ITV REVIEW: 2 Man Advantage

I’ll admit it. When I first met the crew from the 2 Man Advantage I told Islanders TV’s head honcho Josh Bernstein that I wasn’t a fan of the idea. Well Josh, I’m sorry. You were right, I was wrong and I think you struck gold with this one.

The crew of the 2 Man Advantage consists of four hockey/Islanders fans. They go around with their video cameras and (sometimes with a specific plan) shoot what comes to them. What makes it good is that they make it entertaining.

Example: The 2 Man Advantage made a seven minute show from the Islanders’ home opener versus Buffalo back on October 6. From the pre-gamming in the Coliseum’s parking lot to the post-game car jam in the parking lot to post-game celebration at the LI Marriot (where they actually spent real quality time with Entourage’s Kevin Connolly), they covered all the bases. But what made it good is that they didn’t stick a ‘mic into a fan’s face and asked them questions. They not only interacted with the fans, they partied with them.

Bottom line… It was seven minutes of great TV which words pretty much can’t describe because I still don’t completely get what they did/do. But I know I liked it. And no where else can Islanders fans find this stuff about their own team.

I thought their shows were going to be just OK at best. But you can tell how much hard work the 2 Man Advantage puts into their craft. And we thank them for caring about and help promoting the Orange and Blue. Again, I was wrong and you should definitely check them out on Islanders TV.

NYI: Practice @ Iceworks Canceled

Just to let everyone know incase anyone was planning on coming down, the Islanders’ practice at Iceworks in Syosset tomorrow has been canceled. The team is now practicing at the Nassau Coliseum, which is closed to the public due to security concerns. Sorry for the inconvenience.

MEDIA WATCH: Found on the Net - Monday

Over at theglobeandmail.com, blogger James Mirtle compiled a list of NHL attendances by comparing how teams are drawing this year compared to last year. Out of the 30 teams, the Islanders ranked second in the NHL drawing 3,035 more fans on average then last season. Only St. Louis was better. It should be noted that eight teams were at or over capacity last season and did not change this year. New Jersey also has not had a home game yet this season. Click here to read.

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USAToday.com’s AJ Perez sat down with Islanders defensemen Bryan Berard when the team was in the Washington last week. Click here to view Checking in with…, which is a Q&A style article.

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Also on USAToday.com, Kevin Allen wrote a list of NHL General Managers who did the best job of diagnosing their problems and fixing them for this season. He put Islanders GM Garth Snow at the very top of his list. Click here to read it in his blog.

ISLAND SNAPSHOTS: Bruno & Campy=Firefighters

You might have seen Island Snapshots in the first three editions of Islanders Illustrated. Well, now I’m bringing by photo-eye to my blog.

In honor of Firefighters Appreciation Night, here are two photos from when Islanders defensemen Chris Campoli and Bruno Gervais went to a local East Meadow Firehouse.

Enjoy!

NEWS: The Long Island 495ers

I was at Islanders Iceworks today for practice and I noticed an interesting flyer. It was for tryouts regarding Long Island’s newest hockey team: the Long Island 495ers. (click here for thier website)

No... Not NHL, AHL, ECHL or even major junior ice hockey. Rather, professional inline roller hockey.

The 495ers will play in the PIHA or Professional Inline Hockey Association. According to their website, the “PIHA features close to forty professional teams and close over thirty minor teams throughout the United States. A regular season consists of sixteen home games and sixteen away games.”

The 495ers will play out of Skate Safe America in Old Bethpage, NY.

Very catchy name. I like it. Can’t wait to see the jerseys.

NYI: Neil Everett is an Islanders Fan

ESPN and SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett came to the Islanders/Rangers game last week at the Coliseum to take in an awesome game and participate in Islanders Mean Business Night. Neil must have been swept off his feet by the Orange and Blue… Well, check out this video to see what I’m talking about.



He’s Neil Everett and he’s an Islander.

NYI-NYR Match-Up Earns Top Rating

I know this is a little late to the game, but for those who didn't see this yet it's pretty good stuff.

RANGERS-ISLANDERS GAME EARNS VERSUS ITS TOP N.Y.-AREA NHL RATING

Versus received a 1.8 HH rating in the N.Y. market for its telecast of the Rangers-Islanders game on Wednesday night, making it the best N.Y. market rating ever for an NHL telecast on the network. The game was also up 157% from the same matchup last season on March 5 (Versus).

