Philthy Loss

On Tuesday, your New York Islanders faced the Philadelphia Flyers.  The game scenario was this:

The Isles needed only 1 point to clinch a 2014-15 playoff spot.

They were going for a season sweep of the Flyers.

They were looking to hold on to 2^nd place in the metro and pad their conference point total.

Things didn't exactly go as planned.

Kulemin-Tavares-Strome, Lee-Bailey-Okposo, Grabner-Nelson-Kennedy, Boulton-Cizikas-McDonald.

Strait-Hamonic, Leddy-Boychuk, Hickey-Visnovsky.

Jaroslav Halak was in goal with Michal Neuvirth on the bench.

Colin McDonald and Michael Grabner were in for Matt Martin and Frans Nielsen.  Tyler Kennedy was in for Cal Clutterbuck (undisclosed injury) and there were no changes on defense, Donovan & de Haan were still scratched.  Here is my "Lookback" of the game.

The start of the game was all Philadelphia.  They took a 2-0 lead in the first - off goals by Girioux.  John Tavares (Strome & Leddy) deflected a Strome shot to convert on the PP to make it a 2-1 game halfway through the second, but Bellemare made it 3-1 Flyers just a couple of minutes later.  Colaiacovo converted for a 4-1 Flyers lead just into the third period and the Isles looked like they were out of the game for good.

New York dug deep and, behind the example of their Captain, rallied in the final period in all areas of their game.  Anders Lee (Bailey & Visnovsky) & Johnny Boychuk (Tavares) would make it 4-3 with less than two minutes left in regulation.  It would be Lee who scored again with less than 30 seconds remaining to tie the game at 4-4 and all but solidify the point needed to clinch a playoff spot for the Islanders.

Schenn launched a desperation shot from the circle that fluttered past Halak (22/27 with an .815Sv%) to stun the Isles with less than 3 seconds remaining in the game and secure a 5-4 win for the Flyers.

So despite out shooting Philadelphia 40-27 in the game, going 2 of 3 on the PK and scoring 3 goals in the third to force the much needed tie, the Isles couldn’t hold on to get the job done late in the game.  They were a bleak 1 of 5 on the PP again, including a missed opportunity on an extended 5 on 3 man advantage. 

With the loss, The Islanders sit in third, 1 point behind Washington in the metro division with two games left to play.  Final games are against the Pens in Pittsburgh on Friday and the season/Long Island finale at the NVMC against the Bluejackets on Saturday.

Halak cannot miss that stop and is clearly to blame for the winning goal.  He is the main reason for not clinching last night, but remember this:  Jaroslav Halak is also a prime reason the Isles have had the season they are having to this point, and are even poised to reach the 100 point mark with two games remaining.

It was a brutal loss for everyone to stomach and I am sure the team is just a little irritated at the end result.  It was a tough game to watch and definitely a tough loss to accept. It will also continue to be a difficult push to the next level for the players and organization, but there is still much more to come. If you don't believe that and are just too frustrated with their missteps and shortcomings, you may want to just give up and stop supporting this team.  I am sure there will be more frustrations had as they continue to develop and learn to become a serious contender.  Being a diehard fan isn’t for everyone.

Or you can accept the bad taste left behind from last night, relax and realize they fought back and put themselves in a position to win that game, but lost on a fluky goal.  There are things they need to address moving forward and must stop replicating the same mistakes & I am still concerned about the state of coaching and occasional roster decisions.  But it ain't over yet. 


And moving forward, I know they have gotten much better as a team this season and will continue to make us pr'oud for years to come, even if everything on our wish list isn’t “corrected.”

Personally, when it comes to my fandom and me supporting this team, Isle be there.

Isles Notes:

John Tavares leads the NHL with 36 goals and 47 assists for 83 points in 80 games.

Congratulations to @MattyMarts17 on winning his fourth consecutive Bob Nystrom Award for leadership, hustle and dedication.

Isles sign D, Burroughs to entry level deal: 

DalColle vs HoSang in 2^nd round of OHL playoffs. 

The new Isles locker room at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY.

Sound Tigers Notes:

Ryan Pulock has been named to the AHL All-Rookie team.