Before we go any further, before tonight's game here in Newark, it is time to tip the cap to the job that Jiggs McDonald did as a temporary fill-in for Howie Rose on the recent road trip. We all know that Howie's work is as good as it gets--in hockey or baseball,on TV or radio--and we're glad he got a little time off in a hectic year. Islanders fans and hockey watchers in general simply got a huge gift when Jiggs was recruited to pick up the slack. He is an all-timer.
In fact (and apologies for stepping on Neil Best's turf here), you've got to admit that the hockey TV announcing in New York is the best of all New York area sports TV commentary. There are just no weak spots on the Islanders, Rangers and Devils crews. Too bad more people aren't interested, but for those who are, the treatment is informed without being condescending.
Jiggs was at the top of his game. Smooth, with enthusiasm but not boosterism. It was neat to see him at the Coliseum before the trip, taking notes. That's how you get to be a Hall of Famer.
* * *
Not to promote violence or anything, but Kip Brennan's fight in the Bridgeport Sound Tigers' game last Saturday was noteworthy. He didn't pick on some innocent winger, but rather a willing heavyweight from Springfield. The result was something you almost never see in NHL fights, with their clutching and grabbing and mostly even matches. Brennan caught him flush in the face and knocked the guy to the ice, causing the trainer to come out and escort the player to the dressing room, a sequence that has been well viewed on YouTube. Again, we're not saying this is the greatest thing in the worl,but the uniqueness of it was striking.
* * *
Sorry if the descriptions of the goals in last night's game were a little skimpy But those of us in the press box (including the stat crew) simply didn't have access to usual mutiple replays. We had only the feed from the Coliseum scoreboard. The game was on Versus, not FSNY, and they don't get Versus at the Coliseum, at least not in the press box
* * *
Comments (56)
From Mark Hermann's Islander Insider article...
"Tambellini rejoined the Sound Tigers Wednesday for their game in Norfolk that night. He scored two goals, including the winner in a 3-2 decision. Okposo assisted on both, giving him seven points in four games.
"Islanders coach Ted Nolan said, "You get good people, you have good reasons for success. Signing Billy Guerin ... he's one of the top quality guys in the league. That spreads to the young generation where Jeff Tambellini is doing the same thing. It's just a matter of time before he comes here and plays here permanently."
That's more great news about Tambellini, more optimism in hoping that we're "home-growing" a 1st line for next season, and probably an pfficial end to the speculation that Tamby will be shipped to another team at the deadline. Remember Nolan's quote where he said Tamby is guaranteed to eventually play SOMEWHERE in the NHL???
Wow, I don't think I was ever first before!!!
Yeah, but Cincy, you're the only poster ever to be mentioned by Greg in a main entry.
Cincy, I posted the same thing on the last blog and agree that it would be fantastic to see a relatively "home-grown" kids line next year, especially if Nielsen makes the jump too...
"Yeah, but Cincy, you're the only poster ever to be mentioned by Greg in a main entry."
Really? I don't recall seeing that. Wow. Commenting on this blog is even better than my daily affirmation!!!
I'm good enough, and smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me!!!
Yeah, it was a while back... Several people complimented you on it at the time.
Hey, here's a jersey idea to which I wanted to get the group's reaction:
Primarily orange third jersey (like the one we had a couple years back), but with a Brooklyn-Bridge patch on the right shoulder and a Montauk Lighthouse patch on the left shoulder...
Re posts in the previous thread: I agree, DP now gives you that feeling of a goalie who's got Cups in him. They just need to put enough in front of him, and it will happen.
Steady wrote: "I keep trying to figure out why I hate MAB (besides his pathetic defense.) Berard has been just as poor lately, yet I have no hatred toward him. Is it the way MAB looks? His cocky comments? Not quite sure."
The way he looks? Is it the huge nose? I'm a little sensitive about that...
