A New Day

Good Morning Islander fans.  It's a new day.  Time to find out what the cosmos has in store for us.

By noon today, Trevor Gillies will find out his fate as he was put on waivers yesterday.  Now, the thing is -- I'm not sure if it was just supposed to be to get him back to Bridgeport or not.  I tried asking, but no one responded.  However their Twitter feed says:  Trevor Gillies has been placed on waivers. He has until noon tomorrow to clear and then be assigned. #isles

Also on waivers yesterday to be recalled is Sean Avery who will be able to play on Thursday for the Rangers as we're pretty sure -- no other club will claim him.

Nino Niederreiter skated yesterday alongside Matt Moulson and PA Parenteau at practice.  Hmmmm... Interesting.  Also interesting was his choice of costume for the NY Islanders Sunday night family costume bash.  Nino and Mark Streit went as the Mario Brothers.

The winner of the costume contest had to be Matt Moulson who went as the Johnny Depp version of the Mad Hatter.  Not sure if his wife went as Alice.

Today the boys won't be so scary as they head to local schools to read to the kids.  Then it's back to the ice at 12:30 for practice.  Other developments will come from Art Staple or others as this week I am being held captive at the office learning new software.

I.am.not.happy

Side note: Jiggs MacDonald spent an hour talking hockey around the NHL with us last night on NHLWeekly on Sportstalknetwork.com. It was a great show. I'll post the link as soon as I have it available.

Cutting it Close

With Nino Niederreiter on the IR along with Trevor Gillies, there's some wiggle room with the NY Islanders roster situation, but cuts need to be made and difficult decisions loom.

Brian Rolston is finally practicing with the team and Jay Pandolfo is awaiting to hear his fate.

With so many veterans now signed, the average age of this team has increased by at least five years. Is that a good thing?

New post here on HockeyBuzz.com along with some Player Twitter things I found humorous.

Trevor Gillies - Ready for a New Season

While Big Z heads for Ottawa, Trevor Gillies is working hard and improving his game for the coming season.

So here is the really SHORT video from the draft party. Listen hard, the room was loud as hell that night. But Trevor and his Mohawk were happy to be there.

Cooke Gets His Punishment & Isles this Week

I won’t belabor the point. You all know what happened. But I suppose as one of those who suffered the slings and arrows of the Gillies suspension, I have a right to say something about the Matt Cooke decision.

Good.

A ten game plus first playoff round suspension proves the NHL is at least looking to be fair when handing out discipline. As so many others said today, the proof will be what happens with the NEXT incident and how that is handled. This was such a high profile case with someone who has a history of dirty plays that had the league handed a two or three game suspension down, there would probably have been a mutiny by the fans and reporters.

But let’s look at a few other things that are bothering me about the situation. I was not available to watch the game and as Matt Cooke was not playing during the terrible Friday that lead to Trevor Gillies suspension, I didn’t know that he was wearing an “A.”

An “A”? The player whom I have heard so often being called one of the dirtiest players in the league was wearing an “A” on the Pittsburgh Penguins? The flagship club of the NHL itself? How does that happen? Better yet, WHY does that happen?

Next, everyone waited to pounce on Mario Lemieux’s next open letter to the league. We were all wondering about the follow-up to the ill-advised condemnation of the NHL Let’s revisit that statement:

"We, as a league, must do a better job of protecting the integrity of the game and the safety of our players. We must make it clear that those kinds of actions will not be tolerated and will be met with meaningful disciplinary action.

The “integrity of the game” didn’t seem to be important to Matt Cooke on Sunday afternoon. Not only didn’t he care about “the game,” he didn’t seem to care about THAT game. He probably single-handled lost the Penguins two points that afternoon.

"The NHL had a chance to send a clear and strong message that those kinds of actions are unacceptable and embarrassing to the sport. It failed.”

Mario felt a nine game suspension was a failure. How does he now feel about potentially 17? Well deserved? Too much? Bang on? What?

Well, we more than likely will not hear another word on the subject from Mario as anything he can say now will either make him a hypocrite or an idiot. We know he is not the latter, so perhaps he may be the former.

