Maple Leafs 4, Islanders 3 (OT): What's a high stick, anyway?
by Dominik on Jan 24, 2012 10:16 PM EST
in New York Islanders Game Recaps
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Maybe competent officiating changes how this 4-3 OT loss goes; you never know.
The Islanders had to waste four minutes preventing the angelic Leafs from getting a shot on their powerplays, while the refs patently ignored or missed multiple highsticks to Islanders faces as well as an absurd Luke Schenn crosscheck to Nino Niederreiter's back away from the play after Nino had the gall to legally bodycheck two of Schenn's teammates.
But this is your NHL, and it even carried through to the winning goal, set up by the very player (Mikhail Grabovski) who had just interfered with Matt Moulson in the Leafs zone to create the 2-on-1 that won the game.
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Somehow despite being outshot by the Islanders 32-21 on the night, the sweet, innocent Toronto Maple Leafs did not take a single non-coincidental penalty for the second consecutive night. The lone PIM recorded by the Leafs was a cursory Phil Kessel minor which merely softened the four minutes given to Travis Hamonic on the same altercation. Truly a remarkable display of imagined discipline between two teams that amped up the physicality and cheap stickwork all night long.
The only break the Islanders caught came not courtesy of the laughable refs -- who should be suspended if not hung by their toenails over a toasty campfire -- but by the Coliseum boards, which were no doubt under some John Tavares Jedi spell as they helpfully fed P.A. Parenteau for the game-tying goal with 12 seconds left. So the Islanders salvaged a point, should have salvaged two, and enter the break tasting the sting of a blown 2-0 lead.
(Normally we try not to bemoan officiating after losses, but this is one of those occasions where it just stared you in the face all night long. For sure, bitterness over the loss should not hide the blown lead, but nor should the blown lead hide fantastically absent officiating such as this [Steckel headshot on Martin] and this [high stick on MacDonald]. Mike Hasenfratz and Brian Pochmara must've had flights to catch for their own All-Star break excursions. Sorry if you paid to watch a game that was actually officiated by someone who is aware this game has a rulebook beyond, "Drop the puck. Pick it up after it goes in the net. Repeat.")
2-0 Leads: Not Always Safe
Regardless, ultimately the Islanders still made their own life harder by conceding goals late in the second period and early in the third to erase the otherwise well-constructed 2-0 lead. And it's not like it was Leafs powerplays that made that happen. (Those were over before the Leafs scoring began.)
After the hotly contested 16 minutes that followed, that fumbling of the lead left the Isles open to losing on just such a bounce as the broken-bat bloop single that Grabovski deflected off Milan Jurcina's stick, over Al Montoya at the top of his crease, and into the goal for the Leafs' go-ahead goal with 3:31 left.
Parenteau's tying goal made it feel better for a little while. But only a little while.
Game Highlights
Game Notes
Bailey-Martin: Well, what more can you say about Matt Martin? Hitting Leafs left and right as usual, and singlehandedly willing a PK puck battle at the point into a foot race that he won and turned into a shorthanded goal on a nice pass to, and nice finish by, Josh Bailey.
Milan Jurcina, always the big Lenny. Fans and coaches always on him to use that big frame more, then when he does and crosschecks Clarke MacArthur down in the crease, MacArthur remains prone providing the perfect interference as Jake Gardiner's shot goes through Montoya for the tying goal.
They can score at 6-on-5: After botching the extra man attack all season long, the Islanders have finally gotten that one under control and it helped produce Parenteau's late tying goal. Well, Parenteau's goal came on that nice bounce after a poor Leafs clear from an Isles dump-in -- Parenteau still had to make a nice shot though. But the entire shift before that, the Islanders sustained strong pressure as John Tavares weaved in and out and around the Leafs, accentuating each move with a sublime pass to a waiting Islander teammate.
Missed Opportunities: That said, while it was a nice 3-on-2 counterattack in OT, Tavares being the high man accepting the pass and setting up Travis Hamonic down low, you might've wished Hamonic to go back to Tavares in the slot instead of shoot from the low angle. I think at the moment Hamonic decided to shoot Tavares was not open yet -- it wasn't until he was in shooting motion that Tavares got around the D-man he just eluded to get open.
Johnny T. is Magic: I know I said as much in the previous bullet, but his work during the 6-on-5 was pretty incredible. Can't remember the last time a player has made my jaw drop so many times as he has over the past two months.
The OT Goal: At first I wasn't going to go all woe-is-us on that OT winner -- I initially thought Moulson just lost a puck battle during OT's typically frenzied chaos. But upon further review Grabovsky did the equivalent of clipping the tackler from behind just before he gets to the kick-returner. (Excuse my awkward football vocabulary.) As Moulson went for that loose puck Grabovsky -- who could not reach said puck -- shoved Moulson from behind so that he fell, missed the puck, and whoops! left it free for Grabovsky to pick up and go the other way.
Montoya Almost Saves the Day: Hard to say how Montoya looks, after giving up four goals on 19 shots and not getting much work overall. That fluke go-ahead goal probably wouldn't have eluded Evgeni Nabokov since Nabokov plays deeper in his crease, but then of course that style leaves Nabby open to his own holes. Montoya almost saved the day on the OT winner, making a sprawling glove "save" on the winning shot by MacArthur. Turns out his glove was well inside the goal though, so much that you didn't even need the evidence of seeing its profile through the mesh in his trapper to see that the puck had gone over the line.
Dion Phaneuf: LOL. I love it when Phaneuf acts like he's about to fight or be big when he has zero intention of doing so. His scary gesturing to grandpa Brian Rolston was just your usual Phrankeneuf faux tough act. The official's reluctance to intercede in that particular occasion left Phrankeneuf pantomiming his "don't hold me back, Ill get 'em!" drill for an uncomfortably long, unintentionally hilarious dramatic pause.
