Before receiving the slew of giveaways, Comeau was bombarded by other light objects almost two hours earlier when his third goal prompted the Nassau Coliseum crowd to send hats crashing to the ice. The celebration was sparked by Comeau’s surging offensive production as the 24-year-old had his first career hat trick to key the Islanders 5-2 win over Chicago on Tuesday night.

The Islanders looked rusty in its first game off the NHL’s two-week Olympic break. But after allowing 22 first-period shots in going down 2-1, the Isles surged to four goals in the second. Comeau capped that barrage, tallying his third goal with 17.3 seconds left off  Rob Schremp and Mark Streit’s crisp passes that set up his shot from the slot.

“It was a great feeling,” Comeau said. “It was a great pass by [Streit]. He had the shot lane and he chose to pass. I was excited and it was good to be able to get the win with it.”

Comeau has six goals in his past three games. After going 151 games without a multi-goal game, Comeau accomplished the feat in back-to-back contests. He scored twice against Ottawa before the Olympic break and added three clutch goals against a Blackhawks team that entered the night trailing San Jose by just two points for the league’s best record.

Dwayne Roloson shrugged off trade rumors and made 41 saves for his first victory since Jan. 21. Roloson said Comeau’s production, which now includes a three-game goal scoring streak, isn’t surprising.

“He’s shooting a lot better but unfortunately I have to see him in practice now,” Roloson said with a grin.

Islanders coach Scott Gordon said he has been trying to encourage Comeau to shoot more instead of focusing on passing during most scoring opportunities. The left-winger responded by firing a team-leading four shots while using a stick that formerly belonged to teammate Trent Hunter.

“It’s the best I felt in awhile,” said Comeau, who has 12 goals. “It’s a confidence booster when you’re contributing offensively.”

Roloson might not be around to face Comeau in practice. The 40-year-old was still with the team last night but saw defenseman Andy Sutton traded earlier in the day. Islanders general manager Garth Snow sent the 6-6 Sutton to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2010 second round draft pick that formerly belonged to San Jose.

Rick DiPietro is still listed as out indefinitely after his surgically repaired left knee swelled up on Sunday. That could mean Snow might not trade Roloson by Wednesday’s deadline. Roloson is signed through next season.

The Islanders won for just the third time in the past 12 games. Gordon’s team has won its last two games but problems persist. A struggling power play unit did not generate any man advantage opportunities against the Blackhawks. The team is just 2-for-41 on the power play in the last 11 games.

Rookie John Tavares was minus-1 in playing just 10:17. The top overall draft pick was held without a goal for the 30th time in the last 32 games.

Islanders vs. Blackhawks Audio Report March 3, 2010

Martin Biron made 24 saves in his first NHL game since Dec. 21 while struggling rookie John Tavares added the game-winning goal in the fourth round of a shootout to lift the Islanders to a 4-3 win over Nashville on Tuesday night.

The Islanders snapped a season-high seven-game losing skid and cracked the three-goal threshold for the first time in nine games. Mark Streit’s right-point goal skipped past Pekka Rinne with 11.4 seconds left, setting up goals from Frans Nielsen and Tavares in the one-on-one session for the Isles first victory since Jan. 21.

Tavares, who has just two goals and five assists in his last 28 games, beat Rinne high-stick side for the winning strike and send the Isles into its game against the defending-champion Penguins on Wednesday with momentum.

“It’s a little bit off our shoulders,” Tavares said. “Things haven’t been going our way. It’s nice to feel good again. We have a tough test tomorrow but we’re up for it.”

Rob Schremp logged two assists to help revive a sputtering offense. Matt Martin also came through with a two-point night in his NHL debut, picking assists on both power play goals.

The 20-year-old left-handed shot set up Streit’s clutch goal in the waning seconds and was rewarded after the contest with the team’s plastic hard hat—given to the hardest working player after an Islanders victory.

“The goal was a blur,” Martin said. “I saw Streit wide open and he made a great shot.

“I was pumped up. We had a feeling we would win after that. I think the guys started to get their confidence back.”

