I woke up to an email from my friend Dr. David Lubin, the Tampa Bay 7th Man winner, that was entitled “YIKES! Nine straight.” Having peacefully drifted off to sleep hearing P.A. Parenteau’s goal which gave the Isles their first lead in forever, I didn’t expect that news at the light of day.
My phone was buzzing on the nightstand at 2:42 am with a text message from my close friend who was at the game, but I was just too tired to read it. This morning I went back to my reference material, NHL.com to watch the video highlights and read all about it. Which it was better, it was still disappointing.
One point? That’s all they could walk away with was one point. Listening to the announcers call the first period, it stood out that Frans Nielsen was a target. They called three consecutive hits on him and yet he still had a total of seven shots with five being blocked. Blake Comeau also had seven shots with one blocked and two missing the net.
P.A. Parenteau’s 2nd period goal was deemed to be due to Boyle being “picked off by the referee creating space.” But then they did say it was a very good shot. Thanks San Jose announcers. But Boyle got his revenge scoring the power play goal on the two man advantage as both Jack Hillen and Mike Mottau sat in the box. The puck went over Roli’s shoulder and as I heard the announcers say that, I started to wonder if ALL of the goals scored on Roloson have come in over his shoulder.
The Islanders had only one power play opportunity at 12:21 of the first while the Sharks had one in the first period with Jack Hillen (soon to be back in the dog house for sure) was in the box for hooking, one at 1:05 of the second when Blake Comeau was called for interference. Another at 7:42 when Bruno was called for cross checking and then the killer when Hillen was called for interference at 14:04 and Mike Mottau was called for delay of game only six seconds later. Amazingly enough, there were NO penalties called in the third period and even more surprisingly, no game misconduct for Zenon Konopka who played a penalty free 18:03 last night.
The Sharks out shot the Islanders in every frame except Overtime; 12 - 8, 18 - 7, 8 - 7. Dwayne Roloson gave up only one power play goal on 38 shots improving his save percentage and his value yet again.
Sound Tigers pinball Matt Martin dealt five hits and blocked two shots while Trent Hunter and his sore foot doled out four hits. Tough guy Radek Martinek didn’t drop the gloves with anyone. I guess they were scared. (Smell that? That’s sarcasm.)
John Tavares did end up with a point for the game for his assist on PA’s goal, and while he won six of his 11 face offs looking down the sheet he had only two shots and coughed up the puck a recorded two times. Zenon continues to be the face-off king winning 19 of 30 for a 63% win percentage. Gotta have the puck if you’re going to get it on net.
But one point in nine games is deflating. Certainly the Islanders are heading in the right direction. These are not blow out games. They are not being grossly outscored and some nights not even outworked. They are being out chanced.
After the Ducks game, Newsday’s Katie Strang asked John Tavares if he felt the Isles were snake bitten right now. His answer was a classic “Uh, for sure.” Now, usually a snake will bite one player at a time. This must be one hell of a snake.
As I said on that radio spot I did with @TheMirl a few weeks ago when the Islanders had only lost four straight games, an ex-NHLer told me the only way to turn this around is one step at a time. One shift, one battle, one period, one game. That may work. Meanwhile other teams are racking up points and the Islanders are losing precious time.
Saturday in LA will be telling. If Rick DiPietro is not in net for Saturday night’s game it truly means that Scott Gordon doesn’t have the confidence in him to give his struggling roster a chance to at least come out of a three game road trip with just three points. But, we’ll have to wait and see.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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