The Brutality of a Home-and-Home: The refs had their thumbs up their ... airhorns, but that doesn't mean the Islanders were innocent. This game got brutal, really quick, and each failure to show up by an official just invited more and more of the chippy stuff. That's fine -- it was blatant stick fouls and interferences (not from one-on-one battles) that were the most glaring omissions. But oh yes, play each other two consecutive nights and you'll get this old time hockey.
Speaking of old-time hockey: No idea who orchestrated it, but great to see the home teams don their home whites for each half of this home-and-home.
* * *
I don't know what to say. Jack Capuano and Doug Weight (and John Tavares, after he'd been sticked in the mouth to end the second period) gave it to the refs all night as non-call followed non-call. It was frankly an awful officiating show that distracts from the Isles blowing the lead (and never getting the chance to build on it -- not once -- on the powerplay).
This leaves the Islanders finishing their pre-break stretch with 45 points, tied with three other teams in the East. All of them have more games played than the Islanders and only one of them, Montreal, has another game to play before the break. With Tampa Bay behind at 44 points, it makes for a strange five-pack of flawed teams trying to keep their season's meaning from disappearing like some such referee's whistle.
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Any Dolt with half a brain
Could see the referees have gone insane
To the point where I don’t know
if it’d upset the status quo
If we threw poison in their water main
Listen Close to everybody’s heart
and hear that Breaking sound
Playoff Dreams are shattering apart
and crashing to the ground
I cannot believe my eyes
How the NHL’s full of filth and Lies
And it’s clear to see
Evil inside of me
Is on the rise…..
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
by garik16 on Jan 24, 2012 10:24 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
He is a man of science
and a man of art!
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
That's a guy
with both sides of his brain firing on all cylinders.
whoa, nice
It truly is the Mayan apocalypse. Garik’s waxing poetic. Now watch JP bust out a spreadsheet of relCorsi (home and away splits) before next game.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
by mikb on Jan 25, 2012 1:58 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
pretty obvious...
isles were great tonight, officiating is disgraceful, PAP’s game tying goal was magic, rolston continues to show why he needs to hang it up, JT should be the new face of the NHL with how awesome he is, big cubano played great and shouldn’t feel bad giving up those fluke goals.
very frustrating to not get 2 points out of that. it’s uncanny to see the isles not have at least one powerplay considering the amount of uncalled penalties. this game only reinforced my hatred for the leafs. even with darcy tucker and gary roberts gone, they still play dirty and make you wish they continue their stanley cup curse.
"son of a bitch i'm sick of these dolphins"
- Steve Zissou
Does bring back bad memories
of seeing Peca’s knee taken out and Kenny Jonsson’s bell geting rung. Vendetta!
I thankfully didn't get those flashbacks
No vicious intent-to-injure moments. Just a lot of stupid crap that should’ve been called but wasn’t, so it continued.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Jan 24, 2012 11:09 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
(Actually, I take that back. Steckel's headshot on Martin was no love tap)
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Jan 24, 2012 11:09 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
One more.
I am sorry that I only get to base my comments on highlights and photos (damn career), but, maybe you all can clarify, but it seemed like Bailey was given a little of the Hunter treatment after his shorty. A late trip, that sent him into the boards. He even had a little anger in his eyes during the celebration. Just a quick look, please tell me i was wrong. I am already convinced of the conspiracy against this team. And really need no other reason to stew over this whole thing. Otherwise it seemed like another strong effort from this team. Maybe we can arrange another beat down after the all star break.
There definitely seemd like there was a bush league stick to Bailey after the goal
But of course, nothing called.
The New York Islanders: saving their best for the wrong conference since '05
by Chris McNally on Jan 25, 2012 1:03 AM EST up reply actions
He has to be on the ice bleeding for it to be a penalty.
Oh wait, that doesn’t work either.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Jan 25, 2012 1:27 AM EST up reply actions
That is true
the Leaf player swept the legs by pushing his stick through them from behind.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Felt Like I Was Watching Isles-Leafs in the 1978 Playoffs
Leafs were less skilled than that Islanders team on the rise. The Leafs had Darryl Sittler, Lanny MacDonald and Borje Salming. Since they couldn’t out-talent the Islanders, they literally beat them up. Dave “Tiger” Williams cheap-shotted Mike Bossy that whole series much like the abuse JT took tonight. The Leafs, of course, eventually won in Game 7 on MacDonald’s OT goal. But three years later, the Isles kicked the shit out of TO, sweeping a three-game series. They even ran up the score on them in a deciding Game 3 in TO.
The tide will turn. Expect this team to get bigger and tougher with Lee, Mayfield, Pedan, etc. I’m sure at some point Garth will also add one or two skilled “tough” players too.
Yeah
I was there the night McDonald scored. Heartbreaking. My wife (then girlfriend) took it harder than me. Brutal series. You left out Ian Turnbull and Jerry Butler- hated those guys.
Islanders-Leafs. Somehow their paths have crossed often.
And you are right, we should learn some lessons and get bigger and tougher.
by JackandAce on Jan 25, 2012 8:23 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It went both ways, but you guys got it way worse than we did tonight, I’ll admit it. But, if you watched any of our December games, you’ll see the Leafs have definitely been on the receiving end of some way worse reffing (see: 24/7 game vs. the Rangers), so I’ll accept sometimes it goes our way.
But hey, Kerry Fraser’s phantom goalie interference call to wave off a goal in 2007 did, in retrospect, give you a win that ultimately got you guys into 8th and us into 9th. I say we call this belated zebra revenge and move on.
You guys played a hard game tonight, though, kept it interesting. Goaltending is looking a lot better, and you made us fight for our chances. Best of luck with the rest of your season (minus your 1 game left against the Leafs, of course)!
TWEET AT ME BRO
DAAAAA BLOG
Leaf fan for life! (No, really. They gave me a no-trade clause when I was born.)
by FiftyMissionCap on Jan 25, 2012 2:12 AM EST up reply actions
Yessir
Crying about officiating is a loser’s game. Get tougher if you have to. Before the Broad Street Bullies, the Flyers were constantly pushed around by St. Louis and the Plagers. They responded, right?
