After the Islanders flew commercial in the 1999-00 season, the NHL made it a rule that teams must fly charter. I heard the Zdeno Chara story of trying to switch into the emergency row seats to stretch his legs more then once. In fact, the Islanders were one of the tallest teams in NHL history that year. Not a good time to scrunch on Southwest.
Ontheforecheck.com put together some pretty interesting information on how many approximate miles each team in the NHL will travel this year, how many back-to-back sets of game they’ll have and compared both to 2008-09.
According to the website, the Islanders will travel approximately 31,550 miles this season, which will be about 3,424 additional miles from last year. It’s unclear whether they include the miles they’ll spend on the bus driving to New York City, Newark and Philadelphia or from Anaheim to LA in March. Those miles are always a little harder on the joints.
Chartered flights can get cozy, but when you’re spending that much time in the air and hardly ever getting home before 2 AM, it becomes more daunting.
But don’t get me wrong, some of the best memories I have from working with the Islanders was flying on that plane and I’ll miss the camaraderie that went along with it. On one of our many flights last season, broadcaster Howie Rose told me try a Pizza joint in the Great Neck (where he used to live and where I currently live). Coincidently, I did tonight and it was great.
Travel can be extremely tough in the NHL as the season goes on, but it’s also a lot of fun with the right people and the right attitude.
Showing posts with label Road Trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Road Trip. Show all posts
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Yup, that was a canon
Sometimes, you can’t make something up this good if you tried.Today is the annual Gasparilla Pirate Invasion in Tampa. What that means is, the harbor outside of our hotel is full of boats, pirates and drunken people all there to have a good time. Oh yeah, and canons that are going off every other minute.
It’s one big party, which started before we even woke up today. It’s the Mardi Gras of Florida with beads, booze and everything else.
Between the loud music, the cheering, the fireworks and the canons – have I mentioned those yet? -- so much for the pre-game nap!Oh yeah, there’s at least two boats that keep blowing their horns.
When I stepped into the elevator this morning for breakfast, I rode down with a pirate and two of his lady friends - also dressed up in pirate-eque garb. Very interesting trip for the buffet.
This is quite the experience. At least the dads are enjoying themselves!
(Pictures are 2 views from outside of our hotel...)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Road Trip, Day 9: No Sleep Till… Long Island
Weather on Long Island? Cold, but clear.
Weather in Calgary? Snowy.
But as of 8:30 local time, I’m told this won’t affect our 2,500 mile flight back home to Farmingdale’s Republic Airport. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.
That will bring our total miles traveled on this excursion across North America and back to approximately 7,600 miles.
We’re scheduled to return home at 6:00 AM on Friday. Does that make it a 10-day road trip? If everything goes according to plan tonight, I’ll settle for calling it a nine-dayer, but who’s counting.
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One odd note I want to pass along. Aside from the 24-hour Yule Log channel at the hotel, we also received WPIX 11. Nothing exceptional, just wasn’t expecting it. Typically, Canadian cities and hotels will carry some American channels. Usually they pick up the ones that are in close proximity. For example, in Montreal we got Burlington, VT channels. Usually, there’s in the same time zone. But we got our 7:00 showing of The Family Guy at 5:00 local time.
Weather in Calgary? Snowy.
But as of 8:30 local time, I’m told this won’t affect our 2,500 mile flight back home to Farmingdale’s Republic Airport. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.
That will bring our total miles traveled on this excursion across North America and back to approximately 7,600 miles.
We’re scheduled to return home at 6:00 AM on Friday. Does that make it a 10-day road trip? If everything goes according to plan tonight, I’ll settle for calling it a nine-dayer, but who’s counting.
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One odd note I want to pass along. Aside from the 24-hour Yule Log channel at the hotel, we also received WPIX 11. Nothing exceptional, just wasn’t expecting it. Typically, Canadian cities and hotels will carry some American channels. Usually they pick up the ones that are in close proximity. For example, in Montreal we got Burlington, VT channels. Usually, there’s in the same time zone. But we got our 7:00 showing of The Family Guy at 5:00 local time.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Road Trip, Day 8: Practice Day in Calgary
Here for our second of three days in Calgary, it was time to get back to work. The team practiced in the mid-afternoon and nothing exceptional to report.We meet up with Assistant GM Ryan Jankowski, who hails from the Calgary area, today. It’s always a pleasure to catch up with him and see how our young prospects are doing.
