The Light Post

A new blog hit the street recently that is written by one of those girls that stand by that table that has the big picture of the new coliseum. In other words, Katrina has been putting all the stuff that have been going on with the Lighthouse Project in an easy to read blog. The main lighthouse page is great for getting the facts but it is nice to read about the behind the scene stuff that goes on and seeing all the hard work that these people are putting forth.

To check out her blog go to: http://lighthouseliblog.blogspot.com/

A note back from Brandon

I took a moment and shot off an email to Brandon last night to welcome him to the Island.

Here is his response:

"Thanks a lot for the warm welcome. I am going to work the hardest I have worked in my life to make your team, and, I hope that very soon I will call it my team too. see ya soon, Sugar."

This is what I am talking about! I want guys that want to be here. Screw the media saying that guys don't want to play here.

Note that he signed off as "Sugar" a classic nickname in the making.

---

Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

Congrats to Brandon!!!

I wanted to say congrats to Brandon and his announcing his official invite to training camp.

As my friend Pat said to night it would be a dream come true to have the Wrecker, Fritz and a little bit of Sugar in the opening line up against the Rangers!!!!

Welcome to Long Island

.

---

Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

Cool Shots Episode with the 7th Man

This is my segment on NHL Cool Shots:



Deb Kaufman interviewed me in November of 2003:

Our New Coach - Graphically

Hartley. Blah, blah, blah.
Maurice. Yadda, Yadda. Yadda.
Gordon Who?

I don't have any feeling either way about this whole thing but I knew that out of the three we would end up with the guy with a name that the Ranger fans can shove down our collective throats. This and only this reaon is why I am ho hum about his selection. Here is my graphic representation of how I feel:



It's not just the name. Its the thought of what will happen at the next Islanders-Rangers game and the Coliseum is filled with 50% rag idiots chanting "Gordons Fishsticks" just makes me cringe.

It will only get worse during our regrowth period if these kids don't do well in the beginning.

We can put a man on the moon but we can't figure out how NOT to sell tickets to rag fans. For me this is one of the worst things that happens during my Islanderfandom. It is embarassing and makes it that much more of a challenge for us, as fans, to connect with our boys on the ice. These games are part of one of the greatest rivaries in all of sports. I say a new rule that should be implemented, if there is a scuffle between two guys, one in Isles garb and one in Rag's rags, the rag fan should be automatically tossed no matter what.

***** A GOOD OMEN *****

When I first saw a picture of the new coach I immediately thought of Davey from the old Sunday morning TV show, "Davey and Goliath." If Coach Gordon and his new "Goliath" can instill in our kids the ethics, character and heart that cartoon "Davey and Goliath" did, then our team and the new kids will be alright.

Good Luck Coach and Welcome to Long Island!

5 Islanders at Team Canada Development Camp

Sorry for the video quality but I was using my cell phone. A small rink not unlike Iceworks except for more stands. The place was sold out and I almost didn't make it in the game. Very fast game and alot of hitting. It was a smash up derby out there. I was able to catch one of the big hits that happened right in front of me on camera as well. I got to meet all five of our guys at the Spirit of Light festival on Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa later that night. I happened to mention to them that as much as I support them as Islanders I would be rooting for Team USA come December. To this Bailey responds that he will get me immediately deported from Canada.



Bailey:



Bailey Again:



Hamonic:



Trivino:



Spurgeon:

Roger on Fox & Friends and Today Show as Fan of the Year

The Cool Shots episode that covers my day as 7th Man:




Here is Roger meeting Brian and Steve. I was still a bit drunk, hungover and hoarse from the night before.



Here is Roger with Ann Curry who was one of our emedded reporters in Iraq:

Bailey Tribute from Isles Illustrated

Captain's Corner - SI & Islander Media Reporting

I love the Isles just as much as anyone....and am an "entrenched customer" of the team......

But the shortest book on Amazon right now - is:

"Islanders 1994-2008 - 15 years of elite hockey"

It has zero pages.....

The recent history of the team *TOTALLY* matters.

What matters more - is - WHAT ARE YOU DOING TODAY?"

A *totally* valid point - is that the reporting on the team has a lot of info that is not accurate. This is bad reporting - and it diminishes the credibility of who wrote it.

