Isles Ground Jets

This afternoon, your 7th place New York Islanders face the 9th place Winnipeg Jets who are riding a 5 game winning streak.  Only 3 pts separate the two squads and the Isles are looking up, just 2 pts below the 5th place Maple Leafs.  The Isles have climbed to a +2 goal differential and control their own destiny if they keep winning.  If the Islanders continue to win, they do not need to rely on other teams for help.  #wewantplayoffs

 

Hopefully, the technical difficulties preventing the Islanders pre and post game shows in WPG from being seen today on their alternate network wont happen again.  Fans want to see their team, especially when they make the playoffs.  Lets hope the transmission truck makes it to the next game in Carolina.  Effort was appreciated working with what they had to work with.

 

Forwards:  Moulson-Tavares-Boyes, Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo, Grabner-Aucoin-McDonald, Joensuu-Cizikas-Martin.

Defensive Pairings:  Hickey-Visnovsky, Hamonic-MacDonald, Streit-Strait.

Evgeni Nabokov gets the start in net.  Kevin Poulin will be backing up.

 

In the first period, the Isles moved the puck well.  Frans Nielsen (Okposo & Bailey) gets his 6th goal of the season.  1-0 Islanders.  Jets even the score at 1-1 off a fast break opportunity.  Josh Bailey gets a nice feed from Kyle Okposo to regain the lead, 2-1 Islanders.  The Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo line has been huge for the Isles and today is no different.  Islanders lead 11-4 in shots and have plenty of chances on net, lead only 1.

 

The second period opens with Byfuglien called for tripping on John Tavares, sending him crashing into the boards.  Tavares seems ok, but Isles waste another PP chance.  Jesse Joensuu digs the puck out of the corner under pressure and puts a nice pass (2nd assist in 5 games) on Matt Martin's stick for an Islanders goal, his 4th of the season and a 3-1 Islanders lead.  The Jets Wellwood makes it 3-2 off a uncharacteristic blown defensive assignment by Nielsen.  Wellwood scores with Isles on him in close to tie the score at 3-3.  Isles get a late PP and generating some really good chances, but still unable to score.  Bogosian runs Nielsen and Okposo from behind, and the Jets end up on the PP to end period.  Martin and Wheeler get into it after an off sides call and the Officials trying to take control of the game again.  Grabner covers puck after losing stick, gives the Jets a 5 on 3.  Jets score after whistle, will be called back.  No goal.  Isles out shot the Jets 12-9 in period, and 23-13 in the game.

 

You cant "dominate" an opponent in a game, but not dominate on the scoreboard.  If you allow your opponent to stay in it, they can find a way to tie the game and make everything you have done prior, absolutely meaningless.  Momentum changes.

 

The Isles kill off remaing penalty time on Bailey an Grabner's PK.  Michael Grabner (McDonald & Visnovsky) scores his 16th goal of the season to give the Isles a 4-3 lead.  Hckey crushes Kane in the Isles zone.  Coach Capuano calls a time out with about 4:30 to play in the third.  Jets pull Pavlec on Visnovsky penalty call.  Jets win face off and score tieing goal.  4-4 with under 2 minutes remaining.  Isles gain huge pt, but so does Winnipeg, this game is going to O.T.  The Jets have a 12-6 shots advantage in the period and the Isles, a 29-25 in the game.

 

In the O.T. period, the Isles get good pressure in the Winnipeg zone early.  Isles get lucky off bad rebound with from Wellwoods shot with Nabokov down, Visnovsky able to sweep puck away negating an open net for the Jets.  Nabokov stops clock at :34 with a strong save.  Time expires after faceoff in Winnipeg zone.  Isles outshoot the Jets 4-3 in O.T. and the game 33-28.  Evgeni Nabokov went 24-28 with a .857Sv%.

 

This game will go to a shoot out.

 

Winnipeg misses.

Frans Nielsen misses on the backhand.

 

Winnipeg misses.

 

Brad Boyes scores!

 

Winnipeg scores.

John Tavares scores!

Isles win 5-4 in Winnipeg and gain the extra point!

 

Strait and Joensuu played well and the Isles resiliency come through as the Isles finished their opponent off in the shootout.  11-1-2 in their last 14.  The Isles are tied for 6th spot with 53 pts.  The magic number for playoff in down to 4 pts won or lost by those around them. 

 

 

beLIeve STRONGisland!

 

 

 

Isles Notes:

 

The Isles will finish the regular season with Carolina @ 7:00pm on Tuesday, Philadelphia @7:00pm on Thursday and Buffalo @ 7:00pm on Friday.

