OTTAWA 5, ISLANDERS 2
Sens take 3-0 lead and hold off Islanders

The Ottawa Senators knocked off the Islanders 5-2, Tuesday night at the Nassau Coliseum. Five different Senators scored and Martin Gerber earned the win, stopping 23 shots.

"I thought there were certain parts of the game where we showed some jump and enthusiasm," commented Ted Nolan. "But with a team like Ottawa you can't just go in spurts. They capitalized on our mistakes."

Ottawa took a commanding 3-0 lead in the second period. The Islanders cut the lead to 3-2 in the third period, but the Senators rattled off two more goals, including an empty-netter to pull away.

"We talked before the game about making turnovers, which you can't do against a team like this," said Ted. "We made a good comeback to make it 3-2 but we had a turnover to make it 4-2 and then another to make it 5-2. Those type of things we just can't do."

The Islanders fell behind early, allowing two quick goals in the first period.

Ottawa took advantage of their first power play opportunity. Andrej Meszaros' shot from the point was accidentally tipped by Freddy Meyer past Rick DiPietro at 9:18 of the first period. Just 35 seconds later, Chris Phillips whipped a high shot past DiPietro for a 2-0 Senators lead.

Dean McAmmond made it 3-0 with a goal from the slot, 6:38 into the second period.

The Islanders cut the lead to 3-1 on some gritty forechecking by Josef Vasicek with 4:02 remaining in the second period. The power forward stripped Joe Corvo of the puck and threw it out in front to Sean Bergenheim, who made no mistake.

The intensity picked up when the Islanders cut the lead to 3-2 on a power play goal. Miroslav Satan fed Bryan Berard for a back-door play, 6:35 into the third period.

But Ottawa scored their decisive fourth goal, courtesy of Mike Fisher with 4:57 to play. Jason Spezza added an empty-net goal.

"We were really pressing in the third period," said Mike Sillinger. "I thought we were coming on strong. We made a neutral zone mistake and it ends up in our net. Give them some credit, they clogged the neutral zone well."

DiPietro stopped 21 shots in the losing effort.

The Islanders return to the ice on Thursday to host the Los Angeles.

Five Stars of the Game:
1. Mike Fisher: Broke the Islanders' backs on a bang-bang play, assist
2. Martin Gerber: Let the Islanders back in it, but didn't allow the equalizer
3. Chris Neil: Two assists, four hits
4. Jason Spezza: Goal, assist, was without Daniel Alfredsson in the third
5. Anton Volchenkov: Over 21:00 TOI, 4 blocked shots


Slapshots: Andy Sutton and Ruslan Fedotenko missed tonight's game due to the flu…Aaron Johnson played forward, filling in for Fedotenko…The Islanders dropped to 2-2-1 on Tuesdays…Tonight's attendance was 9,546.

Goal of the Game: After Isles defenseman Bryan Berard scored on the power play to make it a 3-2, the Isles looked like they would complete the comeback. Berard's goal was set up by center Mike Comrie when he drew all four defender toward him. After drawing the Senators to him, Comrie passed the puck to Miroslav Satan who then found Berard cutting to the net. But the Isles couldn't finish the deal as Senators forwards Mike Fisher and Jason Spezza clinched the win for the Sens.

Game Operations: Tonight's Canadian National Anthem was performed by Vancouver-native Mariya Krywaniuk…Dan Sullivan, the consulate general of Canada in New York dropped the ceremonial first puck…Rhett Rakhshani was tonight's Sate Farm On the Farm trivia answer…The American Airlines Frisbee toss was back in action to begin the second half…In-game co-host CJ Papa interviewed NYI Blog Box member Dee Karl.


Kickbutt Fans of the Game: Ryan, Brian and Tim from Port Jefferson have been Islanders fans since they were young. The three of them thought that Ricky was spectacular in the All-Star Game,


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

 

ISLANDERS
Goaltenders
39 Rick DiPietro
34 Wade Dubielewicz

Defensemen
24 Radek Martinek – 32 Brendan Witt
4 Bryan Berard - 44 Freddy Meyer
47 Marc-Andre Bergeron - 8 Bruno Gervais

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


OTTAWA
Goaltenders
29 Martin Gerber
1  Ray Emery

Defensemen
4 Chris Phillips – 24 Anton Volchenkov
2 Luke Richardson – 7 Joe Corvo
14 Andrej Meszaros– 6 Wade Redden

Forwards
27 Randy Robitaille - 19 Jason Spezza – 11 Daniel Alfredsson
37 Dean McAmmond – 12 Mike Fisher - 25 Chris Neil
22 Chris Kelly 20 Antoine Vermette - 10 Shean Donovan
16 Brian McGrattan - 71 Nick Foligno - 5 Christopher Schubert


Additional reporting by Chris Musto and Andrew Scharff

 


ISLANDERS HOST LOS ANGELES ON THURSDAY

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY

The Islanders host the Los Angeles Kings for the only time of the 2007-08 regular season.