When you get down to brass tacks - why should anyone (other than the NY area papers - who should cater to the readers of the local area) spend any time covering this team? The only reason is to watch the train wreck of achievements this team has made. Its the only thing interesting about the team.....with an occasional "blip" of good things (i.e. The 2001 playoff run, the Shooutout win with Dubie, the Arbour game) The S.I. story did a good job pointing out our shortcomings....and its fair game for the media.

I have a friend who is an executive at ESPN, and I spent an hour with her the other day discussing the NHL - and ESPN does NOT WANT THE NHL AT ALL. Maybe the playoffs, and then, they want the FINALS TOO - but the league wants that on broadcast TV.....hence - a disconnect.

Getting ANY hockey on the media's radar screen is tough enough for WINNING teams...even harder for those who are out of the money.

The bad reporting is usually minor points (Such as saying that Neil Smith quit when he was actually fired - but either way - he's gone) and while annoying - the general direction of the article is accurate.

Its not much we can do about it as fans/customers - and the team cannot do too much about it - except provide media outlets with positive news, etc.

The reason why I am somewhat BULLISH on the Islanders - is that its clear to me
(well, sort of clear) that the team HAS A PLAN....and one that Snow seems intent on sticking to. I think that for the next year or two - EXPECT TO SEE MORE BAD STORIES ON THE TEAM....or worse - NO STORIES ON THE TEAM......as we rebuild.

I am *Totally* hate it when the writers - especially out of market (read:CANADA) write dirt on our team. But we are what our track record says we are. And history does impact that - because IT DID NOT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY. If we held onto the picks and prospects and had a real GM those years - we had a shot to have fielded a good team. Too many GM gaffes and too many wierdo things by the ownership group(s) have cost us dearly. All documented - but its time to draw the line in the sand (starting with THIS offseason) as the time where we make the decision to REBUILD and *MANAGE THE EXPECTATIONS* of the fan base.

To say that what happened in the past does not matter in how the team is perceived in the media - its just wrong. IT DOES. It will take *WINNING* to turn it around.

It will also take a lot of use of asterisks * * * to point out good things the team is doing....and we should all try to find the good in the team too. There is a lot of good stuff going on now - and will be in the future.

Have to give Garth Snow a chance here.

Have to work hard to convince the customers that there is no free lunch, that there is a road to rebuilding and to include them as part of the solution - to make the Coliseum a dreaded place for opposing teams to play. This will take time. But if we make another Trevor Linden type deal - I will FLIP OUT.

BUILD VIA THE DRAFT !!!!!!!! DEVELOP OUR OWN PROSPECTS !!!!!!!!

I hope its less than 5 years from now - but someday soonish - we will be having tailgate parties in late may and early june watching OUR TEAM march on to the Cup. I will settle for the first week in May in 2 years....right now !!! (meaning we win a playoff series - and may that opponent we beat be the NY RAGS)

I want to see the next generation of ISLES ICONS and they aint going to choose to come here - till we develop a CORE GROUP OURSELVES.

Rant over !!!!!

But hockey writers - for our sake - GET THE STORIES RIGHT!

Its not too much to ask for !! :)

And Isles - lets give them some GOOD stuff to write about - and we can start by hiring a GREAT COACH !!

Pat

Victory Iced Tea Esoteric

On July 17, Dan Sallows, a columnist on the Bleacher Report wrote an article about Quenneville and his liking of Long Island Iced Teas. You can see Dan's story at: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/38795-the-nhl-insider-rumours-and-gossip-from-around-the-league.

Since Dan brought up the potential Iced Tea connection that we may have in our future, I decided to write about a tradition that we have amongst my friends that dates back to the 70's. In fact, Victory Iced Tea and the Esoteric's early beginings are married together.

It’s called Victory Iced Tea. In reality, it is King Kullen brand Iced Tea Mix, that came in the black box, with 10 each 1.5oz. packets, UPC is 010500. The original product had to be from the packets in the box to be valid. Nowadays, with cost reduction, etc. Victory Tea can be found in packets in a plastic bag.