I thought last night was a great game, and it is great to see Islander-Leaf hockey again. I missed it during the last few years. There is a little bit of a rivalry there through the years, and being tough is part of it.
Now if only we could face each other in the playoffs again…how great would that be.
I agree it was a fun game to watch: to see two teams battle like that.
Isles do need to get bigger/more physical. When the refs swallow their whistles (which we don’t see very often in today’s NHL) and the two teams are both fast and about equally skilled, then the more physical team is going to win the majority of the time.
For the most part, I don’t blame the Leafs for their play. If they can get away without being called for a penalty, that is what they are paid to do. (And Tavares figured that out about half way through last night’s game and chopped every time he could.)
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Jan 25, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
Although tonight, I didn't think they got out-physical'd in anyway
They just had multiple bloody faces due to sticks that went uncalled. Every physical battle looked more like tit for tat.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Yeah, I'm proud for how Isles battled.
And in the end the game was decided by a couple fluke goals (one apiece), Isles pinching deep, and a missed interference call.
My contention is that the Leafs had their sticks up more in the first place. They saw that the refs weren’t calling much, and Toronto is a tough team to play against when they come in with their sticks high on many checks.
In other words, if the refs were calling high stick penalties (both ways), the Isles would have had a better chance of winning.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Jan 25, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The mugging on Moulson right before the Leafs goal is unbelievable . Ref was right there.
by AM7 on Jan 24, 2012 10:30 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
apparently not
These highlights are making my brain hurt. I spent a fun hour getting hollered at while reffing my first game tonight – we only work with two guys, too – and I gotta say that nothing that went on in our game was nearly that bad. The AMac high stick was the worst – the puck is right there, the ref on the play should catch that.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
First and Last time
I check out an opposing team’s blog after a loss.
No hockey talk just a bunch of .gifs and shouts of PLAYOFFFSSSSS
Doesn’t FL have 2 games in hand on them?
Must be nice to have a payroll that size >_>
Still am of the mind that the calls being what they were this is the type of game we have to battle back from.
I can see them not calling that interference on MM (it’s OT you know teams get away with that stuff); Streit’s soft play on the puck didn’t help either.
Ah well. A point is a point =\
Battle through it
calls being what they were this is the type of game we have to battle back from.
Agreed. And when they do, and if and when they are a better team that shows it with some regularity, hopefully they get a little more respect from the officials on nights when the refs are thinking about their vacation.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
And you have to admit
that this is a hell of a lot more “battle back” than you would’ve seen last year…or even a month ago. They kept coming, and they dished it back. I’m assuming these are the types of games the dynasty era teams had to battle through during their transcendence…and what doesn’t kill you…
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jan 24, 2012 11:31 PM EST up reply actions
Still sooo angry
Islanders played well enough to win. There were moments where they couldn’t get it out of their zone again, but they had the better of the play.
The numerous BLATANT trips, cross checks to heads, interferences kept escalating. But I don’t think the Islanders stooped as low as the Leafs. Two Leaf goals came off plays where there would have, and should have, been a penalty called.
The goalie interference called on Martin in the first was exactly the same as the interference Montoya had to deal with on the second goal. Both were a result of a scuffle in front. 2 mins for being an Islander.
Awful, simply Awful. Islander’s can’t win when there are 8 opponents on the ice (linesmen were fine).
by GreekIsles83 on Jan 24, 2012 10:35 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
To quote Sonny
“….hey Bafangoul ! "
I’m proably in the minority, but I didn’t think we played a very good game. Should never blow a 2-0 lead so late in the 2nd. We progressively got worse as the game went on. Too sloppy, too many players out of position. I thought Moulson’s play could be judged on a scale of 0 to Horrible, making Rolston only our 2nd worst forward tonight. Why Jack decides to limit Nino’s icetime during the 2nd half of a very physical game is beyond me. The kid has held his own out there.
Can’t recall so many missed high-sticking calls even in the days before the “inadvertant” high stick rules. To be fair, JT deserved to get 2 mins for the 3 cross checks, and we deserved 4-5 calls. And the extra 2 mins. to Hamonic was questionable. In the end, we blew a 2-0 lead and a Bailey shorty.
I thought they were good for the first half
Evened out late in the second and the third, I thought, Toronto adjusted to how the Isles had adjusted to them after last night.
The Islanders definitely committed fouls — hard to say who was more culpable as it all escalated, as there was a bunch of retaliation crap that seemed fine since they called nothing. Don’t know how they miss the high sticks to the face though. Those are the ones that, no matter what rivalry-like chippy “let them play” rough stuff you allow, you still have to call those. I mean that’s the crap that elevates into real danger if you don’t draw a line.
Thought the Schenn crosscheck on Nino was so absurd because it’s clearly a retaliation away from the puck, Nino has no idea he’s coming to mug him, and it’s basically a … “Okay, we’re just looking the other way tonight?” moment.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I'm a visitor here...
and an irregular observer of Isles games…but even if your team did get sloppy, that game was not fairly called. It bothers me more than usual to be honest.
by ToddMclellan'shair on Jan 24, 2012 11:02 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Thanks for stopping by
Do you know Capuano’s hair?!
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Def gonna have a problem getting the boys in bed tonight
The New York Islanders: saving their best for the wrong conference since '05
by Chris McNally on Jan 24, 2012 11:43 PM EST up reply actions
Any former Isle draft pick's hair is welcome here
Good luck in the ASG.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
Interesting
Ron Wilson mentioned that we were cheap shotting them during the game.
Also… When did he get so old?
In my mind I thought of him as a young guy. Damn.
...
“Also credit out players for playing so disciplined”
hehe.
Haha for that comment his nickname should be Ron “the Snake” Wilson.
by ToddMclellan'shair on Jan 24, 2012 11:17 PM EST up reply actions
I didnt know "disciplned" means "getting away with shit for over 6 periods". Interesting.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jan 24, 2012 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
And he's coached as many NHL games as Mike Keenan now!
