Home Game 41, Rangers at Islanders - non mas for the Islanders at home until September.

As as season ticket holder, the notion of no more home games and no playoffs really hits home once you tear out that last ticket. 41 times you go to that spiral bound ticket book and tear out the tickets knowing full well that it will end as it always does. It’s something that this year I hope marks the beginning of change, as there are so many unknowns when it comes to next season. Will we land a stud at the draft? Will we make a big free agent splash? Will there be off season trades? Will next season be the winning season?

Here are a few overly dramatic shots of me tearing out that last ticket:

Moving onto the game, the Islanders are set to entertain the home crowd in big fashion tonight against the always hated rivals - the New York Rangers. What makes tonight interesting is that with Carolina’s win last night over Tampa, the Rangers have not secured their spot in the playoffs just yet. I have a very good feeling we will see a spirited game from both clubs, as the Islanders would want to derail their hopes for at least another game and keep them from clinching on their ice. It’s true they may not have a lot to play for - but there is always pride and teaching the younger players that you don’t ever roll over and die.

Did someone say fisticuffs? While the Islanders haven’t been the toughest team on ice - tonight will be a little different as enforcers Kip Brennan and Drew Fata both playing for the big club. It should also be fun to watch because it is the first taste of the rivalry for Okposo, Keith, Fata and newly signed D-man Jack Hillen. Not only is it Hillen’s first time suiting up against the Rangers, it is also his first taste of the NHL - talk about being thrown into the fire!

I can’t wait to see what happens tonight, I will do my best to update live if something crazy happens!

Okposo Watch - Game 7

I never got around to posting a recap of the Devils game, so that also means I never got around to posting Kyle’s stats either. Here they are:

Total Shifts: 21
Time on Ice: 16:47
Power Play Time: 2:02
Penalty Kill Time: :00
Average Shift: :47
Shots: 1
Blocked Shots: 2
Missed Shots: 0
Assists: 0
Points: 0
Takeaways: 0
Giveaways: 0
Hits: 1
+/-: 0

Imagine the surprise of Islanders fans everywhere, when on April 1st (also known as April Fools Day) and at this stage of the season the Islanders announced they signed an NCAA prospect defenseman out of nowhere. Well, I know that I was surprised and did a bit of a double take when I read the headline.

After doing a bit reading up on Hillen, he was apparently a sought after prospect whom decided to sign with the Islanders - citing Snow’s “honesty and commitment to building around youth”. To me that’s a pretty good sign when scoring leader of all d-men in NCAA division 1 hockey signs on with your club as a free agent. Hillen will be thrown right in the fire on Thursday night when the Islanders host the rival New York Rangers. Welcome to New York, Long Island Jack!

Here is a bit more information from the Islanders website:

The New York Islanders have agreed to terms on a 2-year contract with Jack Hillen, the leading scorer among defensemen in NCAA Division I hockey.

The 22-year old Hillen, who completed four years at Colorado College by being named Defenseman of the Year in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in 2007-08, will join the Islanders for practice on Wednesday and could make his NHL debut later this week. The Islanders host the New York Rangers on Thursday at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and play the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Friday.

In 41 games this season with Colorado College, the 5-11, 200-pound native of Minnesota had six goals and 31 assists for a Division I-leading 37 points among defensemen.

“We are very proud that Jack made the decision to join the Islanders,” said general manager Garth Snow. “He was one of the prized college free agents for good reason. He is an excellent puck-moving defenseman and our scouting staff is really impressed by his competitive spirit. Jack Hillen becomes a major addition to our list of top prospects.”

“I liked the way Garth Snow and Islanders management came after me with honesty and a commitment,” Hillen said this afternoon, soon after signing his contract. “They are building a team around a core of exciting young players. I know Kyle Okposo well from playing against him and he had many glowing things to say about how the organization has treated him. The Islanders were the perfect fit for me.”

If this prospect pans out, you can add him to an ever growing list of prospects who continue to impress. The season may be ending in 3 games, but it will be little bits of good news such as this that will keep Islanders hockey interesting throughout the off season.