This and only this product, in the packets, has been known, by my family and friends as Victory Tea for four decades. YES, I said 4 decades. VT started for me when my cousin, Larry, who was from Nesconsett at the time, moved in with my Grandmother in East Meadow to attend Nassau Community College. Larry and his friends were all hockey fans and HUGE fans of the New York Islanders. Back then the games were primarily broadcast on Cablevision, this group of friends needed a place to go. Larry, as a college Kid, had cable and my grandmother let him and a half dozen friends stay and watch the games at her house. At the time I was about 10 years old and it was great spending time like that with my grandmother, cousin and his friends. As my own girls, Abby Nystrom, Ally Gillies and Amelia Potvin get older I will pass on the tradition to a fourth generation (4-G-er)of Islander fans. In fact, 4-G-ers have already made an impact as one of the original 6 friend's son actually works at King Kullen. The power of the Tea is just and almighty.

Victory Tea evolved with the Islanders prosperity and along with it came a ritual of the actual VT making process. VT originated in the early 70’s as the guys were underage and could not partake of malted beverages. VT was born and subsequently, we had almost 10 years to hone the process until the 1984 finals. Since that time, we have only had the opportunity to savor pure VT only 29 times in over 20 years and only 9 of those 29 pitchers of VT have been from the second round. Perhaps with the widespread knowledge sharing ability the power of VT can be regained and we can storm through the second round in the coming years.

The process must be followed to the “T”, anything else would be considered sacrilegious against the Islander gods and doom the team to a multi-game losing streak. I continue to question whether any of us had severely violated the VT code in the past which has led to the Islanders dry spell. Do not laugh VT is powerful stuff.

The ritual begins with the hermetically sealed packets. This is important because if any of the mix left the packet early or was exposed the VT would be tainted and destroy the powerful positive energy of the Victory Iced Tea. This seal can not be broken until victory is imminent. I remember times we have made VT too early and the Islanders lost. It has magical powers, do not question it. Original VT has to be made in a green Tupperware pitcher; you know the kind with the round lid that can be turned to allow for just liquid flow on one side or flow to allow ice cubes on the other.

VT evolved as a celebration of playoff victories and is the purest form of Victory Iced Tea. Over the years as I have been away from home for over 21 years in the US Army, Victory Tea has been my own private celebration abroad, after the team wins a game.

Realize that this year I have drank VT during different deployments to Iraq, Korea, Colombia, Poland and Czech Republic to name a few places. During past seasons I have carted VT with me to various corners of the globe and actually have drank of VT in a combat zone. It has been such a meaningful tradition with us that when my grandmother passed away about a year ago, we included a packet of VT when we sent her on her way, since she had always been a huge Islander fan and a 93 year resident of Long Island and East Meadow.

The actually process of making the VT starts with the actual decision to make the Tea. Since as I mentioned early, this is very powerful, you need to take caution and not open the packet too early. Once victory is imminent and you decide to make the Tea, carefully open the packet. Ensure that the packet remains as one piece and you do not tear the top off so there is two separate pieces. This would be considered bad. Next, you take the VT vessel and fill it with water. VT powder must not touch anything besides the packet it is delivered and water.

Once the packet is empty fill the packet with water, swish the water in the packet around and dump the residual water and mix into the VT vessel. This process ensures that all the mix is completely consumed from the tight seals of the packet itself. Place the torn top into as close of an original position as possible and fold the top over at least once. Place the empty packet near a central location in the room, such as the TV where you would watch the game. Nowadays, it would be deemed appropriate to keep it near the computer with the advent of the internet. You will need to keep this packet in hand until the next victory when the process is repeated and the old packet now is obsolete.

The choice of vessel is important. If you can find an old green tuppperware pitcher this will work the best and keep the Islander gods happy. However, whatever vessel you choose it must only be used for VT and nothing else. Once pure VT is made in a vessel it will serve only as the vessel to hold Victory Iced Tea.

The issue we face nowadays is that VT in it's purest form is harder and harder to find, even in the plastic bag pouches. After extensive research into the manufacturing process of VT, it is discovered that VT is actually made at 4C in Brooklyn, who knew it was made here on "Long Island". Yes, Long Island. What body of water do you cross to go from the coliseum to Brooklyn? None. Thus, Victory Tea is actually a Long Island based product.

Do not mess with the power of the Tea.

In order to help find Victory Tea here is a link to King Kullen store locater webpage:

http://kingkullen.mywebgrocer.com/StoreLocator.aspx?s=4384250&f=cir

Last Day of Rookie Camp

Here are some of the best Videos yesterday of the over 50, which are all on YouTube.

