Pri-vate Ey-eeeeeees

Usually when ITV posts these kind of interviews you just watch the first few seconds, and then move on, but I found myself watching intently to this video. The interview with Streiter was great, so I was glad I did watch the whole thing, but I was caught off guard with the background music. Always Be My Baby? Mariah Carey?! In the dressing room? Fantastic, and you can even hear some background vocals by some of the guys. It would be great to know who hit some of those lovely notes in the background. And then the Rock Your Body by J-Timbs took the cake right after. It sounds like they just listen to BLI since that is their playlist, but maybe Jeff Tambellini has that on his iPod, so how the hell do I know. Last game they had Billie Jean in the background. Oh those crazy Islanders.

However, not as awesome as the Edmonton Oilers



I like the group participation. Too bad they lost 10-2 last night yiiiiikes. Shawn Horcoff probably was still in the Bahamas with Comrie...

Hilbert, Weight, and Hunter are off the IR, Sillinger is done for the season and possibly for his career which is just heartbreaking, and new dad Yann Danis is expected to start Thursday's game against the Thrasers. The line combos at practice put Comrie-Weight-Guerin together making, a hopefully lethal line, of Comeau-Bailey/Nielsen-Okposo together. I can see great things coming from both of those lines, so hopefully they can produce on this one game winning streak. Heh. Let's Go Islanders.

What Mike Comrie did on his All-Star break vacation...

(Oh-Hilary.Com)

Mike Comrie and Hilary Duff chilled with Shawn Horcoff and his wife in the Caribbean. Funny how the paparazzi call this picture "Hilary Duff hanging out with her boyfriend and some pals." Come on! No one is cooler than Shawn Horcoff! Hopefully all involved enjoyed their leisure time...back on the ice tomorrow!

I'll do a minor re-cap of the All-Star game, the games before the All-Star break, and what's to come up this week and weekend. But I probably will just do a re-cap of who looked good in their NHL portraits.



Solid sweater Vinny.

In a nice surprise, MSG+ is actually showing the AHL All-Star Superskills and All-Star Game tonight so I'll definitely be checking out Iggy and MacDonald. Someone skipped poor Iggy in the accuracy challenge, but I'm sure it was an honest mistake. Iggy and MacDonald are representing Canada, so we'll have to root for the other country in this contest since no players from the Bridge are playing for the American/World team.

In personal news, school is starting right around the corner, and I'm beginning a new internship this week, so even though I've already been slacking on posting, expect even more slacking in the next few days. Hopefully a win over in Atlanta on Thursday and then a home win over the Panthers on Saturday can start of this half of the season on a good note. Lets go Islanders.

Save the best for last...place?

A seven game losing streak, a potential threat to the Lighthouse project, and another effing injury have been the talk of the town in Uniondale, New York. Just another day in paradise.

• The Islanders will be playing a pre-season game against the Los Angeles Kings next season. In Kansas City. Start the commotion. Many have said this is simply a minor threat to those in the Town of Hempstead, many say this is just a pre-season game for what it's worth, others have said this is not a good sign and that the team can potentially be sold and moved to Missouri. Yes, Kansas City is in Missouri. Everyone has an opinion, and I'm sure you've already read about them by the time you come along this, but in the end it's either Town of Hempstead's choice to say yes or Charles Wang's choice to say 'peace out.' For the time being nothing will be said of a move, but it'll probably be in the back of all Isles' fans' minds for the rest of the season.


• As for actual hockey, well the losses say it all. The games against the Rangers and Bruins were 2-1, and could easily have been won due to the good play of the Isles, but the 3-1 loss against the Devils kind of seemed like a 'meh' loss. I mean it's been a 7 game losing streak I don't think I have to elaborate on that.


• There are two games this week before the All-Star break and those are a MLK day matinee against Ovi and the Caps, and Ryan Getzlaf and the Ducks splash onto Coliseum ice (Lame joke I know, I tried.) I'll be attending both games, and I'm not expecting much, but I'm excited to see some of the most dynamic players for the first time in person. I'll take an overtime or a shootout loss, both of those teams can give us a mercy point.