One of the cool perks of the job is that you find out some information before everyone else. Today I got an e-mail from the NHL PR office informing me who our All Star Game representative would be. [I’m sure everyone has it narrowed down between two guys.] So, after I got the message, I passed it along to Garth, who told the player. The announcement comes out at Noon EST exclusively on NHL.com.
The team will have a morning skate tomorrow, the game is at 7:00 local time and hopefully a flight back home afterwards. The road is always fun and I love traveling with the team – wouldn’t trade it in for anything – but it would be hard to find someone on the trip who doesn’t miss home at this point.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Road Trip, Day 7: Cal-Gary
After a 45-minute flight from Edmonton to Calgary, we arrived at hotel at around 12:30 last night. It’s substantially warmer here in Calgary. And by warmer, I mean it’s about 16 degree Fahrenheit compared to the 0 degrees it is in Edmonton right now.We only traveled 190 miles from the two cities, our shortest journey of the trip. That brings us up to a total of 5,150.
The team has a full off-day today and they took the hour-and-a-half trip to the resort town of Bamff, which is like the Vail, Colorado or Miami of Canada.
There will be a team practice at the Saddledome tomorrow afternoon.
The Flames are playing tonight against the San Jose Sharks (remember them?). A lot of the staff and some of the traveling media will be attending the game.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Road Trip, Day 6: Orange & Blue vs. Copper & Blue
It’s cold in Edmonton and Calgary isn’t going to feel much better later tonight. Up in the press box at Rexall Place and it feels as cold up here as it does outside.Doug Weight is out tonight with a leg injury. The Oilers are putting together a tribute for him about scoring 1,000 points in the NHL. The former Oiler captain scored 577 points with Edmonton. Weight has to be ready for it by the 14-minute TV timeout of the first period. Then in the second intermission, Sportsnet will be interviewing him. Doug is scheduled to be on MSG-Plus during the third period. It might have been easier if he just played through in the injury!
When the Oilers were announcing the starting line-ups for the Islanders, the accidentally put up a headshot of Andy MacDonald when announcing Joey MacDonald as the goalie.
The Oilers entering the ice through an oil rig is still one of the entrances in the NHL.
And if you can’t tell on TV – or if you’re not watching or listening on the radio – Edmonton fans have not forgiven Mike Comrie for leaving all those years ago.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Road Trip, Day 5: Welcome to Oil Country
The Islanders traveled to Edmonton today to begin their five-day quest through the great province of Alberta.
In a rare move, the team stayed over in San Jose last night. With the built in off-day to the schedule after playing tough back-to-back games, there was little reason to rush out of San Jose just to fly for three hours and then lose an hour on the clock by going from Pacific Time to Mountain Time. By the time the team would have checked into the hotel and settled in, it would have been close to 4:00 AM.
Nothing new to report on the team today. The team will be back on the ice for their traditional 11:30 morning skate at Rexall Place tomorrow morning.
We traveled about another 1,750 miles today.
Total distance traveled so far: 4,960 miles.
In a rare move, the team stayed over in San Jose last night. With the built in off-day to the schedule after playing tough back-to-back games, there was little reason to rush out of San Jose just to fly for three hours and then lose an hour on the clock by going from Pacific Time to Mountain Time. By the time the team would have checked into the hotel and settled in, it would have been close to 4:00 AM.
Nothing new to report on the team today. The team will be back on the ice for their traditional 11:30 morning skate at Rexall Place tomorrow morning.
We traveled about another 1,750 miles today.
Total distance traveled so far: 4,960 miles.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Road Trip, Day 4: In San Jose
We go to the hotel last night in San Jose at around 1:15 AM local time. The city has a curfew for the local airport, which we missed by a while, so we had to land in Oakland. That added an extra 45 minutes to our journey. The bus getting lost on the way to hotel added another 10 minutes or so.
