New York Rangers Sustain Category Two Hurricane at Carolina

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME TWO

Rangers       0

Hurricanes  2

FINAL

New Hole, Different Shovel

Looks can indeed be deceiving.  I see a team still trying to be too cute and over-passing instead of just putting more shots on net.  I also see all forward lines getting bogged down at the blue line when attempting to enter the offensive zone, and if they dump and chase, getting easily pushed off the puck.  Yet, the Rangers actually have one more shot on goal (49-48) than Carolina through two games.  Thus both teams are creating roughly the same number of opportunities.

For a second straight series, the Rangers are getting killed on faceoffs.  Not just on the puck drop but the wingers within the circle.  Carolina owns a 64-47 advantage.

The question of whether Coach Galant would stay disciplined with a four-line rotation has been answered.  To a certain extent, he mixed and matched, most notably bumping up Alexis LaFreniere with Chris Kreider and Mike Zibanejad.

Special teams are officially a problem.  The Rangers are now 0/5 on the power play.  However, surrendering a short-handed goal while on a four-minute power play, then later failing to maintain possession upon pulling Igor Shesterkin in favor of a sixth skater, is inexcusable.  If nothing else, this is precisely why the Rangers lost game two.

If Carolina cleans up their offensive zone passing, it pains me to say they can dispose of the Rangers in five games.  If Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider start scoring, maybe not.

Anyone laying blame on Igor Shesterkin is just plain wrong.

BEFORE the BUMS 5/21/1890: Brooklyn Bridegrooms Punish Cincinnati Reds Pitching

From the desk: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

 

In baseball's sixth ever World Series clash of 1889, the National League New York Giants defeated the American Association champion Brooklyn Bridegrooms six games to three, and an inter-city rivalry was born.  While this marked New York's second straight championship victory over the Association, it would be Brooklyn's last as an AA member club.  The following season, the Bridegrooms would make their National League debut.  Welcome to "BEFORE the BUMS" my game-by-game rewind of (the city) Brooklyn's historic 1890 season.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Thursday, May 22, 1890

GAME #20

Wednesday, May 21, 1890

Cincinnati Reds vs. BROOKLYN BRIDEGROOMS

WASHINGTON PARK

Bridegrooms Rout Cincinnati in First National League Showdown

Just over a week after posting 17 runs against the Phillies and just two days after putting up 18 runs against the Alleghenys, the Bridegrooms outdid themselves plating a season-high 19 runs in their series opener against the Cincinnati Reds.  No strangers to each other, the two former American Association members played their first National League tilt at Washington Park.  Facing Cincinnati starter Frank Foreman and down by two entering the home second, the Bridegrooms recorded eight runs on six hits, a walk, and a Cincinnati error.  Brooklyn starter Tom Lovett would limit the Reds to just two more runs on nine total hits and four walks for the win.  Not yet done, Bridegroom batters would continue punishing Foreman's offerings for five runs in the fifth, one in the sixth, three in the seventh, then finally two more runs in the eighth.  Third baseman George Pinkney, Hub Collins, and Darby O'Brien wielded three hits apiece.  O'Brien and Collins also drove home three runs each.  Tom Lovett opened the top of the third by issuing two bases on balls.  Next, center fielder Bug Holliday knocked in a run.  Shortstop Ollie Beard then bounced to Collins, who threw to Germany Smith at second, who continued through to Dave Foutz at first for the 4-6-3 double play.  Foutz then turned and threw flawlessly to catcher Tom Daly who tagged out Lefty Marr, attempting to score from third for a triple play.

• FINAL: CIN 4; BKN 19
• RECORD: 11-9 (.550); 2nd place, 2.0 GB of Philadelphia Phillies

Hudson Valley Renegades Out-Duel Brooklyn Cyclones

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 5; HVR 3

II - BKN 5; HVR 4

III - HVR 3; BKN 1

Matt Sauer Pitches a Dandy; Renegades Claim First Win of Series

The Cyclones dropped a tightly contested pitcher's duel Thursday evening, and the Renegades claimed their first victory of the series.

