Retribution Pending, NYR 1 / Flyers 4

Freeze-framed interview between periods, ex-Ranger Blair Betts sends a message

The Rangers won in fights.  The Flyers won the game.

With half of the Flyers goals scored by recent ex-Rangers (Blair Betts and NikIdiot Zherdev), it was a bittersweet loss to Philadelphia, as we were outplayed, outwitted and beat by another unknown Flyers third-stringer goalkeeper.  Where is Stephen Valiquette when you need him?

Official recap here.

With expectations at an all-time high, emotions ran high for the team and for its fans -- Daniel Carcillo had a target on his back for taking on our marquee player last season, and this new & improved Blueshirts squad was going to payback and take the physical game to them this time around.  Were the Rangers willing and ready to drop the gloves and set the tone?  Absolutely.  Did NYR enforcer drop the gloves with Jody Shelley?  Yes and Boogaard won.   Did anyone pay back Daniel Carcillo for his sins of the past?  Yes - and Brandon Prust taught him a lesson by undressing him.  Did Carcillo then turn down a bout with The Boogeyman?  Yes.   But...

Lee Harvey Oswald or a shaven Daniel Carcillo?  Both deserve punishment.

The 'ARE WE EVEN?' card is imbalanced again.  At the beginning of the third period with the Rangers down by 2 goals, the 'Damien' Daniel Carcillo leapt to hit NYR Fedotenko in the head - exactly the type of head shot the NHL has condemned over and over again this season.  No call was ever made, and at this time of this posting the NHL hasn't issued any suspension or question to whether or not this was an unjust hit.  Here is the video replay (and note the Philly broadcasters declaring how clean it was).  You'll note his head was down because he was first hooked (a penalty) followed by Carcillo plowing into him.  I admit we lost the game fairly - we were beat and nothing was coming together for the Rangers last night offensively - and without crying "the Refs?  the Refs?" I do think the Rangers missed a crucial 5-minute opportunity to put something on the boards due to the referees letting this one go.  Even morso, Ryan Callahan is thrown head-first into the boards by Kimmo Timonen and we saw no call from the refs? -- another five minute major missed opportunity.  

"If the league is trying to protect shots to the head, they will address it," Fedotenko said. "We, as players, need to play. I thought the first one was hooking, as I tried to shoot the first time, and the second was a shot to the head. I'm sure the league will review it and see if it was a clear hit to the head."    So....

I can almost guarantee that this will be forgotten and overlooked.  We will have to wait until December for retribution as it's the next time we meet the Philadelphia Flyers.  We can assume by that time Marian Gaborik, Vinny Prospal and Chris Drury will be healed and fitting into the Torts system.

Richards left wide-open and Hank had no chance.

As much as I hate losing to that cheap-shot of a team, I am not too worried after last night's effort.  They continued to play hard, despite the score, but nothing came together offensively during most of the second period and all of the third period.  Most of the Flyers goals weren't spectacular and they didn't have to work too hard to score --- they were the result of mistakes on our blueline (Del Zotto), lucky bounces (Zherdev goal) and letting mother-f*cking talented Mike Richards plant himself in front of NYR goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist.  Every time we play the Flies, Richards sits there waiting and we don't do anything about it -- this, I hope, will be corrected.

Additionally, Philadelphia has an uncanny instinctual ability to control the neutral zone and create breakaways (Richards, Carter, Giroux) - sloppy play by our young blueliners.   This, too, will change.

Though, through all the bad, Brian Boyle continues to impress the hell out of me -- he is not the same guy as last season, though I wish he had more offensive talent.  Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky (our one goal last night), Sean Avery, Fedotenko, Erik Christensen all played hard -- and our D-men held their own with the exception of two costly errors and a ridiculous Brandon Prust mis-call penalty that led to Philadelphia's power-play fourth goal.  Henrik Lundqvist as always prevented more Philly goals, but didn't seem on his game - along with the rest of the team.

Hhhmmm....?  Goalie interference?

The Rangers lost their mojo against the Flyers.  Maybe it was the 'expectations running high that could never be met', but whatever it was we all hope they lose it and regroup for tonight's important match against the NJ Devils of Newark at The Rock.   Tune in Rangers fans because it's a long season and this is not the Rangers squad we've seen in years past.  We've seen a consistent effort by this 'elite & star-less roster' and we're going to win some and lose some.

But for now we have to look forward to Maaahhhhhhty Brodeur and his bandwagon of 'underpaid compared to Kovie' brethren over in Newark.  See you tonight.

Let's Go Rangers!!!!!

tdr

p.s.  It still makes me chuckle when I think of what's eventually going to happen to Daniel Carcillo - the universe answers in different ways.  HURT is coming.



'RETRIBUTION PENDING....STAY TUNED.

It Only Takes A Shootout

Tonight Rangers fans we will be treated to our first meeting with the Philadelphia Flyers, one we've been anticipating for over six months - retribution is in order.  Tonight the Rangers enter the Wachovia Center with a different attitude - "You Talkin' to Me?"  

If you haven't blocked it from your noggin, the last time we played Philly was the final regulation game of last season for both New York and Philly and it came down to a shootout - Lundqvist vs Boucher (I think) or in other words, an elite goalkeeper (Henrik) vs their third stringer.  It was do-or-die for both teams.  Whoever won made the playoffs.  We lost.  As luck would have it, the Flyers fought their way to the Stanley Cup vs the Chicago Blackhawks.

We all recall what happened there.  They lost.

So this picture should remind everyone watching tonight that they lost the Cup.  Tonight will be a battle of epic proportions - playing Philly always is.  The Flyers are currently 2nd in the Eastern Conference (7-4-1) and the New York Rangers sit 7th in the Eastern Conference (6-4-1).

Keep in mind that the Rangers have posted a record of 14-3-2 (30 pts) in their last 19 games at Philadelphia, dating back to a 3-1 win on Mar. 27, 2004. May the better team win tonight.

Boy, I hate those Flyers....and boy do we hate Daniel Carcillo.  Expect a game featuring Sean Avery, Brandon Prust and (hopefully dressing tonight) Derek "the Boogeyman" Boogaard to go front and center with Carcilloface, Scott Hartsmelly, and Mike Richardosuck.   You want PIMS?  Tonight will give you PIMS.

As one of our readers said last night in response to a hopeful Derek Boogaard undressing of Daniel Carcillo, "RELEASE THE KRACKEN!!!!"   Hilarious.

Let's Go Rangers!!!!!!

tdr