To purchase individual game tickets, click here or visit the Coliseum box office, the Islanders Team Store at the Broadway Mall in Hicksville or call Ticketmaster at 631.888.9000.

Click here to purchase tickets today!

LOUDVILLE IS OPEN!

High School and college students, this is your chance for $10 tickets to Thursday night. For Long Island students, there isn't a better deal in professional sports.

LOUDVILLE tickets go on sale 60 minutes before game time. There are a limited number of seats available per game, so arrive early to secure a seat. Remember to bring your Student ID! There is a limit of one $10 LOUDVILLE ticket per ID. Once you get to the LOUDVILLE section, do your part to help lead the crowd in giving the Islanders the best home-ice advantage in the NHL!




RICKY ALL-STAR SHIRTS

Exclusive Rick DiPietro All-Star T-shirts available only at the Islanders Team Store at the Broadway Mall

Visit the Islanders Team Store at the Broadway Mall in Hicksville to purchase your Rick DiPietro All-Star T-shirt today. Take a piece of history home with you.



HOCKEY & HEELS ON FEB. 12

Presented by Nicolock Paving Stones and Retaining Walls; Ladies get into the Coliseum for only a $10 cover charge to Feb. 12, NYI vs. PHI; $1000 paving stone prize; Islanders calendar giveaway for the first 10,000 fans; Fashion Show featuring the players' wives and girlfriends


In the spirit of Ladies Nights at establishments all across Long Island, the Islanders are hosting the first ever Hockey & Heels Night at the Nassau Coliseum, presented by Nicolock Paving Stones and Retaining Walls. For Tuesday, February 12, all women are invited to “Ladyville.” for only a $10 cover charge to see the Islanders meet division foe Philadelphia as they make their final playoff push. To purchase these $10 tickets, women can visit the box office the day of the game.


ISLANDERS VALENTINES PACK

Bring you and your special someone to the game starting at just $49 and receive a gift card to Butera's Italian Restaurant and a chocolate gift box.

With Valentine's Day only two days after the game, the Islanders have put together a special Islanders Valentines Pack for you and your special someone to watch the Islanders and then celebrate V-Day on February 14. Starting at only $49, fans will receive two tickets to the game, a $30 gift card to Butera's Italian Restaurant for some fine dining and a chocolate gift box.

Valentines Pack

• 2 tickets
• 1 $30 Butera's Italian Restaurant gift card
• 1 chocolate gift box

MACY'S ROOSEVELT FIELD FASHION SHOW

Check out the latest fashions on the players' wives and girlfriends

During the second intermission, a special Macy's Roosevelt Field Fashion Show, featuring the wives and girlfriends of the players will take place on the Coliseum ice. Already signed for this exclusive event are Kara Guerin, Teri Hunter, Debbie Fedotenko, Lindsey Meyer and Megan Dubielewicz.

 

IN-GAME ISLANDERS MAKEOVER BY CLEARSKIN           

Nominate a female family member or friend to receive a makeover in a Coliseum suite during the game

In honor of Hockey & Heels Night, the Islanders will be offering two makeovers in a luxury suite, courtesy of Clearskin. Fans can nominate their friend or family member to become one of two exclusive participants in the first ever Islanders makeover.

To submit a nomination, please click here, fill out the form and in 100 words or fewer, tell us why your friend or family member deserves a makeover.

Throughout the game, progress of the makeovers will be aired on the video board.



GIVEAWAYS & PRIZES

Islanders puck surprise, $1000 worth of paving stones, calendar and makeovers on the concourse

As an added bonus for those attending the game, the Islanders will provide a Team calendar featuring your favorite Islanders players to the first 10,000 fans to enter the Coliseum. Plus, fans will have the opportunity to win a number of giveaways, raffles and auctions taking place throughout the game including personal training sessions, restaurants, spa packages, and more.

In addition, 15 Islanders Illustrated programs – the official gameday magazine of the Islanders – will include a Valentine's Day card signed by Islanders players. So come early to ensure that you receive a copy.

The Valentine's Day Puck Surprise will take place on the concourse once the doors open, through the end of the second intermission or when the pucks are sold out. Each puck will be autographed by a surprise Islanders player. A limited number of gold signature pucks will be amongst the pile. If you receive a gold signature, you will have the opportunity to meet the player following the game.

As part of Hockey & Heels Night, presented by Nicolock Paving Stones & Retaining Walls, Nicolock will be giving away a grand prize of $1000 worth of paving stones for a backyard patio for.  All attending fans need to do is enter to win at Nicolock's concourse kiosk at the Nassau Coliseum that evening, so make sure to purchase your tickets today and stop by on February 12th.

Check back to Newyorkislanders.com in the coming weeks for more surprises that you will only see on February 12, Hockey & Heels Night at the Nassau Coliseum. Make the Hockey & Heels Night at the Nassau Coliseum your night out on the town on February 12.

Ladies, to purchase $10 tickets, please visit the box office on February 12 starting at 10:00 am.

 
For those interested in purchasing a Valentines Pack, please contact the customer service department at 1.800.882.ISLES EXT. 2 or customerservice@newyorkislanders.com