October 10, 2010, Dallas Stars-New York Islanders game story for the New York Daily News

Islanders fall to Dallas Stars, 5-4, in overtime, as John Tavares leaves game with mild concussion

BY Denis Gorman
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS

Sunday, October 10th 2010, 4:00 AM

Kmonicek/AP

Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen makes a save against Islanders right wing PA Parenteau during a shootout in an eventual Islanders 5-4 defeat.

The Islanders have spent a great deal of time during training camp and the preseason expressing their belief that their time is now.

That they do not have Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo for the foreseeable future seems an irrelevancy for the young group, which left Saturday night's 5-4 opening-night shootout loss to Dallas at the Coliseum still feeling good about itself.

The Islanders forced overtime by scoring two goals in the final 11:45. Mike Ribeiro scored the lone goal in the one-on-one portion of the game. Rick DiPietro made 18 saves in regulation and overtime before turning away Brad Richards and James in his first opening-night start in three years.

"I feel good. A little disappointed that I wasn't able to (get) the extra point in the shootout. But I felt pretty good," DiPietro said. "It's a step towards feeling good and getting the rust off."

John Tavares was knocked out of the game late in the first period with a mild concussion following a high-speed collision with Adam Burish. It appeared as if Burish elbowed the second-year center in the back of the head. Tavares had to be helped to the dressing room by a trainer. He will be reevaluated before Monday's home matinee against the Rangers. None of the Isles saw the hit and Burish said it was accidental.

"Our guy, I knew, was going to dump it. Just as he dumped it, Tavares turned around as I was skating that way. I think it was an unfortunate thing. I sure didn't mean to go after him in open ice," Burish said. "I hope that means he's back next game."

James Wisniewski, Doug Weight, Blake Comeau and Matt Moulson scored for the Islanders. Brendan Morrow scored two goals for the Stars, while Jamie Benn and Stephane Robidas added one apiece. Kari Lehtonen made 43 saves despite allowing Yao Ming-sized rebounds.

RAVES FOR REX
Rex Ryan dropped the ceremonial first puck. Ryan received loud ovations from the crowd of 13,351 before the game and during a stoppage in play. ... DiPietro, Tavares, Moulson and rookie Nino Niederreiter received sustained ovations during player introductions.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/2010/10/10/2010-10-10_tavares_kod_as_isles_fall.html