Will they be 'YAY!' or 'guh'....?

4 games for my Blueshirts while I'm off playing in the snow...
Sat Dec 20, Rangers @ Sharks
Sharks 3 Rangers 2... guh.
Tue Dec 23, Capitals @ Rangers
Capitals 5 Rangers 4...guh.
Sat Dec 27, Devils @ Rangers
Devils over Rangers...guh.
Mon Dec 29, Islanders @ Rangers
Rangers 5 Islanders 4... YAY!

LET'S GO RANGERS!

Woo Hoo!

Rangers 3 Kings 2 OT
YAY!
Michael Rozsival score 2 goals: a penalty shot in the 2nd, and the game-winner in overtime, way to go, Rozy!
Steve Valiquette got the start in goal, obviously, it went very well, (39 of 41!) so there's enough time for one more stirring rendition of the NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song woohoo!
How about another 'yay' in San Jose ...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

Conquering California?

Rangers 3 Ducks 1
YAY!
Nigel Dawes broke a 1-1 tie late in the 3rd, stealing a pass, faking a defender (Chris Pronger!) out of his jock, and going 5-hole for the game winner:

(I hope you clicked on that photo to enlarge it?)
This song would be on my iPod, if I had an iPod: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
Violence is golden:

How about another 'yay' in L.A. ...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

Defense!

Rangers 3 Hurricanes 2 OT/SO
YAY!
I'm not sure why the Rangers were wearing white jerseys for a game at MSG, but maybe it changed their luck. After losing so hideously 2 nights ago to New Jersey, the boys played a much tighter game last night against Carolina. King Henrik (29 saves) only allowed the 2 goals in regulation, and then was perfect in the overtime and perfect in the shootout. Just what was needed!
Markus Naslund and Blair Betts put biscuits in the basket, and Captain Chris Drury scored the only goal of the shootout:

And wow, Drury scored on the 5th NYR try, and the Hurricanes missed on all 6 of their attempts. Way to go King Henrik!

At times like these, only this song will suffice: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
Big trip out west, starting in Anaheim on Tuesday...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

I'm not impressed.

Devils 8 Rangers 5
guh.
The Rangers go to Jersey for the big rivalry matchup, and promptly spot the Devils a 5-1 lead. guh. But the boys battle back to tie it up at 5-5!! Yay, right? WRONG. The Devils scored 3 unanswered goals to humiliate NY and leave the Blueshirts wondering what's wrong with their defense. King Henrik gave up all 8 goals, all the while watching his teammates flounder around him in the defensive zone.
Carolina at home tomorrow...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

18 second solution!

Rangers 3 Thrashers 2 OT
YAY!
The Rangers don't believe in doing anything the easy way; how many wins have come after regulation time? [answer: a LOT] Last night in the ATL, Scott Gomez scored 18 seconds into overtime to snag the 3 points for New York. Steve Valiquette got the victory in goal for the boys, and Colton (no relation to Bobby) Orr scored his first goal of the season! That calls for some music: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
Happiness is scoring the g/w goal in overtime:

So how about another win tomorrow night against the Devils...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

Another Flame-out

Flames 3 Rangers 0
guh.
As was the case a week ago, if it were not for my Pittsburgh Steelers, this would have ruined my (sports) Sunday.
Miikka Kiprusoff wouldn't even give the boys a sniff at the goal, stopping 31 shots for his 3rd shutout. Jarome Iginla scored the game-winner, the Rangers have lost 3 of the last 4, and that's about all I can say.
Try, try again in Atlanta tomorrow night...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

Oy, Canada.

Canadiens 6 Rangers 2
guh. I got all excited about the match-up of 'Original Six' teams, and my boys go and get their a**es kicked. O, Mon Dieu!
Let's just say that I expect a better effort tonight when the Blueshirts play host to Jarome (don't call me 'Jerry') Iginla and the Calgary Flames...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

Shootout Mystery?!

