The Rangers will start the season the way they hope to end the season, winning The Cup. Only thing is that this Cup is the Victoria Cup and not Lord Stanley's Cup. They came back from a 3-0 deficit to score three goals in the third period to beat a Russian team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, 4-3. Chris Drury, really acting like a Captain, led the comeback by scoring a late second period goal which ignited the Ranger third period comeback which was highlighted by Ryan Callahan's steal and game winning goal with 20 seconds left in the game. So the first inaugural Victoria Cup, an exhibition game between a Russian League team and an NHL team goes to the NHL.
Before we get too excited about this game let's remember, or bring up the fact, that this Russian team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, is 12th in a 24 team league. Their record is 6-4-1 so this was not two titans fighting each other. So forget the post game euphoria and wait to see what we get against the Lightning on Saturday and Sunday in Prague. However, I'm sure the Rangers PR machine will blow this all up to be something more than it really is.
Anyway, it was quite exciting but it was no Miracle on Ice II.
ICINGS
Ryan Callahan and Kauri Kopikoski (The Canadian Press)The Rangers survived the Russians. The NHL has the bragging rights.Scottty Hockey: Scotty's Swiss Diary Part 6 -
"I know if we would have lost there would have been a lot of questions," Rangers defenseman Marc Staal said, "and they'd be bragging a lot."
The Rangers and the entire NHL don't have to worry about that anymore.
My earlier enthusiasm still has yet to wane. The Rangers lose five goal leads, not battle back from three goal deficits. I think it's happened what, once? twice since the lockout??? Wow...Scotty Hockey: Miracle 2? Feels Like It ...
As for our other two big summer signings, Dmitri Kalinin was terrible and Wade Redden not much better. Kalinin pulled two Maliks, passing directly to Metallurg players. Where Malik was an idiot, at least Kalinin can say he thought he was still on his former team. As for Redden, well, he couldn't keep the puck in the offensive zone, he fumbled the puck in the defensive zone and he took a penalty. Six miiiiiillion dollars. And that's all I have to say about that.
Scotty Hockey: Scotty's Swiss Diary Part 5
Manic Ranger Fan:
Rangers Metallurg For Victoria Cup Championship -
It was good to see the Rangers get the victory but the play of Lundy is somewhat concerning. At certain points during the game he did not look comfortable at all in net and let in a few softies...Andrew Gross / Ranger Rants:
Rangers rally over Russians -
Renney praised Drury's leadership in scoring two goals to rally the Rangers. On a related note (hint, hint) Renney said he would certainly name his captain by Saturday's opener, probably not tomorrow though. At this point, I'd say it would be a shock if Drury doesn't get the 'C.'Sam Weinman / Rangers Report:
Renney added it was a spur-of-the-moment decision to have the two Russians - D Dmitri Kalinin, a former Metallurg player, and Zherdev accept the Victoria Cup, though Renney admitted the three alternate captains for the game - Drury, Gomez and Naslund - probably had a lot to do with it.
Renney: No news yet
Pathetically pumped
Victoria Cup Live Blog: Rangers vs. Metallurg Magnitogorsk -
For whatever it’s worth, all four Rangers goals were scored by Americans...Rangers Review;
Turning It On - Metallurg@Rangers Post Game Thoughts…
I went absolutely crazy when Ryan Callahan scored his goal. I think it probably has more to do with the relations between the KHL and the NHL, and my need to see the NHL come out on top moreso than the Rangers being involved. With that said, what we witnessed was one of the most exciting third periods I recent Rangers history...Blueshirt Bulletin:
Rangers Steal Victoria Cup With Huge Comeback
Rangers Ready to Repel Magnetic Mountain
Brett Cyrgalis / The Blue Seats: Rangers 'C'omeback Win -
As good as Drury played, the best line on the ice all day was that of Callahan-Lauri Korprikoski-Petr Prucha. For three guys who are all undersized (expect maybe Korprikoski), they were incredibly physical and forechecked like it was the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals. It's easy to say that Metallurg isn't a NHL-sized team (with only four guys over 200 pounds), but that shouldn't take away the effectiveness of that line's aggressive play...Doug Fisher / Blue Shirts on Broadway:
The team showed heart and they showed resilience - and all of it stemmed from the guy [Drury] that should be wearing the 'C' come Saturday.
Rangers Win Inagural Victoria Cup -
I saw a lot from the Rangers today, they showed a lot of will and intensity the hopefully translates into the regular season. The offense showed a ton on will power and displayed that any line can get it done on either end of the ice. In goal, Henrik stepped up when needed, as did the Russian netminder who made some incredible stops, keeping the game close, or keeping the lead with his club for the majority of the game...Steve Zipay / Blue Notes: Callahan decks Russians....
Beyond the Blueshirts: Russians or Rangers?
Al Trautwig / MSG Game On:
Rangers Ice Time: Last-Second Win over Metallurg
NY Times:
With Late Goal, Rangers Beat Russia’s Magnitogorsk
Victoria Cup Final: Rangers 4, Metallurg Magnitogorsk 3 [photos]
European Roundup: The Scoring Parade on the Old Continent
Barry Smith on Magnitka, the Rangers’ Victoria Cup Foe
Rangers’ Swiss Equipment Man Is a Good-Luck Charm
Rangers.NHL.com:
Rangers to Get Tougher Test in Bern - Blueshirts to face Russian team featuring 10 former NHL draft picks
Dan Fritsche, who scored the 2nd Ranger goal,holds the Victoria Cup trophy
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The Rangers played much better than the score. Henry let in two very soft goals. Redden and Gomez played well. Drury and Dubinsky were great. Zherdev had a good game for someone learning his team mates. It was his pass Drury in the front of the net that started the comeback. Korpikoski and Prucha played very well.
The Rangers actually started to crash the net - which is how they came back. The new guys, if they did not know what to do, put the puck on the net and dug for rebounds. Also a good sign.
This team is fast and has talent. I do not expect a Cup without someone becoming a 40 goal scorer or a trade for one (which is unlikely). I do think that come November, we will be playing better than last year - and I did not think this until watching this game.
A big win, it would have been a bitter pill to lose that game. They were playing for the entire league. It showed that the KHL is very close to the NHL.
Even thought both teams are not "titans" I think it just demonstrates that parity is close at hand. Hope the Rangers can build on this.
They need to have at least a couple of points in their carry-on when they fly home from Prague.
Just to put everything in perspective,the Russian team didn't have three or four guys who could make the NHL.
Drury named Captain.