For the Islanders to go on the ice and defeat a team that not only won a huge game the night before against the Devils, but one that features two of the top snipers in the league in Marian Hossa and Ilya Kovalchuk was simply amazing.

To look at the score sheet afterwards and see that the Isles held the both of them to a combined three shots on goal and Trent Hunter and Sean Bergenheim had a combined 14 shots, put a smile on my face that I can honestly say had been missing for a while when it came to this team.

The reason why the Islanders were so dominant last night is simple. They did the three things they have to do every night if they want to win. They took shots with traffic in front, took the body and played shutdown defense. When you take the body, you create space on the ice and since the Isles had plenty of guys laying checks, every line had some mojo and space of their own. Blake Comeau’s line was being aggressive and had a cycle going all game, as did the Hunter, Ruslan Fedotenko and Josef Vasicek line. Mike Comrie’s line had some solid opportunities and played an up tempo game and Sean Bergenheim and the rest of the “fourth line” had a great game too. Richard Park seems to have brought out something good in Miroslav Satan, which more than explains his recent offensive production. Either it helps get this team back in the playoff hunt, or it attracts buyers at the trading deadline. Take your pick.

The defensive effort though was the main reason why the Isles were all over the Thrashers. Freddy Meyer and Aaron Johnson were extremely solid in both ends and Andy Sutton looks like he’s been watching tapes of Brendan Witt. Bryan Berard stuck for Comeau in the third period [more on that later] and played a solid overall game and despesite the fact that he was the reason why DP’s shutout was ruined [he couldn’t clear the front of the net] Marc-Andre Bergeron’s goal was an absolute laser.

Nonetheless, this team can’t rest on their laurels. There is way too much work to be done. With a game on Monday against the Sharks at home, the Isles will need to quickly recharge their batteries and try to prove that last night was no fluke.

Okay, now on to the whole Garnet Exelby incident. I don’t know how you guys felt, but I think he had that look in his eyes that reminded me a lot of Chris Simon. Not only did he sucker punch Comeau, who nailed him with a clean check a few seconds earlier, he also tried to give the kid a proctological exam with his stick. Now why the Associated Press wouldn’t mention that in their recap or why it isn’t being taken as seriously as it should be is beyond me. Simply put, Exelby needs to be suspended for his actions on the ice. How long, I don’t know, but you can’t go fishing for male gonads with your stick because you got hit with a clean check.

Colin Campbell needs to take a long look at the tape and come to the right conclusion. Sure, it’s not the same as the stuff Steve Downie or Chris Simon have done this season, but it still can’t be tolerated.

Posted under Post Game Rants