Ah the sad existence that is being a fan of the New York Islanders.
It’s really tough when the only thing (and I mean ONLY thing) to get excited about regarding the upcoming season is the signing of 2 players who can fight (Zenon Konopka and Jeremy Yablonsky) in addition to fighter Trevor Gilles (who can be seen in that previous clip fighting Yablonsky). This turn of physical events is exciting to me because I’m tired of seeing players smaller than I am constantly getting tossed around on the ice like a bunch of wimpy Canadian rag dolls lol – I’d love to see a 4th line of Konopka between Yablonsky and Gilles, and apparently so does Konopka. This will make Islander Rangers games what they are supposed to be – tough – physical – and once again entertaining.
At least as Islander fans we can’t say it’s ever boring around here in “Islander Country” – a place where every fan lives in constant fear of what next will break our “franchise” goalie, Rick DiPietro.
How a 23 win team that is in the midst of a 5 game losing streak can still be in great playoff positioning on February 3rd is beyond my realm of belief. So it goes in the “New NHL.” I’ve always been against “loser points” that award a team that loses in overtime a point in the standings, as well as losing in a shoot-out (skills-competition). I’m sorry, this isn’t kindergarten . . . you shouldn’t get anything for losing in a professional sport (except an earful from the coaching staff). However, as an Islander fan, it is the loser point that has actually given this team some hope early on in their rebuild process (for those that think Tavares was anything close to the final piece, get real – the rebuilding is far from done). Besides the loser point, however, and maybe more importantly, is that the teams directly around the Islanders in the Eastern Conference standings simply aren’t that good (that’s right, I’m talking about YOU New York Rangers! YOU SUCK!).
Unfortunately, I haven’t written much lately about my favorite hockey team, the New York Islanders. Come to think of it, I haven’t written much about hockey at all lately. I am a “die-hard” Islander fan, I have been since 1992 when I was a wee lad, but this is what happens to me during the long 82 game season of the NHL (don’t even talk to me about 162 games in baseball – I understand it’s an entirely different animal, but whew! That’s a lot!) – I get really excited in October when hockey returns, then my “fire” kind of dies down a little around Christmas time, and then I get riled up again somewhere around the All-Star break, or something like that – it’s a roller-coaster of interest when it comes to me. Now, some might ask, “well what kind of die-hard fan are you then!?” My answer is this: A die-hard fan with other things going on in his life! But throughout my life as a hockey fan I’ve never totally given up interest – that’s just impossible and an utterly ridiculous notion to consider!
This post is inspired by Chris Botta’s comments in one of his Islanderspointblank.com posts, where he asks Islander fans, ” . . . can we stop using their [Toronto Maple Leafs] misery as consolation for the Islanders?”
Why? Why must we stop taking solace in the Maple Leafs’ misery? Hey, the Islanders have no right to make fun of any other organization. If Wayne Gretzky called the New Jersey Devils a “Mickey Mouse Organization” in the ’80′s, then what would the Islanders of the mid-late-’90′s and all the other years up until and through this year (holy crap that’s a long time!) be called!? I mean, at this point, any reference to Disney might be too much of a compliment! But that doesn’t take away the Islanders’ fans right to make fun of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who by the way, haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967. In fact, if anyone has a right to make fun of the Maple Leafs, and dare I say the Montreal Canadiens (the team that beat the Isles way back in 1993 to eventually win the cup – which gives them a bit more leverage in my argument than the Leafs have) it is the fans of the struggling New York Islanders. Let me explain why:
Because don’t they know that they are in charge of “pumping up” the fans before the start of an NHL hockey game, and not lull them to sleep before a pee wee game!? That’s how I feel about this year’s opening video (above), and many videos from recent years. Now I’m not going to completely bash the video, because one great thing about it is that it shows highlights of LIVE players (and not those silly digitally-animated players from last year’s video), and it also doesn’t show any player from the Dynasty Era. Why do I like that it doesn’t show clips of Denis Potvin, Bryan Trottier, and Mike Bossy lifting the Stanley Cup? Because the Islanders have played that card WAY too much – yes, we have a great history, but it’s about time people start going to games for the players that are on the ice TODAY – it’s about time that management starts promoting the players that are on the ice TODAY – Of course, that’s hard to do when the team hasn’t had any marketable players for many (too many) years, but with the likes of Tavares, Okposo, and Bailey – the Isles have enough to begin not only promoting for “tomorrow,” but today’s games as well (which, to their credit, they seem to be doing – I just wish the video kicked a little more ass!). Dynasty era player’s should be used in opening videos only if it is done right – more on this later in the post. (I guess last year was so bad that they felt FORCED to use silly computerized players to represent the team in the video) – Here’s last years opening video:
However you want to look at the time I don’t care, that’s your prerogative. I just had the urge to recap/preview really quickly:
Tonight was the big night. The Islanders debuted very well. I saw a hard working team that knows they don’t have the talent to keep up with the Penguins and the Bruins, Sharks, Red Wings of the league, but hell – if they keep working like they did tonight – I think they’ll be “all right” – and hey, even on a young team talent sometimes sneaks its way in – Kyle Okposo made a rush towards the net at some point in the game that made me realize just how talented the kid is – he’s got a set a hands that I found myself forgetting about because I’m still in awe about Mark Streit’s overall game, the poise of Josh Bailey, and the extreme potential of John Tavares . . . . About that Tavres kid:
I’m so happy he got his first goal out of the way immediately! Remember when we would have to wait 3 quarters of a season for Andy Hilbert to score is first goal of the year!? All kidding aside, the kid got a power play assist and a goal, and looked more than comfortable in his first NHL game. Imagine what his future holds. We haven’t had this much star-power-potential since Brett Lindros . . . (I had to, and I’m not sorry – there are no apologies at 2:15 in the AM).