 

Per Arthur Staple, Strait is in for Carkner and Joensuu is in for Boulton.

Per Arthur Staple, Isles have won 5 road gms when down by 2 goals: 1/24 (TOR), 2/14 (NYR), 2/21 (MTL), 3/28 (PHA), 4/18 (TOR). They've only played 20 on road.

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

 

On 4/19 - Pirates with an empty-netter with 15.9 left in the 3rd. Portland wins 3-1, Sound Tigers officially eliminated from playoff contention.

 

Player Transaction - Joey Diamond (@JDiamond39) has agreed to terms on a 1-year ELC with Bridgeport.

 

Player News: D-man Mike Dalhuisen, forwards Riley Wetmore & Greg Miller agree to AHL deals for 2013-14 season.

 

 

Refuse. Resist. Win.

The Toronto Maple Leafs could clinch with a win vs your New York Islanders tonight. But the Isles have a little incentive as well.  #wewantplayoffs.

Good thing Casey Cizikas (arm) & Josh Bailey will play tonight after apparent injuries suffered in the game vs Florida.

 

Forward Lines:  Moulson-Tavares-Boyes, Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo, Grabner-Aucoin-McDonald, Boulton-Cizikas-Martin.

Defensive Pairings:  Hickey-Visnovsky, Hamonic-MacDonald, Streit-Carkner.

Evgeni Nabokov gets the start with Kevin Poulin backing up.

In the first period, Reimer comes up big for the Leafs, even on an early 5-3 chance for the Isles.  Leafs move ahead, 1-0 after 5 minutes of play.  Leafs get a PP goal on Carkners penalty, 2-0 Toronto.  Isles behind the play.  Carkner (who manned up for his earlier mistakes) and Boulton answer Toronto's attempts at intimidation, try and energize the Isles with their fists and it may have worked.  Brad Boyes (Tavares & Visnovsky) puts the Isles on the board, 2-1 Leafs.  Isles out shooting Leafs 11-2 at this point.  Yes, I said 11-2.  Islanders keep swinging and sticking to their game, and tie the score with just under 5:00 remaining.  John Tavares (Visnovsky & Boyes) gets a tip in on the PP, 2-2.  Tavares scores again just a couple of minutes later with a wrist shot behind Reimer.  3-2 Islanders.  New York gets 3 unanswered goals after falling behind 2-0.   Isles out shooting Leafs  19-5.

 

The second period played out with the Islanders forging ahead and playing their game.  Reimer is keeping the Leafs in this game. John Tavares (Boyes & Streit) scores with 5 minutes remaining to push the Isles lead to 4-2.  JT has 8 goals in 15 career games against the Leafs.  Shots are Isles, 15-5 for period and 34-10 in the game after 2.  The Isles are 15-2-1 when leading after 2 periods.

 

In the third period, the Leafs have found some ice and had a couple of dangerous chances on Nabokov, who hasn't been playing his best game, but has held true.  Kyle Okposo with some moves and dishes to Frans Nielsen for the 5th Islander goal, 5-2 Isles.  Nabokov gets called for a delay of game and the Maple Leafs score a late 6-3 PP goal with :26 seconds remaining.  5-3 Islanders.    They continue to scramble to try and force something in the final seconds.  Isles win with a 5-3 final.  They get out shot 9-4 in the period, but out shoot the Leafs 38-19 in the game.  Evgeni Nabokov goes 18 for 21 with an .857Sv%.

 

The Isles improve to 13-5-2 on the road and reach the 51 point mark in 6th place, just two behind the Leafs who sit in 5th position.

 

Keys to the game:  Andrew MacDonald has elevated his play in a big way and has played a lot of quality minutes for the Isles blue line.  Dare I say, he has overshadowed a strong player in Travis Hamonic this season.  Eric Boulton had a really solid game and showed he was more of a well rounded hockey player than I had ever given him credit for.  His positioning was good, he played physical and got a couple of good shots on net. I think he has improved with his time on the Island.  His fight with Orr while the Isles are down 2-0,  was the turning point in the game tonight for New York.  The top line has caught fire and has scored some big goals tonight while the offense throughout the forward lines and on defense has contributed greatly to the teams overall success.  John Tavares (2 and 1 for 3 pts.) has evolved into an elite player in the NHL and has really solidified the Isles as a team with his infectous work ethic.

 

Per Eric Hornick, "The Isles are 8 gms over .500 on road for 1st time since finishing 1981-82 w 21-13-6 road record."

