Ok, I'm not exactly thrilled on how the season is going so far, but let's see if we can see the glass as half full.

- John Tavares, while having slowed down a little, is still living up to what was advertised.

- KO is starting to come into his own and should be a force in 2-3 years.

- The Islanders have gotten points in more than half their games. A couple of lucky bounces and we would be in the 8th seed of the playoffs during a complete rebuild year.

- We are doing this without our all world goalie. And yes, when he is healthy he most definitely can steal games for us.

Again, I am not saying to just take the Kool-Aid and be happy with the way the team is going, but we all knew this season would suck and in fact a lot of people on this board wanted this (kept saying look at how Pittsburgh rebuilt). Well, if we are going to follow the Pens then expect 2 more years of no playoffs so we can get Taylor Hall and some other stud so we can compete in 2013.

Gordo is not tiring out either of our goalies, sticking to the rotation.

That said, maybe he'll stick with Biron at home tomorrow after his game last night.

I like this thread. :thumbsup: (Please no crapping on it...please)

These guys ain't so fn bad ! :dontknow:

Good thread, clebo...

Some additional plusses:

We are one of the top teams in the league on faceoff wins. I know this may not mean much, but believe me, if it continues it will. Late game zone faceoffs, PP face offs, all will result in clears and points. It's just a matter of time.

We're erratic, but when this team puts together some good minutes they are fun to watch. We're young and fast and I am hoping beyond hope that one day the switch gets flicked we click. Franz is a joy to watch, in addition to KO.

They have been in every game they've played and with a few breaks we would be haing a parade for them. Hell, we have 7 points and only failed to get points in 2 out of our first ten games.

Tamby has three goals in two games. How great would it be if this guy finally played to the hype and potential. I was thrilled for him last night, he looks like the weight of the world is off his shoulders. And he's the type of guy, IMO, who is capable of putting up numbers if his head is on straight. Good for him.

Okay, I feel better now. Let's go Islanders!!!

Rifle, the faceoff thing is important for the future, but not right now. If you can't keep possession of the puck, then winning a faceoff is meaningless. However, as the team gets better, its very good to know that our young centers are good on draws. Hopefully one steps forward as a top faceoff guy.

And nice to see Tamby scoring. Three goals scored three different ways, encouraging.

Thank you clebo. There isn't much I can add to this that Dr. Generosity hasn't said elsewhere, but I'm pretty happy with where things stand with this organization. I will be happy to suffer through some losses and frustrating performances if it translates into a stable and successful franchise down the road...and I believe it will. While Wang may have overplayed his had somewhat with the LH stuff, I can't fault the guy for going trying to turn a profit on this team. Funny, some of the people who screamed for a cap because the players were bleeding the owners dry now seem to be angry at Wang for trying to ensure that this team is profitable. Very odd (and I supported the players in the lockout!). We are infusing a lot of young and dynamic talent into our youth system and not wasting money on useless free agents. Unlike many here, I think Snow and Gordon have both earned our support and done adequately thus far. I think Garth has been especially good as a GM. While the results may be harder to assess with the coach, I like that we brought someone in who has shown an ability to work with young talent and we are sticking with him. I don't expect to win the Cup this year, or next. But I do know that stability and vision are the only surefire ways to get there. I believe that is something this organization now has....despite what the naysayers suggest. Go Isles!

Marian Gaborik of the Rangers was hurt last night, unsure if he will play tomm night. :thumbsup:


one less offensive punch we have to worry about. :)


more kids continue to come out in the 2010 draft looking to be #1....this draft may surprise everyone, and actually be a pretty darn good one. Thats good news for us. :)


With the wrecker losing three fights in arow, possible looking tired, he was benched. Now he is raring to go. And hoping to avenge. Looking forward to a brasheur matchup. :lol:


I hear henrik has a hurt foot, has been bandaging it heavily during games. Now if the Islanders could take advantage of that...... :letssee:


