Knight of Cups: Isles Lose Splits In Calgary, Clutterbuck Injured

Your New York Islanders fell by the scores of 5-3 in Calgary & 4-2 in Regina in split squad games against the Flames. It was strange that each squad allowed 4 goals in the 2nd period.

In Regina,

Fowards: Moulson-Tavares-Bouchard; Strome-Nelson-Lee; Martin-Cizikas-McDonald; Boulton-Sundstrom-Gallant.

Defensive pairings: Strait-Hamonic; Visnovsky-Hickey; Ness-Finley.

Nabokov (14/16) starting in net. Reiter (20/22) is backing up.

Final, 4-2 Loss, Tavares and Moulson are the Isles goal scorers. Final shots-on-goal 38-23 in favor of Calgary.

In Calgary,

Forwards: Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo, Grabner-Regin-Clutterbuck, Persson-Wetmore-Bruton, Kabanov-Clark-Johnson.

MacDonald-Donovan, de Haan-Carkner, Reinhart-Pulock.

Poulin (16/18) starting in goal, with Nilsson (11/13) also out for warmups.

Final, 5-3 Loss, Grabner, Reinhart and Wetmore the goal scorers for NYI. Shots: NYI 21 CGY 30.

I was able to catch the game in Calgary on the Isles webcast.

Islanders forward, Cal Clutterbuck suffered a Skate laceration in the third period of last nights split-squad game vs the Flames in Calgary. Head Coach, Jack Capuano says he'll miss "extended" time as a result of the injury, perhaps even the start of the season. With Clutterbucks injury, the Isles lose a big piece of the team they intended to start the season with. All the grit, physicality and offensive flair brought by Clutterbuck is lost until his return. But its hockey and unexpected injuries do happen.

But, this enables the detractors of Garth Snow and the Isles Organization to revoice their negative opinions and complain about the Niederreiter trade to Minnesota. Clutterbucks injury, will be harped upon as a failure by Snow for some reason and because Nino scored a nice goal while playing hard in the wild's loss to Columbus last night. I wish him luck. I wished he played that way while he was with the Isles instead of getting 1 goal in 55 games with a -29 rating during the 11-12 season.

What it will do for Isles Prospects Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome, is give them a chance to fight for a roster spot created by the injury after a strong performance in camp thus far.

Michael Grabner opened the scoring for the Isles, followed by Griffin Reinhart and Riley Wetmore. Cal Clutterbuck, Peter Regin, Chris Burton, Wetmore and Justin Johnson debuted for the Isles. The Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo failed to make much of an impact in the score, though they hustled and did generate chances. They must improve. Gallant proved he can raise his physical game in a spirited fight vs. Brian McGrattan.

On the defensive side, Carkner was the only liability. Even though he played his physical style, did nothing but make 4 hits and eat up 20+ minutes of ice time. Calvin deHaan, Ryan Pulock and Griffin Reinhart (1G) had strong game last night. Matt Donovan was excellent and did everything, including saving an open net goal. Chris Triantafilis added, "Matt Donovan led the Isles in ice time tonight. Also contributed 3 blocked shots, 1 assist. Only + defenseman on the team (+1)."

Kevin Poulin looked shaky and never seemed to settle down in net for the Isles to start the game. After a few ringers behind him, some of his decision making was suspect and he looked unpolished. Anders Nilsson wasn't perfect either, but has a much more even, calm and confident playing style. Aside from giving up a weak goal, He was a stabilizing influence once he came in to relieve Poulin. And to be fair, I know its a big step to win an NHL job and both guys are talented. I'm sure they will both improve, but will it be fast enough to do the job this year?

The Islanders will be in NJ on Thursday @7pm, then at the Barclays Center for the first NHL game for the Isles in their new home on Saturday @7pm. Next, at the Predators on Sunday @ 6pm.