Islanders/Rangers Live Blog
October 10th, 2007 by murph
[End 1st] So I sit down to live blog the game…and the website goes down. We’re back up and one period is in the books at the Coliseum. Marc Andre Bergeron scores on a 3 on 3 situation with just 4 seconds left in the period and the Isles lead 1-0. The Isles outshoot the Rangers 15-12 in the period but I’d say the Rangers had better chances including 3-4 whacks on the doorstep forcing DiPietro to come up with a bunch of good saves. The Isles had a bunch of shots but I don’t remember Lundqvist having to make anything too spectacular. The period was a little chippy with 8 penalties called in the period but nothing major.
[19:45 2nd] Second period is underway, skating 4 on 4. Bergeon tries to spring Comrie right up the middle on a Ranger line change but Comrie can’t hold on to it.
[17:51 2nd] Isles still playing sloppy D and they pay the price. 4 guys collapsing in front of Ricky but no one covers Tytuin walking into the zone and firing a wrister past Ricky. Tied at 1.
[16:41 2nd] Three guys watching Jagr in the corner, who finds Gomez on the doorstep all alone but Ricky slams the door. Go DiPietro, keeping us in this one. In the first, the Versus announcers said Jagr has the most goals against the Islanders franchise. I’m not surprised one bit, he’s had some monster scoring nights versus the Orange and Blue.
[9:46 2nd] Speaking of Versus, Dear Time Warner Cable, Why the #%@! isn’t this game available in HD somewhere on my 1000+ channels? It looks a lot better than the FSNY feed from the opener, but remind me again why I’m paying $15 for the HD package? Stupid me assumed it would be on MSG HD tonight.
Rangers run the same play they scored on again, this time with Shanahan unleashing a blast that hit someone before it got to DP. They spend the next minute+ in the Isles zone making it look like they are on a PP. 3 decent scoring chances in there. Ugh.
[6:52 2nd] Isles pick up a powerplay. Malik for hooking. Isles are being outplayed but have a chance to take the lead again if they can keep up the good PP play.
18 seconds later, Betts joins Malik in the box. 2 man advantage for 1:42. HUGE opportunity for the Isles right here. Need to score.
[6:04 2nd] YES! Berard with a blast from the top of the circle beats “King Henry” gloveside. Isles still have PP time.
[5:11 2nd] “The King” follows up that performance with a brain fart and plays the puck outside the goalie zone for a penalty. Isles back on the 2 man advantage with a chance to open this game up. I have a feeling we’ll be killing some penalties in the third.
[3:11 2nd] Penalties are all over, Isles get some more shots but fail to score again. At least we got a goal, last year it would still be 1-1 for sure.
[End 2nd] Two in the books and the Isles still lead the Rangers 2-1. Rangers outshoot Isles 13-9 in the period, even though the Isles had almost 6 minutes of powerplay time. I’m not complaining though. Defense needs to lock it down and close out this win.
[15:27 3rd] Guerin takes down Shanahan who slides into the net. Rangers to the powerplay.
[14:04 3rd] See, I told you. Gervais high sticks Jagr and the Rangers will get some 5 on 3 time of their own.
[12:00 3rd] Isles kill the first penalty. Looking good on the penalty kill with a lot of blocked shots. With 20 seconds left, Jags finds Gomez all alone to DP’s left. DP goes down, Gomez has the whole top shelf to shoot at but banks it off the side of the net. Incredible chance for the Rangers but they can’t capitalize. All hell breaks loose…1, 2, 3, 4 more shots. Witt makes a smart play, banking it off the glass to avoid the penalty and then out of play for a faceoff. Whew. Isles dodge a bullet.
…and the Isles win 2-1!! Definitely not getting a star of the game award…my ISP as the site goes down again. See you tomorrow for more.