Dubinsky might be towards headed to the doghouse....we should try and pressure him into mistakes on the ice. :yes:

roloson and biron are natural competitors...when one goalie has a good game, the other one tries to out due him. This could mean that we won't get blown out on our home ice, and actually have a real chance at winning the game tomm night. :yes:


Charles Wang still supports Garth...and Scott... B)


Kyle plays tremendous against the rags...tavaras likes to play infront of full houses.. :thumbsup:



yeah, this is kind of fun.. :rofl:

Secondary and tertiary scoring: Tambellini, Sutton, Martinek

Ahhh yes, one more thing. I get the feeling that this whole thing could go one way or the other. Since this is a glass half full thread here goes:

Wouldn't it be nice if our breakout game comes tomorrow night? We beat the Rags up and it puts us on a winning streak where we not only finish games, we take it to teams and start playing inspired, error free, aggressive hockey. And winning because of it.

I can't recall exactly, but didn't an Islander win over the Rags propel us to a nice streak? Last season or maybe it was the season before, can't remember.

Anybody recall that?

The face-off stats is HUGE and I should have mentioned that as well....such a non-thought of stat but you could argue that face-offs are almost as important as assists.

Tamby finally waking up would be HUGE. The guy is a force in the AHL...It's only a matter of time (hopefully) that he starts to pull his weight here.

Islanders ownership is trying to get a new arena built, hasn't given up on Nassau, and has other local options.

You can look at the Islanders roster and see who our leaders will be five, even ten years from now.

We're not stacked with talent, but we have some intruiging prospects in the system. I'm particularly enthused with Ullstrom, and Rakhshani might surprise too. And don't forget Hamonic and Ness. Some skilled 2-3-4 defensemen there.

We sent de Haan back to juniors, and that should pay dividends down the road.

Rolo has started blocking shootout attempts and Biron stopped a great breakaway attempt late last night before surrendering a goal in OT.

Matty Biron has the best Islanders goaltender design since Hexy introduced the original Lighthouse mask.

Lastly, I'm going to the game in DC on Friday. I don't expect a win, but I do expect us to try hard. And unlike some seasons past, I actually think that will happen.

PS Thanks Smitty31 for the kind words and Clebo for the excellent topic.

We're tied for third in the league with 2 short handed goals.

We haven't given up a shortie against.

And another note on Tamby- he finally has discovered what driving hard to the net will produce. Maybe, just maybe, it locks in his brain and he realizes that he has the speed, the puck handling skills and the shot- now all he needs to do is drive hard every time he touches the puck in the o-zone (like KO does) and he will find the back of the net.

How I would love to revive the official Jeff Tambellini sucks thread and rename it.

How about "The Official Tamby Wamby Holy Sh!terooskie I Can Score" thread?

One can only hope.

Rifle.....put my name right at the top of your Tamby thread....please. I think he actually is gonna blossom and he's starting to show signs.

i would love it if he stuck it to those who want to throw him off the bridge.

I'm hoping to be at the game in DC as well.....

Sorry, too much losing for too long. Glass is still half empty for me, maybe more than half empty.

Please Delete post, no mention of the L-word in the GHF thread.

The fact that the team is competing keeps me in it. I know they dropped the ball too many times, but there is something good here. That is keeping this glass a tad above Half Full for me.

The days of adding scrub after scrub during the off season & trade deadline are over. Hopefully for good. I remember a time when trading for Joe Sacco was about the best thing we had going. Dark dark times......,

Seeing a team of young Home grown players coming into their own who were drafted by the Islanders is awesome.
Yes the losses suck, but the potential is showing.

The Taveres-Moulson-Okposo line is/was exciting to watch. Neilson, Bergie, Comaue, Gervias, even DP (who we will hopefully see play again) all have the potential to make this a great team. Even Tambs is making me say Hmmm right now.

This team is a long way from challenging for a playoff spot, but I enjoy watching them. I have watched some piss-poor islanders squads in the past. None of them had this much potential. Another high draft pick and the right tweaks here and there and this team will be something special. :thumbsup:

Like I tell my kid - I bitch at you because I know your capible of doing better. Same goes for this team!