Streit’s eighth goal ignited a celebration on the Islanders bench and helped Biron post his first NHL win since Nov. 13. The 11-year veteran stopped Steve Sullivan, David Legwand and Patric Hornqvist. Martin Erat scored Nashville’s only shootout goal when Biron prematurely lunged on a poke-check attempt and fell.

“We were obviously very happy for Marty,” Islanders coach Scott Gordon said. “I don’t think you could ask for a better teammate.”

All three non-shootout Islanders goals came from defensemen as Streit, Freddy Meyer and Bruno Gervais all tallied scores.

Gervais scored during a two-man advantage with 57 seconds left in the second period, tying the score at 2 right before intermission.

Gervais slammed in a rebound off Schremp’s shot ending a 0-for-24 streak on the power play in marking the club’s first power play goal since Jan. 26 against Washington.

But Nashville responded to its own two-man advantage when Steve Sullivan’s left circle laser beat Biron 4:12 into the third for a 3-2 Nashville lead. Erat’s crisp pass on Sullivan’s stick set up the winger’s 12th goal while Sean Bergenheim (high-sticking) and Blake Comeau (cross-checking) watched from the Islanders penalty box.

Erat gave the Islanders life late when he boarded Andrew MacDonald with 46 seconds left, setting up a 6-on-4 Islanders advantage after Biron was pulled for the extra attacker.

Biron is a three-man logjam with Rick DiPietro and Dwayne Roloson and could be headed out with the league’s trade deadline approaching in March.

“It’s been a tough situation,” Biron said. “We’re trying to do the best for each other and giving each chance to get some shots in practice.”

Biron, who was recalled from AHL Bridgeport, played in his first NHL game since Dec. 21. The 32-year-old veteran said the conditioning stint in the minor leagues was beneficial despite his 11 years of big league experience. The game could also be a showcase for Islanders general manager Garth Snow.

“My first practice in Bridgeport, an hour plus in net, I was dead tired afterwards. I haven’t seen that for a month,” Biron said. “With three goalies, you have to make the best out of it.”

“I knew the situation coming in and I know most likely I’ll be a chip for Garth to acquire something and give me a chance to continue my season.”

Meyer’s first goal since Jan. 21opened the scoring 5:10 into the period. Nashville’s previous breakdowns that allowed open shots for Bergenheim and Andy Sutton finally resulted in a score when Schremp drew the attention of two defenders near the sideboards.

Schremp fed a pass to an open Meyer after Erat overcommitted to stop the pass. The defenseman blasted a shot from the high slot for his second goal in 42 games. The offensive output sets up an important game with Sidney Crosby and the Penguins.

“Every game is important if we want to believe we have a chance to make the playoffs,” Gordon said. “The two points tonight will have more significance if we put together an effort that allows us to win the game tomorrow.”

Nashville responded by scoring twice in a 3:16 span.  Frans Nielsen’s desperation clear in the Islanders crease off Biron’s rebound went right to Cal O’Reilly’s stick blade, who buried the shot for his first goal this season.

Just minutes later, Joel Ward took advantage of a poorly executed Islanders line change to complete his breakaway goal to put the Predators ahead 2-1 heading into second intermission. Sutton was late getting over and smashed his stick over the Islanders crossbar as Ward celebrated his 12th goal at 13:51.

Biron is winless in his last six starts and 2-10-2 overall in his first season since signing as a free agent. But the ledger doesn’t mean a poor performance on the part of the 11-year veteran. The Islanders have scored just seven total goals during the six-game stretch while Biron has surrendered three goals or fewer in four of those contests.

A sputtering offense is a leading culprit for the Isles current slide. The club enters Monday night’s home game against Tampa Bay losers of six of its last eight games has scored four goals in a game just once this month, when the Islanders beat Atlanta 4-1 on Dec. 3.

Matt Moulson said the forwards are eager to help Biron post his first victory since he led the team to an overtime win over Carolina Nov. 13.

“It’s embarrassing,” Moulson said. “He plays his heart out every game and we don’t give him the support he needs. We don’t get him goals. He’s facing good looks all the time. We have to be there for him.”

