Islanders 5, Sabres 0: Tambellini hat trick and a Biron shutout
[Updates: More tidbits added after the jump. Plus, look to the right for some new FanPosts on Tambellini patience and notice recognized for the "Godzilla" Islanders.]
Now that's a weekend.
Friday night the excuse was the Capitals didn't play their game (which is, you know, sort of important for winning hockey games). Saturday it was that the Sabres lineup was flu-ridden. Whatever the circumstances, the Islanders took the openings given to them, and the result is a three-game winning streak. During that streak, the Islanders have outscored opponents at even strength 10-2, a figure that was almost unthinkable at any point last year.
Game Summary | Event Summary | nhl.com Recap | Isles Recap
No matter who you are, mini-streaks like this happen. But it's huge for a young Islanders squad that it's happened this early. To turn the page on last year and convince themselves they really are a year further along (plus two goalies, one superstar, and one winger richer) than last season, it's key that their first month -- despite a tough schedule -- go better than October 2008.
And with a 5-0 win over Buffalo, for Martin Biron's 200th NHL win and Jeff Tambellini's first NHL hat trick, it has. October 2008: 2-6-1 and a goalie crisis. October 2009: 4-4-5 and two goalies appearing to find their groove.
Since I have to run, that's all for now. But I'll update this post later -- and you can add yours in comments/FanPosts, etc. Islanders win, baby. Islanders win. Update: Videos, thoughts and factoids added after the jump, for posterity's sake.
How awesome does it feel to be Jeff Tambellini right now? After years of waiting (and hard work, and adjustment), he's finally scoring at the NHL level, he just had a hat trick -- in front of his father, for his father's old team, no less -- at home, causing Nassau Coliseum fans to chant, "Tam-bel-li-ni, {clap-clap, clap-clap-clap}." For a guy who was scratched for five games this month, suddenly October 2009 goes down as the most memorable yet of his career.
Tambellini on his big night:
"I was just happy to have some success with Josh Bailey and Dougy Weight ... to develop some chemistry there. From the start I had to sit a few games, and rightfully so -- I had to prove myself."
Scott Gordon on Tambellini:
"I think the biggest thing is that he's getting his shot off."He's also going to the front of the net."
Yes, and yes. He's also finally gotten a bit of the luck you need to break through. And most impressive to me, he's done everything asked of him, adapting his game, working on the physical side last year, and maintaining a positive approach despite handling under three different regimes that would have crushed the spirit of many prospects. At age 25, instead of facing his career's last stand, he may be finally turning the corner.
Faceoffs
The Islanders again won the faceoff battle, though by a smaller margin (32 to 27, 54%), with Richard Park single-handedly providing the difference (13 to 5, 72%).
Goaltending
Despite Tambellini's night, Martin Biron was awarded the 1st star -- for a shutout and his 200th victory. It's easy to forget with a 5-0 final score that Biron kept the Islanders in the game during a flat first period. The Sabres actually outshot the Isles 38-30 -- 14-9 in the first -- though that margin was helped by considerable powerplay time, where the Sabres got 10 of their shots. Biron's heroics made this Islanders' celebration possible.
Roloson stepped up against the Rangers and Capitals. Biron took his turn against his old mates. Can Roloson match that with his old Oilers teammates in town Monday?
Secondary Scoring! ... And Time On Ice
With the game evolving into a blowout, the ice times were more balanced than normal. Chiefly creating this, though, was the play of the Tambellini/Bailey/Weight line, which created two of the goals (Tamby's second and Bailey's; Tamby's first was with Bergenheim and Park, and his third was on the PP). So huge to see that line cooking, particularly on a night when the first line looked sluggish.
Jon Sim and Tim Jackman were the only forwards under 10 minutes -- everybody else, outside of Frans Nielsen's 12:12, was above 13. With the score out of hand, the defense got an easier night, too, with even Brendan Witt (16:50) and Jack Hillen (15:52) getting a few more minutes than the previous two wins.
Check the Sabres reaction at Die by the Blade.
0 recs |
20 comments
|
Comments
I’m just like WOW. Didn’t get a chance to watch this game and kept checking the score every now and then and just scratching my head like really? 5-0!!!! Amazing. 3 Game winning streak!!! Shocking! Biron 200th winNice! Tamby Hat trick?!? Awesome but now Im pissed! I can’t believe I missed this?!?
But anyway this is great! And now as I finally understand it. .500!
This has been a mind altering weekend!!!
by LI2Brnx on Oct 31, 2009 10:21 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
wins agaist good teams
are teams maybe under-estimating us
by steelermafia on Oct 31, 2009 11:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Is it too soon for….. Tambellightning? j/w
by albeezle on Nov 1, 2009 12:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I was there!
