Replay, Replay +++++ Isles Down Bolts 3-2 in OT

By on October 22, 2010

Tampa, Fla. (RSE)—The New York Islanders pulled out of the arena formerly known as the “Ice Palace” Thursday night one point better than the Tampa Bay Lightning.  I guess one could deduct that it was a close point indeed.  Let’s not all get caught up in “THE” replay, well ok maybe a little.  We have instant replay why?  Just because now we have camera angles that can only be rivaled by NASA?  Anyway; 3-2 Islanders in OT.  Keep looking at it; ten minutes or so… still don’t know…

Michael Grabner put the team that use to have that ugly Gordon’s Fisherman guy as a logo on the board at the 2:15 mark of the 1st.  He was assisted by Nino Niederreiter and Doug Weight. 

Sean Bergenheim lit the light for the Lightning at 18:05 of the 1st on breakaway with the help of Teddy Purcell and Vic Hedman.  It was Bergenheim’s 2nd of the season. I must admit it was 18:05 minutes of lack luster Lightning hockey; did we get spoiled October 9th and 18th?   At this point a 1-1 tie going to the first intermission seemed to be an accomplishment.   

With 4:44 gone in the 2nd Marty St. Louis took a pass at the blue line from between his own legs (in spectacular Marty-like fashion) from Steven Stamkos (from Mike Lundin) , cut right, moved in and effortlessly flipped the puck over Rick DiPietro.  2-1 Bolts.

At 8:24 of the 2nd is what I think was the real turning point of the game.  Zenon Konopka goes in behind the Lightning goal and starts mixing it up on a whistle.  Randy Jones decides to get in a shoving match with Z, and why Ryan Malone felt the need to go flying in and take a roughing penalty I do not know.  1:24 later; Stammer takes a cross-check;  5 on 3 Islanders.  Pa Parenteau (who made me laugh in the locker room during the morning skate regarding the Zenon Konopka’s media frenzy) found the back of the net ripping a shot off of a James Wisniewski fan at 10 minutes even; Wisniewski and John Tavares assisting, tying the game at 2.

Ok, turning point… the sequel;  Jon Sim and Trevor Gillies get sent to the sin bin at 13:38 for minors.  Roughing and cross-checking respectively.  Great!  5 on 3 Lightning for two whole minutes!  The Islanders methodically kill that power play party.

Bergenheim gets his second break away later in the period but was unable to tally as DiPietro made a sprawling save.

End of two, 2-2 score, shots 19-18 Isles.

The 3rd proved to be uneventful with the Lightning’s first line power play unit having what I thought was the sloppiest power play I have seen yet from this group on a Konopka boarding penalty.   There was minimal puck control and poor passing.

The 3rd ended at 2-2 with the Lightning out shooting the Islanders 30 to 23.

In the extra session the Lightning did not get a shot but at the anti-climactic 1:56 mark the Islanders did.  Their second of overtime… oh, next whistle we go to Toronto.  Ok hockey fans, a ten minute replay review, extra point Islanders!  Matt Moulson from Frans Nielsen and Mike Mottau, 3-2 overtime win Islanders…GAME OVER! 

Coach Guy Boucher said after the game, “To be honest, I don’t care about the replay; we didn’t come out in the first period, that’s all I’m worried about.” “We didn’t come out, we didn’t skate, we weren’t first on the puck, we didn’t battle, we had, I guess half our bench wasn’t there; it’s unacceptable.”   “We need to come out in the first period when the game starts in front of our fans out of respect for the money they pay.”

I like this coach and this team; I get the sense that this will be a real special year.  The fact that Boucher does not blame the whole replay fiasco and the mention of having respect for the fan’s money goes a long way with me.  Keep your eyes on this team, they are special.

I will see you… Gritty in front of the net!

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