Montreal needed two points. The Islanders needed to show off.
It was one of those games that could have gotten away from them as the second period was called "miserable" by many upstairs in the press box. But they didn't give up after letting the Habs "crawl back" into the game. (Those were Biron's words.)
Scott Gordon and everyone else in the room attributes and blames it on the youth of the team. "We have a lot of young players who want to get better. They're not hardened. They're not in a place in their careers where they've got the short end of the stick. They want to improve upon their years and continue to get better and try different things. I'm sure they'll tell you, when those things don't work and they're the wrong plays, they'll hear it from me. So, I think our guys are just playing with a lot of confidence now. They're playing the right way. They're not being high risk."
Reserved praise for a team that isn't heading for the playoffs and have found a way to win way too late in the season.
But the most telling comments came when Scott Gordon was asked if these winning ways the team is exhibiting will be used as a basis for next year or if he will start over. "They carry everything forward. The key for us -- it's a little early to talk about next year -- is just to make sure that we understand what it is to be a success."
Besides Blake Comeau's new found success these last few weeks, there is also the question of Sean Bergenheim who has been racking up points. Tonight he had a goal and two assist points. When he was interviewed in the locker room he too talked about the youth of the team and what they can take from these relatively meaningless wins.
"I think it shows that this team is growing. Obviously, I wish I had been able to help this way earlier; but I am feeling much, much better and there are a few reasons for that. It's nice to score goals. I'm not gonna lie. It's always nice. Most of all it's nice to contribute to the team. This team -- we're such a pretty young team -- every win towards next year is huge for us. We're still having fun and that's the thing we have to learn to have all of next season."
While Bergenheim was talking about what they need to do next season, when Brad Kurtzberg from InsideHockey.com asked what the difference has been in Bergie's game, he was somewhat blunt. "He's working." Hmmmm.... very telling. But Scott did continue. "With Bergie it's always consistency. He can skate, he can protect the puck, he can finish hits, he's got a good shot, but if he's not doing those things, he's just an average player. And 'average' isn't good enough for Bergie. Bergie has to excel in the areas that are his strengths and when he does -- that's when he has success."
I think I've listened to Scott Gordon long enough to be able to read between the lines. In other words, Sean's inconsistency during the season has been an irritation. The idea of being an "average" player is one that Gordon doesn't like. You know what happens to "average" players on Scott Gordon's team? They get Tambellini-ed. They sit out until there is no other choice then to play them.
So after hearing this I believe that Bergenheim's agent is going to have his work cut out for him trying to negotiate a new contract with the Islanders. This is a shame.
Marty Biron was again smiling in the locker room as he addressed the press. Why shouldn't he? His recent play has been fun to watch as he is racking up the wins. He will make some team an excellent addition. I will just be said that it may not be ours.
Kyle Okposo won the Bobby Nystrom Award this year. Very deserving.
Blake Comeau left the game after blocking a shot with his foot. He will be evaluated tomorrow, but I'm guessing -- we've seen the last of Blake and Jeff Tambellini may see the ice on Thursday. Um, maybe.
Nite all.
PS: Rolling game blog and photos available at my
http://www.7thwoman.blogspot.com website.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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