The only players who skated this morning at the Shark Tank were the ones who didn’t play last night – Jon Sim, Joey MacDonald, Radek Martinek and Frans Nielsen.
No word on the line-up for tonight. The team will get together as a full unit for the first time today when they get to the rink in 30 minutes or so.
We traveled another 710 miles last night to the west coast.
Total miles traveled so far: 3,210.
The only players who skated this morning at the Shark Tank were the ones who didn’t play last night – Jon Sim, Joey MacDonald, Radek Martinek and Frans Nielsen.
No word on the line-up for tonight. The team will get together as a full unit for the first time today when they get to the rink in 30 minutes or so.
We traveled another 710 miles last night to the west coast.
Total miles traveled so far: 3,210.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Road Trip, Day 2: Western Swing: Travel to Phoenix & Happy New Years
Right after the home game yesterday afternoon/evening, we flew out west to Phoenix. Scheduled to take off at 6:00 from Farmingdale’s Republic Airport, we took off 65 minutes late at 7:05 Eastern Standard Time due to the weather.
The flight from Long Island to Phoenix usually takes five hours on one shot. But with strong headwinds that the plane had to fight through, we had to refuel in Kansas City which took about 30-45 minutes.
On the plane, most everyone celebrated the Eastern Standard Time New Years, although we were well into the Central Time Zone by then – but who’s counting. Then there was some who also celebrated the Central Standard Time New Years, although once again we were well into the Mountain Time Zone.
Since Arizona doesn’t partake in Daylight’s Saving Time, we’re currently two hours behind Long Island.
We finally landed at 11:30 PM local time. Got off the plane and left the airport by 11:45 PM. We were 10 minutes away from the hotel when New Years struck in Arizona.
Last season the team was someone over Washington, DC when the New Year was rung in as we were coming home from a game in Carolina.
Last night, we traveled approximately 2,500 miles.
I’ll keep track of the journey this week.
The flight from Long Island to Phoenix usually takes five hours on one shot. But with strong headwinds that the plane had to fight through, we had to refuel in Kansas City which took about 30-45 minutes.
On the plane, most everyone celebrated the Eastern Standard Time New Years, although we were well into the Central Time Zone by then – but who’s counting. Then there was some who also celebrated the Central Standard Time New Years, although once again we were well into the Mountain Time Zone.
Since Arizona doesn’t partake in Daylight’s Saving Time, we’re currently two hours behind Long Island.
We finally landed at 11:30 PM local time. Got off the plane and left the airport by 11:45 PM. We were 10 minutes away from the hotel when New Years struck in Arizona.
Last season the team was someone over Washington, DC when the New Year was rung in as we were coming home from a game in Carolina.
Last night, we traveled approximately 2,500 miles.
I’ll keep track of the journey this week.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Joe Callahan’s Trip to Nashville
With Andy Sutton out, Joe Callahan got the call from Bridgeport. But with the inclement weather in the northeast, it didn’t make the birthday boy’s trip to the south an easy one. No. 26 in the programs tonight turned 26 today.
Joe had to leave the greater Bridgeport area at 5:00 AM in a car service which took him approximately 160 miles in some sloppy roads to Philadelphia where he was able to get a direct flight to Nashville.
Would Joe have taken a connecting flight if it meant leaving from one of the NY airports or Boston or Hartford? Yeah, he would have. Were any available? Nope, all sold out.
So Joe got to the hotel at around 1:30 PM, got a quick bite to eat and is probably napping right now. Oh and that was also after Bridgeport defeated Springfield 4-1 last night. Joe was scoreless with one shot on goal.
Joe had to leave the greater Bridgeport area at 5:00 AM in a car service which took him approximately 160 miles in some sloppy roads to Philadelphia where he was able to get a direct flight to Nashville.
Would Joe have taken a connecting flight if it meant leaving from one of the NY airports or Boston or Hartford? Yeah, he would have. Were any available? Nope, all sold out.
So Joe got to the hotel at around 1:30 PM, got a quick bite to eat and is probably napping right now. Oh and that was also after Bridgeport defeated Springfield 4-1 last night. Joe was scoreless with one shot on goal.
