N.Y. AVIATORS ~ No Championship For The A's; Lose Game Four

UPDATED: SUNDAY 12:00 NOON

2010-2011

Federal Hockey League Champions

AKWESASNE WARRIORS

of Ontario, Canada

This photo of the "Winning Warriors" was taken by and provided to me

by Allison Papineau.

To my fellow Hockey Fan and neighbor in the Great White North,

I thank you very kindly.  And once again, congratulations to the

Akwesasne Warriors; 2010-2011 FHL Champions.

ORIGINAL POST
From the desk of:  The Coolest Guys In Brooklyn

NEW YORK AVIATORS:  Fall to Akwesasne in four games.

AKWESASNE WARRIORS

2010-2011

Inaugural Season

Federal Hockey League Champions

Warriors win series three games to one.

Don't let the scoreboard fool you.  This wasn't another third period barrage that did in the A's.  This was just one of those things.  You have to pull the goalie when the situation is dire.  A coach who doesn't gets fired for not coaching.  The problem is, the New York Aviators got burned twice by the move late in the third period while trying to come back from a 3-2 deficit. 

What the A's will probably rue most is giving up a power play goal at 5:01 of the third period after John Goffredo got whistled for hooking.  With only four seconds to go for a successful penalty kill, Akwesasne's Miguel Delisle scored a back breaking goal which is what really did the Aviators in last night.  Delisle's goal made the score 3-1 in favor of the Warriors with one second short of fifteen minutes left remaining in regulation time. 

Now down by two, Michael Thomson scored (assisted by Matthew Puntureri; Nick Vandenbeld) to get the Aviators within a goal again.  They still had over half of the third period left to try and muster one more goal for a tie.  They peppered Warrior's goalie, David Plouffe, with 18 of their 38 shots on goal in the third period.  But then it started getting a little too late for the A's and trying to score the conventional way.  At 18:55, Akwesasne scored the first of two goals after New York pulled goalie Kevin Druce in favor of the extra skater.  Two empty net goals made the final score 5-2 in favor of the team from Canada.

These two teams finished one and two in the regular season.  The Aviators needed a ferocious finish to place first in the standings and ended the season with a 32-13-3 record and 66 points.  Akwesasne finished in second place with a 30-16-1 record and 61 points.

During the playoffs, the Akwesasne Warriors played perfect hockey on the road skating their way to a 4-0 record as visitors.   Today, they are the Federal Hockey League's inaugural season champions.  They win the series in convincing fashion; three games to one.

Congratulations!

The winning team's celebratory photo and the FHL Commissioner's Cup can be seen on the Federal Hockey League's website:  Federal Hockey League

LINKS TO:
New York Aviators
Akwesasne Warriors




To the New York Aviators, thank you for a great season! 

And you're still The Coolest Guys In Brooklyn.







Mike.BTB

N.J. DEVILS ~ Flame Out

The Epic Clash

New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres

FINAL SCORE

New Jersey Devils  0

Buffalo Sabres  2

New Jersey Devils:  PostCards from Hell. 

*After an inspired run, the Devils had ZEROES left in the end.

A bedeviling start to the season can now officially be classified as ruinous.  The Devils' atrocious start cost their Coach his job; it cost them their season; and it cost them a spot in the playoffs for the first time in...uh, a very long time.  This is not the traditional way to be talking about the Devils in late March.  In the Devils' case, this is an ironic blasphemy.  They made things very hot for the Eastern Conference with furious play beginning with the New Year.  And they continued their Hellish play through the early portion of this month.  But lately, the Devils have slipped mightily losing four of their last five as they headed into tonight.

Tonight's game against Buffalo was supposed to be an Epic Clash for eighth place.  But heading into the game, the Devils trailed Buffalo by ten points with only eight left to play.  So instead, this game was more like a last flicker of hope for New Jersey and a reinforcement for Buffalo, that they are in control of their destiny and have a tightening grip on eighth place.

The Devils went down 2-0 after the first period.  They did nothing to alter their predicament in the second period.  They knew they were two goals closer to the end and that it was just a matter of time now.  With twenty minutes and a season in the balance, they took to the ice in the third period and.... completed the shut-out for Buffalo's Ryan Miller (his 5th shut-out of the season).  At the worst possible time in their incredible chase for a playoff spot, they got shut-out on back-to-back nights.  After six scoreless periods of hockey down the stretch, it is safe to say, tonight was the end.

What failed them back in October, November, and December, plagued them again over the last six games; Offensive scoring.  Take away the game against Columbus when they scored three goals, in losses to the Senators, Capitals, Bruins, Penguins, and including tonight's game against Buffalo, the Devils managed all of two goals.  And now, twelve points out of eighth place is too much to overcome.  With only seven games remaining for the Devils, it's time to put this demon to rest.

