I'm back on dangerous ground where the Rangers are winning enough that I spend my time playing God, trying to decide how many points we need from each individual game in order to win the games I really want. Like I have anything to do with it. This is how I got into trouble earlier this season after our nearly perfect start. Still I wasn't upset when we donated a point to Atlanta Thursday night, especially after we took two from Boston handily Saturday afternoon. I love finally sitting in 6th, closely nestled behind 5th, so I'd love nothing more than to beat the pants off the Devils tonight. This is the game I circled since the ball dropped. There's just something so joyous in defeating Jabba, especially at MSG. But we didn't win last time and his slimy smug trail hasn't quite left the building either. Hopefully we dump a whole load of salt on Brodeur tonight because these are two points I'm not willing to gamble with.
Sean Avery hasn't scored any more goals in the wake of his 4 point triumph, but he just keeps on giving the fans what they want. Or at least this fan. He just put this up on his blog. This is what I want to see. just make him the commisioner right now. I'm also baffled by Henrik's black grandpa socks. If he wasn't berobed and lounging on his bed I'd be highly disturbed. Great work Avery!
I know Sean Avery would love to contribute 4 points every night, but what better game to actually deliver? It's like Avery gave every detractor of his Dallas debacle a big ole cockslap across the face. Modano, Morrow, Turco, even Gary Bettman. I'm not sure our commissioner even looks at NHL.com on a regular basis, but if he takes a peek today he'll see his nemesis #16 in red,white and blue heading up the 3 stars of the night. Sweet. And Sean did it in style basically constructing every goal whether off his blade or not. Plus he was all up in Dallas' faces AND took a ten minute misconduct. I'm thankful not only for the two points but for finally seeing that post-game interview I've been waiting all season for (Thanks Stan!). I wish MSG had covered a bit of the Stars post-game comments because they once again proved to have a real red state mentality that forces me to look down on them like the elitist liberal I am. Even coach Marc Crawford who had nothing to do with Dallas last year was alarmingly closed-minded saying, “He had no impact on our guys’ lack of execution. That would be giving him far too much credit. Give him credit on fashion.” Thank Marc, I will. Avery looks pretty damn fine, especially with his little hair growing in, but where were his glasses? Now while I'd love to see that consistency that Avery was talking about come to fruition right away, I'd really dig a repeat of this game against his other favorite goalie Martan on Tuesday.
It's been a great couple of Hockey days back to back. I'm still basking in the glow of Team USA's gold medal in the Barely Legal Championships. I'm crazy for this team and maybe you are too, so here's clip of their final rally chant.
I think that's #9 Philip McRae current London Knight and future St. Louis Blue leading the charge, or maybe that's Kristo. No denying that's Kreider in the foreground lending his sizable support. Kreider's given a verbal commitment to BC next year, but I'm looking forward to 2011 when hopefully both he and Stepan will be celebrating at the Garden on a regular basis.
Things must be going too well in hockey reality so the struggle I've become accustomed to has visited my sleep state. I had my very first Call Up dream two nights ago. Despite my protests that I can barely skate the Rangers "needed me" and I foolishly complied. Here's where the dream takes a bad turn. Now I'm not only panicked to take the ice when I'm unable to stop on skates without falling down Prucha style, but I don't even get access to the locker room. Somehow my subconscious thought it was a great idea to stage this dream-turned-nightmare in some rigged up janitor's closet where I'm given an extremely oversized Poncho with a Rangers' logo on it because the Jersey I sported to game has Henrik's name on the back. Didn't even conjur a single player striding by in a towel to sweeten my anxiety. What kind of fucked up message is my brain sending me? I much prefer the waking dream I had New Year's Eve in which my boys were forced to make out with each other because they were still stuck in the Raleigh locker room come midnight. Maybe I'll score in my next dream.
