Reprint of Feb. 14th 2004 Article "WLIR - The Bands"

Hello New York and everywhere else, I'm DJ Bird....welcome back to the Birdcage. Once again I'd like to spend some time discussing a topic other than Hockey. With the current state of the Rangers I can't really believe any of you would complain.

It occurred to me that the music and the bands who made that music during the great WLIR days were the real reason for the success of the station in addition to the wonderful listeners. So, I'm going to attempt to give you a little taste of my experiences with some of the different bands I was lucky enough to work with. This will in no way be a complete history, that would be a book I'm not prepared to write just yet.....but it should be fun.

Now before we begin my little trip down memory lane, I'm not claiming that I was best friends with most of these people but it was great fun to meet them and share some good times. Since I'm not a big kiss and tell kinda guy, don't expect me to "expose" anyone......I consider what we did together to be private moments that were just a part of the overall scene. And yes, I was truly lucky to be in the right place at the right time to have met any of them. I was just a dumb kid from Long Island that landed a killer job and lived out the dream of most kids my age........sex, drugs and rock & roll.

In thinking back on how I got involved in all this and it became obvious that there was one band that attracted me to the punk or new wave movement above all others, The Ramones. I still have vivid memories of the first time I heard "Rocket to Russia" and I can still see in my mind, scenes from the first time I saw the band play live. They were so different than anything I had ever been exposed to before that....and I was a fan instantly.

If I recall correctly, the mid seventies had most people my age listening to Led Zep, the Who, the Stones.....bands like that. Some felt the whole music scene had become stale and this new disco fever that was spreading prompted most of us to yell 'Disco Sucks'. The punk movement was born during this time and the Ramones were right there at the start. In '77 a buddy of mine clipped an 8-track from his brother.....Rocket to Russia.....wow. We listened to it over and over for weeks. I thought they were English as at the time I was unaware of CBGB's and the NYC club scene. Hey, I was just a kid.

Listening to WLIR I found the Pistols, the Clash and others were also making this really aggressive, new kind of music and liked it. In my junior year of high school I got some fake ID and went to the Malibu nightclub here on the Island and got to see the Ramones live. That was it....I was hooked. The energy was beyond anything I had ever seen before. It was raw, loud and fast......and a ton of fun. I had no idea that in a few years time I would become as involved as I did in this new music revolution.

Blondie, the Talking Heads, the Dead Boys and the Ramones were just a few of the bands that emerged from the NYC scene. I once heard a tale that when the Ramones played in England, many of the artists who eventually became part of the second British invasion were blown away and inspired by them including members of the Clash.

Moving ahead a few years to my club DJ days at Paris NY in Huntington L.I. I recall playing several song sets of the Ramones to the delight of the "slam dancing" crowd. When I was invited to work at WLIR I finally got my chance to meet the 'World Famous' Ramones, specifically Joey. I was surprised to hear Joey in an interview with Denis McNamara mention that when driving to a NY area gig in the black Ramones van, they always listened to the DJ Bird show and enjoyed my music selection. Imagine that.....Joey was a fan of mine.

I don't recall our first meeting.....but I do remember that Joey was a great guy and was happy to chat on a wide variety of topics. We did a bunch of on-air interviews and I was asked to host or intro the band on many occasions. I will never forget one show at the Ritz in NYC, they were taping for a future video for the tune "I Wanna Live" and unfortunately I was left out on the editing room floor in the final product. When I accepted the job at WXXP in Pittsburgh, Joey was my first interview and because he talked to me like a longtime friend I gained instant credibility with the listeners. We later did a show at a place called the Syria Mosque......I hosted and the band blew the roof off the joint.

So I guess I owe Joey and the band a lot as they played a big part in my career. In a phone call just before Joey's funeral, Denis and I agreed that we never saw a bad Ramones show.....that says a lot. I miss Joey and it's sad that I can't look forward to seeing the band play live again. They played their last tour in 1996 and I got to see them in the same place I saw then first, the Malibu. I think it's great that the band went out on their own terms, well before Joey or Dee Dee passed away. As Johnny said, "we want to end this while we are still at the top of our game". They were and they did.

