A Tired Team Loses 4 - 2 to the Hurricanes

“We wanna win hockey games.” Jack told the few reporters in the post game that were able to show up due to the weather.

And he does. That has been the objective the entire season. You can hear it from Garth Snow as well during his pre-game interview with Howie Rose.


But they aren't winning. They have lost some tough fought games and Jack is not happy about it at all. Breakdowns, lapses of judgment and from what Jack said post game, being just plain tired and not playing smart did them in.

The most surprising portion of the post game interview was Capuano calling some team members “selfish.” Whoa there! The team that is a close knit family just called out by their coach?

“I thought tonight that there were some guys that were selfish for the first time and they didn’t’ play within the team concept and they left our goalie hanging out to dry on a few occasions and that is disturbing.”

He never named them, but he has a mental list. And those will be the ones who see their ice-time diminish or worse. Jack said he’d be discussing things with Garth for changes after the All-Star break.

Whether it’s the number of games played in too few nights or the mental fatigue of losing, the All Star break is coming at a good time. They can use the time off, but they know there is work to be done in the second half of the season. “ I sent them off to have a relaxed mind but when they come back it’s back to business.” He told them “Keep in mind when you get back ,we’ve got to get back to business. Could be a different line up. We’re not going to go through losing games and guys getting rewarded who shouldn’t be rewarded.”

If that wasn’t a wake up call, I don’t know what is.

“Costly mistakes can hurt you.” Jack said about the game. But it goes beyond that. I can hurt you in the wallet when it comes to contracts. Many of them will be looking for new ones pretty soon.

So Jack left his players with a lot to think about over this extended break. There will be a lot of soul-searching before hitting the ice again. For Jack Capuano and Garth Snow, there will be a lot of discussions.


Speaking of Garth Snow and discussions, I’m not going to go over his extended interview with Howie Rose last night pre-game. The link is here and you can draw your own judgment on the Nabokov situation. If you haven’t read JT Bourne’s article in DeadSpin about it, do so. It’s hysterical and well written even with the blue language.

The only other thing I will say about last night’s game that was once again attended by few due to inclement weather conditions here on Long Island is: Howie Rose keeps digging his own grave.

When Rick DiPietro decided to bat a puck out of his zone, Howie decided to deliver a little inside information he felt compared to share. “Rick once told me if he had to do it all over again, he’d chose baseball.”

Great. Just what we all needed to hear about our 15-year, struggling for wins, goalie. Thanks. Dearest Howie: WE DIDN’T NEED TO KNOW THAT!!! Also, by the way, Pitchers and Catchers report in 19 days. I’m sure you’re getting ready.

A Point & A Loss in Atlanta

Well, it was better. Or at least Jack Capuano feels it was better. But they didn't get rewarded for the extra effort. Post game thoughts here at HockeyBuzz.com

Howie's mishap on air yesterday cause a Twitter-storm of questions "Will Howie Get Botta'd?" Congratulations CB, you are now a verb. However, it would be smart if everyone remembered that veteran announcer Howie Rose is an employee of MSG not the NY Islanders.

Howie did offer up an apology on air, and rightly so, but really. It's not that big a deal.

Last night I was a guest on Sports Radio NY on WGBB AM. It would have been great if we had a win to discuss, but that wasn't the case. But we did have plenty as this week in Islanders Country was jampacked! Here's the link to last night's @icecreeps show also featuring @hockeyden, and paulies islander song!

I haven't listened to it yet. But hey! At least I didn't curse on air!

Howie Rose & Garth Snow discuss Gordon

Because some of you don't watch the pre-game and some of you can't GET the pre-game on Center Ice. Howie Rose did a great job asking Garth Snow a wide range of questions about Scott Gordon and the team.

Things I found interesting was the explanation of the advisory position Scott Gordon will hold. But note "He'll spend some time with his family." Don't expect to see Gordon around until after January 1 if it all. Just my guess.

Jack is interim coach because he knows the team, the organization and -- he was easy to find. Personal opinion? Finding a new NHL coach for the NY Islanders will be a tough challenge for Garth Snow. Their reputation as a tough organization to work within preceeds them. That will be a far larger factor than the talent pool. Many coaches would love to work with the young players and help them develop. Actually, Garth, my buddy Steve Carlson said he was available and wouldn't mind a coaching gig again. Just a thought.

With December just around the corner, the Islanders will know what their position will be for trade deadline. Garth Snow has always said that his hands are not tied when it comes to spending money on the team in the way of talent. Finding willing talent is the problem. No matter what the argument, arena or other, top talent turns their nose up at offers from Uniondale more often than not. One possible way to get a top talent Free Agent here will be another Ryan Smith type deal where one team wants to punish a player for something and surprises him with a trade.

Malkin isn't pissing off anyone in Pittsburgh is he? No. I didn't think so.

One last rant before I get ready for work.

Hey Jack! I'll start saying to you what I said to Scott Gordon a few times last season. LET ROBBIE PLAY!!!!

Your roster has too many centers? Okay, give someone else the night off and put the man on the ice! His energy and attitude will be a benefit if not a distraction to the opponent. Oh yeah, he may even find the back of the net if you actually LET HIM PLAY!!!