Re his cocky comments: I actually don't mind the guy, but I did notice in a post-game interview once that he was being asked about a goal he scored, and he was talking about how it felt good to play better than he had been. It was a bit "me me me," especially by hockey standards. Anyway, as he was answering about that goal, you could hear a teammate say loudly in the background, "That was a great pass." And then MAB, picking up the little dig, said, "Yeah, and I got a great pass from" whoever it was. It was a revealing little moment.
"Wow, I don't think I was ever first before!!!"
Now you know how the Ranger's felt in 94.
KH - Nice pick up on the MAB interview. I recall noticing that something happened to distract him, but I didn't hear the background comment. Very revealing.
Regarding the 3rd jersey... I like the idea of the 2 patches. Islander territory defined from Montauk point to the East River. Good marketing. But let's forget the orange color. It just doesn't work, in my opinion. It's not only that the color makes them each look like they're part of the cast of "The Great Pumpkin Ice Capades", but my main gripe is that the orange with blue numbers makes it virtually impossible to tell who's on the ice (unless, of course, you can watch in HD - which I've yet to have the opportunity to do).
From the previous blog, which Cincy has apparently closed, given the fact that he CUT to the front of the line here..
19Isle
"Wang should start his own newspaper ... and call it ... Light House Journal News .... the only Real News about Long Island's interests ... Hire Logan as the managing editor in charge of sports ... and Steady as the Ombudsman ... making sure that MAB gets no back cover accolades. LOL!!!"
Ombudsman??? NO WAY, that's a waste, Steady gets the Editorial Page responsibilties with his own op-ed column.
I prefer a responsibility a little more high brow so I'll pick the comics and write a column called "Keepin' The "Light" in Lighthouse"
AZS will be our photographer with an emphasis on "not your ordinary pictures from NVMC"
Merrick can have a column called "South of RTE 27"
KH has the "Talk Amongst Yaselves" column and blogsight.
D-money can write a column called "The Lighthouse CAN Be from the Rockies".
And you, my friend, can write a column called "I Can't See the Lighthouse, Cuz the Garden's in the Way"
Who am I missing?
Oh yeah, Cincy can have his byline ON THE FRONTPAGE every day.
One more thing, it will be a home delivery publication. As such hire Jim Baumbach, buy him a 3 speed Schwinn, give him a "Master Carrier" sweatshirt (I used to have one of those) and put him in charge of circulation.
I still can't find that "edit last blog" icon
D-money can write a column called "The Lighthouse CAN Be SEEN from the Rockies".
LOL... that's pretty good. But for the record, I not only don't sound like Linda Richman, I don't even have a NY or LI accent. Go figure. And while we're at it, I look like an Irishman (red hair, blue eyes).
i feel so left out. lol!!!!
ok netminder,
You get a sports column: "Scrapings From the Crease"
Your first assignment is a 9 part interview with each of the Icegirls.
Subtitled "I'd rather do this from Jones Beach in July"
505
That is a dream job. But i also want Dina the Master of Ceremonies from the NVMC to be there for an interview lol.
Funny stuff 505.
**As I said earleir, I think Tambs is down o nthe pond to stick with KO.....Give him someone of quality to play with and build confidence!***
***You guys that were up here in Boston ever read a small paper that was for free in the city called Barstools???? I had a two page article printed in it. It was a NYers view of Boston. You would of peed your pants. I triple dog dared the editor to print it and he did. ********* He included all my spelling and grammer mistakes on purpose to make me look and sound like a stooooopid Nyahhhhhhhh.
I am so freaking jealous I cannot go to the game on Saturday. I am going to the Bruins vs Rangers at 1pm with some clients. MY wish is as usual that the ice melts and both teams drowned!
My goal is for Logan to use me in a main article as the way not to treat other fans. LOL
p.s WHERE IS MOOKIE ?????? HE QUIT ON US ?????
Yes. I am MEAN to Baumbach.
