Isles Defense, MacDonald Tough in Loss
April 2nd, 2008 by Tom
The Islanders who lost to the Devils in overtime last night are not the same team that beat their Jersey foes five times in a row to start the season and six of their seven previous contests. No, this was a team featuring the names Brennan, Spiller, Keith, Davison and Okposo. These guys – maybe the new Isles regime, and maybe not – fought hard against a Devils team trying to clinch their own playoff berth. No one fought harder than goaltender Joey MacDonald who stopped 45 shots and I think that was in the third period alone. At least it felt like it.
As down as this team is right now, and believe me, they qualify as down since they have lost 14 of their last 18, but as down as they are they don’t play like they are down. And that is largely a credit to Coach Ted who always has his guys ready, and the youth movement brought in by Nolan and GM Garth Snow. These kids are hungry. They play that way. No one wants to go back to Bridgeport and I say that as someone who has friends from that town.
So, the scoreboard showed another loss last night but I have to say that if the Isles have to go down, this is the way to do it. Go down swinging everytime. Don’t leave anything in reserve. Empty the clip.
Just two games to go, both against the Rangers who are fighting for a better seed in the postseason. I think the Isles will manage to take one. Sure hope so. After this season, they and their fans deserve it.