Comeau Drop Passes to Joensuu:



Joensuu Scores His Hat Trick:



Bailey Scores in Shootout:



Packed House:



See all the Videos at:
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?p=r&user=iamtherara&page=1

Rechlicz Mic'd Up

Day 4 of Rookie Camp

On day 4 of the New York Islanders Rookie Camp it seemed like a much more hard hitting day than the past few days. I can't wait until tomorrow to see the Shakey Cup. This camp is not a tryout camp but a chance for all these guys to come together and play as a group, learn a few things about the Islanders and have some fun. While you might think that the Shakey Cup is just the last day of rookie camp these guys work hard and take it serious. The guys that have been to multiple camps will tell you their win - loss record over the course of their camps here on the Island and are proud of their victories. So be prepared to see some great hockey from some great young hockey players from around the globe, all who will hopefully end up in Blue and Orange.

Kyle Okposo scores in shootout:



Trevor Smith, the third shooter, scores in the shootout as well.

Islander Rookie Camp Day 3

You can click on the Headline of today's blog or the YouTube link below to see all the videos from rookie camp. There are a lot to see. I am putting a few of my more favorite moments up here.

Also click on this link to see photos and some of the You Tube Videos on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28612154@N06/collections/72157606171779344/

I like the way that Doug is showing Corey some suggestions:



Guthrie, Rogers, Day and Perdicaro having a little fun at the end of the day:



The Wrecker, Joel Rechlicz, hits the crossbar:



NY Islander 2008 First Round Draft Pick Josh Bailey taking a few shots:



MEETING THE PROSPECTS:


I talked to a bunch of the guys today. I wish I could remember who and what they all said. I like to ask them how they are doing in camp, if they think they improved and move on to questions about college etc.

One thing they all seem to agree on is learning from Trotts. One of the guys said that they were learning Draws and his had improved.

I spent considerable time with Shea Guthrie. Great kid. He is going to Clarkson. He was all excited that he scored and that he finally won a scrimmage game since he has been here for three years. He is rooming with Weslosky who Shea introduced me to a bit later. I think Shea said he majored in Business and Tech Info.

Jase is the Goalie from St Cloud. He is taking Biology and was minoring in Chemistry but the labs were getting to be too much with all the traveling he was doing. He talked about almost giving up hockey when he was in juniors as there was some hot kid that was supposed to take away his role. The kid did but played poorly. Next thing you know Jase is on a full ride to St Cloud and picked up by the Islanders. I asked him if he thought about being part of an organization who has a goalie signed for the next decade. A very based answer in the fact that he said he realizes he has more development and while he doesn't care for scholl that much he will finish and then worry about it in the future.

Chatted with Doug Rogers. An Economics major. I asked him - Barack or McCain. He smartly answered I know better than to answer that question but I am a registered independent. We talked about the war and he said he appreciated my service. Thanks Doug. If you watch one of the face off videos I posted you can see Doug mentoring some of the younger guys.

Of course the Wrecker said that he will drop the gloves if Pat Tracy doesn't show up to root him on. This guy is really cool.

I talked with Trivino and Pereira who are BU kind of guys. Periera said he is majoring in Business as well. We talked about the bean pot and how he enjoyed playing at a sell out crowd at the garden. All the fans were great except for some drunk and his kid. He said it was wild seeing the whole place in Red.

Talked with Joensuu and Neimi. Joensuu is on a two way contract so will be staying here. From what I am hearing he is the most improved player out of all the prospects. Neimi I couldn't understand too well but has played up in Canada.

Donovan's folks were in town and you could tell they were proud. I had the opportunity to meet a family of a future player when I met the Orpik family in Sweden 8 years ago.

Talked with Gratchev and Martin but dont remember what they said. damn.



Check ot all the videos from camp:

http://youtube.com/profile_videos?p=r&user=iamtherara&page=1

What is the Esoteric?

This all started back in the 70's. Was Nixon still in the White House? Perhaps it was Ford or Carter. Maybe Hendrix was still alive. I don't know I was too young to remember. I do know that my cousin and a bunch of my friends who are older than I am are avid Islander fans. I remember watching the Islanders play on Channel 9. One of the guys, Pat Tracy, would keep track of all the players in one of those black composition notebooks that had the cover with a bovine like pattern.

