Good guys wear white, right?

I've spent a lot of time with Canadians this week. The Rangers faced off against Toronto twice, taking both contests and in between I faced off against a bunch of drunk Canucks at Joel Plaskett's Brooklyn gig. I think the Canadians took that one because they were 8 feet tall (2.4384 meters) and I was at their mercy all night while they pushed me out of my spot and talked, shouted, and sang through every song. Joel was of course a delight, which highlights my problem with Canada. Love the musicians, comedians, filmmakers, not so fond of the people. This is especially true at the Garden when the opposition scores and suddenly hordes of enemies stand and cheer. Usually I haven't even spotted the traitor sitting so close to me, but when they celebrate I just want to take them out, figuratively of course!
Fortunately we didn't give Leafs fans much to cheer this week. 3 goals to 11 is a healthy margin, so I'll let their celebration pass. Not to gloat because I know that eventually we'll be on the losing end too, and it doesn't feel nice. Right now though I'm loving this team, loving the way they play. Dubinsky's goals last night highlights how much better the Rangers are today than exactly a year ago. Dubi's breaking in 3 on 2 and instead of passing, he just wrists it right into the net. As long as we have this type of energy and attack I will even stomach another team beating us, because hopefully that's what they'll have to do. Also this Del Zotto kid is a gift. He' got one more game before he's officially a full time Ranger, but I think he's the real thing. I just don't foresee him falling apart. Tapering off maybe, because right now he leads all defensemen in points. Way to go rookie!

Tomorrow my boys are back in blue against the Sharks. My fuzzy touch socks are all clean and ready for another run. I wonder if that Ortmeyer guy from 4 seasons ago will be in the house shouting for his guy? I loved ya Jed, but I won't be rooting for you or Pickles come tomorrow. I'm greedy, I want number 8!

home sweet home

If these are the only 3 games I see this season at MSG, then I'd be happy. A total of 12 goals for, 4 against (just like a certain diorama!). As much I would have liked for Henrik to record a shutout too, he played tremendously. I just love that guy and I hope the team makes more of an effort to keep these villians out of his crease. I don't want him injured!


All in all a great week at the garden. Larry danced twice. The new gardenvision clips are a delight, and they even used little Herb Brooks. Vinnie Prospal's perma-tan is my new favorite thing. And I think it's even real. Doesn't he live in Florida? Why is he as orange as this fan? If it's real it only confirms Avery's faketan misconceptions. I'm glad these are the questions plaguing me right now. Keep it coming boys.

crushing the competition

I took this photo myself, after a heated pileup in Henrik's crease last night against the Maple Leafs. My two fellas gravitated right toward each other and I can only imagine they're discussing which restaurant they're gonna celebrate at later that night. Avery: "Which suit did you wear?" Well they definitely deserve some fun after routing Toronto 7-2, marking 5 in a row after dropping the opening tilt. Everyone contributed. Avery had 2 goals (must have read yesterday's post!) and even Redden had 3 points. You know things are clicking when Wade gets on the board. Now we just have to wake up Rozsy and it's all over. Just hand us the cup. I tease, but my boys in blue have been fantastic. Composed, aggressive. Their passes have been as crisp as I've ever seen them. I did notice a few lost opportunities to clear our zone that I'd like to clean up, but I'll let it go with that type of lead in the third. Now the Kings come in for a visit and I'd like Avery to notch a hat trick, show them how much he likes New York. Maybe with pushups?

Does the team even need me right now?

They're on fire. Valli shut it down last night, although to be honest it might have helped that I was sitting so close. I was closer than I've ever been, including watching the pre-game skate. That's pretty darn close. I was right behind the visitors net which thankfully was the only one scored upon. Only problem, I couldn't actually witness the puck hitting net because everyone stood up and I felt shorter than a toddler trying to peer over the shoulders to see an event that already happened. Still it was beautiful and a feeling and vista I hope to repeat tonight against Toronto. Will Avery get his first of the season? Will Colton Orr and Brashear throw down? Will Henrik get his own shutout? We'll know about 12 hours from now. My fingers are crossed and they probably don't even need to be.

let's do it again!

Ok, so this Kotalik celebrating (thank you Kotalik!) but Cally, Cally, Cally, I'm crazy about you. So happy you're a Ranger. After almost missing Thursday's game with a back spasms he comes out and just detroys it, scoring a beauty to tie it up early and just basically making every great decision. The rest of the team really locked it down too, making up for a uncharacteristic gaffe by Henrik. When was the last that happened? So fun.

So in my mind, Ovechkin is the new Teemu Selanne. They've both been on fire so far this season. We managed to keep Ovie off the scoreboard, now this afternoon we have to do the same with Teemu. He pulled a Gaborik yesterday against Philly, scoring twice in the 3rd. Not tonight.