The band I was most closely associated with is one that I had very little personal contact with. From Dublin, Ireland....U2. I became a fan from the first minutes I heard the Boy LP. Since those days I have heard that Bono was a big Ramones fan and that Joey was listening to the latest U2 release in the hospital before he passed. I became connected with U2 as I played the hell out of all their songs in the clubs and continued to champion their cause on radio. The day the played Live Aid in July of 1985.....they graduated from the great band I knew they were into a force that became unstoppable. That performance remains one of the greatest in rock & roll history in my opinion.

Through the years I have seen so many of their shows. In the days leading up to the recordings at Madison Square Garden that became Rattle and Hum, I was at the Nassau Coliseum in what was a run thru for that movie and LP. I was supposed to interview Bono but it didn't work out.....so I'm sitting there in an empty arena as they took the stage for a soundcheck. I had my own private show, me and U2 and about 20 minutes of pure joy........it blew me away. At one point Bono looked down and asked, "so....how does it sound ?" Exactly how does one respond to that ?

The only way to describe the live U2 show was that it was like a religious experience. Everyone sang along with each song and Bono played the crowd like a master. The Edge was always amazing......he's an under rated guitarist in my mind. I recall a show during the "Unforgettable Fire" tour that I attended with Donna Donna from LIR. We decided to go at the last minute and got seats in the very last row directly across from the stage, hardly prime seats. It was wonderful to watch all the people reacting to each song as the show went on. At one point, Donna had to go to the bathroom and she missed out on hearing Bono offer a tribute to WLIR that made the hair on the back of my neck stand. I still get chills thinking about Bono thanking us in front of all those people.

U2 remains one of my all time faves and I even enjoy going to see the tremendous tribute band UF (Unforgettable Fire) It's almost like seeing the real band as they have a lead singer who's a dead ringer for Bono and they are gifted musically. I look forward to U2's next recording which I hear is coming out great.

Joan Jett was a guest on the John Debella show on WLIR when I was a kid and I instantly fell in love with her and her "Bad Reputation". It was with great pleasure that I went on to not only meet her (we went to a diner after a show to have cheese burgers and fries in Long Beach) but I got to host a whole slew of her shows. While I haven't seen Joan since she was in Rocky Horror on Broadway I do still get e-mail from Ricky Byrd her longtime guitarist.

The best part of intro-ing the Blackhearts was the feeling just before the show was to begin. The sound guy always played a tape of cool tunes. As showtime approached the final song on the tape was from the Who, Won't get fooled again. It would get louder and louder....building the excitement of the crowd. The band along with Joan would finish with their warm up and gather next to the stage entrance where I would be, waiting for my cue to walk out onto the stage. As the final notes of Pete Townsend's guitars played, I'd get the nod and walk out.....but only after making eye contact with Joan....just to make sure she was ready.....and then boom, the applause, the intro and then "Bad Reputation" to open the gig. Well before I met her I saw a few of Joan's shows, one famous one was a WLIR show outside at Fireman's Park in Hempstead and she led a chant of "No RAIN !" and the damn rain stopped.....pretty cool.

Speaking of Joan, she was a big fan of a band I enjoyed, the Replacements. One night I was lucky enough to host a show of theirs at Heartbeat in Oyster Bay. I popped in backstage to meet the guys and ended up in a Jack Daniels drinking contest.....I lost. While I only had to walk on stage and introduce them, they had to play a show....and boy did they ever ! The encore featured each member of the band trading instruments as well as a wild rendition of a Led Zep song.

Mick Jones was of course a member of the Clash. They played many now famous shows here in NY but the one that sticks out for me was at Shea Stadium. They opened for the Who with a 45 minute, tight as hell set that might have been the best show they ever did. Mick later formed B.A.D and that's when I met him. I was the board op for an interview with Denis McNamara at the station and Mick and I got along really well. I couldn't believe I was hanging out with this guy. A few years later I hosted one of the sold out shows in NYC and he knew me right away.....grabbed me to go and talk backstage. We smoked a little and renewed our friendship. The show itself was amazing.