Flame out.  Hell just closed for the season.  Sorry about the bad memories.  And if all you got from this crummy trip was a postcard, then this game was the stamp telling everyone concerned to mail it in.

The second season is officially beyond reach now.  In between the what if's, what happened, and what could have been's - I guess Devil fans can talk about how Martin Brodeur increased his NHL All-Time Shut-Out record and added to his NHL All-Time Wins total.  There's that, but not much else.  It doesn't matter what team you root for; getting close sucks.  We've all felt it.


But what a run!  Give the Devil his Due.





Mike.BTB

N.Y. AVIATORS ~ Alive And Well; Game Four Tonight

From the desk of:  The Coolest Guys In Brooklyn

TONIGHT

GAME FOUR

FEDERAL HOCKEY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Akwesasne Leads Series 2-1

NEW YORK AVIATORS

vs.

Akwesasne Warriors

Ontario, Canada

Update
The Game Went Final

NEW YORK AVIATORS:  A's Gain Life In Game Three.  Will Try And Tie Series Tonight.  A Deciding Game Five Would Be Played In Brooklyn.

Throughout these playoffs, the big period has undone or propelled all participating teams.  This series has been no different.  Last night, the New York Aviators rode a big second period to victory over the Akwesasne Warriors and are now officially back in this series.  Although the A's are still down two games to one.  A victory tonight by the Aviators would tie this series and bring it back to Brooklyn for a Game Five Show-Down Monday night at the Hangar where the FHL will finally crown a champion.

Last night in Ontario, Canada - The Aviators opened up the scoring when Casey Mignone (assisted by Warren Galloway; Angelo Serse) scored four and a half minutes into the game.  At the 12:47 mark, Akwesasne tied the score 1-1 and that's the way the period would end.

Andrew Scampoli put the Aviators up by a goal again at 7:39 (assisted by KC Timmons) of the second period.  Then at 9:22, KC Timmons got called for a hooking penalty that the Warriors cashed in on with a power play goal at the 10:12 mark.

At 10:25, the Aviators struck right back with the first of three unanswered goals they'd score to close out the second period.  John Goffredo's goal (assisted by Andrew Scampoli; Jesse Felten) put New York up 3-2.  At 13:34 N.Y.'s Nicholas Kuqali got whistled for a holding penalty.  On the ensuing penalty kill, A's Nick Vandelbeld scored a pick-me-up, unassisted, shorthanded goal for the visiting team, which put them up 4-2.  And at 15:54, Angelo Serse gave the Aviators a 5-2 lead (assisted by Stephen Obelnicki) they'd take into the second intermission.

Half way through the final period, Akwesasne closed the score to 5-3.  But that's as close as they would get.  The New York Aviators sealed the game when Stephen Obelnicki scored, unassisted, on an empty Warrior's net.

A's goalie Kevin Druce faced 42 shots and stopped 39 of them.  He reversed the trend of the last two games when Akwesasne turned the third period into their personal skating sessions and mounting comebacks.  Seventeen of Akwesasne's forty-two shots on goal came in the third period.  On this night, Kevin Druce stayed solid and has given the Aviators life.

The final score of 6-3 says the skaters from Brooklyn are indeed alive and well.  A win tonight and the series comes back to the Borough of Kings for a decisive Game Five.

Let's Go Aviators!!

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ Blueshirts and Henrik Face A Familiar Dilemma

New York Rangers ~ Fall To Ottawa In Shoot-Out.
Salvage One Point.

They played a rather unflattering first period.  Ottawa spent way too much time in the Rangers' zone.  The Blueshirts did not play like a team desperate for points.  The second period would only serve to further infuriate their Coach, as the Senators took a 1-0 lead into the 2nd intermission.  In the third period, a tie game was born on a Brandon Prust goal.  In over-time, Henrik saved the Rangers' skins with a brilliant right pad save off an Ottowa breakaway coming as a Rangers' power play had just expired.  That's all there is worth speaking of.  Why chronicle the Rangers' seeming futility which plagued them most of this game?

They went to a Shoot Out at The Garden ~  Coach Torts elected to shoot first;

OTTAWA - Anderson; 30 shots - 29 saves.
NEW YORK - Lundqvist; 29 shots - 28 saves.

NYR ~ Christensen ~ Shot wide.
OTT ~ Spezza ~ Save; left pad.

NYR ~ Zuccarello ~ Save; right pad.
OTT ~ Shannon ~ Save; pushed left.

NYR ~ Wolski ~ Save; glove high.
OTT ~ Svatos ~ Save; right pad wide.

