This was a game that had an amazing beginning an exciting but disappointing end and a middle that we’ve seen too many times before.

Jackman scored at 16 seconds into the first as the hockey gods handed him a birthday gift for his 30th or 28th birthday depending on who you listen to. I think he’s 28 according to the Isles roster. Trent Hunter scored at 4:29 to make it 2 – 0. I was excited. I thought this was going to be an easy one.

Who was I kidding? These are the Islanders and they don’t do anything easy. You know for a team that can’t seem to play 60 full minutes, they sure as hell like to play 65. Ten of their 20 games have gone into overtime. You know, you wouldn’t have to play so much if you would just HOLD ONTO THE LEAD BOYS.

Once again, the Islanders gave up their lead in the second period on two very quick goals at even strength. One goal at 10:26 and another one at 10:58. Frans Nielsen managed to keep things under control during the shift that immediately followed those two stunning goals by Stillman and Weiss, but at 19:33, right before the buzzer sounded, Olesz tipped in the go ahead goal.

I was angry, I’m sure Roloson was as well. “Hey Islanders! If you’re going to crowd Rolie’s crease, how about keeping the puck out of the net?” That’s what I posted on Twitter in anger. Okay, there were expletives I’ve left out here. But the statement holds true. More times than I’d like to recount, the crease is crowded with Islanders and Rolloson can’t see the puck, or it bounces off of one of them and in it goes.

The Islanders two goal lead once again disappeared in a second period slump. How does this stop?

The Islanders managed three shots on Vokoun in the third before Frolik scored the Panthers fourth goal on a power play at only 3:03 of the third. The game looked like it was out of the Islanders’ hands. That was until John Tavares decided to take matters into his own hands.

Moore was called for a tripping penalty and at 8:27 of the third and John Tavares found the puck and the back of the net to put the Islanders back in the game. It’s John’s 8th goal of the season so far.

At 13:11 Sean took a stick to the chin, but stayed on his skates. He didn’t even have to sell it. It was a penalty. The whistle didn’t blow until Sean shot wide of the net. The penalty on Leopold was called and now Sean has a nice mark under his chin to match the one on his nose. But it was a great penalty because Tavares won the faceoff to the left of Vokoun, sent the puck to Okposo who flew it right past Vokoun. Once again, the Islanders forced overtime and a three point game.

In the last minute of regulation you could see Scott Gordon look at his bench, puff out his cheeks and give a little “harumpff.” What was he thinking? Did he already foresee another shoot out?

Matt Moulson, who all of a sudden doesn’t want to help me out in my little wager about his goal total, may not have been on the stat sheet, but he did a great job blocking shots that should have gone into Rolie’s net. Even Brendan Witt had a split second game saving move with a stick check. Roloson was controlling rebounds and holding onto the puck every time he saw it.

With only 1:59 left in overtime, it looked as if Thompson could have won it for the Islanders as his line crowded the crease sending the puck overhead. Thompson batted it out of the air and it landed between a prone Vokoun’s legs. It wasn’t covered, they try to poke at it but the whistle blows and their chance to end the game disappears.

Ballard shot from the blue line, but Rolson saw it all the way. Another face off in the Islanders end and Park takes the puck up with Nielsen and takes a shot. No goal. McCabe turned into a pin-ball and put a hit on Bruno and then on Comeau, but the game was still going to a shoot out.

Gordon checked the bench and walked up and down. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Seriously, that is not an easy task to choose whose hands you can put the game in. He chose Nielsen, Tavares and Okposo; a seemingly safe choice. Olesz went wide and hit the post. Frans scored but then so did Reinprecht. Tavares’s attempted was poke checked right between his skates, and Corey Stillman’s hit the stick side post. Kyle could have won it, but his shot went right into Vokoun’s glove as he slid across the net. Horton then roofs one over Roloson and the game was then left up to…. Who Scott? Who?

SEAN BERGENHEIM? He left the game in the hands of Sean (I’m working my butt off but I can’t find the back of the net) Bergenheim? I couldn’t believe it. Sean’s pretty footwork didn’t help him get the puck over Vokoun and the Islanders left the building with one point.

Granted, this is not necessarily a bad thing. This is an extended road trip and Gordon said they would just be happy going .500 on the road. They took one point in Washington, two in Carolina and then one in South Florida. Monday they face Boston after a day off. If they leave that building with a point or two, I’m certain no one can be disappointed with how things are going.

Okay, except maybe me who seems to be heading towards losing that bet to Steve Carlson on Moulson’s goal total by January. Note to self: Don’t make bets with ex-hockey players regarding hockey when you’ve already had more than your fair share of the Meritage. I’m a dumbass.

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