Steve Stirling was a company man to the bitter end, even to the point of running practice Wednesday at Nassau Coliseum despite his fate being all but sealed. An eighth loss in nine games, a seven-point gap from a playoff berth and furious fans calling for his head created the formula for change for Thursday night’s game against the Calgary Flames at the Coliseum.
By Thursday, the “Fire Stirling!” chants will have achieved their objective. It’s possible that the “Mike Must Go” chants might come to fruition, as well. Mike Milbury’s status as general manager is uncertain.
What is certain is that the Islanders called a news conference for Thursday after the team’s morning skate, when it is expected that Milbury will announce that assistant coach Brad Shaw will take over as interim head coach and run the bench for Thursday night’s game against the Flames.
Brushback’s Sidearm Delivery is the first place to look for coverage of the Hartford Wolfpack, and he’s to be credited with a somewhat sane summation of the nostalgia fest that occured during last Saturday’s tribute to the long departed Whalers.
As a fellow S. Stirling, I can’t help but feel personally harmed by this firing and what it does to my chances of someday coaching the Islanders.
Milbury is expected to resign once a replacement for Stirling is found. It is unknown if Milbury is considering a 53rd go-around as Islanders coach.