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ISLES INFO |
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ISLES INFO |
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Eastern Conference
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April 20th: The Islanders looked much better in Game 2. They were generating a lot more shots and offensive opportunities right off the bat. It would have been great for the Isles if they could have capitalized on an early first minute two on one break when Mark Parrish manged to feather a pass over to Alexei Yashin, who missed wide on an open net shot. Toronto would get three first period powerplay chances, including a 4 on 3 late. The Islanders penalty killing killed off all 3 and have looked good as they have killed close to 30 straight opportunities against them dating back into the regular season. The Isles would have 2 powerplay chances in the first, including the first two. But could not score. The Teams would go into the second period scoreless and once again we were in for another defensive battle. - The second period would be more of the same. The Islanders would get their 3rd powerplay opportunity early but once again were unable to generate a goal. As the period went on the referees put their whistles away concerning the Islanders and called three more penalties against them. It just seemed like everytime the Islanders got a scoring chance the whistle blew and the referees took it away. Scatchard got called for a ridiculous charge and Bates was called after he beat out a Toronto defenseman for the puck and almost skated in on a breakaway. The Islanders best player for the first two periods was Brad Isbister. Isbister got down low after he received a pass from Michael Peca and when he took a in close shot was stoned by Curtis Joseph. Isbister later on would use his outside speed and cut to the net a couple time including one where he got in close but Joseph once again made the save. Towards the end of the period Darren Van Impe got called for a grazing high stick, one I can't even believe the referees managed to see in the corner. - Entering the third period you just knew that whoever was going to score first was most likely going to win the game. Chris Osgood was outstanding in this game, he made a point blank save on Mikael Renberg in the second period that kept it scoreless. But just over 3 minutes into the third period the Islanders got a bad break. Osgood had to make a really tough sprawling save out of nowhere but the momentum of his body carried his glove off of the puck leaving it just sitting there in front of an open goal mouth. Adrian Aucoin could not contain Leaf forward Alyn McCauley who battled to the puck and banged it in for the 1-0 lead. At that point the Islanders tried to open it up and get even more opportunities in the Leafs zone but could not get anything going and when they did it was either an easy save for Joseph or he made a great save. It wasn't untl there was less than 30 seconds left, and the Islanders had Osgood pulled for the extra man, that they would get their best chance to tie the game. Shawn Bates held the puck unattended behind the net and waited to make a play. When he made it, he found Parrish all alone in front of Joseph by putting the puck right on his stick blade. Who better to get the puck that close in for the Islanders than number 37. Parrish tried to buried it but Cujo was there to make the best save of the game before Parrish was crosschecked to the ice. Seconds later after another faceoff Tomas Kaberle would skate in all alone on the empty net and give the Leafs the 2-0 win. - More of the same from Shayne Corson as he played under Alexei Yashin's jersey all game. Yashin has not really been able to shake the check, but the rest of the Islanders have not responded with help. Toronto right now is doing what the Islanders should be doing. Sundin is hurt and the Islanders should exploit that. But with him suffering a little the Leafs are getting help from other people. Also, Bryan McCabe is playing the best hockey of his career. He's been gritty and played mean, obviously inspired about beating his old club. - Preview(April 23rd Game 3): Well, we obviously are in a hole now. But it's nothing two wins at home won't rectify. That's exactly what the Islanders have to do to have a legitimate chance of winning this series. They have to own their home ice. We have to help them. Tuesday night will be the first playoff game at Nassau Coliseum since 1994. The situation the Islanders are in is not as bad as the situation Detroit is in right now. The Islanders are coming home. I'm going to be there Tuesday night, contributing to the sea of white and we will show Toronto how REAL fans cheer and support their team. The Isles have to play their game and take it to Toronto. Hopefully Sundin will still be hurting with his hand so that he won't get a lot of ice time. But if he does the Islanders have to key on him and bump him every chance they get. Scratches: Jim Cummins, Mats Lindgren, Evgeny Korolev Playoff Injury Update
Eastern Conference Quarter-Final
New York Islanders: 42-28-8-4,
96 points, 5th seed in Eastern Conference Season Series: Islanders won the season series going 3-0-0-1 Schedule:
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News: April 23, 2002 |
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1998-2003 Tom Mascioli
