Believe It: Brendan Witt's two goals key Islanders 3-1 win
by Dominik on Nov 2, 2009 9:49 PM EST
in New York Islanders Game Recaps
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PrintApparently, Godzilla isn't finished rising yet. Another methodical, confidence-building win for the Islanders, who shook off a fluky Oilers goal and a sluggish start to tie in the first via John Tavares, then grab the lead and insurance on two goals by ... Brendan Witt?
Game Summary | Event Summary | nhl.com Recap | Isles Recap
When you win with unlikely scoring like that, I don't know whether it's a sign that things or going right or things are just outright bizarre. But this much can't be denied: For the fourth game in a row, the Islanders took what was given them, didn't panic when things were tight (whether when trailing or when entering the 3rd with a lead), and have developed -- dare we say it? -- a swagger. I didn't expect a loss against a struggling, ailing Oilers team tonight, but to see the win so clinically achieved still had me double-checking my meds.
The islanders have now won four in a row. Their 15 points put them -- and the rest of the Atlantic -- in playoff territory. Is this real life? Could Witter crack a smile when asked about his goals? Is a bear Catholic?
Outshot 'em 37-23, won the faceoff battle again 32-22 (though multiple PPs help), drew penalties in the third by taking the play to the Oilers. Basically, instead of our instinctive fear of blowing a third-period lead, in the last two games the Islanders have come out and dominated a weakened opponent in the final frame. That's what you're supposed to do, but the reality is it's news that the successor to the 2008-09 Islanders has just done it without flinching.
[Video highlights after the jump] I'll add to this one in the morning, incorporating your thoughts. But for now, do not adjust your TV: Islanders win, baby!
Not too shabby, eh?
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I could only watch the first 15 mins or so of the game, great to get back and see that the Isles pulled off another victory.
Witt’s 92 game scoreless drought is now over!
Anyone else hoping that Gordon gives the Wednesday start to Roloson? Buffalo games seem to be Biron’s niche this season, but personally, I’d like to see Roloson keep the momentum going.
by Cal_IslandersFan on Nov 2, 2009 10:30 PM EST reply actions
As good as Rolosons doing Id still give Biron the Sabres again, no question. Its psychological- the Sabres feel like he has their number (because he has for a while.) Besides- the guy pitched a shutout in his last game! If this game tonight wasnt against the Oilers it would have been Birons anyway.
I just have to face it- we have TWO goalies that Im perfectly happy to see in net. Three, actually- two that are not on IR lol. What a wonderful predicament to be in! :D
Lets go Islanders...
by TheMetalChick on Nov 2, 2009 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
Me too. I like having the goalies get into the heads of their old teams. (I always believed good goalies are better at knowing their teammates’ tendencies than vice versa, too.)
We’re pretty lucky to have two who can get the job done and are not mentally messed up by dual #1 status.
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Sorry, but....
I am not one of the new and improved Newsday’s favored few. If you can cut and paste the quote, that would be great. Thanks!
Saw this game at the Coliseum.
Witt’s two goals in one period were a huge shock, crowd loved when they left him out there at the end of the game trying to get an empty netter for the hat trick. Sutton’s beast-mode sequence was incredible. Really chippy game too, even Okposo was lokking for a fight.
Awesome. Keep these Coliseum reports coming. It was pretty fun to hear the buzz of the crowd in the 3rd every time Witt got the puck (which had to be more tonight than all season).
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Sutton and Horcoff
Sutton’s beast-mode sequence was incredible.
And as it turns out, Sutton may have knocked Horcoff on to the shelf. It’d be big if Sutton stays healthy and keeps contributing that side of his game.
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I didn’t get to see the game, unfortunately. How come Weight was playing with JT? Who was on the wing? I really do hope that they’re not considering moving JT to the wing.
Nah, Tavares is still at center. It was just the end of a line change. Weight’s Bailey/Tambellini line had been on just before that, and Weight was the last one to get off.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
On Nieslen & Tamby
Since I mentioned it in the game thread, I looked it up. Nielsen and Tambellini both returned for the October 21st game against the Canes (Our first win).
Ignoring the one game Tamby played on October 3rd, the Islanders are 5-1-2 since they’ve returned to the Lineup. Although Nielsen only has 2 points, he’s a +3 and its easy to see why with his play.
Wow, now that’s, that’s good stuff.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
their forecheck is becoming very problematic for the opposition
and it was nice to see JT not plunk it off the post from 6 feet out, even if he shot it off his left skate basically… watch the replay, that thing is in tight on him… still we left a few other chances go by…
viewers can’t say you’re not getting exciting hockey from the isles, they create (and give up) plenty of chances, it will be an up and down year, but considering i only found 1 game unwatchable so far, in 14 games, i’ll take it GO ISLES! 5 in a row
and it was nice to see JT not plunk it off the post from 6 feet out, even if he shot it off his left skate basically…
Haha…that was a tough shot, based on where it was to his body. Now those are the hands we bet the franchise spent the #1 overall pick on.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
Site format revisions
If you missed the note in the game thread, we got a “visual refresh” that launched today. More white space, a little cleaner look … some font tweaks.
It will take some getting used to for me, but I think it will be good. That said, any feedback is welcome. Rip into it if you want (“I fear change!”) or any specific preferences. The behind-the-scenes tech crew will be looking for feedback, so I’ll pass anything I hear along.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
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1979-80
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May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
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May 21, 1981: This time it was much easier. After falling to "only" 91 points in the 1979-80 season, the Islanders returned to their division title tradition, piling up 110 points -- a whole 13 points over second-place Philadelphia.
Between the quarterfinals (where they beat the upstart Oilers in six games) and the finals, the Islanders reeled off eight consecutive wins -- with a four-game sweep of archrival Rangers in between. As they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in five games for their second Cup, their goal difference in the final was a combined +10.
1981-82
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May 16, 1982: Another year, another landslide title. The Islanders won the Patrick Division by a whopping 26 points over the second-place Rangers, and were seven points clear of their nearest competition for the President's Trophy, the still-not-quite-ripe Edmonton Oilers.
A first-round scare against the Pittsburgh Penguins turned in the Isles' favor thanks to John Tonelli's heroics, and a true dynasty was on its way: Past the Rangers in six games, then an eight-game sweep of the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks to run away with the Stanley Cup.
1982-83
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May 17, 1983: Not so fast, whipper-snappers. The Edmonton Oilers' steadily rising challenge for league supremacy took them all the way to the finals for the first time, where the New York Islanders summarily dispatched them in a four-game sweep. For the Islanders, the Dynasty was secured. For the Oilers, it was a powerful lesson in where talent ends and the demands of playoff hockey begin.
Four years, four Cups, 16 consecutive playoff series wins (a record that would grow to 19 until the rematch with the Oilers the following year). Mike Bossy scored 60 goals yet again, and Wayne Gretzky became acquainted with Billy Smith's crease.