There was a day that I remember when a charity event was to take place here in NY and a lot of "our" bands were involved. Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger of the English Beat/General Public along with Suzane Vega were in studio with Donna Donna and I was invited in to intro and DJ a live "toasting" session by Roger.....I'm sure I played a dub UB40 12" and Rankin Roger kicked out some serious toasting.....the other thing I remember was how cool Ms. Vega was. She and I spoke on politics among other subjects off-air.

One of my favorite bands of the 80's was from Aberdeen, Scotland. APB was a trio whose funky baselines and catchy lyrics caused quite a stir in the scene. They played both NY and Pittsburgh so I hosted many of their shows....Ian Slater, the singer and base player became a guy I could just hang out with. "Shoot You Down" is still a fave of mine.

Secession was another Scottish band I worked with and I was lucky enough to host their first ever performance here in the States. The venue was a place called LaCache (formerly Reds) and the place was packed for the sound check ! What a great night. We also had Belouis Some play there as well as the Ramones amonst many others. In it's short time, LaCache had some great nights with me spinning some nights and Rude Boy spinning others. It was across the street from Spit so that area (Levittown on Long Island) was really hopping for a while there.

Before I worked at WLIR I was at Paris New York and one night we were lucky enough to present live, Public Image Limited. Johnny Lydon is almost everything that is said about him.....but they did kick ass. Admittedly, I was kind of afraid of the guy based on his reputation so we didn't really make friends. He wasn't the terrorist to work with that I had heard about....but damn close.

The first official thing I ever did in the name of WLIR was to host a show with David Johansen . He was promoting his "King of Babylon" LP and I was in awe. This was the guy who fronted the New York Dolls....a living legend. He was also Buster Poindexter, his alter ego. I once saw him at the Lone Star Cafe in NYC at a Yellowman show. I made the mistake of calling him David (he was dressed as Buster). Once the bartender alerted me to my mistake "Buster" and I spent the rest of the night hanging out. Years later at a Buster show I went backstage and was surprised to find that David remembered me and we shared a few stories including the time that his wallet was found by former Rangers goaltender Dan Cloutier.

One of my all time favorite bands of the era was The Cult. They had a real hard edge during a time when the scene was beginning to lean toward a more electronic dance sound. I was lucky enough to meet and interview both Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy. Billy was more down to earth but Ian sure had a presence. I actually asked him about similarities with Jim Morrison of the Doors and currently, Ian fronts the new version of the Doors. Ironic, don't cha think ?

Perhaps the strangest guy I would meet and befriend during those WLIR days was Alain Jorgensen of Ministry. After an interview at the station I was asked to drive him back to his hotel before his show that night. I liked him right away. We had already spoken by phone a few times as we tried to book them at Paris NY. Each time instead of Paris, Spize was selected as that place was set up better for concerts. Anyway, Al was into some serious partying....and back then, so was I. We discussed what would happen that night when they took the stage at the Malibu with no intention of playing a single song off the hit LP "With Sympathy". His attitude was "fuck 'em, it's my band, my show......I'll do what I want". He and I shared that attitude. Not everyone enjoyed that night as much as he and I did......too bad. I thought it was great.

One of the great advantages of working at WLIR was listening to some of the local talent and getting the chance to become part of their story. Two bands come to mind that never made it big.....but it was great just the same. The Dancing Hoods were a Bob Waugh favorite and I liked 'em right away. They were good guys and had a few pretty good records. Another local product was Aku Aku who I knew of as I had worked with Neil Hooper, the lead singer when he was in The Statix. I think I enjoyed working with local bands as much if not more than those who were much more famous. I still think fondly of the SPUDS from Pittsburgh. That's 'Special People Under Doctors Supervision'. Great guys who's b-side I played on the air.....and the Sponges were another Pittsburgh band, I liked them too.

I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention that I spent a short but unforgettable time dating the woman who fronted Dominatrix, a NYC band who had a hit of the same name. Dominique Davalos was a wonderful girl and I fell in love with her at first sight. She later had her own band, Dominique and I hear she still plays gigs with a band called the Delphines with Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go's fame out in L.A.. I will never forget the time we spent hanging out in clubs in NYC or one weekend at my house on the Island. She even made a few movies including her role as the base player in Howard the Duck.