Biron started the season in a platoon with Dwayne Roloson. With the campaign nearing the midway point, Roloson is working towards solidifying the depth chart’s No. 1 spot with a 2.91 goals against average and a .908 save percentage. Biron carries a 3.30 GAA and a .897 save percentage into Monday night.

Rick DiPietro is expected back with the team this week and could see action soon depending on how fast he recovers from leg tightness. DiPietro’s return could put Biron on the trading block, though the former Flyers and Sabres netminder said he’s only concerned with helping the team move back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

“All the guys are trying but in the end it’s more than just trying getting a win for me,” Biron said. “It’s trying to get wins for the team and get ourselves going in the right direction. It isn’t coming easy right now.”

Biron made 25 saves against Montreal Saturday night. The rest of the team couldn’t muster a single goal against Canadiens backup Jarolsav Halak in a 3-0 loss at Nassau Coliseum. Islanders coach Scott Gordon was supportive of Biron after the game.

“I would like to think Marty came off this game feeling pretty good,” Gordon said. “Even though he didn’t get the win, he didn’t get any goals. He had a good performance. I thought he played really well.”

Biron logged 20 saves and Matt Moulson scored a late third period goal. But the Isles still fell to the Los Angeles Kings, 2-1, in front of a matinee Nassau Coliseum crowd Monday to fall to
0-1-3. All four defeats have been by a single goal.

“We played safe,” Biron said. “We played an OK game but OK in this league is not going to work. We have to play a little harder and go for it a little bit more.”

The Islanders posted a 29-22 shot advantage and had a chance to tie it at the one-minute mark. Moulson tallied his season’s second goal with 1:55 remaining and the Islanders generated a good scoring chance after pulling Biron for the extra attacker.

Kyle Okposo collected the puck on the penalty-box side boards and fired a cross-ice pass for an open John Tavares. But Tavares, who was open below the right circle, fanned on the chance as the Kings improved to 4-1.

Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty scored for Los Angeles. The contest mark the first time this campaign the Isles failed to pick up a point following a pair of shootout losses and an overtime defeat.

Jonathan Quick registered 28 saves, including all in the first period when the Islanders forged an 11-4 advantage in shots through 20 minutes.  The Islanders are winless through the opening four games for the first time since 2000. That club finished the year in last place.

“We don’t have to keep the morale up. We got to kick each other in the butt and go play 60 minutes,” Islanders captain Doug Weight said. “We really controlled the beginning of the game and we’ve done that in a lot of games so far.

“It’s how we react. We need to start reacting better.”

Los Angeles opened the scoring 18:33 into the second period when Justin Williams slid a touch pass to his left for an open Kopitar, who wristed a shot over Biron’s right shoulder for his fourth goal. Former Islander Ryan Smyth, who heard boos nearly every time he touched the puck, picked up the secondary assist on the power play tally.

Doughty launched a 40-foot shot through traffic to beat a screened Biron 5:31 into the third period for a 2-0 Los Angeles lead. Tavares, the 2009 first overall draft pick, had just one shot while Doughty, the No. 2 pick in the 2008 draft, notched his second goal of the season.

The Islanders blew a third period lead against Pittsburgh and squandered a three-goal third-period advantage against Boston in the two shootout losses so far. Okposo said the team needs to eliminate its propensity to produce bad stretches in order to win the close games.

“We need to stop and dig deep in those times and really find a way to win those hockey games,” Okposo said.

Moulson ended Quick’s shutout bid with a backhand shot from the slot that went heavy traffic in front of the crease. The Kings avoided giving up the lead, improving to 2-0 on its ongoing six-game road trip.

“There’s no smokes and mirrors with our team,” Weight said. “We know what we have to do. We have to play pretty perfect for 60 minutes and we have to be moving.

“Whether it’s the atmosphere of the building or getting down or having a team flurry at us; we haven’t reacted well to it. We just have to get better in those areas. We have to remedy it quick.”

