0-0-1: The Wrong Richards

Despite ridding himself of that accursed orange, Mike Richards continued to terrorize the Rangers, this time in Stockholm Friday night as he helped the Kings beat the Blueshirts 3-2 in overtime. Sadly, we would turn off Philadelphia games at least knowing that Brandon Dubinsky beat Richards up but this time Dubi was on his best behavior and he didn't take on the former Flyer captain. Damn. Richards had the game-tying goal and an assist on the game-winner while being his usually solid two-way self.

The other side of the coin was the Rangers' Richards, who was virtually useless outside of the faceoff circle. While he dominated at the dot, he didn't show any of the chemistry we hoped with Gaborik and received a charity point on Gabby's goal. He also botched a play to keep the puck deep in the L.A. zone with five minutes left in the third period and Richards scored seconds later on the other end.

It is way too early to call him a bust and too early get too angry at the loss but we watched the same Rangers play the same hockey that failed them last season. Richards was supposed to add a new dimension to the New York attack and he did not.

Late hits:

*I tweeted yesterday "that MDZ is on the roster is an utter franchise failure. Prospects, Sather, Torts, team docs." One game down and the statement holds true. He was a disaster in his own end and a nonfactor on the other side of the ice. Perhaps once Staal gets his head screwed back on right or Woywitka breaks in well or Bickel learns how to skate then MDZ will get sent back to the minors where he can learn how to play right.

*Tim Erixon, on the other hand, was pretty good - especially when you consider he had to cover up for Steve Eminger, who challenged MDZ as worst Ranger on the ice. The kid is smart, decisive and steady. His delay of game penalty was just bad luck for the puck going out of play.

*The other penalties were a mixed bag. Zuke's cross checking was a weak call (the guy was off balance and now the Norwegian is being fined for it?!? No contact hockey, here we come), Eminger and Boyle had theirs come because they were beaten on the plays and McDonagh's never happened. Mac actually had a helluva shift before the ghost call, which ultimately doomed the Rangers.

*If Mike Sauer was still battling a sore shoulder, I can't wait to see how he is at 100%. Rock solid. Between him, McDonagh, Girardi and Staal (when he gets back), the Blueshirts have a great top-4 on their blueline. Add in a maturing Erixon and a decent veteran No. 6 and the Rangers will have a great unit helping out Hank.


*Hank, as always, kept the Rangers in the game while the team in front of him made mistake after mistake. Henke is the king and the Swedish crowd deservedly worshipped him as such. They didn't match the lovefest that took place in Gothenburg last week but they did pull for their favourite son. No Hoppa Henke song though, which was saddening.

*Of course, they did cheer for him in their usual understated Swedish way. It was a pretty quiet audience mostly made up of Ranger fans and curious onlookers. There weren't many Kings supporters at all outside of The Royal Half and a half dozen female Kings season ticket holders that sat in my row. One had purple hair, another an Avery jersey. Yes, I got along with them well - diehard fans are diehard fans (except for Flyer fans, who are subhuman).

*The in-house camera caught several Swedish stars around the arena. Ulf Nilsson (Potvin Sucks!), Anders Hedberg, Mattias Norstrom, Markus Naslund and Kent Nilsson all made it onto the big screen at some point, with Kent getting the loudest ovation of them all.

*Zuke played alright; his linemates didn't do him any favours. Derek Stepan appeared a step slow all night and Wojtek Wolski was good for nothing aside from jabbing at the puck with his stick.

*Dubi needs to be moved back with Arty and Cally, so the other lines can work again. Step and Zuke need Fedotenko, Arty and Cally need Dubi. Considering that Gaborik and Richards are having their troubles, getting two solid lines for a mediocre one is a worthwhile deal.

*Mike F-ing Rupp skates almost as poorly as the late Derek Boogaard did.

*Ryan Callahan's goal was an awesome bad-angle snipe. The captain's persistance and battle level helped keep his team in the game.

*You know who could have helped with that, adding energy with a strong shift? Sean Avery.

*Aside from his staged fight, not sure where Prust was in this one. His partner Boyle looked big and slow.

*Seeing as the Rangers struggled to shut down Kopitar, Williams and Gagne tonight, just imagine what will happen tomorrow against Getzlaf, Perry and Ryan. *shudder* Ed. note: No Peepin' Foes for the Ducks, too tired tonight.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Ryan Callahan - one goal on 11 shots.
2-Henrik Lundqvist - 27 saves.
1-Anze Kopitar - one goal and one assist.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Cally - The only Ranger forward that came to play.
2-Kopitar - The Swedish-trained Slovenian is definitely one of the most underrated stars in the NHL.
1-Mike Richards - Such a dynamic player, it really isn't fair.

