I love watching these two score against the Penguins almost as much as I think they love doing it. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

The game didn’t start well. But then again, games against the Penguins never do. But this one started so poorly that Tortorella used his timeout at 5:43…of the first period. Unfortunately without 24/7, we will never exactly what he said. But it worked. And by the end of the night, the talk was back to the fact that the Penguins blew another game against a division rival.

Oh and a bad hit by a Ranger on his former teammate.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: An Early Timeout Leads To Victory”

You’re supposed to be making us laugh while “playing the bongos” not scoring goals. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

The Caps had lost four of their past six and were sitting out of a playoff spot this far into the season for the first time since April 2008. The Rangers were on a five game winning streak sitting at the top of the East, with their last loss coming 13 days ago but the signs were there in their last win. So what do you think happened when these two teams met on December 28, 2011? I’ll let Torts tell you:

“I wouldn’t say it’s the defense, I would say it’s some brain-dead plays at our blue line as far as turnovers,” Tortorella said. “It’s unfortunate with Del Z (Michael Del Zotto) — he loses the puck on the first one. But a turnover by Mitch (John Mitchell) and a turnover by Richie (Brad Richards), not against their third or fourth line, but against their top line. It kills us. That’s what’s frustrating. I thought we beat ourselves a little bit there in those situations.”

Yes, it was one of those games.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: Not A Memorable Game”

This was a good night for him. (Photo: Screen Shot from post-game video. Click picture to see video which includes interviews with Dubinsky, Del Zotto & Biron.)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

It wasn’t a pretty game. In fact, it was a game most people probably looked over since the Rangers and Flyers would be playing the next night for first in the Atlantic and possibly Eastern Conference. For once, though, the Rangers didn’t look past a game – against the 14th place Islanders – they would’ve in prior seasons. And in doing so, they got the outcome they wanted…and probably deserved since they were the better team.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: Another Win In The Books”

Oh Artie. While I enjoyed your celebration, tonight probably wasn’t the time for it. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

I’m going to start with a caveat – on December 8, 2011 I was at the Garden to see the Rangers versus the Lightning with a friend. I expected a good game. I didn’t expect what I saw. Better yet, I had no idea what I saw as this game aids in my argument that sometimes it’s better to watch the games on TV rather than be there live.

Earlier in the day, the Lightning had gotten some bad news as Marty St. Louis was hit in the face with an errant puck during practice and would miss the game with facial and nasal fractures. The guy who took that shot? Dominic Moore. (Remember that fact.) It was supposed to be St. Louis’ 500th consecutive game. Obviously I felt bad for him but it was a huge break for the Rangers.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: Just Reloading His Weapon”

Someone finally found the back of net… (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

Every year, fans circle certain games on their calendars. It could be because an ex-player is returning or a match-up is taking place that is always entertaining. On November 11, 2011, there was a match-up taking place that Rangers fans were used to. The Staal brothers would be taking this ice.

But this was no usual Staal brother match-up. Marc Staal still hadn’t played a game that season and it was the first time Eric Staal would be playing at Madison Square Garden after it was confirmed his hit on his younger brother was the reason why. I was at the game because I always enjoy the Staal brother match-ups so picked it before knowing both wouldn’t be involved. Was I mad at Eric for his hit? Absolutely. Did I sit and boo him like the rest of the Garden did that evening? No, I didn’t. I’m pretty sure no one in the building felt worse than Eric that Marc wasn’t on the ice.

Fortunately the game wasn’t known as a revenge game or the game that the Garden booed another teams’ superstar. It was known for an amazing third period that stretched the Rangers win streak to six games.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: Third Period Outburst Does Canes In”

I know I should put up a picture of Thornton with this post and make some snide remark but Cally was the number one star of the game plus is so much better to look at. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

It took ten games but the Rangers finally did something on October 31, 2011 that they hadn’t done yet that season – they outshot an opponent. One day I will sit and figure out how many times that happened over the 2011-12 season. I’m going to guess less than half. It amazes me how that team did so well knowing these stats.

As for the game itself, it brought us some beautiful goals and even better comments after it ended. You know which ones I’m talking about.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: Who You Calling Soft?”

Aww…your first fight and misconduct of the season. I’m going to miss your inability to fight whenever the season begins. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

The first three games of the season didn’t go well for the boys. I can’t say I expected the next three to go any better as the Rangers don’t typically do well in Western Canada.

Case in point – the stat mentioned in previews for the game that took place one year ago today was the fact that the Rangers hadn’t won in Vancouver since 1997. Yes they don’t play their often but that’s still a large enough gap to be noteworthy.

And the game started off great as the Rangers got outshot 13-5 in the first period and 15-4 in the second. That is a total of 28-9 over 40 minutes. Pretty sure I wasn’t the only one thinking I had to stay up to watch THAT. But it’s nights like this that we fans get to realize how lucky we are because we have some guy named Henrik Lundqvist in net.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: A Tradition Is Born”

Introducing Rangers Captain, Ryan Callahan! (Photo: Derrick Bostrom/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

When Rangers fans woke up on October 9th, 2011, they were not in good moods. The season was over in some fans’ mind as others began wondering how high of a draft pick the Rangers might get (Fail for Nail, anyone?). Yes the boys had only played two games but they lost both of them. Yes they lost in overtime and a shootout, but they still lost. There was still a big fat zero in the win column. And to Rangers fans, that was unacceptable.

It didn’t help that these two games were part of the European Premiere Games, therefore on one of the biggest stages. The rest of the league loved to watch our boys lose. I, on the other hand, did not enjoy it as much.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: Rangers Fans Were NOT Happy”

It’s okay Artie. We’ll get an even better chance to make a difference in Columbus. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

The hardest word to say is goodbye.

I will admit I am far from the biggest fan of both Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov. I wish I had decided to write for Aery’s earlier in the season so you knew my feelings for them. They were two guys that most fans had a strong opinion on – either love or hate. I switched back and forth on a nightly basis.

That said, they were part of this team and therefore they were “my boys”. I have a tendency of growing attached to things – whether it be reading every book by a specific author or seeing every movie a certain actor/actress is in. If I feel it is worth my time, I give it 200 percent. And that’s what I did with the 2011-2012 Rangers. From Lundqvist to Woywitka, these were my boys and I grew extremely attached to each and every one of them.

Which is why Monday was so difficult. Yes others have left already but these two were born and bred Rangers. They went through the ranks, were there through every up and down, grew up right in front of our eyes. They were “our babies” and I’m not sure I’m ready share them with someone else.

I know no words I write here will be enough but I’m going to try.

» Continue reading “Goodbye My Loves”

Hi Rick…. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

And I am sick to my stomach. Everyone who has followed me knows my take on this but what’s done is done. Nash is a Ranger and I will support him. Curious how long the Rangers fan base will. (If season starts on time, I say he feels their ire by the All-Star break at latest.)

As for the cost so far? The full trade is Nash, a minor league defenseman yet to be named and 3rd round pick for Dubinsky, Anisimov, Erixon and a 1st round pick. Let’s call a spade a spade. I love Dubinsky and Anisimov but Sather fleeced Howson. All three of those players have great potential and haven’t been able to reach it. I do think Dubinsky is the one we are going to regret giving up but it’s hard to see Artie go as well.

And for those not thinking about the future – Callahan just lost his “pack line” teammates and Boyle has now lost Prust and Anisimov. If for any reason we don’t re-sign Del Zotto, we might as well trade Boyle because he will be useless next year.

I’ll have much more on this later but for now, good luck Dubi, Artie and Erixon and welcome to New York Rick Nash.