Isles 7 Bruins 2 Final - But Losses Mount

The Isles rookie squad took it to the Baby Bruins hard early in the first period. According to Brett Gallant, just to set the tone of the game. They certainly did. They were physical and dominating throughout three periods. The two Bruins goals weren't scored until 5:02 of the 3rd and 18:46 of the 3rd -- long after the damage had been done.

In game blog and recap with quotes from Brett Gallant and Matt Donovan here at hockeybuzz.

But let's talk about the losses. On Monday the Isles lost Rhett Rakhshani to concussion from a hit. Last night they lost Mark Katic with a separated left shoulder. The Bruins may have lost a kid who was helped off the ice last night as well, but don't ask me to spell his name.

These are on-ice losses, but there were off-ice losses as well in Islander Country. Katie Strang is now working for ESPN New York covering all three hockey teams. (ESPN covers hockey? Who knew.) Deb Placey has been awarded the Devils game nights both home and away with Doc Emerick retiring to only work for Versus and NBC.

Closer to home, just this morning, I read that IslandersPointBlank will be losing it's first and only full-time editor and writer, Chris Botta.

They say things come in threes. There's your tri-fecta.

Matt Moulson Explains the System at HB

*Dear Canadian Media: If we only have one person covering the Islanders, why are there reserved seats all the way around the press room? #imjustsayin'

Well, it was a fun morning at the rink today. Spoke with quite a few of the players as well as meeting new media types. Matt's explanation for me is here at HockeyBuzz.com.

Quick hits are as follows:

Jesse Joensuu is happy to be here and working with Jack and looking forward to being on a line with Zenon Konopka.

Matt Martin feels the same. He thinks they had a lot of energy and scoring chances last game and knows Jack is a smart man and had probably worked all night getting ready for the Panthers.

Matt Moulson feels he is lucky to have been wearing a visor and that there is no place in the game for hits like the one he sustained.

Michael Grabner @Grabs40 will have a "getting to know you" piece on MSG tonight with Deb Placey. He doesn't mind Tweeting. It just takes a few seconds and keeps the fans connected. SMART MOVE @Grabs40! Keep it up.

Robbie threw his socks in the laundry bin and they almost landed on my head. Gee thanks.

The streak stops here. I thas to.

Let's get this going!

Matt Moulson: Media Darling

When Matt Moulson gets around -- he really Gets Around! So last night he was on Versus and this afternoon on NHL Live and later today at 4:30 pm on NHL.com with Deb Placey for the BlackBerry pregame show.

Matt is perfect for this type of media frenzy. He is always natural and relaxed and good for a chuckle here and there when he isn't giving some pretty detailed hockey explanations.

Notes from today's show with Don & EJ:

Matt's fiance's Godfather is George McFee. (How many people in hockey is he going to be related to? This is going to turn into the 6 Degrees of Hockey Separation Moulson game.)

"Doug is the guy I look up to the most. He has an answer for everything."

"Montreal was under rated."

"My fiancee said I looked like a pip-squeak next to Hal Gill."

"Hopefully Garth and my agent will get a contract settled before the wedding." (which is in July)

Look for Matt Moulson to possibly end up with a Twitter account which would be interesting considering his open personality. Here he is getting some Twitter pointers from the NHL's Social Media Correspondent .

So if you want to stay up to date on what's happen with the Islanders, make sure you check their website and follow @NYIslanders on Twitter to get the inside scoop as the summer drags on.

*Thanks to Media Director Seth Sylvan for the Twitpics that I swiped off their account. Good camera phone!

Come on! How great is our Matty?

Isles vs. Rangers Round 1

Well, I made it. I showed up, now I'm hoping the Islanders do too.

With World Series's Game one taking place tonight, it looks like even the Ranger fans have opted to stay in front of their TVs. But perhaps it's better they did.

Doug Weight was skating around looking no worse for wear, but let's see if he can actually go the full 60 minutes. Let's see if any of them can. We can only hope.

I'm going to make this easy on myself and hang out at http://www.islesblogger.com/ for his live blog with another blogger. Catch you after the game or when I actually have something that needs to be said. For now... I got nothing.

Well I got a very pleasant surprise as someone I used to see al the time, but haven't seen in a month has decided to come to a game. I managed to sit with them for about 7 minutes and then tried to make it back through the concourse to get up here.

