks at ITV, there will be no Bruno Award this year, but Mr. Gervais is up for a much more prestigious award. Bruno Gervais was recently nominated for the Eleventh Annual NHL Foundation Award "designed to promote the charitable efforts of current NHL players, and to reward the player that best exemplifies a commitment to the community in which he lives."

Congratulations Bruno, one of the original "good guys."

Sidelined: Looks like our 30th place finish is all but guaranteed now that Mark Streit is listed as day to day with (two guesses) a groin strain. He did not make the trip to Washington.

Lighthouse Outreach Meeting #180 Quotes

There were some notable quotes from the meeting that was held on March 26th. I scribbled them down as best I could, not necessarily writing down who uttered the words to the crowd. That may or may not be a good thing. But I'd say that some of them could be used as promo posters for the project itself.



You have seen the quote from Mr. Wang on the main website "Don't count us out on Long Island." That is, of course, what every Islanders fan wants to hear. It wasn't just "Don't count us out in New York" but Long Island itself. As most of us don't consider the other boroughs part of Long Island, even if a very detailed map tells us differently.


"We want to make it happen, we MUST make it happen." That was a call to arms. Rally the troops, we're going in.


"The Lighthouse Project is the FUTURE of Long Island." I don't know why, but that made me think of the GE Theater at Disney's "Land of Tomorrow."




"We are committed to the community." After 180 meetings, who can say they aren't.


"We need to act with a sense of urgency. We need to move with certainty." Or as John Mellencamp put it "It's what you do and not what you say. If you're not part of the future, then get out of the way!"



"Suffolk's pretty far from here." Yes Mr. Wang, it is. But it certainly SEEMS closer than Brooklyn.


"I hope I get the pronunciation right -- Mike Boss-E?" Very endearing along with the story of how he had him kicked out of the owner's suite because he didn't know who he was.


A little something for the Season Ticket Holders "The Islanders will win the cup before the Rangers do."


"We cannot allow it NOT to happen for the future of Long Island and our economy," and "This has to be done UNION to do it RIGHT." Two guesses which speaker made than impassioned plea. (Hint: Read Point Blank.)


"Suburbs STARTED on Long Island. Revitalization HAPPENS on Long Island." Oh! I like that one!


"We will go to D.C. We will go to the ends of the Earth to make this project happen." Pappa, saddle the horses and load the guns. We ride at dawn.



"No other county has lost population four years in a row."

"We are losing our most vital resource." Our youth.




Bobby Nystrom is a wonderful public speaker. He captured every one's attention when he recounted his first memories of the Island. "I had the opportunity because someone had a vision."


"If you don't grow, you die." That is a valid point in just about every aspect of life. But even more important in the business and financial worlds that are gasping for breath right now.



"There will be $36.5 million in tax revenue for Uniondale school district - approximately 330 additional students enrolled." Um, excuse me, but that seems like a lot of tax money for a pretty small number of students. I don't think there would be 330 first graders all showing up on the first day of school one year. So I'm wondering what the average student requires in tax revenue. If I did the math correctly, this is $11,060 per extra student in extra taxes.


"Stay informed and keep talking to your elected officials." That was the answer to 'what can we do to help?' As it is the "elected OFFICIAL" that will make or break this deal, then the residents of the voting public need to let their feelings be known so that the "official" knows what the majority of the voting public needs and wants. Otherwise, they will think you don't care and not consider what YOU want. "Help the Town of Hempstead understand what we want and need. Speak with that ONE voice."


"I'm holding it up. I don't want it in my backyard." As the lone objection rang out. As others have said, it would have been wonderful if that lone voice elaborated their objections rather than that simple phrase. Where is her backyard? Hofstra? The McDonalds on the corner? Considering there are no residences as far as the eye can see around this property, I'd like to know where her back yard starts.


"We have a deadline. We're negotiating a lease because we think we can get it done." Nassau County does not want to lose this rental income. They need it. They want it.


"Our public transport system is non-existent and the MTA is pricing people out of using it." Ain't that the truth. How many people do YOU know that take the bus or train to anyplace ELSE other than Penn Station?



Interesting fact though, the MTA gets their money from Sales Tax revenue. I didn't know that.



"If we imagine it, it will happen." They've been imagining this thing for years. It had better happen. Mr. Wang was very telling in a quote I took from his recanting of another real estate deal he had worked on that didn't materialize. "There comes a point where I say 'That's it!'" Uh oh.


"No one has spoken for God, but I seem to think he's in favor of it." Okay then. Not going to argue with that.

When TOI Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story - Joel Rechlicz

Saturday morning I was listening to an interview with Islanders ex-captain, Bill Guerin, on XM Home Ice.