Phenominal game. Best I’e seen at the Coliseum in a long time.
by johnmac7512 on Nov 1, 2009 1:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice. It looked like quite a nice party. For once, a night where everything worked out.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 1, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t care what the talking heads say, the Isles’ relentless forecheck is forcing turnovers and I believe this is just the begininning of something really special. It was hard to see when the players were imitating tree trunks for most of the game but the constant pressure they are applying is working. If they can keep that up and get some size/grit on D this team is going to DEVESTATE the competition.
Go ahead and pull Miller…we’ll just ruin the stats of your backup. That was great. I know not every game can be like that and there were quite a few mistakes/turnovers that created chances but the point is that the Isles finished those chances. That is a HUGE difference from last year’s team. You can see the confidence in their forecheck now. Wow that was fun to watch!
I figured that Biron’s first star of the game over Tambi was a political move to help build his stock for a higher deadline price. Either way it doesn’t matter because it was great to see Tambi gleaming for ear to ear with his dad in the house.
by metalcoconut on Nov 1, 2009 1:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
the Isles’ relentless forecheck is forcing turnovers and I believe this is just the begininning of something really special. It was hard to see when the players were imitating tree trunks for most of the game but the constant pressure they are applying is working.
We’re certainly getting a glimpse of what Gordon’s trying to do, and how gratifying it is when it works. The pressure and timing of their forecheck has created several of these recent goals. It doesn’t matter if the defensemen pulls a gaffe if you’re not there to take it and convert it. This weekend, they have been and it’s been awesome.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 1, 2009 2:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I am still flipping out over this game. Its just unreal! :D
And it was SO good that I dont want to complain about anything- but… HOW could they not give Tambs the first star of the game? At least Biron has HAD a shutout before. This was the best night of Tambys entire career! Tamby… more like Tambo! Rhymes with Rambo! I watched this game afterwards… at the party I attended with my friends, the stupid boring who frickin cares who wins baseball game was on. We were checking the scores on my friends phone- and we were freaking out when we kept seeing Tamby… Tamby… Tamby… unbelievable! And on TOP of all that scoring, when I watched the game, he was all over the place even besides all of that- other great scoring opportunities, good checking, good positioning, I just cant BELIEVE it!
Lets go Islanders...
by TheMetalChick on Nov 1, 2009 11:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
It was also Marty's 200th win is the thing
as far as Tambellini, he’s always had the talent and physical ability. It’s just been a matter of putting it all together on the ice at this level. Gordon even said that he knew Tambellini had this in him.
by BCISLEMAN on Nov 1, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I know… youre right… but I still feel like Biron has already had a 1st shutout, 100th game, many other milestones… this was Tambellinis first time being the star of the show. He SO deserved that.
I guess I can look at it this way- having more than one guy who is a genuine lock for first star of the game is a pretty great problem to have!
Lets go Islanders...
by TheMetalChick on Nov 1, 2009 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Another way to look at it---and the way you have to look at it for a developing team--
is if Tambellini continues being an offensive producer, you either have one less spot to fill next year or you have a very valuable asset to move at the deadline.
by BCISLEMAN on Nov 1, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Alls I have to say about Tambellini
is that if those who wanted to run him off got their wish, and he was scoring like this somewhere else, I know lots of folks who would be calling for Garth Snow’s head right now.
by Chickendirt on Nov 1, 2009 12:57 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The star choice was a tough one. Hard not to give it to the guy who’s stuck with it so long to get to this point, with a hat trick.
MIlestones and shutout mythology aside, the only reason Biron deserved consideration is that he kept the Islanders in it with a great first period.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 1, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What a great way to end the month. Let’s hope they keep the momentum going into November.
by Cal_IslandersFan on Nov 1, 2009 1:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Just got back from a weekend away
I couldn’t believe when I saw the scores being flashed after the World Series game last night.
I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not, but I can’t remember the last time the Islanders were the best team that I root for, but with the way the Giants have looked the last few weeks, I might have to give the Isles that spot.
"[The Giants] beat us down. We were beat by a grown-man team, a team we want to be like one day. They came in here and took it to us. Out-manned us, out-gunned us. ... It wasn't even close." - Raheem Morris, 9/27/09
by cjmulrain on Nov 2, 2009 1:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
LOL. You never know — on your weekend trip you might have slipped through a wormhole, and now you’re in an alternate universe.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 2, 2009 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You mean like my brother's...
where Madonna’s Entourage are Elites on the verge of a Cup win?
by BCISLEMAN on Nov 2, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

by 




























