10:52 pm: yeah, that would figure that I turn off my computer after the 3rd goal and John Tavares would continue his scoring streak. Forty-one points in 41 games. But it wasn't enough.

Going into the locker room after a loss is the part I hate most. While the players are willing to speak, you know damn well they don't want to.

This loss was tough because they played well enough to win. However, this was not the type of loss that caused anger and thrashing around of water bottles. This was a loss that caused sullen expressions and deep thought.

There was a crowd around Evgeni Nabokov. It was three deep so I don't know what he told them. But the questions were sure to be "What happened?"

Matt Martin sat in has stall staring straight ahead at the wall and waited. I wandered around for a minute before making my way over to him. It's too late to transcribe those quotes now, so I will have them tomorrow. But his feeling about the game was the same as everyone elses -- it wasn't a game they should have lost. They can't afford to.

They did.

Full Moon Thursday = Loss.

I told you so.

6:30 pm: Flyers and their fans are in attendance here at the Coliseum for Game 41 of the Isles season. Midway already. Where did the time go?

The Isles are looking to start a new winning streak against the Flyers and have opted to put Nabokov back in the net. Should he win, it will be his 300th. The Isles Tweeted that out before the game started as if it's a given. I'm not so sure.

I saw @IslesRM in the house tonight as a fan. But up in the press box, the Isles bloggers are in full force to witness -- History in the making.

Let's hope.

Travis Hamonic penalty and a Michael Grabner breakaway short-handed. Not a bad way to start. Grabner was hooked and ended up shooting wide and was awarded a penalty shot. Nice try.

Evgeni gets to hear his name chanted by the thankful Isles fans as he stops all six of the Flyers shots. Some in spectacular fashion.

Pentalty killed off and Hamonic is out of the box. Isles are down in shots on goal 1 - 6 due to the power play, but it won't matter if one goes in.

Isles first power play almost ends before it begins as Frans almost loses the puck over the blueline. The power play hasn't been able to do much as Timo Seppa is explaining to me why have four forwards on the power play and have Nielsen on the first line. He kept going but I lost him somewhere. Let's just blame Dougie if it doesn't work.

A questionable penalty (sort of) called on Nabokov for tripping puts Parenteau in the box and the Isles on the PK. This time -- it didn't work. A flukey bounce and it was behind Nabokov in the net. Isles go to the locker room to regroup.

Staios is called for something that Timo Seppa had a string of infractions for, like mishandling the puck, being too slow etc. But the Isles were back on the PK. However, once again Michael Grabner manages a breakaway and once again, he is hooked down. This time there is no call for a penalty shot, but the teams do go to four on four hockey.

The Isles have a multitude of opportunties that just don't find their way into the net all while keeping the Flyers to only 8 shots on goal with six of those coming in that first power play they had in the first.

I have some good photos but nothing is uploading here tonight and the connection is so spotty I keep losing HB.

Nabokov did his worst impression of RDP and decided to play the puck behind his net. Once again, it turned into a dangerous decision for him. First he left his net wide open while trying to fend off Flyers buzzing around him. It was too close as the puck just goes out to the board and is picked up by Simmonds who just banks it off Nabby's skate. He's surprised. He should just be pissed off -- at himself.

Down 2 - 0 with only 5:36 left the Isles will have their work cut out for them as there will be a poster of Bobrovsky in the post office tomorrow since he's been a thief all night.

With Briere in the box the Isles once again get within inches of scoring their first goal on Bobrovsky. They manage three shots on net during the power play. Make that four.

As the Isles and Flyers began the third period, Andy MacDonald fought hard to keep the puck in the Flyers zone. So much so that Tavares, Okposo and Moulson had time to park themselves in front of Bobrovsky's crease where Kyle picked up a goal on the doorstep under 30 seconds in.

The Flyers are being badly out shot but they are still ahead by 1 with only 14:04 left of the game. It's desperation time. If the Isles expect to change their fate, it has to start now.

Wallace takes a stick to the face from Schenn and the Isles have another two minute power play on wich they get two shots on goal. Not enough for the blood Wallace lost.

Nabokov manages to scoop up the puck as Briere skates in for the kill keeping the score 1 - 2.


With a minute and a half left Nabby lets up the third Flyers goal of the game. That's it. Game over.

Join the Discussion: » 38 Comments » Post New Comment

» Boychuk for Seven

» Good Ain't Good Enough NYR 2 - NYI 1

» The Return of Isles' Capt. America

» The JT Show in TO in OT

» Kennedy's Debut