 0-0-1: The Wrong Richards - A Deeper Look at Early-Season Draws

In the fast-paced and thrilling world of ice hockey, the outcome of a game can leave fans and players alike with a wide range of emotions. Draws, often referred to as ties, occupy a unique place in the sport. They signify that neither team emerged as the clear victor, leaving spectators to grapple with mixed feelings. In this article, we will take a closer look at the nuances of early-season draws in college hockey, with a particular focus on the significance, impact, and strategies that teams employ when faced with a 0-0-1 record.

Table of Contents

Understanding Early-Season Draws: A Unique Challenge

The Nature of Draws in Hockey

The Early-Season Context

Breaking Down the Draw: Analyzing the Game

Defensive Excellence

Offensive Struggles

Goaltending Heroics

Strategies and Adjustments: How Teams Respond

Learning from the Game Tape

Special Teams Focus

The Significance of an Early-Season Draw

Points Gained and Lost

Building Character and Resilience

FAQs: Common Questions About Ties in College Hockey

1. Understanding Early-Season Draws: A Unique Challenge

The Nature of Draws in Hockey

Ties or draws in ice hockey are distinctive because they signify a hard-fought battle where neither team was able to secure a decisive victory. In contrast to other sports, hockey doesn't typically employ overtime periods in the regular season to break ties, making draws a relatively common outcome. These outcomes can evoke mixed emotions for both players and fans.

The Early-Season Context

Early-season draws pose a particular challenge. These games often mark the beginning of the college hockey season, and teams are still in the process of finding their rhythm and chemistry. Draws at this stage can signal close matchups and a sense of parity among teams.

2. Breaking Down the Draw: Analyzing the Game

Defensive Excellence

In the context of an early-season draw, it's essential to analyze the style of play that led to this outcome. Draws often result from strong defensive performances, with goaltenders making crucial saves, and both teams effectively neutralizing each other's offensive strategies. The 0-0 scoreline is indicative of the defensive excellence displayed in the game.

Offensive Struggles

While the score may suggest a lack of scoring opportunities, it's important to recognize that early-season draws are not necessarily devoid of offensive attempts. Both teams may have generated scoring chances, but exceptional goaltending and defensive efforts kept the game level. The inability to capitalize on these opportunities may be a focal point for teams seeking improvement.

Goaltending Heroics

In a draw, goaltenders often play a starring role. Their ability to make game-changing saves, maintain composure under pressure, and thwart scoring opportunities is instrumental in preserving the tie. The game may have featured standout performances by the goaltenders, who demonstrated their importance to their respective teams.

3. Strategies and Adjustments: How Teams Respond

Learning from the Game Tape

After an early-season draw, teams typically engage in meticulous analysis. Coaches and players scrutinize every aspect of the game, from offensive strategies to defensive positioning. This in-depth review helps identify areas for improvement and adjustments that can be made to secure wins in future contests.

Special Teams Focus

One key aspect that teams may emphasize after a draw is their performance on special teams. Power plays and penalty kills can be decisive in close games. Teams may work on refining their power-play and penalty-kill strategies to gain an edge in these critical situations.

4. The Significance of an Early-Season Draw

Points Gained and Lost

Early-season draws, while not victories, do earn teams valuable points in the standings. In college hockey, points earned from draws contribute to a team's overall record and standing within their conference. These points can be pivotal in the pursuit of postseason berths.

Building Character and Resilience

Perhaps the most significant impact of an early-season draw is the character and resilience it helps build within a team. Facing adversity and learning from challenging situations can galvanize players and foster a sense of unity. Teams that navigate early-season draws effectively often emerge stronger as the season progresses.

5. FAQs: Common Questions About Ties in College Hockey

Q1: Why don't college hockey games have overtime periods in the regular season?

A1: Overtime periods are often reserved for postseason play in college hockey. During the regular season, the focus is on a full schedule of games, and ties are an accepted outcome.

Q2: Do ties affect a team's chances of making the NCAA Tournament?

A2: Ties do factor into a team's overall record and can impact their standing and ranking. While not as detrimental as losses, multiple ties may prompt teams to seek more decisive outcomes to bolster their resume for tournament consideration.

Q3: Can teams in college hockey practice shootouts during the season?

A3: Some college hockey leagues implement shootouts in regular-season games as tiebreakers. Teams may practice shootouts to prepare for such scenarios.

Early-season draws, such as a 0-0-1 record, present a unique challenge in college hockey. They reflect closely contested battles and the intricate nature of the sport. Teams that encounter draws early in the season can use them as opportunities for growth, adjustments, and building resilience. While not the preferred outcome, these draws are integral to the dynamic and competitive landscape of college hockey, ultimately shaping teams and their journeys throughout the season.