The flu bug hasn’t hit the NYI Media Blog (yet, knock on wood..), so here are some notes from the morning skate…
- Wade Dubielewicz will get the start in net tonight. With Rick DiPietro getting over the flu, he’ll likely back-up tonight. For the Kings, expect Jason LaBarbera to start.
- Ruslan Fedotenko (flu) is very questionable/doubtful for tonight’s game. Andy Sutton (flu) will be a game-time decision. Every other skater, according to Ted Nolan, is healthy and able to play.
- Islanders assistant coach Gerard Gallant made his return to the team after battling through the stomach flu/virus.
- At 12:15, Islanders defenseman Bruno Gervais will be guest of Billy Jaffe on the radio show, NHL Live. You can find it on XM 204.
- Dan Rosen from NHL.com came to the skate this morning. Amongst the Islanders players he spoke to were Bill Guerin and Blake Comeau. Expect a feature on Comeau soon.
- Longtime Islanders radio analyst Chris King will take part in his 1,000th Islanders radio broadcast. That includes time as the engineer, intermission/post-game host and in-game duties. Congratulations, Kinger!
- Amongst the hot topics with the media this morning was Britney Spears being admitted for psychiatric treatment. Islanders radio play-by-play man Steve Mears admitted that her 2002 concert in Louisiana was the best concert he’s ever been to. Really Steve? Really? ...
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
MORNING SKATE: Sens at Isles
After a nice weekend off for everybody other than Rick and Chris Botta, the Islanders swing back into action tonight at the Coliseum versus the Ottawa Senators… Here are some notes from the morning skate.
- Rick DiPietro will be in goal for the Islanders and after missing practice yesterday, Ray Emery will take a back seat to starter Martin Gerber. DiPietro is 2-0-0 versus Ottawa this season and has a 1.44 GAA.
- Ted Nolan announced that Andy Sutton is under the weather and is a game-time decision. He did not specify if Bryan Berard or Aaron Johnson would go in his place if need be.
- Aside from the injured Dany Heatley, Patrick Eaves looks to be a scratch for the Sens along with Cody Bass. Nick Foligno has been recalled by Ottawa for tonight's game.
- Former Senator Mike Comrie enters tonight’s game two points away from 300 in his NHL career. In the first three games of the season series, Comrie has a goal and two assists versus Ottawa.
- Newsday’s Greg Logan is off until Friday, so Mark Herrmann is covering for them tonight.
- Rick DiPietro will be in goal for the Islanders and after missing practice yesterday, Ray Emery will take a back seat to starter Martin Gerber. DiPietro is 2-0-0 versus Ottawa this season and has a 1.44 GAA.
- Ted Nolan announced that Andy Sutton is under the weather and is a game-time decision. He did not specify if Bryan Berard or Aaron Johnson would go in his place if need be.
- Aside from the injured Dany Heatley, Patrick Eaves looks to be a scratch for the Sens along with Cody Bass. Nick Foligno has been recalled by Ottawa for tonight's game.
- Former Senator Mike Comrie enters tonight’s game two points away from 300 in his NHL career. In the first three games of the season series, Comrie has a goal and two assists versus Ottawa.
- Newsday’s Greg Logan is off until Friday, so Mark Herrmann is covering for them tonight.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
MORNING SKATE: Isles at ‘Canes
The Islanders finish off a home-and-home series on back-to-back days with the Carolina Hurricanes while they also start a two-game, four day road trip which will also take them to Boston for a game on Thursday.
Here are some notes from today’s morning skate…
- Today was an optional skate for both teams. About 14 Islanders took the ice after a team meeting.
- Wade Dubielewicz will start for the Islanders tonight while it looks like Cam Ward will be back in net for the Hurricanes. There were some talks that John Grahame would start tonight, but it doesn’t look that way.
Just like other players, Islanders head coach Ted Nolan said that “Dubie has earned his ice-time and deserves to play.”
- Unfortunately, there won’t be a Ted Nolan/Brandon Nolan match-up this season. Brandon, a top prospect for the ‘Canes, is currently with their AHL affiliate in Albany.
- The last time the Islanders were in Carolina, they won 4-1 off a stellar performance from Dubielewicz and Marc-Andre Bergeron who burned Carolina with two power-play goals and an assist. By the way, Carolina enters the game with the league’s worst penalty kill unit.
Here are some notes from today’s morning skate…
- Today was an optional skate for both teams. About 14 Islanders took the ice after a team meeting.
- Wade Dubielewicz will start for the Islanders tonight while it looks like Cam Ward will be back in net for the Hurricanes. There were some talks that John Grahame would start tonight, but it doesn’t look that way.
Just like other players, Islanders head coach Ted Nolan said that “Dubie has earned his ice-time and deserves to play.”
- Unfortunately, there won’t be a Ted Nolan/Brandon Nolan match-up this season. Brandon, a top prospect for the ‘Canes, is currently with their AHL affiliate in Albany.
- The last time the Islanders were in Carolina, they won 4-1 off a stellar performance from Dubielewicz and Marc-Andre Bergeron who burned Carolina with two power-play goals and an assist. By the way, Carolina enters the game with the league’s worst penalty kill unit.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
MORNING SKATE: Flyers at Isles
The Islanders are back home for an Atlantic Division tilt versus the Philadelphia Flyers. It’s the first time the Flyers have visited the Coliseum this season. Here are some notes from the morning skate.
- Defensemen Chris Campoli, Radek Martinek and Brendan Witt are indeed all out for tonight’s game. Both Martinek and Witt took the full skate and looked pretty good to the naked eye, but Islanders head coach Ted Nolan told the media that Marti is about a week away and that Witt could possibly play on Monday.