But until he apologizes and RETRACTS IN WRITING the "not in my book" story about Arbour he wrote a few months back I will continue to post comments like the one I just wrote under his "Open Letter To Packer Fans".
Just my rant for the day.
Steady.
how do we (I) get a copy of your view of Boston?
I gotta see it!!
Link or cut and paste here?
Mark, I agree, it was great hearing Jiggs again. He is a true islander in my book. I like Howie, however, I think that for the right $$$ he would run to the Rags in a heart beat.
No Versus in the old barn!!!! Now I know we need a new colusiem!!
The boys played hard against the Devs.
Riding the roller coaster is still a lot more fun than being a Ranger fan!!
I have to admit ... listening to Howie Rose again made me miss Jiggs again.
For those that think Jiggs makes to many errors calling the game .. he corrects himself when he realizes it... LOL!!!
Just want to add ... that Howie said during last night's Isles / Devils game .... when a shot was on Broduer ... he said .. and Berard makes the stop ..... huh? First Berard is on the Isles .... second ... Berard is a defenseman. Jaffe didn't correct him ... and Howie never corrected himself.
So goes to show .... even the youthful Rose can make mistakes...
Shot out to Hall of Fame Broadcaster ... Jiggs McDonald .... I just had a visual of the Isles old mascot that looked like Jiggs. I forgot his name.
Interesting stuff today, guys....sorry, work got in the way for me today.
However, I feel REALLY left out of this newspaper....should 19 Isle and I have a dual column called "The Windbags" so we can write as much as we want? Either that or I want to write an advice column called "Dear Saint Nick" where fans can tell me what they want for the Islanders and I can ignore them and deny Santa's existence. Any other suggestions?
And KH, a nice pickup on that MAB interview, he definitely seems way too involved with himself, though my opinion on him seems to shift day-to-day, like it does with this whole team. One day I want MAB gone, the next day I realize how much he means to the powerplay. One day I want the entire team blown up, the next day I have faith that they COULD, given the right opponent, win a playoff round this year.
This has definitely been a cyclone of a season, though rather than negativity I think I've finally figured it out. We're all jittery. We've all accepted along time ago that save DP and Witt our talent level is sorely lacking, and we seem to interpret every minor downturn as the team finally coming down to earth and playing to its talent level. I think that's why the people screaming to break up the team come out after every loss where the team didn't show up, and I think I'm starting to understand (I know that's a major step for me since I was historically the first guy to call out people for negativity). It's really tough to live day-to-day with this team inhabiting this veritable "no-man's land," because we're all a little scared to commit to a team that's clearly lacking in talent and is only anywhere near anything because of DP. Regardless of everything, though, if the team is grooming a first line down in the Bridge, 3 forwards will HAVE to go before the start of next season to clear room. How will we do that?
I love that fanciful rumor they started on Hockeybuzz, but I think there could be some merit here. Tanguay could be had, and he could be had for relatively little because everyone knows Calgary needs the cap space to lock up Huselius and Phaneuf. See if they'll take Hunter, Satan, or something similar for this guy, who could be a real playmaking force from the wing the likes of which this team hasn't seen in years.
As for the Jiggs/Howie...I never liked Howie Rose, nor have I ever found him a particularly good broadcaster. Jiggs brings back memories of my introduction to hockey, though I'd really need 18 to get the full effect. I love hearing Jiggs on TV for the nostalgia, and even with his senior moments he's better than Howie on his best days, hands-down.
OK, I'm sure I've lived up to my self-characterization as a windbag. I'm done....thoughts?
And Steady has a point....Mookie, where are you?! I'm calling dibs on Hilary until you come back to duke it out!
Since we were on the subject of uniforms again ... I still standby my suggestion that was made during my orignal Christmas wish list for the Islanders ... which includes a change in uniform ....
To save myself the trouble of typing it again .. I am copying that post here .... dont worry ... I cut out some of the other stuff in the post for your sanity .... it was done over 3 posts on the December 22, blog .... and my posts were on Christmas eve within that blog.
