A memory that lasts a lifetime

No, unfortunately I didn't meat Shawn Avery.. but a friend of a friend did. And its worth noting that Avery has so much hate for Martin Brodeur that he mentions him in his autograph. Hate runs deep. Good times!

Other news.. the Rangers best lock it up in Game 3 & 4 vs the Pens. Great showing thus far, with neither team out playing the other. Good ol' hockey that could go either way. Lets hope those games go our way so I can see Crosby try a few more of his Greg Louganis impressions. Have a great Monday ya'll.

Pittsburgh or Bust

Well, I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but Washington's Failure to get it done tonight vs the Flyers means we are headed to Pittsburgh. There is a part of me that believes the Rangers can win against anyone.. Pittsburgh included. And that this won't be an easy series for either team. There is another part that is scared to play them of course, because Pittsburgh is ultra hot. There are things to look at, things to take into consideration, but in the end, all the stats (Rangers are 5-3-0 vs Pitt this season), numbers (Rangers were unbeaten at home this season vs Pitt, but playoff hockey is a very different game), talking (actually, Geoff and I will not be talking the entire playoff series) and BS (Geoff thinks the Pens will breeze past this round, sadly mistaken. Then again, he has a man purse, so how can you trust him really) only really means so much. The fate rest in each teams hands. Start prepping now, this is going to be a hot one. At least we know it will all be a blast no matter what happens. I love the playoffs!

One down, one to go!

Ok, last one I promise.. but this is just too funny. Little known fact about me.. I hate 2 celebrities out there that you might not expect. John Lithgow and Chris Elliot. Well.. I just got one wish... Avery beats the shit out of Chris Elliot. Now if someone can please find the second unfunniest man in the world and kick his ass too, we would be in business.

Avery wears Prada?

Sean Avery is going to intern at Vogue during the summer. According to Courtney Hazlett of MSNBC this morning, "He wrote a letter to [editor-in-chief] Anna Wintour saying he really liked the magazine, and while he's got some time to spare this summer he would like to hone his skills at Vogue magazine. Their spokesperson is saying the 28 year old will be expected to do traditional assistant-like duties."

Lets just hope the off-season doesn't come too soon, shall we.

The Avery Rule

Just when I thought Ive seen it all in hockey... Sunday night happened. In a bazaar move, Sean Avery decided to get creative when screening the goalie during Sunday Nights Devils - Ranger Playoff game. He literally took himself out of the play, during a Ranger 5-on-3 powerplay, put is back to the play and waved his stick and arms around trying to screen the goalie. Watch the Video Here. He scored not long after by the way. I think you have to applaud him for the creativity of the move, although he could have gotten seriously injured.

The funniest part of it all, is the aftermath, which included the NHL amending rule #75 which now states: National Hockey League Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell issued the following advisory on the interpretation of Rule 75: Unsportsmanlike Conduct:

"An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty (Rule 75) will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face for the purpose of interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play."

And after all that.. god love the Fans.. you can now purchase the "Avery Rule" on a t-shirt. God I love this game.

Now there is the debate around the hockey world.. did he go too far? Of course people that already hate him say yes. People who don't, realize that he found a loop hole and used it. He found a way to annoy the other team and screen the goalie. Both perfectly allowed. Hell, you have to remember that this game is for entertainment. But the NHL takes itself way too seriously and has to punish him by amending rules. No wonder the NHL isn't as popular as other sports. If the NFL penalized players for waving their arms at the line of scrimmage, what would people say then? The way he should have been dealt with, is someone from the other team should have came and knocked him on his ass. Did they? No. I say All's fair in love and hockey. Play On Boys! Game 4 is Wednesday night.. who's up for wings and beer :)

Mild Heart Attack Averted

Its quite possible I will suffer some sort "attack" during the playoffs due to high blood pressure, over anxiousness, or just a general nail bitting excitement. While my buddy Geoff ate bon bons watching the Pens skate circles around Ottawa, I was jumping, yelling and screaming at the TV for most of the 60 minutes when the Rangers took on the Devils in round one of the Stanly Cup Playoffs.

For anyone that doesn't or hasn't watched a playoff hockey game, they really need to. Its vastly different from the regular season in more ways than one. 1) Experience really does help and until you see a rookie easily and nervously get thrown off his game, you won't understand why. 2) The intensity level is unmatched.. every shift counts, every check finished and every bit of emotion is worn on the players sleeve. 3) The fans are into it from opening face off until the final buzzer.

For much of the first 2 periods in the Rangers Devils game.. it was even matched. Equal hitting, play going back and forth, momentum swinging in both directions - it was a nerve racking experience. Just the kind of hockey that will give me gray hairs. I was on the edge of my seat most of the time, and thats no joke. In the Third thou.. the Rangers turned it on and dominated.. making "Marty the diver" pay for his weak ass mistakes. Backman, Sjostrom and Staal got to experience the joy of the playoff win. Callahan and Dawes got their first NHL playoff goals... which was extra cool for me to see, because although it was an empty neat goal for Dawes.. it was the veteran Shanahan who passed up the empty neater to pass it to Dawes so he could get his first Play off goal. All Class. But the biggest X Factor.. good ol' scottie gomez.. who haunted his ex-team mates by providing 3 Assists during the game. My boy Avery even chipped one in. All in all.. a great night.

Now, if I can just get thru the next game without falling over from the stress of each period... I just may make it to June to see who wins this damn thing. :op

Is it just me.....

.. or do you get baffled by people boycotting, protesting and burning flags during the Olympics? Maybe I'm just missing something here.. but when did the Olympics ignite feelings of hate and protest. I always have viewed the Olympics as something that brings nations together in the spirit of brotherhood and good hearted competition. Something doesn't seem right with the world. At least no one is protesting the 2008 NHL Playoffs... or are they?

UPDATE : 5:38 - I stand corrected. I now see why said protests are in place. My bad - and F china

It's Playoff time!

It's playoff time.. and that means one thing.... don't interrupt my games. No phone calls.. no plans.. no working late.. NADA! Rangers could secure home ice over the weekend, but we did secure our spot playing the Devils in our first round match up. My prediction - Rangers is 6.

No. 4 New Jersey Devils vs. No. 5 New York Rangers
Wednesday, April 9, NY Rangers at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Friday, April 11, NY Rangers at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 13, New Jersey at NY Rangers, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 16, New Jersey at NY Rangers, 7 p.m.
Friday, April, 18, NY Rangers at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 20, New Jersey at NY Rangers, TBD
Tuesday, April 22, NY Rangers at New Jersey, TBD