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The New York Islanders continued their preseason "How should I go about getting to this building without messing my routine?" trial with their second win at Brooklyn's [Bank or Old Feller of Some Sort] Center in as many tries.
Wednesday's 2-1 win saw a mostly veteran lineup -- several who didn't play in either game Monday -- with some physical play from the youngsters who likely won't make the opening roster but do want to leave an impression.
Here were the forward lines, including a dangerous first line and cool all-upside third line::
Lee-Tavares-Strome
Nelson-Nielsen-Okposo
Dal Colle-Beauvillier-Petrov
Vaive-Wright-Johnston
A few media remarks on Twitter and an article published during the game by long-ago beatwriter Peter Botte in the Daily News focused on a squabble between areener -- sorry, arena -- and its new tenant over food. Yes, that's right, the Daily News coverage in-game focused on food for media at a preseason game, complete with anonymous quotes from -- you guessed it! -- the media-friendly side.
This is all a ploy by the Islanders to feed the media organic cage-free food from a commune in Carroll Gardens.
— Dan Saraceni (@cultureoflosing) September 24, 2015
With that tone set, observers of the game carried on in a light-hearted, fit-for-preseason mood. Here is some of what they said, in between goals by Travis Hamonic and Brock Nelson and 22 saves by Kevin Poulin.
John Tavares, Captain
As captain, John Tavares has to give interviews probably 200 days a year. He is in mid-season form, saying reassuring captainly things:
"I think you can see the chemistry. We're a hardworking group, guys have been pushing themselves to be ready for game one.
"We want to win a cup. It's a process. It's a journey. Keep playing at a high level & keep growing."
The fans, however, maybe weren't fully in mid-season form:
No fan is yelling shoot, so it doesnt really feel like an #Isles power play.
— Christian Arnold (@CA_NYHockey) September 24, 2015
Both teams went 0-for-5 on the power play.
Don't Mess with Mayfield...nor Beauvillier?
He has hinted at this, including in last year's playoffs. Scott Mayfield will play with an edge:
Mayfield dumps Josefson after a whistle, mini-scrum ensues. No one seems to want to tangle with Mayfield.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) September 23, 2015
Speaking of which, coach Jack Capuano has already been preaching the "we've got to be physical" mantra in preseason, so another young impressionable one got the memo:
Beauvillier very willing to throw his body around despite being the smallest kid on the ice.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) September 23, 2015
Capuano had high praise for Beauvillier. "You take all that skill and combine it with the grit & determination... He's got a bright future."
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) September 24, 2015
And then there was this:
Palmieri came in high on Tavares, who did not like it one bit. Just assuming from the 7 cross checks that followed.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) September 24, 2015
Hey, the Jersey boy wants to be the face of the Devils.
Inevitable Music Selection
Not for the first time, the Isles are in Brooklyn now:
#Isles hit the ice to "No Sleep till Brooklyn." Warmups underway.
— Christian Arnold (@CA_NYHockey) September 23, 2015
Strait Early Candidate for Ceremonial Season-Opening IR?
There is always one. Surely fans have their hopes money here.
#Isles win 2-1. Strait goes off to the dressing room after blocking a shot just before the horn.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) September 24, 2015
Next Up
The Islanders preseason game schedule continues Friday with a split-squad road affair in New Jersey and in Philadelphia. The latter one has been added to the MSG+ schedule.