Former Islanders were a little more lively on a slower night in the NHL. Only 5 games were on the schedule. Let us look at the FI happenings:
* Tim Connolly notched a goal and 2 assists (all powerplay) in the first period of Buffalo's 6-0 domination of the visiting Atlanta Thrashers. Connolly, when healthy, is bound to be a force for this year's Sabres team.
* Jeff Hamilton notched a powerplay assist on the opening goal in Carolina's surprising 5-3 win over the host Ottawa Senators. Hamilton has yet to disappoint since signing with the Hurricanes in the offseason. He has 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in the first 5 games.
* Recently diagnosed with a treatable form of leukemia, FI Jason Blake registered an assist on the third Maple Leafs goal in their 8-1 destruction of the Isles in Toronto. Star blueliner and FI Bryan McCabe also notched a powerplay assist, this time on the last goal of the game.
* Olli Jokinen scored his first, a powerplay goal in the second period, in Florida's 3-0 win over the visiting New Jersey Devils. The Panthers captain is looking to spark some offense with his teammates.
A total 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists) were notched by FIs on Thursday. Quite a feat in only 5 games. Check back soon with FIW.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Wednesday October 10
The league continued its early flurry of activity with 12 games on the schedule. Former Islanders were around and hard to find as they accounted for only 3 assists and a 1-1 record in net. Here is a quick look:
* Martin Straka assisted on the lone Rangers goal as the Blueshirts dropped a close one in regulation to the host Islanders 2-1. The goal that Straka assisted on helped knot the score at 1 a piece but the Isles would win it less than 12 minutes later as Former Islander turned Former Ranger turned Islander Bryan Berard scored the game winner on a 5-on-3 powerplay.
* Chris Osgood backstopped the Detroit Redwings to a 4-2 home win over the Calgary Flames in his first start of the season. Going back to last season, Osgood has not lost in regulation on the calendar year.
* Olli Jokinen assisted on the only Panther goal in Florida's 2-1 road loss to the cross-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning. Jokinen and company have yet to hit their offensive stride this season.
* Captain and 6' 9" defenseman Zdeno Chara assisted on the only goal for the Bruins in Boston's 2-1 road loss to the Anaheim Ducks. The goal, 1:05 into the 1st period, was the only sign of life the entire game for a thusfar lackluster Bruins squad.
* Roberto Luongo got chased from net early in a thumping by the visiting Philadelphia Flyers. Philly shut down the Vancouver Canucks 8-2 on Wednesday. Luongo stopped 9 of 13 shots before being pulled during the first intermission.
Thursday is bound to be a slower night with only 5 games on tap. Until next time.
* Martin Straka assisted on the lone Rangers goal as the Blueshirts dropped a close one in regulation to the host Islanders 2-1. The goal that Straka assisted on helped knot the score at 1 a piece but the Isles would win it less than 12 minutes later as Former Islander turned Former Ranger turned Islander Bryan Berard scored the game winner on a 5-on-3 powerplay.
* Chris Osgood backstopped the Detroit Redwings to a 4-2 home win over the Calgary Flames in his first start of the season. Going back to last season, Osgood has not lost in regulation on the calendar year.
* Olli Jokinen assisted on the only Panther goal in Florida's 2-1 road loss to the cross-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning. Jokinen and company have yet to hit their offensive stride this season.
* Captain and 6' 9" defenseman Zdeno Chara assisted on the only goal for the Bruins in Boston's 2-1 road loss to the Anaheim Ducks. The goal, 1:05 into the 1st period, was the only sign of life the entire game for a thusfar lackluster Bruins squad.
* Roberto Luongo got chased from net early in a thumping by the visiting Philadelphia Flyers. Philly shut down the Vancouver Canucks 8-2 on Wednesday. Luongo stopped 9 of 13 shots before being pulled during the first intermission.
Thursday is bound to be a slower night with only 5 games on tap. Until next time.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Bryan Berard Signed
In a rare move, a Former Islander is returning home as the Isles signed Bryan Berard on Wednesday to a 1-year, $725,000 deal. A camp invitee, Berard impressed the Islanders coaching staff with his dedication to return to form. After stints with Maple Leafs, Rangers, Bruins, Blackhawks and Blue Jackets, Berard wants to return to that offensive style that has defined his injury-plagued career. A Calder Trophy winner as Rookie of the Year following the 1996-97 season, Berard suffered a major eye injury in 2000 as a member of the Maple Leafs. After reconstructive surgery, the road got no easier for Berard as he was the first person to test positive for a performance enhancing substance under NHL testing guidelines. No rules in place yet meant Berard was left unpunished. He was however banned from international competition for 2 seasons. In the past couple of years a serious back injury seemed to threaten what remained of Berard's pro career but he has gained the confidences of Ted Nolan and company and is once again wearing the Orange and Blue.
