Islander News Articles 4/7

Will fill in blanks tomorrow with more coverage.

Newsday: John Jeansonne covered Monday’s practice with comments from Jeff Tambellini, Josh Bailey, Blake Comeau and head coach Scott Gordon about missing out on this year’s playoffs but are looking ahead and will be watching while the thirty plus losses by one goal (open net) are touched upon.

Also reported Defenseman Bruno Gervais left practice early after apparently injuring a shoulder, though Gordon didn’t believe it was serious. Veteran forwards Doug Weight and Dean McAmmond both missed practice because of illness. Defenseman Mark Streit (groin strain) returned to practice but forward Kyle Okposo (groin strain) did not. Gordon said three forwards would be summoned from Bridgeport for Tuesday night’s game.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Anytime Scott Gordon wants to invite us all over the watch games on that television system sounds good to me.

Newsday: Greg Logan had more about Kyle Okposo who could be named to team with his comments which is essentially a repeat of his earlier blog.

Newsday: Editorial this time singles out David Denenberg (D-Merrick) and claims he has ambitions for higher office, is using his current one to circulate a pretentious petition in support of a project that must still get a lease from the county.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Did you folks really think Cablevision is on any side other than their own which is to save hundreds of millions and expand their own brand? Tom Suozzi reportedly is working on a lease to save time with the developers from Newsday’s own coverage.

Newsobserver.com: Chip Alexander confirms Cam Ward will start against New York on Tuesday with head coach Paul Maurice’s comments.

Matt Cullen is out tomorrow. Jussi Jokinen continued to center the line with Chad LaRose and Ray Whitney in Cullen’s absence. Patrick Eaves, who was a scratch for the Pittsburgh game, was at practice and working on the fourth line with Dwight Helminen and Ryan Bayda. Rod Brind’Amour’s line had Scott Walker and Sergei Samsonov on the wings.

The News.com: Adam Richardson shares a very funny April fools joke played on Jon Sim when he was a Los Angeles King years ago in an article that praised him for his excellent play in Bridgeport with the Sound Tigers in a tough situation for him.

NHL.com: Chuck Gormley has comments from Bill Guerin on his trade from the Islanders.

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Islander News Articles 2/17

Newsday: Greg Logan’s article has comments from head coach Scott Gordon and goaltender Joey MacDonald.

Newsday: Mr Logan’s second article is has Jeff Tambellini’s comments along with Frans Nielsen while noting the Islanders struggles in the faceoff circle Monday afternoon.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Tambellini seems like a very nice young man but let’s not pull punches, we heard the same thing a year ago. He was doing better but Scott Gordon decided to sit him for Andy Hilbert/Mitch Fritz which is a terrible sign for a team in last place.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann’s article partly is about Pens interim coach Dan Bylsma but mostly tries to compare the Penguins rebuild with the Islanders.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Throwaway article and worthless beyond Bylsma content. Pittsburgh won a league-wide lottery for Crosby (not by finishing last) and tried to buy half the league a few years ago in a move that looked very much like how Tampa built their team this summer when it fell apart in mid-season with Palffy, and LeClair on their last NHL legs.

There is no comparing this to an organization with 368 man games lost to injury that made four of six playoffs and were in contention last year.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Dave Molinary’s post game coverage and blog here.

Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Tricia Lafferty’s game coverage of the Pens shootout loss.

NY Post: Dan Martin’s coverage is almost all on goaltender Rick DiPietro.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Let’s recap, the last few Friday-Saturdays/offdays the Post has two articles on the Islanders, game day we see one article that barely touches on the game. Not Dan Martin’s doing but where is the common sense in this decision making?

Daily News: Peter Botte has goaltender Rick DiPietro’s comments on his recovery and the last two years of injuries in a lengthy interview that takes up almost the entire game summary. Scott Gordon had a few words on Jeff Tambellini’s shootout goal.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I wanted something different but Mr Botte’s editor (same as Post) should have provided space for a second article combined with a full game story. Anyway important to post DiPietro’s quotes.

Here was DiPietro’s comments on being back at full strength next season:
“I don’t see any way that I’m not, I’m not giving a definitive answer either way. I don’t know what’s going to happen. But so far, so good.

“I’ve seen quite a few doctors who are pretty positive about the future. That’s the whole point of this season is to make sure I’m 100% and ready to fulfill my contract.”