Friday, February 1, 2008
ROAD TRIP: Stuck on the Plane / Mears Correction
The team’s chartered flight up to Montreal is supposed to take a little over an hour. But as I blog this, we’ve been waiting on the plane for an hour and half because the Montreal airports are closed down due to snow and inclement weather.
As of now, we’re planning on waiting out the weather and try to get in today.
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As of now, we’re planning on waiting out the weather and try to get in today.
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Yesterday I wrote that Islanders radio play-by-play man Steve Mears admitted that a Britney Spears concert was “the best he’s ever been to.” That was incorrect. Mearsy actually stated: “It was ONE OF the best concerts I have ever been to.” Clearly there’s a difference.So Mearsy, again… Really?
Monday, January 14, 2008
ROAD TRIP BLOG: Day 11
Monday, January 14
Yes, there was an extra day to this long, long road trip.
The threat of bad weather and low visibility prevented the team from flying home last night, so we stayed in Ottawa one extra night.
We left the hotel a little after 9:30 AM this morning for an 11:00 flight. But Customs held us up after everyone cleared and we didn’t take off until 12:30. We finally landed on Long Island a little before 2:00 PM.
Total Miles Traveled: 6,857
Yes, there was an extra day to this long, long road trip.
The threat of bad weather and low visibility prevented the team from flying home last night, so we stayed in Ottawa one extra night.
We left the hotel a little after 9:30 AM this morning for an 11:00 flight. But Customs held us up after everyone cleared and we didn’t take off until 12:30. We finally landed on Long Island a little before 2:00 PM.
Total Miles Traveled: 6,857
Sunday, January 13, 2008
ROAD TRIP BLOG: Day 10 / Isles at Sens
Sunday, January 13
After a day away from the rink yesterday, the Islanders got back on the ice this morning with a mandatory morning skate. Here are some notes…
- The match-up in goal tonight looks to be Rick DiPietro versus Martin Gerber, who did not start last night for Ottawa.
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- Ted Nolan announced that Islanders winger Miroslav Satan will be back in the lineup tonight after missing one game with a sprained knee. That means Jeff Tambellini will be returned to Bridgeport.
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- Nolan also announced that Brendan Witt will miss tonight’s game. While talking about his defense pairings, Nolan credited Freddy Meyer as his most reliable defenseman over the past few games.
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- Although Ottawa had an optional skate, their players were still available to the media. It was confirmed that Dany Heatley will be out four-to-six weeks with a separated shoulder. When told of this news by the Ottawa media and asked if this makes Ottawa a less dangerous team, Nolan replied: “No, they still have Jason Spezza, Daniel Aldfredsson and a lot of talented guys.”
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I’ll check in tomorrow with some final thoughts of the road trip.
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Total miles traveled so far: About 6,467
Miles to be traveled tonight: 390
Saturday, January 12, 2008
ROAD TRIP BLOG: Day 9, I think
Saturday, January 12
Well, this morning is Saturday I guess. The team flew directly from Calgary to Ottawa after the game, which took a little over three and a half hours. Add on the two hours lost in the time zone change and the long bus ride from the airport to the hotel, we checked in at 6:00 AM. For the record, we left the Saddledome at 10:20 PM.
No on-ice practice for the boys today, just a light off-ice work out at a local gym in the afternoon.
Total miles traveled so far: About 6,467
Well, this morning is Saturday I guess. The team flew directly from Calgary to Ottawa after the game, which took a little over three and a half hours. Add on the two hours lost in the time zone change and the long bus ride from the airport to the hotel, we checked in at 6:00 AM. For the record, we left the Saddledome at 10:20 PM.
No on-ice practice for the boys today, just a light off-ice work out at a local gym in the afternoon.
Total miles traveled so far: About 6,467
Friday, January 11, 2008
ROAD TRIP BLOG: Day 7/8 / Isles at Flames
Friday, January 11
The Islanders are still in Calgary as the play the Flames tonight.
Here are some notes.
The match-up in net will be Rick DiPietro versus Mikka Kiprusoff. And if you thought Wade Dubielewicz played in so few games, Flames back up Curtis McElhinney has only played in four this season for a total of 131 minutes.
