BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Rick DiPietro's first rehabilitation game in the minors was a success on Saturday night because he made it through two periods with his health intact. Otherwise, DiPietro -- who gave up three goals -- learned he needs more game action before a return to the NHL."There's still a lot of work to be done," said DiPietro, after Bridgeport's 7-3 win over Springfield.
Suiting up for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League, DiPietro allowed three goals on just ten shots over those two periods in his first game in almost a year. His first period was a breeze as he effortlessly handled all three easy shots he faced, but the second period exposed the rust on the 28-year-old goaltender.
Facing his first challenging shot of the game, DiPietro allowed a harmless, traffic-free slap shot from Springfield defenseman Johan Motin to sail through his five-hole. Springfield then received goals from Geoff Paukovich and Bill Thomas. For the period, DiPietro allowed three goals on seven shots.
"You can only do so much in practice," said DiPietro. "It was a real pleasure to be out there today. It was good to shake off the rust."
More crucial than the result, the Islanders' goaltender reported no pain after the game.
"[Sunday] is the big day," said DiPietro, who played before a crowd of approximately 1,500 at Bridgeport's Arena at Harbor Yard, including Islanders owner Charles Wang, general manager Garth Snow and goaltending consultant Sudarshan Majaraj. "I'll do my treatment in a little while. Hopefully, I'll wake up tomorrow feeling good."
The goalie, an NHL all-star in 2007-2008 and starter for Team USA at the 2006 Winter Olympics, last played on Jan. 2 in Phoenix. Two weeks later, the Islanders shut down DiPietro for the season. He played only five games in 2008-09 after having surgeries to repair a torn meniscus in June 2008 and then arthroscopic surgery on Oct. 31, 2008 to repair a second tear in the meniscus.
After playing for the U.S. Olympic Team in 2006, DiPietro had his best season as a pro in 2006-07, going 32-19-9 with a 2.52 goals against average and .919 save percentage while leading the Islanders to the playoffs. Then the injuries really kicked in -- consecutive off-season surgeries on both hips and surgeries on the knee.
Next up for DiPietro is a second AHL start -- either next Friday in Springfield or Saturday in Hartford. Count on DiPietro to have at least one more tuneup on Tuesday, Dec. 15 when Bridgeport hosts Portland. With veterans Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron in net, the Islanders have received strong goaltending and have no need to rush DiPietro's rehabilitation.
The Islanders will be cautious, as they have for the entire calendar year. If DiPietro regains his form and conditioning, he could be back with the Islanders before Christmas.
But by the looks of his debut on Saturday, DiPietro still has a ways to go.
Sequestration Shuts Down The IRS
Report: Yahoo Is Bidding On Hulu
Colorado High School On Lockdown After Report Of Nearby Gunman
GOP Senator: Obama Speech A 'Victory' For 'Terrorists'
759 Bridges In Washington Have Worse Scores Than The One That Collapsed
McConnell, Paul Gang Up On GOP
Abercrombie Announces Plummeting Sales Amid Controversy
GOP Senate Candidate Calls Dem 'Pond Scum'
Britain Scrambles Fighter Jets To Escort Pakistani Plane
WATCH: Maddow Excoriates Alex Jones
Remembering The Victims Of The Tornado
Gay Teen Charged With Felonies Over Relationship Refuses Plea Deal
State Department Official Who Helped With Benghazi Talking Points Nominated To Top Post
BEFORE/AFTER PHOTOS: Schools And Medical Center Decimated By Tornado
Clinton Leads In Poll Of Key 2016 State
Palin Gets Confused
Kansas State Senator Really Worried That Reducing Taxes On Groceries Will Lead People To Buy Nothing But Groceries Ever Again
'As Madison Wrote In Article 3, Yippee-Ki-Yay Motherf***er!'
Vulnerable Dem Targeted By Bloomberg Group
Spain Spent $680 Million On A Submarine That Can't Float
Jesus Endorsed Mayor Loses To Gay Man
Report: Homeland Security Is Worried Limiting 3D-Printed Guns 'May Be Impossible'
HUGE Drop in Teen Births
LOOK: Veteran Suicides Outpace Child Gun Deaths
Hospital Prices Explained: How Charges For Medical Care Got So Crazy
Poll: Most Don't Support Spending Cuts To Fund Tornado Aid
Jon Turns Up The Heat On The Obama Administration
Are You Inhaling Pesticides With Your Pot?
WATCH: Reporter Shows How To Make Your Own AK-47
