On the Islanders Beat

Quote from the Ottawa paper:

While the apparent lack of effort was disappointing, it wasn't entirely unexpected. Some of Ottawa's worst games have come against the league's dimmest lights.

And the Isles are still ranked in the bottom third of the league in TSN's power rankings.

*sigh* I hate Canada...

As much as I recognize the Isles have a ways to go, this Canadian-more-holy-than-thou is getting irritating. God bless the Canucks and Flames announcers for actually calling fair game and giving credit where it is due.

Lets hope we stick it to them again tonight. If the boys come out chomping at the bit we have a good shot at beating them. Go Isles!

Sometimes I wonder if Ottawa exists just to piss off the rest of the North American cities. I have heard, word-of-mouth from several Canadian friends, that most of the rest of Canada wonder what the heck is up with the fine residents of Ottawa and their "attitude." Let's just roll our eyes and move on.

Thank goodness Howie Rose will be back. I got tired of Jiggs getting the player names wrong and apologizing for lousy play-by-play commentary. Billy & Howie are a great team!!

I hope that the defense plays in a highly aware state of mind & body tonight. MAB better not turn the puck over too many times, and Campoli has to stop the cross-ice passing in the defensive zone while opposing players are onsides. We could also use a strong performance by Comrie, Guerin, and Park. Let's Go Islanders!!!

although mark is reporting that tambs is back with the big club, newyorkislanders.com is reporting that TANK will go tonight...aguess we called Tambs up again for no reason...

leaving for the game now...LETS GET 2 TONI

2 TONIght, that's 2 TONIght

I have to comment on this one. Eastern Canada (Ontario/Quebec) have traditionally had all the power and money. While Western Canada has survived by building good relationships with the US. Then we send all out taxes to Ontario/Quebec for them to spend on themselves.

Thus the level of respect versus lack of respect.

I am a BC boy and I have more in common with Seattle, Washington than I do Toronto.

Kevin T.

Kevin T- we (Long Island) have a similar relationship with the rest of New York State. We send a lot more money to Albany (the capital) from Long Island than we get back from them. In effect, we subsidize the rest of the state. We also get attitude from the Governour. So, I know what you mean (on a much smaller scale, of course).

we have to stop christopher higgins from scoring tonight. he has 7 goals in 8 games against us recently.

Yep, I am sure it happens everywhere.

I just get really ticked when they think they are speaking for all of Canada, and they come off like ignorant a-holes. Especially when it comes to hockey.

Don't you think Bobby Orr was proud to represent the city of Boston, or Steve Yzerman repesent Detroit?

Kevin T.

"While the apparent lack of effort was disappointing, it wasn't entirely unexpected. Some of Ottawa's worst games have come against the league's dimmest lights."

Yeah, well, has anyone noticed if Spezza's bulb has any incandescence to it?

Seattle fan
"we have to stop christopher higgins from scoring tonight."
STOP HIM?
I vote we revoke his passport (and Komisarek's) and make him come home.

Is it me or are the Islanders worse than Belichek and Mangini when it comes to injuries? Man, it's annoying. I understand the, "he's got a lower body injury" so it can't be a target. But, how about coming clean with length of time they're expected to miss?

Nolan would have said that Roy Hobbs was day to day after his little hotel incident.

Vukota - I agree completely. The Isles are even worse than the Jets!

Since when does a "bruised leg" keep a guy on the sideline for more than a month? Next thing you know we'll find out Martinek is out for the season to get his knee reconstructed. Then again, I could've sworn I saw a blood stain on his uniform in the abdominal area.

>Thank goodness Howie Rose will be back. I got tired of Jiggs >getting the player names wrong and apologizing for lousy >play-by-play commentary. Billy & Howie are a great team!!

I'm glad Howie Rose is back too, but we won't hear him tonight, since the game is on Versus. Probably Mike Emrick

Komisarek,I believe is from West Islip..not Islip Terrance

Is this the same Canada that the Winnipeg Jets and Quebec Nords. left? . Canada sucks.

I'd be surprised if Marty isn't being fitted for a prosthetic as we speak.

505,
I completely agree. I posted in the intermediate blog that I would love to see a blockbuster. (MAB, SATAN, HUNTER) for (Mike K, Chris Higgins and a 2nd round pick)... also Garth needs to reimburse Mike's mom for her ticket purchases and offer both of them 20 lower bowls for each HOME GAME they play at the NVMC.