MEDIA WATCH: Mike and Mike

I found these two stories on the old internet today. The first one is a good story written about Mike Dunham and his transition into being a goaltending coach. Click here to read.

The other is a funny read from north of the border about TSN.ca reporter James Duthie’s take on Mike Comrie and his friend Hilary Duff. Click here to read.

Enjoy your football today.

NEWS: Scatch Trying Out with the Bad Guys

While looking at Newsday’s coverage from last night’s game, I saw this blog posted by Steve Zipay (NY Rangers beat writer for Newsday). I’m sure it’ll turn a few stomachs in Islanders country.

I could be wrong, but I think a lot of Islanders fan really liked Dave Scatchard when he wore the Orange and Blue. I never got an opportunity to get to know him, but he seemed like a good guy, too.

If he signs with the Blueshirts, I’m sure he’ll be in the Rangers’ lineup for an Islanders-Rangers tilt at some point this season.

IN-GAME: Hank Moves for Ice Girls

For those of you not at the game, Rangers' netminder Henrik Lundqvist actually moved out from the crease when the Islanders Ice Girl went to clean the ice. A linesman went over to make sure the peace was kept.

Doesn’t look like there will be a Squeegee Gate II tonight... But stay tuned.

NEWS: FREDDY MEYER TO PHOENIX

Defenseman Freddy Meyer has been claimed off waivers by the Phoenix Coyotes. As reported earlier by media outlets, Meyer was placed of waivers on Saturday.

On a personal note, Freddy was great to deal with and we wish him the best of luck in Phoenix.

NEWS: Tambellini Up

The Islanders have recalled forward Jeff Tambellini on an emergency basis from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League. He practiced with the Islanders today at Islanders Iceworks and skated with Josef Vasicek and Miroslav Satan.

Tambellini played in Bridgeport’s season opener last night and recorded an assist in a 3-2 victory against Hartford.

NYI: Pick ‘N’ Win

On Friday morning, the Islanders launched a new online game. It’s a Pick ‘N’ Win game and if you’re not familiar with it, click here to find out.

Anyway, t’s been a huge success so far!

As of 3:15 PM on Sunday afternoon, over 15,000 picks were made. There are almost 8,000 fans signed up. And on the first day, we nearly 30,000 page views – that’s more then the Montreal Canadiens had.

If you haven’t played yet, click here to check it out!

NHL: Ted to Wear Pink

Neat initiative the NHL is doing this season. October is Hockey Fights Cancer (HFC) Month and not only will you see every player in the NHL where a sticker on their helmets for HFC, you’ll see Ted wear pink.

Every team will host a HFC night and on that night, every head coach (including Ted Nolan) in the NHL will wear commemorative pink Hockey Fights Cancer ties. The pink ties will be on-sale at shop.nhl.com with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Hockey Fights Cancer.

For more details, click here.

Good job by the folks at the NHL.

NYI: Recording of Nolan on WFAN

Ted Nolan was on WFAN this morning with Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts. Click here to listen to it.

As always, Teddy was awesome. Big thanks to Joe and Evan along with thier producer Ray Martel for having him on.

BST: Sound Tigers Set Roster

Earlier this evening, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers set their roster. To see who made the AHL, click here.

Not that I’m biased or anything, but this looks like a very strong team on paper. Definitely will be fun to watch

And yes, Chris Botta’s Olivier Labelle made the team.

FOLLOW-UP: That’s Why!

I know this is a hockey blog, but that Rockies-Padres game was unreal. It was a one-game playoff, win and you’re in and both teams left everything on the field. It was just awesome to watch. Great TV and a great sports moment.

THAT’S one change hockey needs to make. Forget about bigger nets!

OPINION: Tiebreakers in Hockey

Ok, it’s October 1st and this about playoffs.

I’m watching the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies in a one-game playoff tiebreaker game. The teams finished with the same record and there aren’t any tie-breakers in baseball aside form a one-game playoff (or play-in game, if you will).

For whatever reason in baseball, head-to-head records are thrown out the window. If head-to-head records mattered, Colorado would have advanced. I think.

So my question to you is: Would this work in the NHL? Throw out the tiebreakers of wins, head-to-head records and how you faired in your divisions and conference. If two teams finish with the same amount of points for the last playoff spot, should the NHL go with a one-game playoff?

There are good reasons on both sides of the argument, so what do you think?

If you want to discuss, logon to IslanderMania to (politely) debate.