Notes: The announced attendance was 12,145…Islanders forward Joel Rechlicz fought Raitis Ivanans almost midway through the opening period…Smyth, acquired by the Islanders at the 2007 trade deadline before signing as a free agent with Colorado in the subsequent offseason, did not get off a shot in 22:05 of ice time…The scoreboard’s video display malfunctioned six minutes into the second period.

It was all easy going for the ‘Fish in game one as Luis Lopez connected for his second home run in five days after Adam Greenberg reached base on a single. The two run cushion was all Jackson (5-3) would need as he cruised towards the victory.

Greenberg crossed the plate again for Bridgeport in the seventh inning when Enohel Polanco hit an RBI triple.

Lopez was the hero in Bridgeport’s extra inning walk off victory on June 3 against the Long Island Ducks.  Lopez hit a walk off home run to left field on the first pitch he saw from Robert Paulk in the bottom of the tenth inning.  With a flip of the bat and a loud eruption from the Bluefish bench, the ‘Fish escaped from a possible Ducks sweep in the second series of the season-long battle for the Ferry Cup.

Esteban Yan was fantastic on the mound, allowing only two runs on eight hits and one walk, while striking out one on just 81 pitches.  Yan has now had four straight quality starts.

Andy Weimer entered in the ninth inning, and was just as good, throwing two innings of scoreless ball to earn his first victory of the year.  The righty only gave up two hits and a walk.

Though in the second game of the doubleheader, Sean Smith led off the bottom half of the first inning with a home run and turned Bridgeport’s ignition right off.  Corey Lee got tagged for his fourth loss of the season, giving up a season high seven earned runs on six hits in his shortest outing of the year, lasting two and one-third innings.

On Saturday night, Bridgeport erupted for a season high 17 hits and defeated the Patriots 8-7.  Brandon Sing jumped out of his hitting slump in a big way, going 3-for-3 with two runs, two RBI and two walks.  Sing’s night was capped off with his eight home run of the year, a solo blast in the seventh inning.

Yet, Sing was not the only Bluefish to contribute, as the entire lineup had at least one hit and six players had two or more base knocks in the victory.

Dan Reichert (5-4) had a season high seven strikeouts in six innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits.

Matt Pike earned his first save of the season, coming into the game in the eighth inning with two outs and two on.  Pike retired the next two batters in order, striking out Travis Anderson to end the inning.  Another strike out in the ninth inning by Matt Pike, this one to Anthony Granato, granted the Bluefish the victory.

It was a good rebound victory, as the ‘Fish got stomped on by the Pat’s the previous night, 11-2.  It was Somerset’s seventh straight victory.

Bluefish starter Gary Knotts could not survive a troublesome fourth inning, getting chased after three and two-thirds innings pitched.  The former Major Leaguer gave up nine runs (four earned) on nine hits and one walk, while striking out one.

The beginning of the week was no better when Bridgeport took on Long Island.  The Ducks took the first game of the three game series 9-1.  Starter Kyle Jackson suffered the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits, one walk and three strikeouts in six and two-thirds innings.  Three of the runs given up were with two outs in the seventh inning.

Franklin Perez made his first appearance since a stint on the disable list and Long Island slugger Ray Navarrete welcomed him back with a two run home run on Perez’s first pitch.

Bridgeport’s 3-2 loss on June 2 to the Ducks was just as painful, losing a 3-2 heartbreaker in 11 innings.

Bluefish starter Corey Lee excelled in his first Ferry Cup Series start of the year, allowing only two runs on nine hits, while striking out six over eight innings of work. Casey Hoorelbeke added two shutout innings of relief to keep the game within reach, before Matt Pike (1-2) suffered the tough loss in 11^th

The ‘Fish had an opportunity to win it in the bottom of the tenth when the Ducks loaded the bases by intentionally walking Luis Lopez with one out after Todd Davison walked. Adam Greenberg proceeded to sacrifice bunt him to second base and Tyrone Pendergrass then reached base on an error.  With the bases loaded, Brandon Sing struck out swinging and Jesse Hoorelbeke struck out looking to end Bridgeport’s chances.

