Heart, But NO Head

Halloween is still a month away, but there was a scary incident at tonight's Islander-Ranger game in Uniondale. No, the Nassau Coliseum wasn't putting on a haunted house or anything, but true Islanders fans had to be aghast at what Rick DiPietro did during a second period melee. After a scoreless first period, things started to get chippy between the two bitter rivals, as penalties mounted for both sides. First, it was a high-stick by Ryan Hollweg, then Colton Orr, Andy Sutton, Brandon Dubinsky, Andy Hilbert and Thomas Pock for fighting, Trent Hunter, then Aaron Johnson for high-sticking.

But the real horror happened when all 5 position players were locked up and DiPietro got involved in a 2-on-1. Rangers goalie Al Montoya skated down to the melee, and DiPietro, flipping off his mask, goaded Montoya into a fight! As I'm watching this live, thru the Islanders OnlineTV, the announcer even stated that "Montoya still has his mask on and looks like he wants NO PART OF THIS!" Does DiPietro remember what almost happened to the Islanders playoff chances when he went down and was lost with an "upper body injury?" What would've happened if Montoya got one punch to DiPietro's head or they both fall and DiPietro hits his head on the ice? Anyone who's had a concussion will tell you, once you've had one, they're easier and easier to get. Everyone knows that DiPietro is tough and has heart, but he just isn't very smart to get involved in a fight when he received 2 concussions within a weeks time last year. Especially in a meaningless preseason game! I'll bet Ted Nolan wanted to jump on the ice himself and drag DiPietro away.

If you're an Islander Fan, you have to be concerned of the mentality DiPietro exudes. Last year, while out with the injury, he defiantly stated he "would do the same thing again," and tonight, as he's being escorted off the ice, raised his finger, like the number one, to the delight of the raucous crowd. What did he mean to the crowd, one more concussion and my season's over? It's not the 7th game of the Cup finals!

You know that Nolan and his coaches will pull DiPietro aside and ask him what in the world was he thinking. With all the re-tooling and new players on the team, maybe it could be a good season for the Islanders. But if your franchise goalie gets a severe concussion in a pre-season fight and misses half the season, is it worth the cheers you throw at him now as he's leaving the ice, Islander fans?

Now THAT'S a scary thought.