Apparently Toronto is having a meltdown over their record and getting ready to hang the GM.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/morrison/2008/01/public_emasculation_of_john_fe.html

Here is a recent article, but what really made me laugh was the comment below by Winston Cole.

Enjoy...

Kevin T.

Martinek is killing me. The guy is soooooooo darn good when healthy.

Witt will be missed against these Eastern Division teams that play with grit. Get healthy soon Witt!

You want to really piss off Ottawa? Join me and some friends next year at the World Juniors in Ottawa. I am going to spray paint myself red/white/and blue.....Then drink around 20 red/white and blues.....Then cheer for USA to end Canadas run. Individual tickets will be hard to come by, but that is what ebay and credit cards are for!!!!!

Guys give Jiggs a break. YES he is old and messed up names, but for those over 35 he is a living legend. He is ISLANDERS HOCKEY where ever he goes!

Someone call a priest. Freddy Meyer is possessed.

No need for holy water for the rest of the team. They are normal and prepared to rip our hearts out if they keep playing like they did in the first period.

Hey guys, greetings from Cleveland, OH. It's a long time since my last post, but I was travelling to the US and doing some other stuff... anyway, today I watched first Isles' game here in the US. Just lost to Habs 3:1.

My impressions...

Overall: you can't win a game with 17 shots on goal and zillion of passes. We generated NO OFFENSE!

DP: Solid as always...

Def.: Meyers was one of better players, probably the best D tonight. Bergeron unvisible with only one big shot on goal late in the 3rd. Sutton & especially Berard huge disappointment.

Forwards: Comrie... thanks god he signed only for a year. Satan had two decent chances in the third but this is the only difference between him and Bergie & Vasicek. Whole line unvisible. Hunter should be traded, he is about to become younger version of Mark Parrish or Oleg Kvasha (oh, do you guys remember Kvasha?! Ouch!). Sillinger won 13 out of 18 faceoffs or so... ideal 3rd line center. Park was the best Islander (with Meyer) on the ice...

Bottom line: I already wrote it before, you can't win a hockey game with only 17 shots on goal. We have generated absolutely no offense in first two periods and would probably continue in this trend for the rest of the game should Park not score his goal. This sparked the game, but only for 2-3 minutes and that was it. Habs played it very simple in the offensice zone and that's what they won this game for them...

Question: why was Blake Comeau on the top line in last five minutes? Are you kidding me!

Note to Ted Nolan: Please do not call up Kyle Okposo. He won't changed anything this season!

Back to their old 1 goal score per game ... flashes of greatness ... flashes of last place.

I guess this is one of the downward parts of the roller coaster ride that is the Isles' season.

Arms up everyone .. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

We'll get dem Devils.

Welcome to USA Piero ... good to see you posting again...

Looks like you got right into it with the Isles ... I agree with your assessments ....

BTW ... the Sillinger stat of 13 of 18 faceoffs won was for the Ottawa game on Sunday. The announcers just brought it up after he won that face off late in the 3rd to illustrate Sillinger's importance during face offs.

Good to have you posting again. You make some very good observations.

DP ... on as usual. Showed a National audience his value to the Isles ... to bad the Isles couldn't beat those Canadiens for the American viewers ... oh well ... on to the Devils.

"Daddy why do the Isles never shoot on the Montweal goalie?"

That was my 3 1/2 year old watching tonights game!

19 Isles,,,,,,The weeeeeeeee was hysterical!

They fooled us again. Let's try and rebound against the Devs. Sooooooooo frustrating!

LOLOL!!! Steady ~ Glad you liked that roller coaster reference ... that is what I feel we go through ...

I'm not going to get too high or low anymore ... I'm just going to enjoy the games as much as I can without the scoring. Three goals in a game is a bonus.

Classic what your 3 1/2 year old said ... I'd like to think it's because they are looking for the perfect high % shot ... because at least that is an excuse ... but look what Eddie O said just prior to the Isles scoring ... Guerin got it to the net .... key play .... So hopefully your 3 1/2 year old will not have to see many more of the Isles futility in shots on goal. It's like they wait too long of the course of a game to figure out what to do before they begin putting on pressure sometimes.

