MONTREAL 4, ISLANDERS 1
Canadiens score three in middle frame to top Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum

The Montreal Canadiens downed the Islanders 4-1, Wednesday night at the Nassau Coliseum. Cristobal Huet made 43 saves for the win, while Steve Begin scored two tallies and Long Island native Chris Higgins notched a goal in front of over 30 friends and families.

Montreal scored three times in the second period to grab a 4-0 lead heading into the third period. The Islanders got one back, but it was too little too late. The Islanders dropped to 11-7-0 on the season. Rick DiPietro made 29 saves in the losing effort.

"We just didn't have it tonight for whatever reason," said head coach Ted Nolan. "We got out of the gate real slow. We weren't really sharp and the power play wasn't clicking. There are going to be days when it doesn't work and today was one of them."

The Canadiens scored a power play goal, while the Islanders could generate little on the power play, failing to convert on three two-man advantages.

Just 56 seconds into the opening frame, Begin capitalized off of a turnover and scored from high in the slot for a 1-0 Montreal lead.

At 6:14 of the second period, Smithtown native Higgins gave the Canadiens a 2-0 lead off of an individual effort, while on the power play. Begin scored his second of the game just 1:04 later.

With 7:46 left in the second period, Brendan Witt stirred things up by duking it out with another Long Island native, Mike Komisarek.

Tomas Plekanec made it 4-0 with 6:38 left in the second period on another power play tally by Montreal.

Mike Comrie broke Huet's shutout with 3:50 remaining in the third period on a wrist shot from the left circle. Tim Jackman recorded his first assist as an Islander on the goal.

"We played our game in the third period and took it to them, but it was too late," said DiPietro. "We got a lot of shots through on the power play, but they played the rebounds well."

The Islanders have Thursday off before taking on Boston in a home-and-home on Friday and Saturday. Friday's contest in Boston is a matinee game at 12 pm. You can catch Friday's radio broadcast on 1440 WNYG.


Check out the Islanders TV Game Day tab for complete coverage of tonight's game.




Five Stars of the Game:
1. Steve Begin: Two goals for the speedster
2. Chris Higgins: Had his own cheering section and did not disappoint
3. Cristobal Huet: Lost the shutout bid late, but still stopped over 40 shots
4. Mathieu Dandenault: Two assists
5. Tomas Plekanec: Scored his fourth power play goal of the season


Stat of the Game: The Islanders were 0-for-7 on the power play, while Montreal converted on two power play opportunities.

Slapshots: The Islanders snapped a string of seven one-goal games…Mike Comrie extended his team point lead to 18…Tonight's attendance was 13,153…Josef Vasicek snapped a five-game point streak.

Fan of the Game: Kevin from Massapequa was here with his son Kevin, whose favorite player is Mike Comrie. Matthew had the chance to meet Comrie when he was invited to stand in tunnel as the players entered the ice.

Islanders Children's Foundation Night: In celebration of Islanders Children's Foundation Night, the Islanders honored nine charities. Members of the Islanders handed representatives signed jerseys prior to the start of the game. Representing The American Red Cross was Craig Katinas, who received a jersey from Bruno Gervais. Representing Cancer Care was Dora Ziongas, who received a jersey from Chris Campoli. Representing Island Harvest was Randi Dresner, who received a jersey from Rick DiPietro. Representing The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society was Katie Germana, who receiving a jersey from Richard Park. Representing The Boys And Girls Club Of Long Island was Joseph Ryan, who receiving a jersey from Brendan Witt. Representing Tomorrow's Hope was Kathy Brand, who received a jersey from Bill Guerin. Representing The Musella Brain Tumor Foundation was Al Musella, who receiving a jersey from Mike Sillinger. Representing The Hewlett House 1 In 9 Breast Cancer Organization was Gerri Barrish, who received a jersey from Ruslan Fedotenko. Representing The Stephen Siller Foundation was Russ Siller, who received a jersey from Mike Comrie.

Stick out of the Hand: The Islanders introduced the "Stick out of the Hand" program for tonight's game. During the contest, fans could bid on the stick of their choice at a silent auction for game-used sticks. Following the game, the winner received the stick personally from the player, who also signed the stick.