On his recent injuries:
“It’s been terrible. In the summer when I got my knee cleaned up, I never thought it would cause such a problem. To look back and miss pretty much an entire season, it’s brutal, Worst thing in the world you can do is sit in a rehab center and try to get healthy. Mentally, I can’t take much more of this. It’s just been a tough two years for everybody. I’ve never seen so many injuries, but there’s nothing you can do.”

NY Times: Dave Caldwell was sent to the Nassau Coliseum to cover Dan Bylsma’s first game as interim head coach, former Islander Miroslav Satan who played here during his time as Steve Stirling’s assistant coach also comments.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Nothing like that NY Times strategy of sending writers to local hockey games to cover the visiting team but not the home teams.

Espn/several sources: Pierre LeBrun has analysis on Atlanta trading former Islander Mathieu Schneider back to Montreal for a conditional draft pick Monday.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has the Sound Tigers weekly which include comments from Jason Pitton on his season ending shoulder surgery. Also included is clear day for the AHL has been moved back to Wednesday, March 11, a week after NHL trade deadline as opposed to the usual day or two.

Will put additional news articles in later or tomorrow in this blog entry.

Bridgeport plays Tuesday again against Norfolk here along with Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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New York Islander Fan Central

Islanders need to follow Bridgeport plan

I know a lot of folks do not follow the Sound Tigers but Jack Capuano simply keeps moving players in and out of his lineup depending on how many extra bodies he has regardless of the record.

That’s been a big reason for Bridgeport’s success vs past seasons, they have had injuries but a lot of extra players which means depth. They will need it soon with the upcoming schedule which sees about six games in eight days.

Mark Wotton has been a healthy scratch a few times and he is the team captain.

Jeff Tambellini and Jon Sim should not be sitting this many games in a row.

What’s the worst that can happen, the club keeps everyone fresh and maybe we see a few less injuries the rest of the way?

When Bergenheim, Meyer return this club is as healthy as it will get if Streit is ok.

I’m well aware Scott Gordon will keep the exact same lineup until he losses, that’s what most coaches do.

All I’m saying is Tambellini and Sim need to play some hockey games.

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New York Islander Fan Central

Islander News Articles 12/28

Will add to this blog entry tomorrow morning with more articles as available.

Newsday: Greg Logan’s early recap credited the teams strong defensive play and pointed out they played a part of the second shorthanded for over five minutes but only trailed by one entering the third period.

Head coach Scott Gordon, Mike Comrie, Kyle Okposo discussed the Islanders effort in coming back to tie the game.

Newsday: Mr Logan’s second article was mostly a repeat of his blog on Bill Guerin in the future along with Scott Gordon’s comments about Rick DiPietro likely being sore but he had not spoken with him. Mr Logan speculated on a possible trade to Columbus for Weight and reported the Blue Jackets had a scout in Buffalo.

Star Tribune: Michael Russo wrote Saturday afternoon with Derick Brassard out for the season in Columbus because of a shoulder injury, the Blue Jackets are reportedly inquiring about the Islanders’ Doug Weight.

That rumor seems to be what was floated in the Columbus Dispatch blog Saturday here in sports columnist Michael Arace’s shared blog.

Columbus Dispatch: Tom Reed reported the Dispatch has learned the Jackets have been in trade talks with six or seven teams. Gm Howson would not confirm a total.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
We’ll see when Weight gets close to returning if anything comes of this but it’s interesting. Islanders put a lot of effort into Weight’s countdown only two points short but if Garth Snow feels this improves his club it’s something he has to do even if Bill Guerin is not thrilled.

I do not think Kyle Okposo was in his spot on the powerplay the way you would spot someone when there is an injury.

It has to be noted Columbus also has a forward Garth Snow tried to trade for last spring in Kristian Huselius here who has a club-worst minus-9 rating (ten goals) and fewer assists (11) than defenseman Mike Commodore (13).

Kristian Huselius is signed to a four-year, $19- million contract.

Hilbert is a left wing who is out, Sim cleared waivers but Trevor Smith is also a left wing. Columbus would have to take back some salary to make this work.

Buffalo News: Has John Vogl’s coverage.

AHL.com: Reports the Sound Tigers lost 5-4 at WBS Pens Saturday. Peter Mannino had nineteen saves in net.

