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[cjg11212-blog]

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[ericschildt]

When will things get better? Have faith Isles fans

Well, I've got some semi-good news and some bad news. I'll start with the sort of good news: we got a point! The bad news, we still lost in overtime. Stressful doesn't even begin to describe it. Giveaways, turnovers, poor defensive plays, and giving up the game-tying goal with 40 seconds left. 

First, let's do a little recap of what happened this week. We lost to Winnipeg on Wednesday 3-2, in a close but still very far game. What killed us? As usual, poor defensive plays and turnovers. Overall, goaltending wasn't terrible, but a loss is a loss. On Friday, we dropped another one to Detroit, this one being a 5-0 blowout. I think the reason we lost is self-explanatory. And then tonight, we had a 2-1 lead against the Caps with less than a minute left (ON A POWERPLAY) and gave up the game-tying shorthanded goal. We then went on to lose in overtime. Yes, we got a point, but the losses keep racking up, and things keep getting uglier. 

People at the game were booing the Isles off the ice in between periods (which is disgraceful- but I'll get to that later) and were even chanting "Fire Cappy", which is also disgraceful, to say the least. It is clear a change is needed, but many fans are starting to lose hope that that change is going to happen. Is it the coaching? Is it the management? (GM, Owner, etc.) Is it the players? Well, many argue it's a bit off all three. Many people want Cappy gone, which as much as I hate to say it, may be the right choice at this point. The coach is the main person to blame when a team has such a nasty stretch like this, but the finger is to be pointed at other people too. Many people are also blaming the decisions (or lack thereof) of GM Garth Snow. They are waiting for him to make blockbuster moves for a goalie or defensemen, and his lack of action is angering many fans. When is he going to step up and either A) fire Cappy, B) make a trade for some big name player, or C) get fired himself? These are all questions that nobody can answer, but that everyone is thinking about. Yes, the players are to blame too, but I already talked about what they need to do in my last post, and in due time they will all start to click again like the playoff-contenders they were last Spring. 

On another note, personally, I have found the lack of faith from the Isles' fanbase disgusting. What kind of fan are you if you boo your own team off the ice, and indulge in chants that involve firing your head coach? Even if Cappy does need to go, that doesn't make it right for you to scream it with every other fairweather fan around you. The message: HAVE FAITH IN OUR ISLANDERS. If you are a true fan, like me, you have stuck with them through thick and thin, and will continue to do so, despite a rough start to this season. Things will change, and they will begin to click again, so booing them off the ice won't help either way. I know there are fans just like me that feel the same way about these fans being so negative toward their own team, so for those of you who understand me, thanks. 

The main point is, it is clear it is time for change, and it is only a matter of time before something big happens and sets the Islanders in the right path again. When will this change happen and what will the change be? Who knows. But have faith fans, and let's go Islanders! 

-Eric