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Next Great Hockey Blogger: Game #6- Phil Heijmans vs. Ryan Conrad |
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Blogger #1
Phil Heijmans
The Day we Forgot to Breathe
Well, after reading around the NHL today I think it’s safe to assume that the theme for most Atlantic division fans is somehow maintaining normal breathing patterns (click here for helpful exercises). Indeed, the same agonizing inconsistencies and tribulations we have been feeling here in New York are being experienced all around the northeast as the final strides into a still unclear postseason picture are being taken.
For those of us moaning last night at the uncertainty of where we would watch the seasons most important game (me; shamelessly trying to find a friend who has Versus), the responsibility came with the hangover from Sunday’s game that resembled a long night with boxed-wine and an ex-girlfriend with man issues. This of course, in the form of; count them, eight committed penalties resulting in a 3-1 loss in Pittsburgh’s end of the home-and-home. Still, I think Tom Renney had it right; saying before Monday’s game that the Rangers had to “come better prepared to work, stay out of the penalty box; our power play has to get pucks to the net and at least make a difference in momentum. Late in the game, we had a power play that does zero. What we don't want to do is have the power play suck the life out of you.” … and that’s exactly the pill the Rangers swallowed in front of 18,000 Blueshirts faithful Monday night.
The first period was a slow dance with a clumsy partner. Both teams playing quite conservatively whilst trying to be one step ahead of the other. Mr. Georges Laraque, whom had an excellent showing last night, made the careless late hit on Paul Mara (boarding?) that encapsulated the desperation in trying to take the mojo. and moments before, the Avery-Malone fight, gratifying, although it exemplified the stalemate even further.
Things picked up in the second despite Pittsburgh’s inability to get off more than 1 shot in the first 27 minutes of play. New York seemed to have an easier time finding pucks in the slot, when Nigel Dawes, who continued his enthusiastic play, walked in and ripped a dangerous one right into Marc-Andre Fleury four minutes in. Moments later the youngsters would find some piping as Callahan and Dawes instantaneously hit the crossbar in what was a sure sign that the hockey God’s, as they often do, were messing with the Rangers offense. A few funny bounces later the deadlock was finally broken when Jagr took a shot during a 5-on-3 that went off Scuderi’s glove, off Fleury’s head, and in. Certainly Michael Jordan and Larry Bird in their McDonald’s, Space Jam commercial days could not replicate that one. It seemed all for naught however when the play was whistled no-goal as Gomez appeared to have touched the puck with a high-stick (not legal outside of the defensive zone). Upon review, the call was reversed and the goal credited. You really have to give the boys in Toronto their due for turning the call around. It was one hell of a call in a tough spot.
Pittsburgh soon after picked up their game taking more shots (9-4 in the 2nd); and as the Rangers had been averaging less than 2 goals in their last 10, you could feel the male-pattern baldness in New York getting worse. Start your choice of dramatic, moment of conflict music. Early on in the third Jagr took a hit from Orpik that made one thing abundantly clear, these two will never be friends… not even on Facebook. As it was, Maxime Talbot would wind up with the puck from Malone and zip it passed Swede, Henrik Lundqvist to tie the game at 1-1. Pittsburgh would not let up on the pressure then as they really pushed it hard in the last few minutes of the game to try and take away a point, but Lundqvist was strong all the way until the final buzzer.
Into OT. 24 seconds in Gonchar gets called for holding… okay folks, here is where I would recommend, if you’re a Ranger fan who Tivo’d the game, slowing the game into slow motion. Now, pop in Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 Mvmt. IV. Allegro, by Beethoven, or if you’re a Pens fan… any part of Mozart’s Requiem. I can hear the bass thumping C’s as Gomez sets up in the trench along with two other penguins, and Drury takes the blazer to pass Fleury for the win and at this precise moment approaching the playoffs, Rangers fans everywhere realized just who Chris Drury is and what affiliation he has with this time of the year. Unfortunately, for a stellar Marc-Andre, he would taste this bitter reality.
Thursday, the Blueshirt’s take on the Islanders in another back-to-back. A cumulative two points in the next three games, or a Washington loss will get them into the show. As for Pittsburgh, they will have to get their division win (1 pt.) elsewhere.
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Blogger #2:
Ryan Conrad
FORGIVE AND FORGET?? - Where should fans stand on Bertuzzi?
Every hockey fan that has seen the footage can bring it instantly to mind. Todd Bertuzzi chasing Steve Moore around the ice, and then, frustrated by Moores refusal to stand and fight, sucker punching him in the side of the head and driving him into the ice with the entire weight of both of their bodies. Everyone also knows the aftermath. Three and a half years later, Moore has yet to resume his career. Bertuzzi was suspended for the remainder of that season and the playoffs, but began playing again the season after the lockout.
For the last month or so since the Ducks announced that they had signed Bertuzzi to a 2 year, $8 million contract, I have been trying to figure out how I feel about it. Not the obvious question, which is why are we paying $4 million a year to a guy who played in only 15 games last year, and hasnât proven that he has recovered from his back surgery, but the more troublesome question of whether Todd Bertuzzi should even be allowed to play?
Bertuzzi served what amounted to a 20 game suspension from the NHL, and wasnt allowed to play in the World Championships or Europe during the lockout because of the incident. Moores career is, for all intents and purposes, probably over.
Bertuzzi backers will defend him by saying that Moores earlier hit on Marcus Naslund and his refusal to fight Bertuzzi caused the incident, and that Moore got what he deserved. That he did not live up to the CODE and he paid the price. Those not in Bertuzzis corner say it was a cowardly blindside attack that should have been punished with a lifetime ban. I have to say I am closer to the latter, than the former.
But I still dont know.
I dont know Todd Bertuzzi. I dont know what kind of person he is. I dont know what he was thinking that night. I dont know if he was acting with the kind of blind hate that would be necessary to have done what he did while being consciously aware of the possible damage.
But I dont think he was. Here is what I do think:
I think Todd Bertuzzi was trying to hurt Steve Moore. I think Todd Bertuzzi was trying to dish out some karma for Moores debatably clean hit on Naslund. I think Todd Bertuzzi was trying to be a good teammate. I think Todd Bertuzzi made an incredibly costly and regrettable mistake. I think Todd Bertuzzi is remorseful. And I think Todd Bertuzzi should be held responsible.
If I was on the jury hearing the civil case that Moore filed against Bertuzzi, and is currently making its way through the Canadian justice system, I would find for Moore and make Bertuzzi pay him every bit of the earnings that Moore lost out on. I would make Bertuzzi serve as Moores butler and put on little puppet shows for the kids in Moores neighborhood. I would make Bertuzzi wash Moores cars and rub his feet.
But I would not prohibit Todd from playing hockey.
Not only would I not want to take away the only chance Bertuzzi has at making the millions of dollars that I think he should have to give to Moore, but I also dont see the benefit of ruining two careers over what I have to believe was a monumental lapse of judgment. If Todd Bertuzzi is human at all, and I have to believe he is, the guilt and shame he has felt since that moment has to be overwhelming, and I for one, think, in addition to the monetary award that should be made, that is punishment enough.
I cant say that I am going to be giving Bertuzzi standing ovations just because he is a Duck now, but I am going to wipe the slate as far as he is concerned, so I wont be booing him either. I am going to let his actions on and off the ice starting now guide my opinion of him, and take it from there.
Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
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