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Notes from the Icebox Update 9/26 3:43 pm Barclays Roster?

September 25, 2014, 11:26 PM ET [12 Comments]
Dee Karl
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
9/26 10:28 am: Art Staple of Newsday is doing his best guessing before Jack Capuano announces the actual roster for tonight's game against the NJD:

Lee- Tavares - Okposo, Grabovski-Nelson-Kulemin, Grabner-Sundstrom-Bailey, Boulton - Mouillierat-McDonald. On Defense: Czuczman-Hamonic, Strait-Pulock, Donovan-Brennan. Chad Johnson and Leggio will be dressed for net.


Let's see what Jack says.
3:43 pm:
Brett Cyrgalis ‏@BrettCyrgalis · 1h
Capuano said that he's "leaning toward" Chad Johnson getting the whole game in #Isles nets tonight. David Leggio backing up.


I would.

Looks a little tight, don't it?




11 pm: Because that’s what it felt like. Due to my work schedule, today was the first day I could sneak out to Isles camp at IceWorks. I dressed appropriately, but I forgot exactly HOW cold they keep that building. Dan Savarino from WRHU reminded me. But he wasn’t dressed warm enough either. So while I didn’t have time to stay for post practice interviews, I did come away with some thoughts.

1) They can never stick to a time table. Something always comes up.

2) Travis Hamonic has a body double. I was wondering why the heck Travis Hamonic was on the ice in a track suit with the coaching staff. Because it was Matt Bertani.

3) Matt Martin was no worse for the wear of last night’s fight. He was flying on the ice and shooting hard.

4) Jaroslav Halak was getting peppered at one end of the ice. I’m surprised he didn’t get really angry. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen players take three or four whacks at a puck that was saved, just to see how many times it would take to get it in the net.

5) Chad Johnson looked great and comfortable.

6) TJ Brennan was a stand-out in the group. I can’t explain why, but every time I saw a blue blur that seemed impressive, there was a 4 on the back of the helmet.

7) Eric Boulton wears really short shorts.

8) As Art Staple mentioned, George McPhee was there today with Garth Snow. Interesting.

9) Jack Capuano has his work cut out for him making decisions. Good thing he’s got plenty of help from his coaching staff.

10) I watched John Tavares and Kyle Okposo with some of the sickest moves skate in on Halak and just make him look silly. That ten seconds was worth every moment of those 60 minutes with frozen toes.

Speaking of Captain John Tavares, I heard something interesting today regarding Derek Jeter’s Captaincy of the Yankees. “Sports is all about timing. He was the best Captain because he had the best team.” Is this the best team John Tavares can Captain? Can they bring him success?

Tomorrow’s game at the Barclay’s will be televised on MSG plus something or other. Chris King will get his chance to shine on TV for a change. He doesn’t get this chance enough. Greg Picker will be taking his place on the radio feed, so whether you’re home or on the road, you should be able to hear it.

Let us hope the ice at the new arena is better than last year. The worse the ice is, the greater the chance for injury. And we don’t want that!

The LIRR is hoping tomorrow night is not a repeat of last year’s Brooklyn Isles game and increasing service. The Isles hoping it won’t be a repeat either since they couldn’t score a single goal against the Devils. That has to change. Although it is pre-season.

“You know who says it doesn’t matter, it’s only pre-season? -- The fans of the team that loses.”
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