With pencil in hand he used to keep track of where the players ranked amongst the players that were already part of the team or that were Alumni. Back then there were 50 players, maybe 100 towards the end of that era. Now with over 400 players and Alumni, the advent of Excel and Access I have revived the tradition. I hope that this will bring back great memories, allow you to make nostalgic contact with the past and learn a few things about the current team.

In addition to the Esoteric portion of this blog, we will bring you the reverse stats. This is a true indication of how well the team is doing and their POTENTIAL for success as the season moves on. You will see the current standing presented in a way that you will not see anywhere else. You will see how many games and how many points into the playoffs we are AND who we would currentloy be matched up against.

Lastly, as players move up the esoteric list I will try to bring trivia and other info of Alumni that are prevelant in the Esoteric.

Enjoy yourself. And as always if you see an error let us know about it.

Rookie Camp

I had the pleasure of attending a few days at the NY Islanders Rookie Camp in Syosset. I wanted to embeda few of the videos I took while there.

This is Josh Bailey on the ice for the first time in NY Isles Garb:



Here is Josh going in on a shootout:



Here is one of my more favorite players - Joel Rechlicz:



Dibenedetto SCORES!!!!:



Check out all my videos on You tibe at: http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=iamtherara

NHL Standings as of 12/01/2007!!!

EASTERN CONFERENCE (27)

1. Ottawa - 34 [25] -------- vs. 8. NY Islanders - 27 [24]

2. NY Ranjerks - 32 [26] --- vs. 7. New Jersey - 28 [25]

3. Carolina - 31 [27] ------ vs. 6. Boston - 28 [24]

4. Philadelphia - 30 [25] -- vs. 5. Montreal - 30 [26]

OUT OF PLAY-OFFS

9. Toronto - 26 [27] -1

10. Buffalo - 25 [24] -2

11. Florida - 25 [27] -2

12. Atlanta - 24 [25](12W) -3

13. Pittsburgh - 24 [25](11W) -3

14. Tampa Bay - 24 [26] -3

15. Washington - 20 [27] -7

SATURDAY'S EASTERN CONFERENCE RESULTS

NY Ranjerks 5 @ Ottawa 2

Atlanta 4 @ NY Islanders 0

Carolina 1 @ Buffalo 8

I-Dallas 4 @ Philadelphia 1

I-Nashville 5 @ Montreal 4 SO

Pittsburgh 2 @ Toronto 4

Washington 2 @ Florida 1

Boston 1 @ Tampa Bay 4

SUNDAY'S EASTERN CONFERENCE GAMES

Atlanta @ New Jersey - 5:00

MONDAY'S EASTERN CONFERENCE GAMES

Boston @ NY Islanders - 7:00

Carolina @ NY Ranjerks - 7:00

I-Phoenix @ Pittsburgh

I=Interconference game

WESTERN CONFERENCE (28)

1. Detroit - 38 [26] ----- vs. 8. San Jose - 28 [24]

2. Dallas - 32 [27] ------ vs. 7. Colorado - 29 [25]

3. Vancouver - 30 [25] --- vs. 6. Chicago - 30 [26]

4. St. Louis - 31 [24] --- vs. 5. Minnesota - 30 [25]

OUT OF PLAY-OFFS

9. Nashville - 28 [24] -0

10. Columbus - 28 [26] -0

11. Anaheim - 28 [27] -0

12. Calgary - 24 [27] -4

13. Edmonton - 23 [26] -5

14. Phoenix - 22 [24] -6

15. Los Angeles - 21 [25] -7

382 games played - 66 into OT - 17.3%.

66 OT games - 40 end in shootout = 60.6% OR 10.5% of ALL games end in shootout.

yesterday - 71 goals scored in 12 games = 5.92 goals per game.

total - 2,123 goals scored in 382 games = 5.56 gpg.

there have been 49 shutouts = 1 per 7.80 games.

the eastern conference is 13-16-2 against the western conference.

the Isles have scored 56 = 2.33 gpg.

the Isles have allowed 65 = 2.71 gpg.

NHL Standings as of 11/30/2007!!!