In an up and down week, the Bluefish failed to finish above .500 and now find themselves with a record of 17-25. The ‘Fish trail first place Southern Maryland by eight and a half games in the Liberty Division.

Up Next: The Bluefish begin a six game home-stand at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard Tuesday night against the Lancaster Barnstormers at 7:05.

The Week Ahead

June 9-11 vs. Lancaster Barnstormers

Player to Watch: Ryan Mulhern had five RBI in three games against Bridgeport earlier this season.

June 12-14 vs. Southern Maryland

Player to Watch: Travis Garcia led the Atlantic League in hits going into Sunday with 58 and is batting .276 against Bridgeport.

‘Fish Facts

Who’s Hot: Luis Lopez now has two home runs in his past five games.  Lopez is hitting .350 over his past five games with four RBI and three runs scored.

Who’s Cold: Corey Lee has been lights out at home this season with a 1.47 ERA but on the road Lee has struggled and after yesterday’s tough outing Lee’s road ERA has now risen to 7.09.

Polanco Swimming in New Tank: On June 4 the Bluefish acquired Enohel Polanco from the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs for future considerations.  Polanco is currently hitting .467.

Mateo making a Splash in Durham:  Henry Mateo ’s hot hitting as a member of the Bluefish has now carried over to the Durham Bulls (AAA, Tampa Bay).  Mateo is batting .315 with nine runs in 15 games. The former Bluefish was also named the Atlantic League Player of the Month of May.  Before being signed by Tampa Bay, Mateo led the league with a .416 batting average, while scoring 25 runs, stealing seven bases, and posting a .473 on-base percentage.

Caligiuri Earns himself a Pair of Wings: The Anaheim Angels purchased the contract of infielder Jay Caligiuri on June 4.  Caligiuri reported to Arkansas (AA, Angels) of the Texas League.  Caligiuri had a team leading .404 on base percentage and was batting .289 with 19 RBI in 37 games.

Rogers off to Reno: On June 1 the Arizona Diamondbacks purchased the contract of shortstop Ed Rogers.  Rogers has been assigned to Reno (AAA, Diamondbacks) of the Pacific Coast League.  The 30-year old played in 33 games for the ‘Fish and had a .299 batting average.

The announced crowd of 6,411 at Citibank Park, were given the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Johnny Hernandez launched a Jared Gothreaux (0-2) fastball over the right field fence.  The victory for Long Island (5-4) gave manager Gary Carter, his first victory at home.

“It was a nice win to come back after the tough loss last night”, said Ducks Manager Gary Carter.

The start of the game was not a positive one, as Long Island starter and Ronkonkoma native B.J. LaMura had a difficult time in the first inning.  He seemed to have trouble getting his pitches in and when he did, the Patriot bats connected.  Two runs came home as a result of a Jeff Nettles single to left field, and a Matt Hagen double that just stayed away from the third base line.

Once the first inning was over, LaMura settled in and retired 10 Patriots in a row, before Anthony Granato reached on an error in right field by Raul Gonzalez.  In five and one third innings, LaMura gave up five hits and walked two, while striking out 3.

“I thought he did real well.  I know with a lot of family here, he started tough, but he settled down after that”, said Ducks Manager Gary Carter.  “He has earned another start.”

After Somerset’s Gothreaux got through the first nine batters with out getting allowing a Long Island batter to reach base, the Ducks cut the deficit to one on a broken bat bloop single by Raul Gonzalez, scoring Ray Navarette.

Gothreaux got into another groove allowing only one more hit over the next two and two-third innings, before walking Raul Gonzalez, and then giving up the home run to Hernandez.

Joe Valentine pitched a scoreless 7^th before the Ducks took the lead, to earn his second victory of the season.  Dan Miceli pitched a hitless eighth and Bill Simas closed the game for his fourth save of the season.  For the Ducks, it gives them a chance for Carter to experience a ‘happy recap’.

“Each game is a battle”, said Carter, but knows that it is good to get some good home cooking.  “You always want to play good in front of the big home crowd.  We know that we will get 6,000 a night at home, and hopefully tomorrow, we will win the series.