Originally posted as indicated below ...
Posted by 19 ISLE in NJ 22 | December 24, 2007 18:24
The unis ... I'm not suggesting that we get rid of the spirit of the Islander jersey. I'm suggesting that we add black to it. Yeah Nick .. I thought of the Halloween comparrison with the Orange and Black also.... however ... I can't tell you how many comments I've received about my ALL Orange Isles jersey being a pumpkin costume ... and that isn't from Rags fans either. Besides .. the Mets did Black with Orange and Blue pretty well.
I like the older Isles retro jerseys too .. with the lighter blue .. those are the jersey's I was thinking of merging with the black. I thought of this years ago when Dallas introduced their black jersey's with the Green and Gold traditional franchise colors. Their sales almost quadrupled that first year... the only team that had a greater increase of jersey sales from the previous year was the LA Kings (over 500%) in 88-89 with their new black and silver colored jerseys. That was also Wayne Gretzky's first year with the Kings so that had an effect I'm sure too.
I wasn't suggesting adding black to the Isles logo .. just to put black on the home jersey's where ever there is blue ... and on the sleeves where it is orange have that light blue with orange piping to match the piping that outlines the shoulders. Orange and Blue should always be the Isles colors. The away jerseys should obviously be white with the same exact sleeve color skeem as the home jerseys. The Isles need jerseys they can market. Black colors sell. My teammates like my dark blue RBK Islander practice jersey .. the Isles logo jumps out at you.
Posted by 19 ISLE in NJ 22 | December 24, 2007 18:47 Oh ... my buddy Kelly and I came up with this idea a few years ago. He lives in Vancouver now.
We suggested since Brooklyn technically is part of Long Island ... and the Isles should be inclusive of Brooklyn and Queens as part of Long Island ... that on the right sleeve have the Brooklyn Bridge ... and on the left sleeve ... the Montauk Light House to show the diversity of urban, maritime heritage of Long Island.
We figured that they could be also be morphed into one single logo .. as a secondary logo to replace the 4 stanley cup bars as another alternative. My buddy said most people have no idea what that is in Vancouver .. unless you are an Islander fan. He said that it would be better to have 4 minuture sillouettes of the stanley cup on the upper right chest of the jersey (I know .. the player numbers are there now).
Nothing should ever replace the traditional Islander logo .. I had my fill of fish sticks.
Anon was me ... obviously by the reference name in the post ...
I'll be back for windbag moment either later tonight .. or tomorrow ... when the next rant wave stikes me. LOL!!!
Nick, JP, 505 and I use up a lot of bandwidth on this site. LOL!!
Posted by Nick ..
"As for the Jiggs/Howie...I never liked Howie Rose, nor have I ever found him a particularly good broadcaster. Jiggs brings back memories of my introduction to hockey, though I'd really need 18 to get the full effect. I love hearing Jiggs on TV for the nostalgia, and even with his senior moments he's better than Howie on his best days, hands-down."
Yeah Nick .. we needed 18 to give Jaffe a break too ... that would of been classic ... you know between those two guys you would of heard this slip up ... Gillies slids a pass over to Trottier in the corner .. he centers out to Bossy in the slot ... he shooots and scorrrreeessss .... or another classic call that we've heard over and over .... he shooots ... ohhhhh and Smitty got a chunk of that shot ....... ahhhhhh those were some great games.
FYI ... Justin Bourne was named to represent the Utah Grizzlies in the ECHL All-Star game .... congrats Justin!!! BTW ... I know he was recently called up to the Bridge while they were in Norfolk ... but he was scratched when Tamby returned. I don't know if that means he's got to go back down or what? But it would be nice to see him make the move up.
