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ISLES INFO |
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ISLES INFO |
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IslesInfo Comments: The Islanders had a great first period tonight, just as they did last nigh against the Phoenix Coyotes. But once again the Islanders showed that they were either unwilling or unable to show any discipline tonight. And when they were not disciplined, they were unable to survive the consequences. The Islanders first got on the board on the powerplay, something that seems to be going pretty good right now, unlike earlier in the season. Leading scorer Shawn Bates scored his second goal of the season when Mark Parrish stole the puck in the left faceoff dot. Parrish practically turned it into a 2 on 0 as he backhanded a pass over to Bates, who shoveled it up high over Kevin Weekes. The Carolina goaltender was playing Parrish all the way and had no chance on Bates in front. The Islanders, even though they were undisciplined all night, still seemed to get the short end of the stick on certain calls. The only call that did seem to go their way was when Sean Hill was assessed a 4 minute penalty for highsticking, and cutting, Dave Scatchard. But the replay clearly showed that it was Scatchard's teammate Jason Blake who highsticked him. The Isles powerplay was broken up by a call against them shortly after. But on the second half of the powerplay, and with only 5 seconds remaining, the Islanders went up 2-0. Adrian Aucoin received a pass up at the high point. Upon taking the shot, the puck got deflected up by a Carolina stick. As the puck sailed through the slot, rookie Justin Mapletoft managed to get his stick shaft on the puck which redirected it off Weekes blocker pad and into the net. It was Mapletoft's first NHL goal. Raffi Torres, who is still looking for his first NHL goal, was also in the slot. The Islanders finished out the period well, outshooting the Canes 10-6. - The second period, as has been the case as of late, saw the Islanders totally unravel and the undisciplined play officially began. Bates had a particularly bad period as he took two straight penalties. The first for roughing, which was a bit onesided since both players were going at it for a long time. But only Bates got the call. Later he was called for slashing. Unfortunately for the Islanders, Carolina scored on both chances. They cut the Isles lead to 2-1 at 4:28 when Rod Brind'amour circles around an aggressive Garth Snow, sent the puck back into an open crease and found the stick of Sami Kapanen. Kapanen, who was poorly checked by Claude Lapointe, chipped in his 3rd of the season. All three of his goals are against the Islanders this season. Carolina would tie it up at 8:35 on a goal by Jeff O'Neill, who now has a 10 game point scoring streak. Snow made a save in the goal crease but allowed a rebound to bounce through to the open end of the net. O'Neill was there to bounce on the tap in before any Islander can get to him or the puck. At 15:10, the Islanders were about to go on the powerplay, but Scatchard took an undisciplined tripping penalty. He then began to mouth off to the referees and was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Soon after at 15:46 Niclas Wallin took what seemed to be a stoppable shot from the point in on Snow, and somehow it found it's way through the pads after a deflection. Probalby can be classified as a bad goal. Snow surprisingly started this game one night after his disappointing loss to Phoenix. Perhaps Laviolette thought he played well against Phoenix and deserved another chance to get right back in there. OR, perhaps he is sending a message to struggling number one goaltender Chris Osgood. - Wallin's goal gave Carolina the 3-2 lead coming into the third period. The Islanders trips to the penalty box continued. So did their inability to get anything going offensively. The Hurricanes had a total of 4 powerplays to the Islanders one in a period where the Islanders were trying to tie the game. For the game, Carolina had 10 advantages going 3-10. The Islanders went 2-6. With the Islanders net empty Parrish was called for a weak crosscheck from behind in front of Carolina's net. Just seconds before he was slashed in the ankle with no call. The Islanders kept Snow out of the net even with Carolina on the man advantage, which eventually led to an empty netter by Brind'amour, who now has 7 goals on the year. The Islanders now drop to their new low point of the season at 3-6-1-0. They return home Saturday night to face the St. Louis Blues who despite having goaltending problems as of late, have only lost one game all season. The Isles have now lost three straight. Fight Card: None. Commentary: If they don't win against St. Louis, I say bring up Rick DiPietro. Despite his struggles in the preseason, he DID have the most impressive win. It's getting close to time that the Islanders need to see what the first pick overall in 2000 can provide, or if the Islanders made a mistake with the pick since both Marian Gaborik and Dany Heatley are both having success in the NHL. They were both taken directly after the Islanders selected DiPietro. St. Louis is really gonna be tough though. They have all the guns firing right now. But what the hell is going on with these penalties? Their play right now along with the penalties and decisions is really sickening, stupid and senseless right now. The Islanders before this game were outshooting their opponent something like 289 to 199. Yet the Islanders were scoring on a ratio of every 12 shots and the opposition scoring at a ratio of 1 on every 6 shots. Finally, it just seems that not even the referees understand the new obstruction calls. There were about three times when an Islander player played the puck ahead only to be held up by a defenseman. No obstruction call. I'm all in favor of opening up the game, but I am not happy with the officiating thus far. Too many calls.