“If the events relating to Friday night reflect the state of the league, I need to re-think whether I want to be a part of it.”

Or maybe Mr. Lemieux is drafting his resignation from the league.


Lastly, I would love to know what Paul Steigerwald has to say about the incident. You remember him? He‘s the one that made the comment about Garth Snow being “pleased as punch” regarding the Friday Fightfest. Well, it seems the only thing that saved Mr. Steigerwald from being the same type of hypocrite or idiot was the fact that the game was on NBC and covered by Eddie O and Doc. Although I really would have liked to hear the spin he would have put on it. Perhaps he would have said that Cooke “accidentally” tried to separate the player from his helmet. Or that maybe he lost an edge and was falling awkwardly which is why his elbow was out.

We’ll never know what that call in the heat of the moment would have been.

Only the players themselves will change the what happens on the ice. No matter what the penalties or rules are, if the players themselves are not willing to play by them, Colin Campbell’s carpet will be well worn.

Meanwhile, Trevor Gillies will be available to play on Saturday March 26th against the Flyers. The question is WILL he?

Islanders take on Tampa tomorrow in St. Pete and return home on Thursday the 24th to face the Thrashers. If you’re in the neighborhood of Long Beach, hockeythisweek, starts Tues at 6 at the Beach House with the Isles/Rangers/Devils and rest of NHL on all the T.V.s.

If you’re heading to the game on Thursday, try to stop down to Doolin’s in the lower level of the Coliseum where IceCreepsMike will be hosting hockeythisweek, LIVE beginning at 6 pm. Come say “Hi” as I will be finding a way to screw up his show for a few minutes before heading up to the press box to hide.

This Time, Trevor Gets Ten

On Wednesday night, his first night back on the ice, he was flying so fast during warm-ups that my 15-year-old Olympus couldn't catch him. Warm ups is the only time Trevor Gillies can really skate on the ice he loves.

His ice time on Wednesday didn't last more than a blink. And after sitting for a nine-game suspension, Gillies will now sit out for ten. If he does come back to the Islander bench, it can't be before March 26th when the Flyers and their buses come to town.

In a strange twist of fate, the NY Islanders team photo for 2010-2011 was taken today at the Coliseum. Trevor was in Toronto. He will not be in the photo that will represent this year's Islanders for years to come.

But that is what a lot of people seem to want.

DiBo: "Just part of the game."

I really agonized over writing a post about Wednesday's game against the Wild and the much talked about Trevor Gillies hit. Part of me didn't want to get involved in the firestorm once again and part didn't know how to express my own tortured feelings about it.

Of course, I don't want to see any player get seriously hurt, no matter what jersey he wears. And in the instances on Wednesday, there were TWO players who could have been seriously hurt, but no one is really speaking about the first one.

I spent some time talking to people involved in the game as well as other fans, this is what I came up with.

Trevor Gillies will have a hearing today to see what fate the league hands down to him. I wish him luck. He's a good man, a good father and a good team mate. He's just not the best opponent.

While so many say there is no place for guys like him in the league, I have to disagree. While Trevor Gillies may be as far from a highly skilled hockey player as I am from being a pulitzer prize winning journalist, that doesn't mean we both don't do our jobs with passion and devotion. It's all just part of the game.

Trevor Gillies, Hockey PLAYER

I expected to see the hard hat on Trevor Gillies when we walked into the dressing room. But the mood was somber after the 6 - 4 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The more desperate team had won.

There was only one reporter speaking with Trevor by his stall so I wandered over while everyone headed in another direction. I came in mid interview, but Gillies was telling him they couldn’t start games as flat as they were. “It was a pretty bad 1st period and you just can’t have that.” The reporter said he didn’t think it was that bad because it ended 2 - 1. Trevor disagreed. “Yeah, the score. But the score didn’t indicate our play. We could have come out a lot better.” This is exactly what Jack had said. They didn’t’ have the jump they needed to counter the Sens desperation.

I asked about the goal, “Obviously the goal felt nice. Yep, it was nice to get that one. I haven’t had one yet in 40 games, so it was nice to get one.”

