Congrats Al

Now my loathing for the New York Islanders is well known but I have to give them credit. As I mentioned this summer, the Isles honoured Al Arbour by signing him for a day and allowing him to coach his 1,500th career game.

That game was tonight, a 3-2 win over the Penguins. It was a great night for the Islander organization and for the NHL.

Of course, what made it better was DP getting injured, but that is something else. I will leave the malice out for once and leave you with a fantastic line about the shameless PR move -- I mean, great night -- from Kevin at Barry Melrose Rocks: "Sesame Street reports that the Number Nine is 'very angry.'"

Wow, this hurts

As those that know me well know the depth of my loathing for the other New York hockey team. So you can imagine how difficult it is for me to say this, but the Islanders did something classy and I am impressed:

"Hall of Fame coach Al Arbour will return to Long Island to coach his 1,500th regular season game with the Islanders on Saturday, November 3 when the team hosts Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Nassau Coliseum at 7:00 pm. The legendary coach celebrates his 75th birthday on November 1. Earlier this week Arbour accepted an invitation from Ted Nolan to run the team for one last game and reach the milestone of 1,500 games coached with the franchise he led to four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 - 1983. Arbour will sign a one-day contract on Friday, November 2 and lead the team the following night against the Penguins."

Granted, they are doing it to get a sell out at a game that isn't against the Rangers, but the end result is great as the fans can honour a great hockey mind. I just wonder when they will stop clinging to their four Cup wins back when people still played with Rubik's Cubes ... my bet? Never. But that is ok, because that means they won't get their grubby hands on the hallowed silver chalice.