|
|
ISLES INFO |
 |
|
|
ISLES INFO |
|
|
Menu NYI Database Transactions
//// //// //// //// |
IslesInfo Comments: The Islanders knew it wouldn't be an easy game against a young Florida Panther squad that always plays hard despite their recent struggles. But you knew it would be a rough and tumble game as well when the Islanders called up Eric Godard to replace injured Steve Webb in the lineup. Webb has been suffering from back spasms. So with Peter Worrell in town you the possibility of a Godard-Worrell dance was most probable. The Islanders dominated early on as they jumped all over the Panthers, winning a majority of the faceoffs and getting most of the shots on goal. Their forecheck was very strong in helping to generate the shots on goal. The Isles would kill off a penalty to Roman Hamrlik early on and then at 11:20, the inevitable happened when Godard and Worrell hooked up. It was a good heavyweight battle, one in which I will talk more about later. But the Panthers got a pretty good boost from the fight and shut the Isles down for the rest of the first period. They out shot the Isles 9-6 in the period with the Islanders not getting a shot for the last 14:54. Florida would take a 1-0 lead at 12:27 of the first when Ivan Novoseltsev notched his 7th of the season after receiving a pass high in the slot and whipping a wrister past Chris Osgood. Viktor Kozlov and Kristian Huselius got the assists and both played well in the game for Florida. Even though the Isles did not log a shot in the second half of the period, they did have a good chance to tie the game when Jason Blake reeled off a backhand shot that rang off the post with minutes remaining. The Islanders dominated in faceoffs 19-7, winning just about every offensive faceoff. Michael Peca put a nice hit on rookie Stephen Weiss towards the end of the period. The Isles shutout string lasted a little over 114 minutes dating back to the first period against Montreal. - The Isles came out much better in the second period. Mattias Timander crunched Worrell deep in the Islanders end. Oleg Kvasha, playing on the fourth line, was noticeable and he skated well when out there. Dave Scatchard, Jason Wiemer and Blake continued to set the pace for the Islanders with energetic shifts. It wasn't long before the Isles tied the game 1-1 at 1:32. Mark Parrish, who seems to be raising his game to another level, took a hard hit on the boards as he got a pass over to Peca. The Isles captain whipped a shot on Panther goaltender Roberto Luongo. The ex Islander then made a horrible play as he just dished the puck back into the slot where Hamrlik skated in all alone untouched. Hamrlik proceeded to just SLAM the shot by Luongo for his 4th goal of the season. Not too long after Hamrlik scored, Osgood made an unbelievable kick save on Sandis Ozolinsh that could have made it 2-1 Florida. Ozolinsh was in deep and had a wide open net only to be denied by a focused Osgood. The Islanders got more great defensive play by guys like Radek Martinek and Eric Cairns to keep Florida off the board. The PK had killed off 3 more advantages against as the unit is now ranked 12th in the league. They have moved up from 18th recently thanks to killing off 10 powerplays against the Carolina Hurricanes. And we all know how stingy the PK has been of late, still only allowing one powerplay goal in all of December. The only odd part of the period came in the obvious lack of ice time that Alexei Yashin has been receiving. He only played 13 minutes against Carolina. Yashin normally averages around 20 minutes a game. Isles announcer Joe Michelletti commented that Yashin is normally the last to leave practice on the day of a game, because he loves to fiddle with his sticks and prepare them for the game. After the last practice Yashin was reportedly the first to leave practice which would signal that something is wrong. Yashin was on pace for another 13 minute game last night. More likely is the fact that other players are getting it done on a lot more consistent basis than Yashin. Scatchard ended the second period with a big hit on Craig Johnson. - The third period inched along as both teams began to play conservatively. The Islanders really needed the win to keep their pace of reaching .500 before the new year alive. Florida, use to playing overtime games, were happy to be where they were. With 53 seconds remaining Parrish, who had been hit in the face with a puck and hit hard into the boards on a few different occasions, made a fantastic play but intercepting a dump in along the boards in the Islanders end. He skated the puck through the neutral zone and made a move into the Panthers slot only to get hooked down by Marcus Nilson. With the Islanders on the powerplay, Peca would recieve a pass down low with 5 seconds remaining, only to skim the puck off the left goal post. They allowed