Monday, March 2, 2009

Isles vs. Avs: "Live" Blog

Well, it seems like 14 inches of snow is just about the only thing that can keep me from the coliseum to watch the Islanders. With that in mind, I'm at home, watching the game on "Versus", and I'll give you some insight as to what I see and discuss some of the game storylines. I'll be back in between periods 1 & 2, then between 2 & 3.

*No Bill Guerin talk here tonight, unless he is traded mid-game*

7:43 The first period has ended, with the Islanders leading the Avalanche 1-0 on a dean McAmmond wrister from the high slot. Jon Sim recorded the only assist. Ryan Smyth makes his return to Coliseum ice tonight, facing his former team for the first time since leaving via free agency. The fans let him have it almost immediately, booing him every time he touched the puck.

With all the bad weather today, it looks like most people had the same idea as me in staying home. Watching the game, it seems that there is only a handful of people attending tonight's game, maybe even as little as three or four thousand.

According to Chris Botta, Trent Hunter is out tonight with what is being called a "lower body injury". When the information is made available, I will explain what exactly a "lower body injury" means.

The game is starting up again. More updates will come in betwen periods 2 and 3.

8:35 The second period was filled with action, starting off with a Ryan Smyth goal from the right end of the goal crease. It was vintage Smyth, and it tied the game up at one.

Jesse Joensuu, who is playing in his first NHL game, scored a "working mans goal", crashing in from the high slot and picking up the rebound from Jon Sim. However, the Islanders were not done yet. Bruno Gervais, on a pass from Sim and Blake Comeau, put one home later in the period to make he score 3-1 in favor of the Isles.

We think that something may be wrong with the Coliseum goal horn, as it sounded when Ryan Smyth scored on Yann Danis. That's right, the visiting team scores and the home crowd goal horn goes off. I wonder if someone up there still thinks Smyth is playing for the blue and orange.

A quick update on Trent Hunter: according to Dee Karl, the 7th woman, Hunter suffered his "lower body injury" during warm-ups, and it is believed to be an ankle injury. Still no word on the duration of time he may miss or exactly what happened.

The third period is starting momentarily. I will be back then for the wrap up and post game analysis.

9:26 The Islanders have defeated the Colorado Avalanche 4-2. Third period goals were as follows: for the Avalanche, Ryan Smyth scored his second of the game on a wraparound. For the Islanders, Jeff Tambellini received a great drop pass from Mark Streit in the offensive zone and ripped one past Andrew Raycroft of the Avalanche to seal the two goal lead and the game.

Jon sim had his best game as an Islander tonight. His 3 assists doubled the amount he had put forth this season, and he now has 9 goals and 6 assists for 15 points in 49 games played. His efforts in tonights game have earned him the contests first star honors.

Overall, a good effort put forth to put away the struggling Colorado team. The Islanders next game is Thursday, March 5, against the New York Rangers.

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