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Rivalry? What Rivalry? Isles vs. Pens Final 3 -0 Pens

October 25, 2011, 8:06 AM ET [ Comments]
Dee Karl
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
For now, game recap at www.7thwoman.blogspot.com

10:19 am: Jack has chosen Nabokov to start tonight in net with Rick DiPietro dressed on the bench. Oh.boy.

** Here is the podcast of last night's NHLWeekly with Steve Mears. http://sportstalknetwork.com/main/hockey/hockey102411.mp3

Just some quick notes as I'm running late as usual and it's game day and that means I'm running in 15 directions.

This morning I turned on FiOS 1 News to find Ron Lee doing a piece on the Islanders and their arena situation. I didn't realize that Gary Bettman had discussed the Islanders on WFAN the day before. It seems Art Staple did as there is a large article on page 5 of today's newsday about the future whereabouts of the team from the burbs.

Yes, tick-freakin'-tock Nassau. The Isles are running out of time and Charles Wang has run out of patience. He is quoted as saying he will not sign another lease with Nassau in that building just as Gary Bettman said four years ago that the Coliseum was not the quality it wants for the league.

As a Suffolk County resident that spends 45 minutes each way to get to the barn, I smiled when I heard Ron Lee say that Bettman said Suffolk is a possibility. Actually, he said that to me in our in-person interview four years ago. Suffolk has expressed interest, however Mr. Wang seems to still be holding out hope for Uniondale.

It takes time to build a quality rink and of course, as this is Long Island, it would take a LONG LONG time to get community approval of ANY project here. So what now? Okay, enough about that.

"Rivalry? What Rivalry?" came to mind when I read this morning's Islander HOCKEY article by yet another Newsday reporter. He was quoting Jack Capuano who said he doesn't view this as a rivalry and is only concerned with winning games.

Maybe he should have spoken with the marketing department who is using the "new rivalry" as a ticket selling point. Ooopppsss....

Steve Mears, the Penguins radio voice, also said that BOTH teams are really only concerned with winning games right now as points are so very important. Also discussed with him how Matt Cooke has indeed changed his game and has become more effective than anyone would have expected. (Cooke has 7 points right now.)

Well, Trevor Gillies has changed his game as well, but I'm not sure if he will be in the line-up tonight or not. Perhaps he'll be on the bench as insurance that both teams are ONLY looking to win the game.

Either way, expect a chippy game but hopefully not a repeat of last season.

There is no morning skate for the Isles today, only work outs and meetings. Tensions will be running high and this should be a game worth watching even if you're a fan of another NHL team.

More later.
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