the Panthers to gain the point, but still had a chance to win it on the powerplay in OT. - The Islanders blasted 4 shots on the rest of the powerplay to begin the OT session. But squandered the chance to win it. But the Islanders would get yet another chance to make things good as Yashin, making himself noticeable for the first time all night, skated in and was hauled down in much the same way as Parrish was late in regulation. Paul Stewart called the penalty this time on Brad Ference. With the Islanders in the Florida zone, the puck was bouncing around before the defense was able to direct it in. On a play where it seemed as though the Panthers were going to get yet another easy clear, Parrish made an all-star caliber play by lifting the defenseman's stick and allowing the puck to bounce in on Luongo. Parrish tried to backhand the puck into the net as Andreas Lilja pushed him into Luongo. The puck came loose to Yashin who skated it behind the net. Yashin then made a really smart play as he just let the puck drift onto the stick of Hamrlik waiting near the lower circle. Hamrlik fired it into the open net for the game winner vaulting the Islanders to just one game under .500 going into Tuesday night's game in Buffalo. Hamrlik's goal was his second of the game and 5th of the season with 53 seconds remaining in OT for the 2-1 final. The Isles mobbed Hamrlik as they celebrated the win. They out shot Florida 7-0 in the OT. More stats: The Islanders are 4-1-1 in their last 6 games, including 3 straight wins. Chris Osgood moves to 2 games over .500 with his 12th win of the season and was named 2nd star. He has allowed only 2 goals in his last 3 starts. The Islanders are now 7-3-2 in the month of December with one game remaining, their December since 1993. The Islanders went 3-1 on this recent 4 game homestand after losing 3-1 in a tough match up against Washington in the first game with Rick DiPietro in net. The season series against Florida ends with the Isles going 2-0-2 with both wins coming at home. Next Up: The Isles will travel to Buffalo for their annual "Tux & Pucks" night on New Years Eve. You may remember the Islanders began the 2002-03 season on a sour note with a 5-1 loss in Buffalo on opening night. Since then, Buffalo has done 7-22-5-1 and have only scored a total of 79 goals on the season. Despite the unfortunate happenings that have gone on in Buffalo with their ownership and shaky future, expect a hard faught game led by ex Islanders Tim Connolly, Taylor Pyatt and J.P. Dumont. Also, keep an eye on Miroslav Satan, a player who has been rumored to have some interest by the Islanders. The Standings:
The Islanders jumped over the Rangers by one point gaining their 35th
point. That moves them out of last place in the Atlantic Division and into
12th in the Eastern Conference. The Islanders still have 4 games at hand
on the Rangers. With the point that Florida gained in the loss, they are
one point ahead of the Islanders for 11th. Pittsburgh lossed last night in
OT to Atlanta, so they are 3 points ahead fo the Islanders for 10th. The
Isles trail Carolina by the same for 9th. Washington defeated Buffalo last
night in Washington 4-3, so both the Isles and Buffalo had to travel today
to play on back to back nights. With Washington's win, they leapfrogged
over Montreal for 7th in the conference with 40 points, 5 ahead of the
Isles. Montreal drops to 8th with 39 points, 4 ahead of the Islanders for
the last playoff spot. With the win the Islanders moved to within 6 points
of Toronto for 6th place in the East. Fight Card: Eric Godard vs. Peter Worrell. This was a true heavyweight battle. You'd have to give the slight edge to Worrell, probably because of longer reach and he has been fighting at the NHL level for a long time. But Godard held his own. He got some good punches in, with Worrell connecting just a little more. Godard's face was a little red after getting hit with a punch. The Panthers seemed to get a jump after the fight. So, Decision: Worrell, but not by much. Commentary: Awesome win!! Would have liked to not give up the point, but we will take the W any day. It sometimes seems like the NHL has taken away the true excitement of OT by awarding a loser point, making the win not as impactful. But anytime you get a win instead of a tie or OT loss it's something to get excited over. Lately you feel like the Islanders believe they can't lose. A swagger that they had all of last year. To reach the .500 mark would be great, fulfilling the goal they had set. And now, after being on the edge of slipping away so many times this season, you honestly can start to believe that the Islanders can make some noise as they battle to make the playoffs once again for the second straight season. We will not be denied, but you HAVE to beat Buffalo Tuesday night. They are a bad team, period. WIN!