There are so many other bands and musicians I had the pleasure of meeting and working with. Robert Palmer, New Order, The Bangles, UB40, Modern English, Gang of Four, The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Alarm....the list goes on and on. And there are those who I didn't meet but whose records I played every night for almost 17 years. I still love to hear the vocals of Paul Young, the sweet voice of Alison Moyet and I still think fondly of all those nights in the clubs where people would go nuts for Interferon's "Get Out of London" or Re-Flex's "Politics of Dancing". I still love cranking up Homosapian by Pete Shelly. Heaven 17, The Human League, The Thompson Twins....all great stuff.

There were so many bands covering so many different styles of music. Punk, wave, dance, ska, reggae, rockabilly (I have some cool Stray cats stories) even hip hop made it's way into the mix. Who could forget the Beastie Boys first single, Cookie Puss ?

I want to thank all of you who were kind enough to leave a comment or sent me a note after reading the last article I wrote on WLIR. It's great to know that the work we did back then meant so much to so many of you. Feel free to leave a comment here or, drop me a personal e-mail.....I respond to all of them when I get the time and I love hearing from you. DJBird@hockeybird.com

----}- Bird

Reprint of hockeybird Article from Jan, 9th 2004

92.7 WLIR, The Station That Dared To Be Different

This is not going to be a hockey article(except for the very bottom, see below)....so if that bothers you please select a different Hockeybird article. This is about the day a legend died for me. It's with great sadness that I tell you that 92.7 WLIR is no more.

Hello NY and everywhere else, I'm DJ Bird and you're in the Birdcage at 92.7 WLIR.....The Station That Dares To Be Different.


That's how I opened my show as per program director Denis McNamara. January 9th, 2004 WLIR at 92.7FM Garden City played it's last song at 12:14pm, Forever Young by Alphaville. Since I left the station in 1987 it shouldn't be that big a deal....but it has become an emotional event for me. I had said goodbye back then, said goodbye again when they changed over to WDRE and now this. The 92.7 frequency was sold to a company that will not be broadcasting the same format. Sure, there are still a few places to hear the old 'LIR music of the 80's but having 92.7 programed in on my car radio was something I had been doing since I was a kid. Now it's officially done. How sad.

I began my career in music as a club DJ and was very lucky to find a place that would let me play this punk/new wave format I was into at the time, Monkey's in Lynbrook. I left there for Paris New York in Huntington as I needed a bigger stage. Paris was just a great place and I was allowed to create a scene as if it were the heart of NYC. It was truly a wild place and the four guys from Paris, France did a great job in allowing it's guests to be creative and to have fun.

Around late 1983 I noticed that the program Director of WLIR, Denis McNamara walked in and I paged him to my DJ booth. After a discussion on the music I played, Denis handed me his card and asked that I call him. The following day I joined the station and soon became assistant to the music director(who was Larry the Duck). Now at this point I should tell you that I grew up listening to WLIR so this place was like a shrine to me. Denis added me to help with the music selection for the same station I had been listening to for years....what a great treat.

As time went by I became more involved in other aspects of the station and had the chance to work with some of the great NY DJs as well as meet the artists whose records I played in the clubs each night. Imagine a kid from Long Island hanging out with his idols like well, Billy Idol, Joey Ramone, Joan Jett, UB40, Mick Jones of the Clash just to name a few. I produced the Meg Griffen show and became good friends with Bob Waugh and Malibu Sue. Life couldn't get any better could it ?

Well it did. I don't remember the exact date but Denis told me I was going to do an airshift at 2 am on a Saturday night/Sunday morning. He also told me not to bring coffee....the adrenaline would be flowing. It was....and I had a blast. Denis then scheduled me for a few more shows and the next thing you know, I was a radio announcer. Of course I had no real business doing this and to prove it I actually said "shit"on the air by mistake. One of the funniest things you'll ever hear as just after I said shit, a Crazy Eddie (remember those?) commercial started with "Yes, Yes, Yes !" so I'm sure no one noticed. But I have the tape somewhere.....and of course it came up in my "air check meetings". Denis laughed so hard he nearly couldn't breathe.....but told me never to do it again.


