The skates did not seem to be wearing out; the effort just seemed to be less for me than it was in the prior two periods. Losing the battles in the corners, not making solid passes – the team just did not seem to be there in the third stanza.
The power play in a word, anemic!
10 of the last 17 times that the Isles have been on the kill, the opponent has scored. That is a lousy statistic.
Kudos to Thompson for getting his first, and Hunter for getting off the schneid. There are guys that are playing hard, and guys that seem as lost as a 4 year old in Macy’s. A ‘back to basics’ practice needs to be put on these boys.
As Andy Sutton said to the media last night, ‘…negativity breeds negativity.’
This game to me was a litmus test on how this team has progressed in its maturity and development. It is a step back.
This team also needs its captain. I know that he is rehabbing – but they really need Weight during this process. I am sure that he is with the guys, as well as being supportive and such. But this team, more than any I know, really needs a guy to take the reins, and motivate the players. I know that Dougie is that guy. Hopefully, that will be a new year’s present for us.
Onto Columbus Toronto tomorrow. Have a hockey day everyone!
Gary Harding is the “EYES” of the eyesonisles.com blog.
A former President of the Islanders Booster Club, and a season ticket holder for over 20 years, Gary qualifies as a ‘long suffering’ Islander fan. He, and his wife, Claire, sit in row A of Section 317, and attend just about every game possible, as well as a few road games in the year, too.
He has been a member of the “Islanders Blog Box” since 2008; a project that allows bloggers like him, to be able to obtain media cridentials to Islander home games, and get the perspective of reporting a game, just as if he is a full blown member of the media.
Gary, born and raised in Levittown, on Long Island, has been working for a major car rental company for almost 25 years. He has been married to Claire for almost 5 years. They met on a bus trip to see the Islanders play in Montreal. Gary also is a fan of the New York Mets, Long Island Ducks, New York Jets, Everton of the English Premier League, and is a big fan of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Gary is also an accomplished bowler, having achieved perfection on May 4th, 1994, by bowling a perfect 300 game. His highest league average ever was 216, and highest series was 798.
Favorite Isles Moment – Everyone says the cups. They were great. However, I was not a season ticket holder, or going to the games, so my favorite, was the 1993 march to the semi’s – beating Washington and Pittsburgh – the best was seeing Darius Kasparitis punching Lemieux like a rented Mule!
Favorite All time Isles player – Tie – Bossy on Offense, and Glenn Healy at the net.
Favorite Current Isles player – Okposo and JT – of course – and with every day appreciating the play of Andrew MacDonald
Favorite NHL City – Not Long Island – Vancouver with a close second to Ottawa – followed by Montreal (spot a pattern here?)
Favorite player – not an Islander (I like watching Ovie! – He is animated, funny and makes his mark)
Team I hate the most (what do you think?)
Gary currently resides in Halesite, Long Island. His e-mail address is 
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Gary Harding
Sports Radio NY