I also saw there the new MSG Plus +++ studio is. IF you can call it that. It's down stairs outside of the shaved meat concession. Yep. Thank you MSG.

Kristen McElroy and Matt Hynes are at Gate 12 again as they are closing in on Election day on November 3rd. Don't forget to get out and vote where ever you live. It's your right and your duty as a citizen.

So we're tied at one. Nice way to star with a Moulson goal as he keeps adding to his stats. And now... for the second period!

Islanders GM Garth Snow on NHL Live 6-17-09

Yes, that's "Gort" from The Day the Earth Stood Still. But I Googled a photo of Billy Jaffe and it came up with this. After laughing myself sick, I thought about it. It's oddly fitting as this is what good friend Jaffe was really attempting to do to Garth over the phone. It didn't work. The following is what I came away with from today's show.



Billy Jaffe and Deb Placey interview GM Garth Snow.


Garth was early calling in. I guess he may have wanted to get it over with or just had so many other things to do. Deb rushed to commercial break and when they returned immediately started the questions. “Has this been fun or stressful?” They asked of the Islanders GM.


“For us, to be in this position is a silver lining. We can put another building block in our line up.” If anyone thinks that coming in dead-last this season was what Garth Snow really had in mind, please think again. The man does NOT like losing.

This draft year has excellent potential and the Islanders should be able to come away with some very high quality players with the additional second and third round picks they have amassed. Garth admitted the phone has not been very busy looking for deals, but that there may be more “chatter” next week.


Snow has enjoyed the experience of getting to know the draft picks and going through the extensive draft process. “It’s been a neat experience to get to know the number three kids. I know it’s been too boring for you, but we’re going to get a great person and hockey player.”


With all the hype the Islanders have placed on this draft, as well as the unprecedented “who would you pick” contest, Jaffe asked if he felt any pressure considering that 90% of the fan base seems to feel that John Tavares is the only choice that should be made.

“Yes.” Was Garth going to give in to fans? “The pressure I feel is to pick the right player to help bring the Stanley Cup back to Long Island.”


“Like shuckin’ open an oyster.” That’s how Jaffe described trying to get anything out of Garth Snow. But he and Deb did manage to get the fact that he is still favoring ONE of the big three. Deb attempted to play 20 questions, “Is he bigger than a bread box bust smaller than a toaster.” And even though this folksy question was posed tongue in cheek, I’m sure had he answered in any way, Islanders nation would have been able to nail the answer. (Bigger than a bread box? Hedman. Smaller than a toaster? Tavares.)

There are currently over 14,000 tickets reserved for the Friday June 26th Draft Party at the coliseum where the doors will open to the fans at 5:30 pm. (You know, the draft party I won’t be at because I love my husband THAT MUCH.) “There’s been an overwhelming response. We have one of the most passionate around. This is going to be a landmark day.” Garth is always sincere and complimentary about the fan base.

“It’s going to be a watershed summer for Long Island.” Billy exclaimed as he thought of not just the upcoming draft, but the LighthouseLI Project deadline approaching.


“Absolutely!” Garth said but he’s more concerned about how he will build this team. “If you piggyback on the draft of last year, we’re coming into this draft with a chance to add to our prospect pool and really turn a corner.”


Billy being Billy tried to weasel an answer out of Garth by asking what POSITION he may be targeting with the SECOND pick “looking for peanut butter to go with the chocolate.” Garth wasn’t biting. “I’m not going to tell you what positions I’m looking at. The decision will be made on the floor and we prepare for what scenario unfolds on draft day.”


“If he’s basing his pick on their golf ability, than I know who it’s going to be.” Jaffe said knowingly having already played golf with Garth and a few of the prospects. (Or should I say, having beaten Garth playing golf. ;o) )


Billy poked a little more trying to gain some insight into the health of Goalie for Life, Rick DiPietro. “Rick is fine. He’ll start skating in August and should be ready for training camp. Touch wood, we’re hoping for far fewer man games lost next season.”


Deb questioned Rick’s state of mind, quickly following with the news that Rick is getting married in a few weeks so he is probably just somewhat stressed.


“Rick is a special person and a unique player.” Then Garth used an analogy I’ve never heard before, “I’d rather rein in a thoroughbred than whip a mule. Rick is a thoroughbred.”

Snow & Company will be leaving for Montreal on Tuesday before the draft but insists that the dynamic this year has not changed, even with that coveted first pick. “The scouts and I work closely to select players.”