What was WLIR....what made it so great ? That would take a long time to answer properly and I'm not so sure I'm qualified to answer......but of course I'll try. 'LIR was a "New Music" station. My definition of New Music differs from most. I thought of it not as a category but a movement. New Music was an idea, a concept. It was the playing of new songs, new styles and new bands that broke new ground and /or paid homage to older styles and artists. In a word, it was anything good while avoiding the trends.

What made the station so great was the fact that Denis listened to his audience. He allowed them to help shape the format. We watched what people were buying from the import stores and as with me, Denis surrounded himself with others who were in on the street scene. We actually listened to a ton of recordings just to find a few that were good each week, which meant we heard a lot of crap. But if you don't know, that's not how most radio stations work. Not then and not now.

WLIR was a rare example of the free form college radio format....only we got paid. And we had advertisers who paid. We helped make the local club scene. And in turn, they helped make us. But the true heroes in all of this were the listeners. They bought more records per capita than any other radio station in the NY area by a mile. Think about that for a second......NY is the capital of the music world and we at WLIR attracted the people who were the real force behind the trends in music. The listeners......yes, the listeners whose loyalty and support stands to this day. They were the real stars of WLIR. If you are one of them, I thank you. It was you that made what happened at WLIR possible. At least the early days.....the hey day if you will.

Sometime after I left in 1987, less than a year I'd guess, the changes I saw coming went into effect and in my mind, that was the end of my WLIR. In my opinion, management began to think that they were the reason for the success of the station and began to force the format in certain directions. I'm sure money was the reasoning and I can't really blame them. But the station continued on and a new generation of DJ's and listeners joined in just as I had replaced some of the older jocks. I faded away as I should have....I had over indulged in the darker side of the scene and became a jerk. Some would say I was kind of a jerk the whole time....maybe I was :-)

WLIR broke new bands that have become household names. Depeche Mode, U2, Culture Club, New Order, The Cult....on and on. Frankie goes to Hollywood's "Relax" was on my turntable as a brand new import one day. After hearing it for the first time I grabbed the phone and called Denis, "we have to play this". It became a favorite quickly and a year later was a number one song here in the US. That story can be repeated for so many bands. I'm sure you've heard of Duran Duran....I saw their first US show at a club in Levittown on Long Island called Spit. They went on to become huge stars.

Now, we may not have been the only ones who did this. I hear that KROQ in L.A did the same thing. But here in NY, it was WLIR, 92.7 where you heard New Music first. We were the "station that dared to be different".

Now I'm sure you'd enjoy some inside dirt wouldn't you ? EDITORS NOTE: This part is being rewritten for content. Stay tuned. What once appeared here needs to be adjusted, I take full responsibility for my original post and apologize to any who has been hurt. End of edit.

Memories......wow. The first time I was ever on 'LIR live was bizarre. Jeff Carlson was the production manager and Denis had me working with Jeff. Jeff was the voice and the creative talent behind most of the great spoof commercials and other funny stuff you heard on the air. He also did most of the paid commercials. Well, Jeff and I were doing a Halloween spot for Paris N.Y. as Bob and Doug McKenzie, you know....the second city Hoser Guys. We really did a good job I thought. After doing the spot we went downstairs from the 'LIR studios at 175 Fulton Ave in beautiful downtown Hempstead NY to what we called Cafe Fatale....bad food, good beer. Jeff and I had a few I guess and back upstairs, Donna Donna was doing the screamer of the week show and getting ready to do a update on the voting. Jeff and I were invited in as Bob and Doug to do the update. So, the first words I ever spoke live on the air at WLIR were, "Good day, I'm Bob McKenzie....this is my brother Doug. Welcome to like, the screamer show eh ! Doug...tell 'em what a screamer is.......you knob !"

I can't list all of those who helped me along the way, I'd leave someone out and feel bad....but Denis McNamara along with the french guys from Paris New York deserve special mention. And the other DJs I worked with.....Larry the Duck, Malibu Sue, Donna Donna, Steve "The Pistol" Jones, Willobee, Bob Waugh, Nancy Abramson, Jeff Carlson, Famous Bob, Maxx and so many others deserve way more credit than I do. I was just a kid in the right place at the right time.

And of course all of you who listened....and went to the clubs. You are what made those days back in the 80's so special. I can't thank you enough for the wonderful memories. It's why today has become such a sad day for me. With WLIR at 92.7 really gone that time is now really over. Radio has not been, nor will it ever be the same in New York as it was in the 80's.

