USA ! USA !

Leave it to the MSG faithful to send a message, respectfully.

At 4-0 the boys did let off the gas a bit but I'm not concerned. Sure, Torts will harp on that a bit and rightly so....but in reality, there was a clear cut winner tonight. Henke was great when needed. Different lines had a part of a collective effort that was as good as can be expected.

Again, some will yap about the 2 goals given up late. Trust me when I tell you that it's not important. In the playoffs, the ONLY thing that matters is that you get one more than the bad guys. If the Sens felt better about popping a worthless goal then their sights are set way too low. Winning games is the only thing that counts now.

I'm not saying it's over at all. Each game is an opportunity in itself. But a message was sent tonight......

You Can't Beat Us !

Beer me !

----}-

New Podcast available

A new edition of the Hockeyrodent Hockeybird radio show is now available.

You can download here. 85 minutes plus

I recommend using Winamp to listen. Now I gotta get some food and sleep.

Game one is Thursday vs. the Sens.

----}-

My Head Hurts

Hello New York and everywhere else, I'm Bird and yes.....you are in the birdcage. I'm happy to announce that a new Podcast has been made available so if you wanted to listen to the Hockeyrodent - Hockeybird Radio show, it's here.

The sheer amount of discussion on head shots, concussions and what to do about it is enough to give me a headache. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this isn't important. I'm not even complaining about the issue being brought to the front of the discussion. In fact, I'm not complaining at all.

It's about time this is addressed. As a beer league goalie who got dinged several times, I can tell you that the changes we are seeing are in the best interests of the players. In the NHL, it's the players that make the game what it is. It's the players that bring the fans, help generate the cash and provide the product we all consume. For way too long, the unwritten "code" of a hockey player was to ignore pain, in any form. It never occurred to me that a TBI (traumatic brain injury) could have long lasting/life long effects. We know this now. That the NHL is doing something about it is to be commended.

As Ranger fans we are all concerned about Marc Staal, whose addition to the line up would be just awesome. But how many of us are concerned about his long term health? I'm not accusing anyone of anything here, I myself want him back ASAP. However, this is serious.

I've basically done a 180 on this. I used to adhere to the code, I didn't miss games for injuries. I bought into the whole hockey player mentality. It's been ten years since I've played and the pain I endure on a daily basis sucks. And, I was just a beer league goalie at best. Can you imagine what a serious NHL career could do to one's body?

We lost Beukes and Pat LaFontaine but I never really thought much about it. With Crosby out, Pronger out, the new guy in Carolina.......the list goes on. We can't help but think about this, talk about this. It's apparently serious.

I can't claim I have lasting effects from my concussions. Honestly, I don't remember much about how I felt afterwards and if it affected my game. Maybe that in itself says something. I do know that I'm glad that we are finally discussing this post-concussion syndrome issue. It reminds me of when that Marine General first spoke about his suffering from PTSD. It became OK for others to at least talk about it. The stigma is now gone.

----}- Bird

Is the Rodent Right?

Hello NY and everywhere else, I'm Bird and you're at hockeybird.com.

I'm posting during the first period of tonight's game. As happy as I am about the NY Giants win in OT over the pats, I am concerned about our Rangers.

If you read the Rodent, he's concerned as well. I know, we beat Montreal. Hell, we've been wining a few at home lately. But there are patterns that make the Rodent's tail stand up as a warning. In a nutshell (pun intended) he's worried about the power play and the fact that we are consistently out shot. Is he right to be concerned?

I'd say yes. (I hate it when he's right)

I know, I'm the one who usually suggested that a win is a win. Two points in the NHL count the same no matter how they are earned. As in golf, there are no pictures on a score card. Ugly wins count the same. But to piggy back on the Rodent (ewww) there are some disturbing trends that if not corrected will come back to haunt our Blueshirts. Being out shot is one. For a lunch pail group, the idea that they are waiting for the perfect play and adding the additional pass is not consistent with the whole lunch pail concept. Keep in mind, this group heroically block a ton of shots. This affects the shot stats. Additionally, our Rangers are still guilty of missing the net way too often. This also affects the shot totals....in a negative way. I'm suggesting that it could be even worse, statistically speaking.

Now the power play, which has been a topic of discussion for what seems like decades now, is once again something to pay attention to. Scoring on the 5 on 3 last night (something they used to fail at regularly) was a plus. Not scoring on the rest? A Hearty "What the ****" comes to mind. Slats added the two things we looked to need, a proven power play guy and a quarter back. And, he did it acquiring one guy. And yet, I still yell DECLINE when the opposition is whistled for an infraction. Not scoring with the man advantage is deflating in addition to the missed opportunity. It can creep into the minds of the team. Solid point shots are a main stay of any coaches PP plan. I'm still seeing too much looking for that perfect play crap. Shoot it, damnit. And while you're at it.....how about hitting the net?

OK, relax. Take a deep breath. As the big Tuna says, "you are what you're record says you are". meaning, we're OK so far. I'm just hoping that these simple issues are addressed to help take this team to the next level. I think we're close. Injuries aside, this team can achieve this year. A lot is expected and nothing less than a solid run in the playoffs will suffice.

0-0 after one period tonight. Two points up for grabs....and we're gonna need 'em.

----}- Bird

Feeling Foolish

OK, Sean is coming up to join the big club. Slats or someone (not you) decided it was a good idea.
We'll see how that works out.

----}- Bird