Bates May Return Tonight
November 28th, 2007 by Tom
Shawn Bates may make his season debut tonight, according to the New York Post. Bates has been sidelined with a sports hernia and groin injuy since January. A lot has happened since January. It was cold, got warm, got hot, and has become cold again. The Yanks and Mets blew it. The Islanders got run over by the Sabres. My wife’s uncle gave us his 1996 Chevy Lumina (we’re all about style). And I broke half the bones in my face playing a co-ed soccer game. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Anyway, it will be great to have Bates back, if indeed he does return tonight against the Senators. When healthy, and that has seemed rare these past few seasons, Bates is a hard worker who can light the lamp. The Isles have been held to two goals or less in their last nine games, so any additional offense is big.
It would be great if the Isles could actually beat Ottawa for a change. The Sens have won eight straight against the Coliseum Heroes. Why? Well, for the most part, they have been too quick, too skilled, and just plain better. Isles need to grind these guys down a bit, get the hits going early and often.