NYR ~ Dubinsky ~ Shot wide.
OTT ~ Foligno ~ Stick Save!

NYR ~ Callahan ~ Save; Broken stick shot.
OTT ~ Karlsson ~ GOAL!

The New York Rangers lose in a Shoot-Out. 
Game final ~ N.Y. Rangers 1; OTT Senators 2 - SO

That's all there needs to be said of the game other than I'm disgusted that we played down to Florida and Ottawa.


TODAY:  FACE-OFF AGAINST #3 BOSTON BRUINS

The New York Rangers and Henrik Lundqvist
find themselves in a similar situation as last season.


But first....I thought I was ready to put the Sean Avery issue to bed after his consecutive string of being a healthy scratch.  The Rangers' play during their recent streak (before running into a slow-down versus FLA and OTT) justified Coach's move.  But when Coach Torts doesn't let Fedotenko, Zuccarello, nor Erik Christensen touch ice during the third period against Ottawa (which also isn't the first time these guys have been benched during the third periods of games), we have to rethink the Sean Avery situation.  Me personally, I'd rather have Avery getting shifts over Christensen and Fedotenko.  But that's just me.  Chris Drury just might be back to muddle the forward line mess a little more; which I hope is unlikely.

Henrik:
Last year, Henrik Lundqvist started 73 games.  Our back-up goalie situation was in disarray.  Steve Valiquette, Alex Auld, and Chad Johnson were all called on to help Henrik but were all generally ineffective.
Henrik wound up starting the final 17 games of the season leading up to that fateful Shoot-Out against Philly on the final game of the season.  And if we all remember correctly, last season's final playoff push wore Henrik down and his knees needed treatment in the off-season.  Marty Biron was supposed to rectify that situation and be the one to spell Henrik for about 20 games this season.  But we know what happened to him and we're right back to having Chad Johnson waiting in the wings.  If Henrik starts this afternoon against Boston, it will be his 20th consecutive start since Biron went down.  But it will only be his 61st start of the season with seven games left to play.  I'd like for someone to ask Henrik how his knees are feeling right about now.  He will fall short of 73 starts like last season, but he's going to wind up close.

Make of it what you will.  I'm just saying...

TODAY

NEW YORK RANGERS

40-30-5

vs.

Boston Bruins

41-22-10

From Not the Boston Garden

BOSTON, Mass.

LET'S GO RANGERS!

Mike.BTB

N.Y. AVIATORS ~ A's Face Elimination In Game Three Tonight

From the desk of:  The Coolest Guys In Brooklyn

FRIDAY,  March 25, 2011

GAME THREE

FEDERAL HOCKEY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

AKWESASNE LEADS SERIES 2-0

NEW YORK AVIATORS

vs.

Akwesasne Warriors

ONTARIO, CANADA

FederalHockeyLeague.com

New York Aviators: Must Win Tonight! 

As Kevin Druce goes, so shall the Aviators go.  In both games of this series, after establishing early leads, the third period has proven to be the team's achilles heel.  Akwesasne's secret success however, has been their 4-0 record on the road through two rounds of playoffs.  As a result, they are in position to win this year's FHL Title tonight.  They'll have two chances to win one game on home-ice and clinch a championship.  Meanwhile, the Aviators are faced with having to sweep the next three games.  If they manage to win the next two games, they will come back to Hangar #5 in Brooklyn for a series finale.

After the first period, the Aviators led 3-1 in Game One.  But Akwesasne came back to hand New York a 4-3 loss.  In game two, Jesse Felten kept the A's ahead for the first two periods; recording a goal in each session.  The Akwesasne Warriors then exploded for 6 third period goals.  The Aviators managed two more goals but lost 6-4.

They now face elimination in Game Three. 

Bring the series back home.  Let's Go Aviators!!!




Mike.BTB

N.Y. METS ~ I Say Fans Have More Power Over Wilpon Than Picard

From the desk of:  Head-Butting Mr. Met



New York Mets:  An Embattled Owner Needs His Fan Base Now More Than Ever.  Met Fans Are In A Unique Position To Let Their Owner Sink Or Swim.  What Will "WE" Do?

The Mets just ate $18 million in contract money still owed to Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez.  Picard upped the ante against the The Wilpons by another $700 million dollars; bringing the total bill against Fred and Co. up to a cool $1 Billion Dollars.  So what did today have in store for the Mets' beleaguered owners?  Forbes downgraded the value of their club by 13%.  That's a huge disparity if the figure reflective of the team's worth has nine or ten digits in it before the decimal.

While the Wilpons are estimating their team's value in excess of one billion dollars, Forbes didn't see it that way.  This directly alters what the Wilpons are trying to secure in exchange for up to 25% ownership of the team from a prospective stupid silent partner.  How much will 25% really cost someone, and will it be enough for the Wilpons to keep their noses above water?  I ask because we sadly have been told by the owners, they need this financial infusion to sustain operations over the next two to three years.

