Bailey Demoted; Mottau Injured; Isles v. Columbus Tonight

After reaching a losing streak of 13 games, the Islanders announced about 31 minutes ago via Twitter that they have sent Josh Bailey down to Bridgeport on loan. The demotion comes the night of the Isles' matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team that's been flying fairly high after winning four straight. Ironically, it was Bailey who made the difference last time the two teams played each other, with his overtime goal winning it for the Isles, 4-3.

But this is a very different Columbus squad. Both goalies, Mathieu Garon and Steve Mason, have been solid for the Blue Jackets (Garon gets the nod tonight after Mason shut out the Predators, 2-0). Captain Rick Nash has a six-game goal streak and points in the last nine games he's played, and overall, the team is incredibly strong defensively; their 2.32 goals-allowed average is the third-lowest in the league at the moment, which does not bode well for an offensively struggling team like the Islanders. Not only that, but with Bailey's demotion and captain Doug Weight being questionable for tonight (back spasms), the Isles may have to play a bit shorthanded. Not to mention that Mike Mottau could be out of commission for a while after being struck in the right eye by a puck last game against Atlanta. He spent a couple of days in the hospital down there before being cleared to fly back up to New York; according to Katie Strang, Mottau is suffering from hyphemia (blood in the eye) and could be out for up to six weeks. Not a good thing for a club that is thin on the blueline as it is. They called up Travis Hamonic from Bridgeport yesterday morning to fill in the gap.

I have to question why it is that Bailey has been sent down, yet John Tavares has not. While on the voting ballot for the All-Star Game in Raleigh in January, Tavares has had a minus-rating in all but two games this season and his -15 is the worst on the roster. True, the team as a whole has only scored 18 goals in 13 games, so that isn't all on Johnny, but if you're going to demote anyone to the Bridge, why not have it be a guy who's supposed to be a goalscorer? Just a thought for something that will really send a message across to the rest of the locker room.

However, what's been done is done, and all we as fans can do is hold our breaths and hope that somehow it pays off. Puck drop is set for tonight at 7 p.m. at Nassau Coliseum.

(Isles' preview on their website is here.)

Once Again... A Dead Horse Resurrected- Or Should I Say, a Dead "Bunny"?

So, here we go again- this time, it's a anti-puck bunny song that's caused a stir among hockey fans, male and female. Basically, an adorable girl in glasses and a Thrashers shirt sings about how "puck bunnies don't know (cough) about hockey, 'cause they're there to play a different game." (Lyrics from the song, by the way.) You can see it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISxhHtKszmE

Puck Daddy picked it up and posted it on their blog, and while it's gotten plenty of positive buzz, of COURSE the Negative Nancys have to comment as well. One blogger, while making a couple of valid points about how not every pretty girl in a hockey jersey is necessarily a puck bunny, went as far as to suggest that every anti-puck bunny out there is some ugly, fat, desperate female who wants a hockey player to look at them instead of the chosen beauties.

News flash: it's time to get over that mentality, because appearances don't matter when it comes to respectable female fans vs. the ones with ears and tails.

Now, when it comes to fandom, personally, I don't lie about where I stand. I'm a female. I'm attracted to men. That may or may not include the men who happen to play in the NHL. It takes nothing away from what I post on here (I would hope) because I don't blather on about how much of a "babe" John Tavares is, or how I would try to get a date with Rick DiPietro. (Um, he's MARRIED, people. Like, God. /end sarcasm) That is not what this blog is about, and besides, Christine would probably go insane. ;) I have more respect for her, our readers, and myself- not to mention this sport. I just happen to have hormones that go beyond a wall of glass and a sheet of ice. Big deal.

But, and I will say this "but" because it's a pretty true one: BUT. I would never conduct myself with the same kind of recklessness and sheer lack of self-respect that puck bunnies do. While it's to be determined whether they know about the game or not, it's clear that they don't care- their priority is to get a hockey player or die trying. My priority, and that of many fellow female fans I associate with, is to watch, learn and love the game- with the bonus of a few nice-looking faces.