And they’ll have some serious decisions to be making on Friday and Saturday.

Garth ended by interrupting Jaffe to offer condolences to the family of Bob Lawrence, the radio voice of the NY Islanders from years gone by, on the news of his passing.

On The Set with CJ Papa

The hardest part about blogging is having the time to write everything I want to write. It kills me when I have such a great time doing something, but don’t have a chance to put it all out there until days later or even weeks.

Such is the case with an interview I had with a man that I consider one of the hardest working broadcasters in sports: CJ Papa.I first met CJ in January of 2006 when he interviewed me during a TV timeoutas part of my 7th Man promo winnings. I told Islanders Game Ops Mike Scortino (the poor man who was stuck with me for a day) that if I had a choice as to who would interview me on camera, I’d prefer in-arena announcer CJ.

At the time, I didn’t even know he worked for TV10/55. I thought he was just part of the Islanders organization.

“I’m sorry, I’m so SICK. I’ll try not to cough on you.”

That was the first thing he said to me. But because he is a consummate professional, as soon as the camera was on, no one could tell he was on death’s door. He’s hardly ever rattled during a live feed. The only exception was one on-air giggle fest this summer that got the entire news crew of TV10/55 going while they were live. (Wonder if it will ever show up on ABC’s Bloopers.)

I’ve been trying to interview CJ since May. But his schedule is so hectic and changeable that we couldn’t make it work.

“Come by the station, and I’ll show you around,” he said on the phone. Hell! You don’t have to ask me twice! And how convenient since TV10/55 is less than two miles from my own office. I was there in a matter of minutes.

“Have a seat. You can tell which desk is mine. Just look for the photos.”

I certainly could tell which desk was his, because it looked a hell of a lot like mine -- cluttered with newspaper clippings taped to the wall. The only difference was the amazing amount of TV monitors throughout this large room crowded with people, technical hardware and reference materials.

We walked into a small office behind a glass wall that had a desk crowded with awards. CJ is most proud of this year’s award from the New York State Broadcaster’s Association for “Outstanding Sportscast” for WLNY’scoverage of the Giants at the Super Bowl. Producer Kurt Semder and free lance sports anchor Amy McGorry share in this prestigious award. I will say, the amount of awards this local station has accumulated is indeed impressive.

Thinking it would be too noisy and crowded by his desk in the newsroom, CJ walked me into the empty studio. We sat at the news desk and I giggled at the phone books on the chairs. It seems they just don’t go up high enough behind the beautiful wood and Formica desk. Being all of 5’ tall, I certainly understand that dilemma.

I started by asking him how he got his start in broadcasting. Perhaps it was a lifelong dream or maybe he was an aspiring athlete who knew he just wouldn’t make it in the big leagues. I was shocked and surprised at his first answer.

“I went to NYU to be a dentist.” He was serious.

“I’m sorry. What?” I had to stop. I just didn’t expect it.

“It’s true. I took science classes my first year and did okay, andrealized I was at the radio station all the time and after my freshman year I said I think I want to do this and become some sort of broadcaster. At the time, it wasn’t the way it is now where everyone has a camera and puts themselves on YouTube. So I figured I’d just be a radio guy. I was taking the TV classes and I learned a lot about writing. We totally learned how to write. Whereas now, you can be on TV and you may not be the best writer, but you can still be a great broadcaster.”

“After college I got an internship at SportsChannel and I worked for a show called NY Sports Nightly and was a font coordinator/intern.”

That’s where he met Josh Bernstein, Islanders VP of Communications. They were both working on NY Sports Nightly when they went national.

“It’s so weird. It comes in a circle. The studio at Hofstra was our studio for a professional show: Dempster Hall. And directly across the street was a little house called Hamilton House and that’s where we did the production. Then we’d run the tape across the street into the studio and play it. I didn’t do as much of the running because I was already in the studio writing cards for the anchors. Back then, there was no Internet. You’d read the ticker and write a card about a game, and when the score came up, the anchor would take the card and read it. It was okay. Sometimes they’d yell at you if they couldn’t read your writing. But that’s how I started.”

He then started his own segment called “Future Star” where he’d take a cameraman out into the field and do a story on some outstanding athlete. SportsChannel saw the segments and liked them, so they let CJ do cut-ins for The World of International Sport. They weren’t quite the X-Games, but it was good enough for him to be recognized as a possible anchor.