Having us ponder the ramifications of Fred's stated short term goal is ponderous.  Does that sound very promising to you?  Forget knowing what we all know and have learned thus far.  Just take the statement at face value.  They need a hard cold cash infusion and a truck load of help to survive the next two years. The Wilpons and Uncle Saul, need help with the daily financial operational ability of the Mets.  Go ahead, say it again if you have to.  It sounds mind-boggling for a NYC team.  We know all about the MLB loans by now.  We also know they have no where and no one else to borrow from.  And borrowing against questionable accounting is how they operated in the first place.  How else does an initial 2% owner's stake parlay into the empire Fred Wilpon is currently wrecking?  Of course that's total speculation on my part.

According to circulating reports about the handling of the sale, nothing should happen until at least July.  Between then and now, as the team is also plagued by weak ticket sales, can the Wilpons manage at least till then?  I'd imagine so.  I'd imagine MLB offices have ensured the Mets have payroll locked up safely in escrow.  Right?  You would think.

But when the original revelation of the Ponzi Scheme first broke out, I thought for some time, such a smart guy like Fred Wilpon would be savvy enough to be more diversified than he was, and not have a great majority of his investment principle heavily intertwined with Bernie Madoff.  Like I said, the longer this goes, the more we learn.

At this point, there is nothing more Sandy Alderson can do to inspire fans to fill seats this season.  His biggest successes have come before the season even starts.  Other than reconfigure the front office, revamping minor league operations, and ridding the team of Castillo and Perez, the state of the Mets suggests Sandy Alderson's work for the season is near complete.  The only pending matter would be that of Carlos Beltran.  Will he or won't he last the season in a Mets' uniform?  Otherwise, it's up to the current players themselves to inspire high numbers of fans to get out to Citi Field and fork over large sums of money the owner of this enterprise desperately needs us to spend.

How long? - ...is the question.  How long can the Wilpons last?  Being found right or wrong by Picard maybe be a matter resolved just a wee-bit too late for Mr. Wilpons' purposes.  They need cash; and they need it now.  They can't be entirely sure if we are going to literally come to the rescue by heading out to Citi by the Bay in droves.  Other than that, the very earliest anyone else can give him the type of cash he needs won't be ready till mid-summer.

The fan base has been quite the perturbed ones with regard to their ownership these last few years; and especially since Fred and Family became sole owners in 2003.  And now, he has never needed us more than he will in April; May; and June.  He hasn't been what we would call being forthright with us.  He's even bent the truth on us with regards to Madoff over a detail or two.  At one time this organization was valued by Forbes as the number two organization in Baseball.  But the Wilpons never allowed the club to operate in a manner reflective of that lofty status.

Now he needs our help to get him through to at least July.  Mr. Wilpon is confident Picard is drumming up pure fiction.  But do you think he's feeling equally confident we will show up for him in the numbers he desperately needs over the next three months?

For those of you Met fans who want to see the Wilpons sell the team and fade away, you'll never have a better chance than right now to exercise a say in his and our present dilemma.  If we show up in record lows over the first three months of the season; his ownership is toast.

If you have compassion for the man and want to see him remain, then go to Citi Field, root, cheer and scream....Let's Go Mets.  But the truth be known, Met fans are in a very unique position over the next four months to exert a lot of influence with regards to their present or future owner.


Let's Go Fans!





Mike,BTB

Brooklyn Urban Art ~ "People of Empire City"

From:  My Urban Art Archives 2010
Credit: To Brooklyn's Urban Artists

Mike.BTB

N.Y. RANGERS ~ Must Finish Strong Homestand Against Weak Ottawa

NYR - Eight Games Left

TONIGHT

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Ottawa Senators

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS
40-30-4

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
33rd Street and 7th Avenue

NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE:

#1 ~ Philadelphia

#2 ~ Washington

#3 ~ Boston

#4 ~ Pittsburgh

#5 ~ Tampa Bay

#6 ~ 87 Points;  Montreal

#7 ~ 84 Points;  New York

#8 ~ 81 Points;  Buffalo

----------------------------

#9 ~ 78 Points;  Carolina

#10 ~ 76 Points;  Toronto

#11 ~ 72 Points;  Atlanta 

#12 ~ 72 Points;  New Jersey
#13 ~ 70 Points;  Long Island

Thursday Games of Note:

Montreal vs. Boston

Toronto vs. Colorado

Atlanta vs. NYI

Friday Games of Note:

Florida vs. Buffalo

Carolina vs. Tampa Bay

New Jersey vs. Pittsburgh

NEW YORK RANGERS:  Pre-Game

I guess two of the biggest questions going into this game are, One; How is Henrik's neck?  And two; How is Marc Staal's double-secret body ailment?

