Ranger Hangover Strikes Again

It has become one of the most telling signs over the years that one of the most heated rivalries in professional sports is still alive and well. It has driven Islander players, coaches, and fans alike mad throughout the years, and it has struck again. The "Ranger Hangover" lives.

Credit the rivalry, the amount of emotion put into the games, or just plain coincidence that it always happens, but there is no denying the Islanders struggles following games against the Broadway Blueshirts. The Islanders and Rangers have played five games this year, and the Islanders have lost each of their following games with the exception of one, a 4-2 New Years Eve matinee against the Florida Panthers.

While the buzz following the game was all about this frustrating phenomena, Coach Scott Gordon noted that that nights loss could be attributed to one thing: "we weren't sharp." The coach also noted that "bad decisions" with the puck and "sloppy play" hurt the Islanders chances of making the game competitive.

When asked by Stan Fischler if the "Ranger Hangover" had any effect on the game, the consensus was that it did not. "Results speak for themselves", noted defenseman Mark Streit, "(the Ranger Hangover) could be a good excuse, but we need to play better". Forward Andy Hilbert seconed Streit's notion by adding "our whole game was off".

This was the Islanders worst loss in quite some time. They have been in nearly every game which they have played for the past month, and as Coach Gordon put it, "We played a poor game which we haven't had in a while."

T.O.H. Night: Don't forget to come out to the Coliseum Saturday night for Town of Heamstead Night. A reminder to all fans, wear white to the game as the Islanders are pushing for a "white-out" in the stands.