Now, I have to clarify, from my vantage point up high, it is sometimes difficult to really see so I rely on the video replays. When the play happened, I asked Insidehockey.com’s Brad Kurtzberg if the goal was going to stand because Trevor was in the net along with the puck. Would that be goaltender interference? The goal was under review. When I watched it on the overhead monitor (sans sound), I couldn’t tell how the puck actually went into the net. I wasn’t sure if it was a shot or just a lucky bounce.

Trevor Gillies knew. When I asked him what it bounced off, that seemed to upset him. “It didn’t bounce off anything. I shot it. It went off my stick.” Uh oh. Gillies, who usually calls me ’Ma’am’ felt slighted that I seemed to not believe he could score.

“I made a nice play. Z made a nice play.” The emotion began to build in him “You know I’m going to get goals if I go to the net. So, I know I can score. I score in practice all the time. So, it might be a shocker to you guys, but it definitely isn’t a shocker to me.”


The human side was now evident. The more Trevor thought about it, the more angry he became. He was angry at the loss but also at something else. Something far more personal and something he doesn’t usually show to the media in the locker room. Trevor is more than what he is used as. When he was first on the roster I watched as this big guy, used as an enforcer, could actually skate and play.

Thinking about my conversation with Brad, I asked Trevor if Jack said anything to him after the goal. But his answer seemed to be skirting my question. “The guys were happy I got the goal. Obviously, now it doesn’t mean a whole lot. It would have meant a lot more if we got the two points and I scored.” He took a deep breath. “I just gotta keep working hard and some more are going to go in for me. Like I told you, it doesn’t matter, I’ve told you guys a million times already, whether I play 20 seconds or I play 5 minutes, or 10 minutes, I have a role on this team and I take great pride in it. Obviously tonight we didn’t win, but I’m there for the guys no matter what. And that’s all that matters to me.”

He left the room. No more questions. A few minutes later there was a loud crash in the hallway. At the time, I didn’t know what it was. It wasn’t until I got home and read Katie Strang’s tweets that I found out it was Gillies taking his frustration out on a hallway garbage can.

Jack backed up Trevor’s claim in his post game report. “He scores in practice all the time.” So it is the truth. So then my question to Jack, and perhaps one that Trevor wanted to ask as well: Why not play Gillies more than his usual 3 minutes per game?

If the score is as lopsided as last night, was there a reason to keep the big guy off the ice in the third? Typically Trevor Gillies gets to be nothing but spectator and fan for both the second and third period of every game. He is released at some point in the first period, sets a tone, and then is relegated to the bench. But why last night?

Why not reward the man who works hard on and off the ice with a little more ice time? Why not give him a regular shift or two to actually -- you know -- PLAY HOCKEY.

You will never find anyone who thinks that Trevor Gillies isn’t the perfect team mate. You won’t find a fan that has met this handsome, mountain of a man, who doesn’t think Gillies is the nicest guy in the sport. So why not, every now and then, LET THE MAN PLAY THE GAME?

Home & Home May not Be Sweet

Finally.

The players may have needed a five day gap between games, but the fans didn't. Riding a tiny ripple of momentum by earning four points in six games. That's how Matt Moulson said it to me. He didn't look at it like three games. He still was thinking about the losses.

But it's not just points lost, it's also man games. Tonight the Islanders will face the Rangers without Trent Hunter and without Mike Mottau. They get back (FINALLY!) Andy MacDonald. How big will his head be if they go on a winning streak with him back in the line-up? Do we care?

With Doug Weight helping to coach the power play, will they improve their 0 for 29 record tonight? How big will HIS head get if they can turn THAT around? Again, Do we care?

Rick DiPietro will face off against the Blueshirt squad. If he can maintain the same form he has had in his recent starts, this could be a very interesting match-up. Not that it ever isn't.

The ad today in Newsday says this game is for Bragging Rights. It always is. These games are for the Metro Cup, the trophy the Islanders have far more of a chance to win than the Stanley Cup (again).

Tortorella told Newsday that Sean Avery has played well and been effective recently. He has been moved up from the fourth line to the first. He will just be more annoying there. I'm pretty certain it will all start in warm-ups and go from there. Anyone else calling for Trevor Gillies to be in the line-up tonight? Yes.

