Islanders say improvements made
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Hawaiian Islanders' losing streak is getting longer and their chances of making the playoffs is growing slimmer by the week, but coach Chad Carlson still has a winning attitude.
After the Islanders (1-9) lost their ninth in a row — 64-50 to the Peoria Pirates (8-2) Saturday night at the Blaisdell Arena — Carlson predicted the team will turn it around Friday against the San Diego Riptide.
"Friday night I am getting a victory, the team is getting a victory, the organization is getting a victory. Be here!" Carlson said.
"I'm not going to guarantee a victory, but you better be here because we're going to get one."
When asked why he made such bold statements, he replied: "Why not? We're 1-9. We've got nothing to lose."
One thing that could put the Islanders on the winning track is getting healthy.
Against Peoria, three of the Islanders' top four receivers — Darrell Jones (torn cartilage in ribs), Isaac White (separated left shoulder) and Chris Paogofie (two cracked ribs) — missed the game because of injuries.
"I need starting players to start," Carlson said. "This weekend guys are going to be healthy. We should have our full arsenal of skill guys."
On Saturday, the Islanders' Niko Vitale caught two touchdown passes in his debut, and Phil Austin and Tiki Sagapolutele caught their first touchdown passes of the season.
"I'm still learning actually," said Vitale, who has had five practices with the team after signing a couple of weeks ago. "Hopefully I'll get the offense down this week."
The Islanders were up 35-21 late in the first half against Peoria, but the Pirates scored on a 32-yard pass from Walt Church to Lincoln Dupree with 14 seconds remaining.
On the first play of the Islanders' ensuing drive, quarterback Darnell Arceneaux was called for intentional grounding in the end zone with three seconds left. The safety cut Peoria's deficit to 35-30.
"When we're up 14, we need to keep pounding them and pounding them, put them away and not wait," Arceneaux said.
Peoria scored on all five of its second-half possessions, and took the lead for good on a 24-yard pass from Church to Jerome Hurd, which made the score 44-38 with 4:42 left in the third quarter.
"They're playing hard, they're just missing a few good breaks," Peoria coach Bruce Cowdrey said. "Their coach is doing a nice job of trying to make due with guys with injuries. My hat's off to them, they're a good bunch."
The Islanders used Arceneaux and Erik Wilhelm at quarterback against Peoria. The pair combined to go 18 of 37 for 260 yards and four touchdowns.
"Our offense was explosive tonight, it was fun to watch." Carlson said.
Despite the losing streak, Arceneaux feels the team is improving.
"If you see our games now compared to three weeks ago, four weeks ago, it's totally a different team the way we're playing, the way we're being coached," he said. "We're getting better each game."
An announced crowd of 2,406 attended the game Saturday, which was the Islanders' first at the Blaisdell since May 11.
"I'm just very thankful the Hawai'i fans still come out and support us," Sagapolutele said. "That's the main thing I think we're playing for — the fans. Despite us losing I hope they enjoy (the games) and get their money's worth."
