Post by kbarbdamnit on Feb 20, 2007 18:19:40 GMT -5
www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/ny-spiside205101537feb20,0,6754910.story
Now that Marc-Andre Bergeron is in an Islanders uniform after a trade with Edmonton on Sunday, the urgency to acquire defensive help has become clear. Radek Martinek is out for the season with a fractured lower left leg, a person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed yesterday.
Martinek suffered the injury Feb. 3 at Montreal as the result of a hit by Guillaume Latendresse. The defenseman is on crutches with a hard cast from his foot to just below his knee.
Bergeron, who was acquired along with a third-round pick in 2008 for defense prospect Denis Grebeshkov, announced his arrival in the Islanders' lineup with a booming slap shot on his first shift, two assists and a plus-2 rating in 19:31 of ice time in their 6-5 comeback win over Pittsburgh yesterday afternoon.
He played right point on the top power-play unit with defense partner Tom Poti at left point and forwards Randy Robitaille, Viktor Kozlov and Arron Asham. Kozlov scored on the Islanders' first power-play opportunity and Bergeron got the second assist.
"When I woke up this morning, the first thing that came to my mind was: 'It's my new life,'" said Bergeron, who arrived late Sunday night from Toronto. "It's pretty exciting. It's like a fresh breath. It's a new system, new guys, new coach, and everybody's been really nice. I feel really fortunate to have that support already."
Oilers coach Craig MacTavish considered Bergeron a defensive liability. He made an early error that led to a three-on-one Penguins rush, but Bergeron generally played well and nearly scored on a third-period power play with a shot off the right post.
"Once in a while, they find a way to sneak in," Bergeron said. "I just like to get it there. I've got a big shot and I like to use it. So tonight, whenever I had a chance, I just let it go."
Now that Marc-Andre Bergeron is in an Islanders uniform after a trade with Edmonton on Sunday, the urgency to acquire defensive help has become clear. Radek Martinek is out for the season with a fractured lower left leg, a person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed yesterday.
Martinek suffered the injury Feb. 3 at Montreal as the result of a hit by Guillaume Latendresse. The defenseman is on crutches with a hard cast from his foot to just below his knee.
Bergeron, who was acquired along with a third-round pick in 2008 for defense prospect Denis Grebeshkov, announced his arrival in the Islanders' lineup with a booming slap shot on his first shift, two assists and a plus-2 rating in 19:31 of ice time in their 6-5 comeback win over Pittsburgh yesterday afternoon.
He played right point on the top power-play unit with defense partner Tom Poti at left point and forwards Randy Robitaille, Viktor Kozlov and Arron Asham. Kozlov scored on the Islanders' first power-play opportunity and Bergeron got the second assist.
"When I woke up this morning, the first thing that came to my mind was: 'It's my new life,'" said Bergeron, who arrived late Sunday night from Toronto. "It's pretty exciting. It's like a fresh breath. It's a new system, new guys, new coach, and everybody's been really nice. I feel really fortunate to have that support already."
Oilers coach Craig MacTavish considered Bergeron a defensive liability. He made an early error that led to a three-on-one Penguins rush, but Bergeron generally played well and nearly scored on a third-period power play with a shot off the right post.
"Once in a while, they find a way to sneak in," Bergeron said. "I just like to get it there. I've got a big shot and I like to use it. So tonight, whenever I had a chance, I just let it go."