Report Card: Brad Isbister: Still seems to be favoring his ankle, which is not at 100%. Therefore he had no shots on goal in the game. Seems to be having trouble in his stride. Alexei Yashin: Yes, he hasn't been playing like we all know he can. Is there something wrong? who knows. But here is a reason why the plus/minus stats should not always be taken too seriously. Yashin was a minus one on the game, even though he played a huge part in the late third period and OT calls that led to the game winning goal, including the primary assist in OT. Shawn Bates: Scratched fifth straight with groin strain. Doesn't seem likely for the game in Buffalo either. Mark Parrish: Mark (no pun ) my words, Mark Parrish by seasons end with have more goals than Olli Jokinen. Parrish seems to be entering another level with the Islanders. He is clutch and even though Islander fans have become unhappy with Oleg Kvasha who arrived on Long Island in the same deal, they should never wish to reverse the deal that gave us Parrish from Florida. He is becoming a game breaker and as he has matured is becoming a leader as well. You want him on the ice at all times, as witness by late in the game tonight. He manufactured that win for us, plain and simple. It seemed like he was never off the ice. Dave Scatchard: Good game for Scatch. He was physical as proved by his hit on Craig Johnson late in the second. You wanted his line on the ice as much as possible because when they were the energy picked up and there were plenty of offensive opportunities. Jason Wiemer: Had a strong game physically and was buzzing around the net all night. Jason Blake: Very good, almost scored late in the first when he hit the post on a backhand shot. Always up tempo. Claude Lapointe: Has been playing much better sporadically playing on the top line alongside Alexei Yashin. He has been generating scoring chances for the Isles as well as playing great on the PK. Steve Webb: Sat out with chronic back spasms and was replaced in the lineup by Eric Godard. Arron Asham: I said this earlier this year, he does not know what type of player he wants to be. Is he a banging, bruising type? Or is he a finesse scoring type? He has been a little bit of both, and the mix has developed him into the player he is. But he doesn't do either on a consistent level. While he played a great game last night, you just feel that the Islanders could be much better if they were getting more offense from the spot he is taking. You think of the game where he scored twice and you want to see more of that. He needs to shoot more and show us more finish. But he was very good last night on the cycle playing with Peca and Parrish. Oleg Kvasha: Was encouraged last night by the few shifts Kvasha got on the fourth line. He skated well, which usually is a good sign. If he can keep that up and stay out of the box by moving his feet you feel confident at times having him out there. He does have the ability to make you want to watch what he does. Unfortunately he doesn't do it hardly ever. Michael Peca: Named the third star of the game. Was fabulous on faceoffs winning 19 out of 27 on the day. Had a big hit on Stephen Weiss late in the first. Almost won the game with a shot that hit the post with 5 seconds remaining in the third. Mattias Weinhandl: Played well and has added a new skill level to the PK. He has 8 points in only 12 games with season. Without injury, he is on pace to get into the Calder Trophy race with a strong second half. Eric Godard: Has taken on every teams tough guy in just about every call up. Took on Peter Worrell and held his own. Godard will only get better in that department as he gets more experience. He is tireless when it comes to throwing punches. Defense: Roman Hamrlik: Has 2 goals and 3 assists in the last two games since returning from a separated shoulder. Once again, was Tampa Bay high when their media suggested they could acquire him in a deal? Ok, let me see...the Islanders are going to send Tampa Bay their powerplay quarterback just because their team is currently holding a playoff position for only the second time since their inception??? I think NOT. Lets acquire Kyle McLaren and deal Hamrlik.....NOT! What a shot that first goal was. He almost put it through the net. Adrian Aucoin: While not scoring goals and points as much as he was early on, Aucoin has been so good defensively as of late. Eric Cairns: He was very good last night, including one point where he was absolutely robbed by Luongo's glove hand for his first goal of the seasom. Kenny Jonsson: Strong defensively as usual. Always smart. Radek Martinek: Stepped up at times last night. His confidence level is so much higher than it was at the beginning of the season. He has been jumping up and anticipating passes, stealing the puck and skating in for scoring chances, as he did last night. Mattias Timander:
Has been very strong defensively as of late, and now we are starting to
see why he was compared to Kenny Jonsson at one point. He has been
blocking shots well, skating the puck out of the defensive end with
confidence and poise, and playing physical evidenced by his hit last night
on Peter Worrell. Goal: Chris Osgood: This is the Osgood we all know and love as he may be playing some of the best hockey he has played recently as a New York Islander. 2 goals allowed in the last 3 and only 4 allowed in the last 4 games. His GAA has dropped to about 2.85 after being over 3 for most the season. He is the most focused he's been all year. His kick save on Ozolinsh saved the game from being 2-1 Florida.
Coaches Laviolette made a good decision to call a timeout late in the third so that his players could get a rest going on the powerplay. It may have helped as the Islanders would gain another powerplay opportunity in the OT. Special Teams Islanders went 1-4 on the PP scoring the game winner in OT on the powerplay. They also killed 3 more penalties off, allowing only one powerplay goal against in all of December and only 4 since mid November.
