One of the members of the New York Islanders take their best shot during A.M. Skate. Photo by: Stacy Podelski
The New York Islanders (28-31-11) are set to host the Philadelphia Flyers (40-22-7) for the sixth-and-final time this season, as the Flyers hold the season series edge three games to two, with each team holding one victory in extra time.
After tonight the schedule does not get any easier for the guys, as they embark on a four-game road trip spanning 10 days against playoff caliber teams. Examiner.com was on hand at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for AM Skate, and brings Islanders fans these thoughts from head coach Jack Capuano, as well as players Travis Hamonic, Matt Moulson and John Tavares.
Caps Quotes: New York Islanders head coach Jack Capuano met with members of the media prior to the game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, speaking about numerous topics; including longtime line-mates and friends Matt Moulson and John Tavares reaching the 30-goal plateau in the 5-4 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.
About the youth of the team playing against playoff-caliber teams:
“I think it is good for these younger guys to be getting this playing time against some of the top teams in the league,” Capuano said. “It is giving them good experience against some of the more elite players in the league.”
On being ranked top in prospects list:
“It is a good sign to be ranked amongst the top in prospects list,” said Capuano, “I know it is going to take a while for them to get up here, but it is exciting for the future of the team to have these guys on the way.”
Islestones: Matt Moulson and John Tavares both reached the 30-goal mark on Tuesday, giving the Islanders two 30-goal scorers for the second straight season, for Moulson, the winger became the first in the franchise since Ziggy Palffy to score 30 goals in three straight seasons-as for Tavares he reached the 30-goal plateau for the first time in his career.
Moulson had this to say to the media prior to the game against the Flyers: “JT is a guy that works tremendously hard, and is a true professional, he is one of the best and he is only going to get better.”
Tavares on Moulson: “He is a great competitor and sometimes wills the puck into the net and it is unbelievable what he has been able to accomplish.”
The Tavares-to-Moulson combo has been a hot hand on offense, as the duo has a combined 18 points in the last 16 games.
Travis Terrific Three: Defenseman Travis Hamonic set a career high three-point game (goal and two assist) in the Tuesday night game against the Capitals.
The blueliner had this to say on trying to contribute more offensively:
“One of the main things I had been hoping to do is jump in on the offensive rush, and trying to put yourself in the position to where you can do something to contribute,” said Hamonic. “For me, I am just trying to make a conscious effort to get up on the ice, and it is something that I am going to continue to build on and make a part of my game.”
Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald will be two defensemen to watch for, as the young combo have combined to make many solids plays on the blueline this year. On playing with MacDonald, Hamonic had this to say:
“I think we play and feed off each other so well, we have a lot of trust and communicate so well with each other.” On what has been the key to building that relationship Hamonic had this to say to Examiner.com, “It seems as if we really hit it off from the beginning, we had a good relationship off the ice and I am a big believer in that translating to our play on the ice. When you communicate and get along well with guys off the ice it transfers to the on ice play. He and I think our styles of play go pretty well together as well, and that we work and feed off of each other.”
The Isles/Flyers game is set to air on the MSG Plus network, with face-off slated for 7:00 p.m.
ICF Jerseys off the Back auction: The Islanders Children Fund is holding a unique auction for New York Islanders fans, as there is an opportunity to bid on the jersey ‘off the back’ of one of the Islanders players. Highest bidder on the auction will receive two tickets to watch the Islanders take on the Ottawa Senators on April 1st and will obtain the jersey right off the back of the player they bid on directly following the game, in an on ice post game presentation.
For anyone wanting to take a crack at bidding on their favorite players jersey, along with helping out a great cause feels free to click on the link below:
http://auction.nhl.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/User?id=nyiNHL&wl=12717464&type=L&navid=DL|NYI|home
Story seen originally on the Examiner.com site on March 15, 2012 seen here:
http://www.examiner.com/new-york-islanders-in-long-island/stacy-podelski?page=1