505...I have a few copies in the TV room that I hand out when chowders come over to watch hockey for the first time. Made me famous in the office for a few weeks. People cannot believe the editor printed it....You think I am mean on this board...My God I destroyed people! :) :) I went into how there pizza stinks, no real bagels, Chinese food made by the Irish, insecure fans, dirty little brother syndrome, make Boston a gas stop for NYers on the way too VT....yadahyadah yadahhhhhhhhh. It is really funny!
The best part about it, the next issue they put out was FILLED with threats against me, telling me to get out of the city, etc.....
They signed my name (UN)STEADY on the article!!! Too funny.
****QUESTION....Tampa Bay is toast. Think a sniper or two can be had????? IT may cost a draft pick....Would you do it???? This years draft is stacked. With that said you add a Richards and we may actually make noise in the playoffs! *****
19 ISLES, if you write for a living, I'll bet you drive your editors nuts!!!!!
But keep it up.
It's funny seeing all the nostalgia for Jiggs here and negative comments on Howie. I went off to college in 1980 (got to see one Cup) and Jiggs never made a great impression with me one way or the other. I think Howie Rose is a great professional and deserves kudos for learning to work with the talkative Jaffe and teeing him up for solid analysis. And I really don't care if Howie grew up rooting for the Rangers and would take the Rangers job if it was offered. If that's his dream job, so be it. Good for him. Heck, I grew up a Rangers fan because there were no Islanders when I was a kid--are you going to blame that on Howie too?
Nick, I think what you captured regarding fan sentiment is as much about our total confusion concerning where this team is headed down the road. We all want them to do well, but not many of us see them as a real Cup contender nor do we see a large core group of players we want three years down the road. So when things get tough, it's like, "Let's get on with transition and stop fooling ourselves." And then you look at the standings, the parity in the East, sip the Kool-Aid and say, "Maybe DP is that good and we can steal a round or two; wouldn't that be fun."
If nothing else, however, this blog has made being an Islander fan that much more enjoyable. So thanks to all of you for making this a great season for me.
Steady,
:You think I am mean on this board...My God I destroyed people! :) :)"
How does one convey love for the art and the messenger?
YES I want to read it.
Merrick.
"If nothing else, however, this blog has made being an Islander fan that much more enjoyable. So thanks to all of you for making this a great season for me."
GTFO your south shore class.
WE ARE ALL ISLANDERS!!!!
The season is not over, don't even go there.
The ICELANDERS!! are capable of winning this thing,
THE RAGS are done, toast.
The NHL needs a NY presence to get back to ESPN.
WE ARE MARSHALL 'S (at roosevelt field mall)!!
TWENTY PERCENT OFF!!!
Okay, SOMEBODY give me an "edit last post" icon.
"GTFO "of your" south shore class
19isle
"FYI ... Justin Bourne was named to represent the Utah Grizzlies in the ECHL All-Star game .... congrats Justin!!! BTW ... "
In my earlier e-mail to the Northland about Sertich I got a BTW about Bourne (A Gopher like KO).
The boys said "PLAY HIM".
Merrick -- Great post. Your third paragraph is dead on... I know I feel that way. Except I would add one other consideration that weighs in my thinking... the Isles are losing a lot of money every year (> $15M). Their low attendance, in addition to contributing to the financial losses, hurts organizational morale, causes the team to play worse at home, deters free agents from coming here, weakens the Isles' case for a new arena, causes the local media not to cover the team, etc., etc. It is an unfortunate reality that, thanks to horrible previous management (as we all know too well), the season ticket base is decimated and the Isles are not in a position to ask fans to be "patient" again while they rebuild. This means the organization does not have total flexibility to plan with only the long term in mind. They need to maintain a level of competitiveness now, during the regular season, that generates media and fan buzz and produces the sense that they're on a steady upward trajectory. Plus Ted Nolan can make almost any group of players competitive. And DP makes up for a multitude of other defects in the team. So they're not going to deviate from the present course. I think the best we can hope for is working the youth in gradually... blowing up the team is simply not going to happen, unless we really nosedive in the standings..
