Yea, like this page.
OK, it's been a while. I kinda disappeared after the Rangers lost to the Devils. Honestly, I was relieved when it ended. In looking back, the big time stress began with the sixth game vs. the Sens and built after that. At no point did the Rangers win easy. At no time was there any mental rest. This past season and playoff run was as hard on the fans as it must have been for the players. We all ran out of gas. The team did so for a variety of reasons....we as fans did in reaction to what we saw on the ice.
Now don't get me wrong here. I am not complaining, just stating facts. I am in fact very happy with the 2011-2012 NY Rangers as a team. It's the old...."if you told me we'd play a game six in the eastern conference finals.....where do I sign" deal. I'm unsure how many who bleed blue would argue this point. We all had expectations but I don't believe many expected a cup or even a trip to the finals. Many had already opined the need for at least one more goal scorer and perhaps one additional D man.
The NY Rangers won their division and the Eastern conference in the regular season. Hell, they damn near won the presidents trophy. They won the outdoor classic over Philly. That in itself is a good season for a fan right there. But two game seven wins in the first two rounds in the playoffs were even better.
I know, the loss to Uncle Daddy stings. Even more so or worse(ly) as the Devs didn't get a win until game four and never looked the part of a Cup finalist. Many Ranger fans felt that our team would have put on a better showing. That's of course bullshit.....but fans do have their opinions. Yes, it hurts. But let's not kid ourselves here. The Rangers had their chances but it was the Devils who came out on top, fair and square.
With a new CBA in the works it's kinda hard to worry too much at this point about what might happen in the coming season. I for one will let this CBA thing take care of itself. Hockeybird was breaking news during the last lockout, that's not gonna happen this time. I'm all by myself here and don't give a rat's ass who gets what in the agreement when it comes. I will say this however, if the owners and players miss any regular season games then you'll be reading Hockeybird for a different reason. I'll turn this into a political blog.....right leaning thoughts on whatever the political topic of the day. That's right, I'm happy to move on. The owners in the NHL and it's players better realize that this time, the economy and the reality it brings to the fans (me) will supersede their childish fighting over $$$. I doubt that the game can take a hit right now. With every little thing going in a positive direction for the game, now is not the time to take fans for granted.
That's not a threat, just reality.
----}-
One of the ORIGINAL NY Ranger's websites - Now read about WLIR & WXXP & DJ Bird....and maybe some hockey :-)
Monday, July 9, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
THE CURSE IS OVER !
You'll have to read below to understand but the fact that the Rangers will play game 4 at MSG this coming Monday, May 21st is icing on the cake for this team and my fandom this year.
WhWhat can one say about Henke's performance today? The best keeper in the NHL shutout the devs and beat perhaps the best keeper ever in the NHL, again. How sweet it is. Now hold on there......two wins does not a series make. Don't think for a second that the series is over. The dEvils will be bringing it on Monday and frankly, should have won today. They played a hell of a game but a bounce here, a huge Henke save there......and some heart attack avoiding goals by Danny and the Kid gives the good guys a two games to one advantage.
Yes, there were times today I was thinking about what could have been done differently to win. I almost expected the Devs to score that all important first one. It never came.
More later as I'm out to celebrate my 13th Wedding anniversary, because we can't on Monday.
The curse is broken.......and what the hell, who wants pie?
:-)
BEER ME !
----}-
WhWhat can one say about Henke's performance today? The best keeper in the NHL shutout the devs and beat perhaps the best keeper ever in the NHL, again. How sweet it is. Now hold on there......two wins does not a series make. Don't think for a second that the series is over. The dEvils will be bringing it on Monday and frankly, should have won today. They played a hell of a game but a bounce here, a huge Henke save there......and some heart attack avoiding goals by Danny and the Kid gives the good guys a two games to one advantage.
Yes, there were times today I was thinking about what could have been done differently to win. I almost expected the Devs to score that all important first one. It never came.
More later as I'm out to celebrate my 13th Wedding anniversary, because we can't on Monday.
The curse is broken.......and what the hell, who wants pie?
:-)
BEER ME !
----}-
Sunday, May 13, 2012
NO TIME TO REFLECT
One would like to have a few days at least to digest what has taken place so far in the 2012 NHL playoffs. Sadly, the schedule gods do not like us, never have. We'll need to regroup and focus our efforts on the dEvils and Uncle Daddy.
Allow me to take just a few lines to praise the Washington Capitals. They played one whale of a series and were perhaps just a bounce away from moving on. The kid goaler nearly matched Henke save for save. He limited the rebounds I had hoped to exploit and his poise, controlled movement and overall mental toughness was a pleasure to watch, if you love the game as I do.
Ovie was good but not great. I tip my hat to a team that left it on the ice. Hunter and McPhee can be proud of their guys.
Now, you don't need me to remind you about a rookie goaltender who took a talent laden NYR team to double overtime in 1994. It's only fitting that we help end his career with something that will "last a lifetime". I'm not predicting anything here, I'm wishing. Anyone who says they know what's going to happen here is lying to ya.