1. BRI Smith, (17) (Skinner, McLean), 5:54 (PP)
1. WBS Taffe, (15) (Stone, D’Aversa), 6:45
1. BRI Skinner, (1) (Hillen, Walter), 9:03 (PP)
1. WBS Taffe, (16) (Engelland, Stone), 19:04
2. BRI Smith, (18) (Iggulden, McLean), 19:10 (PP)
3. WBS Johnson, (2) (Letestu, Cashman), 2:25
3. WBS Minard, (23) (Stone, Taffe), 2:48
3. BRI Pitton, (1) (Hillen, Haskins), 11:23 (SH)
3. WBS Minard, (24) (Taffe, Pesonen), 11:29 (PP)

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has the recap of Bridgeport’s 5-4 regulation loss to WBS Pens on Saturday with comments from head coach Jack Capuano, who did not feel his team created enough but credited his goaltender. Brett Skinner and Trevor Smith also talk about a game Bridgeport was outscored 4-0 at even strength but had three on the powerplay.

A separate feature was done on local prospect Jaime Sifers of the Toronto Maple Leafs by Mr Fornabaio here.

Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Covers the Penguins along with Citizens Voice here.

Bridgeport is off until next Friday.

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Islander News Articles 12/21

Newsday: Greg Logan recaps the Islanders 1-0 loss to Nashville. Head coach Scott Gordon’s comments about the injury to Doug Weight along with his clubs play while goaltender Joey MacDonald credited his defense and Joe Callahan who was called up.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Scott Gordon did not talk long in the ITV postgame but he said a lot about the club on offense in terms of getting to the net.

Not a lot of speed.
Not physically imposing.
Do not get the puck to the net when they do get there.
Do not have the personnel that are going to bury chances.

He did credit his club and discussed the injuries also.

Point Blank: Mr Botta for his part did not think those comments were the right thing to say out loud in a league where the fans pay to see the games and where you never want your players to give up.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
At least we heard the word ” We ” a lot which our fans did not get last year from Ted Nolan which Mr Botta brought to everyone’s attention.

Nashville City Paper: Matt Wilson recaps the Predators 1-0 win against the Islanders on Saturday.

Nashville Tennessean: Is the Predators primary paper.

Tampa Tribune: Erik Erlendsson had more than a few animated comments from Martin St.Louis after Tampa dropped it’s fifteenth one goal game of the season with head coach Rick Tocchet also talking about his players.

Tampa remained 30th in the NHL for those wondering.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I posted this because the question is how long before we start seeing some of this from the Islander veterans or Scott Gordon?

Atlanta visits Tuesday.

Updated:
Late Sunday Morning Mr Logan had an entry in the Islanders Newsday blog
here where Andy Sutton talks about his injury and the team having to play with so many players and credited the coaching staff for working so hard to teach the players. Joe Callahan talked about his opportunity and praised his roommate from camp (Sutton) while Bill Guerin acknowledged it’s time to give the kids more opportunities even if they are in a tough spot.

Mr Logan is trying to find out more on Doug Weight for later today or tomorrow’s article but sometimes it takes a few days.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sutton went out of his way to praise the staff, good stuff from him and Callahan. I wanted more from Guerin who understands prospects have it tough but also must be very disappointed with where this season has gone and what it will likely mean.

Nice job by Mr Logan getting us more on a Sunday after a lot of travel for him.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport’s 4-1 loss to the Binghampton Senators with former Sound Tiger Drew Fata scoring twice. Jeff Tambellini, who had Bridgeport’s only goal and head coach Jack Capuano comment on the loss.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Tambellini talked like a man not sure if he will be coming back. He either returns or has to clear waivers to stay with Bridgeport. With Weight’s injury the roster spot is there for him to come back but they may need to recall a center also.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio also previews Sunday’s game against Lowell at 4pm.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio also blogged on the loss.

Press Connects: Michael Sharp covers the B-Sens.

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Islander News Articles 12/12

Newsday: Greg Logan’s recap felt the Islanders have to drastically improve their talent level to have success with Gordon’s “overspeed” system and couldn’t match the speed and ability of a team like Pittsburgh with plenty of open ice in which to roam. Head coach Scott Gordon when asked if he is concerned about his goaltending said this was an off-night for everyone while goaltender Joey MacDonald talked about the game.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
To be fair most of Pittsburgh’s nine goals were about poor goaltending and mistakes by the Islanders, what they did in the Coliseum was a frightening display of talent trailing in the last game, not here.

Pascal Dupuis and Petr Sykora did nothing that the Islanders did not provide themselves that led to the goals.

This was largely self-inflicted with a shot redirected by Sillinger, poor play in the passing lanes and weak goaltending combined with a fragile club struggling.

Pittsburgh was on it’s seventh game in eleven days and lost three in a row.

