Sunday, March 14, 2010

Avery Does Philadelphia

The Dark Ranger and my granddaughter Allessandra are two very happy people tonight. The Dark Ranger because his favorite team, the Rangers, beat the team he loves to hate, the Flyers. My granddaughter because her favorite player, Sean Avery, scored two goals as the Rangers continue to stay alive with a 3-1 win over the Flyers. The Rangers are now one point behind Boston for the last playoff spot. Boston has two games in hand.

The Fyers took a 1-0 lead scoring on, yes you got it, a deflection. Then Avery took over. It wasn't only the tying goal he got from the doorstep but his overall play, the annoyance, the checking, the skating and the scoring. His second goal was a thing of beauty. He started it all with his checking of a Flyer that forced a turnover. That in turn sprung Drury but his shot missed the net and came out to the neutral zone where Girardi fed it to Avery who came in, shot and scored.

Lundqvist, the number three star, making 17 saves, and he was solid throughout. Rozsival was the number two star, scoring the winning goal, on the power play. But the number one star of the game was Avery. There is no doubt that he can spark this team like no player on the team can. No one on this team brings the attitude that he brings. No one on the team is such a distraction to opponents. He brings out the worst in his opponents. He drew two key penalties. He also seems to bring out the worst in his own coach, but that is another story for another day.

So the Ranger dream continues. Another big game, aren't they all, will be Tuesday against Montreal. Right now every game is a must. It remains to be seen if the Rangers can be consistent enough to make it but I still think that the odds are against the Rangers making it. Maybe I'm wrong but for the long run I believe its better for the Rangers to miss the playoffs. The Absentee Owner will miss the cash but the lower we finish the better the draft pick.

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ICINGS: The Grate One ... the Hockey gods have a way of smiling upon you...



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4 comments:

  • The Dark Ranger said...
     

    I was ecstatic!!!! You know me so well.

    tdr

  • wes said...
     

    A win against Philly is sweet. But, I think a win over Brodeur is the best, especially when the Maa-rty chants rain down. So it was weird rooting for him and the Devils over the Bruins last night.

  • mike said...
     

    The Dark Ranger-Blood is thicker than water.

  • mike said...
     

    wes-I have a problem rooting for Maaarrrty under any circumstances.

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