head coach: Rick Bowness

roster: C - Robert Reichel, Travis Green, Bryan Smolinski, Claude Lapointe, Sergei Nemchinov. LW - Mike Hough, Paul Kruse, Ken Belanger, Tom Chorske. RW - Zigmund Palffy, Mariusz Czerkawski, Dan Plante, Todd Bertuzzi, Steve Webb. D - Scott Lachance, Bryan Berard, Dennis Vaske, Richard Pilon, Bryan McCabe, Kenny Jonsson, Doug Houda, Jason Holland. G - Eric Fichaud, Wade Flaherty, Tommy Salo.

injuries: Dennis Vaske, d (concussion [what else?], day to day); Rich Pilon, d (groin [what else?], day to day); Scott Lachance, d (pinky [wh..er, never mind], playing with splint).

transactions: 11/12 Recalled Jason Holland, d, from Kentucky (AHL). Recalled Steve Webb, benchwarmer, from Kentucky (AHL).

standings:

Eastern Conference - Atlantic Division   
Team         GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA   
Philadelphia 22  13   6   3    29   68   51
New Jersey   19  14   5   0    28   60   34
Washington   21  12   7   2    26   60   48
NY Islanders 20   8   8   4    20   56   50
NY Rangers   20   6   7   7    19   51   50
Florida      19   6   9   4    16   42   57
Tampa Bay    20   2  16   2     6   34   72

game results:

11/05 Edmonton     T 4-4
11/07 at Carolina  W 3-2
11/08 Chicago      L 4-2
11/10 New Jersey   L 3-1
11/12 at Florida   T 2-2
11/14 at Tampa     W 4-1
11/15 Florida      L 1-0

team news:

by David Strauss, NY Islanders Correspondent

It was the most overrated argument in Long Island since Joey Buttafucco told his director he was dropping out of porn films.

Islanders coach Rick Bowness called captain Bryan McCabe and assistant captains Zigmund Palffy and Scott Lachance into his office after a 2-2 tie with the Florida Panthers at Miami Arena. The meeting quickly devolved into a love-fest of profanity, reminding most reporters of your average Martin Lawrence concert.

But, according to Bowness, there was no story there. According to the usually mild-mannered coach, he "provoked" the meeting. And it wasn't in way related to the rumors that GM Mike Milbury has received permission to fire Bowness if the Isles don't improve. Milbury, who has voiced his displeasure with the game- day preparation of the team, reportedly told a representative of team owner John O. Pickett earlier this season that he would not hesitate to fire Bowness.

"All I can tell you was it was for a reason. It was done for a reason," said Bowness, smiling like a chesire cat. When asked what the reason was, Bowness responded, in his best J. Michael Straczynski cryptic manner, "Good luck." So much for communication with the media.

Bowness decided to take out his anger on his captains, challenging them and hoping they'd fight back. They certainly did, especially McCabe, who was heard screaming at Bowness during the 10-minute shouting match.

The love-in followed a game in which the Islanders jumped out (well, more like stumbled-out-with-a-nasty-hangover) to a horrible start -- a first period where they fell behind 2-0, committing four penalties and being outshot 17-4.

"Rick and I talk about getting the team ready," said McCabe. "Nobody's happy with some of the starts we've had. But to even question what he has done, when the team is making such progress? We're .500, in line for a playoff spot."

"We're making strides," Bowness said. "We're a young team. We're growing. We have a lot to learn. But we will learn if we continue to grow. You can never forget the fact that we have a very young team and it's a learning experience, what it takes to be competitive at this level. You've just got to guide them through it. It doesn't happen overnight."

Bowness then took a page out of the playbook of every peewee coach in Canada. Yell at the boys, then take them out for pizza. After the team arrived in Tampa late Wednesday night, he had a get-together in his hotel suite, complete with beer, soda, pizza and, he said, "conversation." As he said: "We had a good time."

"It was `Boys Night Out,'" McCabe said. "But in. We stayed in. It was good to get across to the guys that we're all still a team. It was fun. You need to get some of the frustration out once in a while. You've got to blow off steam once in a while. Sometimes you let it out in the room with the guys. Sometimes it's with the coaches. Last night it was with the coaches."

Congrats to Trottier

Congratulations go out to Bryan Trottier, the greatest two-way centerman of all time, who was enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame this week. Trots joins Dynasty teammates Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, and Billy Smith, plus coach Al Arbour, in the Hall.

Trottier is No. 9 on the all-time points list with 1,425 (524 goals, 901 assists). But his thoughts these days are on the American Hockey League, not the NHL. Trottier is the head coach of the Portland Pirates, the top farm club of the Washington Capitals.

"I like work. I like to keep busy," Trottier said. "It seems like I always have a zillion things to do. The only time I really look back (on my playing career) is when people ask me about it. I have a multitude of goals. I want to be a good coach. I want to be a good dad. In any event, I have nothing to complain about."

While Trottier is still bitter about the treatment he received at the hands of Isles management in the early 90s, he still has nothing but love for the fans who supported him for 15 years in Uniondale. "I love Long Island. I'll always love Long Island. I'll never, ever forget the great fans," said Trottier, 41. "There are super, super memories for me there and there always will be."

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