Although he is doing well with the “guins” (as I actually heard their radio announcer call them!), he spoke of how his ice time has been significantly reduced with his new team.

It was the first time I had heard a player discuss a reduction in TOI in a positive manner. He said he understood "his role" and is there to make the most of it. But the truth is, TOI and event summary stats don’t always tell you an NHLer’s true worth.


This is the case with Islanders Sound Tiger call up, Joel Rechlicz. The summary sheet for Saturday’s game against the Flyers listed a total TOI of 5:25 with 11 shifts, averaging 29 seconds. He also had five penalty minutes, 1 blocked shot and 1 shot on goal.

What are not on the stat sheet are the intangibles he brings to the game --the intangibles that coach Scott Gordon is looking for.


As fans we’ve chanted others’ names many times in the Coliseum: Cairns, Godard, Asham and a personal favorite of mine, Steve Webb. They were the guys who brought the crowd back into the game when it was slipping away; the ones that made you stand up and hold your breath with every check or hit and then cheer wildly whether they won or lost a battle.


At times, the skating ability of Cairns and Godard were a liability. Steve Webb was a pin-ball that knew his limited role. Asham was the only one that could actually score occasionally. They were all crowd pleasers. They were all loved.


Earlier this season, many of those in Islanders Country complained about the lack of toughness on this team --too soft, too small and too often, run over -- none of that was present in Saturday’s game.



From returning veteran Doug Weight uncharacteristic dropping the gloves to stand up for a teammate, (receiving a whopping 17 minutes of penalties!) to Nate Thompson, to Tim Jackman to Brendan Witt (who wanted to get something going, but was stopped); this team has come to the point where they “stick up for each other and that’s a good sign that our team is coming together.”

This development makes Scott Gordon very happy as he smiled for the press in the post game.


As Joel Rechlicz dropped the gloves with Riley Cote for what seemed like forever. (I can tell it’s “forever” when I can snap off four photos when my camera batteries are half dead.) I held my breath as the two men went at it on open ice then hit the glass to continue. I struggled to watch as everyone in the arena was on their feet, cheering them on...BOTH of them.


Mind you, there were six busloads of Flyers fans in attendance and you could hear their chants throughout the game. It was a verbal battle in the stands.


“He did a good job.” Scott Gordon commented about Joel when asked in the post game. "He’s a high energy guy. He steps on the ice and he leaves everything out there.” Gordon appreciates his play as well as his ability to drop the gloves when he has too. He also appreciates what he brings on the bench. “And he’s only 20 years old.” Gordon smiled.

Although I think "the Recker" is actually legal drinking age of 21. But we’ll let Gordon slide on this since he has so many youngsters on his bench.


I had the opportunity to stop Joel in the locker room before the media descended on him like locusts.

I introduced myself and even with a gashed cheek and swollen right eye, he returned a warm, genuine smile. He started out by asking ME a question, the one that every NHLer wants to know. “How’d you like the game?”



We chatted about the fight and about my UNH jersey. He said he was fine with the fighting and thought the Flyer fans being so loud added something extra to the game. I had asked him if his hands were sore from his previous fight, he admitted "a little." But I think that right eye will be a little more painful than his hands come Sunday.



When Newsday's Greg Logan and the others crowded around him to ask questions, I backed away two steps and just listened. I was very impressed when he said “I’m going to do everything possible to keep learning.” Joel has had plenty of learning experiences since 2004. He's been on more than a handful of teams in several leagues. He seems to be a very eager student.



Much like Doug Weight, he said he is happy with this team the way it is right now. “The guys are great. Real supportive.”

He was very patient, articulate and engaging with the media as he adjusted the ice pack beneath his under armor. I think he’s got this interview process down pat.



Keep an eye out for him. If this is the team that we will be seeing next season, then Joel Rechlicz is making a strong case for himself to be on it. Even with only 5:25 of ice time, he's making the best possible use of it.





I can see a packed coliseum chanting "Reck-Er! Reck-Er!" just as they have done in Bridgeport.



Just for a giggle: The biggest laugh in the locker room Saturday night was when the Maven’s cell went off before interviewing Doug Weight. Stan told the caller “I have to do an interview.” I couldn’t help but laugh. Weight in turned said “Okay, let’s wait for Stan. He’s earned it.” But about 15 seconds later, the cell phone went off again. No one else would be able to get away with that. It was a laugh riot.

Also, as much as I adore seeing Sean Bergenheim in a suit, I miss seeing him on the ice. He once again promised me last night "I'm fine. I'll be back soon." Sean... you're running out of daylight.