Islanders Take on Canes in Rematch

Still stinging after losing their season series openers to the Mark Lohaus led Canes, the New York Islanders and GM Ryan Long were keen to get the next win when the two teams played again on Saturday. Bragging rights were not the only thing at stake, as the 2 GMs had been discussing a trade for a while, and were both no doubt eager to have their respective trading chips value increase with great performances on the ice.

Jeff Friesen and Joe Sakic exchanged goals around the 3 minute mark, and the score was 1-1 after the first period. In the second frame, Tim Brent made it 2-1 Carolina. However the Islanders’ Sergei Zubov blasted a big point shot four minutes later that beat Jose Theodore glove side, and made the score 2-2.

Sensing his team was about to lose momentum, Carolina assistant captain Jay McKee challenged Zdeno Chara to a fight on the ensuring face-off. The scuffle saw some big punches thrown, and would have been a judged by even the French judge. The impact wasn’t as McKee intended however, as just as the 5 minute majors finished, the Islanders Mike Peca roofed a rebound over a sprawling Theodore to make it 3-2 for the good guys.

Nik Hagman pushed the score to 4-2 for the Islanders early in the 3rd period. Carolina answered when Brent got his second of the game to pull Carolina within one. New York turned the pressure up from that point on, ultimately outshooting the Canes 14-3 in the period. As a result, Carolina wasn’t able to generate any sort of serious scoring chances, and the game finished 4-3 for the Isles.

Ice Chips
Goalie watch saw David Aebischer earn the win, stopping 24 of 27 shots, and improving his record to 3-1-3 on the year. Carolina’s Theodore stopped 29 of 33 in the loss, falling to 4-3 on the early season...Mike Peca was named 2nd star of the game, with a goal and an assist, extending his scoring streak to 8 games. Joe Sakic was named the 3rd star...Ex-Islander Scott “The Sheriff of Pakenham” Parker was injured late in the second period, when Denis Gauthier inadvertently poked him in the left eye. (inadvertent in that Gauthier was aiming for Parker’s right eye at the time). The play was missed by the ref, and Gauthier maintained his innocence after the game. “Scott and I go way back. The only difference is I was good enough to stay on this team, while he got traded away. I didn’t mean to poke him in the eye. That would be a dirty play, and we all know I’m trying to win the Byng this season!”...The Islanders have the next 3 days off, before hosting the Blues next game. New York is currently 0-2 at home, so will be looking to get back on track as hosts.