Hudson Valley starter Matt Sauer was stellar, allowing just one run on three hits and no walks with nine strikeouts over 7.1 innings pitched for the win.  Right-hander Alex Mauricio yielded one hit and struck out three batters over the final 1.2 innings for his second save.

Brooklyn was limited to just four hits, a single by Wilmer Reyes, Rowdey Jordan, and Matt O'Neill each doubled, and right fielder Joe Suozzi homered in the sixth for Brooklyn's lone run of the game.  The Cyclones drew just one walk and struck out a dozen times as a team.

Starter Garrison Bryant surrendered two runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts through five innings pitched for the loss.

BOXSCORE

Long Island Ducks Win Third Straight Against Staten Island Ferry Hawks

From the desks: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE & THAT RICHMOND COUNTY TEAM

BATTLE of NEW YORK

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

vs.

Long Island Ducks

Ducks Complete Three-Game Sweep of Ferry Hawks

The Ducks jumped out to an early lead.  Designated hitter Johnni Turbo led off the home first with a single and stole second base.  A single by right fielder Dustin Woodcock put runners at the corners.  Left fielder L.J. Mazzilli reached safely on an E-5, and Turbo scored on the play.

Long Island added a run in the third.  L.J. Mazzilli led off with a hit through the middle, and Deibinson Romero singled to left field putting runners at the corners.  Romero then scored on a Sam Travis 

sacrifice-fly to left.  The Ducks' rally ended abruptly when Alejandro De Aza bounced into a 4-6-3 double-play.

In the fourth, Long Island wielded four hits, two for extra bases, and drew two walks as part of a four-run inning and a 6-0 lead.  Staten Island right-hander and losing pitcher Alex Vargas got knocked out of the box, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks in 3.2 innings pitched.  The Ferry Hawk bullpen then threw 4.1 scoreless innings of one-hit ball with six strikeouts.

Ferry Hawk left fielder Ben Ruta doubled and scored in the sixth and right fielder Rymer Liriano 

connected on a two-run home run in the ninth.

Right-hander Brett Kennedy yielded one run on five hits and no walks with seven strikeouts for the win.  Closer Sandy Baez was called upon to secure the final out in relief of James Varela for his third save.

The Long Island Ducks complete their first-ever series sweep against the Staten Island Ferry Hawks with the victory.  BOXSCORE

 

New York Rangers Fall to Carolina Hurricanes in Overtime

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

ROUND TWO

GAME ONE
Rangers      1

Hurricanes  2

FINAL/OT

Here we go again ...

Carolina clearly did not play at their best during the first forty minutes.  The Rangers had numerous quality scoring opportunities.  Filip Chytil gave the Rangers an early lead.  But Antti Raanta absolutely kept Carolina within striking distance.  By the second intermission, I believed the Hurricanes were making the Rangers look good rather than the other way around.

That all changed in the third period.  Everyone in a Ranger jersey not named K'Andre Miller was severely outplayed.  Then, sure enough, Sabastian Aho cleaned up his own rebound and scored the tying goal with 2:23 left in regulation.  In overtime, the Hurricanes picked up where they left off, and at the 3:12 mark, Ian Cole launched a shot from the top of the right circle that was tipped by Ryan Lindgren and found its way through Igor Shesterkin.

The Kid Line, against a new opponent, continued playing well together.  Kaapo Kakko is skating well, but he's been erratic with his passes and shots throughout the playoffs.  He missed a completely open net at the 6:46 mark of the third period - he's probably riddled with anxiety.  Alexis LaFreniere and Chytil appear far more comfortable in their skin.  Both teams, including LaFreniere, clanked pucks off the post.

K'Andre Miller wiped out Seth Jarvis on a potential breakaway in the second period.  What a great play!  The man has been flawless through eight games.

The only two penalties of the game essentially offset.  Otherwise, many infractions by both sides went uncalled.  The Rangers effectively lost this game at even strength.

Coach Gallant stubbornly rolled out his four lines through the first six games against Pittsburgh.  Not till game seven did he mix up the lines and wrangle with matchups, or not.  The coach said matchups mean little to him.  This series is as much about Gallant and Rod Brind'Amour trying to four-line each other as it is, as it was, the Rangers forwards doing more.