The music will continue of course. There are plenty of people out there who love it and keep it alive. This site has a live show you can tune in to over the internet. I spent the last few hours listening and chatting with DJ Ed. I recommend you do the same.

The last song I ever played on WLIR was from a band called Rain Parade, Depending on you. It seems that you listeners were up to the task and I can depend on you. Thanks.

That's it for me....I'm outta here, the Birdcage is closed. Thanks for listening to the best new music first at the station that dares to be different, 'LIR 92.7

----}- Bird

Update: 1-12-04

I should have added that during my time in the clubs and at WLIR the NY Islanders were winning Stanley Cups here on Long Island. Many of the players were listeners and I was lucky enough to meet and become friends with some of them including Bobby Nystrom and Wayne Merrick. They all knew I was a Ranger fan but still, we bought each other drinks and showed each other respect. Gerald Diduck met his wife at Paris New York and those of you who went to Paris will remember that I'd announce the scores of hockey games during the night, in fact I'd do that at every club I worked. I recall a night where the Rangers were in the playoffs against the Flyers and it went to overtime.....this was at Heartbeat. As the host and DJ I wouldn't let the band start until after the game was decided (the Rangers won to my delight). There were several Islanders in the club that night, it was heartbeat in Oyster Bay. They got upset with me over a golfing comment I made as they were no longer playing......I think this was 1986.

I was also on the air at WLIR the night Pat LaFontaine scored in overtime at 2am against the Caps in that now famous playoff game. Denis told me at the time that breaking into a song to report the win was something our listeners were not interested in. Ironically, WLIR broadcast Islander game several years later. So you see, my time in the music biz was not totally devoid of hockey. In fact it was filled with it. I will say that the early 80s were a tough time to be a Rangers fan as the Isles were wining cup after cup after cup. I would get boo-ed for announcing a Rangers final score in a club.....but hey, someone had to do it, right ?



----}- Bird

Happy Anniversary

Hello New York and everywhere else, I'm Bird and you're at Hockeybird.com. 17 years eh? Geeze, seems like yesterday and 100 years ago at the same time. I'm sure we all have a story about that night, about what it meant and how great it felt. I've told mine enough times that I feel no need to repeat it here again.

I know that I had tried to add some content to the site but it wasn't in the cards. Things around here have been beyond any words I could type. It hasn't been real fun to be me during the last 4 years or so. I won't make you a phony promise and suggest that I'll be able to really get into posting here but I can say that at some point I'll have to either continue Hockeybird or allow it to morph into something else. I do miss talking to you guys and perhaps it'll be helpful in my recovery. No promises this time....just a maybe.

I look forward to tomorrow night's game seven like most of you. If you remember, I used to follow Vancouver after the Ranger's season ended in years past. I'll be rooting for the Cup to stay in Canada rather than bean town. The Great White North has been the keeper of this great game and a true ally of the U.S. so I think it would be nice to put a smile on the fans up north. Both teams have been through a lot and deserve a good clean game to decide who gets the grail.

So, that's it for now. Glad to pop on and say hello, glad to offer a Happy Anniversary and I hope I can come back and post soon. I'll raise a glass in honor of that season, that team and all the readers of Hockeybird over the years. I miss you guys and hope you are all well.

BEER ME!

----}- Bird

Merry Christmas

Hello New York and everywhere else, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I love this time of year. No, not for hockey reasons......for family reasons. For hockey, this time of year usually sucks for us. In years past, I would leave NY for Florida around now and have to suffer both the bribes to get the games on and the losses. Not so recently. For the past few I was already here.....so it was just the crappy hockey.

I know, you wanted the second point from Tampa Bay. me too. Hey, it doesn't always go your way now does it? It's not like we didn't have our chances. C'mon.....sometimes it doesn't happen, OK?

Overall, I think 2010 has been pretty good to us Ranger fans. We have reason for hope. And, this team tries on most nights and that is something we have asked for.......now we got it.

Merry Christmas to all......

.......BEER ME!

----}- Bird

I Need More Time, Captain!

Hello NY and everywhere else, I'm Bird and be glad you're not.