EASTERN CONFERENCE (27)

1. Ottawa - 34 [24] -------- vs. 8. NY Islanders - 27 [23]

2. Carolina - 31 [26] ------- vs. 7. New Jersey - 28 [25]

3. Philadelphia - 30 [24] --- vs. 6. Boston - 28 [23]

4. NY Ranjerks - 30 [25] --- vs. 5. Montreal - 29 [25]

OUT OF PLAY-OFFS

9. Florida - 25 [26] -2

10. Pittsburgh - 24 [24] -3

11. Toronto - 24 [26] -3

12. Buffalo - 23 [23] -4

13. Atlanta - 22 [24] -5

14. Tampa Bay - 22 [25] -5

15. Washington - 18 [26] -9

FRIDAY'S EASTERN CONFERENCE RESULTS

Montreal 0 @ New Jersey 4

Washington 3 @ Carolina 4

I-Dallas 1 @ Pittsburgh 4

SATURDAY'S EASTERN CONFERENCE GAMES

NY Ranjerks @ Ottawa - 2:00

Atlanta @ NY Islanders - 7:00

Carolina @ Buffalo - 7:00

I-Dallas @ Philadelphia - 7:00

I-Nashville @ Montreal - 7:00

Pittsburgh @ Toronto - 7:00

Washington @ Florida - 7:00

Boston @ Tampa Bay - 7:30

SUNDAY'S EASTERN CONFERENCE GAMES

Atlanta @ New Jersey - 5:00

I=Interconference game

WESTERN CONFERENCE (28)

1. Detroit - 36 [25] ------- vs. 8. Anaheim - 28 [27]

2. Vancouver - 30 [25] --- vs. 7. San Jose - 28 [24]

3. Dallas - 30 [26] -------- vs. 6. St. Louis - 29 [23]

4. Chicago - 30 [25] ------ vs. 5. Minnesota - 30 [25]

OUT OF PLAY-OFFS

9. Colorado - 27 [24] -1

10. Nashville - 26 [23] -2

11. Columbus - 26 [25] -2

12. Edmonton - 23 [26](11W) -5

13. Calgary - 23 [26](10W) -5

14. Phoenix - 22 [23] -6

15. Los Angeles - 21 [24] -7

370 games played - 64 into OT - 17.3%.

64 OT games - 39 end in shootout = 60.9% OR 10.5% of ALL games end in shootout.

yesterday - 39 goals scored in 7 games = 5.57 goals per game.

total - 2,052 goals scored in 370 games = 5.55 gpg.

there have been 48 shutouts = 1 per 7.71 games.

the eastern conference is 13-15-1 against the western conference.

the Isles have scored 56 = 2.43 gpg.

the Isles have allowed 61 = 2.65 gpg.

NHL Standings as of 11/26/2007!!!

EASTERN CONFERENCE (24)
1. Ottawa - 33 [22] -------- vs. 8. New Jersey - 24 [23]
2. Carolina - 29 [24] ------- vs. 7. NY Islanders - 25 [21]
3. Philadelphia - 28 [23] --- vs. 6. Boston - 26 [22]
4. NY Ranjerks - 28 [24] --- vs. 5. Montreal - 27 [23]
OUT OF PLAY-OFFS
9. Buffalo - 23 [22] -1
10. Florida - 23 [24] -1
11. Atlanta - 22 [23](11W) -2
12. Tampa Bay - 22 [23](10W) -2
13. Pittsburgh - 22 [23](10W) -2
14. Toronto - 21 [24] -3
15. Washington - 17 [24] -7
MONDAY'S EASTERN CONFERENCE RESULTS
I-Dallas 3 @ NY Islanders 2 OT
Boston 6 @ Philadelphia 3
Buffalo 3 @ Washington 1
TUESDAY'S EASTERN CONFERENCE GAMES
Montreal @ Toronto - 7:30
WEDNESDAY'S EASTERN CONFERENCE GAMES
I-St. Louis @ Buffalo - 7:00
Philadelphia @ Carolina - 7:00
I-Dallas @ New Jersey - 7:00
Ottawa @ NY Islanders - 7:00
Florida @ Washington - 7:00
I-Tampa Bay @ Chicago - 8:30
I=Interconference game
WESTERN CONFERENCE (26)
1. Detroit - 32 [23] ------- vs. 8. Anaheim - 26 [24]
2. Dallas - 30 [24] -------- vs. 7. Columbus - 26 [24]
3. Minnesota - 26 [23] ---- vs. 6. Vancouver - 26 [23]
4. St. Louis - 26 [21] ------ vs. 5. Chicago - 26 [22]
OUT OF PLAY-OFFS
9. Colorado - 25 [22](12W) -1
10. San Jose - 25 [22](11W) -1
11. Nashville - 24 [22] -2
12. Calgary - 23 [24] -3
13. Phoenix - 22 [21] -4
14. Edmonton - 21 [24] -5
15. Los Angeles - 19 [23] -7
344 games played - 59 into OT - 17.2%.
59 OT games - 35 end in shootout = 59.3% OR 10.2% of ALL games end in shootout.
yesterday - 22 goals scored in 4 games = 5.50 goals per game.
total - 1,905 goals scored in 344 games = 5.54 gpg.
there have been 45 shutouts = 1 per 7.64 games.
the eastern conference is 11-11-1 against the western conference.
the Isles have scored 51 = 2.43 gpg.
the Isles have allowed 55 = 2.62 gpg.

