Back from the brink of Christmas

Sorry for the lack of updates...and so much has gone on in Islanderville over the past few days.

Of course, the first thing we need to mention is that the vile ten-game winless streak is o-v-e-r thanks to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Yes, the same Leafs who were told in their local papers that the day-after-Christmas game with the worst team in the league was a late Christmas present of two points.

You have to love the Toronto media. Lose two in a row and the team is a bunch of bums and all of managment should be fired. Win two and the 42-year Cup drought is over and we need to start booking the parade down Younge Street. We need to get the entire Canadian media some Paxil to help with their mood swings!

Big news in that game was that Billy Guerin potted his 400th career goal. His 399th came on a deflection on a shot from Josh Bailey and the deflection was so obvious that I was scratching my head wondering why Billy and Howie were talking about the kid getting his first NHL goal when it was plain as day that Guerin was going to get it.

But, hey, who is complaining. The Isles got the win and Ricky was back in the net. What's more, he played a great, no nonsense, conservative game for the 4-1 victory.
Saturday night, the impossible happened. The Isles play a lackluster 58 minutes (well, not Joey MacDonald--he was pure fire) and then our boys tie up the Sabres with two powerplay goals with MacDonald pulled to send it to OT. Chris Campoli, who loves that top shelf, wristed one past Ryan Miller with 2 seconds left. Sure, the Isles coughed up the shootout but the way things have been going, one point is one point.

And here's a surprise: the Isles play the Rangers tonight and wouldn't you know it, Larry Brooks' man crush on Sean Avery made the papers again yesterday as LB is trying desperately--a little too desperately--to get his boy toy Avery back to MSG.
Look, I understand that everybody has favorite players but Brooks is just making us all a little uncomfortable with his gushing and defending of Avery. He can say whatever he wants about the Rangers needing an edge or whatever. It's just all a bit too much, Larry. You don't want us making the hostage face you made on live TV a few years ago at the NHL Awards, do you?

The "RANGERS (are not) SCREAMING OUT FOR AVERY", Larry. You are.

AND for all of those complaining (like me) about the Isles not releasing Josh Bailey to play in the tournament, did anyone consider that notorious complainer and whining curmudgeon Pat Quinn is the coach of the Canadian team? Methinks Garth and Scott may not have wanted Josh to be subjected to the Quinn negativity.

We'll have more about the Isles tomorrow and some insight on what we've seen while watching the World Junior Championships.