Once he got in, that man has never stopped working.
His “disciplined” players sure earned every cheap shot they got.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Jan 24, 2012 11:15 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
We all saw it with our own eyes
Reggie Dunlop: Goddamn lard-ass Barkley Donaldson, I’m tellin’ you he jumped us!
Steve Hanson: [nodding head] Mm huh.
Reggie Dunlop: Gloves off, stick down, no warning, he challenged the Chiefs!
Steve Hanson: Called us names!
Reggie Dunlop: Called us names! But Dave was there.
Steve Hanson: Dave’s a killer!
Johnny Upton: Dave’s a mess.
Reggie Dunlop: But Dave’s out. Who’s gonna take his place?
Ned Braden: Is the answer Jesus?
In all fairness though, coaches have to manufacture this type of bullshit to create that passion and fire in the players. I think this is the type of stuff that many here wish Capuano would do. Find the right strings and pull them to get the team response that he needs. I’m not even sure these guys really believe that shit…but it helps for 60 minutes when you’re behind.
Reggie Dunlop: [looks at the Hanson brothers] Ok guys. Show us what you got.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jan 24, 2012 11:40 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
rec'd
Any timely Slap Shot reference gets my vote. Way to capture the spirit of the thing, bro.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
"dave's a mess"
is one of the best lines of that movie.
"son of a bitch i'm sick of these dolphins"
- Steve Zissou
by gukid17 on Jan 25, 2012 5:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I try not to curse on here because I don't know who I might offend...
Piss. Poor. Fucking. Officiating.
I truly don’t remember a game in the post-lockout period that has been so poorly officiated, and I will laugh my balls off if it turns out this game was part of a Tim Donaghy-type thing (yaaaay conspiracy theories! Especially since the Leafs have the worst PK in the league!)
MacDonald took an elbow to the head and nothing. Bailey gets can-opener’d and nothing The other obvious ones have been stated, and need not be repeated. There’s no excuse for a blown lead, but when you’re there and they play pretty well otherwise, the penalties (or lack thereof) are the shit that irks me most.
by sayvillelax94 on Jan 24, 2012 11:20 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
One of the worst officiated games I've ever seen
This was the type of game that led to the Night of the Penguins Massacre last year. The only difference this year is, the Islanders don’t have the type of physical players who would encourage an all-out brawl like that. I’m fine with losing a game because the defense sucked or the Islanders blow a lead, but complete disrespect like that from the officiating is completely unnecessary and frustrating as a viewer. Nevermind that I’m an Islander fan, I would even be pissed if I was just a casual hockey fan wanting to watch a good game. How Andrew MacDonald can get high-sticked in the face, fall down, and then have blood on his mouth and not have a single goddamn ref call something is ludicrous. I’m more pissed at the officials than the Leafs even – the Leafs took advantage and got more and more physical knowing that the refs weren’t calling shit. Being a ref seems to be the easiest job in the world, even a blind person can do it.
This game was a complete fucking embarrassment for the NHL. Fuck Bettman’s hockey.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Jan 24, 2012 11:25 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
The Isles did shoot themselves in the foot a bit.
Jurcina can play physical, but not always smart. If he doesn’t cross-check that Leaf player, then Monty makes that save. Also Streit should be banned from the pump-fake pinch. Pinch or not, there is no hesitation.
But overall, I agree. The refs blew the game. They didn’t miss any calls, they flat-out ignored the calls. And I’m not saying the Isles played like angels, but the Leafs got away with many blatant high sticks (usually an easy call to make), not to mention that game-winning goal non-call. Fuck them. The NHL needs a shake-up of its leadership from top to bottom. Shannahan can stay for now.
Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock...
by Turgeon1992 on Jan 24, 2012 11:32 PM EST up reply actions
Pardon my French
BUT JUST CALL THE FUCKING RULE BOOK!! What drives me crazy about refs is the tit-for-tat, make-up-call, you-got-away-with-one-before-but-now-I’m-calling-it bullshit that dominates the NHL. What Jeff Marek called on his podcast “game management.” That’s now nonsense like this and the Penguins prequels happen.
Just call the rule book. An elbow is an elbow is an elbow. A charge is a charge. You can’t “let them play” tonight and then call every batted eyelash tomorrow. That’s how players get confused and, more importantly, hurt.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
by PGI on Jan 24, 2012 11:42 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Call Them Up!!!
We were accused of doing it last year although all the players were already there or worthy of a call up, bring in Gillies, Haley, Gallant and Olsen and let them at it. them buy them a nice dinner. Reading what you all saw and what was visible on the videos is just stupid and needs to be addressed with “old time hockey”. And yes, Fuck Bettman. Little weasel. Probably sitting in Marios lap right now saying “I should do something about this officiating”, and mario saying “don’t forget hey how they beat me in the playoffs”. “Oh yea, sorry.”
Just like in EVERY facet of life
There are the Haves and the Have Nots. There are the people of power and persuasion that get things to “go their way.” There are CEO’s who have sucked and screwed their way to the top while hard workers get nowhere fast. There are boss’ sons who have been coddled into comfy management positions which should have gone to someone more qualified. There are teams like the Maple Leafs and teams like the Islanders.
Sigh…Garth will continue to collect his talent, Tavares will continue to get better as he leads this team, the Isles will slowly start to win more, become competitive, eventually a contender. Will we then be on the INSIDE? Part of the Clout Club? Will we be the Habs Leafs Haves instead of the Have Nots? Maybe the NHL powers that be will get all fuckin’ nostalgic and wanna see a 2014-2015 Oilers-Isles Cup Final and then – MAYBE then – the calls will go our way.
I just can’t wait till this team is so good that it doesn’t even NEED these fucking biased bastards’ calls to go one way or the other…
"Seriously that's the last time you guys f#@%ing won?" -RSH (about beating the Penguins in '93)
in all honesty Bryan2112....
if that seems to be the case where the isles become part of that clout club and the nhl decides to wield the strings to pull a future isles-oilers cup final like you said, then i lost all faith and interest in sports. i couldn’t enjoy that as an isles fan let alone a hockey fan. bettman would have succeeded in destroying one of the few things in this life that brings purified joy.
