Larry Brooks reports on his Twitter page that Rangers left wing/centerVinny Prospal will miss the next two weeks of action due to arthroscopic surgery on his knee today. Zipay asks whether P.A. Parenteau could be recalled to take his place.

Parenteau certainly deserves the chance to showcase what he can do in that kind of a role. Since returning from New York on December 13th, in the four games he has played in, the HUll, Quebec native has 1 goal and 4 helpers. He also scored the Pack’s only goal in the shoout out against Bridgeport.

Here’s the official release from the Rangers:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that forward Vinny Prospal underwent arthroscopic knee surgery this morning to repair a lateral meniscus tear, and will be sidelined 10 days to three weeks.  The injury was sustained during Saturday’s game against the Islanders at Madison Square Garden.

The procedure was performed this morning at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Westchester by Dr. Anthony Maddalo.

Prospal, 34, has registered eight goals and 24 assists for 32 points, along with 22 penalty minutes in 38 games this season.  He currently leads the Rangers and is tied for 19th in the NHL in assists.  He also ranks second on the team in points and third in goals.  Prospal has recorded seven multi-point performances this season, including a three-point performance (two goals and one assist) on the night he tallied his 200th career NHL goal on October 14 against Los Angeles.  In addition, the 15-year veteran registered his 600th career NHL point with a goal in his Garden debut on October 3 vs. Ottawa, and skated in his 900th career game on November 28 at Pittsburgh.

All four Rangers prospects participating in the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championships recorded points in their respective games tonight.

In the United States’ 3-0 victory over Sweden, Chris Kreider scored the game-winning power play goal and was named Team USA’s Player of the Game.  Team Captain Derek Stepan and Ryan Bourque both notched assists in the game.  Through two games, Stepan has recorded four points (1-3-4) and Kreider has recorded two points (1-1-2).

Roman Horak also tallied a goal for the Czech Republic in their 4-3 loss to Finland.

The United States next plays Latvia and the Czech Republic next plays Austria, both games being held on Tuesday, December 29th

Should you have deeper interests in reading about these possible future Wolf Pack/Rangers prospects, read our friend Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park.

People have often asked me what’s my favorite sport. I answer tennis or hockey or football, depending on my mood.
But when they ask me what’s the best sport to watch live, there’s not even a split-second hesitation in my answer.

Hockey, without a doubt, is the winner for “biggest improvement from seeing it on TV to being at the game.”

Last night Julie and I went to the Rangers-Islanders game at Madison Square Garden, my favorite arena on Earth, to watch one of the great rivalries in sports. It reminded me of just how much damn fun a live hockey game is.

You see the speed, size and skill of the players so much better in person. On TV, you can’t appreciate the breathtaking rushes up the ice by a Marian Gaborik or a John Tavares, and watch the beautiful choreography of a play developing into a big-time scoring chance. The ferocity of the body-checks by Dan Girardi or Sean Avery is lost when you’re sitting at home, too.

But most of all, a hockey crowd is just so intense and fun. We were sitting in Section 310 last night, which, thankfully, was a Rangers-dominated fan section (at Islander-Ranger games, there are always a lot of opposing team’s fans in the other’s building).  It was awesome listening to the 10-year-old behind us call the refs “a bunch of idiots.”  The brilliantly thought-provoking and penetrating men’s room line conversation can’t be beat (“Islanders suck.” “Rangers suck.” No, Islanders suck.” Really, it was like Masterpiece Theater in there.)

It was so much fun getting swept up in the collective “oohs” and “ahhs” of scoring chances that just missed. We booed, we cheered, and we saw a thrilling game that had the Islanders (sadly) winning in overtime.

I know hockey doesn’t get a lot of love in America. And I know the zealots like me, the people who worship the sport, are always saying “Just go to one game, and you’ll love it forever.”

But really, it’s true. Live hockey is an incredible experience that will turn you onto the sport. If you get a chance, just give it a shot.

And the kid was right: Those refs really were idiots.

**So after that Nigerian guy tried to blow up  the plane in Detroit the other day, it was so predictable that the airlines would immediately react like a scared little kid and make up a whole bunch of new rules. Apparently, according to this article, you now must sit in your seat with nothing on your lap or tray-table, and stay seated, for the final hour of international flights, and longer lines await you at security on all flights.

As Bill Maher and others always say, we’re always fighting the previous battle with airline security. After the shoe-bomber failed, we all had to take off our shoes. Now this guy fails, and we have to stay seated. Here’s the thing: The Nigerian guy WAS seated! He didn’t need to get up.

I just always feel like we’re fighting a hopeless battle against would-be airline bombers. No matter what we try to do, no security measures will ever be 100-percent, guaranteed effective. There will always be that risk.

So, fine, make me take my shoes off, keep me seated, while I hum the Battle Hymn of the Republic in my head. Fine. Whatever.

Just don’t take away my bag of peanuts. A man needs salty goodness to keep his sanity on flights these days.

     VERSUS     

It was one of those rare nights where the varsity and JV play against one another on the same night. Interestingly enough, both games resulted in the Islanders organization, playing almost identical games, beat both of the New York Rangers teams, that both suffered from an inability to finish, and both by the same score. In Madison Square Garden, the New York Rangers came from two goals down in the third period with a late goal, in a man-advantage-like situation (Henrik Lundqvist pulled) that sent the game to overtime where they would go on to lose 3-2. Meanwhile at the Arena at Harbor Yard, the Hartford Wolf Pack came back from 1-0 and 2-1 in the third period and capitalized on a man-advantage (power play) with just 1:14 remaining to send the game to overtime. The only difference the Pack were only able to produce a P.A. Parenteau goal in the shootout, while the Bridgeport Sound Tigers got goals from Trevor Smith and rookie Justin DiBenedetto and lost by the same 3-2 score. In Charlotte, the Checkers were shut out by the Florida Everblades 2-0.

The Islanders came at the Rangers hard on the forecheck. After the  game, ex-Pack and current Rangers center, Brandon Dubinsky said to reporters, what any of the Pack players could have said after their matchup, “We knew they were going to forecheck hard and force us to grind.”

