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| (courtesy SC.EDU) |
Never mind that the Barclay Center is served by 11 different NYC subway lines, the LIRR and 11 surface bus lines. Bettman had plenty of arguments against the Barclay Center and none of them were legit with the exception of the Barclay Center seating under 15000.
Yet there was the NHL commissioner at the Barclay Center attending the press conference announcing that the Islanders would indeed move to Brooklyn in 2015. The NHL fan is not supposed to remember that in April Gary Bettman gave plenty of reasons why this would not work.
What the commissioner and Charles Wang left out that since they were so busy hyping the move that Islander fans will be hit with some very hefty increases in ticket prices.
Wang made a big deal about signing a 25 year lease but unless he is a total and complete idiot; want to bet there are several different ways for the Islanders to get out from that lease? Seriously can anyone really expect the Islanders to fill the Barclay Center with a team called the Rangers right across the bridge?
I for one can't wait for the first time both the Rangers and Islanders have home games on the same night. I do feel for the Islander fans as the problems go way deeper than a broken arena.
As long as Charles Wang owns the franchise then I am sorry but I just don't see the Islanders becoming a better franchise no matter where they are located. As much as Ranger fans dislike the Dolans, at least the Dolans are smart enough to stay out of Glen Sather's way.
But I really do like Jesse Spector's piece regarding the timing of the announcement of the move.
The NHL is in the middle of a labor stoppage with no hope of a deal being struck as nobody is talking to each other. But really this was a good time to announce that a team was relocating?
Wednesday the Islanders announce they are moving and now on Thursday the NHL will announce that an 82 game schedule is out of the question. Right now I would say there is a better chance that there won't be any season at all than even a half a season.
Pinocchio would be embarrassed by the size of Gary Bettman's nose.
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| Adam Pelech (OHL Images) |
Guess Islander defensive prospects have something about the number "3" as it was Adam Pelech's (NYI 2012 3rd) turn to have a 3 point evening as his Erie Otters just beat on the Saginaw Spirit 7-1. Pelech had 3 assists in a game for the second time this season as the Otters just jumped all over the Spirit.
Pelech got on the scoresheet when he earned a secondary assist on J.P. Labardo's shorthanded goal at 9:19 of the first period giving the Otters a 1-0 lead and off they went. In the second period, Pelech set up his defensive partner Jimmy McDowell for the Otter's 5th goal of the game at 9:30.
Pelech made it a 3 point evening when he was credited for a secondary assist just 3:05 after the last Otter goal. This time it was a power play goal giving Pelech 3 assists on 3 different types of goals.
Pelech with the 3 point +3 evening also jumps into the OHL's Top Ten in defensemen scoring at number 8 with a 2-10-12 record. The only blemish for Pelech was that he took a tripping call late in the 3rd that Saginaw scored on to spoil the Otter's bid for a shutout.
If you missed it yesterday Pelech was named to take part in the Subway Super Series against the Russians on November 12th as part of Team OHL.
The oddest part about the Erie/Saginaw game was that it was the first time for us to see 2 former Rangers coaching against each other. Greg Gilbert for Saginaw and Robbie Ftorek for Erie.
And Pelech joins Andrey Pedan (Sunday) and Brendan Kichton (Tuesday) in having 3 point efforts this week. Pretty impressive of them.
In Prince George, Brendan Kichton (NYI 2011 5th) and his Spokane Chiefs saw their 3 game winning streak come to an end 4-2 at the hands of the Prince George Cougars. Kichton registered his 4th goal of the season in the last minute of the game but by then the outcome had long been decided.
Kichton is 4-12-16 on the season.
Brady Skjei
Before people start questing what is going on with Skjei in Minnesota, yes Skjei is going miss Friday's game against the US Under-18 team. He might even miss Sunday's game that the Golden Gophers play against Canisius.
Skjei and some of his teammates are a little dinged up so Minnesota is going to have them sit out one exhibition game and if Skjei sits out Sunday as well, a non-conference game.
If these were WCHA conference games then Skjei and his teammates would play. There is no need to worry about Skjei as he is in good hands with Minnesota.
Defending the Blueline
Remember this charity? It was the one that the late Derek Boogaard supported while he was alive. On Sunday in Minnesota there will be a charity game featuring NHL players with the proceeds going to "Defending the Blueline."
I have to say that I am rather disappointed that Stu Bickel is the only Ranger player scheduled to appear in this event. I hope that on Sunday when the event happens that other Ranger players take part.
And why isn't he on their roster?
The Russians announced their roster for the Subway Super Series and Andrey Pedan's name was not on it. Pedan is 19 so it could not have been his age and while I am not a big fan of Pedan; I would still have picked him to play at least in the OHL part of the series.
Sometimes the adults who make these kinds of selections are more childish than the teenagers on their rosters. Pedan is 6'3 220 who has 3 years under his belt playing in the OHL which is a big reason why I want him on my roster if for no other reason than to play scout for his teammates.
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