A huge draw

I don't know what it it about New York's hockey teams, but they certainly draw a crowd whenever they come to Tampa to play the Lightning. It doesn't matter whether it's the Sabres, Rangers or Islanders, either. These teams bring out their fans.

It was the Islanders' turn this past Saturday. Having heard stories, from fellow hounds and a player, that the morning session was pretty brutal, I figured the game time session could be just as bad. And though there were more people than normal (say about 20-25 people, compared with an average dozen to 15), it was pretty manageable.


How manageable? Well, we added 58 autographs, including 29 cards alone. Besides cards from Sean Bergenheim and Bruno Gervais, Lisa got five different players to sign four cards each, too.

Colin worked two team sheets, getting 18 players, coaches and team staff to sign.

As usual, I brought up the rear, getting seven pucks, including the four shown above, clockwise from top left, by Bryan Berard, Gerard Gallant, Josef Vasicek and Richard Park. Islanders captain Bill Guerin also signed a puck.

Rick DiPietro, Mike Dunham and Islanders general manager Garth Snow all signed the American-born goalies stick.