Islanders Hatchlings 7, Bruins Fledglings 2: Strome, Cizikas, McNeely, Nilsson Shine

Another night, another tough injury for a roster bubble guy: Mark Katic left the game with a separated left shoulder.

Other than that it was all Islanders, a feel-good night as their top two lines dominated, special teams was efficient, and Anders Nilsson plugged every hole Mikko Koskinen couldn't the night before.

The night began with a silly three fights in the first five seconds of elapsed time, no doubt the release valve on Monday night's chippiness and Rhett Rakhshani's concussion. Glad they got that out of the way early, as the rest of the night looked like up-tempo shinny with a lot of young Islanders skill on display. Michel Theoret was also lost to injury later in the game, severity unknown at this time.

Early Fights: First Brett Gallant vs. Tyler Randell (the culprit on the Rakhsani hit, apparently). Then Benn Olson vs. Conor Stokes [sic]. Then Art Bidlevski vs. Kevan Miller [sic]. The latter two tilted in the Isles' favor.

Context: The Islanders did not skate Tuesday morning after Monday night's game. The Bruins did. Perhaps that was a factor.

Once again special teams were prevalent, but this time the Islanders were more prepared. More powerplay goals than I could count, plus a perfect 8-for-8 on the PK led by Casey Cizikas.

Cizikas has impressed with his motor and his PK work at every level so far. Tonight, again, was no different. It's not often you can get excited about a 3rd/4th-line projection, but he has the look of one of those who gets it. Smarts, tenacity, and some bonus skill to go with it.

The Bruins got a reported seven shots on a long 5-on-3 in the 2nd, and Nilsson shut the door with a little help from Andrey Pedan and Cizikas.

If you're the type who likes to run through in-game commentary from LHH regulars (Note: Sometimes colored by sailor language and bawdy innuendo), here was our game thread. Otherwise, some notes on the goals below:

1-0: Tyler McNeely (Niederreiter, Donovan) on a nice finish as he was being pulled down on a breakaway.
2-0: Ryan Strome (McNeely, Kichton) buries a slapshot in a yawning net with the Bruins goalie scrambling to get back to the crease.
3-0: Strome on a fantastic pull-up-and-shoot-high on an odd man rush. Truly stunning curl and snipe from the slot on a play where everyone was looking pass.
4-0: Cizikas (Kabanov, Ness)
5-0: Niederreiter (Strome, Ness)
6-0: Justin DiBenedetto crashes the net, doesn't stop digging until he's poked the puck in.
7-0: Casey Cizikas, on a nice backhand after Kirill Kabanov beat two Bruins to the puck to avert an icing call.
7-1: Craig Cunningham
7-2: Some Bruin goes wide on de Haan, takes a bad angle shot, stuffs in the rebound from in tight.

Individual Notes

As with the first game, this is all based on a Webcast stream and just one or two replays, maximum. So no DVR. No review. Your mileage may vary. Correct the record and impressions as you see fit.

Calvin De Haan - Took the opportunity to deliver at least two thundering hits. I sense someone wants to show he can play with bigger guys. (Of course, in the AHL, and then the NHL, the competition will only get bigger.)

David Ullstrom - Again played with the well-rounded play you expect from a two-way Swede and a guy with a year in the AHL under his belt.

Justin DiBenedetto - Same as before. Skated hard, made a ruckus, drew the opposition's ire, drew a four-minute minor that produced a PP goal for the Isles.

Aaron Ness and Matt Donovan - Like last night, you can see these two have a comfort with one another, both in moving the puck and in taking turns pinching. Ness skates like he needs to be elusive with his size (he does), while Donovan moves a little more deliberately, knowing he can take a check.

Tyler McNeely - Well, he had some fun with Ryan Strome and Nino Niederreiter out there, did he not? With his strong showing last year in the tryout with Bridgeport, he should be fun to watch. Longshot for NHL prospects, but he has a year to prove otherwise on his two-way deal, and that's why prospecting is fun: Sometimes guys make it.

Anders Nilsson - Swede is BIG. So is Mikko Koskinen, but Nilsson looks like he has Garth Snow's jersey and stuffing on out there. Moves side to side calmly, quickly, and takes up room. I found myself staring at him in the Islanders net, wondering what's going through the Bruins' minds when there are no holes to shoot at. Could be interesting down the line.

Andrey Pedan - I see why people say he was a quietly good pick this summer. Looked comfortable, displayed range, recovered nicely from forays, and stood tall on the PK.

Kirill Kabanov - Again given the impression that KK kould be kuite kool in a couple of years. He has lots of tools, and desire, and with the right work he has the time to put it all together.

This post will probably be updated with more as info becomes available, otherwise we'll toss more in tomorrow's post.

For now, rookie camp continues, then the big guys report Friday. Some more tidbits:

• More on tonight's game from the Bruins' angle at NESN.
• Chris Botta bids farewell to Point Blank with four more previews (Jaffe, Bourne, Boomer Gordon, Brophy) with pundits.
• Trent Hunter accepts a tryout from L.A.

Insane Classic Video: In Which Bryan McCabe Asserts the Legality of the Can-Opener

Via Puck Daddy, an old video with comedian Sean White. Tood Bertuzzi displays personality. Bryan Berard. Enough hockey mullets for any occasion: