Lawson's Strange Week in Alberta

Islander netminder Nathan Lawson surely had a strange week in his return to his
home province of Alberta.

On Monday, he replaced Rick DiPietro early in the second period and helped the
Islanders secure the victory. In turn, DiPietro became the first starting Isles
goalie to start, play less than half of the game and win since at least 1987.

Last night in Calgary, Lawson was pulled after allowing 2 goals on 3 shots in
the first 5:17. It is the earliest an Islander goalie has been pulled since
Tommy Soderstrom was yanked 4:59 into a game in Hartford on March 25, 1995.
Soderstrom also allowed 2 goals; the Isles lost that game 5-1.

Lawson, who made only one save, also finishes with the lowest save percentage
(.333) of an Islander starting goalie since at least 1987. It's the first time
an Islander starter has allowed more goals than he saved since Rick DiPietro
allowed 3 goals on five shots on January 26, 2007 in Atlanta. Current teammate
Jon Sim scored the goal that chased DiPietro that night.

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home
telecasts since 1982. Visit my blog: forever1940.blogspot.com and follow me on
Twitter @ehornick