• Finally, Chris Campoli has a wonky groin. Everyone has a wonky groin these days. Jack Hillen has been called up from the Bridge. The Islanders are the leaders of man losses due to injury. I know they like to say 'oh, injuries are no excuse,' but I think there comes a time when they can be. Our 3rd goalie has been our starter the last 3 games, our 2nd highest scorer has been injured for a few games now, and only 3 players from the beginning of the season have played every game so far this season. That says a lot. Yes we might suck, but I think we have a legit reason to say we do.

Across the Bridge

The Sound Tigers went 1-3 this weekend, there was a minor trade in which Brett Skinner was shipped off to Atlanta's AHL affiliate and we received Junior Lessard in return.

If you're going to the games this week, or watching at home, try to enjoy them. If you are watching from home at least you'll hear Howie and Billy. Nothing that I enjoy more than actually watching those games, is to listen to those two, what a riot. I think I almost died with the Jon Bon Jovi reference Howie kept throwing out in terms of Ron Duguay and his beautiful hair. Yes he's a Ranger, but I can respect a great head of hair. But I will admit I mostly watch these recent games just to hear what Billy and Howie says. Whoooops.

So enjoy the games. Hopefully there's a lot more of this

(Getty Images)

That would be ideal boys. Let's Go Islanders.

Hey Mark, you're an All-Star...witty is my middle name

Pretty quiet here in Islander world as of this weekend. The boys played on Thursday, the next game isn't until Tuesday, so it has been a weekend of practices gearing for the tilt against those oh-so-lovely New York Rangers. Rick DiPietro, Doug Weight, and Freddy Meyer have been deemed as "unhealthy" for the Ranger game (groins, legs, and knees you suck!), but some good news as Frans Nielsen and Nate Thompson seem rip-roaring and ready to go for Tuesday from their injuries. At least we can take some good out of that. Here's to a good game. And if it sucks at least American Idol is on!


Pretty nifty Mr Streit
(NYI.Com)

Oh Mark Streit. Congratulations on making the Eastern All-Star team! A lot of people are talking a whole lot of smack about this choice. Yes, the Islanders are in last place, we know this, but currently he is our top scorer, he is the 2nd top scorer of defensemen in the entire league, and I really think the powers that be really wanted to shove it in Montreal's face. Or just have that storyline out there. Oooh tension. Jon Sim mentioned he might be "the only all-star ever to get booed" when all is said and done at the Bell Center in a few weeks. Whatever, I think the choice is valid and well deserved. More of the selections are more 'wtf' worthy than Streiter if you were asking my honest opinion. Hopefully the lovely people at ITV have some awesome coverage like they had with Ricky last year. Congrats Streiter!

And for some quick hits

• Bridgeport lost against Scott Gordon's former team, the Providence Bruins, 4-1 on Friday. Ouch. But coach came to show his support on Saturday, and Bridgeport responded by winning against their Ranger rivals, the Hartford Wolf Pack, 2-1.
  
• Jack Hillen got into a fight
  
  

  A somewhat disheartened Jack Hillen noted that that was his first fight ever. Ever, period. "Didn't it look like it?" he asked. We weren't going to say anything. But it's one.
  
  
  Poor kid.

The future you say?

Meet "potential" New York Islander John Tavares along with good friend, and Montreal prospect, PK Subban



Full version is here

Losses, All-Stars, and Trade Rumors...Oh my!

I guess it's more productive and linear to blog about a sport and a team every day, but sometimes that doesn't happen. Whatevs.

The boys in orange, blue, and white are about to complete their Western road trip with a game against Jarome Iginla and the Calgary Flames tomorrow. Should be a walk in the park...A recap of the past three games from the road trip

• The Phoenix game was a nail biter all the way until the end, but ultimately lost 4-5. Bummah. But we were able to take Doug Weight 's 1,000th and 1,001th career points and Josh Bailey's first NHL goal out of it. I'll take it.
• San Jose was to be expected. However, once again, there was a chance to come back. Another loss, 5-3, but with hard work we showed we can show up for a big game against the likes of San Jose. Doug Weight even fought so that was worth watching the game alone.
  
• The Edmonton game was kind of a head scratcher. The refs made some questionable calls, or non-calls, yadda yadda. Gordo/Go-Go/Flash was not amused
  
  I thought he was going to knock the wall behind him down with the way he was rocking.
  