While the Pack dominated shots wise early on, at one point leading 11-3, most of the shots came from the outside. “We have an aggressive forecheck.” Sound Tigers head coach Jack Capuano said. “We want to play on our toes and not on our heels. We got caught a few times, a couple of odd man rushes but I thought both goaltenders played real well tonight and kept both teams in the game and especially our guy made some key saves in key moments of the game.”

Wolf Pack head coach Ken Gernander didn’t feel it was as much of an issue. “We outshot them 14-7 in the first. So I don’t know that we were dominated or out worked,” He said. “I thought there were times were we gave up some easy scoring chances but with a breakout here or there but for the most part I thought we played a pretty solid game.”

The Wolf Pack came out hard and fast to start the second period, it was the Sound Tigers that got through first. ON a hard forecheck, Pack defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti coughed up the puck in the left corner to Tigers defenseman Mark Katic. The Porcupine, Ontario native found Jesse Joensuu and got him the puck. Joensuu found rookie left winger Justin DiBenedetto all by himself on the right doorstep and put the puck in perfect position. DiBenedetto showed the patience of a veteran and waited as Steve Valiquette went down to get the puck. DiBenedetto lifted the puck over the fallen Pack netminder and into the net at 3:06.

Valiquette, who continues to struggle to rediscover his game and was sent to Hartford after backing up Henrik Lundqvist the last three years in New York, came up huge early in the third period. After a Dale Weise feed to Brodie Dupont got lost in the translation, ex-Pack captain Greg Moore picked up the puck and went in all alone on a breakaway. Valiquette (27 saves, 2-3-1) flashed the glove and foiled Moore’s bid for his eighth of the season.

The Pack got their chances on Tigers netminder Nathan Lawson, (39 saves, 7-7-1). Lawson was particularly good when he rose to the occasion and denied Mike Hoffman’s breakaway bid moments after Moore’s shot.

A hooking call went to Paul Crowder at 5:12. Nigel Williams intercepted a pass and started a break out as the penalty to Crowder expired with a pass to Parenteau. The duo became a tri as Crowder filled the left wing and turned it to a three-on-two odd man rush back the other way. Parenteau slid the puck past Dustin Kohn to Williams who filled the middle lane. Williams made a touch pass to Crowder who came in hard and fired a shot that went over the outstretched stick of Victor Bartley and through Lawson for the equalizer at 7:19.

Exactly three minutes later the game would turn on a controversial call by referee Geno Binda.

After a scramble in front of the Tigers net created by an Andres Ambϋhl feed that freed Derek Couture to crash the net, a clearing pass by Mark Katic was initially controlled by David Urquhart on the right point. Urquhart was stripped on the play by Matt Martin who beat Urquhart to the puck and raced to the Pack zone on the left wing side. Urquhart was hooking Martin as he crossed the Pack blueline. The Tiger forward clearly fired off a shot that hit the left post and bumped Michael Sauer and fell sliding hard into the boards behind the net. Binda called a penalty shot on the play. Gernander argued the call.

“(Binda) said that the penalty occurred before that (the shot).” Gernander said. “I said that he went in uncontested and got a shot away. That’s not a penalty shot and he disagreed with me.”

On the ensuing penalty shot, Martin came up ice with speed and Valiquette remained stationary and did not come out much from the net. Given the time and space to select from, Martin ripped a shot high to Valiquette’s stick side and beat the Pack netminder for the go ahead goal.

But the Pack did not go quietly off into that good night. They raised their game and pressed for the tying goal.

The fourth line of Devin DiDIomete, Ryan Garlock and Mike Hoffman had the most sustained puck control shift of the game for the Pack and buried the tigers deep cycling and putting shots on net and then retrieving the puck but could not break through.

With 2:20 remaining the AHL’s leading scorer, Corey Locke and Parenteau has an excellent chance turned away by Lawson on what might have been the Pack’s best rush of the game.

14 seconds later Kohn would take a tripping call sending the Pack’s struggling power play unit onto the ice.

Illka Heikkinen, just back along with Bobby Sanguinetti from recall with the Rangers, fired a low hard shot from the high slot. Dane Byers did what he does best and wrecked havoc in front of Lawson. He redirected Heikkinen’s shot to his left to Locke who was all alone and fired it into the empty side of the net with just 1;14 remaining.

“We contained them. It’s tough to shut those guys guys down (The Pack’s top line of Byers, Parenteau and Locke) obviously. That’s about as good of a top line that you’re going to see in the American Hockey League. At the end they got a power play goal but I thought we did a good job to contain them a little bit.” Capuano said.

“I thought we did a good job staying with it and tied the game up.” Gernander said. “I thought we made some mistakes in coverage early in the shift on the first goal. Second goal, penalty shot. Not sure if the guy (Martin) gets the shot off on the original play and that a penalty shot should have been awarded there, but the guys persevered to tie it up.”

In overtime, both teams had excellent chances to score and both were turned away with superb goaltending.

1:23 in it looked like the Pack might win it when Weise’s feed to Dupont in front caused a big scramble in front. “I really thought it went in, but their goalie somehow kept it out.” Weise said.

Then 1:07 later, the Tiger’s Mark Wotten almost ended it on a partial breakaway but was denied by Valiquette’s pad save.

But the Pack would come up short in the shoot out as only Parenteau would break through but the Tigers would get goals from Trevor Smith and DiBenedetto to win it.

“It was a good hockey game for the day after Christmas” Capuano said

Gernander summed it up saying, “Special teams got us a point there at the end. Guys stuck with it and pressured right there to the end. They had three guys back on most of most rushes there. We got pucks deep, drew some penalties got us the PP and we convert to get us the point.”

 Bob Crawford recaps the contest for Hartfordwolfpack.com.  Meanwhile one of our favorite writers, Michael Fornabaio reports from the Sound Tigers perspective at CTPost.com. Fornabaio also has a fascinating story about attendance issues for both the Sound Tigers and the Bridgeport Blue Fish baseball team also in the Connecticut Post.

GAME SUMMARY and OFFICIAL SCORERS SHEET

SHOOT OUT RESULTS:

STANDINGS:

NOTES:

* At the start of the game, the microphone system failed so the singer scheduled to do the National Anthem couldn’t be heard. But in a rather stirring moment, the entire crowd spontaneously began to sing it themselves. It was quite moving. 

* After a terrific streak that saw Hartford look unbeatable at 11-3-0-1, over the past 11 they’ve looked anything but going, 2-5-1-3.

*  The Pack are still winless if after two periods they trail, in those scenarios their record is 0-11-0-2

*  In one goal games, the Pack are 5-4-1-4, when they out shoot their opponents the team record is 8-6-1-2

* Gernander said that Mathieu Dandenault (lower body injury) will begin to skate this week, “but not full skating . Sort of testing the waters. Hopefully after this weekend he’ll be evaluated again and he’ll need a good week to ten days of good conditioning and strengthening. He’s just sort of testing the waters this week.”

LINES:

Byers © – Locke – Parenteau

Grachev – Dupont – Weise

Ambϋhl – Crowder – Couture

DiDiomete – Garlock – Hoffman

Heikkinen – Sanguinetti

Williams – Potter

Urquhart – Sauer

Valiquette

(Captain and Assistant Captains Bold and Italicized)

SCRATCHES:

Jared Nightingale – Healthy

Jordan Owens – Upper Body

Justin Soryal – Facial Injury – Indefinite

Chad Johnson – On recall with the NY Rangers

Mathieu Dandenault – Lower Body – 3-4 Weeks

Brent Henley – ACL – Season

THREE STARS:

1. BRI – J. DiBenedetto
2. BRI – N. Lawson
3. BRI – M. Martin

ON ICE OFFICIALS:

Referee:
Geno Binda (22)

Linesmen:
Luke Galvin (2)
Brent Colby (7)

NEXT GAME:

The Pack go from their southern franchise rival to their northern local rival as they take a ride up I-91 to take on the drowning Springfield Falcons, who’ve lost 12 straight.  Here’s a good chance for the Pack to get back on the right track. Game time is 3:00pm.

To watch the game live, you can purchased it for $6.99 at AHL-live.

The Pack’s next home game is not until December 30th when they will play their last game of 2009. If you can attend the game for as little as $10 a ticket, why not just go? For Ticket information call (860) 548-2000.

Or you can listen live at WTIC.com.

SCORE-SHEET:

Hartford Wolf Pack 2 At Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3 (SO) – Status: Final SO

Dec 26, 2009 – Arena at Harbor Yard

Hartford 0 0 2 0 – 2

Bridgeport 0 1 1 0 – 3

1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Couture Hfd (hooking), 8:19; Bartley Bri (interference), 11:58; Smith Bri (tripping), 14:51; Sauer Hfd (roughing), 19:12; Moore Bri (roughing), 19:12.

2nd Period-1, Bridgeport, DiBenedetto 6 (Joensuu, Katic), 3:06. Penalties-Ambuhl Hfd (interference), 5:24; Wotton Bri (interference), 8:10.

3rd Period-2, Hartford, Crowder 7 (Williams, Parenteau), 7:19. 3, Bridgeport, Martin 8   10:19 (ps). 4, Hartford, Locke 14 (Byers, Heikkinen), 18:46 (pp). Penalties-Crowder Hfd (hooking), 5:12; Sanguinetti Hfd (slashing), 10:42; Kohn Bri (tripping), 17:54.

OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout – Hartford 1 (Locke NG, Parenteau G, Crowder NG, Byers NG, Weise NG, Dupont NG), Bridgeport 2 (Smith G, Moore NG, Mauldin NG, Joensuu NG, Bentivoglio NG, DiBenedetto G).

Shots on Goal-Hartford 14-10-15-2-0-41. Bridgeport 7-11-9-2-1-30.

Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 1 of 4; Bridgeport 0 of 4.

Goalies-Hartford, Valiquette 2-3-1 (29 shots-27 saves). Bridgeport, Lawson 7-7-1 (41 shots-39 saves).

A-6,143

MEANWHILE BACK IN CHARLOTTE

     VERSUS  

CHECKERS BLANKED BY EVERBLADES
Teddy Bear Toss Spoiled; Florida Gets 15 Power Play Opportunities

The Charlotte Checkers spotted the Florida Everblades two power-play goals and could not bounce back as they were defeated 3-0 on Saturday in front of a crowd of over 10,000 at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Ryan Munce stopped 45 of 47 and the Everblades scored two power-play goals on 15 opportunities.

In a reversal of roles, Florida spoiled the Charlotte fans’ chances of throwing stuffed animals on the ice as part of “Teddy Bear Toss Night” by blanking the home team. On Dec. 12 in Florida, the Checkers shut out the Everblades, 3-0, ruining the chance for fans in Fort Myers to toss their bears.

The Checkers fell behind with less than five minutes to play in the first period. Florida cycled the puck down low in the Charlotte end before Mathieu Roy took a shot at Munce and Matthew Pistilli was there to bang home the rebound for his first of the season.

Early in the second period, the Everblades appeared to go ahead by two but the goal was disallowed as it was ruled that the puck was kicked in.

Florida would, however, take a two-goal lead with six minutes to play in the second period, again on the power play. Ross Carlson took a pass on the goal line from Ernie Hartlieb and tucked it home on the short side past Munce.

Charlotte pressed in the third period and threw 13 shots at Florida goaltender Mike Morrison, however they were unable to solve the former NHL netminder. The Everblades would add an empty-net goal and walk away with the 3-0 victory.

The Checkers (15-10-4-0) will travel to South Carolina tomorrow before returning on Sunday, Jan. 3 to host Gwinnett. Game time is 2 p.m. and ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com

GAME SUMMARY and OFFICIAL GAME SHEET 

NOTES:

*  Ryan Munce ranks second among all ECHL goaltenders with a .922 save percentage…

*  Tyler Doig has 11 points in his last 10 games… and currently ranks 7th in the ECHL in points with 8g, 25a, 33pts. Michel Leveille is 19th with 10g, 17a, 27pts.

