Weight of the World
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Finally, the weight of the world has crashed down on Henrik Lundqvist. Last night, he and the Rangers were defeated by the Vancouver Canucks, 6-3. The King was yanked after giving up the 5th goal in the 2nd period (Lundqvist surrendered 5 goals on 17 shots). It was a mercy pull for Lundqvist, who is clearly the teams backbone.
I attended the game and was able to watch closely as I sat in the Legends Section with Rod Gilbert and Glen Anderson. The King was really let down by the performance of the team in front of him. However, on the bright side, Steve Valiquette took over and did a fine job in relief.
Overall, I thought Vancouver was the quicker and faster team early on (The Rangers looked slow). The Canucks built a 2-0 lead and I honestly knew that it was over. With the lack of scoring all year long, what would make me think any differently? Sure, the Rangers tried to pull a monumental comeback, but in the end the 5-1 Canuck lead was too much for the Blueshirts to handle. It was not a very good game for the team. A lousy start as usual and the result is what you should receive. Kudos to Vancouver though, they played a good game.
My wife and I enjoyed the company of my former teammate and good friend Ron Greschner (along with his posse of friends), as well as Larry "Ratso" Sloman - writer extraordinaire. Ratso's writing a book on Mike Tyson... it should be a good one!
It was not a good night for the Rangers. For me though, it was great to attend a game and see old friends. I will be away doing 2 games this Friday and Saturday for the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Check out the link below and give the games a listen. Over and out!
» Bobcats Link: http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x981.xml
16 comments:
Kots---At least you saw good friends last night--as for the game ???-it had to be a long ride home!!--If you would have told me before the game that we would put 3 past Luongo,I would have felt very good about the outcome.---But this is the end product of a game where (i feel) that Callahan and Mara were the only Rangers who came to play their game---also the kind of result we'll get when the KING is not the 1st 2nd or 3rd star of the game!!!the guy is great at what he does, but he still needs the guys to play hard and clear our zone--he can't do it all---last night he was off his best,but that does not hide the fact that he was left out to dry--- 7 shortys--that close to the total powerplay goals we have!!!Can't blame Redden for a bad bouncing pass from Dubi---remember the one to Rozsival??maybe its time to watch a game??Can't blame Gomez for all the turnovers and giveaways last night..82 games--last night is done--we know all to well that stinkers like that crop up every now and then--frig it --hope you enjoyed the company in the City--it's still only a game---the players have to remember it, but they also have to forget it and get back on track--I'm sure they will!!---Go Bobcats--p.s we'll let you know if they forgot Ruutu or not---I'm sure they won't!!!
mr.hockey: Mr.Hockey, I was hoping for a different outcome, but I could see the "lead boots" on the Rangers from the start.
Is it just a coincidence? or am I just hallucinating about how lousy the Rangers start the 1st period of games at MSG. Just a thought.
I did have good time with my old team mates "Gresch" and "Nicky". It was also fun to see Larry "Ratso" Sloman. He's well known writer and actually penned the book "On Thin Ice" about the Rangers in the late 70s early 80s. I was quoted in the book while playing for New Haven. Good guy.
Bitter sweet night overall, the Rangers had better re-group and fast.
Glad to hear that you had a great time at the game last night against the Canucks. I am sure it was a sad night for Naslund to lose to his former team but ther will be other games to even the score.
It sounds really nice what the Rangers do for former players for putting you up in the Legends Box. Must have been nice to spend some time with old friends and watch the game at the same time.
Away from the Rangers ..........
What is your opinion of what happened to Barry Melrose getting fired after 16 games was it. I read an article saying that he was like Frank Sinatra and did it his way. I guess Management was upset with the fact that Barry was not playing the first pick that much. But even Barry said he was not earning his ice team like you have said many times with Barry you earn your ice time or you sit. Barry is laughing all the way to the bank and the best part of it is he will probably hook back on with ESPN.