I am not sure if young Travis Hamonic will get his first chance at playing against the Rangers and experiencing the Rivalry. Andy MacDonald said he's ready for it. I'm pretty sure Rick is too.

The question will be -- Is Jack?

The Long Island Press featured an article in April called "Garth Snow's Summer "To-Do" List" written by Michael McEnareny. I actually used the article when I interviewed Mr. Snow in late April.

He admitted he hadn't read the article, but when I explained the five main items the fans wanted to see addressed in the off-season, he said he couldn't disagree.

They were:
1) Draft Wisely
2) Add size up front
3) Fix the Goaltender-go-round
4) Add nastiness at "D"
5) Find an Experienced Sniper

Continued here.

We're really missing a piece of the puzzle.

Draft Party Details Set

It's only 25 days away now and the details for the NY Islanders Draft Party 2010 have been set. Check their website to order your free tickets. It sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun.

Sadly, I missed last year's Draft party because I was supposed to be at a concert. This year -- nothing is keeping me from attending. Especially not now that I see that not only will last year's first overall draft pick, John Tavares, be a guest but also my personal favorite, Matt Moulson will be on hand. Moulson always makes any fan event a lot of fun.

The funny thing is that when I read the Press Release I immediately thought it was CLARK Gillies and not TREVOR Gillies who would also be attending. Clark could have definitely done well with the ‘Stache Station' too. But, Clarkie is not longer under contract and Trevor has a brand new one year deal.

Speaking of "new deals": Yesterday the NY Islanders signed 2008 draft pick David Ullstrom. Of course immediately I uttered "who?" when the news came over my phone from Newsday's Katie Strang's Tweet. But after reading about the 6'3" 200 lb, 21 year old Left Winger I realized -- Hello Sean Bergenheim's replacement.

This is what the Islanders are looking for -- size and youthful energy. Guess they really are "sticking to the plan."

Sound Tigers 4 - Bears 1 4-19-10

With game 4 of the AHL playoffs scheduled in Bridgeport today at 3 pm, I couldn't resist the temptation of going to one last hockey game for the season.

It was a beautiful day for a ferry ride across the Sound. I made a mistake about the ferry schedule so we missed the noon ferry. But the 1:30pm ferry did arrive in time for the game. There were a few other Isles fan on the ferry, but not as many as there were that last Sunday game in March.

There was no line to get in, which surprised me. The concourse seemed a little quiet too. We headed to the bar to say "Hi" to one of the staples of the Arena and grab a quick drink. We ran to the gate just in time and were shown to our seats. As soon as we sat down I looked around and couldn't believe it.

"Where is everyone???"

So many empty seats! Such a waste! The venue is a fabulous value! I know there was playoff hockey on the TV, but these are great games at a great price. Ms. Katrina and I sat back and enjoyed the game with one of the Sound Tigers biggest fans sitting behind us.

Patsy Ordway (hopefully that is how to spell it) is a season ticket holder for the past five years. She is very invested in the team financially and emotionally. When the contingent of Bears fans were cheering on their team, she led the counter attack. She has a question for Coach Capuano though. "Yesterday on the Saturday game, for ten minutes, were they that much better or did we just implode?"

The fact that the Bears have won 60 games this season hasn't eluded her. She doesn't think they were as aggressive as they needed to be for that ten minutes that caused the Tigers to blow the game.

When I asked her if she felt that Monroe was the cause she said no. "I don't think it was Scott. There were just tons of turnovers."

"they're playing way more aggressive today. This is what they were doing in the first and third. Just not the second."

The Tigers had "their backs up against the way" and had to win today or it would have been a sweep.

Up on the fourth floor, I noticed Trevor Gillies sitting with fellow players looking very much like Panama Jack in a white straw fedora with a black band. I could tell it was him by that famous mustache of his.

I ventured up on the elevator and tracked him down. He told me he was wearing it because it was his lucky hat and the Tigers needed to win today. I explained he shouldn't worry because they always won when I came to visit. He asked me why I hadn't come by more often. Yikes. I wasn't thinking.