Newsday: Mr Logan’s second article was mostly a repeat of his pre-game blog with Scott Gordon & Jon Sim’s comments about the forward being placed on waivers.

AP: Has an early recap of Pittsburgh’s 9-2 win against New York.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Shelly Anderson’s game recap along with Pittsburgh Tribune Review with Rob Rossi’s game coverage.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has comments from Sound Tigers coach Jack Capuano on Jeff Tambellini who despite eight shots in his debut (mostly on the powerplay) wants him to use his shots more as the winger comments as Bridgeport heads to Norfolk for a double-header without Dustin Kohn.

Mr Fornabaio also reports Jon Gleed was called up from Utah on defense with Dustin Kohn injured.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio’s game preview also reports Len DiConstanzo will backup Peter Mannino in Norfolk Friday night.

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Islander News Articles 12/7

Newsday: Greg Logan has the recap of the Islanders 5-1 loss to Atlanta, head coach Scott Gordon credited the effort and pointed to the disparity in chances his team had along with how few sustained chances the Thrashers got. Andy Sutton talked about the penalties and said the team has to stick to the system while goaltender Joey MacDonald talked about how he has to play better and felt he let the club down while Mr Logan brought up the issue of fatigue.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
If MacDonald says he is fatigued that is one thing but I cannot put any of those goals on him or any kind of wear given where they were scored. If Scott Gordon wants to say his team put in the effort where were the quality chances for all the disparity in play/shots against? Hedberg needed one very good save on Jackman to show for his nights work and another on Sillinger in the first, that was about it.

Edit-Add in Comeau’s two early chances. Someone have another I would like to know?

Daily News: Peter Botte’s game article (no quotes this hour) but some on last years youth movement with Gordon vs Nolan.

NY Post: Dan Martin’s article was on a club looking for positives about losing to a club 5-1 with the worst record in the Eastern Conference with Scott Gordon, Andy Sutton, Joey MacDonald & Blake Comeau.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Mike Knobler recaps the Thrashers win and has blog coverage.

Star Phoenix: Cory Wolfe & Kevin Mitchell has Mr Wolfe traveling with the Saskatoon Blades through B.C. who sat down with defenseman Jyri Niemi who talked about being named to team Finland for the WJC & Christmas traditions back home.

AHL.com: Recaps Bridgeport’s 6-3 loss at Harbor Yard to Norfolk on Saturday.

Scoring
1. NOR Potulny, (3) (Bochenski, Konopka), 3:31 (PP)
1. NOR Kearns, (5) (Mihalik, Heward), 7:47
1. NOR Kearns, (6) (Simek, Ward), 16:54
2. BRI Smith, (10) (MacDonald, McLean), 0:23 (PP)
2. NOR Bochenski, (10) (Konopka, Potulny), 10:37 (PP)
2. NOR Bochenski, (11) (Potulny, Konopka), 11:43 (PP)
3. NOR Segal, (9) (Ward), 9:00 (SH)
3. BRI Smith, (11) (Walter, Iggulden), 13:06 (PP)
3. BRI Iggulden, (14) (Smith, McLean), 17:51 (PP)

Jeff Tambellini had eight shots and was a minus one.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio had head coach Jack Capuano and Mike Iggulden on the Sound Tigers loss with the head coach not happy with losing the physical game or having the legs under them in this one.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Bridgeport will see a lot of Norfolk in the next few weeks. Jack Capuano seemed to have no problem going to Utah for toughness.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has Jeff Tambellini’s comments who talked about having to create time and space to get his chances when he returns to New York after his conditioning assignment along with a preview of Sunday’s game in Lowell here.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio’s blog includes Bridgeport goaltender Nate Lawson getting injured on a hit from a Norfolk Admiral (Jason Ward) and not returning after he relieved Peter Mannino who allowed all six Norfolk goals on thirty three shots.

Norfolk Virginian-Pilot: Covers the Admirals.

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New York Islander Fan Central

Islander News Articles 11/6

Newsday: Katie Strang’s article is on Jeff Tambellini playing more physical along with comments from head coach Scott Gordon about what he must continue to do and Bridgeport head coach Jack Capuano about how Tambellini played for the Sound Tigers.

Jack Capuano also has a few words about Blake Comeau’s recent play.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
He’s getting to the high quality area’s of the ice and working to get in position, if he does this the goals and points will come. The chances have been and that’s what you look for. Is Scott Gordon pushing his buttons? I have no idea but if he does not do these things he will play his own way out of this organization because he has had a lot of Islander coaches and enough chances.