Antti Raanta was indeed the hero of game one.

Ryan Lindgren gets credit for the winning goal ...

Igor Shesterkin deserves better.

BEFORE the BUMS 5/19/1890: Brooklyn Bridegrooms Take Series Finale Against Pittsburgh Alleghenys

From the desk: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

 

In baseball's sixth ever World Series clash of 1889, the National League New York Giants defeated the American Association champion Brooklyn Bridegrooms six games to three, and an inter-city rivalry was born.  While this marked New York's second straight championship victory over the Association, it would be Brooklyn's last as an AA member club.  The following season, the Bridegrooms would make their National League debut.  Welcome to "BEFORE the BUMS" my game-by-game rewind of (the city) Brooklyn's historic 1890 season.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Tuesday, May 20, 1890

GAME #19

Monday, May 19, 1890

Pittsburgh Alleghenys vs. BROOKLYN BRIDEGROOMS

WASHINGTON PARK

Bridegrooms Win in Lopsided Affair; Take Series 2-1

First baseman Dave Foutz continues wielding a bat with giant eyes, collecting three more hits, giving him ten over his last three games.  He and second baseman Hub Collins accounted for half of the Bridegrooms' twelve hits.  Brooklyn scored early and often, then piled on Pittsburgh hurler Crazy Schmit again late.  The Bridegrooms immediately took a 4-0 lead in the first inning.  Staked to a 6-2 lead after five, the real punishment began in the sixth when they posted four runs, then five runs in the seventh inning, and three more in the eighth, on the way to an 18-2 walloping of the Alleghenys.  Dave Foutz drove home three runs, and Hub Collins led with four runs scored.  Last year's American Association leader with 40 wins, Bob Caruthers, held the Alleghenys to seven hits and no walks with four strikeouts and three hit batsmen for good measure.  Brooklyn takes the series from Pittsburgh, two games to one, and now awaits the arrival of the Cincinnati Reds to Washington Park.

• FINAL: PITT 2; BKN 18
• RECORD: 10-9 (.526); 4th place, 1.5 GB of Philadelphia Phillies

Brooklyn Cyclones Take Second Straight from Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 5; HVR 3

II - BKN 5; HVR 4

Coney Island Wins Two in a Row Against Bronx Affiliate

Coney Island defeated the Hudson Valley Renegades in a second straight game.  

Renegades starter Will Warren and Brooklyn's Oscar Rojas opened with three scoreless innings.  Warren issued a bases-loaded walk to force home the game's first run in the top of the fourth.  The Cyclones then erupted for five runs in the bottom half of the frame.  Right fielder Brandon McIlwain, Wilmer Reyes, and Branden Fryman drove in a run apiece, and Jaylen Palmer doubled home a pair.

Afterwhich, it was a matter of holding on.  Hudson Valley scored a single run in the sixth and two more in the eighth inning but would score no more.

In a no-decision effort, Oscar Rojas allowed one run on three hits and four walks with two strikeouts over 3.2 innings.  Right-hander Sammy Tavarez followed with 2.1 innings pitched for the win.  Rehabbing from injury and making his first-ever appearance with the Cyclones, Jordan Yamamoto 

allowed two runs on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings pitched, and Justin Courtney secured the last four outs for his fourth save this season.

• BOXSCORE

Long Island Ducks Outlast Staten Island Ferry Hawks in Wild Contest at The Pond

From the desks: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE & THAT RICHMOND COUNTY TEAM

BATTLE of NEW YORK

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

vs.

Long Island Ducks

Flock Stages Stunning Comeback at The Pond

The Ferry Hawks appeared well on their way toward tying the series out on Long Island.  They broke out with three runs in the first inning against Ducks starter Stephen Tarpley, who would fail to pitch out of the third.  After allowing three runs on three hits and one walk in just 2.1 innings pitched, he was relieved.  

Right-hander Hunter Claudelle likewise allowed three runs on three hits and four walks in relief of Tarpley, and the Ferry Hawks led 6-0 through three and a half innings of play. 

