Milbury takes over Isles

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The New York Islanders fired head coach Rick Bowness was fired Wednesday and replaced by the team's general manager Mike Milbury. This is Milbury's second time as Isle's coach; he was replaced by Bowness 13 months ago.

Bowness took the news hard according to players who were told of the firing by Bowness himself at practice.

"It was a huge shock," defenseman Scott Lachance said. "He was all choked up. I don't recall what he said after he was let go, because I was in shock myself. Basically, everybody sat for about five minutes with our mouths open."

The Isles are currently trailing Ottawa by seven points for the eighth and last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The team hasn't made it to post-season play since 1994.

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