OTTAWA----Just landed awhile ago---we have a reporter on site for Rangers practice in Westchester, so I'll pass along whatever is poppin' later.
The patchwork of houses, pine forests and fields below on our approach was blanketed in snow. The city itself is clear though, and I listened to the Stones' "Let It Bleed" (four stars) driving north on Bronson Avenue from the airport.
The Senators are going to want to stop the bleeding tomorrow afternoon, having lost five straight, and the Rangers can't rest on their laurels just because they outplayed the Islanders last night and finally made nemesis Rick DiPietro, as the tune goes..."flip, flop and fly."
Meanwhile, some key forwards are starting to emerge. Center Brandon Dubinsky, playing with vets Jags and Straka (four shots each) had two points, as did Jags, who when he scores early, really tears it up the rest of the game. And that was quite some pass to Dubinsky for the cushion goal from Straka, who appears to be getting back in synch with Jagr after sitting out with the broken finger.
Chris Drury, (with his sixth goal and an assist), as I wrote today in the paper, is settling in, and Ryan Callahan, in his first game back, was relentless. And kudos to Marcel Hossa, who had one of his strongest, most engaged games in a while.
The 2-for-5 power play still needs some work, but, hey, the Isles PK is not to be dismissed easily.
I personally didn't make a big deal of this yesterday, but Chris Simon's avoiding a third-man-in penalty after firing numerous punches at Colton Orr in a scrum along the boards late in the first should be pointed out to the league. Just a horrible job by refs Mick McGeough and Brad Watson.
More later....
Comments (4)
Hey Steve I totally agree with your comments on the Chris Simon debacle. Because thats what it was. What game were the refs watching? He continues to get away with to much, and obviously the suspension for the attack on Hollweg has not entered his mind at all. The officiating over all in the league can at times be frustrating. These guys have to much power to change the outcome of a game and they should think some of these calls, or lack of over before they make or do not make them.
Wow reports are coming in that while Simon was sucker punching Orr in the side of the head, Hollweg was trying to pull the stitches out of someones face? Only the Rangers & Islanders I swear lol.
Agreed on Simon. He has proven over the years that he's nothing but a goon. He might as well ask for a trade to Philly because that's where that garbage belongs. I can't comment on Hollweg because I didn't see it but if he did dig at someones stitches that is just as big a scumbag move as sucker punching (or chopping someone in the jaw with a stick and then claiming you didn't know what you were doing because of a concussion from a soft hit). On to more important things...
What did I say the Rangers needed to do to start scoring more? Drury digging in front of the net. Jagr carry and be strong on the puck and shoot the dang thing. Gomez take the shot if he doesn't have the pass, and not try to force it. Before, Drury was on the blueline, Gomez was looking for the pass when he had a shot, Jagr was looking for the pass rather than carrying the puck in the corners or shooting it. Let's hope they take a lesson from it.
Yes, Hollweg said he was going to rip Martinek's stitches out, and then actually "grabbed" at them during a scuffle. As far as Simon getting involved as third man in, Orr took a run at the smallest player on our team (Comrie) and elbowed him in the head. What should've happened? Simon isn't an angel and has given his fair share of cheap shots in the past, but it would be nice if the newsday writers showed at least an ounce of unbiased journalism.