What does this man claim to be? (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Anyone who knows me, knows my one strength (or weakness depending on how you look at it) is useless hockey trivia. I can barely remember what I ate last night for dinner but give me a random hockey fact and I’ll reiterate it back months later.

So where do I get it from? Well, one of the best places to find out about the boys is by reading their bios on the team site. They contain all the boring stuff such as stats and teams played on, but every once in awhile you can find a gem. Recently, the Rangers updated their site so here, in no particular order, are the top ten things I bet you didn’t know about the guys on the 2013 New York Rangers.

» Continue reading “Who Knew? Random Facts Found In NYR Bios”

Any chance we see these two on the ice together again soon? Lundqvist is heading back to New York so anything is possible. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Because no matter how hard I try, I can’t take a day off so here are some loose odds and ends (which have absolutely nothing to do with one another other) of things going on in within the Rangers organization.

» Continue reading “Loose Odds And Ends”

I would do anything to see this live again. (Photo: Melissa Andus)

During our update posts on Black & Blueshirts, we’ve focused only on the guys who are currently playing overseas. As there aren’t a lot of them, we haven’t really updated on the bulk of the team in quite some time.

Well that is going to change today as I am giving an update on every player on the Rangers current roster. (Note: Chris Kreider is not currently listed on Rangers roster so he wasn’t included. Plus everyone knows what he is up to.)

But you might ask, if they aren’t playing what update could you possibly have on them? I actually know a lot as I bring to you what we know vs. what each player is actually doing. You will not regret reading this! (Okay, maybe you will but bear with me please.)

» Continue reading “What Are NYR Players Up To During Lockout?”

I can’t believe it’s been a year since you’ve played an NHL game. (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 sure I’ve said this before but I’m going to say it again – there are games throughout a season that fans just remember. Whether it’s a big win, a devastating loss, a goal, a hit, a celebration after a goal (foreshadowing here)…sometimes you just remember a game. I remember November 5, 2011. Not in a good way.

I’m not going to sit here and give a play by play of this game for a couple of reasons: (1) the Rangers lost and (2) if my memory serves me correctly, the game wasn’t that good of a game in the first place. The final score was 4-2 Toronto with the Leafs’ fourth goal being an empty net goal. You can read the official recap as well as see all the goals here.

Instead I’m going to discuss a couple of hits that took place with less than five minutes to go in the game.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: Not A Game We Want To Remember”

I agree Mitchell…I wouldn’t want to block a shot with my face either. (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.

Most games have something that distinguishes it from other games. Whether its a crazy goal, big fight, huge save, one team dominating the other…there’s always something. On December 1, 2011, the thing that separated this Rangers-Hurricanes game from any other was a blocked shot. Or rather the reaction to it.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: Lesson Learned – Don’t Block Shot With Face”

I don’t remember the last time I used a photo of you. Damn lockout. Well since you were the number one star on this night a year ago, hi Gaby! (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.

Last season was a special season with many memorable games. I remembered the last three games I wrote about as if they happened yesterday. And I remembered that after beating the Capitals and Flyers, the Rangers went on to beat the Penguins because of course they did. I mean didn’t everyone assume they would take six of six points against those three teams when they first saw the schedule? Yeah, I didn’t either.

There’s one problem. I honestly don’t remember anything else from that Penguins game. I re-read the recap and only one thing stuck out – Matt Cooke having a goal disallowed because it went in off of Michael Sauer. For some reason, I remember that. The rest of the game? Not so much. I’m assuming anyone reading this is in the same boat so thank goodness for videos.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: Rangers Beat Penguins”

You know I love you but I was so mad at you during this game. And that was without knowing you would play your last game a month later. (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.

Rangers and Canadiens on a Saturday night is always an experience. Doesn’t matter if the game is in New York or Montreal, it is guaranteed to be the Hockey Night in Canada game and the two teams guarantee to put on a show. (Sometimes that show is one team completely dominating the other but it’s a show nonetheless.) On November 5, 2011, the two teams did not disappoint.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: Saturday Night Thriller Between Rangers & Habs”

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”

With training camp scheduled to begin in a couple of weeks, Rangers players have slowly been making their way back to NYC. Yesterday the boys got together for their first team event of the 2012-2013 season – Coach Tortorella’s Dog Walk.

As rumored, almost the entire team attended with some bringing their own dogs. Have to say the best picture of the day was Brian Boyle with his little chihuahua! The only ones missing were Marian Gaborik (injured, guessing rehab is in Europe) and Martin Biron and Mike Rupp (who had previous engagements). Although it hasn’t been confirmed, I’m pretty sure Michael Sauer wasn’t there either (more on him later).

» Continue reading “The Team Is Back Together!”

When discussing the Rangers defense-corp, there is one name that continues to come up as one fans would love to see on the ice next season – Michael Sauer. Unfortunately there hasn’t been a lot of news on his condition but that doesn’t mean we can’t discuss how great it would be for him to rejoin the team. And what better day to do that then today – his birthday!

Why does she keep talking about me? (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Why? Well, for one it’s your birthday. And two, I’ve already said I love Minnesota boys so you just have to deal with it.

» Continue reading “Happy Birthday Michael Sauer!”