Ice Girls clean up debris thrown by irate spectators in response to the game’s outcome.Say what you want about the Islanders, but they might be the only team in the post season thus far who hasn’t received an inkling of credit. They’re the Rodney Dangerfield of post-season clubs.
They were supposed to be out in “three” in a best of seven match-up according to the hockey brains in the media. Excluding game one in Buffalo, the Isles have showed much more than they have been given credit for.
Last night’s game at the Nassau Coliseum will go down in the loss column for the Isles, but to those who watched closely, and aside from the standings, it was a positive. The Isles showed that they are capable of winning this series. Facing the President’s Trophy-winning Sabres, the Islanders played at a level beyond what many of the 16,234 fans thought possible, especially when seen with the naked eye. The Coliseum was rocking. A sold-out, towel waving crowd — ready to take on those ugly-new-Sabres-jersey-wearing fans — were treated to a game that the Islanders could have taken control of at any point.
The shot that decided the outcome is one that may never be clearly seen, but was the back-breaker for the Islanders. The Sabres’ Thomas Vanek tried to sneak the puck past a slow moving Rick DiPietro with a wraparound. The puck seemed to disappear beyond DiPietro’s right skate. Vanek and his mates celebrated what they thought was a goal, but the red light never went on, and the ref never gave the signal.
After long minutes of deliberation (something fans have grown accustomed to this year — and if they hear that the call is sent to the “war room” in Toronto, they expect a verdict totally opposite of what they witnessed), the Sabres were awarded a goal.
Isles coach Ted Nolan said “it was inconclusive, unless the National Hockey League has a different angle we didn’t see.”
Forget the bad calls against the Isles, especially in the last minute of play — (Robitaille’s “penalty”), the Thomas Vanek “goal” (Inconclusive!), the five on three call against the Isles (forget it, if I rant the way I want to, I’ll get fired!) — and lets focus on the positives.
Islanders fans are forever faithful (where have you been?), and as for the Sabres, get ready; the Isles aren’t finished yet.
Let’s Go Islanders!