I suppose that's all pretty easy to understand (though some people still don't get it), and to be honest, the topic of a female hockey fan will never stop being beaten, buried, and dug up once more for resuscitation. Any girl who happens to mention her attraction to a player could be judged accordingly- by men, sure, but more often by fellow female fans who automatically declare her a deviation from the unwritten rules of our fandom, whatever those may be. It's how we were raised, I guess- after all, sociologically, what are we taught? Cross your legs, pluck your eyebrows, and find a man before your 30s. It's nonsense. But it's near-unquestionable nonsense at this point, though some of us (*raises hand*) will still question it. As I think we should. There's no reason to point the finger at each other, ladies, and even if sometimes we think a girl has dubious intentions, there's nothing wrong with taking her under our wings and teaching her the basics. Am I right or am I right?

But that's a subject for a post on a very different blog. For now, I leave you with this video, and I hope we all know that healthy female =/= puck bunny. Au revoir.

NHL Coach Pat Burns is Remembered 1952-2010

Surely the Devils could use a little guidance from beyond. : )

On Saturday night Montreal honored Pat Burns:

The State of the Islanders... What Should Be Done?

It's been a tumultuous month of November for this team and everyone involved.

That's an understatement, I know, but what can be said by anyone writing a blog that doesn't involve swearing like a person possessed? Especially while watching a team that seems to be making all the wrong moves- to say nothing of that team's organization.

Consider that the Islanders have lost eleven straight games- a tremendous losing streak that started against the Florida Panthers (ironically, the team they will face tonight) and resulted in the firing of head coach Scott Gordon. In this losing streak, the Islanders have allowed 43 goals and forced only 16, including eight goals in the last eight games. In his last five starts, Dwayne Roloson has played admirably, facing an average of 30.2 shots per game and stopping, on average, 27.8 shots; however, he remains 2-8-1 while maintaining a save percentage for the season to date at .916. Rick DiPietro, meanwhile, has faced 30 shots per game and has saved fewer of them, at an average of 25.6 saves per start in his last five games. (That's nearly five goals allowed per game, as opposed to just over two goals allowed per game for Roli.) He was also in net the night of the Isles' 7-2 embarrassment against Carolina, as well as the 6-1 loss against Philadelphia. However, the lineup in front of both goaltenders has been unstable, with players popping on and off of the roster on a nearly game-to-game basis. Not to mention that at some points in the losses, not everyone was playing with one hundred percent effort, which can also hurt a goaltender's stats and confidence.

In any case, Gordon has been ousted (to remain with the Isles in an advisory capacity to GM Garth Snow, according to the organization), and in the aftermath of that news, former Isles PR rep turned blogger/journalist Chris Botta has had his credentials yanked and access to the team barred following some rather critical analysis of Snow and the Isles' moves. For that, the organization has come under fire in the past 48 hours, prompting many to wonder: What exactly are the Islanders trying to do?

And what are they doing, really? One has to question it, after letting go of Billy Jaffe and bringing in the legendary (yet less-than-critical) Butch Goring, and now pulling the credentials of a man who, sure, is by no means uncontroversial, but at the very least he pulls no punches regarding his opinions of the team and organization. After the events of this past offseason, the Islanders now look as though they're just trying to silence all critics rather than do anything to improve the on-ice product, and that is not the way to handle hardships. The fact remains that there is a long way to go as far as getting talent on the roster is concerned, not to mention getting players with sufficient experience, and if this is a means of taking eyes off of the state of the actual team... well, they really are doing themselves no favors. In fact, they're coming off more like the spoiled Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland than a viable, capable organization focused on improving things.

Bottom line? Let people keep their heads, and get your priorities in order. After all, we've got a losing streak going on here that shows no signs of losing steam.

Special Hockey Clinic in Queens = AWESOME

On Tuesday night I went to the Special Hockey clinic being held at the City Ice Pavilion in Queens. The kids were moving and grooving out on the ice, and a couple were zoomed around and then thrown like a bowling ball only to slide across the ice on their knees. Each player was given 1 to 1 instruction by volunteer coaches who looked to be having as much fun as the kids. Parents and caregivers were taking pictures and looked so proud of the kids, some who were stepping out on the ice for the first time. When all was said and done the kids were able to keep their equipment which is great! More clinics are in the works to build their roster, for more information check out the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA). 

Hockey IS for EVERYONE!

