Happy Comeau Day

Today's tilt with the New York Rangers at Nassau Coliseum was quite an entertaining event. It was a close game throughout. There was never more than a one goal score differential until Frans Nielsen scored an empty netter to finalize the goal scoring sheet for a 6-4 Islanders lead.

P.A. Parenteau and Blake Comeau made the Rangers pay for their undisciplined play late in the third period. Parenteau scored on a five on three advantage to tie the game at 4-4. Fifty-Eight seconds later, Comeau scored the go ahead goal on a five on four power play.

Blake Comeau continued the energetic and smart playing that was evident on opening night against the Dallas Stars. He scored the Islanders' first and fifth goals of the game and was awarded the First Star of the Game. He is hitting and playing with gusto. Mr. Comeau now has three goals in two games. Let's hope this continues.

Josh Bailey continues to play like a new man. Or maybe it is because he is actually a man now physically. No disrespect intended to Mr. Bailey who has been very impressive in these first two games.

Matt Moulson was solid as usual. Logging a goal and an assist. Continuing kudos to Garth Snow and the scouting staff on this find.

Zenon Kenopka and Brandon Prust had a heavy weight fight late in the first period. The fight lasted about 90 seconds and was a draw. Both took the hits and gave them equally until they ran out of gas.

After a verbal altercation with Rangers prime instigator Sean Avery, Islanders defensemen James Wisniewski apparently lost self control and made an over-the-top lewd gesture towards Avery. You can expect Wisniewski to receive a one or two game suspension for this maneuver. Islanders fans will stand behind their new top two defensemen simply because it involved Mr. Avery. http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/10/11/james-wisniewski-makes-obscene-gesture-toward-sean-avery/

Announced attendance at today's matinee was 11,748. This is the smallest crowd on hand for an Islanders-Rangers game that this writer has ever witnessed and is probably the smallest of all time. Is it the fact that it was day game when many adults were not off from work? Is it the fact that the New York Jets are playing the Minnesota Vikings at home this evening? Regardless, it was an extremely disappointing turnout. Primary blame is assigned to Islanders' fans but where were all the Rangers fans that usually tend to dominate our arena?

As reported this morning by Chris Botta of Islanders Point Blank, the organization has once again changed the Islanders goal song after a locker room led coup by new resident tough man Zenon Kenopka. When will the organization learn that with simple things like a goal song, fans want consistency. The new song is “Live is Life” by Opus. Don't expect it to last long.

Based upon observations from today and Saturday's games, there are a lot of new Game Ops staffers with the organization this year. There was a problem with security officials not letting patrons re-enter the game from outside with alcoholic beverages before the third period started though no announcement had been made regarding this matter. This was quickly rectified and most patrons re-entered the arena peacefully.

Finally, I attended the game with my father today. Dad, who is 77, is a lifelong Rangers fan. We had a great day together and it refreshing to see the Islanders win, since the Rangers usually win when we go to a game together. Maybe next time Pop!