*  Kenny Roche has six goals in his last nine games, including two game-winners…

*  The Checkers are 8-3-1 in their last 12 home games…

*  T.J. Reynolds leads all ECHL players with 124 penalty minutes, leads all ECHL defensemen with 12 fighting majors and leads the Checkers with a +16 rating…

*  The Checker power play ranks 14th out of 20 and 19th on the PK.

* Trevor Glass, Codey Burki and Aaron Slattengren are on the 21-day injured reserve.

LINES:

Rowe – Leveille © – Doig

Slattengren – Harder – Roche

Carroll – Taylor – Chabot

Marshall – Schepke

Reynolds - Berube

Brouillette – Schaeffer

Ward

Munce

(Captain and Assistant Captains Bold and Italicized)

THREE STARS:

1. FLA – M. Morrison

2. CHR – R. Munce

3. CHR – A. Carroll

ON ICE OFFICIALS:

Referee:

Jason Rollins (13)

Linesmen:

Mark Hamlett (81)

Terry Wicklum (98)

NEXT GAME:

The Checkers take their sixth shot in seven games at South Carolina. They are 1-3-1-0 against the ECHL’s best. Charlotte is currently 8th overall. Game time is 4pm and can be seen at B2TV.com.

SCORE SHEET:

Florida Everblades 3 At Charlotte Checkers 0 – Status: Final

Dec 26, 2009 – Time Warner Cable Arena

Florida 1 1 1 – 3

Charlotte 0 0 0 – 0

1st Period-1, Florida, Pistilli 1 (Roy, Hotham), 15:11 (pp). Penalties-Leveille Chr (hooking), 1:50; Reynolds Chr (roughing), 2:57; Roy Fla (tripping), 7:53; Schepke Chr (roughing), 10:11; Schepke Chr (hooking, unsportsmanlike conduct – disputing decision), 12:44; Buck Fla (interference), 16:45; Berube Chr (boarding), 19:10.

2nd Period-2, Florida, Carlson 10 (Hartlieb, Duffy), 14:03 (pp). Penalties-Roy Fla (interference), 1:28; Morrison Fla (boarding), 5:00; Olson Fla (slashing ), 5:00; Leveille Chr (holding), 5:00; Reid Fla (fighting – major), 7:08; Carroll Chr (elbowing, fighting – major), 7:08; Hartlieb Fla (interference), 7:48; Schepke Chr (hooking), 12:58; Berube Chr (cross-checking), 13:39; Chabot Chr (slashing ), 14:12; Leveille Chr (unsportsmanlike conduct), 14:12; Olson Fla (fighting – major), 17:58; Carroll Chr (fighting – major), 17:58; Reynolds Chr (cross-checking), 17:58; Guthrie Fla (fighting – major, game misconduct – jersey), 19:57; Taylor Chr (fighting – major), 19:57.

3rd Period-3, Florida, Healey 1 (Carlson), 18:33 (en). Penalties-Slattengren Chr (hooking), 3:50; Rowe Chr (elbowing), 6:35; Paquet Fla (interference), 8:43; Zanon Fla (cross-checking), 9:54; Olson Fla (unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting – major), 19:13; Berube Chr (fighting – major), 19:13; Doig Chr (slashing , misconduct), 19:13; Reynolds Chr (unsportsmanlike conduct), 19:59.

Shots on Goal-Florida 18-18-11-47. Charlotte 10-5-13-28.

Power Play Opportunities-Florida 2 of 15; Charlotte 0 of 7.

Goalies-Florida, Morrison 7-8-1-0 (28 shots-28 saves). Charlotte, Munce 5-5-1-0 (46 shots-44 saves).

A-10,980

The New York Rangers won 4-1 against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. Vinny Prospal scored two goals and Chris Drury and Marian Gaborik both had a goal and an assist. Henrik Lundqvist had another excellent night with 34 saves.

The Blueshirts have been playing like they did in the beginning of the season. Chris Drury maybe has found his touch in the last four wins registering three goals and one assist in that time. Brandon Dubinsky has brought a new life to the team since returning from his injury. He’s solidified the first line playing between Prospal and Gaborik.

I don’t feel Wade Redden has been pulling his weight since he’s been back. In the months of November AND December Wade Redden has only ONE ASSIST. I just wanted to make sure you saw that statistic. ONE ASSIST in TWO MONTHS. Not good at all.

But let’s rejoice. There will always be a blemish no matter what happy situation comes along. Let be thankful for the things we’re not…The Carolina Hurricanes (9-22-6).

The Wolf Pack (15-13-1-3, 34 pts.) finished off a five-game homestand with their first action of the year against the Western Conference last week.  The Pack thumped the Toronto Marlies 6-1 at the XL Center on Saturday night, but then fell to the Hamilton Bulldogs by a 4-1 score on Saturday.  Pack captain Dane Byers had his first multiple-goal game of the season in Friday’s win, with two tallies, and AHL scoring leader Corey Locke matched his own team season high with three assists in that game.

This week:

The Wolf Pack are off until Saturday night, when they will pay a GEICO Connecticut Cup visit to Bridgeport (7:00 faceoff).  Then on Sunday afternoon the Pack travel to Springfield for a 3:00 tilt vs. the Falcons.

Saturday, December 26 at Bridgeport (Bridgeport’s Arena at Harbor Yard), 7:00 PM

· This is the third installment of this year’s GEICO Connecticut Cup series, and the Wolf Pack are unbeaten in regulation thus far vs. the Sound Tigers, with a record of 2-0-0-1.  The Pack have a win and a shootout loss to show for two previous visits to Bridgeport.

· The Sound Tigers are tied with Lowell for second place in the Atlantic Division, and stand five points ahead of the Wolf Pack, at 18-14-1-2 for 39 points.  The Sound Tigers have at least a point in six of their last seven games (5-1-1-0).

· Sean Bentivoglio leads Bridgeport in points, with 11-11-22 in 35 games.

· Radio – live with Bob Crawford in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 2 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and www.wtic.com. 

Sunday, December 27 at Springfield (MassMutual Center), 3:00 PM

· Since the recall by parent-club Edmonton of number-one goaltender Devan Dubnyk November 22, the Falcons are winless in 13 games (0-10-2-1).  Springfield has fallen to last place in the Atlantic Division, at 10-16-5-2 for 27 points.

· The Wolf Pack have split two previous meetings with the Falcons this season, winning 7-3 in their home opener October 10 and losing a 2-1 decision in Springfield October 17.

· Veteran winger Charles Linglet (7-25-32 in 33 GP), the Falcons’ point-scoring leader, is tied for second in the AHL in assists and tied for third in the league in points.

· Radio – live with Bob Crawford in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 2 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and www.wtic.com. 

Recent Transactions:

Andrew Carroll – released from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack December 15.

P.A. Parenteau – returned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers December 15.

Bobby Sanguinetti – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers December 16 and returned December 19.

Ilkka Heikkinen – returned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers December 19.

Matt Gilroy – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers December 20.

Pack Tracks:

The perfect gift idea for any hockey fan is a Wolf Pack Holiday Pack.  Wolf Pack Holiday Packs are available now through January 3, from the Wolf Pack ticket office (860-548-2000) and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  Each Holiday Pack includes two flexible game vouchers, redeemable at the XL Center box office for tickets to any regular-season home game, a Wolf Pack souvenir and a Chuck-a-Puck voucher.  The cost of the Holiday Pack package is $32 for adults, and packages for kids 16 or younger can be purchased for $22, with the purchase of at least one adult package (service charges, facility and handling fees may apply).

Saturday, January 2, when the Wolf Pack host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in GEICO Connecticut Cup action at the XL Center, the first 3,000 fans through the doors will receive a free Wolf Pack lunch box, courtesy of Click It or Ticket.  Faceoff that night is 7:00 PM.

At every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday-night Wolf Pack home game for the balance of the regular season, fans can enjoy $3 drafts and snacks in the XL Center Atrium.  Also, the Comcast Coliseum Club features a “Warm-up Menu”, with $3 domestic drafts and appetizers, before every Wolf Pack home game at the XL Center.

Individual tickets for Wolf Pack games are on sale now at the XL Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations including Macy’s at the Buckland Hills Mall and at the Westfarms Mall. Tickets may also be charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  Information on all of the Wolf Pack’s many terrific ticket options, including group discounts, season tickets, partial plans, Birthday Bash packages and more, is available by calling the Wolf Pack ticket office at (860) 548-2000, and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

Every Friday-night Wolf Pack home game at the XL Center is Guida’s Family Value Night.  Family Value packages start as low as $45 and include three tickets, three hot dogs or pizza slices, three sodas and a Wolf Pack souvenir.  To order your Guida’s Family Value Night pack, visit the XL Center box office, or go on-line to www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  The next Guida’s Family Value Night is Friday, January 22, when the Wolf Pack host the Manchester Monarchs at 7:00 PM.

Once again this season, the Wolf Pack are partnering with WTIC Radio to air Wolf Pack hockey action.  All of the Wolf Pack’s regular-season and playoff games will air on 96.5 WTIC-FM’s HD 2 channel and will be streamed on-line at www.wtic.com. Select games will be carried live on the 50,000-watt AM powerhouse, WTIC NewsTalk 1080.  The next Pack game scheduled to be on WTIC NewsTalk 1080 is coming up Sunday, January 10, when the Wolf Pack travel to Providence for a 4:05 PM game.

The AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack is operated by Northland AEG LLC, a joint partnership between Northland Investment Corporation and AEG Facilities.  The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.

Since 1972, the CT Lottery has generated more than $19.3 billion in sales and has transferred nearly $6.7 billion to the state’s General Fund.  Prizes have exceeded more than $11.1 billion.  Purchasers must be 18 years or older.  If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-346-6238.  For more information about the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, call (860) 713-2000, or visit the CT Lottery web site at ctlottery.org.

TRACK THE PACK AT WWW.HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM

Uniondale, New York – Another great night at the Nassau Coliseum (or mausoleum). The Rangers dominated the Islanders to a 5-2 victory. As like any other Rangers/Islanders game at the Coliseum, there were scuffles in the crowd between the fans of the two teams; this truly is one the fiercest rivalries in sports that goes under the radar. And hey, I’m not going to lie, I even liked how the Islanders copied the Rangers and started their own goal song (it’s catchy).  However, there was something missing last night that took a little bit away from the game: the attendance. This game was far from sold out. The official attendance listed as 15,138 (92.9%) full but we all know these figures are nonsense. In my opinion, there were between 2,000 to 3,000 empty seats. I was almost embarrassed for Islander fans. I usually say that crowds at Rangers/Islander games the Coliseum are almost 50-50 between the fans and last night it was definitely an even ratio. There should be no way that the Rangers goal song should be heard (and not drowned out by boos) throughout the entire arena by Rangers fans singing it Acapella.

Now, perhaps the reason the game was not sold out was becauase of the economy and tickets to these games are not cheap. However, last season I went to an Rangers/Islanders game at the Coliseum and it was sold out. I don’t need to tell you that the economy was bad last year as well. There is no other reason I can think to explain why Islander fans skipped on the game and the atmoshphere. The team is competitive, they have a lot of good young players, they are playing much better than in the beginning of the season and they are playing their biggest rivals. Now the Islanders are in danger of having to move out of Long Island (to Kansas City, Queens, Canada, Brooklyn wherever), something that I am dreading. Even though I do not like the Islanders, I love the rivalry between the Rangers and Islanders and the whole three NY -Metro area bragging rights (Rangers, Islanders and Devils), I don’t want to loose that. Additionally, I grew up on Long Island and I always enjoyed going to Islanders games at the Coliseum. It is a cheaper alternative to going to Madison Square Garden and seeing the Rangers whose tickets are way overpriced. The Islanders and the Coliseum another piece of my childhood and hey, when I have kids, I would like to take them to Coliseum.