Listening to the game with 1:10 left in the third period as Quinnipiac is looking to win it's third in a row here. One minute remaining and looks like they will pull this one off.
So do you travel right after the game to St. Lawrence or stay over in Potsdam, NY ????
Big win tonight as they are starting to light up the lamp, with 15 goals for and 6 goals against in the last three games. Glad to see after struggling with the homestand a few weeks back.
Just heard your post game interview and you do a great job man.
See you tomorrow night .........
Crock
cant say enough..its all been said before...SOS...it really is time for a change...now..not at trade deadline
My only response to this game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agL3NHgb8Rk
crock: Crock, just got back from the St.Lawrence and Clarkson games. 2 big wins on the road for the Bobcats. Thats 4 in a row on the road, very impressive.
The Rangers are first class all the way. I realize where I stand in the pecking order of Ranger history, but they take care of me like I played my whole career there. Total class!
Theres more than meets the eye with the Melrose situation. He got the shaft from everyone all around. Barry knows his hockey, and is a good coach. Less than 20 games and fired for a team that finished last overall in 2007-08. Sounds a little fishy to me.
leatherneck: Leatherneck, I did not see the game as I was away doing the Bobcats game. I need a full scouting report. It can't be good.
Obviously by your response not very good and the same problems. I'm almost afraid to ask my son for a report on the game. I called from St.Lawrence University after I finished my game and he didn't sound to happy with the Rangers play.
wrath of sanity: Wrath that's a friggin beauty! A pure gut ripper.
Hello Chris, Rangers fell behind 1-0 on a dumb penalty, Mara fell victim to Ruttu...The Rangers showed no heart and urgency what so ever. Valiquette was great in net..if not for him it would have been 7-1...2 of the 4 scored he had no chance on...you can add Redden to my list od D-men that need to sit a game or 2 along with Kalinin and Roszival...There is no plan seems like..they just get on the ice and play...I personally would have made a few changes by now...truely..do not like the full composition of this team as a cup winner..untouchables to me..are Mara, Staal and Girardi, Callahan, Dubinsky, Korpikoski and the 4th line of Sjo, Betts and Orr...the rest should be considered as tradable for the betterment of the team. I question now Drurys leadership as to why this team was so unprepared...as a player..they have to take the bull by the horns...and its time for Renney to replace Pearn with a offensive minded mind...and Ilike Pearn..its just not working...
leatherneck: I had a chance to see the highlights uh... "low lights". It was rather disturbing and uninspiring to say the least.
Rutuu getting under their skins? Please...
I believe a lot of what's been discussed here is starting to really fester. Lack of a top offensive line or players. No tenacity or abrasiveness. Lousy starts, no power play...... it gos on and on.
I'll say it again, as of now this team rides the coattails of the "King". If the "King" is off well we know what the result likely will be. Scoring threat and overall toughness are what is sorely needed.
The Rangers have work to do. It's that simple. I think your choice of keepers are right on. Lets hope for a victory tomorrow.
Hello Chris, hello guys. :)
We miss Gomez badly, that's the first thing we should work on. He will be likely back tomorrow night against the Coyotes. We desperately need his speed and his skill to carry the puck to the offensive zone. Look at the last 2 games, it's like the team played with the handbrake on, no speed, no will to go forward. Was really painful to watch.
Despite our record, there's still a lot of work ahead. I'm more and more upset about the physical commitment of these players. We do not put enough pressure on our opponents, both ways. Forecheck is most of the time lazy and not inspired, but that's also the same in our own end, We do not finish the guys! Crush them into the boards for god's sake! Stop to bump into them so softly. Every single team in the league is going to laugh seeing us arriving. "Ha ha ha, here comes the soft Rangers!"