It finally happened! Sept. 22nd came and went and even though I was bummed by all the uncertainty that surrounds the Islanders, last night’s game turned out to be a lot of fun for me. Technically, it was a Kings home game, but the potential for the Islanders to one day move to Kansas City made it feel like it “might as well be” an Islanders’ home game. At least that’s how I looked at it, and it was interesting to walk through the massive (and quite nice) concourse of the Sprint Center as if it were an Islanders’ home game. Let’s just say, I hope this was a one time affair, and if the Islanders are ever back in this building, it will once again be nothing more than just a pre-season game.
The fun part of yesterday began even before I went to the game. I put on my Islander jersey early in the day, and went out for lunch and drinks with my girlfriend and one of my friends (who were also donning Islander shirts) – it was funny to see the funny looks we would get, as well as the funny comments. One girl asked us if there was a hockey game in town – I thought it was pretty obvious, but we explained to her that yes, we don’t simply just walk around dressed like a blue and orange gang. It was innocent enough, but I was just happy that someone was willing to talk about it. I was also happy that she knew it was hockey! At another bar a guy came over to us and asked, “what’s with the matching clothes?!” My girlfriend explained about the Islanders’ game in town, and he said, “oh – hockey? I thought you were Denver Bronco fans!” I didn’t know what to say to that last night, and I still don’t know what to say – Denver Broncos!? NFL football!? Are they really ready for NHL hockey out here!?
The game itself was okay. It’s still preseason, so I never did expect great game play. There were a few good fights and some young guys trying to make a name for themselves, but nothing spectacular to write home about. For me, however, it was just fun to sit in awesome lower level seats, have a few beers and yell, cheer, boo, and laugh throughout the game. The overall experience was fun, but the big black drapes they put up to hide the empty upper-bowl seats stood as a constant reminder that many people either didn’t realize, or care, that there was a hockey game in town. And to those who say, “Oh it was half empty, so Islander fans should feel at home . . . .” I must say this: Yes, last night at the Sprint Center the building was half-empty, but at least the Coliseum is usually half-FULL with Islander fans! Last night was a totally different experience that should not be compared to a regular season game in Uniondale. When the Islanders begin showing some promise (as well as putting up some “W’s”) then attendance numbers will go up. Don’t question the love of hockey on Long Island. Considering what we’ve been through as fans, and how most of us still care. Remember the Peca/Osgood/Laviolette days? When the Isles went on a sick run to open the season and actually kept it up for most of the season? The energy was back in that building, and people returned. Give the fans good reason to spend their hard-earned money and they will attend.
The Sprint Center's "Ice Girls" are manly!
Back to last night: Our seats were in the 1st row of the lower level right above the zamboni entrance – so I got to see a lot of the ice crew and all the maintenance guys at work. I’m well aware that there is no main hockey team tenant in the Sprint Center so there is no use for “ice girls” – anyway – not a big deal – but I must say my girlfriend was happy it was men with big buckets doing the job after I told her that both the Kings and Islanders, as well as many other NHL teams, use 20 year old girls in skimpy outfits to do the job! The funny thing was, these guys had trouble opening the door to the ice each time they had to go out there. It was quite funny to watch them struggle and fight with the latch on the door. Plus – they kept trying to get on the ice at the wrong time – the referee reprimanded them on numerous occasions – it was quite entertaining!
