Isles Open Up Coliseum With Win

by: Brian Bohl | Senior Writer - NY Sports Day | Sunday, October 12, 2008



UNIONDALE, NY - Rick DiPietro dressed for Saturday night’s home opener but sat on the bench for a second straight game. DiPietro's status for future games is still uncertain.

But the Islanders provided the best remedy for an unstable goalie situation by producing an offensive explosion. Last season, the Islanders scored a NHL-worst 189 goals. Yet the Isles started a new campaign at Nassau Coliseum by erupting for four first-period goals, galvanizing a sold-out crowd en route to a 5-2 victory over St. Louis in the home opener.

Andy Hilbert, Bruno Gervais and Doug Weight each registered a multi-point game, helping the home team improve to 1-1. First-year coach Scott Gordon also picked up his first NHL victory, earning a congratulatory handshake and souvenir from captain Bill Guerin.

“Billy gave me that game puck and said, ‘I hope there are many more to follow,’” Gordon said.

Guerin, who added an empty net goal in the final minute, said his coach took the milestone in stride.

“He keeps himself in check pretty well, but I think he was pretty happy,” Guerin said.

Mike Comrie, Trent Hunter and Sean Bergenheim propelled the Isles to a 3-0 lead in the opening 16 minutes, supporting backup netminder Joey MacDonald. After stopping 27 shots in a 2-1 season opener, MacDonald logged his first NHL victory since March 27, 2007, posting 24 saves.

“I didn’t know him coming here, but he’s a hard worker and he deserves everything he’s getting,” Gordon said.

Comrie initiated the scoring just 2:18 into the game, taking Richard Park’s feed before slamming a hard shot past Chris Mason.

The Islanders continued the pressure and showed more positive signs that Gordon’s system could pay early dividends. The power play was the league’s second-worst last season, though Hunter ensured the club of a power play goal for a second straight game to make it 2-0 at the 13:47 mark.

“That was pretty close to the efforts we had in the games we had during exhibition season,” Gordon said. “From top to bottom in our lineup, that was a pretty consistent effort from everybody.”

Barret Jackman’s interference penalty put the Isles up a man. Hunter capitalized on the opportunity, taking Weight’s pass near the blue line before blasting a 50-foot shot past Mason (29 saves).

Hilbert, who heard boos towards the end of a playoff-less 2007-08 season, turned the jeers into thunderous applause in the opening period, first by setting up Bergenheim’s tally and then on a highlight-reel worthy shorthanded goal.

“The building was rocking,” Hilbert said. “It sure was a lot of fun. They were so enthusiastic and loud.”

Hilbert battled in the corner near the Blues bench to keep the puck in the offensive zone; a move that paid off when Bergenheim took the pass and fired a wrist shot between the circles. His shot wasn’t hard but hit Mason’s leg pad on the low stick-side, trickling past the goal line for a 3-0 lead just 1:33 after from Hunter’s goal.

“As long as there is the right support there for a defenseman and a third man coming back, we’re going to be as aggressive as possible,” Hilbert said. “We don’t want to quit on any play. We kept the play alive and Bergy had a great shot.”

St. Louis tempered some of the enthusiasm when Brad Boyes completed a one-timer off Paul Kariya’s centering pass. Boyes was left alone near the crease, preventing MacDonald from sliding over in time to stop the slapper.

The Islanders reestablished the three-goal edge before the first intermission despite playing down a man. Hilbert raced into the Blues zone, making a swift backhand-to-forehand move before firing a quick shot. Mason made the save as Mark Streit collected the rebound and slid a pass right on Hilbert’s stick blade. Boyes was late getting back, helpless to prevent Hilbert’s skillful backhand goal.

MacDonald prevented the Blues from forging a comeback. Keith Tkachuk, who scored two goals in the Blues opening game win, made it 4-2 with 12:13 remaining in the game, converting a power play opportunity off a rebound. Kariya, a former perennial All-Star, picked up his second assist of the contest when Tkachuk scored his third off the season.

St. Louis would not score again as MacDonald ensured he did enough to earn his first victory since his time as a Boston Bruin. Gordon credited the 28-year-old for playing well for a second straight day as DiPietro continues to rest his surgically repaired left knee. DiPietro dressed and served as the backup, much as he did in the loss to the Devils.

MacDonald’s best save came late in the second. Tkachuk exited the penalty box at the same time the puck slid to center ice. The former 50-goal scorer raced in for a breakaway, getting off a low shot that MacDonald stopped by kicking out his leg to preserve the three-goal lead.

“It’s a turning point in the game if they would have scored,” MacDonald said. “My job is to come up with the saves when I have to and the guys put the puck in the net when they had to. That’s the difference between last night and tonight.”

Hilbert also cited the Tkachuk breakaway stop as a momentum-shifter.

“He was unbelievable tonight,” Hilbert said. “That save was one of the better ones I’ve ever seen. He’s really picked us up and played great tonight.”

The Islanders tight defense allowed the club to forge a 34-26 edge in shots. MacDonald also earned a few chants from the home crowd, especially after turning aside two Jay McClement shots in succession with 3:34 remaining.

“You don’t hear that in too many arenas,” MacDonald said. “It’s pretty good. It’s great fan support and I’m glad we gave them a great effort tonight.”