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The Calgary media was shocked that Rick would speak to the media on the morning of the game, which is something that he does often if requested ahead of time. Not only were they appreciative, they were very complimentary as well as most goalies in the NHL don’t go anywhere near a mic on the morning of a game. Rick is an All-Star, All-Ways.
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According to Wade Dubielewicz, and we don’t have any reason not to believe him, Calgary is actually closer to his Invermere, BC home then Vancouver was. So he’ll have plenty of friends and family at the game tonight. Current total is 44, but we could see that number go up.
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Miroslav Satan is a game-time decision after receiving some bumps and bruises after a crushing third period hit in Vancouver. If he can’t go, Ted Nolan said the team will go with seven defensemen with Bryan Berard being inserted back into the lineup.
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Flames forward Eric Nystrom – yes, that one – is out for tonight after suffering facial injuries a game ago. According to the Flame’s Mike Keenan, it was a doctor’s decision.
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Islanders GM Garth Snow sat down the Fan 960’s Rob Kerr this morning for a radio interview. At around 6:20 PM tonight, fans can log onto their website (click here) to listen to it. Islanders TV will also have a copy of the interview at a later time as well.
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Miles traveled so far: About 4,266
Miles to be traveled tonight: 2,208
Oy!!!
The Islanders are still in Calgary as the play the Flames tonight.
Here are some notes.
The match-up in net will be Rick DiPietro versus Mikka Kiprusoff. And if you thought Wade Dubielewicz played in so few games, Flames back up Curtis McElhinney has only played in four this season for a total of 131 minutes.
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The Calgary media was shocked that Rick would speak to the media on the morning of the game, which is something that he does often if requested ahead of time. Not only were they appreciative, they were very complimentary as well as most goalies in the NHL don’t go anywhere near a mic on the morning of a game. Rick is an All-Star, All-Ways.
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According to Wade Dubielewicz, and we don’t have any reason not to believe him, Calgary is actually closer to his Invermere, BC home then Vancouver was. So he’ll have plenty of friends and family at the game tonight. Current total is 44, but we could see that number go up.
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Miroslav Satan is a game-time decision after receiving some bumps and bruises after a crushing third period hit in Vancouver. If he can’t go, Ted Nolan said the team will go with seven defensemen with Bryan Berard being inserted back into the lineup.
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Flames forward Eric Nystrom – yes, that one – is out for tonight after suffering facial injuries a game ago. According to the Flame’s Mike Keenan, it was a doctor’s decision.
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Islanders GM Garth Snow sat down the Fan 960’s Rob Kerr this morning for a radio interview. At around 6:20 PM tonight, fans can log onto their website (click here) to listen to it. Islanders TV will also have a copy of the interview at a later time as well.
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Miles traveled so far: About 4,266
Miles to be traveled tonight: 2,208
Oy!!!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
ROAD TRIP BLOG: Day 6
Wednesday, January 9
We’re in Calgary and again just two hours behind everyone back on the Island. We arrived this afternoon after traveling 657 miles from Vancouver. That brings our total miles traveled so far to about 4,266.
Since there was no practice today there really isn’t anything new to report.
Enjoy the warmer weather… It’s 19 degrees Fahrenheit here.
Mile Traveled today: 657
Miles traveled, so far: About 4,266
We’re in Calgary and again just two hours behind everyone back on the Island. We arrived this afternoon after traveling 657 miles from Vancouver. That brings our total miles traveled so far to about 4,266.
Since there was no practice today there really isn’t anything new to report.
Enjoy the warmer weather… It’s 19 degrees Fahrenheit here.
Mile Traveled today: 657
Miles traveled, so far: About 4,266
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
ROAD TRIP BLOG: Day 5 / Isles at Canucks
Tuesday, January 8
Following an hour and a half flight from Edmonton to Vancouver last night, Ted Nolan canceled the morning skate and kept the team away from the arena.
No decisions have been made on the lineup, so I can’t even guess if any changes will be made.
The team will stay in Vancouver tonight and fly to Calgary tomorrow afternoon. Practice has already been canceled for tomorrow. If there’s one thing I know about Ted it’s that he makes sure his players aren’t overworked and are rested when it counts.
