Sean Avery turned in one of the best individual performances of the entire season and it wasn't nearly enough as the Rangers fell to the Washington Capitals 2-1 to complete a self-destruction of epic proportions. John Tortorella doomed them to failure two games in a row and had no answers to fix what was wrong in the ultimate game. Granted, he was working with a squad that was flawed from the start but the chips had fallen into place for victory and the incompetence of the man in charge handed it back to their opponent.
It is truly difficult to type this recap. The Rangers artificially raised everyone's hopes - mine included, no matter how many cracks I pointed out over the course of the season - and then they knocked them down. Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Markus Naslund, Nik Zherdev, Wade @#$!%! Redden ... thanks for nothing. That my season ticket money (and all of the other cash I spent) helped go to pay their salaries pisses me right off. Then again, it really is quite remarkable that the team made it to the playoffs, much less to seven games against Alexander Ovechkin but when the inevitable downfall came it was still crushing. There will be more analysis of this season and report cards and all that fun to come here but I don't have much more for tonight, it's over. It's just over. Just some quick notes:
*Hank didn't win the game for the Rangers but he didn't lose it for them either. He made several amazing saves against a fierce team that was all pressure all the time in the third period. *Avery, Dubinsky and Callahan ... you just can't say enough about these guys. How the veterans couldn't bother to dig deep and put up half the effort that that trio did is beyond me. I would have included Staal and Girardi in that but they just fell apart in the final minutes and didn't give their team a chance to mount a counterattack.
*The fans wearing ponchos behind the Rangers net? Brilliant.
*Credit to Rozy for toughing things out. His partner actually played decently before screening the goaltender on the game-winner.
*Both goals against come seconds after the Rangers rush down a wing and miss the net. It would be shocking if it didn't happen to the team at least a half dozen times over the course of the season. You would think they would work on that - either on hitting the net while skating at high speeds, spreading out the attack or how to recover in time. But they didn't, and they lost.
*When did Milan Jurcina learn how to play?
*It always sucks when the last game is on the road so the team can't get a proper sendoff.
*Seeing Fedorov score the game-winner made me miss Brendan Shanahan that much more. Cagey veterans who have been there, done that don't get flustered this time of year. They put their noses to the grindstone and do their jobs. And Shanny never shied away from shooting the damned puck and that woulda been nice. He certainly would have contributed more than Voros...
*PHW Three Stars
3-Henrik Lundqvist - 22 saves.
2-Sergei Fedorov - one goal.
1-Simeon Varlamov - 14 saves.
Scotty Hockey Three Stars3-Callahan - Even though he had the bad luck of the first goal going off of him, Cally was remarkable considering he was out there alone. His linemates did nothing and I kept waiting for him to get Borat's spot with Avery and Dubi and it never came, even when Borat ran out of energy in the third period. Pathetic.
2-Varlamov - For the first time in the series, I will give the kid credit. He helped his team weather the attack in the first two periods with solid positional play and never got flustered. Even though he faced 14 shots. Just 14 shots. That is criminal. Goddamn Rangers.
1-Avery - He took a beating and he kept playing. He kept working, he kept battling, he kept taking the game to the Caps. For all of you non-Ranger fans out there, this is why we worship him. All heart and all effort.
R1, G7: It's Over, Folks - A Historic Game 7 in Sports
Game 7 in sports is the ultimate showdown, the moment when months of preparation and intense competition culminate in a winner-takes-all battle. It's a scenario that captures the essence of sports - the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. In this article, we'll delve into the world of Game 7s, focusing on a particularly memorable one: R1, G7 - the decisive moment when teams leave it all on the line. We'll explore the history, drama, and significance of Game 7s across various sports and answer some frequently asked questions about these iconic contests.
The Drama of Game 7
Game 7 is the culmination of a playoff series, a winner-takes-all affair that leaves no room for error. Whether it's in hockey, basketball, baseball, or any other sport, Game 7s are marked by heightened tension, unforgettable moments, and legacies that are forged in the crucible of competition.
R1, G7: It's Over, Folks
One of the most famous Game 7s in sports history took place in the NBA, during the first round of the 1989 playoffs. The matchup was between the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers. This game is forever etched in basketball lore for the sheer drama and the emergence of Michael Jordan as a true basketball legend.
The Backstory
The 1989 Bulls-Cavaliers series was closely contested, with each team winning three games leading up to Game 7. The Cavaliers, led by Mark Price and Brad Daugherty, had home-court advantage and were favored to win. But the Bulls, led by the young and immensely talented Michael Jordan, were on the rise.
The Game
On May 7, 1989, in Cleveland, the Bulls and the Cavaliers faced off in a Game 7 that would define careers and legacies. The game went into overtime, and with just seconds left, the Bulls trailed by one point. That's when Michael Jordan made his move, hitting a game-winning jump shot from the foul line, sealing the victory and propelling the Bulls to the next round.
The Legacy
R1, G7 in 1989 became a defining moment in NBA history. Michael Jordan's game-winner, often referred to as "The Shot," is still celebrated as one of the most iconic plays in basketball. It marked the beginning of Jordan's ascent to greatness and set the stage for the Chicago Bulls' dynasty of the 1990s.
Game 7s Across Sports
While R1, G7 in 1989 is a standout example, Game 7s have provided sports fans with countless unforgettable moments in various disciplines. Let's take a look at some other memorable Game 7s:
2004 ALCS - Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees: The Red Sox's historic comeback from a 3-0 series deficit against their arch-rivals is still considered one of the greatest achievements in baseball history.
2013 Stanley Cup Final - Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins: The Blackhawks scored two goals in 17 seconds to clinch the Stanley Cup in a thrilling Game 7.
2016 NBA Finals - Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors: LeBron James and the Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 series deficit to win the NBA championship, ending Cleveland's 52-year championship drought.
1994 FIFA World Cup Final - Brazil vs. Italy: The World Cup final was decided by a penalty shootout, with Brazil emerging victorious in a dramatic finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Game 7s so special?
Game 7s are special because they represent the pinnacle of competition in sports. They are winner-takes-all contests where athletes are pushed to their limits, and legends are born.
What makes a Game 7 different from other playoff games?
In a Game 7, there is no tomorrow for the losing team. It's a final opportunity to advance, and the intensity and pressure are unmatched.
Do Game 7s always live up to the hype?
While not every Game 7 is a classic, the potential for drama and excitement is always present, which is what makes them so compelling for fans.
Are there any Game 7 rituals or superstitions among athletes?
Athletes often have personal rituals or routines they follow to stay focused and calm under the immense pressure of a Game 7. These rituals can vary widely from player to player.
Do Game 7s have a lasting impact on a player's legacy?
Game 7 performances can significantly impact a player's legacy. Iconic moments in these games can solidify a player's status as a sports legend.
Game 7s in sports represent the ultimate in competition, where athletes push themselves to the limit for a chance at glory. R1, G7 in 1989 between the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers serves as a shining example of the drama and excitement that Game 7s bring to the world of sports. While the outcome of these contests is uncertain, one thing is for sure: Game 7s will continue to captivate sports fans and create lasting memories for generations to come.
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