In Henrik's case, Coach made it very clear after the Montreal game in which Henrik got run over by the Canadiens, that he expected his goalie to lead his team; make no excuses, and tough his way through neck soreness.  Henry has obliged his Coach with a superb effort against Pittsburgh and his 10th shut-out of the season versus Florida.  But c'mon; let's face it, Coach Torts isn't about to hand a game over to Chad Johnson at this juncture of the season just to spell Henry.  We don't have a cushion to work with.  So it's Henrik or Bust.

Marc Staal?  We're not so sure.  Coach Torts is being as tight lipped about what ails Staal as a disinterested baby refusing one last spoon full of strained spinach and peas.  Most suspect it's his left knee that he's had trouble with before.  He may play tonight.

Outside of getting some of Erik Christensen's ice-time, there is little to no reason why Coach Torts shouldn't make Sean Avery a healthy scratch for the fifth time since the Rangers played in San Jose.  The way the Rangers have been playing and not having Avery in the penalty box speak for themselves, despite my season long protestations.  Even I realize Coach is making the right call.  And I'll be honest; I never thought Vinny Prospal would be as effective as he's been since his return.  I just learned through the wonderful world of Twitter, Avery will indeed be a healthy scratch again.  So that settles that.  Barring an injury within the ranks, will Sean Avery see ice again in the last games of the regular season?  I guess we'll have to stay tuned.

POINTS ~  is the name of the game.  There's really not much else to talk about other than this team just needs to sustain what they've been doing.  Buffalo is the team I find most troublesome because of all the head-to-head games they still have left with us; the Devils; Carolina; and Toronto.

Tuesday I did an Eastern Conference Shake Down.  You can check that out HERE.


The Rangers are now 18-16-3 at home.  Their marked improvement at MSG can ill afford to suffer a setback tonight versus Ottawa; the worst team in the Conference.  After tonight, we take to the road again for four games.  Boston is first before the big show down with Buffalo.  Then games against the Islanders and Flyers conclude our road schedule.  The Rangers will play their last three games of the regular season on home-ice.


Talk to ya after the game.


Let's Go Rangers!!

B'klyn Dodgers ~ Panel: Re-Examining Carl Furillo at BHS

EVENT: Brooklyn Dodgers


Linked from: The Brooklyn Historical Society ~ PANEL: RE-EXAMINING CARL FURILLO


This Saturday, March 26, 2011
Panel: Re-Examining Carl Furillo
2:00pm

Ted Reed, a veteran reporter and author of the new book Carl Furillo: Brooklyn Dodgers All-Star, will speak about Furillo’s career and two little-explored events that have shaped perceptions of the Dodgers right-fielder: Furillo's supposed opposition to Jackie Robinson joining the Dodgers and Furillo's suit against the Dodgers for injuries. Judith Testa, a former college professor and author of Sal Maglie: Baseball’s Demon Barber, will speak about the twists and turns in the relationship between Furillo and Maglie. Carl Furillo Jr. will share memories of his dad. This program is open to the public and is free with museum admission. Admission is always free for BHS members.





Picture and Link: Brooklyn Historical Society


Thanks to DodgerBobble.com for letting me know.





Mike.BTB

Brooklyn ~ Tom's Egg Cream; Delicious Since 1936

Tom's Restaurant

ESTABLISHED 1936

Today, I visited the corner of Washington Avenue and Sterling Place in Prospect Heights.

Billy, and the fine people at Tom's Restaurant make an Egg Cream that is..

THE BEST!

...Did I say The Best?  Yes I did.  Just look at it!  It's beautiful.

Remember what I always say, - Clear cups are the way to go.  But take a look at the top.  No place in my search for the Ultimate Egg Cream has topped mine off with whipped cream and a shake of cinnamon.  Let me tell ya..., underneath that plastic dome was five minutes of slurpin' splendor.  Get One!  Tell 'em TheBrooklynTrolleyBlogger sent ya.

A short walk away from the construction site where the Barclays Center is being prepared for Brooklyn's foray into Professional Basketball, Tom's Restaurant in Prospect Heights has been serving up the Borough's traditional elixir since the days when 

Dem Bums still played at Ebbets Field.

It's simple. 

If you're hungry and are in the neighborhood, you go to Tom's.

If you want to sit somewhere friendly and enjoy good food and conversation,
you go to Tom's.

 If you want to go back to a more simpler time in Brooklyn's rich past,
you go to Tom's.

They don't recreate anything. 

They ARE the black and white picture in some-one's old photo album. 