I'll call tonight's game the Western Canada / Ottawa Minions hang over, and not lose sleep over it tonight.

Just back from the game ...some thoughts from section 217 ...

1) I'm going to email the Islanders tonight and ask for a refund. I'm serious. I pay a whole lot of money, granted the tix are discounted cause of deals for season tic holders, but its still way too much for what was displayed on the ice tonight. This was such a boring game from the get go ...this is what we've been talking about. Winning is important, but its sports - it should be FUN - but watching a bunch of scrubs not be able to skate is very frustrating. 4 shots at the midway point of the game (none of which were real chances either)

2) No one hates it more when people yell "shoot!" more than I do, because often the players have no clear path to the net or are being hounded BUT what the h-ll was Campoli thinking?

3) This entire team is pretty much garbage. They're no fun to watch. They have people playing in spots they shouldn't be. I like Park, and he scored tonight, but why's he our #1 line winger? Why do we have to pay full price to watch a bunch of 3rd and 4th liners cycle the puck around for the 60 minutes and never get anyone to the front of the net while other teams have speed and can break out?

4) I go back and forth on this because my natural desire is to see them make the playoffs, but we need to finish last or as close to last as possible ...they need some youth that can score desperately! If they make the playoffs they'll get bounced 1st round and get a mid-level pick ...Okposo, Tambellini, Walter, Figren, Rahkshani, Comeau ....we need more young guys that can skate and I know this is against the Isles motto but we need guys that can also PRODUCE!!!!!! We need more players that give us a reason to show up and cheer ...people we sitting on their hands tonight and no one can blame them!

General observations from section 309:

The first period was horrible - 1 shot? 1 shot?!? There went the game. They can't win if they don't shoot. Comeau's unwillingness to shoot the puck is annoying - he makes a good run at the net, and then pulls up, spins, and passes. Ugh! It really showed his lack of confidence. There were too many cross-ice passes that were picked off by Canadiens. Most of the Islander forwards seemed to be skating slow. The crowd was the quietest crowd that I've heard in my last 6 games at NVMC. There was a lack of energy tonight. The hits were good tonight, though. 3 penalties and no fights - that's the fewest I've seen in any game this year.

At least I was sitting next to 2 guys who were talking hockey the whole time. They were interesting to listen to. Apparently, the dad knows some of the players, and the son plays college hockey.

On to Newark... and the Devils, who we've beaten up every game this season.

I was at the game and it pretty much had the atmosphere of a exhibition game. It seemed like the game was being played in slow motion. I'll chalk it up to that old "it being the first game back from a long road trip" letdown. Hopefully the Isles will be well rested for the Devils tomorrow since they barely broke a sweat tonight.

Fits my low-attendance theory. The Isles are now 10-3 in front of home crowds above 14K, and 3-5-2 in front of home crowds below 14K. Huge split. Coach Ted needs to figure out a way to get them mentally ready when the fans are not there in big numbers (invariably on weeknights).

That wasn't the worst game to attend this year, but certainly far from the most fun. The crowd was more than I expected--and if the Isles gave us anything to root for, would have been energetic.

Once again, this team has very little skill. As Cincy posted yesterday, the PP is nauseating to watch. Montreal played MAB high, which is supposed to open up lanes down low--IF someone could pass a puck. Of course, when we do make a nice pay, the one-timer is flubbed, as Satan did in the 3rd.

Actually, the worst thing I saw tonight was when I got home on NHL on the Fly. Wang with Simon. I hope Simon took his meds.

This team doesn't deserve to play in front of a national audience. Don't get me wrong...I love this team as much as you...but its bad for the game of hockey. I think the isles played a decent defensive effort today. A cough up on our blue line, and one on the PP cost us. We should be used to the lack of offence by now. Its fun for me to watch because of the crest on their jersey, but in reality this team is so boring to watch compared to other teams. We should be counting our blessings that we're in the position that we're in

The Isles picked the wrong game to lay an egg on national television. They totally muted the buzz about them in one game after having a spirited 5 game road trip.

DP didn't disappoint, although he might of been fooled pretty good on one of the shots.

When AZS posts I can kind of take the day off from posting.. because he always seems to have his finger on the pulse of the team and the game. I'm not a season ticket holder ... but my sofa is reserved for most of the games at home.