Well, I was actually there to see Mikko Koskinen, our 6'5" 21 year-old Finnish goalie. He's huge. When he's down on his knees he's the size of Glenn Healey. There were many familiar names on the ice today and many we will be seeing again in October.

For now, they have another game against the Bears on Wednesday. I can't be there, but I'm certainly hoping Trevor is there in his lucky hat. It seemed to work.

Let's Go Tigers!

Note: I'd like to thank a few people who made the ferry ride back home last night so pleasant. To our bartender Justin who was more than accomodating even though I was only drinking club soda. To the very handsome, dimpled, blue-eyed construction worker who lives only two towns away from me -- Yes. The world is the size of a walnut and you and Ms. Katrina had a lot of things to talk about. Even if she is an Eagles fan. To the father and son Isles fans that stood with us the entire ferry ride; thank you for a few laughs and explaining to our new friend how Isles fans CAN'T root for the Flyers -- EVER. So our wanting the Devils to win the game was actually acceptable.

To the two heavily made up tank top wearing women who chatted up the biker grandfathers for over an hour -- I seriously didn't care if you were Ranger fans. They are on the golf course too. But I'm pretty sure you had no idea of that.

Trevor Gillies: Another Season with the Islanders

I stopped to talk to Trevor Gillies on the break-down day simply because he was in the hallway. Considering at the time I had no idea if we would ever see him again, I didn't exactly know what to ask him.

"Hey Ma'am. How you doing?" He's imposing but very friendly. Since Trevor spent most of this season with the Sound Tigers, I asked him about Jack's chances in the AHL playoffs against the Hersey Bears.

"I hope they do real well.If we can get by Hershey then I think we’ll have a legit shot at the Calder Cup.” Notice the “we” in his speech. Trevor is very much a “team” guy. “But they (the Bears) are definitely the favorites to win. I think what we have going for us is we have great goaltending and you’ll see with all these guys going back for defense, our defense is going to be stacked.”

continued here at HockeyBuzz.

Isles vs. Devils 2nd to Last

7:29 pm the Devils scored their first goal on Marty Biron. The play was reviewed, but Zach Parise was celebrating the goal as he was sitting in Biron's Crease with Bruno Gervais on top of him and Marty Biron pinned at the post. It was Zubrus' goal.

The Devils were tied with the Penguins at 99 points so they wanted to win this one. The Islanders role was purely spoiler.

Sean Bergenheim uses his speed to get some excellent chances on Broduer. Mark Streit has played in all 81 of the Islanders games

7:33 pm: Gillies comes out for a shift and chases down Leblond and yaps and yaps at him. 7:35 pm Haley makes his NHL debut. Let's see who gets the most amount of ice time from Scott Gordon off the two.

With MacDonald in front of Biron and Marty out of position, Zach Parise makes it two - 0 from his knees. It was a pretty goal for sure. His 17th against the Isles and 38th of the year. Not bad for JP's kid.

MacDonald gloves down a puck in the neutral zone and Dean McAmmond takes off with it and scores on Biron to make it 3 - 0 at 4:06. MacDonald is not having a very good game so far. I'm not expecting to see Biron for the second period. Although, does it really matter.

John Tavares draws the first penalty of the game from Niedermeyer at 16:30 of the first. JT had one good chance that was deflected over the net and then too many passes didn't connect. There were no shots on goal.

Just as the penalty expired, the Devils almost made it 3 - 0 but Biron made a good sliding save on McAmmond. The Isles went to the room down by four in only 20 minutes.

Second period begins with Marty Biron in net. I am surprised. The Devils go on the power play within the first minute of the period but cannot score their fourth in the two minutes.

8:10 pm, I had my head down when Sean Bergenheim lost an edge and went down awkwardly into the boards and immediately left the ice in pain. He is one more kid that just can't seem to catch a break. Just as he was getting his chances, he has to leave the ice.

8;13 pm Haley and Pelley decide it's time to dance. Pelley pulls Haley's jersey up over his eyes, but it doesn't stop him from pound away at his face. They both go to the box bleeding to sit out for five. On the bench, Trevor Gillies watched a fight he wasn't in and becomes a wild dog telling the team to get going. It was an expression I think I will never forget seeing. I scared me.

