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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Friday, July 11, 2003

Islanders will face long odds in Tulsa

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Hawaiian Islanders are coming off a 'good' bye week, having clinched an arenafootball2 playoff berth last Saturday when another team lost.

Tomorrow, the Islanders (9-4) will look to settle a score with the Tulsa Talons (10-3) — the team which has handed the Islanders their second- and third-worst losses in franchise history.

The Islanders' task won't be easy. The Talons have won 25 straight regular-season games at the Tulsa Convention Center and the Islanders will be without leading receiver Nian Taylor, who is out with a hamstring injury. Kickoff is set for 2:30 HST.

"When ever you're facing a team of this caliber, which hasn't lost in their last 25 home games, you want to be ready mentally," Islanders head coach Cal Lee said.

Tomorrow's game will be the Islanders' second consecutive matchup against a division leader. Two weeks ago, the Islanders had their nine-game home winning streak snapped by Quad City (11-2) of the National Midwest Division, 54-36.

"Quad City came in and knocked our home winning streak off the line so we have to go and knock someone else's off," Islanders quarterback Mike Tillis said.

In that game, Taylor injured his hamstring on the Islanders' second play from scrimmage and didn't return. He has caught 64 passes for 993 yards and 26 touchdowns this season.

Leroy Shelton and Darrick Branch will be looked upon tomorrow to compensate for the absence of Taylor.

Shelton has caught four passes for 51 yards this season and last played May 24 at Cincinnati.

"I know I have some big shoes to fill and I'm glad the coaches are finally giving me another chance," Shelton said.

Branch and quarterback Darnell Arceneaux were activated this week after spending time on the injured list, while linemen Tony Tata and Matt Elam were deactivated.

Last season, Tulsa beat the Islanders — 70-42 on May 4 and 73-48 on May 18.

Tulsa, which plays in the National Central Division, can clinch one of two first-round byes in the playoffs with a win; Quad City can clinch the other with a win over San Diego or an Islanders' loss.