Senators Coach's Daughter Mourned by Thousands

This morning a memorial service was held for Daron, the daughter of Ottawa Senators assistant coach Luke Richardson and his wife Stephanie. Reportedly, Daron committed suicide in the basement of her home at the tender age of 14. Suicide is such a permanent choice in response to what are usually temporary problems and/or conditions, however it can be very hard for someone who is struggling to take on this perspective. 14 years of life is not enough time to decide whether life is worth living because things can always turn around on a dime for the better, especially in adolescence. For a 14 year old child to believe that there is no other option is a tragedy. This is something people never get over, they learn to cope or live with it the best they can. Angie and I would like to offer our condolences to the Richardson family, especially to Daron's sister Morgan, who is now an only child, and in my professional experience the family member most likely to carry the weight of this devastation. I hope Morgan will be provided the support she will need to live a happy and healthy life despite the loss of her sister.

Senators coach's daughter mourned by thousands

For more information about suicide prevention:

Kids Help Phone - Canada

Child, Youth, and Family Crisis Line of Eastern Ontario

Suicide Prevention Lifeline

National Institute of Mental Health

Veteran's Day: We Remember All Who Have Served

A Special Day For All, Ice Hockey and Beyond

Yes They Are Way Ahead In The Standings But The Flyers Still Suck

As always I'm holding out hope for tonight's game against the Flyers, hope that the Isles will finally stand up to their playground bully. Bummed that I won't be able to watch the game but a fundraiser for an animal refuge, at the end of the day, is more important...although some die hard hockey fans would say 'no it isn't' or ask if there is a TV at the place before deciding to go. : )


Injury and inconsistent roster seem to be hindering the Isles but overall for me it's really not about the team as much as it is about the organization as I don't believe much will change until a change is made in Isles ownership. This excerpt below of a debate on FB with my Flyers fan friend AJ pretty much sums up what I think about this subject and about AJ's gloating over the fact that the Flyers are way ahead of the Isles in the standings and the Isles appear unable to win against them...what since 2007 is it? I now refer to this as tonight's pre-game coverage:


"Ok so let's focus on your team now because that suits you now like a typical fair-weather Flyers fan. Regardless of how well they do this season they, as they always do, will choke in the end. Your team is top heavy for yet another season, you don't have a defense or a goalie to make it to winning the Cup. All that talent over the years and they still can't pull it off, bad enough the Flyers wasted Lindros all those years. Add to that the classless fans too many Flyer fans are where my friend was afraid to walk to my car after Flyers fans screamed in our faces 'go home' and 'fu*k you and your team' at us inside which happens EVERY time after a game walking in the corridor. I sit in a club seat so that I don't have to deal with the general admission idiots who say stupid $hit the entire game, even when there are kids around. Your fan base has the worst reputation in the league and has for years. A fan base one step below Eagles obnoxious fans and everyone knows it. My team sucks because the owner sucks and at this point is holding my team hostage for a real estate deal. I can't even focus on the team at this point because the 'suck' is tricking down from the guy at the top and he's poisoning everything and everybody underneath him, including the team. The best part of the Flyers? The arena, John Stevens, Martin Biron (my favorite current NHL goalie even when he WAS on the Flyers) and the greyhound adoption table at the games with the greyhounds actually there. I've been watching the NHL for more years than you have been alive, if the overall history doesn't factor into this kind of debate, keep watching and maybe one day you'll get it. Now I must go and burn some white sage and meditate that the Isles somehow find a way to kick the crap out of your team tonight. It's a long shot but with Wang in charge, it's all we Isles fans have, loyalty to our team..WIN OR LOSE. Oh and Peter Laviolette? You and your team can enjoy our sloppy seconds."


Yeah I know I stole that last line from Sean Avery. It was so fitting though. 


LET'S GO ISLANDERS!! I'll GIVE YOU EACH 5 BUCKS IF YOU WIN TONIGHT!! Wait ya'll make beaucoup paper so instead I'll donate 5 bucks for each player on the roster tonight to the refuge. 

Islanders to Host Special Hockey Day at NVMC! & 1st Special Hockey Team to Debut in NYC!

As announced on the Islander's website

Islanders to Hold 'Special Hockey Day' on Saturday, November 6th.

For more information about the event Honorees, the Long Island Blues please visit their website

Long Island Blues

and for more information about the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA)

American Special Hockey Association

also Autism Speaks in partnership with ASHA and the New York Rangers will be holding a free skate clinic in Long Island City on Tuesday, November 16th. No skating experience is required but space is limited so for sign up please visit Autism Speaks.

aaaaannnnddddd visit the New York Rangers website for information about the 1st Special Hockey program in New York City.

Got all that? Good.


Hockey IS for EVERYONE!!