NHL 2,000 Attendance list as of 11-21-2007!!!

Last night, there were 5 games out of 11 played with more than 2,000 empty seats.

Out of 310 games played, there have been 97 played with MORE than 2,000 empty seats, or 31.3% of all games played.

There have been 45 games played at less than 75% capacity, or 14.5%.

Out of 97 games, the Islanders appear 4 times on this list, or 4.1% and 1.3% out of 310 games.

Out of 97 games, 10 games, or 10.3% have been played in arena’s considered old barns, the Nassau Coliseum and Joe Louis Arena. The rest are all considered modern arenas.

Team leaders at more than 2,000 empty seat games:

10 - Columbus.
9 - Chicago, Florida.
8 - Phoenix.
6 - Detroit, Boston, Washington, Atlanta, Carolina.
5 - New Jersey, Los Angeles, Washington.
4 - Nashville, Colorado, St. Louis, NY Islanders.
2 - Dallas, Tampa Bay.

Here are all the games played with MORE than 2,000 empty seats.
97. 11/21 - Los Angeles @ Phoenix - 17,799 - 12,161 = 5,638 = 68.3%.
96. 11/21 - Philadelphia @ Carolina - 18,730 - 16,351 = 2,379 = 87.3%.
95. 11/21 - Atlanta @ Washington - 18,277 - 11,669 = 6,608 = 63.9%.
94. 11/21 - Florida @ Columbus - 18,136 - 13,326 = 4,810 = 73.5%.
93. 11/21 – Montreal @ NY Islanders – 16,234 – 13,153 = 3,081 = 81.0%.
92. 11/19 – Nashville @ St. Louis – 19,022 – 15,239 = 3,783 = 80.1%.
91. 11/19 - Tampa Bay @ Atlanta – 18,545 – 13,419 = 5,126 = 72.4%.
90. 11/19 - Florida @ Washington - 18,277 - 13,411 = 4,866 = 73.4%.
89. 11/18 - Detroit @ Columbus - 18,136 - 15,503 = 2,633 = 85.5%.
88. 11/17 – Phoenix @ Los Angeles – 18,118 – 15,659 = 2,459 = 86.4%.
87. 11/16 - NY Islanders @ New Jersey - 17,625 - 15,076 = 2,549 = 85.5%.
86. 11/16 - Atlanta @ Carolina - 18,730 - 14,632 = 4,098 = 78.1%.
85. 11/15 - Washington @ Florida - 19,250 - 12,101 = 7,149 = 62.9%.
84. 11/15 - San Jose @ Phoenix - 17,799 - 12,953 = 4,846 = 72.8%.
83. 11/14 - Chicago @ Columbus - 18,136 - 13,622 = 4,514 = 75.1%.
82. 11/14 - Carolina @ Tampa Bay - 19,500 - 17,444 = 2,056 = 89.5%.
81. 11/13 - Florida @ Atlanta – 18,545 – 12,599 = 5,946 = 67.9%.
80. 11/12 - Nashville @ Columbus - 18,136 - 12,554 = 5,582 = 69.2%.
79. 11/12 - Carolina @ Florida - 19,250 - 12,715 = 6,535 = 66.1%.
78. 11/11 - Minnesota @ Colorado - 18,007 - 15,434 = 2,573 = 85.7%.
77. 11/10 - Tampa Bay @ Washington - 18,277 - 14,617 = 3,660 = 80.0%.
76. 11/09 - Atlanta @ Florida - 19,250 - 14,268 = 4,982 = 74.1%.
