Recommended Reading: Bourne's Blog

If you have a few spare minutes, I'd like to recommend you take a gander over to a new blog that was brought to my attention this afternoon, Bourne's Blog.

Justin Bourne (son of Islander Hall of Famer Bob), recovering from a broken jaw, has found a new passion, and that's blogging. And may I say, he does a very good job at it. 

He's even scored himself a weekly column in his hometown paper!

His newest entry tells of an interesting story of how his girlfriend, Brianna Gillies (last name sound familiar?), and him met, as well as a very interesting offer to the Islanders front-office. 

I think he's on to something there...you'll know if you check it out...

Thanks again to Justin Bourne for reaching out and bringing it to my attention. 

McLean Feature on NYI.com

If you've headed over to the Islanders Official site in the past day, you may have noticed the lead story on new Islanders winger Kurtis McLean's rise through the ranks from Division III Norwich Univiersity to the New York Islanders.

An unlikely journey to the NHL, don't you say?

Jason Lockhart does a great job featuring the Islanders winger (and yours truly gets additional credit on the report!).

Check out the story here

By The Numbers

So today, while writing my game recap for the Islanders official site, I thought it might be interesting to have a little fun with numbers.

Let's give this a shot...

300 - Man games lost due to injury and illness.

75 - Yann Danis' number while Wade Dubielewicz was on the roster for all of one day.

35 - Games Rick DiPietro has missed on the injured list

34  - Points by the Islanders leading scorer, Mark Streit.

-27 - Brendan Witt's +/- rating. I'm quite sure it's NOT Go-Go's system that's the problem here...

23.4 - Average age of the Islanders first powerplay unit Monday afternoon.

21  - Blogs in the NYI Blog Box

7 - Times Yann Danis has been recalled this season.

6 - Islanders that made their NHL debut this season. (Kurtis McLean, Trevor Smith, Joe Callahan, Brett Skinner, Mitch Fritz, Peter Mannino)

4 - Goaltenders used this year on the Island.

3...4- Times Frederic Cloutier has been mentioned on this blog. (Hi, Mike!)

2 - Islanders that have yet to miss a game. (Streit, Guerin)...knowing my luck, they get hurt in the next week...

2 - Wins so far in the past two months

1 - Wins by Islanders goaltenders on the active roster (DiPietro: 1-3-0, Danis: 0-5-1, Mannino: 0-0-0)

1 - Islanders that have a + rating. (Andy Sutton, +3)

0 - Games Wade Dubielewicz played in an Islanders uniform.

Campoli day-to-day...Hillen Recalled

Looks like the injury bug continues, as Chris Campoli is day-to-day with a strained groin.

As a result, Jack Hillen has been recalled from Bridgeport

Peter Mannino, come on down!!!

...you've got a long trip back down from Binghamton to be the Islanders back-up!!!

And yes, this was confirmed by a reliable source...

Thanks, Wade...

Enjoy the flight to Columbus

I hope Peter Mannino has a decent car...he's got a good five-hour drive back from Binghamton...

Finally Arrived in Bridgeport!

So Doug and I have finally made it to Bridgeport for the Bears-Tigers game after sitting in two hours of traffic on I-95. It's 2-2 after the first period with the Sound Tigers goals coming off the sticks of Mike Iggulden and Ben Walter.

END OF PERIOD 2

The second period saw the Sound Tigers getting into penalty trouble and henceforth giving goaltender Nathan Lawson plenty of work. 

Scary scene late in the second though as a Hershey forward was tripping and sent flying into Lawson, who immediately took his helmet and gloves off and clutched his throat.

He was fine, thank goodness. I had Frederic Cloutier on hold just incase.

But on the ensuing powerplay (which was a 5-on-3, no less), Hershey took the 3-2 lead off of an Alexandre Giroux goal. What's impressive is that Giroux has now scored in 13 straight games.  An impressive feat.

Sound Tigers will start the third period with a 1:56 powerplay.  

FINAL HERSHEY 5, BRIDGEPORT 3

Ben Walter's second goal of the game wasn't enough as Alexandre Giroux and Francois Boucher scored in the third period to put the Bears over the Tigers for the victory.

