First, Per Arthur Staple, "the Islanders have agreed to terms with G John Grahame on a deal to run through end of this season, pending physical. Last played in NHL w/CAR in 07-08 season. Grahame, 36, was coaching w/Sioux City of USHL." Kevin Poulin is needed back in Bridgeport to help the Tigers push for the playoffs, so Grahame affords the Islanders organization security and flexibility in net.
Tonight, the Isles face the Penguins at NVMC for game 2 of the home at home series. Nino Niederreiter is in the line up tonight skating with Michael Grabner and Marty Reasoner. Lets hope for something big!
###
Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau; Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo; Grabner-Reasoner-Niederreiter; Martin-Cizikas-Pandolfo
Defensive Pairings: MacDonald-Hamonic, Streit-Reese, Eaton-Staios.
Al Montoya is in goal, Kevin Poulin backing up.
Jurcina scratched.
###
In a back and forth first period, Al Montoya with some big saves early and Nino Niederreiter shows some great moves on his way to the net. Both teams with scoring chances until Marty Reasoner (Streit and Bailey), yes, Marty Reasoner scores at the 11:07 mark for the Islanders. It is his first goal of the season and first as an Islander. 1-0 New York. Streit with 200th career assist. Pittsburgh is out shooting the Islanders 7-4.
The second period starts with a Dylan Reese clearing attempt hitting Sidney Crosby in the face, possibly breaking his nose. There is a lot of blood on the ice as Crosby is helped to the dressing room. Penguins score and tie the game at 1-1 off a neutral zone turnover. Matt Martin looking good again tonight. Crosby is back on the bench for Pittsburgh. Kyle Okposo (Bailey and Hamonic) gets a rebound, then a goal off Penguin defenders, 2-1 Isles. Okposo has points in 4 straight. Niederreiter is buzzing tonight. Huge turnover on Pittsburgh power play, Pandolfo chips it up to Bailey with a nice move around Fleury and a defender hanging on, Bailey scores! 3-1 Isles. Arthur Staple mentions, "Josh Bailey's second straight 3-pt game. He's 6-9-15 last 15 games; was 6-8-14 first 60 this season." The play of Bailey and Streit continues to improve and that’s good for the Isles. Period ends with Isles 9, Penguins 7 on shots in the period with Pittsburgh ahead 14-13 for the game.
In the third period, Montoya continues to keep the Isles in the game. His confidence is coming back and he looks good. Kyle Okposo (Bailey and Nielsen) scores his career high, 20th goal! 4-1 Isles. What else can you say about Okposo’s play lately as well. Its good to see a few core guys recover from a shaky start to the season. Its also Bailey’s first 4 point game of his career. Penguins score cutting the Isles lead to 2 goals at 4-2. Islanders continue to keep up their intensity and play a strong fore-checking transitional game. At 1:40 left in the game, the Penguins net is empty. Pittsburgh scores. 4-3 Isles. Penguins continue to pressure isles with the extra skater for 90 seconds. Time out called by Pittsburgh at :30 remaining to regroup. Isles with a srong face off win and good zone defense get the puck into the neutral zone and Josh Bailey puts it into the open net. 5-3 Isles! It’s a 5-point night for Bailey. Isles get out shot by Penguins 15-11 in the period and 29-24 in the game. Al Montoya goes 26/29 with an .897Sv%. Isles win 5-3.
Islanders sweep Penguins putting them further behind the surging New York Rangers. The Islanders finish strong tonight against a very good team. Great team game all around and solid defensive and transitional game. The Islanders reach the .500 mark for the first time since October at 33-33-11 with 77 points and make a statement tonight at home. Allow me to credit the whole coaching staff for a job well done. Just need to do it all consistantly. The new line combinations and resolve seem to be coming into place for the Isles. Can you say secondary scoring!
Isles Notes:
Per N.Y. Islanders, Matt Moulson has opened the scoring an NHL-leading 11 times this season and the Isles are 9-1-1 when he does so.
Matt Moulson is 4th all-time on most consecutive games played with the Islanders.
Per Brian Compton, David Ullstrom returned to Bridgeport.
Isles have Boston on Saturday @ 1 p.m. and Ottawa on Sunday @ 3 p.m. at home this weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment