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| Last updated at 12:22 AM on 24/09/08 |
Islanders to ice ‘good lineup’ 
Official says fans will get their money’s worth at NHL?exhibition game in Summerside
JASON SIMMONDS
Transcontinental Media
SUMMERSIDE — Fans who may have concerns of seeing NHL-calibre players when the New York Islanders and Florida Panthers clash at Credit Union Place on Saturday can rest easy.
“In terms of a lineup, you’re going to have 10 or 11 NHL vets in the lineup and they’ll be surrounded by NHL call-ups who are going to play on the Island,” said Kerry Gwydir, assistant to Islanders general manager Garth Snow. “You’re going to see a real good game from both teams — there’s no doubt about it.
“You’re not going to have a bunch of rookies running around who are going to be sent back to junior.”
The first NHL-sanctioned game on P.E.I. will begin at 7 p.m., and Gwydir said exact lineups are still being finalized.
“The NHL has a vet rule — (a minimum of eight) guys who played 30 games the year before or 100 accumulative — and we’re going to have a good lineup,” said Gwydir. “Scotty Gordon, our new coach, he’s essentially broken up the camp in terms of who can make the Islanders and who can’t.
“Right away he wants to see our top guys and I can assure you it’ll be a veteran-laden lineup.”
One reason Gwydir expects fans will get their money’s worth is players from both teams will be out to impress their new head coaches. Peter DeBoer made the jump to the Panthers from Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League on June 13.
“We’ll be over a week into camp and Florida is obviously like us,” Gwydir said.
The Panthers are scheduled to arrive in Summerside on Friday and the Islanders will bus in from Moncton on Saturday afternoon.
“One (Islanders) group will get here around 4:30 and we’ll have some other guys come in around six o’clock, the guys who aren’t playing,” said Gwydir. “I’m sure they’ll mingle with the fans and you folks know how hockey players are — they’re as accessible as any person and are just regular guys.”
Gwydir expects a similar atmosphere as last year, when the Islanders played a Blue and White game at Credit Union Place. The Islanders will also play a Blue and White game in Summerside on Thursday at 7 p.m.
“A lot of the guys were happy to see Summerside on the schedule — they really were because they enjoyed the experience,” said Gwydir.
Tickets for both games are available at the Credit Union Place box office, by calling 432-1234 or online at www.city.summerside.pe.ca.
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24/09/08
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