I share the view often expressed here among us diehards that the best way to build a team is the Bill Torrey way, through the draft, putting together a core of great young talent that develops and learns to win together, and then adding key pieces when needed through trades (and nowadays, FA signings). The Rangers have shown that for the most part, buying the key pieces of your team doesn't work. I'd much rather the Isles built the Torrey way. But it's just not going to happen.
And anyway, I like this team and enjoy watching them scrap and hustle and steal all kinds of points they have no right to from the popular kids. It's fun when we knock the Rags and Devils down and take their lunch money.
19 Isle in NJ -- I am so sorry that I presented your jersey idea as though it was my original thought! I must have read it in December, forgot I had read it, and then "thought" of it later, not realizing that it came from something I'd read. So embarrassing!! Anyway, all I can say is great idea.... And you're a prince for pointing it out in such a low-key way. Have to go clean the egg off my face now.
I'd much rather the Isles built the Torrey way. But it's just not going to happen.
actually, it is happening. it is precisely what they are TRYING to do.
Posted by KH | January 18, 2008 01:45
"19 Isle in NJ -- I am so sorry that I presented your jersey idea as though it was my original thought! I must have read it in December, forgot I had read it, and then "thought" of it later, not realizing that it came from something I'd read. So embarrassing!! Anyway, all I can say is great idea.... And you're a prince for pointing it out in such a low-key way. Have to go clean the egg off my face now."
No problemo KH ... ya know ... I just scrolled up to re-read your post because I didn't know why you were apologizing. I read through these posts so fast sometimes .. that I sometimes miss some things. I thought you were implying you saw it on another post ..... but no worries ... no harm no foul ... we all draw inspiration from others, and other's ideas ... besides ... immitation is the best form of flattery.
My main point in copying my old post over was to point out how the design and color scheme of the jersey just isn't a concern of how the team looks on the ice. It has financial impact on the revenues a team generates via merchandise sales. I also pointed out how the Dallas Stars had a huge turnover of just jersey sales when adding in the black.
I also want to re-point out... the Islander Logo .. stays exactly the same with the same colors. No black in the logo itself. I just think black should replace the blue on the home jerseys, and the blue replace the orange .. and the orange becomes a trim color .... just scroll up and re-read my post on unis ..
Here is a case history of how uniforms help with fan base:
A girl I used to work with in my early 20s was a luke warm hockey fan at best. She used to kind of like all 3 local teams .. it used to drive me crazy ... then she became an LA King fan .. because she couldn't chose between the 3 teams and was always getting grief. The reason she chose the Kings? She love the Black and Silver uniforms. It wasn't even because of Gretzky ... she actually liked Marty McSorley & Kenny Baumgartner .. mostly because of their hair. She was a Metal Chick (not the one here ... lol) so the black uniform ... long haired McSorley & Kenny Baumgartner did it for her. Then Baumgartner got traded to the Isles so she liked the Isles a bit again.
Then the Devils eventually scrapped the green in their unis and added black, so she became a Devil fan .. because of the black in their jerseys. Eventually this Brooklyn girl got married to a Devil fan guy ... who she met at a Rags / Devs game @ MSG .... moved to NJ ... and started popping out Devil fan kids. She has 3 boys now ... all Devil fans .. one kid is actually a pretty good hockey player and plays varsity on his HS team ... even though I think he's only 14 or 15 tops.
See ... (insert dramatic music here) we need to think of reproducing Islander fan kids ... just like the team needs to build from the draft ... we need to start creating Isle fans from the craddle ... teach them the sacred works of the fore fathers and gaurdians of the Isles Dynasty the hockey God's gift of Lorde Stanley's Chalice ... the great oracle demands it (thunder clap ... music ends) ... OK ... you've all heard the call .... grab your honeys and get cracking.
LOLOL!!! That was ha ha for the morning ... I'm going to see if I can get my bro to go to Philly to check out Okposo this evening. Take my nephews with us too.
