Islanders' MacDonald trades bruises for win
Andrew MacDonald #47 of the New York Islanders defends against Saku Koivu #11 of the Anaheim Ducks during the second period. (Dec. 16, 2010) Credit: Jim McIsaac
Bruises? "There's a few," Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald said. Time and again during Thursday night's 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks - an oasis in the Islanders' desert of recent disappointment - MacDonald didn't duck.
"A number of [the eight shots he blocked] were stick deflections," he said. "I took a couple off the legs and the feet. But it's considered a small price to pay for a win."
Also, it's what a defenseman does. Current NHL rules "are all about the forwards," said Islanders coach Jack Capuano, himself a former defenseman.
"There's no more beating up [forwards] in front of the net," MacDonald said. "It's staying loose, having a good stick. It's being aware, being in the right spots. And quickness. You can't be too quick; that's so big in today's game. If you can't catch 'em, you can't stop 'em."
Then, if all else fails, become a human shield. MacDonald broke a foot blocking a shot last season. He broke his right hand blocking a shot in October, taking him out of action for almost six weeks. But it's what a defenseman does. And MacDonald, 24, has been playing the position "since I was probably 8 or 9.''
He added: "I think, when I was trying out for the team, there weren't many trying out on defense, so I thought 'I'll give it a go.' I just wanted to be on the team." That was in his native Nova Scotia.
MacDonald said he fully intended to use hockey as a means to attend college; Bemidji State in Minnesota offered a scholarship, but he meanwhile got to play in Canada's junior hockey Memorial Cup championship, where he crossed paths with then-Islanders coach Ted Nolan, and the Isles chose him in the sixth round of the 2006 draft.
By way of Utah in the ECHL and Bridgeport in the AHL, MacDonald has found his way to the NHL. Where, he agreed, the bruises suffered by blocking a few pucks are better than the psychological bruises suffered by a team that has won only twice in 22 games - "Any day."
Notes & quotes: Veteran forward Jon Sim has been placed on waivers and will be returned to Bridgeport if he is not claimed by noon Saturday.
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