A Long Time Coming

In a game where Joey MacDonald played one of his better games this year, where Mike Iggulden made his NHL debut, and where the young talent of the Islanders made a huge push towards giving fans hope for the future, only one name was really talked about afterwards: Sean Bergenheim.

Bergenheim has been a fan favorite for years, but with his recent play, scoring two or more goals in three games the past two weeks, he may have lifted himself to a new level.

With the absence of Trent Hunter due to a fractured ankle, the Bill Guerin trade, and with Doug Weight for all intents and purposes out for the year, Bergenheim now leads the Isles with 14 goals. Bergenheim, however, will never be one to take away from the team. When asked by Greg Logan of Newsday what it was like to be tied with rookie Kyle Okposo for the team lead in goals, each at 13, Bergenheim replied with the status quo response "It's all about the team", however, he quickly corrected Logan by pointing out "I have 14, though."

The win Saturday afternoon against the New Jersey Devils gave the Islanders a much needed win on home ice, but more importantly for Bergenheim, his first career hat-trick.

Bergenheim is showing now that he can be the 20 goal scorer that the Islanders thought he would be when they drafted him in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. If he keeps this up, he very well may end up with not only the team lead in goals, but he could be the first of the "young talent" of the Islanders rebuild to score 20 goals this year.