Islanders Outplays Panthers 2-1 in OT
Lineups: ISLANDERS DEFENSEMEN GOALTENDERS FLORIDA PANTHERS DEFENSEMEN GOALTENDERS
Power-play Conversions:
FLA - 0 of 3, NYI - 1 of 4.
IslesInfo Pregame Preview Preview Take Care of Business Dec 30: If the Islanders climb back into the playoff race, they can look back at one game that was the turning point if the season. And that was their 3-0 win over Carolina Saturday night. The 4 point swing was crucial then, and it will be crucial again tonight. Isles vs. Panthers Preview: The New York Islanders set a goal of reaching .500 before the end of the calendar year. New York can move a step closer to that goal with a win over the struggling Florida Panthers when the teams meet for the fourth and final time this season. Chris Osgood stopped 25 shots for his 35th career shutout and the Islanders killed 10 penalties Saturday in a 3-0 home victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. It was the third win in four games for New York, which would need to win Monday against Florida and Tuesday in Buffalo to reach .500 for the first time since it was 3-3-1-0 on Oct. 24. "We made it a team goal,'' coach Peter Laviolette said, "but we have to try to climb out of this hole we're in in short steps.'' Strong goaltending and penalty killing have been the main catalysts behind the Islanders' recent resurgence. Osgood has allowed just 12 goals during a personal 4-1-2 stretch, improving his goals-against average from 3.54 to 2.96. "It's all about winning games,'' Osgood said. "I think we're going in the right direction, but every time I say that, we end up laying an egg. We just have to focus on the next game.'' The return of captain Michael Peca from a knee injury has provided a huge boost to the Islanders' penalty-killing unit, which has allowed just one goal in the past 11 games. The Isles are undefeated against Florida this season at 1-0-2-0, the win came October 24 at the Nassau Coliseum by a 5-3 score. The last two games were both 3-3 ties in Florida. With a loss Saturday night to Carolina, the Islanders could have dropped to 8 or 9 points out of the playoff race. Instead with the win they are 5 points behind Washington for 8th and 6 points behind Montreal for 7th. The last three Islander opponents have been Eastern Conference foes, as the next six will be including tonight's match up against Florida and a home and home in early January against Pittsburgh, teams directly ahead of the Islanders in the standings. Five of the Isles next seven are at home. They have won 3 of their last four and are 3-1-1 in their last five. They look to improve their 8-10-2 home record. December has been a good month for the Isles as they are 6-3-2, with one more game tomorrow night in Buffalo to close out 2002. - Chris Osgood is 2-0-1 since the call up of Rick DiPietro. With Saturday night's shutout he has moved one game over .500 at 11-10-3 and lowered his GAA to 2.96, under three. He should get the call again tonight. Mark Parrish is on fire with 5 goals in his last 6 games and 6 goals in the last 9 games. If the Isles are truly determined to reach that .500 mark then they should jump all over the Panthers tonight, who have a tendency of squeaking out points in OT. What's at Stake: With a win tonight over Florida, the Islanders can jump from 13th in the conference to 11th by virtue of tying the Panthers with 35 points but with 5 more wins. The Rangers, ahead of the Islanders by one point in 5 more games played, lost last night in Tampa Bay 5-3. Pittsburgh, ahead of the Isles by 4 points, will host Atlanta who recently knocked off Carolina after firing their head coach. While Carolina is idle tonight, Washington will host Buffalo. Why does everyone ahead of the Isles have to be playing Buffalo and Atlanta right now???? Montreal is off tonight, so with a win the Isles can at least move to within 4 points of 8th place, 3 points if Washington loses.
Jokinen, Panthers in Isles Way Olli Jokinen is having a breakout season, but would you reverse the deal and give up Mark Parrish for him? Most Islander fans would say no. They should say no. With plenty at stake tonight the struggling Panthers will look to the ex-Isle for leadership.
Notes: Florida's winless streak reached four (0-1-1-2) with a 2-1 overtime loss to the visiting New York Rangers on Saturday. Sandis Ozolinsh scored and backup Jani Hurme made 35 saves for the Panthers, who have one victory in nine games (1-3-3-2), against the Buffalo Sabres, since posting consecutive wins from Dec. 4-6. "We played scared,'' coach Mike Keenan said. "We didn't have very many people who wanted to wade in, in a very combative game.'' Former Islander Roberto Luongo will likely be back in net for Florida on Monday. Luongo is 2-4-1 with a 2.44 goals-against average in 10 career games against his former team. The Panthers have won just two of their last 11 against the Islanders (2-6-3).
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Lets Go Isles! |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1998-2003 Tom Mascioli
