ISLANDERS DROP HOME OPENER
UNIONDALE, NY - The New York Islanders played their first game at home of the season on Thursday evening losing a close 3-2 affair to the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins.
Jan Bulis scored a pair of goals, the second in the third period when he undressed three Islander players, eventually deking Islander goalie Dwayne Roloson as well helping the Penguins to a 3-2 victory.
"You don't let any guy in the league dance around like that," Islander defenceman Mathieu Schneider said afterwards. "The players are too good these days, and he made us pay."
Schneider, who assisted on the Islanders' first goal from David Vyborny, played 21 minutes on Thursday night and finished with a +1.
Also scoring for the Penguins was former Islander Alexei Kovalev who put a quick shot past a screened Roloson in the first period.
"It's nice to get one against my old teammates," the Russian sniper said, "but it's just one game. We'll see these guys a few more times before the season's over."
Yanic Perreault scored the other Islander goal playing in his first game of the season after being cleared by doctors to play late Wednesday evening.
Dwayne Roloson started his second game in as many nights, turning aside 27 shots from the Penguins.
Jose Theodore picked up the win for Pittsburgh, as he faced 24 shots in total.
The Islanders get Friday night off before they face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
UNIONDALE BREWERY'S 3 STARS
1. David Vyborny
The Islander winger was a pest all night long, scoring a goal and adding an assist. One of the few Islanders who showed hustle for the full 60 minutes on Thursday.
2. Dwayne Roloson
Once again, Dwayne Roloson helped keep his team in the game. After being outshot at one point in the game 21-8, the bench must've woken up and realized that they might want to start putting in an effort for their starting goalie's sake.
3. Shayne Corson
The ageless wonder didn't play much (only 9 minutes in ice-time), but took full advantage whenever he was given the chance. He assisted on Vyborny's goal in the 2nd, and rung another off the post in the third.
Next game: Saturday at home vs. Toronto