Regarding the Wang / Simon thing... they showed them on Vs. and it seemed more like Wang was lecturing him by his body language. He seemed really serious in his lip flapping eye brow raising gestures toward Simon. I think they should have Simon spend the rest of the season in the minors IMO.

The team is slow ... the veterans will only get older and slower next season..... we need youth ... speed ... a great draft pick ,,, and two really good UFA signings ... one star forward ... and one star d-man.

I'll be posting later this evening about my overall feeling of where this team might be headed.

Enjoy the day all.

All I can say is that Freddy Myer had a nice game and has really impressed me in filling in for Witt. Anything else i would want to say has already been said and I am going to avoid any further negativity. I will save that for after tonights game if it is a repeat performance. Lets bounce back.

Wow.. you folks are nuts. They are missing their top two "D". Meyer has stepped up, but he's no Brendan Witt, and Gervais was getting beat like a drum.
I'd like to see Sutton be the man, but I have a feeling he was hurt somewhere on theroad becasue he seems invisible.
They held a very good team to 2 goals and stayed in the game without Braveheart and Marty, but they are also playing hurt. Satan and Tank are day to day, so we can assume that they are playing through injuries. It's a tough stretch to rest them, but maybe it is a good time to rest one and give tambellini the chance he deserves.
The first home game after an extended road trip is always tough. Add to that playing against a tough MON team that was trying to save face after a dismal performance against the LOWLY RANGERS. It's really not the end of the world, they just need to hold their position until they can get healthy. A win against teh devs puts them on the right path again.
Might not be a bad spot to see Dubie, Tamby and Johnson.

ALSO...We can all root for a 2 point ranger-Sabre game. I don't care who wins, I'm just tired of the teams we're chasing or being chased by playing 3 point games...

Can anybody tell me why the NHL refuses to make every game worth 3 points?
WIN - 3 points
OT WIN - 2 points
OT LOSS 1 point
LOSS 0 points

JP -- Totally agree, except I would make it

WIN or OT WIN - 3 points
SO WIN - 2 points
SO LOSS - 1 point
LOSS or OT LOSS - 0 points

The skating part of the OT would be an extension of regulation except for the 4-on-4 aspect of course. To me, if the teams are still skating against each other, that should be treated as a "real" win or loss. The point of removing a skater is to make it easier for either side to score and so make the game more likely to end quickly. But it doesn't render it "not the game of hockey" like a shootout. Just my 2¢... purely subjective.

By the way, am I imagining things or do you swing back and forth between a rather upbeat assessment of this team and a very dark vision of a barren franchise that needs not just to clean house, but to plow the house under and rebuild through the draft with Ricky as the foundation... depending on which day you post? ;-)

Unfortunately, I think this is as good as the Islanders get, unless Garth makes a deal for a stud scorer. They'll finish 7th or 8th, maybe 6th with some luck. And get blown out in the first round of the playoffs by Ottawa, again. So what would be the harm in recalling the entire Tambellini-Nielson-Okposo line from Bridgeport and give them some regular third-line ice time? Let 'em rip, and bench Hilbert, Fedetenko and Vasicek. Or Fred Jackman. The team as currently constituted doesn't score enough to put together 5 or 6 or 7 wins in a row, so give the kids a chance.

KH, your'e not imagining. The swing in attitude on this blog is a roller coaster...as is the team.

I think the 3 pt regulation win, 2 point OT win break down makes great math sense but I think it would even further put hockey into that "niche" category. The 4-digit record provides an accurate picture of performance but speaking strictly of attracting new fans and putting the game up on the big stage in terms of media coverage I think a record of 26-14 is a lot easier to digest then 22-4-9-5.

My wish would be to have games stay 2 points and just play continuous 4 on 4 OT until someone wins it. I know its not realistic as regulation overtime games would go on too long and that causes problem with TV coverage, but it would be exciting! In addition there would no longer be 2 vs. 3 pt games and everyones record would simply be wins vs losses.

You're forgetting the fact that the addition of the shootout has been one of the great new features that has given the NHL its legs again. I don't think they're ready to throw that away.

I agree, the shootout isn't going away, so let's just enjoy the ride.