Party on Wang - Party on Garth! :cheers:

Every family has one... :thumbsdown:

Glass Half Full Thread
=================
The Glass Is bRoKen
:kill:
:omg:

:rofl:

:WORSHIP: :WORSHIP: :WORSHIP:

:cheers:

Two small notes:

We have the best Swiss born player in the league in Mark Streit. :yes: He's also leading the NHL in takeaways! :banana:

Brendan Witt has the second most blocked shots in the league. :punk: Sutton is in 4th place. :score:

This is the Glass Half Full thread. Any future posts that aren't made through the lenses of rose colored glasses or while drinking Islander Kool Aid will be deleted!

Liberal? :dontknow:

Lets Recap the season:

Game 1: Home Opener Vs. Pittsburgh. 4-3 SOL Roloson
We pretty much dominated most of the game against the defending Stanley Cup Champs... the tying goal late in 3rd, went off a Dman's skate while a centering attempt from Ruslan Fedotenko. The puck hit Gervais skate and went in...fluke goal...and Roloson was flopping around like a fish out of position 0-0-1 1pt

Game 2: @Ottawa 3-2 OTL Biron
An arena that the Isles tradionally are horrid at...they fall 2-0, but we get the 2 goals back late in the 2nd and in the 3rd, but lose in OT of a rocket of a shot from Fischer. 0-0-2 2pts

Game 3 @ Boston 4-3 SOL Roloson
Another Arena the Isles seem not do so good at, we where up 3-0 Just halfway thru the 3rd where the Isles outplayed a very good Bruins team in their Arena. IMO Roloson shouldve saved the first 2 goals, the tying goal was a deflection..ended up losing in a SO Roloson played terrible IMO. 0-0-3 3pts

Game 4 vs. LA 2-1 L Biron
Should have had this game..enough said...team came out flat...0-1-3 3pts

Game 5 @ Buffalo 6-3 loss Game 6 vs. SJ 4-1 L Roloson relieved by Biron/Biron
First Back to back games this year...we looked terribly overmatched in both games... 0-3-3 3pts

Game 7 vs. Hurricanes 4-3 SO win Roloson
WE ARE IN THE WIN COLUMN...but without blowing a multi goal lead...another game we dominated until late...up 3-1 with about 4mins to go Staal socres on an empty net b/c Roloson was terribly out of position on this one...and 62 seconds later Roloson had a puck slide between him and the post where Roloson HAS TO GET TO THAT POST...NO EXCUSES...another 2 bad goals given up by Roloson. But Isles win in a shootout 1-3-3 5pts

Game 8 @ MTL 5-1 L Biron
I HATE when we play in MTL b/c we are terrible in this arena (except last year) MTL always out plays out works us in every category of the game...Isles get blown out 5-1 1-4-3 5pts

Game 9 vs. Washington 3-2 OTL Roloson
We went toe to toe with an overmatched, very well coached Caps. We kept Ovechkin in check pretty much the whole game..allowing him only 1 shot thru 2 Mike Green shot a bullet past Roloson early in the 3rd. Then career AHLer Keith Aucoin tries to Center a pass into the low slot, and goes of a sliding Bailey trying to block the centering attempt into the net. Roloson once again out of position not to mention we dominated a more skilled Caps team in third period, but since we have a lack of finshers on this team failed to build on our lead I believe we outshot the Caps 16-8 in that 3rd..Brooks Laich wins it in OT...not to mention, after the game, Brooks Laich had some pretty nice comments about the Islanders coaching staff after the game. 1-3-4 6pts

Game 10 @MTL 3-2 OTL Roloson
Read above at Game 8....this time we skate toe to toe with a team that blew us out of the water 4 days prior in the same arena. We got a late goal late in third by Tamby (who scored both) Ended up losing in OT on a lack laster play by our D (JT and Mark Streit) and some great skill going coast to coast blowing by JT and Streit, and lifiting the puck over a sliding Gervais attempting to block a pass, but Pleckanec lifted the puck over Gervais to Hamerlik for the GWG 1-3-5 7pts...



