STATS: By a raise (or close) of hands…

So the Islanders have been penalized for closing the hand on the puck twice in the last two games. Radek Martinek has been the “guilty party” in both instances. It’s one of those penalties that could probably be called almost every game, but rarely is.

How rare in the land of Orange and Blue? Enough that it raised more than one eyebrow after the second penalty was called last night versus the Flyers. And offhand, no one could remember the last time the Islanders were flagged for that call.

So with the help of Bob Waterman of the Elias Sports Bureau, we found out when the last time it happened.

January 27, 2004… Arron Asham.

So my guess is that Marti doesn’t have to be worried about being sent to the penalty box for this penalty for at least another two or three years.