A victory on a fireworks night is always fun for the fans and the players alike.  Note: There are 10 of these planned for this season.

Quacker Notes:  Who is hot?  Outfielder Johnny Hernandez, a former Cardinals farmhand, is batting .500 before tonight’s game, with 2 doubles, 2 triples and 6 runs batted in.  Now, add a home run.  Who is not?  Lew Ford, the former Minnesota Twin, has struggled so far.  He is 5 for 29 to start the season. “He may be battling himself right now”, said Carter after the game; “But he is a major leaguer that has been successful, and I believe that he will get out of it.”  Preston Wilson had his hitting streak stopped at seven games.  Ray Navarette’s streak is now at eight.

But on the day after Christmas, Isles fans were finally treated to some benefits of the organization’s self-described youth movement augmented by a career milestone from the team’s veteran captain in a 4-1 victory over the Maple Leafs at Nassau Coliseum.

Bill Guerin scored twice, picking up his 400th career NHL goal, in helping his team win for the first time since Nov. 29. First-round picks Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey each added points and goalie Rick DiPietro made his first start since Oct. 25, earning his first victory of the season as the Isles avoided its longest losing streak in 13 years.

DiPietro, who previous appeared in just three games before undergoing an operation to repair a torn meniscus in his knee, stopped 28 of 29 shots faced. The netminder looked sharp in turning aside all nine Toronto power play shots, leaving the Maple Leafs scoreless on four chances with the man-advantage.

“I felt good,” said DiPietro, who has undergone surgeries to both knees since signing a record 15-year contract in 2006. “Anyone who knows me knows patience isn’t one of my many virtues. It took a lot of growing up and a lot of maturity for me to sit out and wait for the right time.”

Bailey, the Isles first-round draft pick last summer, was originally credited with his first career NHL goal with a shot through traffic 6:25 into the second period. The 19-year-old had to settle for the assist when a scoring change properly awarded Guerin the goal after the veteran winger tipped Bailey’s shot off the post and into the net for a 2-1 Isles lead for what proved to be the game-winner.

Guerin’s tally put him just one goal away from the milestone, and the four-time All-Star became the 79th player in league history to reach the 400-goal mark when he pushed in a rebound to build a 3-1 edge. Toronto goalie Vesa Toskala stopped Chris Campoli’s point-blank shot before Guerin buried home the rebound.

Guerin became the eighth United States-born player to reach the plateau and the third to do it as an Islander, netting his 13th goal this season 2:34 into the final period. Freddy Meyer added the insurance goal nearly six minutes later.

“I’ve been able to stick around in this league for quite some time now and had some success, and it’s a big thrill for me,” Guerin said. “Hopefully this is a win we can build off of. It’s big for us.”

The news wasn’t all good. Andy Hilbert suffered a hairline fracture in his foot. Hilbert was drilled with a shot attempt nearly 14 minutes into the second period, staying on the ice momentarily before getting up and skating slowly to the bench.

Yet DiPietro’s return got the announced crowdof 15,173 into it early, and not because of his puck-stopping skills. DiPietro sprung Okposo for his third goal. After taking the outlet pass off the bench-side boards, Okposo fired a wrist shot from the right circle that went by defenseman Jeff Finger, hit the shaft of Toskala’s stick and bounced into the net for the opening goal just 3:47 into the contest.

DiPietro set a new franchise record on the play, picking up his 14th career assists to pass Bill Smith for most career assists by a goaltender. Smith had 13 assists and a goal, leaving DiPietro one point away from setting the points record as well.

Toronto could only get one shot by DiPietro, who blocked Jaime Sifers’ initial shot from just inside the blue line before Lee Stempniak pushed home the rebound. DiPietro said the victory will hopefully propel the team to its first winning streak since Nov. 22-24, when the club posted back-to-back road wins against Buffalo and Montreal.

“This has been coming,” he said. “We’ve been working towards it each game. The forecheck has gotten better. The offensive-zone puck possession has gotten better. Our ‘D’ has gotten better.

“We’ve been taking strides to get to this point. It was a big win for us tonight and we’re hoping this will turn things around for us.”