Rangers 3 Penguins 2 OT/SO
YAY!
Guess who finally scored his 1st goal of the season after missing 10 games as a 'healthy scratch': Petr Prucha! (see above). Big goals in big games will keep you in the line-up, Petr Puck, here's a tune you need to hear more often: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
The boys had to come from a 2-0 deficit, with Nikolai Zherdev tipping in a Gomez shot in the 2nd period and the Prucha goal tying it up in the 3rd.
The refs moved in to break up Colton (not relation to Bobby) Orr and Eric Godard as they were beating each other senseless:

Is there any mystery left to the NYR shootout strategy? Just let King Henrik Lundqvist do his thing, and Nikolai will most likely get the job done:

Marcus Naslund and Fred Sjostrom also were successful in the shootout, and the Penguins' (who somehow decided NOT to use Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin!) Letang put 1 past good King Henrik.
The boys are in Montreal to face Les Habitants tonight...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

Second Period Collapse. =(

Panthers 4 Rangers 0
guh.
Some guy named Craig Anderson held the Blueshirts scoreless on 37 shots, and the boys took 6 and a 1/2 minutes off in the 2nd, allowing 3 goals in that span. King Henrik was deposed to the bench, and if it weren't for my Steelers beating the Patriots, this lame Rangers effort could very well have ruined my Sunday.
The string of games against scrub teams is over. Gotta be much stronger and smarter against Sid the Kid and the Penguins this Wednesday...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

November! UPDATED! AGAIN! & again & again...

Hello! I'll be back to add the web sites/map links to this asap.

Houston is beautiful in the fall, no doubt about that. I hope you're all getting out there and enjoying the crisp air, the colorful leaves and election year yard signs... WUT?

November:
1 Sat. Backyard Tavern & Chophouse (formerly known as Grisby Grill) 6:30-10
2 Sun. Tasting Room Uptown 5-8 (1101-18 Uptown Park Blvd)
4 Tues. Election Day! Vine Wine Room 6-8:45 (12420 Memorial Dr., just west of Gessner)
5 Wed. Grappino 6-9:45 (2701 West Dallas, between Waugh & Montrose)
6 Thurs. Red Balloon Cafe 6-9 (4410 Westway Park Blvd) (weather permitting)
7 Fri. Special Assignment (Sweetwater Country Club)
8 Sat. Robustos Cigar Lounge 9:00-1:30 (The Gardens at Westgreen 20940 Katy Fwy, Katy)
9 Sun. Special Assignment
10 Mon. Tasting Room Uptown 6:30-9:30
11 Tues. Vine Wine Room 6-8:45
12 Wed. Special Assignment
13 Thurs. CANCELED! Red Balloon Cafe 6-9 RainyRainy
14 Fri. TBA/eating worms
15 Sat. Backyard Tavern & Chophouse (formerly known as Grisby Grill) 6:30-10
18 Tues. Vine Wine Room 6-8:45
19 Wed. Grappino 6-9:45
20 Thurs. CANCELED! Red Balloon Cafe 6-9 ChillyChilly
21 Fri. Robustos Cigar Lounge 9:00-1:30
22 Sat. Kroger Sweetwater 4-6 (Sweetwater @ 59)
22 Sat. Molly's Pub 9-1:30 (Corner of Wilcrest & Westheimer)
25 Tues. Vine Wine Room 6-8:45
26 Wed. Grappino 6-9:45
27 Thurs. Happy Thanksgiving!
28 Fri. Backyard Tavern & Chophouse (formerly Grisby Grill) 6:30-10
29 Sat. Kroger River Oaks 4-6 (1938 West Gray, between Shepherd & Waugh)

Yet Another Shootout Win!

Rangers 4 Panthers 3 OT/SO
YAY!
For much of this season, the Rangers have been fortunate enough to be facing slumping teams, usually racking up points in the standings. Once again, however, the Blueshirts relinquished a 3rd period lead, survived a scoreless overtime, and dominated the shootout. It's Henrik that makes these shootouts seem routine, he rarely gives up any goals. (only 2 in 17 attempts! He is the KING.) And speaking of familiar heroes, how about Naslund and Zherdev both putting their biscuits into the shootout basket! Have I mentioned how much I love this song: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
The boys face off against the Panthers to complete the home and home tomorrow afternoon at MSG...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rangers 3 Lightning 2 OT/SO
YAY!
Markus Naslund (2 goals in regulation 1 in shootout) and Nikolai Zherdev (2 assists, 1 goal in shootout) were the offensive stars as New York won for the 5th time in 7 games. music =yay: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
King Henrik made 27 saves and held the 'Ning scoreless in overtime and 'skills competition' (aka the shootout)
Take a look at Nikolai about to plant one on Steven Stamkos:

The boys are back in 1st place in the East, and will go at it again in Florida on Friday against the Panthers...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

Nik helps and Henrik stops!