The reason why I bring this up is because the Lighthouse Project (the development project to renovate the Coliseum and build additional entertainment amenities to the Island) is not doing well. The town of Hempstead will not give the okay for the project (I still cannot believe that voters re-elected town supervisor Kate Murray, who will not allow the project). If Islander fans want the Islanders to stay on Long Island, the Lighthouse projects needs to happen. For this to happen, the Islander fans need to give the town of Hempstead a reason to keep the Islanders (i.e., show their support for the team). The way to do this is to show up for the games and spend money on the tickets. Why would anyone approve a multi-billion dollar project if they don’t think they will receive compensation out of it. If Islander fans don’t show up to an Rangers/Islanders game than what game will they show up to? Islander fans you need to support your team to demonstrate the Islanders deserve to stay on Long Island. If this poor population trend continues than you do not have an argument if the team decides to move. Lets to Islander fans, heck I’ll even help.

We’ll have our recap of the Wolf Pack Hamilton game up for you Howlers shortly. In the meantime, lots of transactions going on in Ranger-land. Last night the Rangers sent Bobby Sanguinetti and Ilkka Heikkinen back to Hartford and they just announced the recall of Matt Gilroy.

The talk from Tortorella was that the team was going to go with the “young guys” and ride out the “bumps in the road.” Yet, talk was all it was. In yesterday’s game Sanguinetti played slightly under eleven minutes (10:34) and Heikkinen, who if you’ve being listening to Tortorella has been effusive with praise for the recent signee, played even less (6:18). Compare that to Marc Staal who was out for just about every other shift playing 30:45. Michael Rozsival (25:17), Michael Del Zotto (23:34) and Dan Girardi (23:32). Certainly sounds like he rode them all the way, don’t you think?

Gilroy has had four assists in four games since being sent to Hartford but from our perspective was NOT engaged physically and is still doing the kind of things that Tortorella described that had him sent here in the first place. Gilroy is a talented player there is zero doubt about that. But if you’re sending a player to the minors to fix hitches in their game, don’t you think there should be improvement in those areas before recalling them? Otherwise, what’s the point?

Looks like Brian Boyle might miss some time with what is being called a lower body injury. Instead of playing Aaron Voros who’s a known quantity…and not getting much done when he plays, where is this reaching out to Hartford for the players? Dane Byers and Dale Weise are both FAR more deserving of the opportunity. Oh, but wait…they’re younger guys who might cause some bumps in the road…never mind…Voros would do far better since you know how little you get out of him already.

Welcome to the often confusing logic of the New York Rangers organization.

Here are the official releases from the Rangers.

First the Sanguinetti and Heikkinen moves:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that defensemen Bobby Sanguinetti and Ilkka Heikkinen have been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Sanguinetti, 21, has skated in five games with the Rangers this season.  He made his NHL debut on November 27 at Tampa Bay.  Sanguinetti returns to Hartford where he has registered six goals and 17 assists for 23 points, along with 10 penalty minutes in 27 games this season.  He was tied for the AHL lead among defensemen in scoring and ranked second overall on Hartford with 23 points at the time of his recall on Wednesday.  He has registered six multi-point efforts on the season, including an AHL career-high four-point performance on October 31 against Providence (two goals and two assists).  Last season, Sanguinetti led Wolf Pack defensemen in points (42) and assists (36), and set a Hartford single-season rookie record for assists by a blueliner.  He also led all Wolf Pack skaters with five points (one goal and four assists) in six AHL playoff contests.

The Trenton, New Jersey native was originally the Rangers first round selection, 21st overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Heikkinen, 25, has appeared in seven games with the Rangers this season.  He made his NHL debut on December 5 at Buffalo.  Heikkinen returns to Hartford where he has recorded five goals and 11 assists for 16 points, along with eight penalty minutes in 24 games this season.  He was tied for fifth among AHL defensemen in goals, sixth in points and ninth in assists at the time of his recall on December 3.  He also ranked second on Hartford overall in shots (54), fifth in points, and was tied for second on the team in shorthanded goals (one), third in assists and seventh in goals.  Heikkinen has recorded four multi-point performances on the season, including two multi-assist efforts.  He tallied a point (assist) in his AHL debut on October 3 at Binghamton, and notched his first career AHL goal on October 11 at Providence.

The Rauma, Finland native signed with the Rangers as a free agent on May 20, 2009.

The Blueshirts return to action on Monday, December 21, when they will face off against the Carolina Hurricanes at RBC Center (7:00 p.m.), to close out their three game road trip.  Prior to the game, the team’s morning skate is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at RBC Center.  This is the first of four meetings with Carolina this season.  The Rangers have tallied seven power play goals in their last five games for a 33.3% (7-21) success rate.  The game will be televised live on MSG Network and can be heard on 1050 ESPN Radio.

Next, the Gilroy release:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that defenseman Matt Gilroy has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Gilroy, 25, has recorded four assists in five games with Hartford this season. He made his AHL debut on December 11 against Portland. Gilroy returns to the Rangers where he has skated in 30 games this season, tallying four goals and six points, along with 19 penalty minutes.  He ranked second in the NHL among rookie defensemen in goals and was tied for seventh in points at the time of his assignment to Hartford on December 10.  He made his NHL debut on October 2 at Pittsburgh, and tallied his first career point with the game-winning goal on October 5 at New Jersey.

The North Bellmore, New York native was originally signed by the Rangers as a free agent on April 17, 2009.

The Blueshirts return to action tomorrow, December 21, when they will face off against the Carolina Hurricanes at RBC Center (7:00 p.m.), to close out their three game road trip. Prior to the game, the team’s morning skate is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at RBC Center. This is the first of four meetings with Carolina this season. The Rangers have tallied seven power play goals in their last five games for a 33.3% (7-21) success rate. The game will be televised live on MSG Network and can be heard on 1050 ESPN Radio.

December 19, 2009

Monday night was magical. My sexy girlfriend and I (she’s a model) took a limo into the city, ate a fabulous dinner at a fancy restaurant, saw a Broadway show, and spent the night in a luxurious mid-town hotel. At least that is what I’ve been telling people.

Truth is I did no such thing. Well, I did go into the city, I did eat a meal, and I sort-of saw a Broadway show. You see, I tend to stretch the truth. Makes me feel like a big shot.

