It was another edge of your seat kind of game for the Rangers last night against the worst team in the NHL. In a game that the Rangers dominated throughout, 60 minutes was not enough. It took just 22 seconds into the Overtime for Derek Stepan to net the game winner for the Blueshirts. Of course this game was not without its drama; at the end of the second period Michael Del Zotto scored what appeared to be the Rangers 3rd goal, at the buzzer. After review by the NHL Office in Toronto, the goal was disallowed because they determined that even though the Arena clock showed that there was 00.1 left, the Official NHL clock showed time had expired. I have worked at MSG and other Arenas throughout the U.S and I can explain why this happens. The NHL has an office in every Arena, in that office there is a computer that is tied to the Scoreboard in the arena, via an internet connection. This connection always has a delay of 1-2 tenths of a second, which would explain why the NHL clock showed 0.00 and the arena clock showed 00.1. After the game coach Torts told the media, between periods he was shown a snapshot of the NHL’s official clock and that the right call was made. That left the game at 2-1 going into the third period.
The third period was much of the same physical play by the Rangers, but they were not able to get the puck past Columbus Goalie Steve Mason who had 32 saves for the game. So with the game still 2-1 and Columbus pulling their goalie for the extra skater with less than 2 minutes left in regulation, there was a faceoff in the Rangers zone. As if it was scripted, who else but Rick Nash, the Captain of Columbus, who has been the talk of Rangers fans all week, scored the game tying goal with 1:33 left in regulation. That goal of course prompted the unhappy MSG crowd to rain down the, “We Don’t Want You” chant towards Nash, who after the game said he understood the chant from the crowed because he is the opposition.
That game tying goal from Nash, led to the OT period, where off of a beautiful pass from Del Zotto, Stepan scored the game winner sending the Rangers to another victory and the MSG faithful home happy. The Rangers are now 19-7-2 good for 40 pts, at home this season which is their best start at home since the 95-96 season. Up next for the Blueshirts is a little road trip to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins Tuesday night and of course more crazy trade rumors.
By Joe Clewell
@Blueshirts10
No comments:
Post a Comment