10:38 pm: A 6 - 3 loss to the Flyers didn’t totally dampen the spirits at the Islanders MeetUp in North Babylon at Buffalo Wild Wings. The bar was packed with fans in jerseys talking and mingling with the Ice Girls and Bud Girls calling raffles and giving out prizes.
I left early to get home to write and listened to most of the third on the radio with Chris King doing the call.
Even though there was a possibility of inching closer as it was 3 - 5, when Jack pulled Nabokov and the empty netter was scored, the game along with that playoff hope faded.
Jack was kind enough to talk to Peter Ruttgaizer even though he probably didn’t want to. “They out-muscled us. They were stronger on their sticks. That’s the disappointing part. We have to battle a little harder one on one. We had some chances, but a little late. We blew rush coverage on one,… you gotta win those battles on these games. That’s all.”
It was the first time you could really see a frustration level building in Jack. Once again, the Isles scored first. Once again, they lost when it counted.
According to Jack, they knew coming into the game that the Flyers would play a big, physical game and they’d have to play the walls. “You can defend and keep them on the outside but you have to win the battles.” He really didn’t see a battle level tonight from his team.
The Flyers had their own problems, especially losing James Van Riemsdyk his foot blocking a Jurcina shot. But they watched how the Isles were playing and changed their strategy to beat them.
Josh Bailey played well, very well, and scored two goals. I wanted the hat trick for him but that didn’t happen. Casey Cizikas earned his first two points in the NHL proving he really, really wants to stay with the Isles, win or lose.
So there were bright spots to an ultimately disappointing game. According to Butch, there were good passes and they were shooting the puck. “If you don’t’ shoot the puck you won’t score goals.”
PA Parenteau told Peter, “The span of 5 minutes that they scored two goals -- that really stung. The momentum switched. They’re a pretty deep team especially up front.”
Boston is the same kind of team; big and physical. What do they have to do to play against them on Saturday? “Try to work harder. Dig pucks along the wall and win battles. That was the turning point.”
They played a good game. They’ve done that before. But once again, they didn’t come away the winners.
Casey Cizikas had a few words with Peter as well. When he was asked how he felt about the Flyers and how it was facing them he replied “They’re a big team and they work it to their advantage.” The youngster already has some interesting descriptions for the media. “You try to come out guns-a-blazing” and that third goal took the wind out of our sails.” And of course, “you have to be mentally strong and try to battle through it.”
But he also realized and admitted that there are things in his own game that he has to work on. He is “clicking” with his line mates. But that didn’t get the Islanders very far.
The Isles will have another day to ponder their end of season fate before they face the Bruins. I’m glad I’m not on that bus.
Three Stars: Matt Read and his two goals and one assist earned him the first star of the game. Jagr earned the second star and Bailey the third.
6:08 pm: Heading to Buffalo Wild Wings for the viewing party. Try to be nice. Be back to recap after.
3:42 pm: Dylan Reese has been activiated off IR and is ready to play. Nino gave Art Staple a quote he can take to the bank this afternoon. He's not happy about sitting out. Not by a long shot.
1:43 pm: When John Tavares did a very groggy interview this morning on WFAN's Boomer & Carton show, he was asked about how the possibility of having to leave Nassau County effected them. John's answer was honest. He said they are aware of the situation and think of it but there's not anything they can do about it other than try to play as best they can to keep them in Nassau. But they have no control of it and it isn't on their minds daily.
Also the personal revelation is that John Tavares is dating a young Canadian girl.
Although I personally think Carton is a dipwad.
12:23 pm: It's official, Nino Niederreiter sits for a second straight game. Nabokov is in net and Jack decided NOT to change up his lines from Tuesday. uh, oh. Will they end up with the same outcome? A strong game but a devastating defeat?
12:02 pm: The Isles have hit the ice for practice today around 11:30 am and Dylan Reese has joined them at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly. He met the team this morning. Will he play? Who will sit?
Jack Capuano knows the importance of this game and the difficulty level. If he doesn't get a bounce back win out of them after the loss to the Capitals, this team will not have any fight left in them to finish the season. If he does get a win, they just may realize how important stringing a few wins together is for their own mental health.
Big Story: How will the Flyers rebound after a rough loss in San Jose? Can the Islanders keep their Philadelphia win streak going?
So that is the question I found on NHL.com by Adam Kimelman. Shall we answer it for him? The Flyers will rebound with a flourish and the Islanders will not keep the streak going.