“When the NHL went to SportsChannel and it became SportsChannel America, I filled in for Bob Papa (any relation? Nope!) And I did some in between hockey cut-ins. Then I became an anchor for Sports Nightly. And that’s how I started being on the air every night.”

I asked CJ what his worst interview story was and he mentioned how Bill Parcels snapped at him years ago when he asked him a question. In Parcels defense, he treated all the media the same way… poorly. He said his best story was going to the Super Bowl this year.

“It was a tremendous week. I flew in Wednesday and shot a story. Wednesday night it was edited and we got it on the air. Did a live wraparound on Wednesday night. Thursday I was with the Giants and interviewed seven or eight guys at the hotel. Edited that in the field and fed it back. Friday night Amy and I did a fan’s piece, ‘Does the rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox equateto Giants vs. Patriots.’ We found tons of fans from both sides. And then working the Super Bowl. The best thing was being on the field when the Giants won. I’m a devout Jets fan and I hate the Patriots and I have no problem saying that, because if I didn’t say that I’d be lying. But watching the Giants win the way they did was unbelievable. And being on the field and interviewing the players at the same time. It was tremendous.”

Having seen him in action during the season, I asked him what a typical game day was like. I got dizzy. He said he would usually go to the morning skate (in Uniondale), get the game notes, chat with Chris King and Steve Mears then go work out the story lines for the night. He’d ask a player to be the pre-game interview victim (I mean subject) for the night so he would know to be ready immediately after the pre-game skate. CJ then drives back to the station in Melville to look for footage to be edited before 3 pm. He puts his rundown together and leaves by 4:30 to head back to Uniondale, bucking the L.I.E. traffic to arrive by 5:30.

“It depends on the story line of the game. The stat sheet from in-between periods. The stuff during the game is all ad-lib, off-the-cuff, based on what you’ve just seen. Hopefully you know what to watch for. The fans at the Coliseum are very knowledgeable. They listen to you and let you know if you’re wrong. It’s nice knowing you have fan feedback because you want to contribute to their experience. It’s a long day on game days. But I’m lucky. I am SO lucky. I work in sports, I work with athletes, I go to sporting events, and I work for a hockey team. People would trade places with me.”

I asked him if he had a favorite Islander story, but he had to think about it. As we continued our conversation, CJ gave me a completely unprovoked opinion of the NYI Blog Box concept.

“I think the Blog Box is great because it gives the fans a chance to get a different perspective on what they see. You know, we’re paid journalists and some people don’t have an attachment to the team like the bloggers do. The bloggers obviously have an attachment, and its funny - the emotional aspect of the blogs is so different from the cold, hard sort of “here-we-go-with the-game” story. I think it’s a nice outlet that the Islanders have. I don’t know if other teams do that.”

I explained that not many teams currently do, so I guess Chris Botta should start making the rounds and show them how it’s done, but he seems to be quite busy 24/7 with his own blogging venture. At least we know, the NHL said credentialing bloggers is perfectly fine, so why not!

Then something hit him almost mid sentence on a different train of thought: the strangest Islanders story in his recollection. Halloween, two years ago, one of the more prominent fans, John Ballantyne from Sec. 329 (Beaker) dressed up as CJ. They used a clip of it on TV10/55.

“He dressed up as me! He wore a jacket and tie and a press pass and made his hair salt and pepper and he had a microphone. We put him on the board with the Islanders, and then they shot 10 seconds of the two of us standing together and we used it in the highlights here.”

CJ has been working with the Islanders for the last four years and during that time he’s been asked to do many things. One of his proudest recent moments was hosting the Scott Gordon press conference live on ITV.

“That was awesome!” He’s also been asked to do some voice work for the Islanders Illustrated MSG Plus show and several ITV features.

“I only do whatever Josh (Bernstein) asks me to do.” Just like the rest of us, CJ.

I asked him what he sees for himself in the future.

“Working in sports, being a sportscaster and seeing the Islanders raise a Stanley Cup. That would be a dream of mine. To be working for the team and to be standing by the ice when that happens.”

That’s EVERY Islanders fans’ dream CJ, to see them raise the cup once again.

Thanks for the face time, and good luck in your new gig! See ya round the rink!CJ Papa will be moving up to MSG Plus to replace Deb Placey as the Islanders correspondent. We wish both CJ and Deb much success in their new positions.