For those of you who have been following me for the past five years, you know I have a theory of "Full Moon Thursday = Isles Loss." I've actually charted it. I don't know why it is... it just is. (The chart says the full moon is the 30th, but it looks full right now.)
Well, it may have something to do with what @MattClausen said on Twitter "MISSING: ISLANDERS Power Play, IF FOUND PLEASE RETURN TO THE NEW YORK ISLANDERS CARE OF SCOTT GORDON" To be fair, the Isles only had one PP in the second.
The first Carolina goal by Staal came on the PP early in the first at 9:12 in. Three minutes later, it was 2 - 0. It stayed that way into the third. Neither team managed well in the second period as only 3 shots on goal were recorded -- combined.
Sim finally drew a penalty in the third at 10:37 with a hooking call on Alberts. he sells it so beautifully. And within a few seconds Yelle made it 3 - 0 with a short handed goal that went right over Ricky's glove side. Rick was visibly disappointed in himself. The Isles Power Play continued, and continued to generate nothing. They were 0 for 2 and were now down 3 - 0.
During the intermission interview with Rob Carlin, Doug Weight had said "The youth is gone..." meaning they can no longer use that as an excuse for their play. They've matured enough to know how this game is played. They just haven't been playing it the way he knows they can.
I will also say that as much as I had believed Sean Bergenheim was full of promise, I am getting just as frustrated as he is in his lack of scoring ability. I am starting to question what is wrong. Is it his depth perception (shoots high, shoots wide, shoots right in the crest). Is it his decisions with the puck? Does he hold onto it too long? Is it his shot technique? WHAT IS IT??? Someone help him! Bergenheim manages to get some amazing chances and capitalizes on so few. He even had a short handed chance tonight which would have changed the momentum of the game -- had he been able to score.
At 15:29 of the third, while I had my head down in my laptop, Matt Moulson did what I knew he would all along. He scored his 20th goal of the season and finally put the Islanders on the board. Perhaps I should have said Matt would have been the FIRST to tally 20 goals instead of saying he'd tally 20 BY the first -- of January. Oh well, water (or wine) under the bridge. and I still have to deliver on it.
Okposo almost made it 2 - 3 off a feed by JT , but he too shoot wide. With 1:22 left, Gordon pulled Rick DiPietro from his crease. I personally hate when Gordon pulls his goalie a little early. It bit him in the butt again tonight as Jokinen makes it 4 - 1 with an empty netter after the puck bounced right over Josh Bailey's stick to the right of Ward's crease. He knew that was the best chance they had to keep the gaming going. No matter how fast anyone skated, they weren't going to catch up to Yokinen to keep him from hitting that empty net.
The Islanders left the ice with their third consecutive loss while the Hurricanes are riding high with their third straight win.
Scott Gordon told Rob Carlin "We didn't play with the desperation we had in the third for two periods. We didn't work as a unit. We have to have the effort we had in the third to generate opportunities and keep the opposition on their heels." He was visibly upset. It's one of the things I like about him. You can tell he's upset, but he never pulls a "Torts." (Sorry, I just had to say that.)
Tomorrow the Islanders get a Gillies back on the team. Trevor Gillies that is will be up from Bridgeport to add a little size and grit to the team as they head into Philly on Saturday. I know he's been an interesting addition to the Sound Tigers team. I actually didn't expect to see him here. But then again, things change quickly here in Islanders Country.
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