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- With that news, Aaron Johnson returns to the lineup and at his natural defenseman position. In his five games earlier this season, Johnson mostly skated as a fourth-line forward. Johny said the coaches told him he’ll be eased back into the lineup, but is excited to finally get back into an NHL game.
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- In the uber-tight Atlantic Division where the top and bottom teams are only separated by six points, the Islanders enter tonight’s contest only two points behind the third-place Flyers. The Islanders are only four points out of the Atlantic Division lead.
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- The probably match-up in goal tonight is Rick DiPietro versus Martin Biron.
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- The Islanders third-best penalty kill will get a good test tonight if the need arises against the Flyers who own the NHL’s top power play unit. They click at a 24.4 percent rate.
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- Before the game, Islanders forward Sean Bergenheim and Flyers goaltender Antero Niittymaki will partake in the photo-op with the youth Finnish hockey team from Ilves, Finland, who is participating in the International Division of the Lighthouse Tournament.
- Defensemen Chris Campoli, Radek Martinek and Brendan Witt are indeed all out for tonight’s game. Both Martinek and Witt took the full skate and looked pretty good to the naked eye, but Islanders head coach Ted Nolan told the media that Marti is about a week away and that Witt could possibly play on Monday.
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- With that news, Aaron Johnson returns to the lineup and at his natural defenseman position. In his five games earlier this season, Johnson mostly skated as a fourth-line forward. Johny said the coaches told him he’ll be eased back into the lineup, but is excited to finally get back into an NHL game.
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- In the uber-tight Atlantic Division where the top and bottom teams are only separated by six points, the Islanders enter tonight’s contest only two points behind the third-place Flyers. The Islanders are only four points out of the Atlantic Division lead.
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- The probably match-up in goal tonight is Rick DiPietro versus Martin Biron.
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- The Islanders third-best penalty kill will get a good test tonight if the need arises against the Flyers who own the NHL’s top power play unit. They click at a 24.4 percent rate.
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- Before the game, Islanders forward Sean Bergenheim and Flyers goaltender Antero Niittymaki will partake in the photo-op with the youth Finnish hockey team from Ilves, Finland, who is participating in the International Division of the Lighthouse Tournament.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
BID ON GUERIN’S JERSEY
On January 11 in Calgary, Islanders captain Bill Guerin wore a special jersey with a Hockey Fights Cancer patch next to his “C”.Fans can now bid on the jersey at NHL.com with the proceeds supporting national and local cancer research institutions, Children’s Hospitals, player charities and local cancer organizations.
Hockey Fights Cancer is a joint initiative founded in December 1998 by the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association to raise money and awareness for hockey's most important fight. It is supported by NHL Member Clubs, NHL Alumni, the NHL Officials' Association, Professional Hockey Trainers and Equipment Managers, corporate marketing partners, broadcast partners and fans throughout North America. To date, more than $9 million has been raised to support national and local cancer research institutions, Children’s Hospitals, player charities and local cancer organizations.
To bid on Billy’s jersey, click here.
To find out more information on this specific program, click here.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
MORNING SKATE: Habs at Isles
The Islanders are back at home tonight at the Coliseum to take on the Montreal Canadiens. Here are some notes from the morning skate…
- Ted Nolan told the media that Ruslan Fedotenko is fine and will be in the lineup tonight after taking a blow to the head in Ottawa.
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- Is No. 8 No. 1? With injuries to Brendan Witt and Radek Martinek (the team’s top two defensemen), Nolan praised the play of Bruno Gervais by calling him the team’s best defenseman over the past few games. Nolan’s trust in Bruno definitely shows on the ice.
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- With tonight’s game being broadcasted nationally on Versus, Joe Beninati was speaking to Rick DiPietro following the skate. He asked Rick how many sets of pads he goes through in a season thinking it was three or four, but was shocked when Rick said “Between 25 and 30”. Responded Joe: “30! Wow!” Rick apparently doesn’t like it when the pads get too worn in a broken down.
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Beninati, who calls the play-by-play action for the Washington Capitals, will be joined in the broadcast booth by Eddie Olczyk. Rounding out the three-man crew will be the Islanders own Billy Jaffe, who will be their roving reporter tonight.
This is some nice vacation for Howie Rose, but if there is anyone in this business who deserves a break every once in a while, it’s him. If you think about it, between the Mets and Islanders, he hardly gets a break! We miss you, Howie!
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The match-up in goal tonight is Rick DiPietro for the Islanders and Christobal Huet for the Canadiens.
- Ted Nolan told the media that Ruslan Fedotenko is fine and will be in the lineup tonight after taking a blow to the head in Ottawa.
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- Is No. 8 No. 1? With injuries to Brendan Witt and Radek Martinek (the team’s top two defensemen), Nolan praised the play of Bruno Gervais by calling him the team’s best defenseman over the past few games. Nolan’s trust in Bruno definitely shows on the ice.
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- With tonight’s game being broadcasted nationally on Versus, Joe Beninati was speaking to Rick DiPietro following the skate. He asked Rick how many sets of pads he goes through in a season thinking it was three or four, but was shocked when Rick said “Between 25 and 30”. Responded Joe: “30! Wow!” Rick apparently doesn’t like it when the pads get too worn in a broken down.
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Beninati, who calls the play-by-play action for the Washington Capitals, will be joined in the broadcast booth by Eddie Olczyk. Rounding out the three-man crew will be the Islanders own Billy Jaffe, who will be their roving reporter tonight.
This is some nice vacation for Howie Rose, but if there is anyone in this business who deserves a break every once in a while, it’s him. If you think about it, between the Mets and Islanders, he hardly gets a break! We miss you, Howie!
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The match-up in goal tonight is Rick DiPietro for the Islanders and Christobal Huet for the Canadiens.
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!!!
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