Islanders 6, Red Wings 0: That's perfection, baby
Yeah, that's right: Islanders 6, Red Wings 0. What a wonderful fan-Jonsson-back-at-the-Coliseum-tastic night to watch Islanders 6, Red Wings 0. Such a perfectly executed gameplan to result in Islanders 6, Red Wings 0. A little bit of beating Jimmy Howard, a little bit of beating Chris Osgood, and a whole lot of Islanders 6, Red Wings 0.
Game Sum. | Event Sum. | Corsi (Wow.) | Recaps: nhl.com | Isles
The Islanders haven't allowed a goal to the Wings in about 35 months, or exactly 120 minutes of playing time (the last one was an OT winner in January 2007). The Islanders just took 6 of 8 points from Western opponents, the only loss (in Dallas) coming in Rick DiPietro's first start in a year.
There was excuse-making talk of the Wings coming to Long Island after a Western road swing, but ... so did the Isles. Plainly, this was a perfectly executed game -- a Scott Gordon dream: They came out tactically smart, forced turnovers, converted those turnovers, earned their lead, and didn't let up. A period-by-period score of 2-0, 2-0, 2-0 has a nice symmetry to it, but it's also an indication that the Islanders finally got an early lead where they didn't lay off the gas afterward. Not once.
You had your Rob Schremp Hockey here (twice!), your Kyle Okposo olympic effort there, some sweet passing from Josh Bailey and -- brace yourself -- goals from the defense. Mark Streit's was a great, patient powerplay shot that put the game out of reach; Bruno Gervais' was a nice slapshot f-bomb moments after helping get a Wing off Freddy Meyer's back behind the play. Matt Moulson got things started early with a Moulson Golden crash-the-net play, assisted by Streit's pinch and Brad Stuart's curious decision to meditate at the Wings goal crease.
Oh, and Dwayne Roloson earned his first 2009-10 shutout -- not so much for his effort tonight (shots: 31-16) but for time served bailing this team out when they sat on a lead so many other times this season.
In short, a perfect day.
Such a Perfect Day...
Wait, those aren't the highlights. These are the highlights:
And that early three-way passing play between Bailey, Okposo and John Tavares that didn't go in: Just a hint of things to come.
Rather sweet, innit?
0 recs |
50 comments
|
Comments
Satisfaction, this is
Hey all, im Jon, new here, first post. ive commiserated with you all for a while, but tonight just made me want to join the party in earnest. Don’t you love that? I only regret not picking up that 19 buck obstructed view seat in section 325 earlier when I was toying with going…
by LaChance at Glory on Jan 12, 2010 11:09 PM EST reply actions
I have a feeling tickets will be in demand at NVMC soon
The effort lately has been nothing short of incredible. The Isles are maintaining forechecks putting the pressure on the opposition which causes turnovers like you saw tonight. Rolling out three solid lines makes life a lot easier for Gorden. We’re seeing a lot less dumb penalties and smarter play all around. Sure the Isles are still weak on D and maybe they caught some teams napping but no matter the Isles are executing on the opportunities provided. Now three full days off to rest and get ready for a nice run to the Olympic break.
Welcome to the party!
but tonight just made me want to join the party in earnest. Don’t you love that?
Oh I understand, man. The play at times this year has finally made it worth spending more time chatting up the team.
It’s been a long wait, but it’s awesome to see things steadily progressing in the right direction. Really do hope it translates at the turnstiles (and hope the marketing department treats people right).
Looking forward to more “LaChance”…
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Speaking of marketing, they need a new commercial
You know that one,
“Hunter’s towering power,” “Okposo’s unstoppable fire,” “Tavares’ everything” etc.?
They ought to make a new one because Bailey and Schremp are on fire and people need to know there are more reasons than ever to come to games.
My girlfriend who has never watched hockey before this season (and thus has mostly witnessed the Islanders do…poorly) asked me “So are these Detroit guys a really bad team?” I got a little misty when I explained that my dear ol’ Isles were wiping the floor with a Stanley Cup team.
P.S.
Excellent, hilarious profile, LaChance. “Affliction” indeed.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
I loved this game so much I would friggin marry it.
It was an absolute domination!!!!
Let Us Go, Islanders!
(Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
I know!
On one hand I want another game tomorrow. On the other, savoring this one for a few day doesn’t sound so bad after all…
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Nice touch with the Lou, Dom.....
