Isles Can’t Catch a Break, Pushed to the Brink
April 19th, 2007 by murph
It’s just not fair out there on the ice, there are 10 guys wearing blue and gold and only 6 guys wearing the orange and blue. The 4 “impartial”, “neutral”, “officials” may as well be wearing Sabres jerseys out there. As has been the case all season (2nd fewest PP opportunities in the NHL) the Islanders are not getting any calls, and for the second straight night at the Coliseum, the story of the game was not what happened on the ice, but what happened in an office in Toronto.
Just like Monday the Isles came out strong in the first period, controlling the play and getting the better scoring opportunities. Unlike Monday, they got the first goal as Jason Blake finally netted his first goal of the playoffs just seconds after a Islanders PP had ended.
Buffalo countered with a pair of goals in the first and was about to take a 2-1 lead into the locker room when Ryan Smyth’s hustle negated an icing call and led to an Islander PP goal to tie the game up at 2 with just 15 seconds left in the period. But then Richard Park took a completely unnecessary interference penalty at the 20 minute mark. Buffalo started the 2nd period on the PP and it only took 39 seconds for Chris “Playoffs” Drury to score his second of the game and give the Sabres the lead again.
Down a goal entering the 3rd period, the Islanders played much better than Monday night’s 3rd period, even outshooting Buffalo 7-5 in the period. They had more chances than that - missing the net several times as well. With 1:42 remaining it looked like their hard work paid off when Brendan Witt crashed the net, knocking the puck, Sabres’ goalie Ryan Miller, and even the kitchen sink into the back of the net. Referee Mike Leggo immediately waived off the goal and headed to the on-ice officials to check the video replay. After the review Leggo waived it off again, and was showered with boos from the Coliseum faithful. FYI: Entering this season, Leggo had called a whopping 2 playoff games in his career.
Shortly after, Bergeron coughed up the puck in the defensive zone, Pominville scored and the Islanders are headed back to Buffalo down 3 games to 1.
After the game, GM Snow had a little video review session with reporters in the Coach’s office.
In the absence of a favorable decision by NHL video replay officials on a disputed tying goal by Brendan Witt in Game 4 of the Islanders’ first-round playoff series against Buffalo last night at Nassau Coliseum, general manager Garth Snow called a group of reporters into the coaches’ office, where video coordinator Mike LaZazzera ran replay after replay.
With 1:42 left and the Sabres clinging to a 3-2 lead, the puck can be seen hitting Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller and dropping on the goal line in front of him. Witt skates in from the right side untouched, gets his stick on the loose puck and sends it between Miller’s legs. LaZazzera freezes the frame and uses a red marker to show neither Witt nor Miro Satan, crashing down the middle to the net, has yet banged into Miller.
But referee Mike Leggo saw it differently. He waved off the tying goal and then waited while replay officials reviewed the play in Toronto. When the decision was announced, everyone assumed a replay decision had gone against the Islanders for the second time in two games. But Snow said that, after reviewing the play, Stephen Walkom of the league office said the ruling was made on the ice by Leggo.
Random thoughts…
- Jason Blake gets boarded by Numminen and the Isles get (1) 2 minute powerplay. Should have been at least a double-minor.
- Ryan Smyth dragged down or held up numerous times, no calls.
- The Islanders are missing the net or making one too many passes too often. Shoot the freakin’ puck on net.
- I think it is time to buyout Alexei Yashin’s contract, he’s awful come playoff time. He brings ZERO leadership to the table, and should be stripped of the Captain’s “C” immediately.
- 1st period, Kozlov, wide open net…either he missed, or it got deflected because he took too long to shoot.
- I like Bergeron, but he’s got to be more careful with the puck. The other teams know he’s going to get it up high, they jump on him quickly and when he turns it over, it’s an odd-man rush everytime.