ISLANDERS
Goaltenders
39 Rick DiPietro
34 Wade Dubielewicz

Defensemen
32 Brendan Witt – 24 Radek Martinek
25 Andy Sutton – 4 Bryan Berard
14 Chris Campoli – 8 Bruno Gervais

Forwards
26 Ruslan Fedotenko – 89 Mike Comrie – 13 Bill Guerin
11 Andy Hilbert – 18 Mike Sillinger – 7 Trent Hunter
20 Sean Bergenheim – 63 Josef Vasicek – 81 Miroslav Satan
12 Chris Simon – 10 Richard Park – 28 Tim Jackman


MONTREAL
Goaltenders
39 Cristobal Huet
31 Carey Price

Defensemen
79 Andrei Markov - 8   Mike Komisarek
44 Roman Hamrlik - 71 Patrice Brisebois
51 Francis Bouillon - 32 Mark Streit

Forwards
21 Chris Higgins - 11 Saku Koivu - 73 Michael Ryder
46 Andrei Kostitsyn - 14 Tomas Plekanec - 27 Alexei Kovalev
22 Steve Begin - 20 Bryan Smolinski - 25 Mathieu Dandenault
84 Guillaume Latendresse - 28 Kyle Chipchura -  6 Tom Kostopoulos

BROOKHAVEN NIGHT AT THE COLISEUM

Town residents receive up to 40% off tickets - with prices starting at $16, Family Value Pack for just $128, submit photos of your town to be shown on the Video Board

Join the New York Islanders for the first of four memorable nights honoring some of the townships on Long Island that are proud to say "We're All Islanders."

 On Saturday, November 24th the Islanders will be paying special tribute to the Town of Brookhaven. All residents of the Town will receive a discount of up to 40% off, with ticket prices starting at just $16! This night is dedicated to reaching out to the community and getting residents of Brookhaven closer to the Islanders.

The Islanders are proud to announce a Family Value Pack for Saturday's contest against Boston. For only $128, fans receive four tickets, 2 Nathan's Value meal vouchers and a $25 gift certificate to Boulder Creek.

Show your pride for your community by being apart of this very special celebration of the Town of Brookhaven. All kids will receive a T-Shirt courtesy of Mr. Jay Appliances and TV. Face painting will also be available on the concourse. Don’t miss a fun night with the Islanders, the Ice Girls, and Sparky as we take on the Boston Bruins.

A portion of the proceeds from the game will be donated to a program to support a
Stony Brook University student from the Town of Brookhaven.

Fans are also encouraged to send photos of the Town of Brookhaven to fanphotos@newyorkislanders.com. Your photo may appear on the Video Board during the November 24 game at the Coliseum.

Leading up to the game, the Islanders will be making appearances throughout the Town of Brookhaven. To get things started early for Brookhaven Night, Islanders goaltender Wade Dubielewicz – the catalyst behind the Islanders' miraculous run to the 2006-07 postseason – will make a special appearance at the Brookhaven Mall on November 17, in conjunction with Long Island radio station WALK 97.5. So come on down and support the Islanders that Saturday.

All kids in attendance will receive a T-Shirt, courtesy of Mr. Jay Appliances and TV

Prior to the game, Islanders Business Club members will enjoy another exciting networking event at the Long Island Marriott. For more information on the Islanders Business Club, CLICK HERE.

Visit the Coliseum on Saturday, November 24 and show your town pride as the Islanders celebrate the Town of Brookhaven.


Get your Islanders Value Pack by calling 1.800.882.ISLES ext. 2:

• 4 tickets
• 2 Nathan's value meal vouchers*
• $25 Gift Certificate to Boulder Creek

$240 VALUE
FOR ONLY $128

*Valid at Nathan's Restaurants only. Excludes Nassau Coliseum.

**offer valid only for 11/24 game, while supplies last


To purchase special discounted Town of Brookhaven Night tickets, please call 1.800.882.ISLES ext. 3, e-mail the group sales department at groupsales@newyorkislanders.com or bring your proof of residency to the Nassau Coliseum Box Office.