The news crews have left the Coliseum, and the fans will probably not see them there again this season. For a few days, the Islanders were major media stories. I am sure that Chris Botta’s staff was quite busy.

Unfortunately, it was not for what the team was going to do in the Stanley Cup Finals.

A ten second portion of a critical hockey game in the beginning of March turned out to be a huge ‘black eye’ for the sport of hockey. It made the hard core fans incensed and angry. It made casual and non supporting fans just wonder why people actually follow such a sinister sport. It even got the Nassau D.A.’s office involved. However, from what I hear, she is a publicity seeking dingbat (I am a Suffolk county resident – so I really care less). The bottom line, it hurt the game that we love so much.

Now turning onto the Islander fan side of the ledger, how did I feel about it? Well, I was torn. A day or two after the hit, I was calling for five games. Mind you, I was incredibly sick during these days with the flu, and a fever over 101. My mind was totally not there. I made my equation to the number of games, before I really took notice of the major media and legal exposure that this would encompass. I was really hoping that one day, the ESPN highlight would show the Islanders winning a big game, and seeing the positive coverage that this team was so long overdue to receive.

Well, wrong again, Gary.

With 20/20 hindsight creeping its ugly head again, do I feel that the suspension is justified?

As a hockey fan – yes I do. As an Islander fan, I was hoping for less.

Simon’s presence on this team is using a much different role than he would from his Caps and Avalanche days. He has the physical presence and his reputation in the past gives player the fear presence. However, he is there for his experience and quiet leadership skills as well. People have remarked to the media that he is an EF Hutton like. He is very soft-spoken and has a calm demeanor. However, he is business, and lets you know about it as well. That kind of presence is one that many teams wish that they had, the Islanders included.

I admit that I was a little premature with my projection and in typical Islander/Ranger fan interaction, Joe Mac let me know about it on the NY Hockey Report show last night (wouldn’t expect any different from you, Mr. Media Mogul!). I know that Joe will deny this, but he IS a Ranger fan since birth, and I know that he would do this, but if the other side was turned, you KNOW that he would be feeling the same way I would. However, it is the stick-swinging portion of the incident that has everyone on edge. If that stick was an inch lower or higher, there really could have been some more sever consequences for Ryan Hollweg. That is the overlying factor.

I get it. The example had to be set, and this was the case to do it.

NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell had to put this type of judgment on the hit. However I feel that in other cases, he is not. The Cam Janssen hit on Tomas Kaberle is a major case. Kaberle was lead out on a stretcher, and Janssen only got 3 for that? What makes that hit less nastier or severe than Simon’s? What about the Chris Neil hit on Chris Drury? Why did that get only two? Wasn’t that as viscous; and especially on a ‘star’ player? Hey Colin, get some consistency on the suspensions, and maybe the fans would respect the position more!

I admit that I flip-flopped like a Democratic Presidential candidate, but with the tone setting measure that the league needed to do, I understand. I am not happy that I will not see No. 12 back in an Islander uniform this season, but will have to deal with it, and hope that the team returns to its run of last month, and secures a playoff spot. The game goes on; the arguments will always be there, but in the long run, the games get played, no matter who or who isn’t in the lineup. And tonight, my Islanders take to the ice, hoping to skate, score and defend better than the opponent.

It’s still a great game, and I look forward to watching the next one.