Well, the last day of 2013 is upon us and the Islanders have a chance to end the year on a high note in Boston if they can pull off the same sort of stunning come-from-behind win. Or, maybe they can just maintain a lead for a full 60 minutes -- or at least PLAY for a full 60 minutes
Could it be that they have finally figured out how to do that? After 20 minutes of lack-luster play in Minnesota, I wonder who stepped up in the locker room and read the riot act that made the Isles come out firing on all cylinders. Was it Kyle Okposo and Thomas Vanek saying they refuse to be embarrassed in front of their family and friends in the arena? Or was it John Tavares reminding his team that they actually CAN win games.
Another possibility; Jack Capuano heading into the locker room and telling his team that after Garth Snow just told the viewing audience what a great job he was doing, that they were letting him down. Hell, the Jets played up to keep coach Rex Ryan, could the Isles play up to their potential for Jack Capuano? Possible? No? Okay, it was a thought. . At least they will have their Lucky Charm, Jiggs McDonald, with them tonight calling the game in place of Howie Rose. Jiggs will always be the best, and listening to him is comforting for us who remember the good-old-days.
For a long time, fans had asked to hear from Garth Snow on the ‘State of the Isles.’ With Butch Goring tossing cotton balls at him, Garth finally faced the cameras. The ‘interview’ has been criticized left and right both during the broadcast and well after. To those who complained the loudest I ask: WHAT DID YOU EXPECT??
Garth Snow is not Brian Burke. He never was. There will never be an interview where you will see passionate emotion or hear harsh realities. That is not Snow’s style. He will forever be reserved, quiet and basically a politician. He will answer questions with as much information as he wants to give you, not what you expect. And he will ask for patience. Again. He will also never throw anyone under a bus, no matter what is going on behind the scenes. He does not believe in “kicking a man when he’s down” or “destroying a man’s ability to make a living.” Nope.
He is also a man who will stand behind his actions no matter how dumbass they look to the rest of the world. Maybe that is his biggest fault. He believes in what he does. Sometimes (maybe not often enough) things work out the way he expected, sometimes they don’t. Right now -- they’re not.
This was a team that he wanted to ‘contend for a Stanley Cup.’ Right now he has a team that is trying to get out of the basement in a pitiful division. It’s a sad state of affairs, but as the calendar turns over a new page, maybe these lackluster Islanders will turn over a new leaf and remember how to win.
Let’s hope for a Happy New Year from Boston.
Sideboard: Josh Bailey may be out tonight as Art Staple reported he only stayed on the ice yesterday for a few minutes and then left. He’ll keep us informed later today.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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