I'm watching the replay of last night's game seven as I type this out. I know the final score and yet I can't escape the tension and stress. There is no sense of relief, only a continuation of the white knuckle sensation that IS being a NY Rangers fan. Thankfully, we have a comedian for a head coach. Oh c'mon....you didn't laugh when Torts said to Mcguire "I'm not telling you" in response to a question about the power play adjustments made by the coach. Priceless, simply priceless.
I don't want to review the fantastic job done by our guys and coaching staff up to this point. We'll deal with that later. Torts had his team playing playoff hockey all year and it's paying off. The next two weeks will be agonizing, torturous and yet still somehow fun. I need to go out and resupply. I'll need a full fridge for this. Like you, I am sure looking forward to Monday night at MSG.
8 wins down, 8 more to go.
----}-
Allow me to take just a few lines to praise the Washington Capitals. They played one whale of a series and were perhaps just a bounce away from moving on. The kid goaler nearly matched Henke save for save. He limited the rebounds I had hoped to exploit and his poise, controlled movement and overall mental toughness was a pleasure to watch, if you love the game as I do.
Ovie was good but not great. I tip my hat to a team that left it on the ice. Hunter and McPhee can be proud of their guys.
Now, you don't need me to remind you about a rookie goaltender who took a talent laden NYR team to double overtime in 1994. It's only fitting that we help end his career with something that will "last a lifetime". I'm not predicting anything here, I'm wishing. Anyone who says they know what's going to happen here is lying to ya.
I'm watching the replay of last night's game seven as I type this out. I know the final score and yet I can't escape the tension and stress. There is no sense of relief, only a continuation of the white knuckle sensation that IS being a NY Rangers fan. Thankfully, we have a comedian for a head coach. Oh c'mon....you didn't laugh when Torts said to Mcguire "I'm not telling you" in response to a question about the power play adjustments made by the coach. Priceless, simply priceless.
I don't want to review the fantastic job done by our guys and coaching staff up to this point. We'll deal with that later. Torts had his team playing playoff hockey all year and it's paying off. The next two weeks will be agonizing, torturous and yet still somehow fun. I need to go out and resupply. I'll need a full fridge for this. Like you, I am sure looking forward to Monday night at MSG.
8 wins down, 8 more to go.
----}-
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Party Like It's 1999
On May 21st, 1999 I woke up sore in a hotel after posting a 6-2 win the night before. Both goals against were my fault as I had misplayed the puck on both plays. I still get kidded about that. I was sore as hell but had a big day in front of me. After a long shower I dressed but only after putting on both knee braces, brand new. No, I wasn't getting ready for another game....it was my wedding night.
Why do I bring this up you ask? Well, I made a deal with my wife that night.....that if the NY Rangers were to have a playoff game on May 21st or any May 21st in the future, I'd have the right to reschedule our anniversary celebration. A very sweet deal for a guy like me. Unfortunately, the Rangers haven't been in the playoffs on May 21st since. I call it, "The Wedding Curse".
Heck, until '05 we wouldn't even make the playoffs and hadn't since the no look Lindros back hander over Richter's shoulder in '97 in the conference finals. It's been a cruel curse. I'm sure some of you suffer from a similar curse if not mine.
This year is different.
I won't bother to explain why the Rangers needed seven frikkin games because you know why. We're Ranger fans and NOTHING comes easy to us. Hat's off to the Sens who came close to duplicating what the Kings did, pull off the 8-1 seed win. Torts and his boys prevented that from happening with an assist to the MSG faithful.
Now that we're in the second round, how do we move forward so that my May 21st clause can finally be enforced? Well for one, we'll need to score one more goal than the Caps each game. OK, that's a little simplistic even for me.
This team only wins when it plays as a team, for each other and with all guns blazing. The unselfish shot blocking and total team game is what got us the one seed in the east and nothing less will keep us going. Jack Adams nominee Torts spent all of 19 seconds saying just that this morning after the morning skate. Easy to say, he doesn't get paid by the column inch like our furry buddy, the Rodent who is a bit more verbose.
Look folks, we got a few bounces and had a few calls and non calls go our way in game one. I don't expect that to happen in each game during this or any future series. So we'll need to once again rely on Veznia and Hart nominee Henke, hope that Gabby and Richards can find a way to score......and that somehow, the Kid has yet to go out in NYC as a member of the Rangers. Keep him out of the clubs, away from the female fans and help him focus on games. After a real shaky first period in his debut, the Kid has really opened some eyes. His speed is downright scary and he does seem to know where to go and when to go there. He's big and seems to know the game. Remember, 6 games is not enough to get into the Hall of Fame. He'll need to keep this up for around 15 years or so. And it's very possible that he'll get better and better, right Joe?
We will need Dubi and Boyle to heal. Our depth only goes so far. Heck, I still pine for Michael Sauer. Additional injuries could be fatal if the opponents don't suffer the same. We really don't have much of a cushion here and I'm guessing like any other team, we have a few guys nursing boo boos.
It's true, I did get a little cocky after game one in the opening round. I'm now moving forward with a much quieter confidence. I think we can beat the Caps. We're a better all around team this year. Better on D, Better in net and our forwards play a better 200 ft. game. That doesn't mean we win this thing. It means we have a chance.