They are the Good Ol' Days.  Best of all, they are right now and in color.

They ARE and always have been....Brooklyn.

To TOM'S RESTAURANT:

Happy 75th Year Anniversary

To A Brooklyn Icon

TheBrooklynTrolleyBlogger Memebers of

The EGG CREAM Society

Mike.BTB

N.Y. AVIATORS ~ Face Must Win Friday Night

From the desk of:  The Coolest Guys In Brooklyn

2010-2011

Federal League Championship

NEW YORK AVIATORS:  Drop Game Two; Fail To Win On Home Ice.  Face Must Win Situation On The Road.


Akwesasne Warriors lead series 2-0



As of Sunday, March 20 ~ GAME TWO:

For the first two periods, Jesse Felten kept the A's confident they'd be heading to Ontario, Canada for the next phase of this series tied at one game apiece having dropped Game One Saturday.  After the first period, the Aviators led after Felten scored at the 8:39 mark (assisted by Michael Thomson).  A little past the midway point of the second period, Jesse Felten scored his, and the Aviators second goal of the game (assisted by John Goffredo at 10:41) making the score 2-0 after two periods.

Then as if flying over the Bermuda Triangle, our Aviators' gauges went wacky; our compass spun out of control; and we lost all direction.  After four and a half minutes into the third period, the Warriors unleashed a five minute assault that overwhelmed the A's.

An Akwesasne goal at the 4:35 mark started them on the war path.  Seventeen seconds later this game was tied at two.  Two minutes and fifty-four seconds after that, Akwesasne's Amhed Mahfouz scored his second goal of the period to give the Warriors their first lead at 3-2.  And Akwasasne's Pierre Dagenais, not wanting to be out-done scored his second goal of the game at the 8:13 mark to make it 4-2

The dueling Akwesasne forwards were not done yet.  At 9:49, Amhed Mahfouz completed the natural hat-trick with his third goal of the period.  Michael Thomson (assisted by Matthew Puntureri; KC Timmons) managed to get a goal back for the Aviators on the power play to make the score 5-3 in favor of the visitors.  But then, you kind of sensed it coming, Warrior Pierre Dagenais equalled his teammates feat with a natural hat-trick of his own scoring at the 12:12 mark to up their lead to 6-3.

With a half minute left in the game, Andrew Scampoli scored (assisted by Nick Vandenbeld; Michael Thomson) to make the score a bit more respectable.  But the New York Aviators would lose 6-4 and go down in the Federal Hockey League's Championship Series 2-0.

The shots-on-goal totals were even for the teams at twenty-eight apiece; a manageable number.  But for the second game in a row, Kevin Druce had trouble protecting a third period lead.  This time he was knocked out of the box and replaced by Peter Dundovich who finished the last half of the final period.

The best three out of five series moves to Akwesasne, Ontario.  The Aviators need to win the next two games to bring this series back home to Brooklyn for a Game Five.


Game One Results

GAME THREE

Friday, March 25, 2011

NEW YORK AVIATORS

vs.

Akwesasne Warriors

Ontario, Canada

Mike.BTB

NHL ~ Eastern Conference Spots Up For Grabs

NHL Eastern Conference Standings:

1 - Philadelphia
2 - Washington
3 - Boston
4 - Pittsburgh
5 - Tampa Bay  - 89
6 - Montreal  - 87
7 - NEW YORK  - 84
8 - Buffalo  - 81
-------------------------------
9 - Carolina  - 78
10 - Toronto  - 76
11 - Atlanta  - 72
12 - NEW JERSEY  -72



NEW YORK RANGERS:

Final
Florida Panthers  0
New York Rangers  1

Say hello to points numbers 83 and 84.  It wasn't the show of force the last pair of games was, but a third period goal by Brandon Dubinsky made it just as thrilling.  Henrik Lundqvist recorded his 31st win as well as his 10th shut-out of the season.  The Rangers now find themselves only three points behind #6 Montreal who lost tonight to Buffalo.

My next Rangers post is forth-coming.




NEW YORK ISLANDERS:

FINAL
New York Islanders   5
Tampa Bay Lightning   2

In spite of playing very good Hockey over the last two months, the Islanders played a rather inconsequential game versus Tampa Bay.  With 70 points now, there is still little to hang hope on for a playoff spot.  But I red an article over the weekend where Islander Head Coach Jack Capuano may not be retained as Coach for next season.  If that is even a consideration, the Islanders and Garth Snow are insane.  The guy has done a great job since he was called up to fill in.

The Islanders can still have a lot to say about who gets to play beyond mid-April.  They have games remaining with the Devils, Rangers, Atlanta and Carolina.




