Per islanders.nhl.com, "Though the first
NHL game played at Barclays Center in Brooklyn was not an Islanders victory, it
was an experience the players involved will never forget. A near-sellout crowd
of 14,689 watched the New Jersey Devils defeat the Islanders 3-0, but an
electric atmosphere could be felt from the first note of the national anthem
all the way through the final horn."
The 14,689 on hand brought great energy and fan fare to the event.
It was an epic thing to see, even on
Twitter. Fans stormed the LIRR to make
their way to the Barclays Center to be a part of Islanders history. The first time the Isles were to play an
opponent in their soon to be Brooklyn home. And
even though it was the only another preseason game against the rival Devils,
the atmosphere was more playoff like.
Fans had been waiting for this ever since last years version of the very
same match up was cancelled when the NHL owners locked out the NHLPA and its
players and cancelled part of last season.
So lets just say, everyone was excited and feeling the moment.
Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Bouchard, Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo, Martin-Cizikas-McDonald,
Boulton-Sundstrom-Johnson.
Defensive Pairings: MacDonald-Donovan,
Strait-Hamonic, Reinhart-Visnovsky.
Per Arthur Staple, "Okposo
and MacDonald are wearing the 'A's tonight."
Goaltending: Nabokov
is starting, while Milner is backing up in the game.
Unfortunately for the Isles and their fans, although
the team came out energized and applying pressure, they were not offensively dialed
in, or defensively responsible. The PP needs Visnovsky to step up
and be a leader, but he never fully emerged as one. Their team defense was playing
way too loose and made it difficult to defend in their own zone. Evgeni Nabokov shared in some of the
culpability. His positioning and unsettled play in his own crease allowed a
few "suspect" shots to get in behind him.
It also didn't help that Corey Schneider put on a goaltending clinic and played a great game. During their soft PP chances & offensive breaks, the Isles didn't seem to bother, screen or bump Schneider at all, allowing him to remain comfortable and focused. Johnson and Hamonic dropped the gloves late in the third period, but by then it was too late. Kyle Okposo had taken a stick to the eye that was good enough for a 4:00 minor, but no penalty was called for the loose stick work.
It also didn't help that Corey Schneider put on a goaltending clinic and played a great game. During their soft PP chances & offensive breaks, the Isles didn't seem to bother, screen or bump Schneider at all, allowing him to remain comfortable and focused. Johnson and Hamonic dropped the gloves late in the third period, but by then it was too late. Kyle Okposo had taken a stick to the eye that was good enough for a 4:00 minor, but no penalty was called for the loose stick work.
The Isles fell to the New Jersey Devils by the
score on 3-0 in their first game at the Barclays Center. The crowd started to get restless as things
got away from the Islanders, even with a smattering of boo birds showing their displeasure. It seemed that the significance of the obstructed views and
tight upper concourse began to amplify under the frustration of a spoiled
opening night mood. Some fans even started
making more of an issue out of the longer train rides into Brooklyn and saying
that at least the Coliseum was built for hockey.
I love the Coliseum too. I was frustrated about the outcome of last
nights game as well. Hearing at least
one goal horn, and feeling the crowd explode in celebration would have been
nice. But the Islanders lost another
pre season game. It was just one game
and would hope they have already worked on the defensive short comings and soft
PP styles employed last night. Its time
for Coaches to coach and leaders to step up and lead. As one Whalers fan put it, Isles fans should stop complaining
about the longer trip to games and how the teams owner operates, the last time it
happened to him, his owner sent his team to North Carolina. Perspective.
Stop the hate and give em' a real chance to work
through things. Be realistic and we
will get through what 'can be' the final few moments of the rebuild to
greatness.
Isles will play in Nashville tonight @6pm and home vs. the Preds @7pm on Thursday, 9/27.
Isles Notes:
Per Brian Compton, "The vibe I got tonight is that Griffin Reinhart starts
the season with Isles. Have 9 games to make a decision."
Help make Back for More @NYIslanders Anthem!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhKNuoaGHO0 … … … … … … … … … #Isles #believe #STRONGisland @FFDP
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