"son of a bitch i'm sick of these dolphins"
- Steve Zissou
Agreed. I don’t want to see the isles on the side of favorable calls and game management. If this game is a competition, then I want to see it play out fairly. Country or game of hockey, if it is a competition for success then let it play out fairly rather than allowing rules to favor one side.
Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock...
by Turgeon1992 on Jan 25, 2012 7:31 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
One good thing...
Its nice to see Leaf/Isle hockey back again. Reminds me of the good old days. For a middle of the season game, that was a pretty good one.
My heart is thanking me for missing this game
Had to work late…..productive night. Probably have a brain aneurysm or a heart attack if I watched this game, judging from the comments. Tis the life of an Islander Fan. 4 points to the 9th seed…..“No playoffs for your! Come back, One year! Next!”
You should've seen her face. It was the exact same look my father gave me when I told him I wanted to be a ventriloquist.
Its Good, Its Bad, Its Good, Its Atrocious
The first 2 periods were great and it really looked like we were headed into the all-star break on a high note.
Then they not only blow the lead, but get behind, again showing a lack of killer instinct in putting a team away.
Then they showed the intestinal fortitude of a team on the rise by coming back and tying the game up.
Then the refs took over and just handed this game to the Leafs. No, they didn’t put the puck (barely) behind Montoya, but to let the play on Moulson go uncalled, I don’t care if it’s OT or not, is an atrocious display of officiating.
The fact that two different officiating crews manage to not call a single (non-offsetting) penalty on the Leafs in consecutive games is something that should definitely be looked into.
The New York Islanders: saving their best for the wrong conference since '05
how did montoya play
Pretty low save percentage? Sure it’s rust and Nabby desperately needed a night off, but just curious
You should've seen her face. It was the exact same look my father gave me when I told him I wanted to be a ventriloquist.
I had a really fuzzy feed, but I thought he could have had better positioning and been a little quicker on the first goal. He was fine though. Very good sign for your team. Nabokov and Montoya will hold the fort for you.
by ToddMclellan'shair on Jan 24, 2012 11:59 PM EST up reply actions
Agree on the positioning on the first...
Kind of had the near post over-covered… If it moved slightly towards the center, probably could’ve gotten back for it… But still Reese’s fault to not follow his man and being guilty of puck-watching
Second one, he just didn’t see it, thanks Jurcina, both for the check of the Leaf into him and the screen your ridiculously large underused (though maybe not today) body
Third goal is like Dom said, Nabby would’ve had it but bc he plays deeper, which leads to other issues
And 4th one I think he know he’s not getting, hell of an effort to “save” it
by BaltimoreIslander on Jan 25, 2012 12:05 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, def. Reese's fault too for missing that man
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Yeah, Al was the least of their problems
The 3-2 goal was a fluke bounce with a rainbow arc that he could have had, but it could have happened to anybody. He looked fine considering all the time he missed. They didn’t lose because of him.
/Cue the “If that was Rick, you would have burned his house down!” No. It was just a weird, weird goal.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
/puts matches back in pocket
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jan 25, 2012 12:06 AM EST up reply actions
Hard to tell completely
Agree with Mclellan’s Hair (yes, I just uttered that sequence of words) he might’ve been quicker on the first Leafs goal. (Bailey too…no one seemed to anticipate the back door there; it was a nice pass).
There were moments where he wasn’t quite swimming but where initial saves had him on his knees and too far to the side or even outside of his crease. The kind of stuff he does when he’s not on point. No chaos though, no puck fumbles.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I know the officiating truly was bad and I'm not biased because
I truly believe the Islanders got away with murder more than once in this game…
And I still feel like the Leafs ridiculously got away with everything. Martin’s elbows were flying at times, Niño got a little too check into the boards happy and I remember one play ( gonna say its Wallace but I’m not sure) but he literally flew off the bench and b-lined it for a Leafs player in the corner, only didn’t land the check as hard as he’d like (a blatant charge)
So after the Isles got away with all of that… It doesn’t even compare to the high stick, shit you can’t get away with labeling the players as being physical and “letting the game flow” just an absurd excuse for officiating
If we didn’t get called for anything all game, id be able to handle it but not when the team that did about 4 or 5 more illegal things in this game got 2 more powerplays than we did.
The game ended 2 1/2 hours ago and I’m still livid, although this post was an attempt at a calm post
by BaltimoreIslander on Jan 25, 2012 12:00 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I remember that
he literally flew off the bench and b-lined it for a Leafs player in the corner, only didn’t land the check as hard as he’d like (a blatant charge)
I think it might’ve been Martin — or at least Howie announced it as Martin but I wasn’t sure if he was right.
The Islander seemed to look at the ref right afterward (before the camera pulled away), and I remember musing to myself whether he was saying, “What, me?” as if the ref warned him, or if he was saying, “See that? That’s what happens when you don’t call squat.”
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Probably right as that seems more like a Martin act haha
I just remember Niño being on the ice, so I guessed a 4th liner and knew Pandalfo wouldn’t be doing that bc he was skating too fast haha
by BaltimoreIslander on Jan 25, 2012 12:07 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
That reminds me: Nino's curve continues bit by bit
He’s starting to annoy the opposition. He’s starting to instinctively know where to go more and more now. [insert obligatory Rolston countdown here]
Like what he said in Newsday about camping out in front [paraphrasing] “I think some of the older guys (opponents) think I don’t have a right to be there, and that just makes me want to go there all the more.”
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Funny...