Thoughts from the lockerroom tomorrow...goodnight y'all

Oh, you didn't know?

The Islanders are apparently moving to Kansas City.

Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to mention that it's just for an exhibition game.

Yep, an exhibition game...between two teams...one of them being the Islanders...in Kansas City.

Let the freak-out begin...

Go on...

I'll give you time...

Did you digest it yet...?

Alright, let's get to the thick of things here...


Yes, this is a strong message to the Town of Hempstead saying "Hey! This is a place that may house a viable NHL market, let's see how things fare here if you don't want to give us the Lighthouse."

But this is no reason to panic.

I kid you not, since the original story surfaced, the first thing people will tell me was "So hear about Kansas City?"

Yes?? And???

"They may move there"

No.

Darren Dreger made repeated mentions in his story that the Islanders have no plans on moving soon. Mr. Wang has said that time and time again.

Is this an act of frustration? Possibly.

But in my eyes, I think this is an act by the NHL. The NHL have always wanted to see if Kansas

City could support an NHL franchise once again. And exhibition games are always a good way of seeing if this could be done.

That's not to say the Islanders are a thought in the back of the NHL's mind, but it could be any team that is struggling financially that could possibly move there.

Or even an expansion team.

The bottom line is that all this talk about the Islanders moving is pretty silly now.

It's one exhibition game.

Let's stop inferring things for headlines here.

Thank you, let's move on.

Nothing to see here...

I think I got my answer...

Just where is Frederic Cloutier? Is it....

• A) Italy


• B) Mike Fornabaio's blog


• C) All of the above

Just proves to me that great minds really do think alike!

Now excuse me while I try to calm this whole Kansas City fire...

Mannino to be recalled

According to multiple reports, the Islanders will be recalling goaltender Peter Mannino to back up Yann Danis tonight.

Mannino better hope something doesn't happen to Danis...his first and only NHL appearance was against the same Boston Bruins the Islanders will be playing tonight, giving up 3 goals on 8 shots.

Where's Frederic Cloutier when you need him??

More later...

So far, standing pat

Mike Fornabaio is in Hartford where the Sound Tigers are visiting the Wolfpack, and is reporting that currently both Peter Mannino and Nathan Lawson are both present and expected dress for the Sound Tigers.

No news on any possible callups or signings, yet...

"This is crazy..."

That's pretty much what Islanders captain Bill Guerin said in response to a question about the moutning Islanders injuries.

You think, Bill?

Infact, it's becoming more of a humourous situation than of a frustrating kind. You could see it in Scott Gordon's face when asked if he can believe that this is happening.

Gordon looked at reporter and in a moment of candor and honest, cracked a smile almost like he was going to start laughing.

"I can believe it."

It seemed like the first time in a long time, when asked about injuries, we didn't get the usual "injuries are part of the game" and "you got to deal with the hand you're dealt" rhetoric from the team.

Joey MacDonald going down seemed to be a breaking point, where everyone just threw their hands up in the air saying "here we go again..."

On a day when it was announced Doug Weight will miss 2-4 weeks, that Andy Sutton will now be out 8-10 weeks, the news that the goaltender who has made this season better than it really should have going down with a groin strain is just catastrophic, and just plain not surprising.

Just for fun...lets take a look at the various incarnations of the Islanders lineup this year, in ten-game intervals. First, the season opener, a 2-1 loss in New Jersey:

Goaltenders
35 Joey MacDonald
39 Rick DiPietro

Defensemen
32 Brendan Witt – 24 Radek Martinek
38 Jack Hillen – 2 Mark Streit
44 Freddy Meyer – 8 Bruno Gervais

Forwards
16 Jon Sim - 93 Doug Weight – 13 Bill Guerin
15 Jeff Tambellini – 51 Frans Nielsen – 7 Trent Hunter
89 Mike Comrie – 10 Richard Park – 11 Andy Hilbert
20 Sean Bergenheim – 45 Nate Thompson – 21 Kyle Okposo

That seems to be like the closest of a complete lineup the Islanders have put out on the ice this year. Now let's look at Game 10: a rough 5-4 loss at the Nassau Coliseum against Montreal... This is where the no DiPietro thing starts to become more like the status quo.

