Isles Getting Their Phil
by: Deb Kaufman
Greetings from Philadelphia...
The Islanders had a spirited practice at the Spectrum this afternoon in anticipation of their Saturday night matchup against the Flyers.
In anticipation of his return to the lineup, Chris Simon treated the entire team and equipment staff to a late lunch of traditional Philly cheesesteaks after the skate. Chris spent so much time - probably a full 25 games - if you include the playoffs against Buffalo and subtract the initial games he missed after the suspension - pacing in the dressing room and the equipment room, sometimes too nervous to even watch.
The Islanders took a "flyer" and started Wade Dubielewicz in goal last night against Toronto, but Rick DiPietro will definitely be back in goal against the Philadelphia Flyers tomorrow night.
It was a preemptive strike as they didn't see another game on the horizon which made sense to rest Ricky and they wanted to get Wade a game.
The defense played terribly in front of him so that's the other change that will be made. The Isles will go back to six 'D' and someone will sit.
That means that Darryl Bootland not only stays, but he will play-probably on the fourth line with Bootland and Richard Park.
Sean Bergenheim moves up into a more offensive role - this is his first big chance of the young season. Suffice it to say, Jeff Tambellini did not fit the way the Isles wanted him to in the last couple of games.