I was talking on the phone with a friend that’s a TWC customer so he doesn’t get to watch games as much and he mentioned that IPB are calling for Niño to get bumped up and asked for my opinion
Up until today, I didn’t really agree and didn’t see it… But combined with Rolston’s struggling and the game he played tonight, I’m leaning a bit more towards it, he seems to be in the right spot at the right time more often than ever and of course watching him throw his body around is fun to see, I’m curious now to see him take a Holmstrom-like approach and stand in front for screens on a non “checking” line
If successful there, we let him play with the puck a bit more
by BaltimoreIslander on Jan 25, 2012 12:15 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'm ready for it sometime soon
I firmly believe it’s the nature of fans — esp. watching on TV — to see the nice things an untested player does and simply not be exposed to all the other things away from the puck a player must do to earn those minutes.
That said, the things I can pick up on, he’s been doing more and more lately. And Rolston’s effect obviously isn’t doing any wonders for Bailey and Martin: I don’t think he’s a brutal negative, but his play just doesn’t mix with them and he’s probably so slow now that he needs to just be on a (still bad, but keeping it simple) fourth line.
Ultimately I prefer they drop Wallace, call up Ullstrom, and use their own non-vet-loving judgment to figure whether Ullstrom or Nino should slip into that spot. (Or Rakhshani or whomever, depending on their notes.) If that means Nino stays on the 4th but with one better winger, I don’t think it holds him back. He’s been hungry and improving this way so far.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
If I Were Cap, I Would Have Moved Nino to RW With Bailey and Martin to Start the 3rd Period
I would have played a hunch. This was easily the most physical Nino’s been all year and he was getting under TO’s skin. It would’ve created a crash line that might’ve gotten a dirty goal.
And I think Bailey, despite a couple of atrocious clears, is really finding his nitch as a physical, skilled third line center. Get 15-20 playing physical and that’s real valuable.
Well, that's the interesting thing
I think the Isles will trade PP and PK chances with both being pretty strong right now. The PK has been stopping people and is always dangerous with FN and MG and now MMa and JB. We know about the PP, and they Isles play two very chippy games and all of a sudden, our biggest weakness (5 on 5 scoring) is exploited by a lack of calls in either direction?
That’s just freaking weird.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jan 25, 2012 12:05 AM EST up reply actions
No doubt
And just … well in an obviously not clean game. Bastards.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Was going to post something along these lines. I didn’t see last night’s game, but I saw the first one. The refs really let them play Monday night and I’m guessing last night was similar, but to a greater extreme. I actually don’t have a huge problem with that, I think it makes the game better to watch as a fan (and I realize this is a personal opinion). Obviously that approach by the officials goes against the Islanders’ strengths, but I honestly feel that is the Islanders’ problem, not the league’s. On any given night, the referees are going to call games differently-it’s impossible to expect otherwise.
What the Islanders need to do is learn from this-specifically two things. First, they need to get much better at 5 on 5, which I’m sure they already know. The other is, and BaltimoreIslander seems to allude that maybe they started to figure it out last night, that when the refs are calling a game like this, you need to start cheating more. Take what they are giving. If they’re letting holds go, but not stick stuff, then clutch and grab. If they’re letting stick stuff go (and it sounds like they were) then knock a few teeth out. This is a basic approach in any game where officials can greatly affect the outcome, and hopefully the Isles figured that out last night.
It really did look like they realized it
I mean, JT cross-checking people and PAP with a flying headlock…we don’t see that too often. I like it, but they still aren’t good enough at it yet to play like that and win.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
they still aren’t good enough at it yet to play like that and win.
Right, and they’re probably a few bodies short of being able to too, especially on defense. But it’s all part of the process of moving from a young team to a winning team.
by afrosupreme on Jan 25, 2012 10:05 AM EST up reply actions
You are right
The refs called the game a particular way, so figure it out and respond. Here is what every coach in the league should be saying to their team before they play the Isles:
We have to do two things:
1. Stop JT at all costs. Hit him, deny him the puck, and double or triple team him when he has it.
2. Take as few penalties as possible, thus keeping JT away from a man-advantage.
We do those two things, we win.
Leafs carried it out to perfection. And they got the results.
Am I alone in thinking the holding/physicality didn't hold the Isles back?
Honestly, I was impressed with how much they pushed back, crosschecked back, Hamonic’d back. At no point did it feel like a traditional Flyers thumping of the Isles.
I was just perplexed that blood-drawing high sticks and scoring chance-enabling interference calls were ignored. Those aren’t really infractions that you let go when you’re “letting them play.”
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
It depends on how you look at it.
I thought Isles overachieved in physical department, but I also thought that Isles would have ran away with this game if penalties were actually called.
In other words, penalties not being called gave the Leafs the opportunity to play the Isles even for most of the game. (Isles won some parts, Leafs won other pars.)
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Jan 25, 2012 2:33 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe so
This will become the same old discussion of how tough are the Isles. Maybe I’ll save it for All-Star posts, since we’ll all be looking for something to bitch about by then.
I just think there is a bigger problem on the Isles. I think JT is getting frustrated. That sequence when he cross-checked someone 3 times in the back was ridiculous. How he did not get called is beyond me.
But really, he should not be doing that, KO should not be the one fighting to stand up for someone, and same with Matty Mo. Everybody seems to think that is great- I don’t. These players should be thinking about something else.
This is only going to get worse in the second half, and I don’t think the Isles are ready for this as a team. There will be games where the refs won’t be the ones to stick up for you.
We have one asset that must be protected at all costs, JT, and this team is simply not prepared for that. Any opposing coach that does not say to his team before playing the Isles that they should hit JT, and hit him often and hard, should be sued by his team’s fans for malpractice. I predict JT will be taking a beating down the stretch. And if that happens, it will be bad for everyone.
Forget the refs, we need to deal with it.
I think you have a point on the overall toughness
I just don’t think the Leafs are one of those teams that manhandles them and don’t think that happened last night. They have Phaneuf, who is a blowhard but will look for whopping big hits, but not a full lineup of dirty.
The targeting JT isn’t really new to me either. Teams do it at various intervals, particularly when he’s going hot. Often he’s good at avoiding it. When it’s after the whistle stuff, they need to step in. Ironically Ron Wilson contends they got more physical only after the Islanders “targeted their [Leafs’] skill players.”