Goaltenders
34 Yann Danis
35 Joey MacDonald

Defensemen
25 Andy Sutton - 4 Brett Skinner
17 Thomas Pock - 2 Mark Streit
14 Chris Campoli - 8 Bruno Gervais

Forwards
93 Doug Weight - 13 Bill Guerin - 20 Sean Bergenheim
21 Kyle Okposo - 51 Frans Nielsen - 7 Trent Hunter
10 Richard Park - 45 Nate Thompson - 11 Andy Hilbert
49 Mitch Fritz - 89 Mike Comrie - 16 Jon Sim

Ok...not much change here, except for the Fritzie addition due to Tambellini being a healthy scratch. The defensive carousel began to start here, and Danis got a rare start in net.

Now let's take a look at Game 20: a rare 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres at the HSBC Arena. Here's where things start to come undone...

Goaltenders
35 Joey MacDonald
1 Peter Mannino

Defensemen
2 Mark Streit - 25 Andy Sutton
8 Bruno Gervais - 32 Brendan Witt
14 Chris Campoli - 24 Radek Martinek

Forwards
20 Sean Bergenheim - 93 Doug Weight - 13 Bill Guerin
11 Andy Hilbert - 12 Josh Bailey - 7 Trent Hunter
16 Jon Sim - 10 Richard Park - 15 Jeff Tambellini
49 Mitch Fritz - 27 Jeremy Colliton - 28 Tim Jackman

Here, we'll insert newcomer Josh Bailey. We also completely new fourth line as well as Comrie, Thompson, and Nielsen all went down with injuries. Also welcome Peter Mannino as Joey MacDonald's new backup.

Now let's go to Game 30: a 3-1 loss in Columbus. Round and round the injruy carousel goes....

Goaltenders
35 Joey MacDonald
34 Yann Danis

Defensemen
2 Mark Streit - 32 Brendan Witt
25 Andy Sutton - 44 Freddy Meyer
14 Chris Campoli - 17 Thomas Pock

Forwards
20 Sean Bergenheim - 93 Doug Weight - 7 Trent Hunter
11 Andy Hilbert - 12 Josh Bailey - 13 Bill Guerin
16 Jon Sim - 10 Richard Park - 57 Blake Comeau
49 Mitch Fritz - 45 Nate Thompson - 28 Tim Jackman

Radek Martinek is out again. (Shocked?) We've got the return of Nate Thompson, but Kyle Okposo had to miss some time with a wrist injury. No sign of Mike Comrie still, and Jeff Tambellini is with Bridgeport looking for goals...all this time I also forgot Shawn Bates...errr...Mike Sillinger played here...

Now we'll go to San Jose for Game 40: a 5-3 loss against the Sharks

Goaltenders
35 Joey MacDonald
39 Rick DiPietro

Defensemen
2 Mark Streit - 17 Thomas Pock
8 Bruno Gervais - 14 Chris Campoli
32 Brendan Witt - 44 Freddy Meyer

Forwards
57 Blake Comeau - 89 Mike Comrie - 21 Kyle Okposo
77 Trevor Smith - 93 Doug Weight - 7 Trent Hunter
15 Jeff Tambellini - 12 Josh Bailey - 13 Bill Guerin
20 Sean Bergenheim - 10 Richard Park - 28 Tim Jackman

Hey! Is that Rick DiPietro? Don't get used to that...Welcome to Trevor Smith to the lineup, replacing the now-injured Andy Hilbert. Nate Thompson back on the injury list with a fractured ankle. And Jon Sim continued to toe the fine line of healthy scratch/active status. Mike Comrie and Kyle Okposo are also back following super-human recoveries. Oh, and Andy Sutton broke his foot and is going to miss significant time!