Game two tonight will show us if Torts can get the guys to keep grinding it out. They'll need to avoid any let downs. The Caps you see, are very opportunistic and will pounce if we give them the chance. Their kid has be nothing short of brilliant in his first NHL playoff. Dispatching the Cup Champs from Beantown was no fluke nor was it an easy task. Holtby was fantastic. However, the Rodent has pointed out a weakness that must be exploited. Rebounds.
This indicates to me that the kid is playing on adrenaline and athleticism as he has no NHL experience to lean on. Yes, he won in the AHL....but this is the NHL.....much faster, much more hotly contested and at this level the talent is through the roof. He needs to be exploited. The Rangers shouldn't make contact....just be there for the garbage. We don't need to rough him up (that would have a reverse effect as it will increase the adrenaline he's relying on) we need only to take advantage of his greenness.
Same with Ovie. It's not necessary to hit Ovie, quite the opposite. Leave him alone.....let him try that crap. Don't let him get his juices flowing....let him look on dejectedly as we score after he gives the puck away. Let sleeping dogs lie.
OK, time to hit Rodents message board and then a pregame nap. Since I don't play any more I won't have any treatment (except meds) but there will be a beer or two. Let's hope I can do a post game wrap and end it with BEER ME!
----}-
Why do I bring this up you ask? Well, I made a deal with my wife that night.....that if the NY Rangers were to have a playoff game on May 21st or any May 21st in the future, I'd have the right to reschedule our anniversary celebration. A very sweet deal for a guy like me. Unfortunately, the Rangers haven't been in the playoffs on May 21st since. I call it, "The Wedding Curse".
Heck, until '05 we wouldn't even make the playoffs and hadn't since the no look Lindros back hander over Richter's shoulder in '97 in the conference finals. It's been a cruel curse. I'm sure some of you suffer from a similar curse if not mine.
This year is different.
I won't bother to explain why the Rangers needed seven frikkin games because you know why. We're Ranger fans and NOTHING comes easy to us. Hat's off to the Sens who came close to duplicating what the Kings did, pull off the 8-1 seed win. Torts and his boys prevented that from happening with an assist to the MSG faithful.
Now that we're in the second round, how do we move forward so that my May 21st clause can finally be enforced? Well for one, we'll need to score one more goal than the Caps each game. OK, that's a little simplistic even for me.
This team only wins when it plays as a team, for each other and with all guns blazing. The unselfish shot blocking and total team game is what got us the one seed in the east and nothing less will keep us going. Jack Adams nominee Torts spent all of 19 seconds saying just that this morning after the morning skate. Easy to say, he doesn't get paid by the column inch like our furry buddy, the Rodent who is a bit more verbose.
Look folks, we got a few bounces and had a few calls and non calls go our way in game one. I don't expect that to happen in each game during this or any future series. So we'll need to once again rely on Veznia and Hart nominee Henke, hope that Gabby and Richards can find a way to score......and that somehow, the Kid has yet to go out in NYC as a member of the Rangers. Keep him out of the clubs, away from the female fans and help him focus on games. After a real shaky first period in his debut, the Kid has really opened some eyes. His speed is downright scary and he does seem to know where to go and when to go there. He's big and seems to know the game. Remember, 6 games is not enough to get into the Hall of Fame. He'll need to keep this up for around 15 years or so. And it's very possible that he'll get better and better, right Joe?
We will need Dubi and Boyle to heal. Our depth only goes so far. Heck, I still pine for Michael Sauer. Additional injuries could be fatal if the opponents don't suffer the same. We really don't have much of a cushion here and I'm guessing like any other team, we have a few guys nursing boo boos.
It's true, I did get a little cocky after game one in the opening round. I'm now moving forward with a much quieter confidence. I think we can beat the Caps. We're a better all around team this year. Better on D, Better in net and our forwards play a better 200 ft. game. That doesn't mean we win this thing. It means we have a chance.
Game two tonight will show us if Torts can get the guys to keep grinding it out. They'll need to avoid any let downs. The Caps you see, are very opportunistic and will pounce if we give them the chance. Their kid has be nothing short of brilliant in his first NHL playoff. Dispatching the Cup Champs from Beantown was no fluke nor was it an easy task. Holtby was fantastic. However, the Rodent has pointed out a weakness that must be exploited. Rebounds.
This indicates to me that the kid is playing on adrenaline and athleticism as he has no NHL experience to lean on. Yes, he won in the AHL....but this is the NHL.....much faster, much more hotly contested and at this level the talent is through the roof. He needs to be exploited. The Rangers shouldn't make contact....just be there for the garbage. We don't need to rough him up (that would have a reverse effect as it will increase the adrenaline he's relying on) we need only to take advantage of his greenness.
Same with Ovie. It's not necessary to hit Ovie, quite the opposite. Leave him alone.....let him try that crap. Don't let him get his juices flowing....let him look on dejectedly as we score after he gives the puck away. Let sleeping dogs lie.
OK, time to hit Rodents message board and then a pregame nap. Since I don't play any more I won't have any treatment (except meds) but there will be a beer or two. Let's hope I can do a post game wrap and end it with BEER ME!
----}-
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