One of the ORIGINAL NY Ranger's websites - Now read about WLIR & WXXP & DJ Bird....and maybe some hockey :-)
Monday, July 9, 2012
SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE
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.
----}-
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.
----}-
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
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