I was watching the original six match up yesterday between Boston and Montréal. The least I can tell, the players were 100% involved to gain possession of the puck. I have been almost shocked by the difference with the Rangers game. Rangers are becoming more and more soft along the weeks. We still have a good record, but for how long? Of course we have to blame some players from time time for a bad turnover, a bad pass, a lazy hit etc. But I would gladly blame more the staff at this point, that's up to them to shake up the players, nothing happens. I'm not even sure a trade or 2 would be enough.
Let's pray for Gomez to be the messiah to wake up our offense tomorrow. It will time then to making-up.
jeff: Jeff, I was away doing the Bobcats games over the weekend. I got to see some highlights against the Sens and get caught up with help from our fellow Ranger fans. It wasn't pretty.
Sounds like the same old habits and problems I witnessed in person against Vancouver. No jump, No energy, No Scoring, and No physical play. Sounds to familiar?
We are at the point where the players have to look at themselves and stop making excuses. This team has to sacrifice what they do "good" as team to pick up what they do "bad" (see above).
As for Gomez, I at times have been overly critical of his play. Now I feel that his effort to play hurt has won me over a tad (Showed guts but please no more turnovers). I tip my hat to him.
Jeff, I am hoping your right that Gomez provides a huge lift on the offensive side. The physical side has to be picked up by the "whole" team, not just a few.
You want to become a team that others do not want to play. Until these problems are fixed it will be a struggle. Remember the record is still 14-7-2.
Whats your honest thoughts on Perry Pearn...I like the guy..but I am questioning their practice methods..conditioning but no strategy??? thats alarming to me..why would they do that? why cant both be addressed at a practice? that makes no sense to me at all considering the ineptness of the scoring we have demonstrated...boy,,,your niners didnt do my Giants any favors..lol...but Giants still looked great
leatherneck: Leatherneck,I really don't know much about Pearn. I know he's been an assistant coach for Ottawa, and came up through the Canadian coaching system.
I have to agree 100% with you on the no "Strategy" part. That is alarming.
We shall see what this team is made of tonight. They had better not take the Coyotes lightly.
Please don't get me going about my 49ers. A fan since 1970 and after 23 yrs of great football 1979 to 2002 (677% winning percentage), I am now just another football team.
It sucks and that's why I am hoping that Rangers can fill the void.
Kots--At least we didn't give up a SHORT-HANDED GOAL !!!--other than that they suck!!!You can't get into all that was wrong, because there is only so much time in a day---the record is nice, but it is an illusion!!this team is fragile---they lost the top spot in the Conferance and the Division can be by the weekend--They can very well be bottom feeders in the conferance (that 6 thru 11 range ) by Christmas if Renney dosn't try something to sssshake them --- Maybe Sather should take off the cuffs and let him coach like Ron Wilson with the Leafs--you suck you sit --vet or money, no matter---earn the ice!!!I'd love to see him change the lines up and leave them for awhile --Gomez is the passer? the playmaker?The 50 mil for 7--he has to center Zherdev and Naslund--they are the only ones that have the touch to do something with his feeds!!--Dui gets Callahan---Maybe that can get Voros and Dubi back to what they do best--put the pressure on the D get them to turn their back and pound away down low!!!___Renney has to stop looking pissed at Redden and Rosi when they scrwe up --how about they stop getting the most ice time for D-men???Maybe carry another D-man so they have more than six and these guys might play a bit harder or even better SMARTER knowing that some one else is watching in the building besides Prucha and Rissmiller!! Gotta go --I just hope they start playing as good as the other teams in the division and conferance have started to play!!
mr.hockey: Mr.Hockey, I can't argue with the "You Suck You Sit" theory. It might stop players from getting "complacent" and "collecting" a paycheck (Some BIGGER than others).
I too feel that things are slipping away piece by piece. I am hoping for a win tonight(Coyotes).
I remember last year as I was sitting with GM Don Maloney in a private box given to him and his family courtesy of the Rangers. It was not pretty (5-1 loss) and the Rangers had better be ready for tonight's tilt.
I will have a new blog covering this game by tonight.
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