Did you watch it? Were you there? Were you one of the 4,000 or so Islander fans who made it to the Coliseum on a Thursday in July?

No, of course the game and the points don't matter. It doesn't really even matter that the "Blue" team ended up winning the night by a score of 7-3. All that really means is it was a fun night for everyone involved.

The Long Island native sons had a chance to play alongside coveted NHL prospects -- and score. The youngest draftees got a chance to see what Long Island and the old barn is like (before it's gone). The crowd got to hear Paul Cartier play the organ and see Diva Dina on the ice once more time before the long drought until late September.

Those returning prospects showed off how much they've grown and improved. It seems that Griffin Rheinhart and Ryan Pulock kept some of the snipers from hitting the net. They were paying close attention to this year's fifth overall draft pick, just as everyone else was.

But all eyes were on Joshua Ho-Sang and his speed. He had a goal and two assists trying to put aside the comments that he doesn't like to pass. He was pushed around a little by the bigger defensemen, but it's all a learning process.

Wait until he sees training camp and Matt Martin knocks into him once or twice.

Alain Quine, who played for Bridgeport last season, showed he was ready to make the jump to the NHL -- if Jack Capuano will have him. But September is a long way off and so many decisions will be made before then.

You can read everyone's recaps of the actual scrimmage and how well the youngsters played. But what you need to come away with most is how much this really meant to so many of them. A lot of those young men on the ice will have stories to tell forever. Some of those young men will become forces in the NHL. (Law of averages.) One or two of them may become immediate Islander fan favorites.

It was a taste. Just like ice-cream on a hot day. Just a little taste of what is to come.

Resident season ticket holder, the sign guy, had one at the glass by the tunnel as he and his daughter usually do. This time it read "Our future is bright and sunny." Optimistic words for a team that has been smacked around for so long.

But hey -- we're always optimistic in July, aren't we?

And what if Garth Snow doesn't manage to pry away a top 4 D this off-season? Well, someone on the ice last night will have to step up to the plate and give it his all. It just might work.

What also worked last night was the web broadcast hosted by Greg Picker of Isles TV. For a summer charity event, the entire staff did exceptionally well. They had replays, stats, split screens. This has come such a long way since the days of putting the web cam on the ice and just walking away leaving the viewer to figure out what was happening on their own.

Greg has come a long way in a short time. Listen closely and you'll be reminded of Steve Mears in his Islander broadcast days.

Camp will close out the end of the week and we'll have to wait around for what will seem like EVER before hearing blades on ice again. But there is always something to talk about in Islander Country. Or fight about. Whichever you prefer.

Join the Discussion: » 114 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