• However, it was truly a pleasure to have Doug Weight in the booth with Jiggs and Jaffe during the Edmonton game. Lots of insight and laughs. He might be well enough to play tomorrow, but if he isn't, I'm sure a lot of fans would love to have Weighter back in the booth for at least a few minutes. It was more entertaining listening than watching those last two periods womp womp.

I sure mentioned Doug Weight a lot.

There has been a lot of talk about dumping the veterans at the trade deadline. A lot of people just think they can get rid of the upcoming UFA's and get great draft picks in return, but I'm more realistic about that. I think the only person worth really any kind of 'value' is Mike Comrie. Mind you the Islanders still need to maintain the salary cap floor, so I really don't see them shipping off everyone for all of these picks, plus I can't really think of a team that would fit any of other teams demands. We'll see by March 4th, but I think slowly we'll begin to see minor trades throughout the league before the top guns get shipped off to their respective rental teams and beyond.

Across the Bridge...
Congrats to Mike Iggulden and Andrew MacDonald for making the AHL all-star game for the Sound Tigers. As of today they are the only representatives of the team, which is surprising considering they are 2nd in the East, but there may be a few substitutes because of call ups and such. Iggulden is Bridgeport's highest scorer, so kudos Mike. Maybe he'll make the ferry trip over before the season is over to see what he's got.

Around the League...
I'm horrible at Rock Band. You should see me trying to play guitar. It's hilarious it would garner a million hits on YouTube and show how pathetic I am. However, my current-favorite-in-contention-team the Boston Bruins showed how good one could be at Rock Band. I think my favorite part is the reaction when Mark Stuart starts singing, and Milan Lucic's 'rock face.' After all these years "Alive" by Pearl Jam is still a solid song.

Who would be the singer of the Isles' Rock Band? I'd put money down on Ricky. Maybe Tim Jackman can carry a tune.

Pre-Game Skate: Isles at Coyotes 9PM EST

Oh, hay, Shane Doan.
(Getty)
The boys in white begin their 4 game road trip in the wild, wild west today with a trip to Shane Doan and the Phoenix Coyotes. The last time the Isles were in Phoenix was in 2006, which resulted in a loss. The Coyotes will return the favor by coming to Nassau in March with a re-match.

Yann Danis was sent back to Bridgeport, and is staying there for the time being, so Ricky DiPietro is assumed to be set to go. Whether he does the back to back in Phoenix and San Jose is tough to say, but if I had to make a bet, Joey Mac will play tonight with Ricky playing against the San Jose Sharks Saturday night. That should be extremely interesting.

Dougy Doug Weight is one point away from career point 1,000, so maybe that happens tonight. I think everyone was hoping and praying he could do it against the Panthers and the home crowd, but sometimes it doesn't always work out that way.

Check out the blog roll for other Islander news. If something crazy comes up I'll either update or post a new update about it. I'm just testing out different things I'd like to talk about, so we might not see the 'pre-game skate' for every game, but I thought I'd give it a shot. Enjoy the game! If you can stay up that late! (9 PM EST start on MSG +2)

Get Pumped For The Game:


Normally I would put a song, or something Islander related, but since yesterday was the Winter Classic at Wrigley I thought I'd post a recap of the events from yesterday. What a game and what a sight. I know a lot of people would want to see it happen every year, and I would too, so hopefully a lot of people watched to make that wish come true.

Let's get it started...

I thought if I were to go through with this blog, what better day to do it than New Years Day? Happy New Year party people. Anyone these days can start a blog, so I thought why not? I'll give it a shot. It's not going to be pretty these first few posts. The grammar might not be there, I might not give enough stats for your liking, but we will have a good time.

I am new to the hockey fandom I will be the first to admit it. It's still a learning process, I may not know what offsides is no matter how many times you can tell me, but I am getting there. My first NHL game was two seasons ago, Islanders v. Penguins, and it was a shootout Islanders win. Very exciting stuff. However, the first game when I considered myself a 'fan' was another Penguins v. Isles match up, on Al Arbour night. Another Islander win, a fancy schmancy banner ceremony afterwards, and I was hooked.

So this is where I'll talk about the highs, and the many, many lows, of this New York Islanders squad. I always root for the underdog, so this is nothing new to me rooting for a less than stellar team. However, it is hockey. And it is a beautiful thing. Along with that I will talk about different teams and players I dig from time to time to break up the talk. It'll be fun. Maybe.