the player/coach reg dunlop's isles/u.s. hockey report...

Because Stover can not get past his hate for the Isles and support the entire US Hockey team. He has asked me to give the Scouting report on the THREE Islanders that made the cut.

Rick DiPietro is a very good skater with excellent agility and balance. He has exceptional recovery from scrambles and uses his stick well to deflect pucks away from the net, when not whacking opposing players who get to close to the crease. DiP has a very quick glove hand and Allows very few rebounds. DiP handles the puck extremely well and is good at setting up the puck for his defensive group. DiPietro is a very aggressive and feisty goaltender with a very competitive and strong personality that should help lift the spirits on the team. Although he has looked a little less than stellar this year, I blame most of this on the weak Islander defense. He seems to face at least 35 shots a game on average. With a Team USA defensive stalwarts in front of him he should play a lot better.

Mark Parrish who has a great relationship with Rick Laviolette (one of his defenders after Laviolette's firing from the isles) is a grinder that will add some good Tournament experience for Team USA. He had an off season in 03-04 missing 23 games do to a high ankle sprain. He is back on track this year and with 12 goals and 9 assists. Parrish Represented Team USA in the 2001 World Championships. Parrish went 5-2-7 for silver medal winning Team USA at the World Junior Championships in Switzerland in 1997 leading the team in goals and finished third in points. I look for Parrish to be a true grunt and get a lot of minutes if he plays up to par on the Olympic squad.

Jason Blake- How Stover thinks this guy is queer is beyond me. He is all of 5'10 and 180lbs, but plays like a he is a 6'5" and 220lbs. He is also not afraid to go into the corners and get physical as demonstrated against the wild last week (I honestly thought he broke his neck). He is fast with great hands and can make even the best D miss with his lateral movement. Blake is currently 3rd in points for the Isles with 24 (13/11) In 03-04 led the team and tied for fourth in the NHL with four SHGs in 03-04. He Ranked fourth on the team in goals and points he registered a team-high 243 shots. Blake is one of the players that Laviolette will look to for enthusiasm and grit.