The problem is the ideal answer to the “toughness” piece does not grow on trees. There just aren’t enough to go around. Even a Matt Martin is a bit of a lucky find, and he’s hardly skilled like a Lucic where you can handle putting him on a top six line regularly.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Loving me some Rick Tocchet right now
Rick Tocchet @RealRocket22
I know guys are getting concussions a lot these days but my God can some of you guys protect yourself better ? If you no it’s coming …
Rick Tocchet @RealRocket22
Get your Fu…..ing elbow up and protect yourself…just my observation
Rick Tocchet @RealRocket22
If I know Ovie’s coming to blast me in a corner …well…he will be eating my elbow that’s all
Rick Tocchet @RealRocket22
If your a player that runs around and you know certain players will keep there elbow up to protect …well…guarantee he will slow down
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Rick Tocchet @RealRocket22
@MC_89 @friedgehnic listen I agree , head shots are terrible …so how do you try and eliminate that from the game ?
Rick Tocchet @RealRocket22
@MC_89 @friedgehnic softer equipment , take instigator rule out , protect yourself better , let goalies play the puck everywhere
Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
@MC_89 @RealRocket22 Several coaches agree…they want their players to get elbow up. Don’t swing it, but just let people know it’s there.
Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
@MC_89 @RealRocket22 That way, they feel, hitters will not be as reckless charging in.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jan 25, 2012 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
I'd love to see them go back to
soft shoulder pads. The stuff now is a joke. Like a bulletproof vest. I think that would do more to change this stuff than any other single change they could make.
You can only hope the players take positives out of this game
It’s way too easy to put on the tinfoil hat and say this was the referees curiously giving no powerplays to a top 10 NHL powerplay against the 30th ranked penalty kill. The harder thing (and ultimately more rewarding) is to take away that we had an opportunity to get 4 points and get to NHL 0.500 … but we didn’t.
It’s easy for young players like Bailey or JT or AMac to walk away discouraged and with an inferiority complex for being Islanders but it’s also more important to realize that we simply didn’t do what it takes to win. You can’t come out flat in a big game in Toronto. You can’t go up 2-0 to the Leafs and not close the deal (no less give up a big goal with 65 seconds to go in the second).
Should the Islanders be mad? Probably. Was the game badly officiated? Of course. But it happens… and the point is we’re better than last year, I don’t want our only solace to be another beatdown game getting us less respect from the league and nothing positive of consequence. For all of us clamoring for getting some veteran non-Rolston-type help to speed things along, you don’t do it by being a media pincushion or a self-pitying team.
by ENV79 on Jan 25, 2012 12:27 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Well said
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Correct on all accounts ENV79
Up 2 goals nearing the end of the 2nd? You gotta close the deal and get to intermission up 2-0, no ifs, and, or buts.
Up 2-1, starint the 3rd, and the Isles get heamed in their zone without a clear, which leads to goal #2. You could alsmost see the third Toronto goal coming in the distance.
PAP’s goal with some 20+ seconds to tie the game was a minor miracle. I would have bet $1,000 that when the score was 3-2, I considered the game over.
Someday, soon this team will mature enough to know how to protect a lead at the end of a period. Someday, soon this team will come out after intermission flying. Someday soon, thsi team will NOT give up the first goal just fuve minutes into the game.
SOMEDAY>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>but not today, or last night.
SOMEDAY, the dead weight, Cap Mule et,al…. will be discarded and better players will take their place, BUT NOT TODAY!
We can rant and rave about last night’s lack of quality officiating but that’s the least of our problems. There is still a ways to go for this team to be perenial playoff contenders, SOMEDAY but not today!
SOMEDAY soon, we will get secondary scoring, get better on D, again SOMEDAY but not today!
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Jan 25, 2012 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
THOSE ZEBRAS BETTER NOT REF ANY PLAYOFF GAMES
Ive been on a couple websites and the unanimous opinion is that was horrifically unprofessional officiating.
What are the odds the league even makes mention of it? does something about it?
everybody "wong" chung tonight
Zilch, Zippo, Nada, No chance.
Isle’s will probably be get fined for “thinking” conspiracy.
You should've seen her face. It was the exact same look my father gave me when I told him I wanted to be a ventriloquist.
I didn't see the game, so I just watched the highlights.
The non-call on Moulson before the Leafs’ game winning break out is despicable. I hate to play the conspiracy theorist, really. But damn, if Matt Moulson takes down, I don’t know, Kadri in that situation, do you think there’s no call? I’m not sure.
"I didn't come out of a cereal box." --Bob Dylan
Considering they called zilch all night
I really wasn’t expecting anything in OT. Surprised the players didn’t just start hog-tying each other like it was 1999 at that point.
All of which makes the goalie interference call on Matt Martin early in the game stand out as quite a curiosity.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
It makes me mad
that not only did the isles lose tonight, but that douche Clark MacArthur is NHL 3rd star of the night, when he really shouldnt be.
Not only did the refs miss a dozen penalties in the home-and-home, but...
…two of them could easily have been majors tonight: the high hit on JT behind the net and the butt-end to Martin’s face. (That counts as a head-shot, right?)
Still, this highlights the Isles’ two biggest needs, in my estimation: another rugged defenseman (like Hamonic, but doesn’t even have to be as offensive) and a power forward for the 2nd line. Get those two pieces and secondary scoring will improve.
I like Martin, but there’s no indication he’s the long-term solution for the 2nd line. (Excellent for 3rd or 4th.) And Nino looks like he may be the long-term solution, but I don’t know that he’d be ready to step into that role next season.
I’ve never been more disgusted with the officials. How come Isles are screwed worse by officials at home than on the road? (I brought this up in the first few games of the season and again after about 25.)
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Jan 25, 2012 1:47 AM EST reply actions
I hope shanaban reviews this game.
That high hit (which looked from behind) on JT AWAY FROM THE PUCK is extremely dangerous. Cheap ass Lupul should be suspended for that. And that would hurt the leafs offense.