 

What makes this Isles team "the real deal?"

They never quit and continue to fight back from adversity.  Tonight's game was a great example.  The Isles went down 2-0, them scored 3 unanswered goals in the first period on the road.

It shows their maturity and how they have grown towards the consistency we need them to have. These are good signs and I am on record for saying that I will retract my criticism of Capuano if he indeed righted the ship. I would love to be proven wrong with Isles wins.  Their checking game and mental focus is rarely out manuvered by opponents anymore. 

In this writers' opinion, they are ready for the next few steps after turning the corner.

 

Isles Notes:

Prior to tonight, the Isles are 12-5-2 (.684) on the road, on pace for the best mark in franchise history.

Per James Mirtle, "Nabokov has faced the Leafs fewer than any other NHL team in his career. He's 5-2-2 against them in nine games."

Boyes(1g/2a), Moulson(2g), Grabner(2g), Tavares(2a) & Nielsen(2a) tallied a multi-pt game in #Isles 7-4 win v. TOR on 1/24.

The Isles have recalled David Ullstrom from Bridgeport.

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

 

Per BST on 4/17, Matt Donovan scored his 25th career goal as a Sound Tiger last night, passing Bruno Gervais for the most career goals by a Sound Tigers defenseman.

#beLIeve #STRONGisland

Last night, Michael Grabner led the way with two goals as your New York Islanders added another 2 points to their seriously dedicated playoff run on fan appreciation night.  Grabner's had a goal in the first period assited by MacDonald and Nabokov, and an unassisted backhand goal in the second.  Matt Moulson (Martin & Hickey), Mark Streit (Okposo & Nielsen), Radek Martinek (Joensuu & Streit) also scored for the Isles.  It marks Jesse Joensuu's 1st Isles point this season.

 

The Isles found success on special teams, a physical snarl and strong defensive play to improve to 22-16-5 with 49 points.  They have gone 6-0-2 in their last eight and 9-1-2 in their last 12.  That's good enough to maintain sole possession of 7th place.  Evgeni Nabokov, a cornerstone of the Isles image rebuild, got his 21st win (tied for 2nd in NHL - Fleury) and went 26 for 28 and a .929 Sv% (despite being run over by Upshall.)  What are the Isles players saying about all this success?

 

@91Tavares, "Tremendous support from our fans all season long! #Hummin #ThankYou."

@MMoulson20h, "Great support in the old barn #thankyoufans ..here we come road trip."

 

@bookerT2116, "Thanks to all the fans who came out last night and throughout the year. Coli has been rockin' the last couple weeks!"

 

and @ColinMcDonald13 said this about the Isles faithful, "Big thank you to all the fans this year. It's been an amazing experience playing at the Coliseum. We'll see you soon! #beLIeve #STRONGisland."

 

The Islanders have two more road games this week against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday @ 7pm and the Winnipeg Jets (who they currently lead by 3pts.) on Saturday @ 3pm.

 

 

beLIeve.

 

 

 

 

Isles Notes:

 

Matt Martin was awarded the Bob Nystrom Award.
 

Per Eric Hornick, "are 6 gms over NHL-.500 for 1st time since end of Dubie poke-checked them into playoffs w 40-30-12 record (2007)."

 

Per Anthony Stabile, "no offical word yet on Cizikas and Bailey. CC has an upper body injury, & Bailey was limping after the game with the trainer."


Per Dominik of LH, "According to New Haven Register reporter Chip Malafronte, the New York Islanders have signed Quinnipiac defenseman Mike Dalhuisen to play with the AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers beginning next season."

 

Jack Capuano is now the second winningest Coach in Islanders history.

 

Per TSN, the Islanders and Rangers will play an outdoor game at Yankee Stadium on Jan. 29, 2014.

More Coliseum development news. 

 Isles Keith Aucoin shows his support for Boston and those affected by the Marathon tragedy.






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I miss you Mom.

 

Loser Point

Tonight, your New York Islanders met their rival, New York Rangers for another important two points in the race to the playoffs.  In what was a tightly contested, physical game, where both teams checked well, moved the puck and got their chances.  With the Islanders being the better team in the game tonight. 

Photo by @IslesEnforcers

Offensively, the Isles out shot the Rangers 29-20.  John Tavares and Matt Moulson got the puck on net and all four lines generated chances against Lundqvist.  Defensively, the Isles were all over the Rangers and really limited their shots on net.  Visnovsky, Hickey and MacDonald stood out for the Isles on Defense.  Even after a few posts by Cizikas and Okposo, both goaltenders played so well, it would take an extra period to reveal a winner.  Girardi took a nice pass from Brassard and beat Nabokov on the perfect shot. 

