The Other Ghosts of Flatbush: Brooklyn Americans Hockey Club

As part of their celebrating the New York Islanders inaugural season in the Borough, the Brooklyn Historical Society recently concluded a Winter long exhibit featuring the former NHL Brooklyn Americans Hockey Club.

The New York Americans were established in 1924, two full seasons before Tex's Rangers laced up their first pair of skates.  Although both teams played in the same building (old Madison Square Garden), competitively speaking, by 1941-1942 they were leagues apart.

Ownership attempted to gain a foothold in Brooklyn, and played as such during the 1941-1942 season.  However, the outbreak of WWII (particularly Canada's initial participation) took a heavy toll on their roster which necessitated the Americans to suspend operations the following season.  When ownership applied for reinstatement in 1946, the NHL denied them in favor of retaining a balanced six team circuit, but more precisely, because the junior member Rangers claimed eminent domain.

Under head coach Art Chapman, the 1941-1942 Brooklyn Americans placed last with a 16-29-3 record in a seven team circuit.  The New York Rangers finished first in the standings, but it was the Toronto Maple Leafs whom captured the Stanley Cup that season.

British born defenseman and Brooklyn All-Star Tommy Anderson was Team Captain.  He led the Amerks with 41 points and won the 1941-1942 Hart Trophy.

Left winger Norm Larson led the team with 16 goals.

After appearing in 12 games as a rookie (1940-1941) with the New York Americans, goalie Chuck Rayner played his first full NHL season for Brooklyn.  When the team suspended operations, he went on to enjoy an eight year stint with the New York Rangers, for which he was elected to Hockey's Hall of Fame in 1973.

In truth, owner Red Dutton only moved team practice to the old Ice Palace on Eastern Parkway, and merely re-branded them as Brooklyn.  The Americans, however, continued playing their home games as tenants at Madison Square Garden.

They made a total of five playoff appearances while branded as New York.

In their last ever home game, the Brooklyn Americans defeated the eventual Stanley Cup champion Toronto Maple Leafs by a 6-3 final score.  The last game in the New York/Brooklyn Americans 17-year history came two days later on March 17, 1942, in which they lost 8-3 to the Bruins in Boston.

N.Y. Islanders: Flatbush Ave Braces for Brooklyn's First Ever Stanley Cup Playoff

From the desk of:  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

Series tied 1-1

I - NYI 5; FLA 4

II - FLA 3; NYI 1

III - SUNDAY

GAME THREE

Florida Panthers

vs.

New York Islanders

FROM

Barclays Center

BROOKLYN

NEW YORK ISLANDERS: A bit of thanks for the team which brought NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs to Brooklyn...

For one season (1941-1942) the old New York Americans moved to Brooklyn.  World War II canceled their second season and essentially caused them to suspended team operations, but not without a promise from the league they'd be allowed reinstatement.  When ownership reapplied in 1946 after the war, the New York Rangers blocked them, thus ending NHL hockey in Brooklyn.

After a 73 year adjournment, the Islanders bring the first ever NHL Stanley Cup playoff game and series to Kings County.

A quest that started back in 1985 after winning four consecutive championships in Uniondale, the Islanders' Drive for Five resumes tonight, only this time along Flatbush Avenue.

The Other Ghosts of Flatbush: Brooklyn Americans Hockey Club

ICYMI

N.Y. Islanders: Five For Flatbush

If the Islanders want to get by the Panthers, 

they must slow them down!

This is a team that posted back-to-back 100 point seasons.

Don't get me wrong, the Islanders can skate along side Father Time Jaromir Jagr, and his young band of Florida sunshine.  Game Two may have been just one of those things ... after all, they peppered 37-year old Robert Luongo with 42 shots.

The Isles, however, have been playing without their own starting goalie, Jaroslav Halak.  Backup Thomas Greiss has been in net the first two games.  Since Jaroslav last played on March 8, Greiss started 11 of the Isles final 18 games, in which he posted a 4-7 record.  The Isles were outscored in those games 34-29 (including the decisive goal in shoot-outs).  Greiss' worst moment to date may have come on March 25, when the Isles fell to Tampa by a 7-4 margin.  He faced 41 shots that evening, allowing 6 goals.  In the 3rd period, he allowed a pair of even strength goals within 23 seconds of each other, and three goals overall.