In reality, my brother and I took the train into the city to see the Rangers, AKA “The Broadway Blues” at MSG. So I say I did see a “Broadway show.” Sue me.

We started our Mid-Town sojourn at one of the greatest gifts Manhattan can bestow: Mid-Town Comics. They don’t need me to plug them but for the sake of taking up space in this blog I’ll do it. If there is something comic book related, they have it. If they don’t have it you don’t need it. They have two floors full of stuff that just compels the money out of your wallet. You don’t even know it. Walk in and ten minutes later you are standing at the register behind a pile of stuff Webster couldn’t see over while the guy behind the counter calls in your credit card and asks for a credit line increase. It is that good. There must be some magic in that old silk hat they found, how else to explain all the people buying $100 Wolverine busts?

If Mid-Town Comics has a problem, it is the one thing they don’t have and desperately need: a way in. As I said, they are two floors of the best stuff a comic book nerd could ever want. Trouble is, the two floors are the second and third floors of a building. The first floor is taken up by souvlaki stands, fake Rolex shops, the World’s Smelliest T-Shirt Shop, and an unmarked door guarded by a large bald man in sunglasses and a leather coat that must have taken the combined hides of four cows to make.

To get to the comics shop, you have to climb up a staircase to the second floor, a long straight climb without a landing. I assume there is a handicapped entrance somewhere- maybe the bald guy is guarding it. Aside from the long climb, the main trouble with the staircase is that it is too narrow. I hope no building inspectors are reading this. The staircase is too narrow for two people to pass. If someone is walking down and you want go up, you have to wait for the person to get to the bottom. Even if the guy going down the stairs is 96 years old, takes the stairs one step at a time and then waits to catch his breath, you’re stuck waiting.

I stepped on the bottom step to go up at the same time as someone stepped on the top step to go down.

We stopped.

I stared up.
She stared down.
I squinted at her, Larry David style.
She kept staring.

My brother said “oh this is bullshit!” and pushed past me and went upstairs. I followed along, and when we got to the top the woman kept staring at me. Who cares? I was where I wanted to go.

A lot of people have a wrong idea of comic book readers. They expect fat guys in Fantastic Four t-shirts and old baseball caps. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mid-Town Comics was crowded with men in business suits, guys in casual office wear, women in smart skirts. In fact, the only fat guy in a Fantastic Four t-shirt and an old baseball cap that day was me.

I spent about $80 to stimulate the economy (including a George Perez JLA collection and a hardcover of The Return of the Sinister Six. I tell you this in case you were going to get me either of these as a Christmas present.) and somehow managed to avoid the allure of the $100 Wolverine busts. We went to go back down the stairs and damn if there wasn’t a 96 year-old man coming up the stairs one at a time, catching his breath at every step.

Twenty minutes later we were down the stairs and on our way to eat.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Rangers did something Mother Nature couldn’t — stop the Flyers. Despite a wicked winter storm, the Flyers and rangers batteled on teh ice as planned and the men in Oranage and Black suffered another division loss, 2-1.

Following first period goals by both teams, the Rangers Artem Anisimov netted the agme winner in the second period.

Now, Wachovia Center crews will work feverishly inside and outside the building to prepare for the Sixers-Clippers game at 7:30 tonight.

Support Joel Rodriguez at the Eastville Comedy Club on Jan. 12

Try and get him to pull a Michael Richards.

Greetings from New York City.  It’s been awhile since you have heard from me and I apologize.  Since the last piece the following things have happened:

The Giants have collapsed, going from best team in NFC to thank heaven for the Cowboys and December.  The Jets have lost a bunch of games that they should have won and won some games they should have lost.  Mark Sanchez refuses to slide feet first for whatever reason.  Both teams are still in the playoff hunt.

The Rangers couldn’t score if they brought prostitutes to the prom.  They started off hot again but seem to win only when Gaborik scores twice.  After a terrible start the Knicks have been playing much better.  Please disregard the 48 three pointers they threw up last night against the Bulls, completely playing into their hands.  They are moving the ball much better and are committing to defense and have played much better since benching Nate Robinson.

The Mets must be gearing up for the summer of Lebron just like the Knicks, because they aren’t doing a damn thing since the hot stove season started.  The New York media hasn’t been kind to Mr. Minaya.  He didn’t have the minor league chips to acquire Roy Halladay and John Lackey isn’t Hispanic so he didn’t go after him.  Not signing Lackey might turn out to be a good thing, however.  The Angels aren’t exactly a team rich in starting pitching.  Why would they let their ace go like that?  There is speculation that Jason Bay will make his way to Queens but wants a 5 year deal, while the Mets will not bid against themselves and are staying put at 4 years.

Omar Minaya's preferred starting lineup.

That leaves us with one team.  The World Champion New York Yankees.  I am not sure as to whether you are supposed to capitalize the W and C in world champions but who cares?  It was one game later than I predicted on this site but they got it done anyway.  They just acquired All Star CF Curtis Granderson and let World Series MVP Hideki Matsui go to Anaheim.  Today, they signed oft injured first baseman Nick Johnson to be their DH and bat second.  That would probably signal the end of Johnny Damon’s time here in pinstripes.  The Yankees still need another starting pitcher.  I know he had a bad year but releasing Chien Mien-Wang is a big mistake in my eyes.  The man won 19 games two years in a row and he is just as much a question mark as any other starting pitcher that is available in free agency now.

Nick Johnson is coming to town, this place better be ready to deal with all his injuries.

The St. Johns Red Storm are off to a really good start.  No one still cares.  It’s been so long since they mattered that they need to probably beat a couple of good teams to get people to start talking about them.  15 year senior Anthony Mason Jr., son of former Knick Anthony Mason (duh) is out for a little while but I still think they will do well until he gets back.

This game between the Jets and the Falcons can be very dangerous for Gang Green.  The Colts loom on the schedule next week and with no Matt Ryan or Micheal Turner scheduled to play the Jets can overlook them this week.  They are in no way guaranteed a playoff spot, and with the Colts and Bengals being the last two teams on the schedule they really need this W.  Darrelle Revis should be the defensive player of the year this season.  No WR has a good game against this guy and is the biggest reason why the Jets defense is number one in the league.

