10/8/2011 Islanders Game Review

Islanders 2011-2012 Game 1 (Season Opener) Vs. Panthers Review:
LOSS: Isles 0-2 Panthers
Record: 0-1-0
Summary:
Opening night is always a great time filled with hope and excitement, but this year in particular felt different. The feeling was real and everyone knew that this year will be special. As I walked through the parking lot, I felt something in the air....sure it might have been the overwhelming smell of beer and marijuana, but I'm pretty sure it had more to do with the excitement filled atmosphere. People were pumped and you could tell the Islander pride was back. Along with what I previously mentioned, it felt more like a college party than a hockey game...but all that partying was clearly in honor of our Islanders team. Once I got through the party in the parking lot, I was able to finally get myself into the best stadium in the world (at least in my opinion). I got to my life long seats (section 311, row C) and was treated to one of the best crowds in the Coliseum I have seen in the past few years as well as an impressive job by the Islanders on providing a meaningful opening ceremony which including a nice long tribute to the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001, a tribute to the Islanders 40th anniversary, and an introduction of the members of the 2011-12 NY Islanders. The ceremony was magnificent and I am sure I was not the only one to have goosebumps following it. As you can probably tell, everything off the ice was great, but on the ice it was a different story. The team did not react to the excited, sold-out crowd the way most would have expected, and they came out extremely flat. It was an unimpressive effort by most members of the club. Sure, there were a few players who weren't bad, but they couldn't win the game by themselves. There is not much on ice activity worth talking about from that night, but off the ice I had some really fun experiences throughout the night. In the third period, one of my buddies (Kirill Kabanov), called me and told me to meet up with him in the concourse. So once I was able to find him, me and 3 of his friends watched the game....It was pretty cool to hang out with him at the game as people noticed him throughout the night. Then following the game, Kirill and I went to hang out at the Marriot. Kirill was treated like a celebrity, being stopped by every fan for pictures and autographs, and by being with him it was pretty cool to see how the players live. We went into the bar, and sat down at a table...lo and behold another big celebrity took a seat right next to us. Kevin Connolly (along with three ice girls) were sitting at the table on our right. With so many well known people in one area it became the "place to be" with many fans coming to meet them. As the only person in that group who is not used to being the center of attention in that situation, it was unique to say the least. Basically the night was sick for me, aside from the actual reason behind the night....the game. The game on the ice was terrible, but the fun off the ice was incredible.

Three Positive Players Of The Game:
1- Matt Martin- 
Worked his butt off and showed a much more well-rounded game than his play last year. His quickness and speed has improved dramatically and he used that speed to help him forecheck more efficiently. He was also skating very hard on the back check and tried to contribute in all three zones the best he could.
2- Travis Hamonic- 
He looked steady in all three zones, and he was, in my opinion, the ONLY defenseman for the Islanders who looked even halfway decent. He was able to play a physical, well-positioned game in his own end, as well as a good puck moving game. He moved the puck well when his club was transitioning to offense, and you could truly see how comfortable he looks this year.
3- Al Montoya- 
Despite a losing effort, he looked solid. He only let in two goals and in my opinion, if a lesser goalie was in the net, the Islanders could have let in as many as 5 goals.

Three Negative Players Of The Game:
1- Mark Eaton- 
He was very slow footed, and seemed to get caught out of position frequently. One goal in particular was all his fault, he pinched in and was deep in the offensive zone when the Panthers were able to take the puck and turn it for an odd man rush. They were coming in on a two on one and were able to put the puck in the back of the net. 
2- Mark Streit- 
Maybe it was nerves, but he played bad. He looked uncomfortable with the puck in all three zones and as the teams leader and defensive backbone it was a big reason for the loss.
3- Josh Bailey- 
He has been AWFUL in both games, but in this one he just looked like he didn't care. He showed no effort and let the Panthers take the puck away from him at least 5 times. He will need to pick up his game.