Report Card: Brad Isbister: Just seems to lack creativity with the puck. He never makes a pass to an open man in front of the net. And when he hesitates to use his speed and strength to the net, gets taken off the puck easily. Perhaps he doesn't want any pressure as alluded to before. Perhaps his two goal game again the Flyers was just luck. Alexei Yashin: He, along with Bates, have been finding themselves in the penalty box way too often lately. Now Yashin isn't usually prone to taking many penalties which begs you to ask if there are being too many calls made? On the other note, his holding penalty in the third period was 100% dumb on his part. Shawn Bates: Two horrible penalties led to Carolina scoring two and tying the game. The Islander leading scorer has also been their worst enemy the last couple of games. Mark Parrish: Nice pass to Bates on goal number one. Took the penalty late. But once you give a good goaltender like Weekes a lead in the third period it's very hard to score anyway. Raffi Torres: 5 games without a point. Dave Scatchard: Undisciplined as he mouthed off to the referee and got tagged with an extra two minutes. Wallin's goal came shortly after. Arron Asham: Non-effective. Tried to take a shot through a Hurricane players feet by the point that was blocked and basically had no chance. Adrian Aucoin luckily scooped up the rebound. Jason Wiemer: Non-effective. Has proven to be a big bust thus far. At least he owned up to his stupidity for the Phoenix loss. Jason Blake: Drew a good penalty with his hustle, but what is a good penalty and bad penalty anymore? There are so many calls being made. And so many negated powerplays for it to matter. Claude Lapointe: Has been taking some bad penalties lately as well. Justin Mapletoft: At one point in the second period it seemed like he was the best Islander on the ice. And it paid off as he deflected in his first NHL goal. I hope he got the puck. It didn't seem like he did. Which bothers me because close teams look after their teammates that way. Steve Webb: Played sparingly. Defense: Roman Hamrlik: Actually had another pretty good game. His seventh assist of the season ties him for the team lead. Adrian Aucoin: Still missing the net with shots. Eric Cairns: Made a few nice passes in the game. Kenny Jonsson: Seems a bit hesitant to get involved in physical play because of his bad hand. Radek Martinek: Seems to be not as comfortable as he was last October. Mattias Timander: Is this guy really helping us? Goal: Garth Snow: Was a bit surprising that Chris Osgood did not get the start. Snow played well against Phoenix and deserved a better fate. So Laviolette went with him tonight. Snow played great in the first period, but in the second period he decided to do his best Osgood impersonation and give up what eventually would be a weak game winning goal. Who starts in goal now??? Coach: Last season coach Laviolette seemed to get through to his players that taking these undisciplined penalties would not be tolerated or beneficial to the Islanders cause. This season, with the so called new obstruction calls, the Islanders seem to be playing like they were left out of any informing that these calls would be made. Perhaps Lavvy and Mike Milbury may have to dip into Bridgeport once again and do some shuffling soon.
Hurricanes 4, Islanders 2
Lineups: ISLANDERS DEFENSE GOALTENDERS CAROLINA HURRICANES DEFENSE GOALTENDERS
Power-play Conversions: Ny
Islanders - 2 of 6, Carolina - 3 of 10.
IslesInfo Pregame Preview Preview Isles Look to Rebound, Again Oct 30: The Islanders have had some disappointing outcomes as of late. And thankfully after last nights latest collapse against Phoenix, they will get right back out there. It's a good bet that Chris Osgood will be back in net tonight in Carolina. - For the second time this season the Isles are 2 games under the .500 mark. And they know they cannot fall any more below that. Especially with the Atlantic Division beginning to separate from them as they are 7 points behind the Flyers. They are 5 points behind New Jersey and Pittsburgh, and 3 points behind the Rangers. A few wins in a row and they are right back in there. But that's better said than done as of late. Surprisingly, the team the Isles faced in a heated playoff battle just last April, the Maple Leafs, are struggling just as bad, or maybe even worse, as the Isles. That's how competitive the conference is as there are many teams vying to get off to new starts. And there are a few surprise teams early on. The Isles believe that they just got to keep on plugging. Eventually something has to go their way. Perhaps it is good to have a game here on the road after going 1-3 on a four game homestand. The Islanders will return home for a two game mini homestand Staurday against St. Louis and then Monday against Calgary. Right now, the team is very frustrated that things are not going right. If one thing is going good, there's another that is not. The Isles are still vastly outshooting their opponent, but goaltending has not been up to par. Penalties are being taken at most inopportune times. Lots of chances are not being finished. But the Islanders will try and put that all behind them and get a win tonight against Carolina in what will be the 10th game of the season. The Islanders are looking to improve on their 3-5-1-0 record. The Islanders currently have 7 points. Last season at this time, they had 15 following their amazing start. Rematch Against Carolina The Isles skate into Carolina tonight for a one game road trip. A frustrated team, they will be looking for a win at all costs. The first game of the Isles recent four game homestand back on October 22nd saw former Isles Kevin Weekes earn a 4-1 win. - Carolina is coming off a win last night in New Jersey over the red hot Devils. Weekes is playing very well for Carolina lately and he got the 2-1 win last night. Jaroslav Svoboda scored for the Canes. Jeff O'Neill is red hot as he extended his scoring streak to nine games with a goal and an assist against the Devils. Garth Snow had a sub par performance against Carolina in their last meeting. The Isles at one point outshot the Canes 19-5 and trailed 3-0. Ron Francis is always a player to watch. The most under-rated player in NHL history provides Carolina with excellent leadership rquivalent to that of Michael Peca with the Islanders. Unfortunately the Isles are without Peca, and it shows. Josef Vasicek did not play again against the Devils last night because of back spasms. Rod Brind'amour had a goal against the Isles in their last meeting. Sami Kapanen scored twice, including an empty netter. Brind'amour has 6 goals in the season. O'Neill leads the team in scoring going 3-8-11 in 10 games played. Bates Battaglia has added some chippyness to his game this season. Carolina also has a very well rounded defense with the likes of Sean Hill, Bret Hedican, Glen Wesley and crew. The Islanders pretty much dominated the Canes in 2001-02, and believed they were better than the team that went to the Stanley Cup Finals. But they are going to have to come up with a great effort to beat the Hurricanes tonight. Carolina had their number last week and Paul Maurice always has them show up to play. Carolina is currently 4-4-1-1.
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Lets Go Isles! |
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1998-2003 Tom Mascioli
