If you pick up a book in Barnes & Noble called, "Pittsburgh's 100 Great Day Trips" and # 63 is "Uniondale, New York"....you may want to plan a little extra time or do something comparable.....something like counting the hairs on your head.

I love to drive. Love it. This was tough. Leaving Pitt at 8 am and arriving in the NY Metro Area 7 hours later....just 40 miles from Uniondale and 2.5 hours later still...here I am...

And then, I get my pass, meet up with Paul Provenzano, and head down all haggard for the pre-game meal...First guy I see... Jason Lockhart. Great Guy. The Isle Web/Publications Coordinator....The second guy....David Kolb...another great guy...David writes an Islanders blog for MSG you would all love.

The next guy I saw was Rob Ray who came over to me and looked pretty pissed.

He says. "Hey are you the guy who wrote 'bleep' about me in some blog?"

After 10+ hours in a car when confronted by Rob Ray who asks you that kind of question you do pause for a seond. I said, "Ah, No. You must mean Garth."

"No it was you."

"O.....K....."

Then Kolb and Ray start cracking up...I was had...

Aaaah to have friends in high places...

"You looked pretty scared," Kolb said.

"He looked pretty convincing," I replied, "And I have prepared myself for this to happen eventually anyway..."

"You didn't think it was a joke?" Paul asked.

"No I just figured. Uh oh, Gig is up!"

"Well you have your next blog. Well done Ray!" Kolb said.

For those of you who would like to call Mr Kolb and express your concerns email me for his cell and home numbers....

I'll tell you what is awesome...This place is truly rocking. I was 12 when the Isles won their first of four cups...so throughout my teem years, when I was loving hockey, The Islanders were mighty. When I came to my firstgame in the press box last year I was looking forward to the arena I grew up watching Boss and Trots and Potvin in...

The place was half empty and quiet as could be..It was bizarre.

Tonight it's the 80's again and it is amazing to witness first hand...I hope that is coming through on television...This is a hockey island. It has been a while, but The Cups are in their blood... They remember.

.
too late arriving for the 7pm Ek Factors...Coming Later Ek Factors for Preds/Sharks

The Ek's Factors for The Sabres @ The Islanders

1. Last Game Carry-Over:
Sabres +2 , Islanders +1

2. Revenge Factor:Islanders +2

3. Style Versus Opponent:
Sabres +4, Islanders +2

4. Faith in Goaltending:
Sabres+3, Islanders +3

5. Experience:
Sabres +3, Islanders +2

6. Confidence vs. Frustration (negative numbers are frustration, positive are confidence):
Sabres +3 , Islanders +3

7. Aggressiveness: Sabres +2, Islanders +3

8. Desperation Factor: ,
Islanders +3

9. Below, Meeting, or Beyond Expectations this Season(zero is meeting):
Sabres 0, Islanders +2

10. Let Down/ Fatigue Factor: Isles -2 (they looked tired in the third of game three..alot of work over the last three weeks for these guys)


11. Fan Factor:Islanders +4 (place is incredibly electric)



Tonight's Ek's Factors are even:Islanders +23, Sabres +17
My Prediction: Sabres 3 Isles 2 (OT)


RECORD TO DATE: The EK factor is 21-11, My Predictions are 21-12 (with 6 exact scores)


Let's hear those predictions...