NEW JERSEY DEVILS:

FINAL
New Jersey Devils  1
Boston Bruins   4

Before tonight's action, Toronto, Carolina, and seven points stood between the Devils and the eighth place Buffalo Sabres.  It seems, as hard as they've worked lately, they haven't gained any real ground on the pack above them.  Going into tonight, they only had ten games left to close the gap.  And losing two out of their last three couldn't have come at a worse time.  And time, is something they don't have.  However they won't be without their chances, but they have a hell of a schedule to negotiate.

New Jersey is on the road this week.  Tonight in Boston; Friday in Pittsburgh; and Saturday the Devils will take on the Buffalo Sabres in a game of most critical importance to both teams. 

The Devils turned out to be the biggest losers on the night's action.  They dropped two points while the rest of their competition gained two.  Tonight's game against the Boston Bruins went very wrong.  They lost 4-1 and the Devils have now missed out on six valuable points over their last four games.  They are now losers of three of their last four.  Their hellish surge towards the playoffs is now beginning to sputter.  They lost two points on Buffalo and are now 9 points behind the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Devils next head to Pittsburgh for a Friday night game.  PITT is still without Sid "the Slew" Crosby and Malfkin.  Now the Penguins will also be without defense-man Matt Cooke.  The Pittsburgh goon was suspended for the remainder of the season and the first round of the playoffs resulting from his elbow hit to NYRangers McDonagh.

What follows after Pittsburgh will be a major battle of positioning when the Devils take on the eighth place Sabres in Buffalo.  Perhaps to aid the Devils' chances, they still have head-to-head match-ups with the Maple Leafs and Rangers.  But I think what is closest to the truth is the Devils can no longer afford to lose another game.  I believe the Sabres hold a huge scheduling advantage over New Jersey; See Sabres.




BUFFALO SABRES: (Western New York's Team)

FINAL
Buffalo Sabres   2
Montreal Canadiens  0

Buffalo shut-out Montreal tonight 2-0.

The Rangers are sitting in the #7 spot in the Eastern Conference.  The Rangers still have a three point lead on Buffalo.  They have to just keep winning.  But no team may be better suited to maintain control of their own destiny like Buffalo.  Buffalo's schedule has put them in control of their own path to the playoffs.  Of the Sabres last remaining nine game, they will  have opportunities to meet the Devils, Maple Leafs, Rangers and Carolina.  Those are all the teams they want to be facing in order to maintain control of their drive to the playoffs.




CAROLINA HURRICANES:

FINAL
Ottawa Senators  3
Carolina Hurricanes  4

Carolina stayed in 9th place behind the Sabres and Rangers as all three teams won tonight.  They are still 6 points behind the Rangers and 3 points behind the Sabres.  The Rangers will be playing the Sens Thursday night who hopefully will be looking to just play out the string after losing tonight.

Without the benefit of having any head-to-head match-ups aside from their game with Buffalo, the Canes are going to have fight for their playoff spot solo.  They are on their own unlike Buffalo who has the advantage of playing teams directly in the mix.



TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS:

FINAL
Toronto Maple Leafs  3
Minnesota Wild   0

Toronto just decided they aren't going away.  They, like the Rangers, Buffalo, and Carolina, won tonight to keep the standings as they were.  They now have 76 points; four ahead of the Devils and good for 10th place behind Carolina.



The NHL ~ The Other March Madness!





Mike.BTB

N.Y. RANGERS ~ Blueshirts Must Keep Pounding Away

NEW YORK RANGERS

7th Place - Eastern Conference

  39-30-4    82 Points

Nine Games Remain

TONIGHT

Florida Panthers
vs.
NEW YORK RANGERS

Madison Square Garden
33rd Street and 7th Avenue

Beware the trap game.  I don't know how on earth the Rangers can take tonight's game lightly.  But beware none-the-less.  Four game winning streaks mean little to me.  The Rangers can't let the momentum they've gained with huge wins over Philadelphia; San Jose; Montreal; and Pittsburgh get compromised with a flat effort against the Florida Panthers.  Florida was a near-contender at the trade deadline.  They decided to go in a different direction which resulted in the Rangers picking up their Captain; defense man Brian McCabe.  Since that trade the Panthers have been quietly fading away.

The Rangers have two home games this week; tonight against Florida and they host Ottawa Thursday.  The Rangers are 17-16-3 at home, which by the way, is an improvement from where they once were.  The improvement at home must continue this week against teams we should be better against; and need to be better against.  With only nine games left in the season and Buffalo and Carolina hot on our trail, there is no room for a let down.

Marian Gaborik has been showing signs of life which just adds to earlier mysteries and questions about him.  Has he been playing hurt all this time?  Does he now have confidence in his body again?  Injuries always bring a certain level of doubt with them and maybe Gaborik is finally in his right frame of mind again because he certainly looks more tenacious lately.