As for the roller-coaster views on this team, I couldn't agree more. They go from having me convinced they can compete to making me want to strangle all of them save DP and Witt seemingly game-to-game. I realize that since the Lighthouse is a sensitive issue Wang is less willing to blow the team up and go for a youth movement. However, anybody who follows sports knows you sometimes need to take a step back before you can take a step forward. I just hope that come the trade deadline we have a clear picture of where this team is going so we can make decisions accordingly.

http://www.lilighthouse.com/

we played bad for the first 30minutes..its a loss..get over it...not worried.

Lets beat the devils

The view from section 505
No excuses, flat team last night, for the second time in a row MTL outplayed the Isles in what the Isles do best....defense and backchecking. The Isles do not have the weapons to overcome a team that plays defense as good or better as the Isles.

Miro Satan is playing himself into oblivion. I suspect he has no trade value at this point and he ain't gonna get much more than a token lowball offer as a UFA. Being on national(?) TV last night did not help his cause with all the opportunities (3? 4?) he could not convert. Sniper? If he's a sniper, Hilbert is an assassin.
Freddy Meyer could fetch more in a trade right now.
I am becoming concerned with Comeau's "tentativeness" in the offensive zone during the last few games. It's like someone told him "don't shoot".
Please put Tank or Satan on the IR and call up Tambs.

Huet must have watched the Ottawa game, cuz Comrie tried the EXACT same move he scored with on Gerber and Huet read him like a book. Comrie will probably try that same move 5 or 6 times in a row now. (At least he has pretty much put the toe drag to bed).
No offense to those of you who were there, BUT THE CROWD SUCKED. (Ya shudda seen Toronto last night there were more empty seats there than a 7AM Monday morning mass at St. James in Seaford).
Do I have to buy more charity tickets?
I would give a right testicle to see Higgins and Komisarek in an Isles jersey. At least it would add a 100 or so more fannies in the rink.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

BEAT THE DEVILS PLEASE. We have the Hummer Challenge on the line.

Notwithstanding KH’s assessment, I think JPofVA paints the most reasonable picture of the team and last night’s game. In fact, I think KH was missing the context of JP’s post. He was optimistic regarding the circumstances surrounding last night’s game, while he tends to be pessimistic about the CURRENT state of the Islanders prospects, most notably the defense. JP – please correct me if I’m the one who’s not reading you correctly.

I tend to agree with JP regarding last night’s game. Yes, I saw negatives. Particularly in the offensive decisions made by Campoli. He was directly responsible for the 2nd period shortie when he pinched at the absolute wrong time, and he made a stupid pass to Hunter with the net empty that was easily intercepted for the Habs 3rd goal. BUT… Campoli along with the rest of the D played extremely well last night. In fact, the absence of Witt may actually have been an advantage against the speedier Montreal team. (Perhaps Nolan might want to think about resting Witt in the future against some of the faster skating, less physical teams that tend not to plant a big body in front of the net). Most have brought up the first period in a negative light, but the only negative that I saw was in the offensive zone passing and decision-making. The neutral zone play and puck movement out of the defensive zone in that period was outstanding.

Question for those at the game: One of the commenters to Mark Hermann’s article today mentioned the behavior of the fans in the “Loudville” section. Specifically, they supposedly yelled “Canada sucks” during the anthems. Did anyone notice this?

505 -- Isn't it amazing how many of the guys we want in an Isles jersey for sentimental reasons also happen to be outstanding players/prospects? Anyway, here's my sentimental list:

LIers
Komisarek
Higgins
Rob Scuderi of the Penguins (from Syosset, grew up an Isles fan)

Legacies
Zach Parise
Eric Nystrom
Colton Gillies (Wild 1st-round pick already)
Brandon Nolan (sorta) (ok, this would be taking the nepotism way too far...)

Anyone else I'm forgetting?

"The swing in attitude on this blog is a roller coaster...as is the team."

