Isles Take One in Jersey

by: Melinda Quasius | Special to NY Sports Day | Saturday, October 4, 2008



NEWARK, NJ - The New York Islanders beat the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in overtime, Friday, in a physical game that featured players fighting for roster spots.

Defenseman Chris Lee scored the game winning goal 2:28 into the extra period, assisted by left winger Sean Bergenheim and defenseman Bruno Gervais.

Lee skated through the center of the offensive zone and lifted the puck over Devils’ goalie Kevin Weekes for the victory.

The Devils had plenty of opportunities in the third period to score, taking 15 shots on goal against backup goalie Yann Danis, but were unsuccessful in ending the game in regulation.

Both teams, which met on Wednesday on Long Island, played aggressively throughout the game.

Right winger Brian Gionta, looking to earn some playing time amidst the Devils depth at forward, took on the Isle’s center Mike Comrie in the second period, earning New Jersey a power play with under four minutes left in the session.

“It was a lightweight (fight),” said Devils’ coach Brent Sutter. “Brian played with fire tonight too. He was involved.”

“We didn’t play hard enough against the New York teams last year, and it showed in the standings,” Gionta said of the aggressive game.

The second period finished with a buzz of activity for the Devils.

Down 2-1, New York center Jeremy Colliton was charged with a four-minute high sticking penalty with 54 seconds left, and moments later Lee was sent to the box for slashing.

The Devils maximized the two-man advantage just 13 seconds later when defenseman Anssi Salmela sent a cross-ice pass to left winger Zach Parise on the red line. Parise fired a shot from the left of Danis, and the puck glanced off his left glove and into the net for Parise’s fifth goal of the preseason.

Salmela is another player fighting for a roster spot with the Devils. He notched several minutes on the power play against the Islanders on Friday, which he said was unusual for him.

“I’m not the specialist,” Salmela said after the game.

“Overall, he had some moments, some tough moments, but he did some good things on the ice. He’s an intelligent hockey player,” said Sutter of the young defenseman.

Parise’s goal signaled a change in pace for the Devils. New Jersey opened the third period continuing the two-man advantage.

The power play unit riffled off five shots during the penalty, including hitting the post twice. Until the third, New Jersey had put 15 shots on goal but they doubled that total before the end of regulation.

“We did a much better job in the second half of having some assertiveness and puck pursuit. Our forecheck was a lot better, there wasn’t as many gaps. I think the shots on goal showed that,” said Sutter.

Sutter also mentioned that this was the first time this specific group of Devils was playing together, and there was a noticeable adjustment period.

New Jersey started the game quickly, with defenseman Johnny Oduya’s first goal of the preseason 3:32 into the game. Left winger Mike Rupp faked a shot at the point then slid the puck to Oduya in the left circle.

New York responded at 15:31, during a Devils power play, left winger Andy Hilbert wrapped the puck around the right goal post and into the net, tying the game at one.

Hilbert was assisted by Tim Jackman and Trevor Smith.

While still short handed on the extended New Jersey power play, forward Kurtis McClean took a pass from Colliton in the left circle and wristed the puck past Weekes with 1:34 remaining. Smith also assisted on the goal.

The two teams will meet again on Friday, Oct. 10, at the Prudential Center to open up the regular season. First, the Devils finish the preseason at home against the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday, Oct. 4.

Sutter said to expect a similar line up for the game against the Flyers, with the exception of inserting defenseman Mike Mottau, as the team moves toward finalizing the regular season roster.