Personally, I’m of the mindset that the wins were strictly a matter of time. They couldn’t lose forever. That’s not how things work. So, where do we go from here?
Well, I’m going to Buffalo Wild Wings in North Babylon to drown my Isles fan sorrows with other fans -- and the Ice Girls. This may be the first Viewing party to be held in Suffolk County this season. Something I’ve been complaining about for quite a while. Therefore, if I don’t show up for at least a little while, it would be quite hypocritical of me.
Also, when there is a crowd all talking together, our eyes won’t be 100% on the game and at least I won’t really have to listen intently to Peter Ruttgaizer.
The Islanders had off on Wednesday and Matt Moulson took in a movie to relax. But while Moulson was relaxing Anders Nilsson had to hustle as he was recalled on emergency basis from Bport because Al Montoya is now listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury. (uh… really?)
Also Mark Katic is NOT still on IR,(as indicated in the Islanders preview) he was returned to Bridgeport.
Will Nino be back on the ice or up in the press box tomorrow? Will Michael Grabner find the back of the net? At least we know who will be IN net. That’s Evgeni Nabokov because they’re not taking a chance on Anders Nilsson in Flyer territory. Not a chance.
Unless of course they’ve changed their idea of chasing a playoff spot to tanking.
Big Story: How will the Flyers rebound after a rough loss in San Jose? Can the Islanders keep their Philadelphia win streak going?
So that is the question I found on NHL.com by Adam Kimelman. Shall we answer it for him? The Flyers will rebound with a flourish and the Islanders will not keep the streak going.
Personally, I’m of the mindset that the wins were strictly a matter of time. They couldn’t lose forever. That’s not how things work. So, where do we go from here?
Well, I’m going to Buffalo Wild Wings in North Babylon to drown my Isles fan sorrows with other fans -- and the Ice Girls. This may be the first Viewing party to be held in Suffolk County this season. Something I’ve been complaining about for quite a while. Therefore, if I don’t show up for at least a little while, it would be quite hypocritical of me.
Also, when there is a crowd all talking together, our eyes won’t be 100% on the game and at least I won’t really have to listen intently to Peter Ruttgaizer.
The Islanders had off on Wednesday and Matt Moulson took in a movie to relax. But while Moulson was relaxing Anders Nilsson had to hustle as he was recalled on emergency basis from Bport because Al Montoya is now listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury. (uh… really?)
Also Mark Katic is NOT still on IR,(as indicated in the Islanders preview) he was returned to Bridgeport.
Will Nino be back on the ice or up in the press box tomorrow? Will Michael Grabner find the back of the net? At least we know who will be IN net. That’s Evgeni Nabokov because they’re not taking a chance on Anders Nilsson in Flyer territory. Not a chance.
Unless of course they’ve changed their idea of chasing a playoff spot to tanking.
Big Story: How will the Flyers rebound after a rough loss in San Jose? Can the Islanders keep their Philadelphia win streak going?
So that is the question I found on NHL.com by Adam Kimelman. Shall we answer it for him? The Flyers will rebound with a flourish and the Islanders will not keep the streak going.
Personally, I’m of the mindset that the wins were strictly a matter of time. They couldn’t lose forever. That’s not how things work. So, where do we go from here?
Well, I’m going to Buffalo Wild Wings in North Babylon to drown my Isles fan sorrows with other fans -- and the Ice Girls. This may be the first Viewing party to be held in Suffolk County this season. Something I’ve been complaining about for quite a while. Therefore, if I don’t show up for at least a little while, it would be quite hypocritical of me.
Also, when there is a crowd all talking together, our eyes won’t be 100% on the game and at least I won’t really have to listen intently to Peter Ruttgaizer.
The Islanders had off on Wednesday and Matt Moulson took in a movie to relax. But while Moulson was relaxing Anders Nilsson had to hustle as he was recalled on emergency basis from Bport because Al Montoya is now listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury. (uh… really?)
Also Mark Katic is NOT still on IR,(as indicated in the Islanders preview) he was returned to Bridgeport.
Will Nino be back on the ice or up in the press box tomorrow? Will Michael Grabner find the back of the net? At least we know who will be IN net. That’s Evgeni Nabokov because they’re not taking a chance on Anders Nilsson in Flyer territory. Not a chance.
Unless of course they’ve changed their idea of chasing a playoff spot to tanking.
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