After two games in Florida, the Islanders have been outscored by a slim 7-6 margin.  That's too close for comfort, and something the Islanders' forward lines must change - not necessarily Greiss, or any potential return of Halak.

That said, defensive issues have long been a point of contention for Coach Capuano and the Isles.   Look no further than Game One, when five goals barely held up.

John Tavares brought the Islanders to within a goal of Florida at the 16:27 mark of the 3rd in Game Two.  The Isles nevertheless fell short, with the emphasis being Tavares (and his line) can not carry the Islanders by himself - he/they can, but he can't ... not in the playoffs ... and not with this kind of depth.

Quick item - Brock Nelson must continue being a leading scorer for the team.

Otherwise, the Islanders strength is their depth of forward lines, from the first to their fourth units, and their overall physicality.

Lean on that.  Lean on them.  Grind the Panthers down to a crawl.  The Islanders let the Panthers skate around a bit too much in Game Two and paid a price.  Said another way, it's time to make wall paste art out of Panthers jerseys along the side boards of Barclays Center.

That falls on all four lines, but, particularly the fourth.

An early goal and big hits will go a long way towards educating an only somewhat newer Brooklyn fan base in playoff hockey etiquette, and what is expected of them tonight at Barclays Center.

To all you Long Islanders coming into Brooklyn aboard the LIRR, I hope this playoff run makes all your efforts worth while,

.....for as long as it doesn't come at the expense of Tex's Rangers - whom are incorrectly referred to as an Original Six member.  The Americans came first and got screwed.

Just saying...

Stanley Cup Playoffs - Brooklyn is in the house.

N.Y. Islanders: The Thrill of Victory and Agony of the Seats

From the desk of:  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

Year One in Brooklyn

45-27-10 (100 Points)

Kings County's second ever NHL season is done.

The Borough's first ever NHL Playoffs is underway!

New York Islanders: The Brooklyn Americans were first to play in Kings County.  The former Long Islanders now bring the Borough into their first ever NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

*The 1939-1940 New York Americans qualified for the playoffs.

The Islanders first season in Brooklyn was a difficult adjustment to say the least.

I knew it would be.  

I settled on the blog title Five For Flatbush in order to capture the Islanders' quest for a 5th Stanley Cup, and to inaugurate their arrival on Flatbush Avenue.

There was a reason, however, why I initially titled this blog Brooklyn's Foster Hockey Club prior to their actual move into Barclays Center.  They are here due more to circumstance, than by choice.  An overburdened Long Island (Nassau County) tax base was unnecessarily forced to vote with their wallets instead of their hearts on a new arena proposal - which could have been avoided if local gov't would have simply worked more cooperatively with Charles Wang and his originally proposed Lighthouse Project.

Looking back, the timing couldn't have been worse.  Barclays Center was never intended to host NHL hockey - nor was there a reason to even consider it.

At the time, the New Jersey Nets were still working in cooperation with the New Jersey Devils on a proposed arena in Newark.  When that plan fell apart, native Brooklynite/real estate developer Bruce Ratner purchased the Nets from motivated sellers.

Since the day Ratner announced intentions to move the Nets into a new arena to be built in Brooklyn, and even throughout the construction of Barclays Center a decade later, no one anticipated the Nets and Islanders reuniting under the same roof ever again.  The two ceased being room mates back in the late 1970's when the Nets moved from Nassau Coliseum, and into the Meadowlands Brendan Byrne Arena.  The hockey Devils then moved from Colorado to join them during the early 1980's.  

The situation left the Islanders alone - a situation very unlike that of the Knicks/Rangers, and aforementioned Nets/Devils.

Quite honestly, I have no idea how many locals are attending home games.  I know some due.   Obviously, wearing Isles gear throughout the decades has not been uncommon here, but I see more now than at any other time I can recall.  Long Islanders may very well be carrying attendance largely by themselves, though  I don't know that, but I'm sure of it.  These figures, however, speak truth...

Local Attendance:

• New York Rangers: NHL rank #18.  They averaged 18,006 per game;100% capacity.
• New Jersey Devils: NHL rank #26.  They averaged 15,073 per game; 91% capacity.
• New York Islanders: NHL rank #28.  They averaged 13,626 per game; 86% capacity.