Kyle Okposo had an open lane and guess what happened? He broke his stick... again.

Trevor Gillies gets a unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for slashing while waiting for a face off. He didn't even get to skate for a second before being told to go sit in the box.

Howie Rose called it Zach Parise's personal party against the NY Islanders ad he lifts a puck over Biron's shoulder to make it 4 - 0. Every game, Zach reminds us what we lost as Islanders fans. Later the goal would be changed to Patrick Elias.

At 15:06 of the 2nd, Trevor Gillies tries to make it up to Scott Gordon by drawing a penalty on Patrick Elias. Gillies hit Elias with a clean hit and Elias chased him down and cross checked Trevor who promptly chided Elias with a "Waaa Waaa" gesture.

Well Tim Jackman gave the Devils a power play by taking a few extra whacks on one of the Devils after he already knew he was being called for a penalty. Brian Rolston makes it 5 - 0 with a power play goal.

With the 3rd period underway, Sean Bergenheim has not returned and said to have an "upper body injury." Considering how long it took him to recover from the rib injury, I'm wondering if this is shoulder or other "upper body."

The camera goes on Scott Gordon and once again, he's wearing a different suit and a tie I haven't seen before. Our very GQ coach with a shorter bench.



With Leblond and Gillies constant yapping, the refs are on them like white on rice trying to keep things cool. But try as they might, Gillies chased down Clarkson but Leblond took the challenge, reluctantly. Gillies helmet never came off as they exchanged punch for punch for what seemed like forever. It was so long that Leblond had to ASK the refs to please stop the fight. He was exhausted and Gillies was a junkyard dog not giving up.

Gillies ended up with an extra penalty which gave the Devils another power play opportunity. They don't score on the power play, but it doesn't take long before Kovalchuk tips one over Biron to make it a frightening 6 - 0. With this game out of reach, I am guessing that Scott Gordon will leave Biron in net for as many goals as he wants to let up. If it's ten, it will be ten. Roloson for certain will get the start against the Penguins.

With Zubrus in the box, Kyle Okposo doesn't give up. Keeping the puck in the Devils zone, he gets it to JT who shoots at Brodeur with Matt Moulson right where he likes to be, on the goalie's doorstep. Just a little tap off Brodeur and in it went -- along with Brodeur's shut-out.

Remember I said Andy MacDonald wasn't having a very good game? Well, credit him with Patrick "watch me pull a goal out of my ass" Elias's goal that made it 7 - 1.

Game over.

Isles Goal Scorers: Moulson, Okposo & Bailey

But the Pens scored 7 -- as I knew they would. Sid the Kid gets his 50th goal and his 500 th point tonight making the night even a little more special for the kid.

It was special for the Isles too. It was the night they got thier heads handed to them. Marty Biron played the first period and was replaced by Roloson. He faired no better against some of the best talent in the NHL

While this game was historic as the last regulation NHL game in the Igloo, it's one the Isles will want to forget. But there is a strong possibility that Josh Bailey won'tbe able to forget it for a long time as he was taken against the boards by "Pony" and left bleeding. Guessing that's a scar he will have for a long time. One he may even be able to tell his kids about later in life.

Gillies had one go 'round tonight and won. Tim Jackman would have, but he can't fight with the cage.

Get on the plane boys and come home. Just forget this one. It was one you could never have won anway.

Matt now has 28 goals. Will he get to 30 in the next two games? Well, he may and that would be very cool.

The NEW Streak of One

Yep, that's how Scott Gordon called it. Of course, with a win over the bigger Flyers after losing to them since February of 2008, Gordon was in a jovial mood in the post game press conference.



"Blake set the tone for the game by shooting the puck. Obviously, we took advantage of the goal tending tonight and they didn't lie down by any means and we needed all six." Gordon said of Blake Comeau who is on his own streak of multi-point games.