The team will practice in Calgary on Thursday where Wade Dubielewicz and the Flame’s Eric Nystrom will pose for a photo-op with Dubie’s mask. Wade has a picture of Eric’s dad, Bob, scoring his famous 7:11 goal in the 1980 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
No decisions have been made on the lineup, so I can’t even guess if any changes will be made.
The team will stay in Vancouver tonight and fly to Calgary tomorrow afternoon. Practice has already been canceled for tomorrow. If there’s one thing I know about Ted it’s that he makes sure his players aren’t overworked and are rested when it counts.
The team will practice in Calgary on Thursday where Wade Dubielewicz and the Flame’s Eric Nystrom will pose for a photo-op with Dubie’s mask. Wade has a picture of Eric’s dad, Bob, scoring his famous 7:11 goal in the 1980 Stanley Cup Playoffs.Miles traveled, so far: 3,609
Monday, January 7, 2008
ROAD TRIP BLOG: Day 4 / Isles at Oilers
Monday, January 7
As a heat-wave hits Edmonton (the temperature is around freezing), the Islanders take on the Oilers tonight. Here are some notes…
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The Islanders will use the same lineup tonight with Bryan Berard as the healthy scratch. Former Islanders prospect Robert Nilsson looks to be a healthy scratch for Edmonton tonight. Raffi Torres, another former Islanders prospect, is out and it was announced today that he will undergo season-ending knee surgery.
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The goaltending match-up is Rick DiPietro versus Mathieu Garon.
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This is Marc-Andre Bergeron’s first trip back to Edmonton since the trade that brought him to the Island last season. Literally, his first time back. He said he didn’t even come back to sell his house over the summer. He said: “It feels a little weird.”
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Bergeron jokingly asked an Edmonton writer if he will be booed tonight. The writer said: “Edmonton fans treat home and visiting players alike… They boo everyone!”
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It really felt like we were in Toronto or Montreal with the media this morning. I asked an Edmonton journalist this morning how many media members would be here today and he said “a few camera and a handful of writers. Not too many” Well, it was more like ten cameras, ten writers and a bunch of radio guys. Talk about being in a fishbowl. Sorry Ted, MC and Berger!
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Miles traveled so far: About 2,836
Miles to be traveled tonight from Edmonton to Vancouver: 773
As a heat-wave hits Edmonton (the temperature is around freezing), the Islanders take on the Oilers tonight. Here are some notes…
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The Islanders will use the same lineup tonight with Bryan Berard as the healthy scratch. Former Islanders prospect Robert Nilsson looks to be a healthy scratch for Edmonton tonight. Raffi Torres, another former Islanders prospect, is out and it was announced today that he will undergo season-ending knee surgery.
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The goaltending match-up is Rick DiPietro versus Mathieu Garon.
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This is Marc-Andre Bergeron’s first trip back to Edmonton since the trade that brought him to the Island last season. Literally, his first time back. He said he didn’t even come back to sell his house over the summer. He said: “It feels a little weird.”
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Bergeron jokingly asked an Edmonton writer if he will be booed tonight. The writer said: “Edmonton fans treat home and visiting players alike… They boo everyone!”
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It really felt like we were in Toronto or Montreal with the media this morning. I asked an Edmonton journalist this morning how many media members would be here today and he said “a few camera and a handful of writers. Not too many” Well, it was more like ten cameras, ten writers and a bunch of radio guys. Talk about being in a fishbowl. Sorry Ted, MC and Berger!
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Miles traveled so far: About 2,836
Miles to be traveled tonight from Edmonton to Vancouver: 773
Sunday, January 6, 2008
ROAD TRIP BLOG: Day 3
Sunday, January 6
Following a flight from Denver to Edmonton last night/early this morning that took a little over two hours, the team practiced at the Rexall Place at 2:00 pm MST. Ted Nolan felt that after getting into the hotel at 2:30 am last night that the team should have a chance to sleep in. Thanks, coach.