I've been loving the stuffing out of this year's World Juniors Under 20 tournament, especially now that my boys have taken the Gold medal. There's a lot of reasons for this but first and foremost is the NHL Network's exclusive coverage of team USA. The luxury of not only a non-Canadian feed, but one that is actually pro-USA has been a complete delight. Team USA is also a dream, captained by Rangers prospect Derek Stepan, who fearful of pulling a Sidney Crosby skated hastily away from his post-game interview to join the handshake line, very classy. I'm loving our other two draft picks in red white and blue Chris Kreider and Ryan Bourque. Kreider has been an offensive powerhouse and scored the 1st goal for team USA again tonight. He also demonstrated his dance moves in the locker room, that's right extended NHL Network coverage delivered the goods. Question: Will Kreider be rested and ready to play for Boston College in the Fenway game come friday? Answer: I don't know. Q: Do I have to tape that shit? A: Yes. This championship game was a classic, but the type of classic that's much more fun to watch knowing the outcome. Lots of scoring back and forth - somehow US up 5-3 with about 5 minutes left in the 3rd - then like the worse kind of deja vu, Team Canada powerhouse Eberle scored two quick goals to even it just like he did New Year's Eve night. Luckily this time our guy prevailed in OT. John Carlson, future Capital, skates in 3 on 2, fakes passing so convincingly, then rips one into the net for the medal winner. The flashiest part of his play was that he didn't even eye the net when he let it go. Faked it that good - some slickass shit. Loved it. Plus hirsute D'Amato scored again. I swear this kid grows a full beard between puck drop and last buzzer every game. Unfortunately he was drafted late by the Maple Leafs, so this is probably one of the only times I can enjoy him, especially if he continues to be this good. #14 caught my eye tonight too. Mostly for his handsome face. Turns out he's Luke Walker, currently unsigned but scouted by the Rangers at Traverse City last summer. Sign this kid Sather! NHL Network described him as a "Meat Tenderizer" what more info do you need? MSG can play the Star Wars theme every time he takes the body.
It was all very exciting and you can enjoy it again tomorrow night at 6. I'll be watching the Rangers v. Dallas. Wouldn't miss Avery's first game against the team he was forced out of. Brodeur managed to shut them out tonight and I would like nothing better than keep their scoreless streak going. I hope Avery wears his Angus Young suit to the game!
So all in all a fine end to 2009, right? 5-1-2 is a very respectable record. Normally I would feel great about taking 3 of 4 points from the Canes, but given their comparative rank and our propensity to suck for long stretches - even losing a single point is troubling. Plus I'd like to win at home, and I think MSG might want to think about sending some free tickets my way this week to ensue a few raised sticks. I noticed the Bruins nicked our stick ritual at the conclusion of this year's Winter Classic, but I'll turn a blind eye because the game was so fabulous, particularly the last hour when Boston rallied in glittering twilight. By far my favorite part of NBC's coverage was the post-game reveal of 2010's USA Olympic team. Look at baby Cally and Drury standing side by side! And I loved big kid Tim Thomas coming out at the end. It was a great touch and pretty emotional. Plus I have a sizable bitch streak, so I also enjoyed that Snotty Gomez was left off the team and that Langenbrunner's name was spelled wrong on his child representative. Poor Gomez, he's even small enough that he could have announced his own name too! I'm really looking forward to the Olympics. We've got a pretty scrappy team and I'll be rooting for them, but my allegiances will be divided. I'd love Jagr to do well with team Czech and of course the Tre Kronor will have a place in my heart as long as Henrik leads that team out. I have some faith in reserve for my Rangers this season too. They've pulled it out (a trip to the playoffs that is) 3 years running and I think they can do it again. I just hope Sather doesn't sell off any valuable assets come trade deadline. Especially those boys currently kicking ass at the World Juniors. I have a bad crush on Chris Kreider, who has been putting up some impressive numbers. Stepan and Ryan Bourque aren't bad either and I'd love team USA to win today and kick probable opponent Canada in the Gold Medal round. Do I want too much this year?
ps. I have changed my position of disdain for the Philly's dire hair situations in light of their comments during the Winter Classic. Turns out Carcillo wasn't trying to grow his own Crosby inspired Bobby Peru mustache, but was trying to honor famed former Flyer's enforcer Dave Schultz. He just doesn't possess enough testosterone to recreate Schultz' signature stache. And Hartnell when asked if his long curly locks froze during the snowy rehearsal on New Year's Eve, he replied, "No, still beautiful!" Now I'm thinking Hartnell might be a genius because that answer is golden, but also I knew every shift he was on the ice because his hideous hair was the first thing my eye went towards. Brilliant! Hear that Mr. Avery? Time to grow out that crew cut.
Merry Christmas everybody! What are the chances the Rangers sucked so bad in anticipation that us fans would enjoy this 4 game streak so much more this holiday? A kind of Christmas present from Henrik and the gang? Whatever the motivation I love it. May the gifts keep coming this holiday week. I know I loved Prospal the first time I saw his red face in the red white and blue, but his reaction to scoring Wednesday night was a thing of beauty in of itself. Euphoric joy. A week ago I was looking up draft prospects, but now that we're tied for the last playoff position I'm thinking cup all the way! Well, why not it's Christmas and miracles happen. Let's start our cup run by taking care of the Isles and Flyers, again.
I wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday. love, Dollie
I can hardly believe it! I always claimed to have faith - and I definitely believe we're a better team then our last 8 weeks would credit- but I don't expect smooth sailing the rest of the way. I love beating the Isles, the Flyers and the Canes, but they're 3 teams in the bottom of the conference. I want to see us beat the Pens, the Devils, the Habs. I mean it's easy to beat Philly when their current coach is on furlough from prison. No wait, that isn't Robert Chambers behind the bench, it's that bitch Peter Laviolette. It's hard to tell the difference between their smug entitled faces. Plus Hartnell's hair is always so distracting. I don't know his situation, but I'm just saying I wouldn't want to clean out that guy's shower til death do us part. And he's not even the worst crime against my eyes, have y'all seen Carcillo? Man what an unattractive team! I'm so glad we beat those ugly fucks. We have to see them 5 more times and I hope that we keep climbing while they keep bottom dwelling. Next up the Panthers, another holiday showdown and I'm hoping it will be a good Christmas.
My focus and intensity has been a little fleeting too in the face of all this losing. Sometime I forget what I really love about hockey and particularly the Rangers who've I've picked to invest my devotion: man on man action. Wins are just a bonus. That's how I'm viewing the rest of the season, and if the wins pile up, fabulous. If the men pile up, even better. Just as long as Henrik doesn't get seriously injured and MSG talks to Sean Avery every once in a while.
Speaking of man on man, I hate both Kaleta and Jarkko Ruutu, but I love that hate each other. Best hit of the week.
Well, Tortorella wanted more jam, but thing is, "He chose a child molester's jam!" Or he may as well have because we lost yet again. Tonight we face Atlanta and unfortunately their current team just isn't as easy to beast as it was in the 06-07 playoffs. I really want these two points though, so hopefully Torts gets what he wants this game.
So for the past three seasons while the Rangers have gritted out difficult stretch runs to make the playoffs, my default soundtrack has been Guided By Voices "Hold on Hope." I never thought I'd have to rock this track this early. It's only December, but my beloved team is in big trouble. Obviously runand gun didn't work, because we only have one gun. Stingy defense is a crapshoot with 2/3 of the blueline younger than 25. At least Henrik seems to have reconciled the fact the he's gonna have to win most of the points for us, that is when he doesn't fumble the puck into his own net. Thing is I have faith in him. My hope is that the rest of the team will follow his lead and start working for wins with every shift. They'll have to do it without Gilroy and Valiquette, who were sent down post-blackhawks. Gilroy should've realized after the fallout from Casino Night not to ignore me at an event. J says the Rangers have a "No Dollo, no tolerance" policy. If they don't they should have. I'm not sure what's happening with our backup situation, but it's clear now why the Isles were stockpiling veteran goalies - so we couldn't sign one when we so desperately need one. I definitely haven't given up hope yet for a successful campaign. I'll leave you on a positive note, here's a little something to get you in the Christmas mood. I hope everyone is having a Happy Holiday!
One good thing about losing twice as many games as you win for a prolonged period, let's say 7 weeks, is that it doesn't hurt as much when it happens yet again. This one did sting just a little before the "We Suck" malaise set in. It's difficult to beat Detroit, especially for us when we only see them once a year and their aura of powerhouse skill isn't questioned. What gets me is we were completely in this one then Henrik (why him?) has to fumble the save and kick the puck in himself. Couldn't any of the stars in red just plain beat Henrik with a great shot? All in all a good weekend effortwise, now I just want the results too. During the downtime this past week I've been self-medicating with live shows from my favorite boys north of the border. Maybe Sloan's sweet sounds will be a balm for you too. Or at least make you miss MVP. Here's to a better showing in Chicago.
I'm back on dangerous ground where the Rangers are winning enough that I spend my time playing God, trying to decide how many points we need from each individual game in order to win the games I really want. Like I have anything to do with it. This is how I got into trouble earlier this season after our nearly perfect start. Still I wasn't upset when we donated a point to Atlanta Thursday night, especially after we took two from Boston handily Saturday afternoon. I love finally sitting in 6th, closely nestled behind 5th, so I'd love nothing more than to beat the pants off the Devils tonight. This is the game I circled since the ball dropped. There's just something so joyous in defeating Jabba, especially at MSG. But we didn't win last time and his slimy smug trail hasn't quite left the building either. Hopefully we dump a whole load of salt on Brodeur tonight because these are two points I'm not willing to gamble with.
