Islanders News: IIHF quarters; Minor schedules; desert Ullstrom; Torrey’s impact

The IIHF World Championship pool play has ended and the quarterfinals beckon, while Tampa Bay got back in the Eastern Conference final with a Game 3 in D.C. last night.

Hockey Reads

• NEW! Arthur Staple posts part one of a however-many part look at Islanders drafts under Garth Snow’s tenure. May spark memories of message board debates past. [The Athletic]
• A collection of memories — most of them heard before in some form but here in another package — about Bill Torrey. [THW]
• “Big, strong center” David Ullstrom is returning to North America, drawing a two-way contract with the Coyotes. [Coyotes | Arizona Sports]
• The Islanders’ ECHL affiliate in Worcester has its schedule set. [Railers HC]
• Michael Fornabaio updates his roundup of how all the locals (Sound Tigers or otherwise) are doing at the Worlds. [Soundin’ Off]
• The U.S. just needed a point to win its group, but a 6-2 loss to Finland means the Americans draw the Czechs in the quarterfinals. Canada draws Russia.
• Latvia has made the quarterfinals, knocking out host Denmark in the final game of pool play. [IIHF]
• The Lightning enjoyed a couple of quick goals to pull ahead of the Capitals and get their first win of the series. [USA Today | Japers’ Rink]
• Apparently the state of Qatar decided to fund the extension of Metro hours in D.C. for Capitals fans in Game 4 after two corporations sponsored doing it for Game 3. Global corporate elect. [SB Nation]
• Sure, gambling will be (more) legal now but the NHL has a ways before it cashes in. (Like disclosing injury status maybe?) [Sportsnet]
• The Avalanche should pick at the Waddell-run Hurricanes to find improvements. [Mile High Hockey]
• Some Bruins fans pile on Tuukka Rask but trying to trade him isn’t the answer. [SCOC]

Poor Tom Wilson doesn’t like being hit while in a vulnerable position and hopes to raise awareness “for the better of player safety.”

Song of the Day

In honor of the full-organization evaluation process: