New York Islanders (NHL 09)

[kenp86]

Game 1 (10/10/08): NY Islanders vs NJ Devils
In the early stages of the first period, Bergenheim skates into the zone and finds Dougie Weight in the middle of the ice. "I couldn't believe I was left that wide open. There wasn't a Devil player even near me. Bergenheim found me and I put it past Marty. That wide-open, what did you expect me to do?{As he laughs}) - Doug Weight on his goal in the first period. Minutes later, Jeff Tambelliniskates into the offensive zone, dekes two Devil defenders and steal the cookies from the top shelf.

Late in the 2nd period, DiPietro gives up a HUGE rebound and it costs him, as Patrick Elias slides the puck just passed the out-stretched Rick DiPietro. "I cant believe I gave that rebound up like that. I usually handle rebounds very good, but for some reason I let that one go and it burned me. It wont happen again." - DiPietro on Patrick Elias goal.

Early third period, the Isles cycle the puck in the offensive zone. Tambellini gets puck behind the net, circles around to the front and banks it off Brodeurs shoulder to go up 3-1. Devils have the puck in the offensive zone for a good while as the defensemen shoots the puck wide off the board. Danius Zubrus is standing at the side of the net as the puck finds in and Zubrus knows what to do as he gets the Devils within 1. With the net empty for the Devils, newly named captain Kyle Okposo gets the puck on a break-a-way and finds the back of the net to ice the game.

Islanders beat the Devils 4-2.

3 Stars of the Game:
1st star: Jeff Tambellini (2G)
2nd star: Mark Streit (2A)
3rd star: Danius Zubrus (1G)


Shots: 18 15
Hits: 22 18
Faceoffs: 7 15
Time of Attack: 6:00 7:16
PIM: 0 0
Power Play: 0/0 0/0

[kenp86]

(G) Ryan Miller will be out of action for 17 days

[kenp86]

Game 2 (10/11/08): St.Louis Blues vs NY Islanders:
Late in the 1st period, Mark Streit brings the puck up the ice. He avoids the hit at the blue line and finds Richard Park. As Park is getting hit, he gets the shot off and in the back of the net. "I dont really know how I got the shot off. I think thats what saved me from taking the full brunt of the hit. If that would have happened, I would probably be out for awhile." - Richard Park on his goal tonight.

In the 2nd, the Blues tied it up at 1. We turned it over in our own zone and it cost us, as TJ Oshie bangs the puck in past DiPietro.Later in the period we untied it. Vasicek would shoot the puck at Legace and he makes the save. Vasicek poke checks the puck and it squeeks past Legace.

Islanders beat the Blues 2-1

"We are off to a fast start, even though we're only 2 games in. But who had us here at 2-0? Who had us beating the Devils? Hopefully we can stay healthy and show the league what we can really do." - Coach Ken Plotzke on his teams play thus far.

3 Stars of the game:
1st star: Rick DiPietro (21 saves)
2nd star: Josef Vasicek (1G)
3rd star: Richard Park (1G)


Shots: 22 20
Hits: 33 26
Faceoffs: 15 5
Time of Attack: 7:58 5:02
PIM: 0 6:00
PP: 0/3 0/0

[kenp86]

signs Linus Omark(LW- 3yr)
signs Brad Isbister (LW- 3yr)





Bryce Salvadore(LW) is out (9 Days)
Adrian Aucoin(D) is out (11 Days)

[kenp86]

Game 3 (10/13/08) Buffalo Sabres vs NY Islanders:
Early on, I knew this was gonna be a hard game. But I didnt think it would have been this hard. However we got off quick lead in the first. Off a Jeff Tambellini shot, Kyle Okposo puts in the rebound to get us up 1-0. But from there it was down hill. Off a offensive zone face-off win, Spacek takes the shot from the pointand DiPietro gets the save. Or at least he should have. As DiPietro is waiting for the whistle, Thomas Vanek skates up and poke checks the puck in the net. "WTF? Why wasnt the whistle blown? Every game, the whistle is blown right away and they decide, for some damn reason not to today? Its f&$kin rediculous. Have some consistency out there from night to night." - Rick DiPietro on the officials.