The King, Henrik Lundqvist; Ye of the Stiff Neck ~ will get yet another start tonight.  And I say good.  This is the time of year when you want to ride your goalie like a mule.  And our Liege has been getting into fine form.  He's been brilliant over the most recent stretch and seems to be thriving with having to carry the total load in net.

Marc Staal is still a concern.  Coach Torts isn't saying what's wrong with him because he doesn't want other teams targeting a specific body area.  It's still unknown if he will play tonight.

You know who else's game status is in question?  Yep; Sean Avery.  What Coach Torts has planned for him is any-one's call.  He's been a healthy scratch for three of the last four games.  His lone effort against the Islanders was horrific.  And with the way things have been going lately, it doesn't seem likely Coach Torts will change anything now.

The Rangers have been playing big.  They're making big hits, getting big goals and are winning big games.

BIG!



Here's some Blueshirt Numbers:

Offense
2nd in the Conference in Goals For.   
6th in the League in Goals For.

Defense
3rd in the Conference in Goals Against.
6th in the League in Goals Against.


Previous Post Covering Wins Over Montreal and Pittsburgh:
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/2011/03/ny-rangers-momentum-and-power-of.html

Tonight's Key Games:
Devils at Boston
Ottawa at Carolina
Buffalo at Montreal






Mike.BTB

N.J./BKN NETS ~ BARCLAYS CENTER; March 21

BARCLAYS CENTER CONSTRUCTION

BROOKLYN

March 21, 2011

OFFICIAL RENDERINGS

BarclaysCenter.com

Tonight's Nets Game

NETS vs. PACERS

FINAL

Nets' Late Comeback Falls Short Against Pacers ~ at NetsDaily.com

ASSOCIATED LINKS

Game Info from NBA.com

Nets Damion James Out Next Two Games; by Mike Mazzeo at ESPNNewYork.com

One Year of Barclays Construction

Barclays Center; What A Difference A Year Makes; By Mike - BklynTrolleyBlogger

Mike,BTB

N.Y. METS ~ The Citi is now Ollie Free

From the desk of:  Head-Butting Mr. Met



New York Mets:  The "OLLIE" Is Gone!  You Can Come Out Now.


I. - Oliver Perez; BLAME DUANER SANCHEZ!
Once upon a time, Oliver Perez was a ~ WHO?  He was a throw-in when we were forced to trade Xavier Nady (whom I liked a lot! ~ and right field has never been "right" since) because Duaner Sanchez got hungry for Spanish food one night at 2:30am in Miami, and hailed a cab that gave him a ride straight into Met hell.  I don't recall if Duaner ever got to eat, but......you know.....

II. - Oliver Perez; BLAME AARON HEILMAN!
Oliver Perez went from being a WHO, and became a ~ WOW!  What if Aaron Heilman hadn't given Yadier Molina that tennis racquet to hit Aaron's beach ball out of the park with?  Oliver Perez would be a hero today after the way he pitched, not just down the stretch for us, but how he pitched in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS.  Two trade throw-ins; Ollie and John Maine put us on their backs after El Duque, Pedro, Mickey Lolich and Nino Espinosa all fell apart like a Jennifer Aniston relationship.  But Laverne and Shirley John Maine, and especially Oliver Perez almost saved the day for us.

III. - Oliver Perez; BLAME RICK PETERSON!
Oliver Perez graduated into a ~ WELL?? and a WHAT?!!  Pitching coach Rick Peterson managed to peel back enough Ollie-layers and exposed a good pitcher.  He was a mental case even back then, but at least he was on our good side and Peterson was able to keep Ollie's head on with bolts and crazy glue.  You can put all blame on Rick Peterson for planting the idea in Omar Minaya's head that Ollie was a good pitcher because he never told Omar Ollie was useless without him.

IV. - Oliver Perez; BLAME OMAR MINAYA!
WHOA!  ~ Omar fired Rick Peterson and re-signed his Monster to a ludicrous contract.  Omar brought back Ollie Frankenstein minus the only man who could control him; Rick "the Mad-Scientist" Peterson.

V. - Oliver Perez; BLAME JEFF WILPON!
WHY? ~ We signed Ollie because he was all that was left.... Because the Wilpons finances were in turmoil unbeknown to us and Omar was handcuffed, if maybe to make an attempt at John Lackey.

VI. - Oliver Perez; BLAME OLIVER PEREZ!
What a WASTE! ~ He has always been his own worst enemy.  Then he became ours.  If he had accepted a demotion to the minors last season, he could have saved himself some face.


Now we get to move forward.





Mike.BTB