Rangers on a Roll, Joe Frazier
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Well, well, well, how things have turned around for the New York Rangers from what many were calling, and I’ll be nice a “Slow Start”. Not only did I have to hold hands with some Ranger fans, I also had to walk them gently off the cliff. Their record is now 8-3-3. The Rangers are on a roll (5 wins) and you can attribute much of this to the maturing of players not named Gaborik, Richards or Lundqvist. Starting with Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Derek Stepan, Artem Anisimov have all stepped up their games (Dubinsky’s goals will come trust me). On the backline how good has Dan Girardi been? With the Marc Staal situation not looking too good, Girardi has turned into a super all around D-man and leader of the D-Corps. Michael Del Zotto finding his offensive game and Ryan McDonaugh blossoming into a upcoming star. This is what most in the organization has projected from these players and it’s now happening before our very eyes.
I’ve said it all along for the Rangers to be successful this year and compete with the elite they will have to have contributions from others. There can be no more excuses about them being too young. It’s all a learning process for these players. They need to understand that you are on the roster for a reason and are important to the team and must contribute.
Couple of things that are bothering me… first, when a player decides to drop the mitts with a shield on please take your helmet off. What happened to Andre Deveaux and Jared Cowen in their tussle in Ottawa is cowardly. Sorry, just that’s how I see it. The NHL must step in and hand out an extra 2 minutes, an ejection, or something. With all the rules they have put in over the last few years why not this one? It only makes sense to add that one.
The other thing that’s bothering me is how is a gargantuan of a player like Andy Sutton or a Zdeno Chara, for example, going to make a clean body check on a player who is half their size? It’s almost impossible by the rules today. I know the NHL has sent videos to all teams about what is legal and what is not about head hits and hits from behind etc. Where’s the video of one of these monsters hitting a Marty St. Louis for example? Just asking…
I will be in Hamden CT. Friday (7:00) and Saturday (4:00) as the Quinnipiac Bobcats will take on Clarkson and St. Lawrence in two big home ECAC conference games. The Bobcats gave away precious points to Dartmouth and Harvard last weekend and need a bounce back big time. If you’re in the area come on by and check out it out. It’s really entertaining hockey!
One last thing, Smokin’ Joe Frazier, one of my favorite heavyweight boxers of all-time has passed away. His battles with Muhammad Ali are legendary and the first fight in 1971 at MSG was as historical sporting event as there ever was. A piece of my childhood has left me with Joe’s passing. We will miss you Joe… rest in Peace.
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9 comments:
Hi Chris Nice tribute to Smokin Joe, he was a class act, no one ever said a bad word about Joe in my 20 years in boxing. Joe was class all the way, Joe was the greatest.
Scoop, Thanks. Although I'm a hockey guy, Boxing has always been something I've enjoyed. Joe Frazier was all class. As a youngster who didn't dream of throwing a left hook like he did? Sure could have used it on the ice a few times LOL.
Hey Chris,
Wondering if Ron Duguay, Ron Greschner & yourself will be playing in the winter classic alumni game? I see that The Great One might be suiting up & the Flyers are reuniting The Legion of Doom & Bobby going to play as well. This game might be better then the current teams playing. Sad to see Joe leave us as he was one of the greatest all time heavy weights.
Talk Too You Later
Wally, I'm not holding my breath. I think I'm just a little bit way down on the totem poll LOL. No plans to go what so ever. Joe was my favorite heavyweight of all time!
Chris, as a former Marine as I, you know that Smokin' Joe was my favorite fighter. He represented us against the Viet Nam sympathizers and draft dodgers such as Cassius Clay, who then changed his name to Mohammed Ali for religeous reasons. You are correct when you said that a part of our youth had gone with his passing. R.I.P. Champ !
As for our boy's in blue, lets keep it on this roll. They have to play it one game at a time and not get to ahead of themselves. I have to agree with you about Girardi, he is playing lights out, as is McDonaugh and the rest of the d-men. It is amassing that the NHL is so blind and BIAS against the Rangers. They hardly give them a mention of their 6 game winning and how well they are playing, instead we get a daily Sidney Crosby update, Penquins updates, Ovechshit cursing out his coach, and how mighty the Bruins are. Oh, I didn't mention that we did not get any mention of Marc Staal who happens to be a top 5 d-man. But when the NHL whats to make money, they chose the Rangers to play the Flyers on Jan 2. Way to go Bettman!
Geno, There was a lot of political implications no question when Joe and Ali fought the first time. As I youngster I didn't understand it at the time. I do now. Joe was the best in my book.
As for the Ranger how nice thing have turned out since the slow start. sometime it's better to not be noticed and just chug along which the Rangers are doing. I'm okay with less fanfare and more interested in results. The NHL is what it is...LOL.
Kots---You have to enjoy watching the brand of hockey that this crew is bringing to the rink---as far as the league bringing in a rule about fighting with a shield----I think you answered your own question my old friend--- IT MAKES SENSE---so it will never happen---have any of the rule changes they put in make sense??? They took a great sport and tried to make non hockey fans embrace it---ignoring the fact that the true passionate fan was always there---without being wooed by a marketing ploy from the Oval Office on Ave of the Americas---Smokin Joe---lucky for guys our age that even though he's gone our memories of him will last as long as we do!!
Mr.Hockey, Ranger's are playing well and getting support from others not named Gaborik. As for fighting with a shield? you're right it does make sense but someone at the "Oval Office on the Ave of Americas" has to make believe that Gary Bettman thought of it. Now that's funny.I'll never forget Joe that's for sure.
How about them Rangers...eh....Chris, we beat the Pens tonight and what a great game it was. All I can say is this team is going about conducting business in a very efficient way. Hagelin and Mitchell have really fit in nicely and I believe they are here to stay now which means the end of Zucarrello, Wolski and Christensen. Mike Rupp has a role still however Deveaux is a good player in that role as well. Staal returning will even make this team better but knowing that we have Krieder, Thomas, McIlrath, Erixon and Miller just simply makes this team a team to fear for a long while. Let's go Rangers
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