75. 11/09 - St. Louis @ Chicago - 20,500 - 16,149 = 4,351 = 78.8%.
74. 11/08 - Philadelphia @ New Jersey - 17,625 - 14,948 = 2,677 = 84.8%.
73. 11/08 - Tampa Bay @ Carolina - 18,730 - 14,017 = 4,713 = 78.8%.
72. 11/08 - Montreal @ Boston - 17,565 - 15,183 = 2,382 = 86.4%.
71. 11/08 - Dallas @ Phoenix - 17,799 - 12,027 = 5,772 = 67.6%.
70. 11/07 - Florida @ Tampa Bay - 19,500 - 16,526 = 2,974 = 84.8%.
69. 11/07 - Nashville @ Detroit - 20,066 - 16,885 = 3,181 = 84.5%.
68. 11/07 - Columbus @ Chicago - 20,500 - 9,717 = 11,329 = 47.4%.
67. 11/07 - Edmonton @ Colorado - 18,007 - 15,877 = 2,130 = 88.2%.
66. 11/06 – Washington @ Atlanta – 18,545 – 15,530 = 3,015 = 83.7%.
65. 11/05 - Pittsburgh @ New Jersey - 17,625 - 14,032 = 3,593 = 79.6%.
64. 11/05 - Washington @ Carolina - 18,730 - 12,171 = 6,559 = 65.0%.
63. 11/05 - Tampa Bay @ Florida - 19,250 - 10,149 = 9,101 = 52.7%.
62. 11/05 - Calgary @ Colorado - 18,007 - 15,655 = 2,352 = 86.9%.
61. 11/04 - St. Louis @ Columbus - 18,136 - 13,254 = 4,882 = 73.1%.
60. 11/04 - Ottawa @ Boston - 17,565 - 10,087 = 7,478 = 57.4%.
59. 11/04 - Nashville @ Chicago - 20,500 - 12,086 = 8,414 = 59.0%.
58. 11/02 - Toronto @ New Jersey - 17,625 - 14,523 = 3,102 = 82.4%.
57. 11/02 - Philadelphia @ Washington - 18,277 - 16,055 = 2,222 = 87.8%.
56. 11/01 – Tampa Bay @ NY Islanders – 16,234 – 11,008 = 5,226 = 67.8%.
55. 11/01 – Buffalo @ Boston – 17,565 – 13,479 = 4,086 = 76.7%.
54. 10/31 – Tampa Bay @ New Jersey – 17,625 – 13,218 = 4,407 = 75.0%.
53. 10/31 – Carolina @ Florida – 19,250 – 10,063 = 9,187 = 52.3%.
52. 10/31 – Chicago @ Dallas – 18,532 – 14,756 = 3,776 = 79.6%.
51. 10/31 – Columbus @ Los Angeles – 18,118 – 11,491 = 6,627 = 63.4%.
50. 10/30 – Phoenix @ St. Louis – 19,022 – 14,222 = 4,800 = 74.8%.
For games 1 thru 49, see post from 11/09/2007!

Arena Capacities: Atlanta – 17,174, Anaheim – 18,545, Boston – 17,565, Buffalo – 18,690, Calgary – 19,289, Carolina – 18,730, Chicago – 20,500, Colorado – 18,007,Columbus – 18,136, Dallas – 18,532, Detroit – 20,066, Edmonton – 16,839, Florida – 19,250, Los Angeles – 18,118, Minnesota – 18,064, Montreal –21,273, Nashville – 17,113, New Jersey – 17,625, NY Islanders – 16,234, NY Rangers – 18,200, Ottawa – 19,153, Philadelphia – 19,523, Phoenix – 17,799, Pittsburgh – 16,940, San Jose –17,496, St. Louis – 19,022, Tampa Bay –19,500, Toronto – 18,819, Vancouver – 18,630, Washington – 18,277.