I think a combo of LATE fluke goals and DwayneRoloson personally, is a big reason for the blown leads...not the coaching or whatever you think it may be...

Anybody care to add anything else???

And people say we are poorly coached....

Drive - I agree with alot of your points and don't think the loses aren't totally on the coach and his system or being tired from the coaches system.

However some of those fluky 3rd period goals are caused by the Isles starting to run around in there own zone...which leads to players being in the wrong spot or trying to cover for someone who went to a player....then when they try to get back they stick there stick out and tip...into the goal.

You can see in there play that there is a lack of confidence when that first goal gets scored in the 3rd to cut a lead...they start backing away from a player as they enter the zone waiting for them to make the first move so that they don't get beat...that allows them to get deep and then that cross ice pass to there partner is closer to the slot are making it more likly a fluke goal happens.

The system may have its flaws but the players have to man up and learn how to play with a lead and not get scared when that lead gets chipped at....they seem to be able to come back from a 1 or 2 goal deficet which is good but then need to win the games they are leading in as well.

Drive, you make a lot of good points. Regarding blocked shots -- it means the Isles are spending way too much time removing the puck out of the defensive zone.

Which they are...

And when they are dominating in the Offensive Zone, its the lack of finishers on the team that lacks the goal production..

Im not bashing, Im just saying this is the team that I expected coming into the season. By the way they are playing (not the results) they are exceding my expectations.

The Isles are 5th in Faceoffs percentage won

for Centers being JT Frans Nielsen Josh Bailey (who was terrible last year) and Richard Park...

Not bad.

Puck, I hear you. And that's directly from someone who was first in line to push him off the bridge (me).

Next on the list, Josh Bailey.

We have to remember that every player "gets it" at different times. Some never do. I hope both of these guys "get it" while in an Islander jersey.

How great would that be? Keep the faith.

And fof Mulefan- c'mon dude, read the thread topic and respond accordingly. Or start the "I only post negative crap every time I post here" thread. All of your posts can then appear in one thread. Seriously.

If we finish out the 4 games we should've (and eventually will), we're 5-4-1.


Good enough for 8th in the east.

Those 4 games being Boston, Washington, Pitt, Ottawa.

Does anybody know the date for the Islanders
first round playoff appearance.

I'd love to purchase tickets in advance so there's
know hassle with quantity or lines.....

:stop:

good to see you are steadily climbing towards that 20,000th useless post. Hey...we all have goals, right? keep up the good work. we are all better off for it.

:thumbsup: :WORSHIP: :rotflmao: :letssee:

oh, and...

:moon: :puke: :worthy:

and lets see...

:sick: :WORSHIP: :banana: :blink:

cant forget...
:crying2: :cry: :blah:

and finally, or should I say filnaly...
:emo:
and
:torrey:

I'm going to need to see alot more of what Tamby showed in the last two games before I think he's turned the corner. He's played more physical and stuck his nose (and his ass) in front for some goals and scoring opps. He's thrown some good checks and driven hard to the net.

However, I remember Shawn Bates did that for about 8 straight games something like 5 seasons ago and I never heard from his out of shape gut again.

Nice two games Tamby. Now make it a nice 20 games before I even start to reconsider. I've waited for 110+ games for you to get it. 2 games doesn't convince me yet.

So far the only ones I'm pleased with this season are Moulsen, Tavares and KO. Otherwise they are ALL pissing me off.

http://websearch.cs.com/gw/boomframe.jsp?q...253DAjxJODscKjw

:argh:

Okay, the glass is half full. But we are less than 15% into the season. I, for one, am going to need to refill my cup a few times to make it through the season.

especially during tonight. :angrier:

Half full.

% this, stat that.

The only stats that REALLY count are:

Home (score) - Visitor (score)

&

W(ins) - L(osses)


Pretty simple. :yes: