Isles vs. Sabres (again) before the JETS game

I almost didn't want to write a post-game. No, I didn't want to write a post-game, but I finally did. I had packed up my computer before the end of the game and didn't write anything until mid-way through the Jets loss.

And if anyone is interested, it can be found here, at Hockeybuzz.com


There will be an extensive post on the Lighthouse Hockey tournament finale that took place this morning. I don't want to bury it right now because it deserves the space.

So for now, the Isles face the Sabres with Rick in net and Kevin Poulin backing him up as Nate Lawson's knee will be re-evaluated later today.

Pretty funny that Evgeni Nabokov is listed as a scratch on the scoresheet along with Trevor Gillies and Nate Lawson. After all, whether he likes it or not, Nabokov right now is Islander property. No word if he actually got on that plane the Islanders booked for him today or not. My thought is "not." Then I guess the man just won't play this year. Dumb move if you ask me.

It will be Ryan Miller in net today for Buffalo and Rick DiPIetro for the Islanders.

Well, it took 15 seconds for the Sabres to score on a puck that wasn't controlled in the paint and it's already 1 - 0 Sabres. The Sabres lost to the Islanders this week and they do not want to lose again. They'll fight for this win.

Islanders with the first power play of the afternoon managed only two shots on Ryan Miller.


And according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, Nabokov has decided to stay home rather than report to the Islanders. According to his report, he has no messages from Garth Snow. Perhaps he has an old phone number. Well, whatever the situation really is, the CBA rules are intact and the ball is now in Garth Snow's court. Serve.

With 5:15 left of the first, shots on goal are even at 8


Start of the second period and Niedermayer takes a delay of game penalty. Matt Moulson, parked where he should be, in front of Miller's net, takes a pass from JT behind the net and gets it by Miller's pads. That's another one for #MightyMattMoulson and an even 1-1 for the Islanders

And as soon as I hit Publish Post, the Sabres go up by one on a goal by Ennis. This is going to be a long game.

Josh Bailey had a great chance in front of Miller that could have changed the direction of the game, but was not able to get it by him.

A few clicks later JT made a pass down the wing as PA Parenteau was driving to the net which took Miller out of position and Moulson netted his second of the game and 17th of the season which evened the score at two. SOG are now 25 to 14.

Blood is spilled as Frans Nielsen takes a stick to the face and the Sabres are left with a four minute penalty to kill off.

Rick DiPietro, once again, skates out past the circle to play a puck. Did we not set the bungee cords up for him? Seriously.

The four minute power play is followed by a four minute penalty kill as Josh Bailey is sent to the box for drawing blood as well. The Islanders will have to kill off 2:07 of the penalty on a clean sheet of ice to start the third.

The Islanders are seriously outshooting the Sabres, but Miller is showing why he is who he is.

Meanwhile, the Nabokov saga is getting a lot of airplay on Twitter and it just keeps getting more rediculous. Also announced the crowd is 10,120 and that Nate Lawson will be out 1 - 2 weeks with an MCL strain.

Guess that means Kevin Poulin will be getting comfortable in his Islanders jersey.

Okay, so the PK couldn't kill off the entire 4 minute penalty and Gerbe managed to get a shot close in past RDP. There was a little roughing going on in front of the benches and both JT and Gaustad are sent to the box. Teams will skate 4 on 4 while the Sabres are up 3 - 2 early in the third period

At 3:53 of the third, the Sabres get a lucky break as a play is reviewed and determined the the puck that Rick was covering did cross the line before the whistle blew and the net was back on the moorings to put the Sabres up 4 - 2. This leaves time for the Islanders to come back, but it won't be easy if they can.

With 3:23 left of the third, Jack Hillen scores to get the Isles within one. The Isles have now outshot the Sabres 34 - 21. But the sabres still will win and I have to pack up.

maybe that will mean the Isles will tie the game and go to OT on a Matt Moulson goal. PS, if I have to hear Ken Dick say OH S**T one more time due to football, I will hurt him. I keep thinking something is wrong.

Later