OK, it seems like any time I get a thought to post, one of my other duties comes into play. There's not enough time to address the work and family obligations in any day. I feel like Scotty on the USS Enterprise given the imposible task with no time to get it done. It gets old after a while, trust me. There are days when one wants to tell Kirk to shove it up his.....well, you know. I sure could use some of that Romulan Ale.

I have been watching the games. I have to say that at this point, I'm plesantly surprised. The kids it seems, are all right. Opening the season and losing three "key" players is not condusive to a good start. Gabby was our only source of goals last year and I expected more of the same. Turns out that might not be the case. Frolov was an interesting addition with his talent and one year deal, he could be the sniper needed to add to Gaborik. With Gabby missing as many as twelve games one expected the Rangers to hold firmly onto last place. Neither one of those thought turned out to be valid.

The Stephan hat trick would be the last goals for the kid until last night. Frolov has rarly made the scoresheet and yet, the sky didn't fall. Why not? The kids. Our kids. Our home grown guys who are getting better, more confident and perhaps even cocky. Dubi (or Moose as I call him) has stepped up with his linemates in a way that suggests he could be ready for that next level. Cally is all heart and his legs must move in his sleep. Even Arti has shown improvement. Boyle, the occational Avery antics and the kids prevented a free fall to last place by giving Henke a chance to win. They and he did just that. Win. Who woulda thunk it?

Torts, thats who. They are a team now. Under his leadership, the Rangers are standing up for each other, playing for each other. It's as if Torts has them buying into an "US vs. "THEM" theme. In fact, I'm convinced of that. As an example, remember the blowout against Edmonton? All the guys stood up for one another. The following night against the Ice Chickens provided a completely different example of the same thing. Folks, we have a team here. Sure, the guys are the ones pulling it off but don't underestimate the power and influence of the coach. I watched him do this in Tampa Bay and it looks like it's taking place here. It doesn't happen fast nor without hard work and setbacks.....but if the course is set to forward, it does happen.

OK, I'm not planning a parade route just yet. However, you might wanna start thinking about next year. We're getting close. Another big, crease clearing D man and a solid goal scorer and this team could have all the pieces. Even better, those missing pieces may be here, just not developed fully yet.

As a team of forward lines, we can finally send out three lines who can pop a goal. Dubi's line when on gives opponents fits with their size and grit. Gaborik with Frolov and Stephan could be a very productive line. Give it some time to gel. The third line has been mix and match but you gotta love Boyle and his career high season goal total. Fedotenko can pop one every so often as well. All three need to be more consistent to have any shot at a high playoff seed but for now I'm suggesting that there's light at the end of the tunnel and this time it's NOT a train.

Sure, we have to improve the play from the blue line. But the kids.....our kids are getting better. Staal and Girardi are now as solid as they come. MDZ may have a rough one this season but defensemen always need more time to really develop at the NHL level.

Remember, the Henke window is not open ended. Having world class talent in goal is a must for any team looking for a berth in the finals (OK, some teams last season got away with less). In order to take advantage of having the King, we'll need to take our shot soon.

Recent Observations:

Avery is only worth the roster spot when he's on the edge. Since the Edmonton game he's kinda disappeared. "Sucker punch"? Maybe. The target on him couldn't possibly get any bigger so I say just go for it Sean. You want your name on a cup? Go for it.

Getting Gabby back allows for the other two, Stephan and Frolov to get the ice time and chances needed to get their respective games going. I honestly expect them to gel into our 1st line threat. Hell, I could score a few playing with Marion.

The Colorado game was uninspired at best. Even Henke looked out of it. No excuses, two points lost. They will have to limit those types of outings to get anywhere this season. The Rangers are only good when there are hard to play against. If they don't bring it....they become exposed and ripe for the picking. It's in your face or down in defeat. Not enough talent to coast to wins here.

There are games when Dubi, Cally and Arti look slower. I wonder if Dubi and/or Cally have an undisclosed boo boo. Neither looked good last night. And MDZ is keeping the sophomore jinx alive and well. Let's hope those trends don't continue.

Nice to get a chance to post and say hello.....I'll try and pop in when I can. Enjoy the games and watch this team learn and progress.

----}- Bird