Tuesday October 9
With only one game on the schedule how much Former Islander action could there really be? Enough. FIs notched 2 goals on the 1 game played. Here is a look:
* If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to get back to the playoffs they need to play better than this! Especially at home! The Blue and White got trashed 7-1 by the Carolina Hurricanes. After FI Bryan McCabe opened the scoring with a powerplay goal, his first of the season, at 4:21 of the 1st period, the team all but fell apart from there. Carolina's 7 unanswered goals included a powerplay tally by offseason signing and FI Jeff Hamilton, his second goal of the season. Hamilton now has 4 points in 4 games (2 goals, 2 assists) and is looking to build on his breakout performance from last season when he amassed 39 points in only 70 games for the Chicago Blackhawks. He is definitely one of the top FI names to watch this season.
Action should be hot Wednesday night as 24 teams clash in 12 heated battles including the first Islanders-Rangers game of the season! Check back soon with FIW.
* If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to get back to the playoffs they need to play better than this! Especially at home! The Blue and White got trashed 7-1 by the Carolina Hurricanes. After FI Bryan McCabe opened the scoring with a powerplay goal, his first of the season, at 4:21 of the 1st period, the team all but fell apart from there. Carolina's 7 unanswered goals included a powerplay tally by offseason signing and FI Jeff Hamilton, his second goal of the season. Hamilton now has 4 points in 4 games (2 goals, 2 assists) and is looking to build on his breakout performance from last season when he amassed 39 points in only 70 games for the Chicago Blackhawks. He is definitely one of the top FI names to watch this season.
Action should be hot Wednesday night as 24 teams clash in 12 heated battles including the first Islanders-Rangers game of the season! Check back soon with FIW.
Jason Blake Ill
Former Islander and big name signing from the postseason Jason Blake announced that he has a treatable form of leukemia. Blake will undergo treatment while playing this season. Our prayers go out to Jason and his family at this time (despite his new allegiance to the Maple Leafs, all joking aside).
Monday October 8
Three games were on the schedule for Monday night. With opportunity for Former Islander happenings to be low will take a look at the surprisingly good 2 goals and 1 assist pocketed by the active FIs:
* Viktor Kozlov, who bailed the Island while riding the heals of his return to form, scored against his old team as the Capitals downed the New York Islanders 2-1 in Uniondale. His second goal of the season, Kozlov is expected to benefit from shared time with Washington superstar Alex Ovechkin.
* Arron Asham, who was given the pass by the Isles after last season, scored his first goal for the Devils. New Jersey, noticing a potential diamond in the rough, snatched up the rough-and-tumble winger in the offseason. New Jersey, however, in the midst of a 9-game road trip to start the season lost 4-2 to the Ottawa Senators.
* Robert Nilsson, who was exiled to Edmonton last season in the trade that brought Ryan Smyth to the Isles (briefly), scored his first point of the season. Nilsson assisted on the second Oilers goal in their 4-2 loss to the host Detroit Redwings. Nilsson is looking to play his first full season in the NHL having been given a vote of confidence from the Oilers coaching staff.
Tuesday night action is expected to be slow as only matchup will take place. Check with FIW shortly for more night-by-night summaries.
* Viktor Kozlov, who bailed the Island while riding the heals of his return to form, scored against his old team as the Capitals downed the New York Islanders 2-1 in Uniondale. His second goal of the season, Kozlov is expected to benefit from shared time with Washington superstar Alex Ovechkin.
* Arron Asham, who was given the pass by the Isles after last season, scored his first goal for the Devils. New Jersey, noticing a potential diamond in the rough, snatched up the rough-and-tumble winger in the offseason. New Jersey, however, in the midst of a 9-game road trip to start the season lost 4-2 to the Ottawa Senators.
* Robert Nilsson, who was exiled to Edmonton last season in the trade that brought Ryan Smyth to the Isles (briefly), scored his first point of the season. Nilsson assisted on the second Oilers goal in their 4-2 loss to the host Detroit Redwings. Nilsson is looking to play his first full season in the NHL having been given a vote of confidence from the Oilers coaching staff.
Tuesday night action is expected to be slow as only matchup will take place. Check with FIW shortly for more night-by-night summaries.
Sunday October 7
With only one game on the schedule Sunday night Former Islander action was destined to be slim. But there was some FI action in the Mile High City. Here is a quick look:
* It only took 3 games but FI Ryan Smyth finally made his way on to the scoresheet. The Avalanche left wing scored his first goal and received his first assist in Colorado's 6-2 whooping of the San Jose Sharks. Pairing with phenom sophomore Paul Stastny looks like it may prove to be an explosive combination.
Monday night has three games on tap. Check back as the NHL action heats up here on FIW.
* It only took 3 games but FI Ryan Smyth finally made his way on to the scoresheet. The Avalanche left wing scored his first goal and received his first assist in Colorado's 6-2 whooping of the San Jose Sharks. Pairing with phenom sophomore Paul Stastny looks like it may prove to be an explosive combination.
Monday night has three games on tap. Check back as the NHL action heats up here on FIW.
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