Bottom Line: It was just a fun experience for me go to hockey game again – period. Add the fact that it was my hometown team playing in my new adopted city, and the event was a little sweeter. I didn’t allow the nonsense that surrounds the Islanders to taint my night. Hopefully, one day, I can enjoy walking through a beautiful large concourse, or ordering a beer in a bar that overlooks the ice so I don’t miss any action, in a new arena on Long Island. I can’t do anything else than be optimistic about the Islanders’ situation. I don’t think Kansas City is a legitimate option for them. I also think that the franchise has somehow been able to survive many crazy situations for a long time now, and I can only believe they will survive their current situation. One day, I’d like to take my children to a New York Islanders game IN New York. As for yesterday, the Islanders in Kansas City proved to be fun and entertaining, but hopefully only for one night and never again!
Because unfortunately, I won’t be there! I’m not in town on October 3rd, unfortunately, and I will be missing my 2nd home opener in a row. This saddens me greatly. No matter how bad the Islanders have been over the past 15 years (minus the Peca, Aucoin, Osgood, Laviolette -led ’01-’02 season) the home opener has provided the fans (the oh so bruised and battered fans!) with at least some sort of hope, some sort of enjoyment, and most importantly, a whole lot of fun! No, the land around Nassau Coliseum is not “well developed” and really isn’t anything much to look at (really, there’s NOTHING to look at, just parking spaces!), but the massive parking lot provides fans with a GREAT place to tailgate and hangout HOURS before the first home game of the season. BBQ’s, passing the puck around, tossing a football around, and some beers and music make for a great way to welcome in the fall season and another “LONG” Islanders season (especially last year – thought it would NEVER end!). Hopefully, the “long” seasons will soon be behind us, andthe youth can mature at a decent pace enabling the team to contend and entertain for years to come.
#1) John Tavares. I figured it would be best if I simply got this out of the way right off the bat. CLEARLY I would be excited to see the #1 draft pick play for my beloved team, and actually attempt to bring this team to some sort of level of respectability, but he isn’t the only thing I’m excited about.
#2) Ice Girls. That’s a joke. Let’s move on . . . .
#3) Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey. I actually LIKED the infamous “trading up” deal at last year’s draft that made Josh Bailey an Islander. The Isles had a very thin prospect pool and needed to fill it with something (I totally drank the Kool-Aid), so to trade their high pick for more prospects made sense (and then to trade most of them again this year for Calvin de haan? I’m not saying I signed up for that) – I totally spat the Kool-Aid out . . . .
#4) Jeff Tambellini. Hahaha – hahaha no . . . I’m only kidding. Now, with that said, I don’t normally like being the “jerk fan” that makes fun of athletes for failing (he hasn’t “failed yet” -give him 1 more year) at the professional level, I just don’t like being THAT fan, but basically: “Tamby” needs to prove many things to many people this year and THAT is the understatement of the season.
#5) Actually having NHL caliber goaltending. I freken hated – HATED the DiPietro signing the day it came out – 15 years?! You freken idiots?! What could happen between the day of the signing and the end of the contract?! Oh, let me think – knees failing at least 3 times a year, and hips failing between the knee surgeries – no – I bet THAT was never discussed when the contract was thought up. Now, with that said, at least, AT LEAST! Snow went out there and got Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron – yes, Biron has his critics, and he’s no Brodeur, but with Roloson AND Biron the Islanders are finally in a place where they haven’t been in a LONG LONG time – - – a place with NO questions in goal. I don’t CARE anymore about DP, as long as we have NHL ready goaltending, and we don’t have to rely on two AHL goalies anymore, then I am happy – if we can one day welcome “DP” back at 100% health, then, and only then will I be accepting of his return. Having Roloson and Biron allows the REST of the team to develop and might actually save this season from being the worst season ever (and THAT’S saying a lot!).
Bottom Line: There are more reasons I’m excited about the upcoming season, but they will be shared in an upcoming post about being excited about the NHL season in general, not just the Islanders. Being an Islander fan is special, because no matter how bad our team may be, the true Islander fans are still there – we still care, we still watch, and we still hope. When it comes down to it, really, I just freken love hockey, and it matters a whole lot more when you have a hometown team to root for. Here’s to the ’09-’10 season!
NHL Hockey, New York Islanders | admin | July 25, 2010 | 
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Alexander Frolov, Andy Sutton, Charles Wang, Fredy Meyer, Garth Snow, Islanders, Jeremy Yablonski, L.A. Kings, Mark Eaton, Mike Milbury, Milan Jurcina, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Rangers, Trevor Gilles, Zenon Konopka