It was an optional skate this morning and not too much media coverage. The two local Edmonton papers were there along with ITV. It looks like there will be a Mike Comrie feature story in the papers tomorrow. Mike had some pretty good and honest answers for them. They also spoke to Marc-Andre Bergeron with this being his first time back to Oiler Country since the Islanders acquired him last season.
With an optional practice this afternoon, the team will hold a mandatory morning skate tomorrow.
Very quiet day in Edmonton today... If anything else happens, I’ll check back later.
Total Miles Traveled: About 2,836
Following a flight from Denver to Edmonton last night/early this morning that took a little over two hours, the team practiced at the Rexall Place at 2:00 pm MST. Ted Nolan felt that after getting into the hotel at 2:30 am last night that the team should have a chance to sleep in. Thanks, coach.
It was an optional skate this morning and not too much media coverage. The two local Edmonton papers were there along with ITV. It looks like there will be a Mike Comrie feature story in the papers tomorrow. Mike had some pretty good and honest answers for them. They also spoke to Marc-Andre Bergeron with this being his first time back to Oiler Country since the Islanders acquired him last season.
With an optional practice this afternoon, the team will hold a mandatory morning skate tomorrow.
Very quiet day in Edmonton today... If anything else happens, I’ll check back later.
Total Miles Traveled: About 2,836
Saturday, January 5, 2008
ROAD TRIP BLOG: Day 2 / Isles at Avs
Saturday, January 5
The Islanders face-off against the Colorado Avalanche, who will be sans Joe Sakic and Captain Colorado Ryan Smyth, tonight at the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO. The Islanders will use the same lineup as they did on Thursday night. Here are some other notes:
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The big talk at the morning skate was the altitude – and yes you really do feel it. Ted Nolan said the game plan would be for guys to take quick shifts of no more than 30 seconds. According to the local media, teams don’t feel the altitude’s effects until the second period when the Avs take advantage. Of their 115 goals scored this season, 49 have been netted in the second period. They have scored 27, 37 and 2 in the first period, third period and overtime, respectfully.
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Wade Dubielewicz returns to Denver for the first time as a player since his colligate career at Denver University. Dubie won a couple of WCHA goaltending titles here and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
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Newsday’s Greg Logan tried tracking down Smyth, but was unable because of Colorado’s team policy of not allowing injured players to talk to the media. Someone should have reminded them that the New York media doesn’t care about his injured ankle. Logan did speak with Nolan and GM Garth Snow and is a resourceful reporter, so he should have something on his blog or in a story later at Newsday.com.
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(Corrected, thanks to Peter Botte of the NY Daily News... I added an extra "0".. opps.)
Miles traveled yesterday: Roughly 1,800 from Long Island to Denver.
Miles to be traveled tonight/tomorrow morning: Roughly 1,036 from Denver to Edmonton.
The Islanders face-off against the Colorado Avalanche, who will be sans Joe Sakic and Captain Colorado Ryan Smyth, tonight at the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO. The Islanders will use the same lineup as they did on Thursday night. Here are some other notes:
-----
The big talk at the morning skate was the altitude – and yes you really do feel it. Ted Nolan said the game plan would be for guys to take quick shifts of no more than 30 seconds. According to the local media, teams don’t feel the altitude’s effects until the second period when the Avs take advantage. Of their 115 goals scored this season, 49 have been netted in the second period. They have scored 27, 37 and 2 in the first period, third period and overtime, respectfully.
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Wade Dubielewicz returns to Denver for the first time as a player since his colligate career at Denver University. Dubie won a couple of WCHA goaltending titles here and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
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Newsday’s Greg Logan tried tracking down Smyth, but was unable because of Colorado’s team policy of not allowing injured players to talk to the media. Someone should have reminded them that the New York media doesn’t care about his injured ankle. Logan did speak with Nolan and GM Garth Snow and is a resourceful reporter, so he should have something on his blog or in a story later at Newsday.com.
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(Corrected, thanks to Peter Botte of the NY Daily News... I added an extra "0".. opps.)
Miles traveled yesterday: Roughly 1,800 from Long Island to Denver.
Miles to be traveled tonight/tomorrow morning: Roughly 1,036 from Denver to Edmonton.
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