The Gallof Boys Watch the Flyers Down Isles in OT

Posted 9:42 AM ET | Comments 0

I was unable to make the game in the Blog Box. Instead, I elected to watch it with my wife and two heathen Ranger fan brothers at Chez Gallof. We ordered in Sushi. Both my brothers were in the odd position of having to root for the Isles since Philly was right on their tail. Scott seems to feel that the Ranger's best matchup is with Carolina. He might be right, but it gets even tougher now that they are tied after the Flyers downed the Isles in OT. They wore out the Isles defense after a lackluster start.

It started off so swell for the Islanders. Isles came to play in that 1st period, and really seemed to catch the Flyers offguard. They moved the puck well. The came out of the 1st with Richard Park's goal still standing. Okposo also buzzed around with a few good opportunities. He's only getting more comfortable out there.

The 2nd period had the Flyers come on. Blake Comeau getting a goal to put up the Isles 2-0. Okposo and Park with the assists, and continued to be the most effective lines for the Isles. But it was the Flyers then pinned the Isles into their own zone for most of the period. The onslaught wore down the Isles defense.

Both Gallof heathens got nervous. I found myself, though wanting the kids to do alright, to actually lose the game so they could position themselves better in the draft. Whereas, I had written recently, of not being able to root comfortably for losses, in this game, something changed. Suddenly, I realized, that we needed the best position possible to expand on the kids. More kids. Maximum draft picks! So, I watched this last game with conflicting emotions.

This was probably why I was still stewing over Garth Snow this season. I was still annoyed at Garth's inability to move players for picks. Opting for keeping Satan and Tank for a playoff run which was never going to happen. Maybe it was because I knew they talked seriously about it internally. Where the only step forward from being just mediocre was through drafting and cultivating their own. Yet, come that deadline, only offal like Simon and MAB had been sheared from the ratty moth-holed coat. That just never sat well. I felt they had a great opportunity to get some picks in order to move up in the draft, rather than hope they dropped like a stone. It still clearly irks me a bit.

For me, when I try to come to terms with the season, I still hang a lot of it on the 2nd year GM. Fair? Might be, actually. We all know their vision for this team was a lot stronger. They wanted Smyth. Drury. Jovacop via trade (which would have cost Hunter likely). But when did vision suddenly earn a free ride? No my friends. It is results that count. And the results were lacking. This team and vision needs to be applied much more thoroughly and address the deepest of needs. Garth and company can redeem this attribute by accepting the future and its possibilities. And as I watched the game, I began to hope that they can make something tangible from this coming deep draft.

This summer will be huge for the Isles. A big draft with a definite top 10 pick. New slew of UFAs which can replace some middling ones currently on this team. Opportunity to plug holes and address needs. Needs that have been glaring SINCE last summer.

Everyone deserves redemption. Garth and Co have this summer to do it. To re-craft the formula. And most of all, fully commit to the vision. Not some chimera of playoffs or bust. But for lasting success. With the kids emerging, holes filled, and a bit more consistency, they could bloom back into a playoff force under Nolan.

Rumor Has It

2005 draftpick and current prospect Shea Guthrie was signed by the Isles while in the middle of the NCAA tournament. Just a few days ago, his goal gave his team, the Clarkson Golden Knights, their first NCAA win in 12 years.

AHL Shuffle

Here is a snapshot of the last few days to give an idea how busy these kids are with the Bridgeport and NHL shuffle:

03/29/2008 Matthew Spiller (D) Bridgeport DEL Returned on loan to N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/29/2008 Matthew Spiller (D) Bridgeport ADD Returned on loan from N.Y. Islanders
03/29/2008 Steve Regier (LW) Bridgeport DEL Returned on loan to N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/29/2008 Steve Regier (LW) Bridgeport ADD Returned on loan from N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/29/2008 Tim Jackman (RW) Bridgeport DEL Returned on loan to N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/29/2008 Tim Jackman (RW) Bridgeport ADD Returned on loan from N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/28/2008 Jeff Tambellini (LW) Bridgeport ADD Returned on loan from N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/28/2008 Jeremy Colliton (C) Bridgeport DEL Recalled from loan by N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/28/2008 Jeremy Colliton (C) Bridgeport ADD Returned on loan from N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/27/2008 Matthew Spiller (D) Bridgeport ADD Returned on loan from N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/27/2008 Peter MacArthur (LW) Bridgeport ADD Signed to ATO
03/27/2008 Steve Regier (LW) Bridgeport ADD Returned on loan from N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/27/2008 Tim Jackman (RW) Bridgeport ADD Returned on loan from N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/26/2008 Jeremy Colliton (C) Bridgeport DEL Recalled from loan by N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/26/2008 Matthew Spiller (D) Bridgeport DEL Recalled from loan by N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/26/2008 Steve Regier (LW) Bridgeport DEL Recalled from loan by N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/26/2008 Tim Jackman (RW) Bridgeport DEL Recalled from loan by N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/25/2008 Keith Johnson (C) Bridgeport ADD Recalled from loan to Utah (ECHL)
03/25/2008 Michael Mole (G) Bridgeport DEL Recalled from loan by N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/24/2008 Jeremy Colliton (C) Bridgeport ADD Returned on loan from N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/24/2008 Joey MacDonald (G) Bridgeport ADD Returned on loan from N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/24/2008 Matthew Spiller (D) Bridgeport ADD Returned on loan from N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/24/2008 Olivier Labelle (RW) Bridgeport DEL Returned on loan to Utah (ECHL)
03/24/2008 Steve Regier (LW) Bridgeport ADD Returned on loan from N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/24/2008 Tim Jackman (RW) Bridgeport DEL Recalled from loan by N.Y. Islanders (NHL)
03/24/2008 Tim Jackman (RW) Bridgeport ADD Returned on loan from N.Y. Islanders (NHL)

(courtesy the AHL Official website)

Next up for the Isles: The Devils. Then the Rangers for the last two games of the season.

- BD

Filed Under: Islanders NHL Flyers Rangers Devils