[HelloHockeyFans]

PLAYOFF LIGHT DIMS


Denis Arkhipov bowls over Rangers goaltender Dwayne Roloson
Wednesday night.

UNIONDALE, NY - Tomas Vokoun was pulled from the Islander net in the third period as the Isles were blanked at home by a score of 6-0.

It was a disappointing night for Islander fans as they watched the hometeam skate on to the ice of the Nassau Coliseum with almost no effort in a losing cause as the Islanders got shut out by the rival Rangers by a score of 6-0.

With a playoff race as tight as can be in the Gretzky Conference, every game matters as teams begin to do a little more out-of-town scoreboard watching to see how others around them are doing.

Despite firing 30 shots at former Islander Dwayne Roloson, the majority of the shots were kept to the perimeter with little to no traffic in front of the Ranger's net.

At the other end of the ice, Vokoun allowed 5 goals on 26 shots before getting the yank in the third period in favour of Cristobal Huet. Although shaky at times, not much blame could be placed on the Islander netminder who was left on his own more than once to fend off more than one Ranger attacker.

The powerplay could have made a difference in the game, but instead went 0 for 7 on the night allowing a shorthanded goal against in the first period.

All in all, a disappointing outing for the Islanders who fortunately, lost no ground to the Carolina Hurricanes who also lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins Wednesday.

The Isles play next tomorrow against the very strong Boston Bruins. The Isles had hoped they would see Divis in net for the Bruins who might rest their star goalie, but after getting the yank Wednesday, Kolzig will likely be in between the pipes for Boston tomorrow.