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Joensuu scores in NHL debut as Islanders top Avalanche

Mar 3, 2009 - 4:08 AM UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- Making his NHL debut, Jesse Joensuu helped continue the Colorado Avalanche's woes.

Joensuu scored in his first career game Monday as the New York Islanders handed the Colorado Avalanche their fifth consecutive loss with a 4-2 victory.

"I had a roommate, Ville Leino of the Red Wings, who scored a goal in his first NHL game," Joensuu said. "I thought, 'That would be unbelievable,' but I didn't think that would happen to me."

Jeff Tambellini recorded a goal and an assist and Jon Sim notched a career-high three assists for the Islanders, who have won back-to-back contests.

Defenseman Bruno Gervais netted his first goal in nearly three years, Yann Danis made 19 saves and Dean McAmmond also tallied for New York.

"We've been playing pretty well for a while," Danis said. "We've played some good hockey. We were facing some adversity, missing a few guys, but guys are stepping up."

"I thought it was a great effort," Islanders coach Scott Gordon said. "Sixty minutes of good goaltending and good defense. I thought, obviously, we had some pretty good extended zone time and as a result, we kept them on their heels."

Former Islander Ryan Smyth collected two goals and Andrew Raycroft turned aside 27 shots for the Avalanche, who went 1-5-0 over their longest road trip of the season.

"The first game of this road trip was a carry-over of how well we were playing," Colorado coach Tony Granoto said. "Since then, we have not played well enough to deserve a win. We haven't played smart enough and have not had good starts to our game."

With the score tied at 1-1, Sim deflected rookie blue-liner Joe Callahan's shot to Joensuu at the edge of the crease.

Joensuu, who was recalled from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League earlier in the day to take captain Bill Guerin's spot in the lineup, banged the puck into the open side of the net at 2:31 of the second period.

"My goal was to make it here, play some games in the first year, but then that didn't work out," Joensuu said. "So I just had to work hard, play the season (in the AHL) and maybe the next season I'd get the chance."

"The one thing I've noticed about (Joensuu's play in) Bridgeport is that he's got a willingness and drive to him to get to the net," Gordon said. "That's a good sign that he's willing to stand in there and battle."

Playing in his 13th career game, Callahan collected his first career point with an assist on the play.

Gervais extended the Islanders' lead to 3-1 with 6:56 left in the middle session, converting a rebound of Sim's shot. It was Gervais' first goal since April 18, 2006, snapping a 160-game goal drought.

"I had a pretty big monkey on my back, but now he's gone," Gervais said. "He went home."

Smyth scored a wraparound 63 seconds into the third period, but Tambellini answered at 4:48 to provide the final margin.