Now let's go to last night's 2-1 loss against the New York Rangers

Goaltenders
35 Joey MacDonald
34 Yann Danis

Defensemen
32 Brendan Witt - 24 Radek Martinek
8 Bruno Gervais - 2 Mark Streit
14 Chris Campoli - 17 Thomas Pock

Forwards
13 Bill Guerin - 12 Josh Bailey - 10 Richard Park
57 Blake Comeau - 89 Mike Comrie - 21 Kyle Okposo
15 Jeff Tambellini - 51 Frans Nielsen - 7 Trent Hunter
20 Sean Bergenheim - 45 Nate Thompson - 28 Tim Jackman

Well, we all know Joey MacDonald went down with a groin strain, leaving the possibility of a quick Danis-Mannino NHL goaltender tandem, much like the time in the 2005-06 season when we were subjected to a Wade Dubielewicz-Frederic Cloutier tandem for a few games.

Frans Nielsen and Nate Thompson both returned, but obviously there needs to be a new injury to offset that (MacDonald). Also missing is Doug Weight and Andy Sutton, whose injuries were mentioned above.

Two steps forward, three steps back.

Nevertheless, this already tough season is getting tougher. And quite frankly, if anyone was surprised, just ask Scott Gordon, he believes it.

Now if you excuse me, I'm going to start working on my goaltending skills...

Islanders Acquire Junior Lessard

ISLANDERS ACQUIRE RW JUNIOR LESSARD

Defenseman Brett Skinner Sent to Atlanta

Uniondale, NY, January 13, 2009 -- The New York Islanders have acquired right wing Junior Lessard from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for defenseman Brett Skinner. Lessard will report directly to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League.

Lessard has played in 41 games with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League this season, recording six goals and five assists for 11 points. The 28-year-old Quebec native has played in 27 career NHL games with Dallas and Tampa Bay, scoring three goals and adding one assist for four points during parts of three seasons. Lessard has also played in 298 career AHL games, recording 86 goals and 92 assists for 178 points in five seasons.

Lessard went to college at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as Top United States Collegiate Player in 2004. Lessard played 45 games in that season, scoring 32 goals with 31 assists for 63 points. He was also honored as WCHA Player of the Year and was named to the WCHA First All-Star Team, NCAA West First All-American Team and NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team. The Stars signed Lessard as an undrafted free agent out of college on April 15, 2004.

No DP tonight

Stevie Wonder could've seen this coming...

But Yann Danis was officially brought back up to the Island today...and will serve as MacDonald's backup.

Frans Nielsen and Nate Thompson will return tonight as well.

More will come on the Islanders official site with my previews, and in-game stories!

Nielsen, Thompson to Return Tomorrow

So word is going round that both Frans Nielsen and Nate Thompson will be returning to the ice tomorrow against the New York Rangers. 

So I guess you can rule out Trevor Smith returning back to the big club for the time being. That is, unless someone else decides to go down with an injury. (That seems to be the trend with this team this year)

Also, Yann Danis should be with the team backing Joey MacDonald up, but nothing was official yet.

On A Personal Note...

Yikes!! This is the first post in 2009!

Well, as you can see, I've been away for a little bit. No, I'm not leaving!

Honestly, I needed a break.

This blog has been going non-stop for a good year and a half, and honestly, I needed a break! And with the massive amounts of road-tripping going on with the Islanders, it was kind of hard to get into a hockey mode. But anyways, the point is, I needed well-deserved "vacation" from here to refresh my mind, body, and soul and get back into the zone.

Also, I did have a brief loss of drive. Sometimes I feel like this blog had taken a step back, and honestly, I don't like that idea. And I've had some wonderful encouragement not to give up. So here's to 2009 and getting everything back to normal.

Time to shake things up. Time to get back to Bridgeport.

Time provide the best coverage possible.

While I'm here...let me get some congratulation notes out that I severely missed...

• To our friend Josh Bailey: Congratulations on your first NHL goal!
• To Doug Weight: Congrats on 1000 points!
• To Trevor Smith: Congrats on your first NHL goal!
• To Mark Streit: Congrats on making the All-Star team!

And now...we start anew...Happy New Year