5         -       2

Comrie (1st of the Season)                Boyes

Hunter (1st of the Season)                Tkachuck

Bergenheim (1st of the Season)

Hilbert (1st of the Season)

Guerin (1st of the Season)

The New York Islanders improve their record to 1-1-0, socring 4 times in the 1st period against Chris Mason. Obtaining the free the free cup of Chilli at the 4:40 mark, the Islanders had debuted their new goal song three times. From my opinion if sang 16,000 strong I am for it, but the confusion set off tonight let off for an embarresed a dimmed mood. All four lines were rolling tonight and the transition game looked much improved on better ice. Last night the puck continuosly bounced, but tonight the Isles had a smoother break out and did not have the neccesity to “dump-n-chase”.

Pre Game

Explored the Coliseum, concesion upgrades, everything just seems nicer! During warmups the Islanders coaching staff came out of the tunnel, including Head Coach Scott Gordon, and watched both the Islanders and the opponents the Blues. While they were observing I did some investigative work to see exactly what they were writing down. Here is what I found from the hands of Islanders assitant Coach John Chabot.

Scott Gordon Focused on the Opponent

John Chabot’s Lineup Chart

1st Period

Starting off with a quick rebound goal by Mike Comrie, who must stop playing NHL 09 because of his desire to pull the flashy move, helped establish the Islanders flow to the game, allowing the use of all four lines. With a great play by Okposo to jump on the mistake of the Blues defender, Comrie tapped in the rebound off Park’s shot. Proceding Comrie’s goal were the shots of Hunter and Bergenheim, who were in a sense “gimme” goals because of how they trckled through Mason, but hey we’ll take anyway they come. After giving up a powerplay goal, the Islanders at the end of the period score a beautiful shortanded goal, by Andy Hilbert, yes I said it, ANDY HILBERT. Breaking out of the zone, Hilbert and Streit skated up ice, Hilbert took the inital shot, then went to Streit who fired one, ending up on Hilbert’s stick tapping it in for a goal.

Mark Streit Home Opener

I just love Mark Streit! We have not had a defensmen like him in a long time; just observe his “up ice” or heads up play, always keeping his head up and looking for the breakout pass. On the powerplay he is compoised and a steady blueliner with a hard shot, instantly stabilizing and controling both units of the Islanders powerplay. Tonight he was killing penalties as well, because of the injury to Radek Martinek. Streit’s defense is very well underated or much under credited because I have only heard of his defensive play towards the negative side.

2nd Period

Quiet on the scoresheet because of no scoing occuring, but the Islanders continued their driving to the net and the use of all four lines. Joey MacDonald pertained to great saves, including on what MacDonald calls a game changer. Coming out of the pentaly box, Tkachuck recieved a pass and was off to the races, but Joey MacDonald flashed the pad, and kep the score 4-1, midway throught the 2nd.

3rd Period

Doug Weight tallies 2 assists giving him 3 points in 2 games

The Islanders tallied the empty netter at the end of the period once the Blues tallied a goal on the powerplay. Bill Guerin cleared the zone and took the puck to around the red line, then saucered the puck home making the score 5-2, and giving Doug Weight his 3rd point in 2 games.

Three Stars of the Game

1. Joey MacDonald

2. Andy Hilbert

3.Bruno Gervais

My Three Star Selcetions

1. Joey MacDonald- Made every save he had to make and ones he should not have made!Joey MacDonalad was exceptional from my perspective,  with great rebound control (besides from the Tkachuck goal), big saves when needed, and at some points moving the puck up well. Giving DP time to heal and be 100% to take over the heavy load, LETS RIDE THE Mac TRAIN. “Joey” chants across the Coliseum to DP’s tune, flashy saves, and being named the 1st Star of the Game, must give Gordon the confidence to give him the nod when needed.

2. Doug Weight- Tallied two assists now with three on the season, Doug Weight played spirited against his old team, St Louis, drawing a penalty and being involved on the powerplay. But the main reason should be the second star was his responsibilty in the defensive zone. With the D being one short in the game, it seemed Weight played deeper and closer on defensive, and became very responsible to hold the three, and then two goal lead. Weight just played a great two way center game.

Freddy Meyer IV during Home Opener

3. Freddy Meyer IV- Stepping in beautifully to help eat up minutes from the absence of Radek Martinek, having played 24:19 of Total Ice Time, second behind Mark Streit, and leading the Islanders in hits with five, Freddy Meyer IV played a well rounded phyiscal and responsible game. Being thrown around with different pairings Meyer look comfortable and poised.

All in all great night and experience. Lets keep it going on Monday.

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