1-0 Rangers in O.T.

The Islanders shouldn't be satisfied, but they should learn from this game.  They need to take their point and refocus on the 6 remaining games starting on Tuesday with the Florida Panthers at home.  After that, its on the road to finish this thing.

Heart is there.  Fight is there.  Lesson learned.  What's next?

 

 

Isles Notes:

Since 1972, the Isles have faced NYR more than any other opponent in franchise history (282 times including playoffs).

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

4/12  Sound Tigers WIN!! @BNelson29 fires upstairs from the slot over Desjardins' glove! Sound Tigers come back to beat the Crunch 3-2 in OT!

 

Hockey Notes:

Yale defeats Quinnipiac for the NCAA crown.

Drew LeBlanc of St. Cloud won the Hobey Baker Award and signed with the Chicago Blackawks yesterday.



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Coming Of Age

Bruins Coach, C. Julien told Arthur Staple, "They're seeing some hope here, and rightfully so."

Tonight, the Isles came to an intimidating place to play, an intimidating team who have not been easy to match if you were the New York Islanders.  Not to mention, the Isles have a huge game on Saturday with the New York Rangers waiting to distract them.  With a win, the Bruins would clinch a playoff spot.  There were many factors against your young Isles tonight, but did anyone tell them they should be nervous?  Would they have any hope?

 

Forwards:  Moulson-Tavares-Boyes, Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo, Grabner-Aucoin-McDonald, Joensuu-Cizikas-Martin.

Defensive Pairings:  Hickey-Visnovsky, Hamonic-MacDonald, Streit-Carkner.

Evgeni Nabokov is in goal with Kevin Poulin backing up.

Moulson in, Lee out tonight along with other scratches (Reasoner, Boulton, Martinek).

At the start of the first period, the Islanders looked as if they were struggling to even stay in the game, but the team came together and won with another solid effort on the road.  Josh Bailey’s pair of goals kept the Isles ahead o' Boston on the scoreboard and they matched the intensity and grit of the Bruins, while outworking them for much of the game as a team for a 2-1 win.  Credit Tuukka Rask for a fantastic effort in the Boston net.  Oh, and the officiating was a big fail again at times tonight to the point where I really can’t tell what will or will not be called.

 

Travis Hamonic went hard into end boards after a Krejci trip. His left leg got caught underneath him and he was helped off the ice, but returned shortly after.  Arthur Staple, “Hamonic said he was warned not to watch footage of his spill. "I'd play on one leg if I had to. Take a lot more than that to keep me out."

 

In 41 games played, the Isles are 21-16-4 with 46 points.  They have 7 games remaining with the next two at home vs. the Rangers and Panthers on Saturday and next Tuesday at 7 pm.  The final five are on the road where the Isles are 12-5-2 this season.  They, along with Detroit are among the only two teams with a negative (-2) goal differential of the sixteen teams currently qualifying for the playoffs.  They are 8-1-1 in last 10 games, playing well while home or away.  The biggest difference is the Isles ability to finish close games with a win in their newly honed calmness found in third while holding onto 1 point leads. 

 

Bailey, Nielsen and Okposo continue to improve and help the Isles get scoring depth throughout the forward lines.  Casey Cizikas, Jesse Joensuu and Thomas Hickey stood out again tonight with their sacrifice and improving play.  Evgeni Nabokov continues to play an exceptional game for the Islanders, sometimes keeping them in stretches of games seemingly by himself.  He is a major reason the team has been able to hold leads and become more confident in their offensive rush.  Tonight, he had a .968Sv% on 36 shots.

 

Coach Capuano is looking more and more like he has figured out the details of a team consistency and has brought the Isles game into a single and coordinated focus.  They look to really be building towards consistency and fostering the culture shared by a winning team that fights through adversity and overcomes challenge when the game is on the line.  Shut up!  No really, I said as much on Twitter.  “Coach Capuano isn’t out of my doghouse yet. There is still much to do. He has my full attention & I will be glad to write an apology.”  Gladly.