Oh Merrick ... God help everyone if I wrote for a living ... I don't ... so I don't have any editor to drive nuts ... only you guys.
I am putting this in seprate from my long diatribes because it deserves it's on post.
I used to never be a regular on any blog. I've posted over the years sporadically on MSG's message board ... other message boards ... under different monikers ... NYC12USA Hockey was one of them .. but since moving to NJ I kinda changed that ...
I just want you all to know that of all the "controlled" message boards I've read or participated in ... this one ... even with its sometimes out of control hostile posts ... annoying nuances (having to reenter security codes) is the best ... I'm not sure if it's the free form format of the message board itself that makes it nicer to post on ... but I know one thing for sure ... the people that post on here definitely make it a whole lot of fun.
I don't get to interact with as many Isles fan as I used to living smack dab in the center of NJ ... so it's great to recall common memories with people I've never met in my life.
Steady .. you'll find this interesting ... other than a few Islander fans I know in my local hockey rink circles ... there is one Boston Bruin fan that plays hockey with us .. he was a 10 year old when Boston last raised the cup .. he remembers the Isles becoming a power house ... and actually appreciates their rise ... and he remembers very clear "Jethro's" pounding of O'Reilly...
So it's kind of refreshing that I don't have to share all my great hockey memories with a fan of another team.
It seems we've all kind of spread out across North America ... I was already on the perimeter of Isles territory growing up. But some of your guys ... geeeeze ... I really admire not only your dedication, but truely supporting the team from afar.
It's OK not to like Howie b/c Howie is STILL A RAGS FAN! He always has been and always will be. There's something genuine about Jiggs which is why I think many of us fans were drawn to him. Everyone knows Howie loves the Rags and cannot wait to get back to the Mets.
I'm not sure I get everyone's preoccupation with MAB. The Isles are simply a better team with MAB than without. He leads the Isles in power play goals and is the main reason our PP manages to score every now and then. His 8 goals in merely 31 games would have put him on pace to score more than 20 goals over a full season.
He has more goals than regular forwards and beloved Isles Hunter as well as Park, Hilbert, Bergenheim, and as many as Tank. Many of those player have seen ample time on the first line. MAB also has as many goals as all the other defensemen on the Isles combined. You may not like him--but we need him.
I think "Windbags" was an appropriate name for a column! :)
As for hockey talk... there were quite a few 3 point games last night in the Eastern Conference...killer! Its only going to add to this log jam. As for the Rangers-Bruins home and home I am just hoping whichever team wins does so in regulation. (though I'd prefer the Bruins to win, Rangers are too close for comfort.)
Where is that edit last post button?
"I am putting this in seprate from my long diatribes because it deserves it's on post"
Should be ...
I am putting this in seprate from my long diatribes because it deserves it's OWN post
... Not going to be on here much today ... I have a lot of work to do if I'm going to make it to Philly tonight. Enjoy the day all.
Listening to Jiggs is Deja Vu....
Reminds me of growing up and hearing his voice calling the game brings back so many memories. I was so mad when they got rid of him.I love listening to the guy.
Isles' fan. We talked about it weeks ago, but now it looks more promising. I would like to spend one weekend or 2-3 days in NYC and see as many Isles' game as possible. Looking at the schedule, the best would be weekend on March 1-2 when Isles' play back-to-back home games. However, on Tue 3/4 and Thu 3/6. Isles will play in MSG and then at home against Rags two days later.
Anyway, this is what still can be agreed later. The thing is that I need to find a cheap place to stay (2 or 3 nights) and tickets to Isles' games.
I will not have a car so it's important to suggest something that is close to MSG or Colisseum. Or if there is anyone who can be with me for those 2-3 days, give me some rides etc. ... this would be highly appreciated and I will definitely pay in both cash and beer :-)
Thanks guys!
