Islanders-Bruins Rookie Game 2

Islanders 7

Bruins 2

Five seconds into the game, there were three fights.  Some would say it was a statement about injured teammate Rhett Rakhshani (Brett Gallant vs.Tyler Randell ) and all around Islander pride.  So many players have impressed with their efforts.

The team play, especially crisp passing and special teams were much improved over last night’s game.  The positives were the play of Strome, McNeely, DiBenedetto and Nilsson who seemed to improve throughout the game.  Cizikas had another strong game and I thought Romano and Kichton made their presence felt as well.  de Haan is so steady and Kabanov seems to be improving each time I see him play.

Negatives were Katic suffering a separated shoulder and Theoret leaving the ice, reason unknown at this point.

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Tonight's rematch will see the Islander rookies look to even the score vs. the Boston rookies.  Tonight’s game is open to the fans.  Advantage, Isles. 

Changes for tonight’s game will see Anders Nilsson get the start in goal and F Rhett Rakhshani will be out with concussion.

F:  McNeely, Niederreiter, Strome.

     DiBenedetto, Ullstrom, Romano.

     Kabanov, Cizikas, Persson.

     Theoret, Olson, Gallant.

·         Olson moving to forward in Rakhshani's absence

D:  We will have to wait and see.

#    Pos  Player                         
1    G      Mikko Koskinen           
45  G      Anders Nilsson            
60  G      Kevin Poulin                
8    C      Ryan Strome               
24  D      Calvin de Haan           
25  LW   Nino Niederreiter        
33  D      Benn Olson                
41  C      David Ullstrom           
46  D      Matt Donovan           
48  D      Anton Klementyev    
49  RW   Rhett Rakhshani       
53  C      Casey Cizikas          
54  C      Tony Romano           
55  D      Aaron Ness              
56  LW   John Persson          
58  D      Brenden Kichton     
59  LW   Brett Gallant             
61  LW   Mitchell Theoret       
62  RW   Tyler McNeely          
63  D      Art Bidlevskii             

64  D      Andrey Pedan          
71  D      Mark Katic                  
77  LW   Kirill Kabanov            

81  C      Justin DiBenedetto