- I forgot my camera last night, I would have loved to get some shots of the Islanders fans driving around the NVMC parking lot in a pickup with Islanders banners and a fake Stanley Cup. Kudos to those die-hards.
ronnyw9 Says
Excuses, excuses, excuses. Let’s see, in game 2 Satan is skating in the neutral zone with Afinogenov when Satan grabs Max’s stick, Max get’s the penalty, Islanders score yet another power play goal and win the game. Now let’s see, the Islanders technically scored 2 power play goals last night, can’t play 5 on 5 with the Sabres and cried aboiut officiating. Game 2 Pommiville get’s boarded head first into the boards, no call. At least last night night when Numinen hits blake into the boards and Blake embellishes the hit the refs called a penalty. Teddy needs to quit crying and realize they can’t match up with the Sabres when he has guys like Witt playing defense on a regular shift, Yashin is a perrenial playoff bust and Satan plays hard if he feels like it. Be saw that in Buffalo. By the way Jason Blake will look good in a Sabres uniform next year.
Apr 19th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
murph Says
we’re making excuses? let me get this straight…you’re up 3 games to 1 and still complaining about game 2?
it’s no secret the Sabres are stacked with scorers. the Isles are definitely outmatched, yet you are barely beating us. you should be concerned.
it pains me to say this, but the Rangers are playing really well. better start rooting for Tampa Bay to beat the Devils.
Apr 19th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Angelo Says
Seems like you have only two non-calls to complain about. the islanders have two games worth. Murph has a point. Seems like the President’s Trophy winner is JUST getting those wins over the 8th seed that made the playoffs on the last day.
Also, nice of you not to mention the video review. You know it was a goal.
Apr 19th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Mike Says
Sabres fans are pathetic, where were all these fans 4 years ago. The majority of this fans base is all fair weather fans. Get a life and don’t try to break our chops about free agents. Your best two players won’t be in Slug jersey’s next season, then its back to the basement for the Sabres. Enjoy your moderate success, it won’t last long.
Apr 19th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Reason Says
As a Sabres fan, I’ll admit some of the calls against you guys could have gone the other way. But you’ve got to be kidding me if you think there’s some sort of conspiracy against you. Sabres fans have always believed Toronto was out to get us and help all the Canadian teams. I thought it was ridiculous when Sabres fans said it, I think it’s ridiculous when others say it. The idea that the NHL is so out to get the Islanders that they’ve instructed all of their refs to not call penalties or invalidate goals is laughable. Sure, calls haven’t gone your way. That sucks, but there’s no conspiracy.
Apr 19th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
ronnyw9 Says
You guys can’t even sell out a play-off game so don’t talk about fans jumping on the bandwaggon in Buffalo because you made the play-offs and don’t even sell out. You have 10 times as many people to draw from and no sell out. That’s embarassing. We had a bad owner who bankrupted the team but fortunately a new owner, a salary cap which helps the small markets like Buffalo will keep us on top. You guys have a good base of players, a great coach and a good future so just play the game and quit whinning about a conspiracy. The refs pretty well suck in every game all year long so what’s new.
Apr 19th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
MarkC in Buff Says
Most of the sports-talk guys agree it was a goal. I haven’t seen the goal, but I’ll admit it was. I’ll also throw another wrinkle… Pominville was offsides. Hecht threw the puck in, Briere was trying to clear, but Pominville (in my opinion) didn’t wait for Briere to straddle. So, for all intents and purposes, it should have been tied. I don’t know what you expect. Take it from the people who still drive around with “No Goal” bumper stickers on their cars… Give it up. It hurts more to dwell on it… believe me. The no-calls? Being as objective as I can be, I’d have to say the penalties have favored the Sabres, but only late in games. Early on, The Islanders got away with a ton. Let’s just agree the officiating has sucked for both sides. The bottom line is the Sabres are a better team. Certainly, the Isles are an eighth seed, but they are good and experienced. Look at what Edmonton. What did Blake say? “They find ways to win. (That’s what good teams do).” By the way, I can’t agree more with buying out Yashin’s contract. I can’t believe Smyth and Blake haven’t taken this guy out back. Also, forget the conspiracies. You’re on Long Island. The NHL loses if you lose.
Apr 20th, 2007 at 9:42 am