When asked about his game, Blake told reporters "Something that I've changed about my game is I'm shooting the puck more. Obviously, it's going to give itself a chance to go in no matter how hard it is or where it's shot from. That's something I'm going to continue to do and bounces are going my way. So hopefully, it stays that way."

Gordon continued, "Blake has honest intentions of working hard all the time, but with the ability and skill that he has, he should be able to produce offensively. Literally, it's nothing more than getting pucks to the net. Those two goals that he scored, nobody thought they had a chance of getting into the net, but they did. Sometimes, that's what it takes. Just putting on the net and he's doing it."

Could this game be THAT simple? Really?

The Islanders chased Brian Boucher from the net after he let in five goals. Two from Blake Comeau, one from Sean Bergenheim, one from Frans Nielsen and one from Trent Hunter. It was time for rookie goaltender Jeremy Duchesne to get his chance in the NHL. The first shot he blocked was from Jon Sim. The first goal he gave up was to -- Jon Sim. Fate.



On the other end of the ice, Marty Biron gave up goals to ex-Islander Aaron Asham (figures) and James Van Riemsdyk (his 15th). It wasn't until lat in the third that Biron then gave up two more to Briere and Powe.



John Tavares earned his 25th and 26th assist tonight while Dylan Reese earned his first. I think Dylan will remember the game more than JT will.



But the guy who may really burn this game into his memory banks is Trevor Gillies who ended up with the hard-hat in the dressing room after the game. He wore it proudly as he sat removing his gear and checking on his scuffed up knuckles as he sat in the corner talking one on one to Islesblogger.com Mike. I have been hard on Trevor, but perhaps I don't fully understand his role. He is truly a "team" guy. He must be. That's IS his role. That role ingratiates him to his team mates and those who work with him.


"They should have given YOU the hard hat Marty. You deserve it, man!" he said to Biron in sincerity recognizing the performance Biron put up against his old team. As the man in net responsible for many of those 15 Flyers wins over the Islanders, this one was extra special. He, more than anyone, knows how difficult it is when you're playing for your post-season lives. Biron told how last season, his team didn't get into the playoffs until the last two games of the regular season. He knows the frustration of teams on the bubble at this time of year and says it can be mentally taxing. "A lot of teams are playing desperate hockey this time of year."

The Flyers didn't seem that desperate last night. Well, except for the last five minutes of the game when they realized they were going to actually lose to the NY Islanders.

Taking the Show on The Road!

Yep! What a year of "firsts." First year in the press-box, first year covering a road game. Okay, so it's only Philly which is like driving to my Uncle's house in Jersey, but STILL! It's NOT the Coliseum.

As it is a day game (who the hell scheduled a game at 1 pm not on a holiday? who?), and there is a full moon, I am not setting my hopes very high. Call it pessimistic, I call it realistic based on past experience.

This will be the first time I see Trevor Gillies on the bench. My guess is he will spend far more time on the bench than the ice. But it will be nice to know he is there if needed.

This from Islanders Authorized about Gillies:

Bring in the Toughness: At today’s practice was newly signed enforcer Trevor Gillies. The left-winger skated with John Tavares and Josh Bailey today as the regular on the right side of that line, Kyle Okposo had the day off. Interesting news today from Gillies is that amazing fight that is linked below in the last Islanders Authorized posting where Gillies takes on Jeremy Yablonski of the Binghamton Senators, it turns out that Gillies and Yablonski are best friends.

The Flyers have won all three of the match-ups this season. This one won't be easy, no matter who is in net. I wouldn't expect it will be Roloson.

John Tavares, who has had way too much press this week discussing his slump, needs to show fellow first year NHLer JVR that he can still score and make an impact. Heck, if he can't notch the goals himself, I'll take his patented pass from behind the net to Kyle Okposo so he can score from one knee two feet from the crease. Thank you.

The pre-game show on MSG-Plus will start at 12:30 pm. It doesn't look like there will be a replay as they sometimes do with a day game. So, if you have to work or have a life, you will probably be missing this one. But if you are home due to the frigid weather, or sleeping in due to too much partying tonight, then make sure you catch the game and follow me on Twitter as I'll be tweeting from the press box tomorrow while my two co-horts will be in the stands (with much better seats.)