They just announced the three stars of the game and Avery wasn't one of them. It was Christensen, Lundqvist and Prospal in that order. Don't believe it. The Rangers were dead. They were sleep walking and Tortorella was ready to pull a Mount Vesuvius. Then Avery got pulled down going to the net. He was given a penalty shot. The Grate One faked Tampa Bay goalie Smith out of his skates and bingo the Rangers were on the board. The Rangers scored four more goals, including an empty netter by Drury, which was his 250th goal and 600 point of his career.
Lundqvist was brilliant again, allowing two goals, both on deflections. he made 27 saves and goes into the Olympics on a roll allowing only four goals against the Penguins and the Lightning. Christensen had two goals and an assist and looks like the biggest bargain since the Indians sold Manhattan to the Dutch. But it was Avery, who put the life back into the Rangers with his goal. It was the first penalty shot goal of his career and it was the first penalty shot goal for the Rangers this year. The local bars will be hopping tonight as the Grate One does Broadway.
So the Rangers end the Olympic break period with two big wins. As I mentioned to one of my readers. We always keep rooting and cheering for this team no matter how bad they play. We love the team. It's the management I hate. Enjoy the break. Enjoy the Olympics.
USA! USA!
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Avery is a special player. He still is one of the few who can get the team rolling.
What he did was much appreciated, because the next goal would have been a killer if it didn't belong to the Rangers.
And wow, what to say about Lundqvist. That pad (or was it toe?) save on Nate Thompson was incredible.
We need about 10 more Averys. You can count on one hand the players that show up every game.
If Sweden can score, Henrik can carry them to gold.
blow-me-down-Add Avery to the Lundqvist and Gaborik irreplaceables.
Dan Stryker-The Grate One never short changes the fans or his team.
Sweden is certainly the long shot in this Olympics.