Considering the Islanders have gotten a plethora of shorthanded goals scored on them this season, it’s only fair that they get one of their own every once in a while. Once they got the lead, there were a few hiccups along the way, but overall, this team outplayed a much better Penguins team.

On the whole, the Islanders got contributions from everyone. Kyle Okposo got his third point of the season and Trent Hunter finished off the Pens with a garbage goal off a giveaway in the third period. Bill Guerin scored a sniper goal and Sean Bergenheim got his tenth goal of the season as well. The youngsters looked solid on the penalty kill and the defense really did what they had to in order to stifle a Penguins team that is markedly better than them.

It kind of makes you think where this team could be if they got an effort like this every night. With all the injuries and even Mike Comrie sitting out because of the flu, this team worked hard in both ends and did everything they had to do to come out with a win. It was a game that was fun to watch and featured plenty of nice hits and plenty of excitement. That’s the kind of game I want to watch more often. Sadly with this team not making the playoffs this season, I’ll have to wait all summer to get my hockey fix after the next week and a half.

On another note…What else does Wade Dubielewicz have to do to stay in net for the rest of the season? While he didn’t face as many shots as he did the other night against New Jersey and the Isles defense wasn’t nearly as spotty, Dubie was again strong in net. I said a week ago that this team should seriously consider using him more next season and by playing the way he did last night, he just affirmed that notion.

By giving Dubie the last five starts of the season, you’re telling this guy that you appreciate everything he does. He had a rough patch earlier in the season, but every time this team needs him to step up, doesn’t he do it? If this team is going to give anyone else a contract extension, why not give one to Dubie and let him play more than 10 games a season? As we’ve seen over the past few seasons, injuries to Rick DiPietro are going to happen, especially considering his “all or nothing” style in net. If anyone deserved a shot to start if DP got injured, it would have to be Dubie.

I know there are only five games left and they don’t matter, but the Isles need to make a statement here: Dubie has a spot on this team and he isn’t going anywhere.