The Giants get the best last place team of this decade, the Washington Redskins on Monday Night.   After gift wrapping a game to the Eagles last week the Giants need this victory.  The Cowboys pay undefeated New Orleans on Saturday so they should be playing to pass the Cowboys for the last wild card spot.  I see both the Giants and the Jets winning this week.  Both games will be tough though.

Random thoughts.

If I hear that Empire State of Mine record by Jay-Z one more time I am going to start taking hostages.

You think Mike D’Antoni  regrets coming here?

All this talk about why would Lebron James want to play with the Knicks? That supporting cast is no good.  Name one guy on the Cavs outside of King James that scares you.  Put Al Harrington on Cleveland and it’s a different series against Orlando.

Thomas Jones is the most underappreciated athlete in New York.

Who is loving Tiger Woods more than David Letterman right now?

Hide the women, Tiger and Letterman are coming to your town!

The Atlanta Braves might be a problem in the NL East next year. Likewise the Seattle Mariners in the AL West.

They are planning to cut free metro cards for students here to save money.  What if they stopped giving free passes to those who work for the MTA? Or those who used to work for them? Or what if they made a better effort to stop people from jumping on the back of the bus without paying? Has to be a better option.

Tyreke Evans is already a top 15 player in the NBA.

Facebook I am convinced is a cult. Everyone always seems so damn happy.

Bret Hart in the WWE? Are they really that afraid of TNA?

Click the picture for Elevation's interview with wrestling legend Bret Hart

Keep playing like this Jared Jeffries and I will never say anything bad about you again.  Most likely because you will not be playing here.

Lastly, I want to wish a happy retirement to Charlie Gibson.  You are the best at what you do.

Short article I know.  But I will be back much sooner than last time and will have another top ten list.

To hell with being PC.  Merry Christmas.

A major Northeast snowstorm can’t stop the Flyers or Sixers. Both teams say their games will go on today at the Wachovia Center despite snowfall that could leave 12-18 inches of white stuff on the ground.

The Flyers host the Rangers at 1 p.m., and since the major part of the storm isn’t expected until later, we expect that game to happen.

The Sixers tip off at 7:30 against the Los Angeles Clippers. The team just tweeted, “Game tonight vs. Clippers has not been postponed and is scheduled for a 7:30pm tip-off. Please check SIXERS.com for any add’l updates.”

With such a major snowstorm, we suggest checking the team’s web site prior to departing for the arena. We’ll also keep track and try to provide updates on DailyPhiladelphian.com.

New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella is known for his fiery personality, his press conference following the Rangers’ 2-1 loss to the Islanders on Wednesday showcased that passion. I’m sorry, did I say passion, I meant a ton of F-bombs and him throwing his team under the bus. Either way, it’s entertaining!

The New York Rangers have recalled Hartford’s Bobby Sanguinetti as a seventh defenseman for tonight’s contest against the New York Islanders. Whether or not he plays is yet to be determined.

Here’s the official release:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Sanguinetti, 21, has skated in three games with the Rangers this season.  He made his NHL debut on November 27 at Tampa Bay.  Sanguinetti has registered six goals and 17 assists for 23 points, along with 10 penalty minutes in 27 AHL games with Hartford this season.  The second-year player is currently tied for the AHL lead among defensemen in scoring and ranks second overall on Hartford with 23 points.  He has registered six multi-point efforts on the season, including an AHL career-high four-point performance on October 31 against Providence (two goals and two assists).  Last season, Sanguinetti led Wolf Pack defensemen in points (42) and assists (36), and set a Hartford single-season rookie record for assists by a blueliner.  He also led all Wolf Pack skaters with five points (one goal and four assists) in six AHL playoff contests.

The Trenton, New Jersey native was originally the Rangers first round selection, 21st overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

The Blueshirts return to action tonight when they will face off against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m.), in the first game of a home-and-home set.  This is the second of six meetings with the Islanders this season, and the first at MSG.  The Rangers posted a 5-1-0 record against the Islanders last season, holding their opponent to two or fewer goals in five of their six meetings.  The game will be televised live on MSG Network and can be heard on 1050 ESPN Radio.

Sean Avery will be a featured actor in the upcoming epic release, Zoolander 2.

Will have a dive off with Derek Zoolander to see who is the premier, merman.

According to my sources, the Canucks will not have only one brother combo playing for them soon.  They are in talks to acquire, Eric, Jordan, and Marc Staal in a massive 4 team deal.

While looking through big time hockey busts of the 2000s, I came across an interesting fact.  From all the players taken in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft in the first round, only one didn’t make it to the NHL.  The 2003 draft was an amazing collection of talent.  From Marc-Andre Fleury to Zach Parise there are 10 All Star players taken in that first round.  With the 12th pick in the draft, the Rangers took Hugh Jessiman, one spot ahead of Dustin Brown, four in front of Zach Parise and six in front of Ryan Getzlaf.

Jessiman, who at that point, only had one season of elite level hockey under his belt put up 23-24-47 in 34 games with Dartmouth College.  The fact that he had been raised in Conneticut and was a life long Rangers fan just seemed like a match made in heaven.  The sad truth was that he never again put up numbers like his freshman season in college.   In fact, the only NHL ice time he has ever sniffed came during an exhibition, where he was embarressed in a fight with the Flyers Steve Downie.

In his five seasons since he has turned pro, he has logged the most time in the AHL, first with the Hartford Wolfpack and now with the Milwaukee Admirals.  Last season, the Rangers finally gave up hope on him as he has never been able to live up to the hype and traded him to the Nashville Predators.  However a change of scenery didn’t help as he rolled out a 20-7-27 season for them last year and this season is a 5-1-6 through 26 games.

As for his cards, it is limited to just In The Game Heroes and Prospects from 2005-06.  He has a base, autograph, and game used card in the set and none are worth more than a $1.  Although the buy it nows on eBay are asking $10, I spoke with one of the sellers and he said he would let it go for a dollar.  It might be worth having as a, this is what hype can do for you warning.  As far as his future? At this point I would say it’s not going to be with the NHL.