Panthers 4, Islanders 2

The lineup was depleted but our boys put up a fight last night. Still came up short, though, 4-2. The Islanders were missing a total of ten regulars from their lineup due to injuries and sickness so the Isles had to dip into the system and dress defenseman Matthew Spiller and forwards Steve Regier and Tim Jackman. The Islanders were without Ruslan Fedotenko (sprained knee suffered against Tampa), Brendan Witt (sprained MCL) and Andy Hilbert. Good news is that Bruno Gervais might be ready to go for Saturday's game in Montreal at the Bell Centre. We really need some help here as the Isles ride out the season.

Islanders goals were scored by captain Bill Guerin and Blake Comeau. Comeau also had a chance to tie the game late but his shot went just over the net. Florida added an empty-netter by Brett McLean shortly thereafter.

How'd you like to work in the front office of the Islanders last night? Think about this one. Because of injuries and illness, the Islanders called up Matthew Spiller, Steve Regier, and Tim Jackman. Ben Walter had gone up Tuesday and scored against the Lightning. They sent Jeremy Colliton back to Bridgeport but he didn't arrive in time for the Sound Tigers game last night so they had to scramble to field a team last night. The Tigers called up Jeff Dwyer and Olivier Labelle from Utah and signed two players from outside the system to pro tryout contracts just to field enough players to lose to Binghamton 6-3. Not a great night all around for the Islander organization.

I got a bit of an interesting question this morning from a friend who is a regular reader. He asked me what I am going to write about now that the Islanders are just about eliminated from the playoffs. Well, I guess I'll be writing about the Islanders for the most part. I'll still be here to talk about my feelings on the playoffs. I just don't stop watching hockey because my team is out of it. My fandom is not as (shall we say) fervent, but I am along for the ride just the same.

We also have the big Ric Flair retirement parade pulling into Florida this month. I'm guessing that I will have something on that. So far, from what I have seen, this whole "riding into the sunset" angle has been butchered and not given the treatment many think it should have. I am sure that Flair's match at Wrestlemania against Shawn Michaels is going to be the most memorable and emotional ride of both men's careers. I won't be seeing it live because I am just morally against shelling out $54.95 to see one match.

We also will have a series of columns about hockey cards that my wife has been after me to write for years. Look for that sometime in April.