Rangers 4 Coyotes 1
YAY!
Scott Gomez returned from missing the last few games with injury and even scored an empty net goal, but it was Nikolai Zherdev who stole the show, assisting on the first 3 Ranger scores by Betts, Dubinsky and Girardi. Oh sweet music, how I've missd you: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
Over on Verus Hockey Central, they happened to mention that Brandon Dubinsky's goal, assist and fight constituted a 'Gordie Howe Hat Trick'. Yay, way to go Brandon!
King Henrik made life miserable for Phoenix, who have now lost 7 straight. (Some poor hockey blogger in Arizona just typed the word 'guh' in futility.)
The boys are off to Tampa to hopefully Ride The Lightning on Wednesday night...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

No offense. No defense. No victory.

Senators 4 Rangers 1
guh. Ottawa built a 3-0 lead, the visiting Rangers offense ain't makin' it...
[insert wailing, whinging, and gnashing of teeth here]
... The boys shall try, try again at home against the Coyotes on Monday...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

No Comeback this time.

Canuks 6 Rangers 3
guh.
Too much Roberto Luongo (39 saves) not enough King Henrik Lundqvist (pulled after allowing 5 goals in less than a period and a half) but that wasn't the whole story. The Rangers committed turnovers that led to Vancouver goals, including breakaways on the 1st 2 scores. Who scored for New York? Who cares. Think boys, think!
Rangers in Ottawa on Saturday...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

Another Shootout Win!

Rangers 2 Senators 1 OT/SO
YAY!
DEE-FENSE! DEE-FENSE! DEE-FENSE!
I should be used to it by now, the Rangers coming from behind to tie the game late. This time around, it was Fred Sjostrom putting a rebound of a Marc Staal shot. 4th line awesomeness!
When it came to the shootout, Nikolai Zherdev didn't waste any time or drama, scoring on the 1st attempt:

By now, you should all know the words to this song (there's only one!): NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
Interesting choices Ottawa coach Craig Hartsburg made for the shootout; instead of Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson (their best players) they inserted thug Jarkko Ruutu and Antoine Vermette (who's he?).
Hmm, I wonder what happened:

Henrik is the King! The boys welcome the Canuks to The Garden on Wednesday...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

Saving the best for last!

Rangers 3 Bruins 2 OT/SO
YAY!
Another nailbiter for the boys, as Markus Naslund tied the score in the final minute of the 3rd period. While Henrik Lundqvist was headed to the bench for an extra attacker, a pass from Brandon Dubinsky set up the Naslund's goal. All together now: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
After a scoreless 1st, the Rangers spotted visiting Boston a 2-0 lead (Hey Rangers, STOP giving up these leads, mkay?!) after 2 periods. New York finally got one back when Nigel Dawes scored with 6 minutes left in regulation. Things would go a lot easier for the boys if they could get it done on the power play. (they went 0 for 5.)
Regulation ends in a tie, overtime passes without scoring, and then the contest was decided by what one bitter commentator calls 'the skills competition'. Take a look at this:

The drama has been sucked completely out of the shootout, but as you can see the Blueshirts went first, with Nigel Dawes being denied by Tim Thomas. Wheeler missed the net on his turn, our Nikolai Zherdev hit the post (so frustrating!), and so on, until Chris Drury broke through for New York. (YAY!)
And so it all came down to King Henrik stopping Patrice Bergeron to seal the deal:

That's what I'm Talkin' About!!
The boys welcome the Senators to The World's Most Famous Arena Monday night...

Too Strong for Weekes!

Rangers 5 Devils 2
YAY!
Beating the Devils in their own building is always big, even if their future Hall-Of-Fame goaltender is out with an injury (torn biceps muscle). So it was ex-Ranger Kevin Weekes, subbing for Martin Brodeur, who gave up the 4 straight 2nd period goals, including the eventual game winner by Lauri Korpikoski, seen here in exultation:

It's time for some music: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
The Rangers were also down a key man, playing without ex-devil Scott Gomez (undisclosed leg injury?). The other Blueshirt goals were scored by Michal Rozsival, Chris Drury, and 2 for Nikolai Zherdev. There was a mini brawl after the Devils opened the scoring in the 1st period, with Brandon Dubinsky coming to the defense of teammate Dan Girardi. Dubi took a 5 minute major penalty during another brawl at the end of the 2nd. That scrum involved Colton (no relation to Bobby) Orr and Dainus Zubrus receiving misconducts for being very bad.
King Henrik stopped 30 of 32 shots. The boys will play host to the Bruins on Saturday night...
LET'S GO RANGERS!