Also Avery should be back at MSG tonight. I'm so excited. It's his first game, it's my first game. We're like twinnies!

another trip across the river, another win

There's nothing I love more than beating Brodeur, especially in his own arena, and our boys did it with drama and flair Monday night. After a horrendous start the Rangers showed some finish, some defense, some skill. Yeah, yeah it was a 3-2 win, but I take it any day. Hopefully our defense will only get stronger. For many reasons I wish this game had been telecast on MSG if only to see Avery give Gilroy a solid pat for potting his first NHL goal on ole fatty. Avery's smile must have as broad as his beautiful scar will allow. His boy done good.

So I swung past the NHL store today to see if the were stocking any new season merch I had to have. Luckily I ordered the new lady fuzzy touch blue sock online because not only did they not have them, but if you want to buy anything at the store you have to look at an insulting bobblehead of Sidney Crosby. That would be bad enough with his ugly lips molding in plastic, but this one was a special 2009 edition holding a Stanley Cup. Yuck. I think the Rangers have to win tomorrow just to make it up to me and burn that image out of my brain. It can be a tight win, just want 2 points.

ready for the real thing

Besides that fact that I should have been one of these fans in the stands last night, this is what I'd like to see more of. Our top line was on fire. Everyone was pressing but in the best possible way. Defense wasn't egregious, they even scored a goal - Del Zotto's first in the NHL. It was beautiful and sparkley just like him. I would like to limit the shots on Henrik, but thankfully he had a strong night. I might even be loving Torts a bit because from every indication Sean Avery's gonna be sporting an A when he finally hits the ice. I have to think that will be tomorrow night against New Jersey at the Rock. A is for Avery after all just like Sally at Zetterburger so expertly predicted earlier this summer. I can't imagine #16 not skating in tomorrow's contest. If he's even 60% they'd have to put him in a straightjacket to keep him out of Brodeur's kitchen. I for one am more than ready for A and B to get to know each other a little better.

Freaky Friday

I didn't think Tortorella and I had much in common, but we were both making this face last night! Mine was in response to, "Really, Crosby's gotta score on a crazy scramble? Seriously it had to be him?" I know it's unreasonable to find Sydney's success more objectionable than Malkin's, but that's just the way I see it. Maybe it's the incessant whining by #87. Speaking of, I took my cat out of the house this morning and she cried the whole time. I tried to calm her down by admonishing her with, "You don't want to be like Sydney Crosby, do you?" Turns out she did. I can't argue, it works for him.

Not that it was a terrible game. We had some decent possession, our passing was far crisper than seasons past. We just couldn't pot it in the net. That hasn't changed. Fleury made some great saves, bailed the Pens out a couple of times. Henrik did too, and he was facing a lot more traffic in front.


Why is it that the Pens can pinch and score and we do the same and it leads to an odd man rush? I think it's because they've been ordained by some higher power to basically annoy every other team in the league. That's why they won the post-lockout lottery that brought Crosby and his hideous purple lips into our lives. The NHL definitely has some part in this plot too. Did you see that too many men on the ice penalty that was mysteriously uncalled? Remember that time in the Stanley cup finals when Pittsburgh had like 8 guys on the ice and the ref staring right at them managed to miss it? I hope they gave the refs a shout-out during the Stanley Cup banner ceremony, or maybe Crosby "thanked" them before the game. Whatever.

Anyway, Philly had the game we were supposed to have, 2-0 over Carolina in the Hurricanes' house. The Flyers must have promised Emery a fully loaded crackpipe if he scored a shutout. The North American stuff is so much better than that Soviet shit. Is this tone to bitter for a game 1? Well hopefully I'll be full of smiles and platitudes later tonight. If we can manage to just lose to Pittsburgh we should be able to clean up against Ottawa.

Let's go boys!

readyish to go

Hello everybody!
Today's the day! I meant to write a more involved post, but it didn't shape up. I'll just say I hope that this campaign is similar to the post lock-out 2005-06, maybe with a better stretch run. Gaborik will score over 50 goals, Henrik will be the King of Kings coming home with Olympic gold and another Vezina nomination, and we'll confound teams on a nightly basis. Forget day games! Do you think it's a coincidence that Ottawa pushed their game up to 2 pm after we dropped that noon game against the Caps? No, me neither.

Alright, let's demolish those Pens and ruin their ceremony.

16 is my favorite number

Even if Roger Federer didn't quite reach 16 Grand Slam titles this week. Everything was going to plan until the last couple hours of the tournament when Del Potro just turned it on. Even though Roger was left with a plate and no cup he still had the shot of the Open in his semifinal against Djokie. My guess is Roger was anticipating the upcoming hockey season by channeling Ovechkin's talent for miraculous shotmaking. This is tennis' equivalent of a breakaway move, please to enjoy:



Well, #16 will just have to wait until next year. Maybe Andy can sneak in a title too!
At least the other #16 is going strong. Sean Avery is on the ice at the Rock as I type, brandishing his on-ice personality and piling up penalty minutes. Man I missed these boys. When I walked into my place last night to the dulcet tones of Sam Rosen's voice, I praised the hockey Gods. I'll be hearing a great deal of Sam's play-by-play this season because the powers that be over at MSG dicked me out of tickets this season. Maybe I'll try to get seats for all the Versus telecasts!

Enjoy the pre-season everyone. No pressure and please no injuries!