What's so wrong about watching the Rags games? I like watching as the other teams beat up on them. hahaha
I also like watching the Devils games, just because the Devils are awesome at keeping the game flowing and controlling the play. They have so many good young players too. I like Doc and Chico in the booth too... their play-by-play is awesome.
Gotta admit that I really enjoy the banter and quality hockey talk that centers around this blog. I came on here for the first time in the off-season, and it was an interesting experience filled with plenty of ridiculousness between Isles and Rags fans, but also enough really good insight, a little "insider" info from the likes of Steady, and a true passion for the game that kept me coming back.
And now that the season is here, and the changes have been made to the comment process, it has really turned into something I look forward to reading every day. In all honesty, I come here first, new post from Newsday or not, and read the comments from all you crazies (esp. you east coasters) that apparently have insomnia or just can't stop thinking about hockey.
Denver is a city of transplants, and despite having a perennial playoff team (and 2 time cup winner) in our backyards, hockey fans are surprisingly a tough breed to find out here. It was not until about 6 months ago that I started working with someone who is as much a nut about hockey as I am (he's a caps fan). So, you folks have been like my "cyber" co-workers to rant with, and it is obviously a lot more fun when we are all fans of the same team.
What is up Newsday, no Isles news to report? How about the scoop Johnson getting recalled from the Bridge - does not bode well for Campoli in my mind.
that's the "scoop ON Johnson getting recalled"
D-Money, I feel the same way. This sight has filled a void for me too. Eventhough I am in Canada, Victoria BC's sports focus is all over the map. Not enough true hockey fans in my circle.
I found this sight after the Ryan Smyth Trade. At that time the sight was running just fine. There was no need to block anything and we were left alone to post what we wanted. Takes a little longer now, but it is pretty close to what it was now.
Anyway, I have a little hockey strategy tip for the Islanders that I saw in the Canucks game last night...
Tie game, dying minutes, Linden was on the ice for a long time in a defensive role but couldn't get off the ice. He takes away the puck, passes it back to the D and heads for the bench. But before he gets there the D goes and ices it. He is keeled over bagged, but usually takes the Faceoff like Sillinger does. In fact, the commentators start talking about how good he has been on the Faceoff this night and the camera follows him. But he skates to the wing and gives one of the younger players some instructions. And the announcer says,"He must be too winded to take the faceoff". The younger player does a award-winning acting job and twice does a false start and the linesman eventually waves him out. Over skates Linden, a little more rested by now and wins the faceoff.
Purposely getting tossed from the faceoff to stall on an icing. Pretty smart.
Kevin T.
Kevin T:
Interesting story. Shows players will always find some way for that little bit more of an advantage. There is a negative I see in that however, it seems Linden would have to play the faceoff conservatively. If he gets too aggressive and also false starts then his team is hit with a delay of game penalty. I know it doesn't happen much in the NHL but that strat can really backfire!
I think MAB finally ticked me off for good when he said, after the Ottawa game (paraphrasing) that "they probably would have beaten us if they played their normal game". What a freaking airhead...
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I think MAB finally ticked me off for good when he said, after the Ottawa game (paraphrasing) that "they probably would have beaten us if they played their normal game". What a freaking airhead...
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Hahaha, dont hate him cause he's honest! :D
They WOULD have beat us playing their normal game.
The Isles didnt LET them play their normal game. That was the beauty of it. ;)
^ that was me ^ ;)
D-money
"What is up Newsday, no Isles news to report?"
Logan is working on his novel for United Airlines
Damnnnn ... no go for Philly tonight to catch Okposo, Tamby and company ..... the boys have practice at 5:45, and a game at 7:15am tomorrow morning.
Gonna have to plan ahead I guess.
I want to know which one of you looney tunes killed my boy Mookie? I got some feelers out and some hot leads. I'll find you wittle wabbit.
p.s MAB SUCKS ! Sillinger for President!
Hugs and Kisses from Beantown.
p.s MAB SUCKS ! Sillinger for President!
this is rational? you guys are too involved. in this blog.