 

There will always be those who say the Isles wouldn’t be in this position if it was a “real” season of 82 games or when they get a big win like the one tonight, it was because the Bruins “looked awful.”  Let em’ say whatever they need to say.  The fact is that finally, it seems like the corner has been turned and things are moving forward.  No one can argue about the level of play the players are displaying each night on the ice.  All the while, Brooklyn is coming and the Isles may become a new destination for free agents with something to prove.  The rebuild continues to impress and the team, although incomplete in some ways, has come together nicely.  The picks, signings, trades and waiver picks are making Garth Snow look like a genius again late in the season thus far.  If the Isles make the playoffs and do the damage they are more than capable of dishing out, Long Island may force some media outlets, writers and fans to admit Management may have been right all along.  In the end, who cares?


How can you not cheer for these guys to go as far as they can this season?  As this blogger has said before, next season could really be the start of something big.

 

KoC - “Just keep winning! We are still here & we still believe.”

 

 

 

 

 

On Tuesday, before 13,888 fans at the NVMC, your New York Islanders met the Philadelphia Flyers in another “important” game.  Every point the Isles can take, especially from a division rival is key to helping their push towards a playoff appearance. Its NY’s 4^th consecutive win at home.  That’s right, you heard me. Their 4^th consecutive win at home after holding a lead. In the third period. Yes, third period for the 4-1 win.  JT has this to say about the fan support lately, “It's a great feeling to be a part of this.  It can get pretty loud out there and the atmosphere is amazing.  They carry us through.   We are excited for the last 2 home games and to keep this going.  We want to send a message.” The enthused NY crowd sent messages all night long.

Nabokov told islanders.nhl.com, “We played like we wanted it more - I think that's why we got the two points,” Nabokov said. “Everything is positive right now, but you can't get carried away because you know that it's such a fight for the playoffs with eight games left. You can find yourself very quickly the other way. You just want to keep the focus and intensity at the same level, win or lose. Evgeni Nabokov turned in another heroic effort making 26 saves with .924Sv%.

Colin McDonald, Matt Moulson, Brad Boyes and John Tavares scored for the Isles. The Isles played a strong, calculated and physical game and took it to the Flyers at home.  After all, the Isles fans were even chanting, “Last place Flyers!”  Even the scary Scott Hartnell could not intimidate them. 

 

 

Isles Notes:

 

The Isles have allowed 2 goals or fewer in 7 straight games. It’s the 1st time since an 8-game stretch from Jan. 17-31, 2004.

Today in '75, Isles win 1st playoff series ousting NYR 2 games to 1 when J.P. Parise scores 11 sec into OT at MSG to give Isles a 4-3 win.

4/9 Per Arthur Staple, “Brain Strait skating with Isles skills coach Bernie (Nicholls) Cassell prior to AM skate.”

“BREAKING NEWS – Isles to play first NHL game at @BarclaysCenter in preseason game on Sept. 21, 2013 v. #NJDevils.”   

Per Kevin Schultz, "Sources: Isles looking at leaving for Brooklyn a year early, prior to 2014-15 season. County believed to be open to the idea.  Leaving this summer, prior to 13-14, considered "too soon". A few regular season games at Barclays a possibility next year.

Per The Goalie Guild, "Mikko Koskinen has signed a new two-year deal with the Espoo Blues (SM-liiga) - Still Isles property."

 

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

“The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are proud to announce that forward Brandon DeFazio has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Bridgeport community during the 2012-13 season.”

 

4/9 Per BST, “Player Transaction: The Sound Tigers have loaned defenseman Dallas Jackson to the ECHL's Gwinnett Gladiators."

 

BST: Stalock stymies Sound Tigers as Sharks earn 3-0 shutout victory on Tuesday night.

 

4/7  Sound Tigers defeat Phantoms by a 4-1 final.  Third star: Rick DiPietro (34 saves) ... Second star: Ty Wishart (three assists) ... First star: David Ullstrom (2g/1a).

 

Per BST, “AHL announces All-Rookie Team. Brock Nelson, 2nd among rookies in pts (50), 4th in goals (23), 2nd in PPG (10), 2nd in GWG (5), not selected.”

 

 

"Discipline & Little Things"

The Islanders went to Washington D.C. to face the Capitals in a pivotal game for playoff rivals.  Although the Isles won the two previous meetings of the season, the two pts won from this game were huge.  After falling behind 1-0, Kyle Okposo scored at the 15:00 mark of the third period to help his team force overtime.  The Isles played well and Nabokov was solid in net with a .955 Sv%.  Both teams had some solid chances in the extra period and the Isles had a 36-22 shots advantage in the game.  But who would have the answer in the shootout?  Neither Nielsen, Boyes or Tavares could get in past Holtby in the shootout.  Ovechkin was kept off the score sheet all night, but got one by Nabokov in the second round of the shootout.  Even though they lost the second point, the one they did get helped them move to 7th with a NJ LOSS.