And the Steckel stick to Martin’s head? 5min major and a suspension. Just as bad as that guy’s elbow to the head earlier this year that warranted 3gms suspension.
And don’t even start me on the Schenn crosscheck to Nino’s back, not near anything. Schenn can’t even fight either, I wish Nino just dropped the gloves and pounded that big wussy. Maybe Schenn is trying to just save his career there, his game has taken a nose dive and he’s now a crappy bottom pair d-man. Komisarek has looked better than him lately. LMAO.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
I know both teams got away with stuff, but WTF refs?
I know we mostly got away with to me what seemed to be JT crosschecks(and there were a lot) and trips and the occasional hit from behind(I’d say). But they got away with 3 blatant high sticks to the face, kessel’s literally dozens of 2-handed slashes, Phaneuf sticking Rolston in the face, Schenn(The biggest player on the ice at the time) blatant cross check to Nino’s spine away from the play, Steckel(another biggest person on the ice) giving Martin a 2 hander that left him out of breath or gimped for a minute, and then the Moulson no-call on the game ending goal? You have to be kidding me. I know we were a little dirty this game, and JT looked like he was trying to hurt people, but 2 huge players in Steckel/Schenn trying to hurt people and get away with it? Those are the type of guys that can send people off in stretchers when they cross the line. You have to be kidding me. And Kessel looked more like a lumberjack today than he did an actual hockey player, he could have literally broke someones leg if his chopping was as hard as his shot.
And all this started as retaliation from clean hits? Fucking pussy cry baby leaf players. If Kessel or Lupul were actually tough, they wouldn’t slash or cheapshot players and skate away. Too bad Hamonic didn’t earn his roughing on Kessel, that little prick deserved a punch in the face “hard”. JT got his after his “cheapness”, but all Kessel did was walk away unscathed. And 0PP’s in 2gms against a team that averaged 4/gm before we faced them? That’s 8PP’s we were SCREWED out of, statistically. And our PP has been our bread and butter. Go figure we get the calls we were supposed and we come out with 2pts and the leafs come out with 2, but nope.
Someone has to tell A-mac to hip check more. I know he did it later in the game, but his body checks are bad and he gets thrown when he throws them. But he does throw a good hip check though.
PS-I hate Rolston. There was at least twice tonight where Bailey and Martin could have had an odd man rush into the opponents zone, but Rolston was just TOO DAMN SLOW or TOO LAZY to make it happen, instead creating a 2-on-2. GET ROLSTON ON THE DAMN 4th LINE OR SCRATCH HIS ASS. I’m sick of Mr.Slapshot.
It’s games like these where I wish we had Haley. At least he would have thrown some bigger “retaliation” checks, and could have forced one of those cheapshotting asshats into a fight where they would have paid the price. Just ask avery and bickell. I what I would have paid to see the big weak ass fighting 230lbs schenn get lit up by little 200lbs haley. We know Phaneuf would be too much of bitch to fight a guy that gives him a lot of reach and 15lbs on, and we all saw what Foligno did to him. Must be great to have the captain of your franchise be a blindsiding asshat who can’t even fight anymore but will facewash or stick anything anytime, what a short tempered bitch. NHL players around the league must think Phaneuf is as much of an asshat as avery, but Phaneuf’s more of a bitch because Avery actually drops the gloves and wins fights! lol. Frankenstein looking weasel.
I apologize for the swearing, just venting.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
by OzzyFan on Jan 25, 2012 1:52 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I also thought this was one of Nielsen's better games.
He played very physical, he made a number of pretty passes, and he played brilliant defense.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
I see your not an expert in taxonomy
Frankenstein looking weasel.
this is a weasel:
everybody "wong" chung tonight
by potvins_cups on Jan 25, 2012 2:07 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
0 PP in 2 games
come on, where is the officating. so inconsistent. Th eonlytime you saw them was when they got in the way of a clearing attemppt or pass
Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all
Honestly inthe 2games they missed alot
probably missed 6 calls against the Leafs and even missed 2-3 Islander penalties
Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all
by Rickfansince76 on Jan 25, 2012 5:03 AM EST up reply actions
6?
They probably missed 6 last night alone: 3 high sticks, high hit on Tavares, butt-end to Martin’s face, Moulson chopped at the end, and a trip or two.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Jan 25, 2012 11:47 AM EST up reply actions
When is the coach going to speak up!!!!
Cap needs to call these refs out in public. This team gets absolutely no respect from the refs and will not until the Isles do something about it. I can think of at least 4 or 5 games this year that we lost as a direct result of the refs. At this point there is really nothing to lose as the refs do not respect us anyway. We never get calls. At least if the Isles make a stink the refs will think twice knowing they will get called out for it. Enough is enough already.
Needed to get that off my chest LOL
by Best Thing Going on Jan 25, 2012 9:40 AM EST reply actions
I dont think the callng out in public thing will help... it will only get him fined.
But they need to address this and contact the NHL regarding this bias. The NHL needs to think about this mess because it discredits the league itself.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jan 25, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
agreed...
calling out the refs in public wouldn’t be the way to go. i wonder if the isles could file some sort of grievance with the league explaining their situation with the lack of officiating? they could even use the fact that they didn’t get one power play in two straight home at home games against the same team.
"son of a bitch i'm sick of these dolphins"
- Steve Zissou
...with a quick video "highlights"
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Jan 25, 2012 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
Someone has to complain
If the Isles won’t we should!
info@nhlofficials.com
As a life long NHL fan, I request that the necessary people who oversee the culpability of the on ice officials review footage from both games between NY Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs. Games were played January 23 and 24, 2012. There were MANY blatant calls in full view of officials that were not called. MANY of the infractions were not only penalties, but dangerous actions that can get somebody extremely hurt. If the league wants to protect the players, then the officials need to do their part and also be accountable. Please let me know if there are any checks and balances and if they will be applied in the case of these games.
Thank you.
Rob Meagher
by Rob Meagher on Jan 25, 2012 12:05 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
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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.
