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Live Blog From Nassau Coliseum 4/3/2010

by Rob McGowan

on 04/03/2010 - 11:52

Hello everyone! I will be returning to the blog box for this afternoon Islander's match-up against the Ottawa Senators. Although I have been going to many games over the past month, this will be my first one back in section 201 after a brief hiatus of remembering what it was like to sit in the stands as a fan. But today I return to the keyboard to give you up close details of the Isles Saturday matinee.

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Lack Of Experience Leads To Isles Loss

by Rob McGowan

on 03/31/2010 - 12:40

Last night the Islanders faced off against the New York Rangers for the last time this season at Nassau Coliseum, losing 4-3 in regulation. After a strong start where the Islanders scored a power play goal early and then added to it with another tally before the end of the first twenty minutes, the Isles would come out flat in the second and fail to connect on a 5-on-3 opportunity. The second period belonged to the Rangers and it became too difficult for Head Coach Scott Gordon's squad to regain control.

"There were things there for us in the second period to build on.

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Will Garth Snow Open The Wallet?

by Rob McGowan

on 03/27/2010 - 13:02

The 'we'll be better next year' mantra has already started on Long Island. The season has 8 games remaining on 2009-2010, and the Islanders have almost solidified themselves with either a top-3 or top-5 pick in this year's upcoming draft. Throw in to the mix that Rick DiPietro has yet to play another game, allowing many to assume that his come back year may be shut down prematurely, forcing his resurgence to take on another season.

This team should be better next year. I believe they will be.

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Frustrating Theme Leads To Frustrating Loss

by Rob McGowan

on 03/20/2010 - 12:30

Frustrating. That about sums up how the Isles and head coach Scott Gordon felt after last night's collapse to the Anaheim Ducks. Gordon was so frustrated that when MSG Network's Rob Carlin questioned him about the team's third period let downs throughout the year, he walked away without giving an answer during the live post-game show.

That can be seen as a sign of a coach that was just ticked off and did not want to answer any more questions, or it could have been a coach that simply did not have an answer.

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Isles Send Gold Medalist Goalie To The Bench, Silence Vancouver Media

by Rob McGowan

on 03/17/2010 - 12:25

Put that as your headline, Vancouver.

Last night the Islanders visited the Canucks and defeated them 5-2, ending their seven game home winning streak. John Tavares exploded with a five point effort, a new career high that paved the way for the win.

The Islanders started the game with a very strong first period, coming away with a 2-0 lead on eight shots. The goals came from defenseman Dylan Reese with his first of his career and John Tavares, his second goal in the past four games.

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Comeau Coming Along Nicely

by Rob McGowan

on 03/15/2010 - 12:25

There was a point in the season when #57 would not be seen on the ice, but over a recent stretch that extends beyond the Olympic break, Blake Comeau has been finding a way to make each of his shifts count.

He currently has 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points, a new career high in all three categories. Those may not be top-six forward numbers, but Comeau has emerged as an effective depth player on the Islanders roster.

Many have wondered if Comeau is exactly the type of player that Gordon could utilize on the ice as there were many games he was a healthy scratch.

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Doug Weight Out For Remainder Of The Year

by Rob McGowan

on 03/13/2010 - 13:32

As the Isles playoff hopes became more and more of a dream rather than a reality, the team decided to do what's best for one of the most respected leaders in the game. Team Captain Doug Weight will miss the remainder of the season with surgery in his left shoulder to repair a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff. He had been battling the injuries since November.

"If Thursday was my last game I have no regrets," Weight said, as tweeted by Newsday reporter Katie Strang this morning.

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Two Points Fly By As Isles Still Have Growing Pains

by Rob McGowan

on 03/09/2010 - 23:40

If the Islanders were looking to make a statement, tonight was the night. If the Isles were looking to prove that they were due for a win on the road as they have lost their last seven road games in a row, tonight was the night. If the Isles really wanted to end a 14-game losing streak against the Philadelphia Flyers, tonight was the night. If the Isles wanted to win in an arena other than Madison Square Garden that belonged to their Atlantic Division rivals, tonight was the night.

I guess they didn't want any of these things as much as say, I wanted them too.

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Live Blog From Nassau Coliseum: Isles vs. Blackhawks (Plus Possible Trade Rumors)

by Rob McGowan

on 03/02/2010 - 16:33

With the exception of the Stanley Cup playoffs, this time of year is without a doubt the most fun time of the season for any hockey fan and/or blogger. Although those games are intense and fun to watch, the anticipation involved in deadline deals and rumor swapping on the web is filled up with so much hype and intrigue that many fans consider it a personal holiday.

So far the Islanders have dealt the 6'6 defenseman, Andy Sutton to the Ottawa Senators for a 2nd round pick. Like the Comrie/Campoli deal, the pick involved was originally San Jose's, making this a late second round selection.

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DP With Yet Another Injury

by Rob McGowan

on 03/01/2010 - 13:31

Rick DiPietro is out indefinitely with swelling of his left knee and was unable to practice this morning at Syosset as a result.

Check out my article at The Hockey Writers to read up all about it!

http://thehockeywriters.com/rick-is-out-once-again/

Follow me on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/RoMac76

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