I didn't arrive at Iceworks until 12:05. I carried my laptop, my tripod and the rest of my crap passed the group of gentlemen in the lobby. Two of them rushed to help me. Yes, chivalry, sadly reserved for the more mature set.
I missed the actual on ice practice today at the rink because I could only get there for my lunch time. Again, YES, I actually DO work. But I did manage to sneak into the Scott Gordon stand up show.
Anyone who says Scott Gordon doesn't have a personality doesn't know Scott Gordon. There are times he has the patience of a Saint and the technical skill of a professor. Today he had the gift of gab "sprinkled" with a sense of humor. (Yeah, that one's for YOU.)
When Katie Strang of Newsday asked why Richard Park was in a yellow jersey today Gordon quipped, "Why? He doesn't look good in yellow? Is there a color you'd like to see him in?" Que the laugh track. While Gordon was somewhat evasive with the question about Park, it's no doubt that some of the players are a little banged up and not 100%.
According to Gordon "The one thing that it does is breaks up the monotony of being on the road as much as we have. And this two game set in Atlanta and Tampa Bay makes it feel a little bit different. We've obviously had a tough stretch here and hopefully it will provide us with an opportunity to get a little energy."
Gordon once again made everyone laugh when he said he wasn't intimidated by having the Dad's watch practice because "Well, they can't ground ME." But work ethics come from your parents and "no one wants to dissapoint their parents." So basically, it was a pretty good practice because "our guys come in with the right attitude and the right approach to practice."
The four days off also helped get over the dissapointment of the loss to NJ. It was the sixth game in nine days, so the time off helped to "recharge the batteries."
When I asked Scott if the father's would help with the "discipline" he was looking for, again he cracked every one up by saying they were more worried about the discipline of the parents. Yep, those Dad's can certainly get out of hand. (I hope ITV will be there to cover it.)
The game against the Devils was completely different than those they will be playing on Thursday and Saturday. In New Jersey, the Islanders mistakes led into the Devils' chances. Mistakes will be made in high tempo style games and the Isles must take advantage of that if they plan on getting past the Thrashers.
Rick won't be making the trip with the Dad's because he'll be heading to Bridgeport for his first chance at seeing game rubber on Saturday. He was breaking in new skates when we were there today. They are much cleaner than his white pads. ( nyuck nyuck)
And the only other note from practice today was that you may never be able to recognize Brendan Witt in a crowd. Dressed to the nines in a long black coat and black hat with his hair slicked back and tied, I had no idea it was him as he approached me. He then gave me a sly smile and the lightbulb went off over my head. Yep, tattooed and scarey, rough and tumble Brendan Witt is downright elegant. Who knew?
Stephen from IslesNation.com was there today as well and helped Anthony Curatoo and I out with our newest episode of "Off The Rush." Anthony drove for almost an hour. We filmed this in less than five minutes. It takes longer to pack up the hardware.
So here's our off the cuff, unscripted, unedited (obviously) look ahead at Islanders hockey.
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