Isles Take on ‘Canes in 2007 Finale
December 31st, 2007 by Tom
The Islanders will be skating down in Carolina tonight against the Southeast Division leading Hurricanes. The last time these teams squared off, Carolina pummeled the Isles 8-3.
The ‘Canes have lost three of their last five games, falling to Columbus 4-1 on Saturday. Carolina should still be without Matt Cullen, who was crushed by Ranger Colton Orr on an open-ice hit on Wednesday. I was at that game. My sister was born and raised a Rangers fan. I know, I know. We’ve talked. Anyway, like I said I was at that game and Cullen was just leveled. Happened so fast. One second he was skating and the next he was down, not moving a muscle. He was on the ice for a couple of minutes before he skated off with a lot of help. There was a pool of blood where his head had been. Thankfully, he is expected to be all right.
Cullen is a big part of the Carolina offense. They are already without Justin Williams, who hurt his knee earlier this month. The two players rank third and sixth on the team in points, respectively.
The Isles willl again be without Rick DiPietro. The goalie should be back for the Isles first game in 2008. Dubie will get the start again. Dubie’s 3-3 with a 3.85 GAA and a .878 save percentage in seven games this season.
“We’re going to stick with our plan initially on Ricky and make sure he’s 100 percent. Right now, he’s about 95, 98 percent,” Coach Ted Nolan told Newsday. “He’s ready to go, but we know the importance of Ricky to this hockey team.”
New Years Eve road games are always tough. Players often lose focus and just want to get back home to their families and friends. Hopefully, the Isles will make the trip worthwhile and take advantage of a Carolina team that isn’t playing its best hockey right now. This is a very winnable game for the OrangeAndBlue, but they’ll have to earn it.
Happy New Year everyone! Have fun celebrating tonight and be safe. Murph, that counts for you double.
Islanders Outsider Says
Just to illustrate your point, Marc-Andre Bergeron actually told Steve Mears on Saturday that he was not happy about playing a New Year’s Eve game on the road because he would get back too late to enjoy the evening with his family. So, yeah, stay focused!
Dec 31st, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Jay Says
Happy New Year everybody! Let’s end this hockey year on a high note, Let’s Go Isles!!
Dec 31st, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Patrick Says
Maybe Dubie just needed some ice time to warm up.
Jan 1st, 2008 at 12:03 pm