Good point, actually. The thing about the team is that we all knew they didn't have God-given talent, and we're OK with losing when the team leaves it all on the ice and comes up short. But this team was billed as one that would never lose a game as a result of lack of effort or hustle. Getting rid of Yashin was supposed to be the final step in that direction. Unfortunately, we’ve all seen them take a lot of periods off this year, and even entire games. When they do skate and give that “Nolan-type effort” we were all told about, I think this team is far better than any of us thought they’d be. But there are other times where it looks like the BP team could come up and give a better effort. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy with the point production on the road trip – thrilled, actually, but it took until somewhere in the second period of the Vancouver game – 2 ½ games into the trip – for anyone other than DP to even show up on the ice and play the game with some sort of passion. It’s more frustrating when we watch the same team come out like men possessed and play with insane energy that same week in Calgary and shortly after in Ottawa. Consistent effort was something I don’t think any of us thought we’d have to worry about, but that, rather than lack of ability, I think has been the biggest hurdle so far. I would have to say that Vasicek has been the biggest offender here.

Cincy - I heard the comments during the Canadian anthem. It was only a couple of people, but unfortunately the place is quiet during the anthems, so one person shouting carries across the whole arena and everyone can hear it. Far more telling, I think, though, is how the entire crowd applauded nice and loud after the Canadian anthem was completed.

cincy-i was in loudville last night and yes there were a couple of @$$holes that kept on yelling...seemed like 1 person would start it and then the next would say something and so on and so on....i would say it was prob close to 10 different people that were yelling stupid things...it got to the point last night where they were yelling things during the USA anthem...how the isles are going to fix it i do not know but it was pretty ibad and something has to get done....btw it wasn't just just loudville section, it was that hole side of the arena.

I'll be the contrarian/Satan's lawyer re effort: The season's 82 games long, which is too damn long for a heavy-contact sport anyway, and the Nolan style of play is especially bruising and exhausting. The Islanders lead the league in hits, and I have no doubt we're also among the leaders in blocked shots. The guys are just wiped, many perhaps most are playing hurt, and it shows. I think Teddy does get a consistent effort, but remember the Isles have to try a lot harder than the more talented, quicker teams to look like they're trying. Right? If you're trying to catch a quicker skater, you've got to bust arse to keep up. When you're both giving the same effort, you look slow and lazy and he looks like he's working.

I don't think guys are taking games off, but maybe there is some degree of trying to pace themselves over a long season. Better to have something left for the playoffs. Al Arbour discovered that between the 78-79 and 79-80 seasons. The Isles backed off the breakneck intensity with which they'd been chasing the President's Trophy in previous years, and had enough gas in the tank to win their first Cup.

Yes, I realize that this team may need to give it their all just to make the playoffs. But I don't think all the ripping is deserved.

If what I just said is right, it does argue for giving the youngsters more playing time though. The old guys get rested, healed, etc. The young guys develop (and we all feel they'd play just as well as some of the older players have lately). There's healthy competition. It's a win-win.

Cincy, I may be old school, but fan behavior during national anthems has been growing steadily worse this year--regardless of the opponent and Candian or U.S.. I remark on every game.

It's also not confined to Loudville. It started last year in the playoffs during a moment of silence no less, and the shouts during anthems now are quite numerous. And when people are not shouting, they're simply talking. While crowds used to be quiet, now there is a distinct talking buzz--and it's not people singing the lyrics. To me, it's just another example of the culture in the toilet. I'm very curious to see what it's like at the Rock tonight.

Of course, some teams have a habit of butchering the anthems on their own. In Okposos's Bridgeport debut, they had a bunch of school kids on violins play the anthem. They may have been cute, but anyone who has gone to their own kids' school concerts knows what that sounds like--so if there were any shouts during this anthem, they were shouts of pain! Poor Kyle.

cincy-where did u see that article where mark mentions about loudville.....can't seem to find it

If the score is tied at the end of regulation, I would like to see 2 5-minute OT 'periods' be played: the first as 4-on-4, the second as 3-on-3. The chances of getting to the shootout (which most people seem to dislike) would be a lot slimmer.

KH / Upstate –

I think you both make good points about effort, the lack thereof, and the reality of the age/talent level of this team relative to what level of effort we should be willing to expect. But I think there’s another variable here that needs to be addressed. And I might be touching the “3rd rail” among fans by doing so.

Here goes… I’m so entirely sold on the job that Guerin has done so far as Captain. Don’t get me wrong, he’s light-years better than Yashin, and I’m sure he’s probably at least average, if not above-average, in his abilities to lead IN THE LOCKER ROOM. I’m just not sold yet on his leadership on the ice.