Here's the rub - the remaining 15% of Barclays Center potential seating for hockey games are (terrible) obstructed views.  Were it for more suitable seating, their attendance would perhaps be on par with that of the Devils, if not better (relatively speaking...) considering capacity is roughly 15,000 at Barclays Center for hockey.  In fact, the Islanders ranked #25 during their last season at the Coliseum, averaging 15,334 per game, or 95% capacity.  A now competitive team playing out a swan song season played into that, but they nevertheless outpaced the Devils whom ranked #26 last season.

Therefore, the Islanders' attendance figures might actually be healthier than meets the eye, but still does nothing to help the fact Barclays is somewhat unsuitable for hockey.  The scoreboard isn't even centered on the rink, adding to the general aesthetic detraction.

Then there's the partial re-branding of the team.  What choice did Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark have?  He had to keep the traditional Long Islanders content, while at the same time entice a new local market with its own very strongly held identity.  As a result, we essentially have a team with an alter ego, donning a completely distinct alternative (or primary?) uniform designed in part to compliment the Brooklyn Nets and the reuniting of one-time arena mates.

At this point, Brett Yormark's mind is undoubtedly pinned on Sunday's first playoff game at Barclays. Only winning playoff games, building a winning atmosphere, and sustained success, make other problems (perceived or real) magically disappear.

Even then, the nuances of this whole arrangement will continue dominating any conversation unless parading a Cup down Flatbush Avenue can change more minds..,

...or one of these parties opt out in a few years.

*          *          *          *

Much like life around Brooklyn, the 2015-16 regular season itself can be summed up with a simple - damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

Four teams exceeded 100 points in the Metropolitan Division this season, led by Washington's eye popping 120 points.  The Islanders came in at an even buck, while the Blueshirts finished just a mere point better.

The Islanders arrived in Kings County replete with a genuine star performer - John Tavares.  For several seasons now, his forward line (w/ Kyle Okposos/various third skater) has routinely been the best among any formed by either of the three local hockey clubs.

2015 - 2016

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE 

PLAYOFFS

Game One Final

Islanders    5

Panthers    4

As presently formed, John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, and Frans Nielsen led the Islanders to a 5-4 victory in Game One of their opening round series over the Florida Panthers.

The seasoned Islanders opted to counter-punch with the feisty Panthers.

Florida opened the scoring within the first two minutes of play.  Just under five minutes later, Brock Nelson tied the game at one.  But the Panthers converted a power play at the 13:51 mark to inch ahead.  Not for long though ...  Frans Nielsen reciprocated at 16:46 with a power play goal of his own, assisted by Tavares.

One again, Florida opened the 2nd period scoring within the opening two minutes.  Flatbush then embarked on a methodical grinding down of the younger cats.  With 0:22 second left in the session, John Tavares converted feeds from line mates Okposo and Nielsen, tying the game at three.

Flatbush continued turning the tables with Kyle Okposo's early score opening the 3rd period - fed once again by Tavares.

At 6:01, Ryan Strome next scored what proved to be the difference in the game, because within another minute, Florida scored giving the Isles their eventual one goal margin of victory.

Goalie Thomas Greiss, starting in place of injured Jaroslav Halak, faced 46 shots and made 42 saves.

For the moment, home ice advantage has switched over into the Islanders hands.

Playoff hockey arrives in Brooklyn this Sunday for Game Three.

The Rivalry: Rangers vs. Islanders - II

From the desks of:

RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS  &  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

THURSDAY

New York Rangers

vs.

New York Islanders

FROM

Flatbush Avenue Ice House

BROOKLYN

The Battle for Second Place Begins ... Now:

With the Washington Capitals dominating the Metropolitan Division by a 16 point margin over both the Rangers and Islanders, the battle for second place is on.

The Rangers are in Kings County for only their second ever appearance at Barclays Center.  Their first trip over the bridge came on December 2nd, which ended in a 2-1 shootout loss.  Prior to the Islanders departure from Uniondale, the Rangers last played in Brooklyn way back in 1942 against the Americans.

After Thursday's game, Madison Square Garden will then host the final two meetings of the season series.  If the mid-season standings are an early indication, then the series finale between the Rangers and Islanders on April 7 is shaping up to be one of their more epic clashes in decades.

