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The "A" Team takes on the "B"ruins

October 1, 2011, 9:29 AM ET [ Comments]
Dee Karl
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Islanders 2nd squad couldn’t manage a single goal in New Jersey last night and offered up only 17 shots on Johan Hedberg. Tonight they face the Stanley Cup Bruins AGAIN. The difference will be the first line. With more of an “A” squad presence on the Bridgeport ice, I am hoping that the Isles not only get on the score sheet, but somehow manage a win. Of course that win still doesn’t count as they will only start accumulating stats after Wednesday’s official start or the season, but it will count to them.

Tonight’s team will be: Moulson, Tavares, Parenteau. Okposo, Nielsen, Grabner. Comeau, Reasoner, Haley (Or I really like it in the box), Pandolfo, Cizikas (who will be smiling ear to ear), Bailey. On D tonight will be Streit, Mottau (who both played last night), MacDonald (welcome back A-Mac, Hamonic, Eaton & Reese. Goaltenders making the trip: Nabokov and Montoya.

As I told Kevin Dexter of WRHU on Friday afternoon, I am so glad that I am not the one who has to make the decisions of who goes and who stays. It’s too difficult. We already know those who have one way deals and will be with the club anyway, but it’s those few coveted remaining spots that are the tough ones.

Which youngster will impress Garth and Company so much that it’s impossible to send him down. While Jack said that he doesn’t feel that cut day is a problem because all of the Islanders teams offer great opportunity and learning experiences, tell that to the boys pinning their hopes on an Islander sweater.

When I noticed that this last pre-season game would be played in Bridgeport, I was so excited! The last time I saw an Isles pre-season game in Bridgeport was probably 2002. The family and I took the ferry from Port Jefferson and headed over the sound to see the Islanders take on Mario Lemieux and the Penguins. The seats were third row, center ice and I marveled over the sightlines, cup holders and wide seats.

I also marveled over the way young Sean Bergenheim played against Mario the Great. Don’t ask me if the Isles won or lost. I don’t remember. But I remember the fabulous time I had with my family and the smiles on the faces of the Islander fans on the ferry back to the Island.

Will it be the team of A-Mac and Hamonic that will be making fans talk on the way home tonight? Will Casey Cizikas shine the way Bergenheim did so very long ago?

Will last year’s amazing chemistry on the first line be glaringly apparent once again? Let’s hope so.

Let’s also hope that Nino Niederreiter gets some good news today after his evaluation for a groin strain.

If you’re heading to Bport today, have a wonderful time and take advantage of all the wonderful, fan-friendly happenings at the arena. It really is a wonderful place for hockey.

Sidenote: Oh Crap! I almost forgot about Ryan Strome's hit late in the third on Brian Gionta's little brother Stephen. According to @TGFireandice it doesn't look like there will be any supplemental discipline handed down from Shanahammer on the kid. Let's hope that's the case. I'm sure he feels bad about it.
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