NY Ice Bowl melting

I'm not a regular Newsday reader so I'm picking up on this a bit late. Newsday is reporting that the idea of the Rangers closing Yankee Stadium is quickly fading. Read all about it here.

I didn't realize they were talking about holding the game in November rather than on New Year's Day. After that snow swirling spectacle in Buffalo last year holding an outdoor hockey game in November seems anticlimactic. November = fall colors = Thanksgiving = football. January frost, freezing temps, ice, snow, now that's hockey.

It's too bad, I was all geared up to pile on my woolies and ring in the new year at the old stadium.

Reporting For Duty

Did you ever think you'd see a link to Women's Wear Daily in a hockey blog?

REPORTING FOR DUTY: Sean Avery started his internship at Vogue on Monday, and already staffers at Condé Nast Publications Inc. are buzzing about the New York Ranger star's presence at 4 Times Square. Observers say he's involved in all sections of the magazine, including features and accessories, and attends edit meetings. And while Avery pulled down $2 million last year with the Rangers, he's earning minimum wage for his time at Vogue, a magazine spokesman confirmed, denying speculation Avery was being paid $5,000 for his summer job.

While Vogue has been mum on the specifics of Avery's internship, insiders say there's been talk of the hockey hard man attending the couture shows in Europe next month along with Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour and editors André Leon Talley, Hamish Bowles and Sally Singer (which would be sure to raise the eyebrows of jealous Voguettes). No word yet on if he'll be filing reviews on the shows, or, like tennis star (and Wintour favorite) Roger Federer, appearing on an upcoming cover of Vogue or Men's Vogue.

so quiet

I guess I'm going to have to start watching baseball now.

I've got nothing on the Rangers at the moment except, please, just sign Avery already! Eh, just go read Brooks's column from Sunday if you haven't already. That pretty much sums it up.

So Disappointed

I really had high hopes this year. I thought our combination of players was the best we have had in years. Finally a team who would not be carried by one player as had been the case in the past seasons. The defense was questionable but the kids stepped up and added some depth. So, what happened? Where were these guys this series?

Aside from Jagr (who decided to show life in the playoffs after his most lackluster season) the veterans of this team disappeared and left the kids and Lundqvist to fend for themselves. They took way to many penalties and the powerplay was awful all year. Sickening…Trust me I know there are many other reasons. I can go on all day about Renney alone. But all of my bitching is not going to help the fact that the season is over and we are left once again unfulfilled.

I will miss Shanahan. I waited his whole career for him to play for the Rangers. He has always been one of my favorite players. Now I have to deal with the idea of him retiring…not happy about this.

An interview with Jagr yesterday revealed he is defiantly thinking about playing next year but I doubt it will be in NY.

And finally, the situation with Avery is completely insane. How in the world could the Rangers organization not give this guy what he wants????? He has been the best addition to this team we have seen in years. He is a “Ranger” in every sense of the word. He loves it here, he plays hard and we All love him. Every single fan who attends these games night after night loves this guy….Do Not spoil that for us….give him his money.

So, fellow 404 (and one 405) friends, I hope you all have a great summer. Maybe we can try to get together at Stout or something. We can drink and watch Detroit beat up on the Eastern conference winner.

the end

There’s a lot of chatter out there about the league wanting the Penguins to win, about the refs being one sided because the league wants the Sidney to win. That’s crap. The high stick that left Drury bleeding all over the ice is not what caused the loss. The Rangers haven't played up to their potential all year. They have been taking too many penalties all season, and the power play has been crap all season. That pattern continued into the playoffs and when they came upon a team with talented special teams they couldn’t compete. I’m not going to say the officiating has been good, but I’m not going to blame the refs. That’s a cop out. The Rangers just weren’t good enough this season. That said, Malkin is a punk and I look forward to somebody, anybody kicking his ass in the near future.

pictures!

I feel happy!

They're not dead yet.

The crowd was quiet and unenthused when we arrived at the garden last night. Ready to talk about summer plans and see you next season. By the time the game was over we were making plans for pregame (at STOUT) on Monday.

Thanks go to the captain and the goalie, sounds familiar doesn't it? Henrik made up for his mediocre showing on Tuesday night but dazzling us with some brilliance last night. Jagr once again, picked the team up and brought us all along for a ride. I didn't expect to see Drury on the ice at all last night, he really gutted one out and and played great. And, be still my heart, they scored on the powerplay. TWICE!

I've got a bunch of great pictures. I'll post them tonight.