Priceless shot of Edmonton gm Steve Tambellini in the stands at Msg during the semi-fight/shoving match.

Atlanta-Journal Constitution: Mike Knobler’s coverage includes an update on starting goaltender Kari Lehtonen’s back which has kept him out since last week as he skated along with Scott Gordon and Thrashers coach John Anderson having in-game interviews with Darren Eliot.

Ondrej Pavelec started in goal and won in goal 5-3 against Florida in the Panthers last game, Zach Bogosian has started rehabilitating his broken left leg and expected to be our for about six weeks.

Grand Forks Herald: Brad Elliott Schlossman had an update on Islanders prospect Jason Gregoire with comments from UND coach Dave Hakstol.

Rapid City Journal: Jim Holland reports former Islander head coach Ted Nolan visted the team Wednesday. Nolan according to the writer has ties with Rapid City coach Joe Ferras, who was an assistant coach with the Sound Tigers before coming to Rapid City.

Nolan addressed the team before a practice at the Roosevelt Ice Arena.

Windsor Star: Dave Waddell reports on former Al Arbour assistant Brian Kilrea being honored as the CHL’s winningiest coach.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio’s game article is on left wing Blake Comeau and Bridgeport moving into a tie for first place with Hershey at 8-3-0-1 after Wednesday’s win with head coach Jack Capuano’s comments on his winger and the clubs play. It’s the first time the Sound Tigers have led their division this late in a season since March 2004.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio had a post game blog with a lot of items.

Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Has the Pens coverage along with beatwriter Jonathan Bombulie’s excellent blog coverage of the club here in the Citizen’s Voice.

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Islander News Articles 10/31

Newsday: Greg Logan’s post-game had head coach Scott Gordon’s comments that he considered the game a tie and a step in the right direction along with defending Frans Nielsen for his penalty as the center winger talked about the play and his problems finishing chances so far this season.

Newsday: Mr Logan notes the injured reserve listing for Rick DiPietro on the Islanders website and reports the team will have a statement over the weekend on the goaltenders status. Yann Danis reportedly smiled and said he’s day to day.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Logan did not claim Danis may have been faking his smile.

Newsday: Mr Logan’s other article is on the enforcers being used as needed with Mitch Fritz comments along with what the coach told Jeff Tambellini about what he has to do more to stay in the lineup.

AP: Has comments from head coach Scott Gordon.

Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News: Has the Flyers coverage along with Phillyburbs.com and Chuck Gormley in the Courier Post here.

WHL.com: Reports Islander prospect Jared Spurgeon will will compete in the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge for Team WHL which takes place from November 17th to 27th as Canadian Hockey League All-Star Teams, from each of its three member Leagues (WHL, OHL and QMJHL), take on the Russian National Junior Team in a six game series.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has comments from Jack Hillen and what he wants to do in the AHL as he makes his AHL debut tonight along with head coach Jack Capuano who has some decisions to make on defense with Chris Lee apparently ready to return.

The Sound Tigers coach also reported Mark Parrish will play Friday as Bridgeport has three games in three days and a double-header in Binghampton along with the game preview here for Friday.

Note-Mr Fornabaio’s blog on Thursday afternoon had Mark Parrish’s comments.

Press & Sun Bulletin : Michael Sharp has has a very good preview for the back to back games with solid background on both clubs.

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New York at Philadelphia 7pm Msg+

Islanders website: Has the preview for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers with comments from head coach Scott Gordon and defenseman Andy Sutton who will make his return to the lineup and be paired with Mark Streit.

Newsday: Greg Logan reports in the Islanders Newsday blog Jeff Tambellini will sit for Mitch Fritz as the left wing gives his comments on sitting tonight.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Considering Scott Gordon is shaking up his lines and this is a very fragile club already that does not react well to changes playing a Flyer club that is in it’s hot stretch I have a feeling this may not go well for New York tonight.

Islanders may need a high scoring effort tonight from a club that has not shown that to it’s game often this year.

I would not have benched Tambellini for Fritz, it’s the last thing Tambellini needed for at best a cameo dance or two with Asham unless Fritz is on a top six line.

If Fritz must dress Park or Hilbert have to sit, never a young player.

Will be interesting to see what a Sutton-Streit pairing brings tonight. I would have kept Hillen over Skinner.

One thing for sure is Islanders have to start getting some points or they are going to find themselves in a hole they cannot climb out of by thanksgiving with any realistic hope of any playoff contention over.

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