Another Home Playoff Loss for the Isles

By: Ryan Barbieri

After a 3-2 win at Buffalo in Saturday’s game against the Sabres, which tied the first round series 1-1, the New York Islanders knew that they would have to come out strong for their home crowd. Since 2002, the Islanders had lost four straight postseason home games and they were determined to end that streak.

Bill Clement, color analyst for Versus, explained that those working for Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum didn’t even expect the team to make the playoffs, and took the ice out of the arena after the final home game.

“We need the help from our home crowd”, said Jason Blake, defensemen for the Islanders.

The motivation of the home crowd was evident, as the Islanders outplayed Buffalo the entire first period. No goals were scored, but the team seemed poised to win the game.

Actress Christie Brinkley, a long-time Islanders’ fan, was at the game, and had a really good feeling about the team’s chances in this game.

“This Islanders team has a lot of heart, they give it their all every game,” said Brinkley.

Brinkley noted that she has started a blog on the internet dedicated to her favorite team. Her blog can be found here: http://fans.nhl.com/5A-notes/53249/56910/

Buffalo center Tim Connolly, thought the Sabres had to play a different game than on Saturday.

“I thought we came out slow in the first period of Game 2, tonight has to be a lot different,” said Connolly before the game.

The second period saw a much different game take place. From the drop of the puck, the Islanders again seemed pumped up to play in front of their home crowd. However, that changed when Buffalo center Adam Mair, scored the game’s first goal, his second career playoff goal. A hard check on New York’s Trent Hunter sent the puck free towards Islanders’ goalie Rick DiPietro, which Mair eventually fired at the goalie. Three minutes later, Buffalo left-winger Thomas Vanek made the game 2-0, on what seemed to be a questionable call. The goal was awarded after video review by the officials. Both of these goals quieted the New York crowd.

A minute later, Islanders’ right-winger Trent Hunter scored the team’s first goal, making the score 2-1. This seemed to give the fans hope after their disgust over the questionable call on the goal by Vanek. But, after giving the Sabres’ a two man advantage, the Islanders went down another goal, thanks to a hard slap shot from Buffalo captain, Daniel Briere.

The rest of the second period saw the Sabres’ outplay the Islanders’; similar to the way they were outplayed in the first period. After the Islanders’ went scoreless on a power play with 2:00 left in the period, boos began to surface from the crowd. But with eight seconds left, the fans erupted in cheers as Islanders’ left-winger, Ryan Smyth scored to make the game 3-2.

Those cheers were put to shame, as Sabres’ goalie Ryan Miller kept the Islanders team scoreless. Miller finished with 20 saves. Buffalo out shot the Islanders 35-22. The Buffalo defense played a perfect third period, and the team showed why they were the #1 seed coming into the playoffs.

The New York Islanders have another shot to end their home postseason draught Wednesday in Game 4. Only time will tell if they are able to do that.