New York Islanders: The Week Ahead

The New York Islanders (8-11-5) are going to have a busy week at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum after taking three-of-four victories on this most recent road stretch. New York finished the stretch with a 5-4 victory over the Dallas Stars (15-10-1) on Saturday night hockey action.

Leading the Isles in their victory over the Stars’, was forward Matt Moulson who exploded for four goals in the game. Dylan Reese also contributed to the victory-tallying his third career goal at the 2:48 mark of the second period.  The goal for the Blueliner is also his first since April, 2010, and the fourth by an Islanders’ defensemen this season.

New York will have a bevy of charity events happening this week that fans can participate in, as they will be hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins this week. Starting on Tuesday, the Isles will be teaming with the American Red Cross to host the the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

Fans bringing in a holiday card for a member of our Armed Forces to the December 6^th game will receive a voucher for one free ticket to the team’s upcoming game on December 15^th against the Dallas Stars.

The Islanders will also be teaming up with the U.S. Marine Corps to bring the Toys for Tots drive on December 8^th and 15^th. Fans donating three new unwrapped toys to the drive will receive a ticket voucher for an upcoming game.

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum will also play host to the 7^th Annual New York Fun walk for Pulmonary Hypertension Association on Saturday. The walk raises awareness and funds for those who have abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. 

More info on the walk can be seen here:

http://www.firstgiving.com/phassociation/7th-annual-new-york-fun-walk-for-ph

Stacy Podelski

http://www.smacksportvideos.com/

Evidence that Steve Downie Has Taken Mattias Ritola under His Wing in Tampa

Either Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jack Johnson hit Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mattias Ritola soooo hard on November 4th that the latter truly thought he was getting him back yesterday night with his best impression of former WWE superstar Rikishi Phatu (the hit, actually on New York Islander Matt Moulson, can be seen here); That, or his sense of timing is naturally that bad, thereby explaining just how he has turned out to be the first Swedish-born Detroit Red Wings draft pick to not pan out with the team, ever. I mean, c'mon, even Jonathan Ericsson, who was taken last in his draft year, LAST, has become an NHL regular. What's that say about you, Ritola? I'd be afraid of you hitting me from behind for telling it like it is, but the fact is I'm thousands of miles away... and you'd probably just end up getting some guy who didn't even look like me back instead.

Moulson ended up being okay, but a suspension should be handed out for the simple reason that the check was illegal on all counts: He left his feet, he hit Moulson from behind, and, if you look close enough, you can also see Ritola's elbow hit Moulson's head as well. That right there is the trifecta of stupidity, surpassed only by that time Steve Downie charged Dean McAmmond, left his feet, and launched himself right into his victim's head a few years ago. The end results were vastly different, probably mainly due to Ritola weighing just 192 pounds, and Downie already having earned a reputation of being a dirty player by the time he got around to concussing McAmmond (clearly knowing what he was doing at the time). At just 23 years of age, there's still time for Ritola to hone his craft. God knows he's got the perfect teammate to help him out.

Why There's a Such Thing as Video Review... Pay Attention Baseball Umpires

The New York Islanders escaped with a victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night thanks in no small part to a video review that revealed that Matt Moulson has scored in overtime to give his team the 3-2 victory. Play was allowed to continue until officials were given a chance to take another look at the play, which showed that while Lightning goalie Dan Ellis was able to corral the puck, he only did it a split second too late. Kind of takes the spirit out of scoring a goal, when the goalie makes a spectacular save but it still crosses the goal line, but rules are rules.