12-8-2: Edging The Isles

On Thursday night the Rangers faced the Islanders for the third of four times this season and barely edged the blue and orange, taking a 2-1 overtime win from the Mausoleum.

As has often been the case in matches between the two rivals, the Islanders played above their ability and the Rangers played below. The Blueshirts were largely outhustled and outskated, their team defense resembled Swiss cheese and their offense poor and predictable.

But, blissfully, they managed to edge the Isles in the end and extended their winning streak to four games. Rick Nash's return has powered the Rangers past lesser sides, collecting much needed points along the way. With this asterisk of a season, just making the playoffs gives the team a great chance at making the Cup Finals and the Rangers sit in eighth, two games away from the midway mark.

As mentioned last match, this is just the warm up to the real race. It is a shake-down cruise where we see the problems and work to fix them. As this game showed, there are a lot of issues to deal with but they can win despite them. The trick will be to keep doing that as the opponents get better and the games become more important ... just 26 games to go.

Late Hits:

*After putting together another completely forgettable performance, Marian Gaborik gained redemption by scoring the game-winner in overtime (courtesy of a Ryan Callahan screen). It was his eighth goal of this season, and it snapped an eight game goal drought. Interesting fact, Gabby has 37 points against the Isles in his career - the most against any single team other than Edmonton. He has 45 points in 47 games against the Oilers, 37 in 30 against the Isles. Can't hate on anyone who owns the Islanders ... except for Charles Wang.

*Astounding how many times the Rangers aimed for the logo on Nabokov's chest. They made the Kazakh look excellent until Rick Nash managed to deflect Step's shot down between the goaltender's legs. Great hands by Nash after he wasted a number of good chances earlier on. It appears that, like the Borg of Star Trek, NHL goaltenders are adapting to his one lethal move.

*Nash was one of those responsible for the Grabner goal - along with Eminger, Del Zaster and Hank. But Sather didn't trade for him for his defense so whatever. At least he didn't take any bad penalties for once.

*Stop with the blind passes already. All of you.

*Welcome to the Rangers Vlad Malakhov Karel Rachunek Sandis Ozolinsh Christian Backman Dmitri Kalinin Roman Hamrlik. The Capitals' castoff played his first game as a Ranger and brought exactly what was expected of him - bad decisions, poor positioning and zero offense. Putting him with Steve Eminger was a mistake, as Emmy can't skate particularly well and the Isles abused them both. It was only the fifth appearance of the season for the 38 year old, who was right when he said that time was his enemy during the lockout - the years have not been kind and he has his work cut out to get back into NHL form.

*If Staal can't regain his full eyesight and recover from whatever concussion issues he may have incidentally suffered, the Rangers are screwed. Can't go very far with just two competent defensemen on the roster.

*J.T. Miller looked pretty good with Cally on his wing. Has to be quite the boost for the rookie to look over and know he has the captain at his side.

*A sellout was announced but the Mausoleum looked pretty damned empty on tv. For those that were there, how bad was it? Heard plenty of "Let's go Rangers" chants, heard there was at least one fight in the audience. Anyone get touched inappropriately by that clown Goldie? Or was he being touched inappropriately himself in prison, where he belongs?

*Still sad that the linesman broke up the Bickel/Finley bout; few things are more wonderful to watch than an Islander getting his ass kicked. (Although Stu woulda had his work cut out for him, Finley rag-dolled Pruster earlier this season.)

*Another game against a former team of Arron Asham's. Another game Arron Asham didn't play. Would have liked to see Haley run wild for a while but, after Grabner's early goal, you knew Torts wasn't going to allow that. Too bad.

*PHW Three Stars:
3-Evgeni Nabokov - 35 saves.
2-Michael Grabner - one goal.
1-Rick Nash - one goal and one assist.

Scott Hockey Three Stars:
3-Grabner - The Austrian scored the first goal and had several other great chances but his abominably penalty in overtime opened the door for the Rangers.
2-Henrik Lundqvist - Sure Nabby made more saves but Hank had to stop far better chances.
1-Stepan - Step not only fired the shot that Nash deflected for the regulation goal but he had a huge hand in the OT winner. He won the offensive zone faceoff (AMAZING!) and he controlled the rebound of Gabby's initial shot that was blocked.

 12-8-2: Edging the Isles - Boston College's Grit and Determination

In the world of college hockey, every win is a testament to a team's dedication, skill, and resilience. The recent victory by the Boston College Eagles, with a 12-8-2 record, against the formidable Isles was a showcase of their grit and determination. In this article, we will explore the significance of this win, analyze the key moments and factors that contributed to the Eagles' success, discuss the standout performances, and answer frequently asked questions to provide a comprehensive understanding of this thrilling matchup.

I. The Significance of the Victory

The victory holds great significance for the Boston College Eagles for several reasons:

Statement Win: Beating a strong opponent like the Isles sends a clear message of the Eagles' competitiveness in the college hockey landscape.

Momentum Builder: The win serves as a momentum builder, energizing the team for future challenges in the season.

II. Key Moments and Factors

Let's delve into the key moments and factors that played a crucial role in the Eagles' victory over the Isles:

Offensive Brilliance: Analyzing the Eagles' scoring prowess and key goals that turned the tide in their favor.

Defensive Strength: Highlighting the solid defensive play that prevented the Isles from capitalizing on scoring opportunities.

Goaltending Heroics: Recognizing the exceptional performance of the Eagles' goaltender(s) in keeping the Isles at bay.

III. Standout Performances

The victory was characterized by standout performances from key players:

Player of the Game: Identifying the player(s) whose contributions were pivotal in securing the win.

Team Effort: Emphasizing the collective effort of the Eagles, including assists, blocked shots, and defensive plays.

IV. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What can this victory against the Isles mean for the Boston College Eagles as they continue their season?

The victory can boost the team's confidence and motivate them to pursue further success.

How does the Eagles' record compare to previous seasons, and what are their prospects for the remainder of the season?

Comparing the current record to past seasons can provide insights into the team's progress and potential.

Which aspects of the Eagles' game plan and strategy were particularly effective in edging out the Isles?

Effective strategies may include strong forechecking, power plays, and disciplined defensive play.

What can fans and alumni do to support the Boston College Eagles and celebrate their victories throughout the season?

Fans and alumni can attend games, engage with the team on social media, and show their support through various channels.

V. Conclusion

The victory by the Boston College Eagles with a 12-8-2 record over the formidable Isles is a testament to their talent, resilience, and unwavering determination. It is a win that reflects the collective effort of the team, from the players on the ice to the coaching staff behind the bench.

As the Eagles continue their journey through the season, they do so with the knowledge that every win is a step toward their ultimate goals. The thrill of victory and the lessons learned from each game will shape their progress and determination. College hockey fans can look forward to more exciting moments as the Eagles pursue success on the ice with grit, determination, and the unwavering support of their dedicated fan base.