…..reminded me of the way Macca redid “Let It Be” for Ferry Aid over 20 years ago; clearly Lou took his cue from Duran’s masterful cover of “Perfect Day”, though…..a funny recollection: when the ‘92 -’93 team was picking up steam toward the playoffs, I was strangely disengaged and had a delayed reaction of sorts – not exactly sure WHY. But I knew last June that we were on our way back; you could just feel it in the crowd even if one wasn’t intuitive….I thought JB was the absolutely right pick despite all the second-guessing in June of 2008 and, in my opinion, this Islanders corps has one of the best collection of young, characteristic talent in many years (painful though it is to admit, the 1995-1999 assortment could’ve been as successful with an experienced coach were it not for the OTHER MM and clown college graduates Spano & the Gang of Four – who knows what might’ve been with Berard, McCabe, pre-assault charge Bertuzzi, Z, Luongo and Ziggy, one of the best pure goal scorers this league has ever known…..) and our second chance will NOT be wasted this time!
Heh, wasn’t sure how well Duran Duran would play. But I always love some Lou…
our second chance will NOT be wasted this time!Has any other franchise’s fans had to wait so long between competent regimes who did it “the right way”? The Hawks’ Wirtz-led darkness was sustained, but at least they had some very good teams through most of the ‘90s. Bruins always held back by Jacobs to some degree, but they’ve had some great teams too.
I think about what could have been, but I also dream about how sweet it will feel to so many people if things keep going in the right direction.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
I think we are all beaten here by the miserable Leafs, and long may it stay that way.
Claude LaPointe didn't make as good a pun, sadly.
by LaChance at Glory on Jan 13, 2010 12:29 AM EST up reply actions
One other thing.....
……those people that aren’t big on sports won’t understand how nights like this are the reward for the faith we invest in this – any – team, and believe me, it means SO much to the players as well…..suspect the reference may offend your musical sensibilities, Dom, but to quote one of my favorite bands back in the day, this does feel like the first time!
Oh-ho-ho Foreigner now?! No, I am way too particular in my tastes, so Mrs. Lighthouse says I need other stuff thrown at me to keep me from acting like a music snob. Thus, all manner of quotes and genres are welcome, whether they’re up my alley or not. (Besides, no one recognizes Killing Joke lyrics, so no point in me subjecting everyone to them.)
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Oy, and no Britney Spears or the like … not sure if Insane Clown Posse ever used words but they’re out…
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
How about Violent Femmes?
/Note unceasing sarcastic laughter in background.
by burpchelischili on Jan 13, 2010 12:50 AM EST up reply actions
I enjoyed the Killing Joke comic
and the band is not bad, kind of reminds me of Echo and the Bunnymen
"Look at me! I'm Tomokazu Ohka of the Montreal Expos!"
I could see a bit of Bunnymen in them, definitely.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
.....now that you MENTION it, they DID have a song.....
….“.Killing Joke Moon”, right? Wrong? Oh, sorry! My bad…..
(snickers)
This is the kind of Isles team we've waited for since the mid 90's
Not too many veterans except the ones in goal, d and Weight . This is how the Isles were supposed to build the team 15 years ago. Now you see if you stick with youth and let them progress good things will eventually happen. 6 out of 8 points vs the so called “mighty western” conference.
Gorden has some decisions to make on what to do with Witt the rest of season as well as Thompson. Snow is go to make a move very soon on Biron. Hockey if finally alive on Long Island again.
I might have missed it, not sure if you mentioned it in the article, what was the final score?
"So basically, the Stats make no sense whatsoever."
Teehee, hang on, lemme look it up…
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Get this guy
Carlo Colaiacovo is UFA next year. St Louis is not done but Isles should talk to the Blues on his availability. Blues have tons of d prospects and I’m sure they want one ot two them to get playing time in March if they fall out of it. Offer a 3rd round pick.
Cola
I like him a lot. That’d be a nice summer target, and he may get squeezed out with the budding depth in St. Louis. Some physicality, puck movement … hopefully his Martinek-level durability days are behind him.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Right...
its feels great, but i dont think i’ll feel golden until the feeling of ‘oh no, oh no, oh no’ whenever we go into the third with anything less than a 8 goal lead goes away, but that does come down to the D ( I do think Hillen is making strides though). I think even Howie and Billy felt that way. They didnt make a peep about the shutout, at all, and howie didnt declare the victory, at 6-0, until there were 52 seconds left. We all have more adjusting to do.
by LaChance at Glory on Jan 13, 2010 12:19 AM EST reply actions
I don’t believe in jinxing, but I do appreciate when they avoid shutout talk until the end. Messes with my head before then.
