2 IN A ROW

A physical bout in Alberta last night brought the team even closer together as the Blueshirts didn't back down from the home team Flames and their first period fisticuffs. While we weren't always pushing the gas pedal into attack mode, The Rangers never released it either and kept steady pressure on Calgary who surprisingly weakened as the game went on, settling for puck dump-ins with no chase, and shotless power plays late in the 3rd period. The most involved the crowd got after a 2 goal first period was to jeer Ranger rookie Tim Erixon every time he touched the puck, a sour grapes reaction to the defenseman refusing to sign (and therefore ever play) with Calgary before being dished to the Rangers late this summer.

Heading into the 3rd frame with the game knotted, the Blueshirts found themselves with the same opportunity they worked for in Vancouver: a chance to steal a W on the road. Instead of a 4 goal explosion though they persevered with outstanding defensive and neutral zone play and tenacious penalty kills, including a nail-biter with less than 3 minutes left in regulation to earn the well-deserved point in the standings. But why not 2? Ok, sure. Ryan McDonagh took care of it, banging home a Girardi rebound that missed the net (did he do it on purpose?) to complete a phenomenal end to end effort by Brandon Dubinsky.

The clock had 0.5sec remaining. (human reaction time, I think it was 1.8)

The celebration was awesome.



So lets WORK THE POINTS, shall we?

1) G. Money and B. Rad -- Gabby is right where he needs to be, leading the Rangers with 4 goals in 5 games, and Richards is the only Blueshirt with a point in every game. They may not be Kane and Toews, but the combination is working for us and I think they'll just get better. Gaborik is getting tons of quality chances, a regular reward, and all in all just seems more confident on the ice. My brother observed he's "puck hungry" and I think that's a fair assessment. Gaborik's a shooter, and Richards is able to distribute once we get the puck in the offensive zone. And he doesn't necessarily have to distribute to Gaborik as we have seen--most of his assists are secondary--but his shiftiness, quick hands, vision and ability to anticipate make teams pay attention to him and Gaborik becomes almost an afterthought. And fortunate for the Blueshirts, a lethal one at that.

2) Henrik! Henrik!--Does it get any better than this? Un. Real.


3) Dubinsky --#17 has had a slow start, but he really picked it up last night in the second half of the game, spearheading two authoritative up-ice rushes, the latter of which resulted in the GWG. He also had a good OT 4 on 4 shift with Callahan and stood up for the Captain--who seemed to be getting keyed on by the Flames--early on when Iginla wanted to start the game off with a tussle. Once this second line hits full stride for the Rangers, watch out. Not there yet, but it's coming.

4) Monopoly Is Back At Mc Ds --We loved him last year when he stepped into a regular shift as a steady rookie blueliner, but this year so far Ryan McDonagh is controlling the board for the Blueshirts. His defense has been steady, but it's his skating which has allowed him to jump up into the offensive zone and cash in on some prizes. Not only did he light the lamp in overtime, but prior to that he also had our best chance in OT, grabbing a send-off pass from Gaborik and taking it in on a long 2 on 1 for a shot. American collegiate. Wisconsin. Getting it done with spirit. Love that NCAA!

5) Tim Erixon. --How bout this rookie? They boo him all game and he doesn't fold or make one glaring giveaway. Gamer.