New York Islanders vs Atlanta Thrashers

I have been anxiously counting down to this game all season! I don’t really give two shits about the Islanders. I like Rolli because he’s old. It’s rare these days that players are actually older than me. What I have been crossing my fingers and praying to the hockey gods to see is Rick DiPietro. The last time I saw DiPietro was at the 2008 All Star Games. Each season I’ve followed Rick’s struggle with injuries and attempts to come back to the ice. I was beginning to think it was impossible. I was starting to think DiPietro was like Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster; an urban legend. When the season started and DP took to the net, I held my breath ad crossed my fingers. When that dirty douche bag Matt Cooke ran him a few times in a game I could barely look. Rick appears to be healthy and was due in Blueland Sunday afternoon!


Another concern for Sunday was our play. In the past it would be common for the Thrashers to follow up the annihilation of one of the best teams in the league with a turd-on-the-ice loss to the basement dwelling team. I hate streaks, the Islanders came to Blueland on a 12 game losing streak. They had to win one day and I didn’t want to be the team to break that slump!

Rolli stretching it out.

And there he is! The man, the myth, the legend, Rick DiPietro...or at least it seams to be.

Pretty Ricky seeing some shots in the net.

That baby is getting a good look at Mark Eaton.

Well he puck handles like DiPietro.

Trent Hunter, that's my kind of guy!

Former Penguin, Mark Eaton.

Looks like Rick is supporting Movember.

Rick went in pretty early and left everyone out to play.

Swarming the Rolli.

By the power of Grey Skull!

Rolli was way more entertaining than DiPietro.

Rolli facing some shots.

Sunday afternoons in Blueland are kids day. For the national anthem we were treated to these two young ladies. Besides Keith, I think these little ladies did the finest singing of the national anthem I've heard. They were awesome.

Pavs in deep thought. He checks out the crowd a lot. Maybe he's scanning for chicks.

Our guys keeping DP on his toes.

Pavs made some brilliant saves in the game.

Down at the other end of the ice, Mottau's night is about to fuck up in 3...2...1

Hockey Buddy Mandy was lucky enough to snap this picture just as the puck is about to clock him.

And here is the aftermath. Mottau was taken immediately to the hospital. He had to remain in Atlanta for a day or so because he couldn't fly due to the pressure in his eye.

We end the first period with no score! Most exciting....DP will be on my side now.

DP going lateral.

Get it, Jimmy!

Damn, DP got it.

That save made him thirsty! You get a good shot of his mask here, a tribute to American soldiers and POWs.

Why so serious? Most of the time it looks like DP is laughing when he plays. I think it must be the way the mask fits.

DP darts across the net to make another save.

OMG they killed him! I have to say anytime I see him like this I get nervous.

Down on the other end of the ice, they are keeping Pavs pretty busy, too.

Pavs going side to side.

Pretty Ricky, always smiling.

i r serius goalee

The Islanders strike first blood in the 2nd period with a tip in from Michael Grabner. I'm not worried, the Thrashers don't seem to do well when we score first anyway. Okay, I was a little worried.

Sunday was Thrash's birthday and he had some of his mascot buddies there to help him celebrate.

Watcha looking for Pavs? Did you lose something?

Well he certainly didn't lose the puck!

Rick is working hard on the other end as well.

Pavs made some phenomenal saves, a few of which were highlight reel worthy.

Johnny is focused on the puck!

So at the end of the third period, thanks to Antropov, the Thrashers had tied the game up and we are headed into over time!

In Blueland, even the babies kick ass. This guy has the right idea. He was cheering all on his own and when his dad tried to make him do it again for a picture, he wasn't so cooperative.

In OT Toby sends it to Byfuglien and...

SCORE!!! Hell yes! Hell yes on the goal and hell yes on me getting a picture of it!

Thrashers win in OT!

As for DP, I don't think this myth is busted. He NEVER took his mask off. I didn't get to see that handsome face not even once. I think it was a borg created by the Islanders organ-eye-zation!!

So Thrashers win, they aren't traveling and it's pretty early on a Sunday night...GUEST! So this is definitely one of the biggest guests we've had at the post game show. #1 star of the night...Dustin Byfuglien!!

Buff knows he's the shit!

Chatting with Kamal and Kincaid.

He looked fresh out of the shower. Post game guests usually have suits on.

I didn't get my picture with him, he got mobbed by some kids, I decided to wait. I'm regretting that now!