 

 

 

Tonight, the Isles faced the new look Tampa Bay Lightning at the NVMC in their alternate black jerseys.  Eric Hornick reports that tonight's sellout is the first Isles-Lightning sell out since 1/26/2002.  Think things are getting good on the Island?

Forwards:  Grabner-Tavares-Boyes, Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo, Lee-Cizikas-Martin, Joensuu-Aucoin-McDonald.

Defensive Pairings: Hickey-Visnovsky, Hamonic-MacDonald, Streit-Martinek. Nabokov in net.

The Isles started strong and kept fighting, even when it meant coming back to recapture momentum with each goal scored by Tampa Bay.  Michael Grabner, Josh Bailey (Okposo & Nielsen), Matt Martin (Lee & Streit) and Andrew MacDonald scored (empty net goal) to make it a 4-2, 2 pt victory for your New York Islanders.  The Isles out shot the Lightning 28-21.  Isles Goaltender, Evgeni Nabokov came up huge, going 19 of 21 with a .905 Sv%.  Nabokov, " It's the discipline & little things. We can't get ahead of ourselves. It's going to take a lot of work & we have a tough sked ahead."

 

The Officiating still sucks.  Now that I have that out of the way, some other big things came into focus tonight.  Michael Grabner looked empowered on 1st line with JT and Brad Boyes.  His speed is so lethal and opens up the ice for impact plays.  Grabner, " Grabner: I just tried to create room; we had a lot of chances. We did a good job out there & didn't give up too much defensively."  What else can you say about Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo?  I know they are fun to cheer for, but their revived game has been relentless and productive for the Isles on both sides of the ice.  Anthony Stabile wont let me leave out the great Frans Nielsen and his contributions in the team's revitalized game.  Jesse Joensuu was active tonight with 8 shots and played with jump in the absense of Moulson (Flu).  Matt Martin brings a complete game and his valued leadership is evident in each game.  What this all means is a crucial element for the Isles is working well.  They have scoring throughout the line up and this is key to taking the next stride towards respectability and culture change.

Special teams have really become a big component of the positive aspects that the team has given for much of the season.  Even the PK  was generating very nice offensive chances in the game tonight.  Thomas Hickey continues to improve with each game.  Andrew MacDonald has changed his luck as well.  Anders lee had an Assist tonight, but needs to improve defesively.  Lee was on the ice for both goals tonight (similar to Washington game).  The Isles played a much stronger checking game and implemented a stronger focus on defense from the forwards on back.  WIth the Rangers winning, the Isles are in the 8th position with 42 points. 

 

 

 

 

 

All these things prove the team is tight, believe in each other and have bought into the Isles plan.  And their black alternate jerseys.

 

Hearing the sell-out crowd explode like back in the day .... well, that is Priceless.

 

 

Isles Notes:

 

The Isles will face the Flyers at home Tuesday @ 7 pm, travel to the Bruins Thursday @ 7 pm and return home to play their arch rival, Rangers Saturday @ 7 pm.

Per Arthur Staple, "@MMoulson has his ironman streak end at 284 straight games, officially out with the flu."

"Isles are still talking with agent for Evgeni Nabokov about an extension, but nothing imminent."

Per Darren Dreger, Garth Snow says he has no intention of trading Mark Streit. $500,000 gap per year (3 yrs) in contract talks with his captain.

Sound Tigers Notes:

 

On 4/6:

 

Per BST, No-goal call on Sundstrom's equalizer proves to be the difference in the game. #BST fall 3-2 to the Whale, outshooting them 14-3 in the 3rd.

Scott Pellerin confirms D-man Andrey Pedan will make his pro debut tonight vs. Whale. Rick DiPietro starts in net.

On 4/5:

D Scott Mayfield has agreed to terms on a 3 year ELC, will report to BPT.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers recalled (RW) Max MacKay from the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.

On 4/4:

Rick DiPietro starts Franchise Game 1,000 (including playoffs).  Sound Tigers WIN! @SquatchDonovan w/ 4 pts (1g/3a), @Bnelson29 w/ 3 pts (2g/1a), @strome18 & @thelnino25 w/ 2 assists in 6-3 W vs. Worcester.

On 4/3:

Isles activate David Ullstrom off IR and send him to BPT.

 

Defenseman Andrey Pedan agrees to terms on an ELC w/ #Isles, joins Sound Tigers on an ATO.  He will wear #19.