INSIDE HOCKEY

The New York Islanders got goals from Richard Park, Radek Martinek and Josh Bailey to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 at the Nassau Coliseum Saturday night. Yann Danis made 29 saves to earn the win. Matt Pettinger scored the only goal for Tampa Bay.

It took just 23 seconds for the Islanders to take the lead. Jesse Joensuu fed Park behind the net. After receiving the puck, Park skated towards the slot, spun around and beat Lightning goalie Mike McKenna with a low shot just inside the far post.

The Tampa Bay goalie thought this was a puck he should have been able to stop. "I went down in a butterfly," McKenna said. "It was just a technical error on my part."

The Islanders increased their lead to 2-0 with 5:08 left in the second period. After Paul Szczechura was sent to the penalty box for high sticking, the Islanders scored their first of two power play goals after a clean faceoff win. Bruno Gervais sent the puck cross ice to Martinek at the point. The Islander defenseman skated to the top of the circle and let a slap shot go that went over McKenna's shoulder and into the net.

Tampa Bay answered back with a power play tally of their own less than two minutes later. Joel Rechlicz was assessed an additional minor for charging after his fight with the Lightning's Zenon Konopka. Off a faceoff in the New York zone, the puck bounced in front and Pettinger put a backhander into the Islander net to pull his club to within a goal.

Bailey scored the only goal of the third period on the power play at the 9:14 mark. Blake Comeau made a pretty pass to Bailey who got behind the Tampa Bay defense and squirted the puck between McKenna's pads to provide the Islanders with the final margin of victory.

"It's really a play we've worked on a lot," Bailey explained. "It's really nice to see those plays work out. Coach has been talking to us a lot about a play like that so I think he was the most excited to see that one go in."

The Lightning outshot the Islanders 12-4 in the final period, but Danis was equal to the occasion and the Islander defense did a good job of keeping second opportunities to a minimum.

"I felt good all game," Danis said. "The guys did a good job in front of me with rebounds. I saw the puck all night. That helps. There weren't too many tips."

McKenna was at least pleased with his team's effort despite the fact that the loss extended their losing streak to six games (0-4-2). "We at least show heart and courage out there." the Lightning goalie said. "We play hard."

The Islanders return to action Tuesday night when they begin a two-game road trip in Carolina. Tampa Bay will also be in action Tuesday when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins.

NOTES:

With both teams in the running for the John Tavares sweepstakes, they each recalled players from their minor league affiliates for the game, making the rosters look more like a mid-September exhibition game than a late April regular season tilt.

The Lightning recalled defenseman Vladimir Mihalik and center Zenon Konopka from their AHL affiliate in Norfolk.

The Islanders recalled five players on an emergency basis from Bridgeport including forwards Jesse Joensuu (who had two assists), Mitch Fritz, Mike Iggulden and Joel Rechlicz and defenseman Jamie Fraser. All five were in the lineup.

Fraser played in his first NHL game, playing 11 minutes and blocking two shots. He became the 12th player to make his NHL debut this season with the Islanders, a new NHL single season record.

The Islanders outhit the Lightning 44-29 in the game, led by Tim Jackman and Rechlicz with six each.

Prior to the game, Jackman was announced as the winner of the 2009 Bob Nystrom Award given to the Islander who best exemplifies leadership, hustle and dedication. Nystrom was on hand to present the award during a pregame ceremony.

The Islanders announced that due to a scheduling conflict, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers will play their first two home playoff games at the Nassau Coliseum later this month. The playoff games will be played on Friday, April 17th at 7:30pm and Saturday, April 18th at 7:00pm.

Tickets for both games are available at: newyorkislanders.com or soundtigers.com, Islanders Team Stores, the Nassau Coliseum Box Office, through Ticketmaster or by calling 1-800-882-ISLES. Ticket prices will range from $15-29.