We get back on the board after Bergenheim gives th epuck up in the offensive zone and then Connelly puts it in the back of the net. "I cant believe I did that. My mind was looking up the ice for the long pass when Bergenheim hit me from behind and the puck came loose." - Tim Connelly on his gaff in todays game. But, that would be the end of the Isles scoring. Cuz on a delayed penalty in the 3rd period, the Sabres brought the pressure with the extra attacker and score as Vanek puts it top shelf. "He put it right were no goalie can get it. He put it right at the elbow on the glove side. I give Thomas all the credit. It takes a lot of skill too put it in that spot." - DiPietro on Thomas Vaneks goal. They would add another on a delayed penalty late in the game.

Buffalo Sabres beat the NY Islanders 4-2.

3 Stars of the game:
1st star: Maxim Afinogenov (2G, 1A)
2nd star: Thomas Vanek (2G, 1A)
3rd star: Jaroslav Spacek (3A)


Shots: 22 20
Hits: 17 23
Face-offs: 18 4
Time of Attack: 5:45 5:44
PIM: 0 2:00
PP: 1/1 0/0

[kenp86]

DiPietro fined 10K by NHL

Rick DiPietro has been fined 10K by the NHL for his comments regarding the officiating last game. This was an expected move by the league as it doesnt tolerate verbal abuse targeted at the officials. In Rick's defense, what did you expect him to do? The refs screwed him out of that win. He made a point tough. Every single game, the officials are quick to blow the whistle when the goaltender has the puck covered as to protect them. However, when the officiating is different and way unconsistant from game to game, something has to be said about it, in hopes that the league will look at this and hopefully try to fiz this problem.

[kenp86]

Get: (LW) Milan Michalek, (LW) Lukas Kasper
Get: (C) Derek Mackenzie, (G) Steve Mason




claim (G) Brian Boucher from San Jose

[kenp86]

get: (C) Tuomu Ruutu, (D) Joni Pitkanen, (D) Mark Flood
get: (D) Tom Preissing, (D) Kevin Dallman, (D) Matt Greene




sign (RW) Anson Carter to a 4 yr deal

[kenp86]

Isles trade 2 prospects for 1.

In a similar move made earlier in the season, Garth Snow has traded two prospects. The New York Islanders trade (C) Trevor Smith and (C) Kurtis McLean to the Atlanta Thrashers for (RW) Joey Crabb. Garth Snow had this to say: "Like I said last time we met. We have an abundance of young centers down in the minors and are lacking depth on out right side. These two gentleman wernt getting the chance to play every day. So, I made the tough decision to make a few calls regarding some wingers. The Thrashers seemed willing to trade and we worked out an agreement. Smith and McLean will get the chance to play everyday now and Crabb is an absolute sniper on the ice. I feel good about this trade."

[kenp86]

Game 4 (10/16/08) NY Islanders vs TB Lightning:
This one was gonna be a tough match-up. They were playing great defense. Off of a faceoff win, Dougie Weight shoots 5 hole and it just barely squeeks past Lightning goaltender Karri Ramo. "It was sort of a desperation shot. Seen the check coming and just shot it to avoid the collision. Ramo has trouble with his 5 hole, so I shot there. I was right." - Weight on his goal. Later in the first period, Jeff Tambellini gets the puck and his own blue line. he skates it into the zone and dekes two TB defenders out of there skates then puts a beautifull deke on Ramo and puts it top shelf.

Late in the game, Lightning winger Downie gets the puck off the boards and skates to the front of the net. While DiPietro is watching Downie, Downie finds Martin St.Louis behind him and St.Louis finishes it, as he puts it past DiPietro. Regulation time would end with a tie game at 2-2. Admist a power play opportunity in overtime where the Lightning had excellent pressure, not came of it as we went to a shoot-out.

Okposo
Lecavalier
Comeau
St.Louis
Bergenheim

TB Lightning beat the NY Islanders 3-2(SO)

3 Stars of the game:
1st star: Karri Ramo (32 saves)
2nd star: Martin St.Louis (2G)
3rd star: Vincent Lecavalier (2A)


Shots: 34 18
Hits: 24 17
Faceoffs: 8 15
Time of Attack: 6:44 6:23
PIM: 2:00 2:00
PP: 0/1 0/0