And of course you’re right about how much is left to do. But damn, I have to relish a thorough beatdown like tonight’s.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
What Little Nice Run...
Heh Dom….like LaChance, I’ve been sitting on the sidelines for a while enjoying your blog, but after catching two of the three Isles games on their Western swing (stuck listening to the Stars game on the drive to PHX Friday night), and now catching the game on Center Ice against the Wings tonight, you hit the nail on the head when you said (tonight) was a hint of what the future holds. Except for the third period against PHX (discount the Dallas game somewhat since it was DP’s first game back in net), these guys played some really solid hockey tonight and in Colorado and then PHX. Granted, the Wings are fighting the injury bug, but they still put a pretty formidable team on the ice, regardless. By far the most complete game the Isles have played in recent memory. Hope they keep it up….they have the ability to make some teams nervous playing them down the stretch if they keep up their strong play. Can’t wait for their next run out West…already making travel arrangements to catch the Ducks and Kings games in March.
Excellent. Appreciated your Western report. It’s fun to have “new” people joining in, and I love the geographic spread we have from coast to coast. (I’m in St. Louis, for those who don’t know.). Now I have to plan my next road trip(s).
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Isles are back down here in a few weeks
Sat fourth row behind bench last time. Isles just don’t match up well with Lightning for some reason. Next real target I want the Isles to catch is Boston and soon I think they will. Bruins can’t score and hit with injury bug. Boston could be in for a rough stretch.
I always felt the Flyers would make it despite their goaltending, but the rest of the East’s middle looks like a lot of flawed teams that could turn on a hot or cold streak. Apparently Boston included.
You going to the next one with the Lightning? Bound to catch them on a bad night one of these times…
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
I live in Florida
I have a Red Wing fan who went to the Lightning game tonight. When he got home I let him have it. LOL.
It’s just fun watching the young players do well. I know the Isles still need about four new defensemen but lets enjoy this roll.
Sweet. Shutting them out two years in a row is hilarious fodder.
I’m with you: Enjoy this roll. Enjoy other watching other teams learn about our developing gems.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
I was at that game at NVMC in January 2007 the last time Wings scored vs Isles
Isles went up 3-0 the the roof fell in 3rd. At least they go a point that night. Tonight a younger team prevailed.
Come West Dom...
for the March swing and enjoy the “fringe” benefits. We may not have a real hockey team in Vegas, but I love the proximity to Colorado, Arizona and California. Between those three markets, I have access to a ton of pro sports teams that I can catch any number of my favorite teams — regardless of the sport. BTW, it’s nice to see some of the young guys like Rob Schremp, Matt Moulsen, Kyle Okposo and, especially, Josh Baily start coming into their own. Can’t wait to see what JT does on the ice after he gets a full year of NHL play under his belt.
I’ve got to say, Schremp is having a nice January thus far – 3 2-point games out of 5 and half (7) of his points total (14) for the season in 5 games.
That and Zetterberg and Datysuk with a -14 and -11 corsi in 15 and 16 minutes of playing time is not very good for a stud defensive duo.
And Datsyuk taking a frustration penalty to boot! I like it.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
most complete game I have seen in awhile
I have to say it was a complete effort. all the lines played well.
I agree Moulson got back with the type of goal he was getting early in the season, Bailey was passing great, Schremp used his toolbox, and the D stepped up and provided good scoring while playing tough D all night.
I think I was like most fans, as I watched the 1st 2 periods I was excited but we had seen similar play for 30-40 minutes a few times. Then they didn’t just hang on but they played a great 3rd, and earned a shutout, and a massive win against a team that while on the down turn is still considered a good team
your Kyle Okposo olympic effort there
aint that the truth, there’s gotta be a little regret about this building up in USA international hockey land
why isn't #16 hanging in the rafters?
Most complete win against a decent team I can recall. Know the RW have injuries, but they came out not ready, and the Isles did not play to their level, they BURIED them. Completely rolled them for 60 minutes. Feed JT whatever Bailey is eating, his confidence is thru the roof right now. Isles firing on all cylinders right now, Gordon doing a tremendous job on the lines and getting them ready to play every night.

by 




























