There is big news to report before anything else is discussed tonight:
Per Arthur Staple, Isles have agreed to terms with 2010 1st rounder (30th pick) Brock Nelson on an entry-level deal. Nelson, who had 28 and 19 for 47 points in 42 Games for North Dakota, signed an ATO with Isles affiliate, Bridgeport and will play for Sound Tigers the rest of this year. This is great news for the Islanders organization and even better news for Bridgeport in their bid in the AHL playoffs.
Tonight, your New York Islanders face the rival Devils at the Prudential center tonight in New Jersey. The Devils have made the playoffs and sit in 6th position within the eastern conference as of tonight. The Isles are 2-3-0 of 6 against New Jersey, who are currently riding a 3 game winning streak. The Isles are coming off two dismal losses, but should have no problem getting excited to play the Devils tonight.
###
Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau; Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo; Grabner-Reasoner-Niederreiter; Haley-Pandolfo-Martin.
Defensive Pairings: Striet-Eaton; Hamonic-MacDonald; Reese-Donovan.
Steve Staios and Milan Jurcina are scratched tonight.
Casey Cizikas is out with a upper body injury (day to day) and Evgeni Nabokov is out with a lower body injury and may miss the remaining games left in the season.
Matt Donovan will make his NHL debut paired with Reese. Per Dan Rosen, Isles Defensemen, Donovan will be the first player born, raised, and trained in Oklahoma to play in the NHL.
###
In the first period, the Devils waste no time and get a goal 90 seconds into the period. 1-0 New Jersey. Matt Moulson (Streit and Tavares) gets a nice rebound to tie the score at 1-1 a few minutes later. John Tavares gets his 200th assist on Moulson’s goal and its reported that he (J.T.) has been on the ice for last 59 goals Moulson has scored. Matt Donovan with a good hit and a play on the puck in his first shift in the NHL. Haley goes at Jansen after he hits Eaton in the corner. Gotta love the way Haley polices the ice for the Islanders. He and Trevor Gillies have been sorely missed this season. A solid two way period by Matt Donovan. Isles outshoot the Devils 8-6 in the first period.
The second period underway and Devils score again :22 seconds in. 2-1 New Jersey. The rest of the second period expires with both teams getting their chances, but failing to score. The Isles have still not been given the benefit of a PP opportunity, despite the chances being there to make the call by the officials. Shots were even at 8 aside with the Isles up 16-14 in the game.
The third period, more of the same. A little slow, including a 17 minute span with no shots on goal. Another slow paced and painfully numbing Devils game. Empty net for the Isles to gain the extra attacker. Devils score. 3-1 New Jersey. Kyle Okposo gets thrown out of the game for voicing his displeasure at the officials, most likely the no PP chances for New York thing. Devils out shoot Isles 6-3 in the period and 20-19 in the game. Al Montoya 17/19 with a .895Sv%. Devils 3, Isles 1 is the final.
The Islanders played a close game this time, but lost again. They were sluggish and never really took it to N.J. The bright spot was Matt Donovan. He was awesome on the blue line against some quality opposition. I have been impressed with everyone coached by Brent Thompson in Bridgeport and how they have fit in so well to the Islanders when called upon. There are a lot of bright spots coming to a numbing Isles team this summer. Lets pray for a miracle signing or two with a defensemen and maybe a scoring forward, and the kids like DiBenedetto, Rakhshani, Cizikas, de Haan, Donovan, Ullstrom, Ness and Poulin will be knocking on the door. Add a Nelson, Strome, Kabanov, Petrov and Mayfield to the mix and depth is coming, big time. There are more names than the few that just came to mind, you get my meaning.
The frustration felt by Kyle Okposo and his teammates is coming from finishing below expectations. These guys are high draft picks and come from winning programs. They want to win. When you feel hamstrung or unable to get ahead despite working your hardest, frustration can ruin you. Just look at how Michael Grabner and Nino Niederreiter are struggling. Its well documented here on KoC, I place most of the blame on the head coach. I dont hate what Coach Capuano has done, he just isn't consistant enough for me with his results or motivation as a leader.
This team will get there. Budget or not. It just depends how long and to what lengths you are willing to go as a fan. The arena situation set back ownership and management very much while trying to move forward as an organization. Charles Wang hasnt made the greatest decisions, but he kept the Isles here. And credit Garth Snow for his drafting and ability to re discover players like Moulson. The verdict on the rebuild is still out and it has taken some time to undo the damage done in the Milbury years. I know Charles Wang can be blamed here as well, but stop beating dead horses. Our team stable has become a bloody morgue from all the drama.
Or just keep up with the bashing and the hate.
Although I will be angry and frustrated at times, I’ll still be here. I am a fan of the New York Islanders.
Isles Notes:
Per the Islanders.nhl.com, “The Islanders have 1,326 blocked shots, which is the most in the NHL... Matt Martin’s 361 hits, a career high, are the most in the league as well as an all-time single season NHL record.”
Islanders announce preseason game to be played in Barrie, Ont.
Per Darren Dreger, “NHLPA expected to finalize its CBA negotiating committee next week.Between 30-35 players will be named to work with exec director Don Fehr.”
The Islanders and Pat LaFontaine story.
Mike Sielski of the Wall Street Journal – Cutting a star out of the picture:
Justin Borne’s follow up:
No comments:
Post a Comment