To explain my point, consider the Sunday’s Sens game. The Sens were playing with little emotion, little effort and were missing a few pieces of their offense. What was the reaction of their Captain? Alfredsson became a one-man example of effort. He was the one who confronted Meyer after the hit on Spezza. In fact, he was the first one to start hitting everything on the ice that was moving. He was also the one to do the most “trash-talking” to the Isles. I’m not saying that Guerin needs to do those exact things whenever the team needs an obvious spark. All I’m saying is that he needs to do SOMETHING in those situations to try to get the team going. Whether it’s calling people out on the bench, leading by example on the ice, or anything else – it’s his responsibility to LEAD the team when they’re in obvious need of leadership. But I’m not even sure Guerin has accurately PERCEIVED those instances of need. He was interviewed last night by Deb Kaufman, and was asked what he thought about the 1st period shot total. By this time the Isles were down 2 goals and had played poor offensive zone hockey. His remark was that he felt the shot total wasn’t really reflective of the play on the ice. WHAT???? Even if that statement was half-true (which it wasn’t), was he really perceiving the game the way the Captain should be perceiving? I don’t think so. It should’ve been obvious that the team was flat and that they needed someone to step up and say so – either by word or action.

Islesfan222 - It wasn't in Hermann's article. It was in one of the comments to the article.

Sorry, I meant to type...

I’m NOT entirely sold on the job that Guerin has done so far as Captain

whoops.

Cincy: I was across the coliseum, but I heard the shouts from the Loudville side anyway. I couldn't quite hear what was shouted. It was numerous times, not just once or twice. As 'Upstate Isles Fan' wrote, there was a much louder ovation at the end of the Canadian anthem than usual. During the Star Spangled Banner, I heard numerous "Rangers suck" shouts. It was disheartening to hear these things, and I found it to be very disrespectful.

JP, 2 quick things:

1. Sorry for not answering your message....I got moved off my project in Washington, and it doesn't look like I'll be back there anytime soon.

2. I just saw your question about Rakhshani from 2 threads ago (give me a break, I was sick yesterday). Rakhshani goes to Denver University, and anyone who plays hockey for that team almost always plays all 4 years at school before moving forward. Expect to see him play the next 2 years at DU before moving on to a year at the Bridge and a substantial role with the Islanders. Then again, nobody expected to see Okposo this early....

Cincy, I'm with you on the Guerin assessment. He doesn't seem to be fully aware of how a captain needs to act in certain situations. Peca was really the only captain I can remember that put the team on his back and assumed responsibility for improving the play. You can't even say Guerin will pick it up because he's been in this league so long. If he doesn't have that sense now, he won't ever develop it.

no disresepect intended, but there is no way for anyone on the outside to know how well or to what degree a certain captain is fulfilling his responsibilities in that role. there will aways be indiscretions, mistakes etc. on the ice, regardless of who the captain is or how effective he is. what noone who is not in the room and is not around the team on a regular basis can know is how any captain relates to, affects, influences his teammates. and if you don't know that, its unfair to judge a captain's performance.

Good points KH and Cincy...I was going to mention that Guerin quote, too. I think he (or maybe someone else...pretty sure it was Guerin) also said that they played well in the second and third periods. I didn't really see that. There was about a seven-minute span in the second where it looked like they found their legs...but the third? Other than the lone goal on a quick strike, the fans were booing because it really looked like the Isles had never before seen a team employ the 1-2-2 trap before. The Isles would just cycle back to their own zone over and over again like a dryer. Maybe, on that point, it's a matter of preparation and studying some film. But when Montreal switched to the trap, the Islanders looked utterly confused, almost like they would have never expected it from that team. I guess it could also be that they were prepared for it, but the Habs just executed it to perfection. Who knows.

It's true that none of us can say how a captain leads within the room. However, as a fan I can say that I'm disappointed when the captain does not call out his team for poor performance, nor does he take it upon himself to try to make things happen out there. I wish Guerin was doing more of that.

"no disresepect intended, but there is no way for anyone on the outside to know how well or to what degree a certain captain is fulfilling his responsibilities in that role. there will aways be indiscretions, mistakes etc. on the ice, regardless of who the captain is or how effective he is. what noone who is not in the room and is not around the team on a regular basis can know is how any captain relates to, affects, influences his teammates. and if you don't know that, its unfair to judge a captain's performance."

Guerin? Is that you?