The Rangers and Islanders enter Thursday's action tied with 51 points apiece.  Therefore, Thursday night's game will be an interesting case study in styles.  The Islanders grind teams down with four lines, whom all know how to throw their weight around.  The Rangers, on the other hand, try to play faster than the physicality.

I think this is a non issue for Isle fans.  I think it's an issue for some Rangers fans, and it's certainly an issue for this one, your truly.

Code Blue:

Midway through the season, the Rangers defense is a mid-level unit.  They're presently ranked 14th in goals against, which is well below their usual standard.  Adding insult to Rangers injury, the Islanders are ranked 12th in goals against, and that's just not something Rangers fans (nor Islanders fans for that matter) are accustomed to.

Don't Look Now, But...

Have the Islanders finally gotten over their long suffering Achilles heal?  Don't look now, but they are ranked #2 on the penalty kill.  That's been Coach Capuano's pet peeve for years, and one of the few, yet most self-destructive Islanders shortcomings these last few seasons.

Henrik the Busy:

Jaroslav Halak will be making his 23rd start Thursday.  Back-up Thomas Greiss has made 20 starts of his own.  Meanwhile, Henrik Lundqvist has made all but 8 starts for the Rangers.  In 34 starts, he owns 19 wins, a .920 SV% and a 2.49 GAA.  Combined, Halak and Greiss have posted 23 victories, with a .923 SV% and a 2.27 GAA.

N.Y. Islanders: Five for Flatbush

From the desk of:  BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

Welcome Home

I'll continue amusing myself from time to time, but,

I hereby officially retire

BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

The New York Islanders

portion of the BrooklynTrolleyBlogger now rolls..

From the desk of:

FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

New York Islanders: After a 73-year adjournment, Kings County set to open their historic second ever NHL season!

That's right..

The old New York Americans were established in 1924, two years before Tex's Rangers laced up their first pair of skates.  Although both teams played in the same building, they were leagues apart - pardon the pun.

Ownership moved the Americans to Brooklyn where they completed the 1941-1942 season.  The outbreak of WWII, however, necessitated them to suspend operations the following season.  When ownership applied for reinstatement in 1946, the NHL denied them.  You might say the (junior) Rangers claimed eminent domain.

(Thirty years later, I became a Rangers fan).

In any event, the league's decision in 1946 effectively ended to the New York Americans 19-year run, and completely short circuited Brooklyn's claim to an NHL franchise.

More recently, Brooklyn was home to a pair of low level minor league teams whom played in the renovated Hangar Five at Floyd Bennett Field.  The Brooklyn Aces skated between in 2008 and 2009, and from 2011 through 2012 the Brooklyn Aviators brought raucous Federal League Hockey to town.

On Friday, October 9, 2015, a National Hockey League team will once again officially plant its flag in Brooklyn when the New York Islanders host the Chicago Blackhawks at Barclays Center.

Back Together Again:

The Islanders were still an emerging hockey club during the years Dr. J led the New York Nets to a pair of ABA championships.  Of course, the Islanders later went on to form a Long Island dynasty.  

Both teams made Uniondale quite the hang-out back then, that is until the Nets packed up and moved to New Jersey to eventually share an arena with the New Jersey Devils.

While still together, both Long Island teams left behind indelible marks on their respective league's histories.  Julius Irvin perhaps single-handed forced the NBA into merging with the upstart ABA, while the Islanders became the last team to capture four straight Stanley Cup trophies.

If I had my way, they'd both still be playing in Long Island.  But, in a sense, they are - if you consider Long Island proper.  Flatbush, then, would certainly serve as its capital.  That said, it's good to see the Islanders and Nets back together under the same roof again.

The Drive For Five:

...was once the battle cry of the 1985 Islanders, whom were in search of their 5th straight Cup until finally getting undone by Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers.  

They are still in search of that elusive 5th Cup, which of course would be Brooklyn's first.  So much for not getting ahead of the cart.

The Islanders are also a sufficiently tough team.  And so Five for Flatbush seemed like a perfectly appropriate name.

The Islanders arrive on Flatbush Avenue as Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference contenders, replete with a legitimate MVP candidate.

They suffer from a few ongoing problems, particularly on defense and the penalty kill. However, they have not lacked for scoring.

Last season, they posted their first 100-point campaign since their last trip to the finals. 

In local speak, these guys are no chumps.

The puck finally drops on Flatbush Avenue tonight.

A new era starts now.