Monday, January 21, 2013

Isles Hold On To Beat Lightning






Head Coach, Jack Capuano was behind the bench this afternoon for the New York Islanders after having surgery for kidney stones that caused him to miss the season opener on Saturday. Some 15,322 fans came out to see the Isles play the Tamapa Bay Lightning at the NVMC. Even Commisioner Bettman was in attendance.



Forwards

26 Matt Moulson - 91 John Tavares - 21 Kyle Okposo
40 Michael Grabner - 51 Frans Nielsen - 24 Brad Boyes
41 David Ullstrom - 10 Keith Aucoin - 13 Colin McDonald
17 Matt Martin - 16 Marty Reasoner - 53 Casey Cizikas

Defensemen


37 Brian Strait - 2 Mark Streit
47 Andrew MacDonald - 3 Travis Hamonic
52 Joe Finley - 7 Matt Carkner

Goaltenders

20 Evgeni Nabokov - Starter
39 Rick DiPietro

Scratches: Martinek, Hickey, Boulton. Casey Cizikas in for Boulton.

 

The New York Islanders came out ready to play and applied good pressure early, including two stopages for fighting, not even 5 seconds into the contest. Frans Nielsen looked good early and came close to getting the opening goal. Casey Cizikas looked good as well, but saw only about 5 minutes of ice time.


Michael Grabner scored on a sweet breakaway off a nice pass by Mark Streit to put the Isles up,1-0. Matt Moulson went into the locker room after falling onto his shoulder, but came out shortly after. Matt Martin was sprung from the penalty box, takes a John Tavares pass and makes it 2-0 Islanders. Okposo moves in with an odd man rush and looks as though he is making a pass, but buries it for a 3-0 New York lead.



In the third period, a Keith Aucion give and go to David Ullstrom allows Ullstrom to put a sick shot over Linback's right shoulder, short side to make it 4-0 Isles. These guys are a great combination. The Lightning would rally and reduce the Isles lead to 1 at 4-3 with over 11 minutes to play in the third period. Coach Capuano called a time out to chance the tempo of the game and it worked. During this time, the Islanders still forced offensive opportunities, but came up short. They continued to pressure Tampa Bay and in the end, were able to hold on and win the game, improving their record to 1-1-0-0.

Per islanders.nhl.com, "Aucoin, who was 8-for-10 Saturday in the faceoff circle, won 9-of-12 draws Monday. The line of Aucoin, Ullstrom and Colin McDonald combined for 11 shots on goal while averaging 10:53 of ice time between the three of them.


Following the game, Nabokov said that the win was huge for the Islanders, especially with the team heading on a five-game, eight-day road trip beginning Thursday at Toronto."


The Isles outshot Tampa by a 45-26 margin. While the PP was only 1 for 7, the PK was 3 for 3 against a dangerous TB PP unit. Nabokov was solid again.  I thought it was a breakout game for Martin, Grabner and Okposo. Tavares, Mouson and Boyes looked good as well. Credit Ullstrom for showing he belongs and I am gaining more respect for Keith Aucion every shift he plays. He works hard and is a great roleplayer. Strait was pretty good again. So far, all of Garth Snows "bargin bin" waiver pick ups are working out. I just need to see Hickey play, and soon. Depth is a good thing everyone. The "sexy" player acquisitions will come in time. Enjoy the little things for now.


John Tavares was named the games first star while Matt Martin was given second star honors.
 

 

Matt Martin, "we're sick of not making the playoffs"

 

Isles Notes:

Per @NHLhistorygirl, "I don't think you ever really get over that fear [of losing] and I don't think you ever really should get over it." - Denis Potvin

"It's a seven-game series. If we win four of them, then I'll talk about how good we are." - Denis Potvin, 1980

"We'll beat [Isles] in four games." - Leafs Harold Ballard prior to first round of 1981 Cup playoffs.

"The Islanders aren't champions, they're chumpions." - Leafs Harold Ballard, prior to 1981 first round against Isles, where Leafs lost 3-0.


Sound Tigers Notes:

1/20

Sound Tigers score w/ 29.0 left in 3rd period on PP, Combs puts rebound past Dainton to avoid shutout, final score 4-1 Springfield.


NHL Notes:

 
Per Brian Compton, "Vinny Lecavalier gets ovation from Coliseum crowd. Playing in his 1,000th NHL game today."


No comments:

Post a Comment