Just kidding - obviously we can't know what's going on in the locker room...but one thing Internet message boards are great for is speculating! And I think Cincy did a good job of explaining why he holds that opinion...rather than just writing something like "Guerin sucks as captain!" and leaving it at that.

I have been slightly critical of Guerin's "on ice" captaincy from time to time. The fact that I have made mention of it when I have seen it a FEW times on display this season is not insignificant.
However, I am also a firm believer that he gets a full season with the title before any true overall evaluation can be determined.
At this point he is light years ahead of Yashin, which really means nothing and beats nothing.

I'm disappointed when the captain does not call out his team for poor performance,

how do you know he isn't ?

I'd cut Guerin some slack.

The guy was just about to start a press conference annoucing his signing and the Bobbleheads throw a C on his jersey and say, "Go on out there." He's their pick.

Everyone's style is different; so be it. But I do agree with Cincy in that it would have been nice for Guerin for to at least have started jawing with Alfredsson on Sunday night.

ex -

Your point is well taken. And it's true. But if you notice in my comment about Guerin, I specifically gave him the benefit of the doubt behind closed doors, so-to-speak. My comment was only directed to his role as captain ON THE ICE. While a fan generally can't hear what's being said on the bench, we can watch to see if anything at all is being said, to whom it might be directed, the manner in which it's directed, and the circumstances which may have generated the comment/call-out. We can also readily observe what a captain might do during a game that is specifically intended to change the mood or energy level of his team.

KH

"I'll be the contrarian/Satan's lawyer re effort:"

I am not questioning his effort. Certainly if his effort was not there, Nolan is the type of coach who would not be playing him.

I am questioning his abilities at this point in his career.

I would like nothing better than if he printed this blog, hunted me down and shoved it up my......after scoring 15 goals in 15 games.

Merrick,

"But I do agree with Cincy in that it would have been nice for Guerin for to at least have started jawing with Alfredsson on Sunday night."

He did. It was pretty clear on the Ottawa feed late in the 3rd period.
That incident was behind of my post game comments about Guerin demonstrating some on ice captaincy during the game..

Now that's funny. My post about effort was in response to Upstate Isle's post about the whole team's lack of effort. But because I called myself "Satan's lawyer," 505 thought I was responding to his post about Miro. I was just saying "Devil's advocate"... you know, THE Satan, not the one from Slovakia.

I don't question Miro's effort. And neither does Satan.

about guerin, a few times last night when the team looked extremly lost u could see him tryin to stir it up with a few Montreal players (it was on the other end of the ice so i really couldn't see with who) but none of them would bite....i for 1 do not question his leadership at all

KH
"Isn't it amazing how many of the guys we want in an Isles jersey for sentimental reasons also happen to be outstanding players/prospects?"

It's not amazing, simply another corollary to "the audacity of hope".

I'm still holding out for Garth to put together the blockbuster 3 way trade together with MTL and TPA that sends Higgins/Komisarek to the Isles, Vinnie L to Les Habs, and the Isles send half the team to Tampa. Unfortunately, it's probably gonna have to include an Okposo, and/or a Tambs and/or a Nielsen, and a young D-man (Meyer, Campoli or Gervais) and a quality goaltender yet to be determined (Price from MTL?)
Oh, and any other forward on the current Isles roster.

Just my mindless role playing opinion

KH
"But because I called myself "Satan's lawyer," 505 thought I was responding to his post about Miro."

WHOOPS!! LOL.

ex -
Your point is well taken. And it's true. But if you notice in my comment about Guerin, I specifically gave him the benefit of the doubt behind closed doors, so-to-speak. My comment was only directed to his role as captain ON THE ICE. While a fan generally can't hear what's being said on the bench, we can watch to see if anything at all is being said, to whom it might be directed, the manner in which it's directed, and the circumstances which may have generated the comment/call-out. We can also readily observe what a captain might do during a game that is specifically intended to change the mood or energy level of his team.

fair enough. but also keep in mind that stuff happens during the game, on the ice, on the bench, that a fan can't see. even more so on tv. just because you didn't see something doesn't mean it didn't happen.
i guess i'm a little sensitive about it.
i may have been a little oversensbe a little i

may have been a little oversensbe a little i

sorry about the sloppiness. i don't do this stuff very often.