But Staten Island would soon regret leaving the bases loaded in the top of the fourth.  

Long Island stunningly rallied for ten runs in the bottom half of the frame, highlighted by Johnni Turbo's three-run home run giving Long Island a 7-6 lead and another three-run home run off the bat of Sam Travis, making it a 10-6 game.

Staten Island recovered a single run in the fifth and added two more in the seventh but ultimately finished a run short.

Second-year Duck Dylan Peiffer earned the win with 1.1 innings pitched, and Tyler Webb pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.  

Ferry Hawk starter and Bronx native Anthony Rodriguez allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks in 3.0 innings pitched but escaped with a no-decision.  Right-hander Eddy Reynoso 

yielded both Long Island home runs and got tagged with the loss.  

Staten Island right fielder Rymer Liriano went 2 for 4 with a double and four runs batted in.  Second baseman Alfredo Reyes was 3 for 6 with a triple, one run batted in, and twice scored.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Take Series Opener From Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 5; HVR 3

That's More Like It!

Based on how this series has been playing itself out these last two seasons, I couldn't be happier.  Any victory against the Hudson Valley Renegades with more than three hits and under ten strikeouts makes for a glorious day!  Oh, the joy!

Brooklyn jumped out to an early lead.  Left fielder Rowdey Jordan singled and scored on Shervyen Newton's double to right field in the third inning.  Hudson Valley tied the game in the top half of the fifth.  But Brooklyn rallied for three runs in the home half of the frame.  Center fielder Jaylen Palmer 

homered leading off, and Jose Mena and Matt O'Neill followed with run-scoring doubles for a 4-1 Cyclones lead they would not relinquish.  The Renegades scored twice more in the seventh, but the Brooks secured an insurance run in the bottom half of the frame for a 5-3 lead and the final margin of victory.

Of the Cyclones' seven hits, five went for extra bases.  They drew five walks and fanned "just" seven times.

Making his first start in nine appearances, Nolan Klenney held the Renegades scoreless on three hits and one base on balls with a pair of strikeouts over four innings pitched but walked off to a no-decision.  Right-hander Colby Morris surrendered a home run but earned the win with two innings in relief of Klenney, and Hunter Parsons picked up the save with a scoreless eighth and ninth inning.

Boxscore

Long Island Ducks Win First Contest Against Staten Island Ferry Hawks

From the desks: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE & THAT RICHMOND COUNTY TEAM

BATTLE of NEW YORK

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

vs.

Long Island Ducks

First Meeting is a Classic; Ducks Outlast Ferry Hawks in Old-Fashioned Pitcher's Duel

A rivalry is born.  Tuesday, May 17, marked the first-ever game between New York's two independents, the Long Island Ducks and the expansion Staten Island Ferry Hawks.  

Mets fans are very familiar with the respective team managers.  Both are all-time favorites.  Second baseman for the 1986 champs, Wally Backman, is entering his fourth season as skipper of the Ducks.  Representing the 2000 N.L. champions, Edgardo Alfonzo was named the first manager in Ferry Hawks history.

The two Atlantic League teams inaugurated their rivalry with an old-fashioned pitcher's duel.  

Entering his third season with the Ducks, Brooklyn native Anderson DeLeon held the Ferry Hawks scoreless on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts through five innings pitched.  Southpaw Brady Feigl threw a scoreless sixth inning in relief of DeLeon.  Left-hander Cody Beckman entered the game in relief of Brady Feigl and tossed a scoreless top half of the seventh.

Staten Island right-hander Matt Solten yielded no runs on five hits and no walks with two strikeouts over his first six innings.  The Ducks loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth but left all runners stranded.  Long Island threatened again in the seventh, but Matt Solden induced shortstop Devin Marrero into an inning-ending 1-4-3 double play.

Wally Backman summoned Joe Iorio to pitch the top of the eighth and was rewarded with another scoreless frame.

Edgardo Alfonzo likewise turned to his bullpen, calling upon southpaw Chris Nunn in the bottom half of the eighth.

Second baseman Vladimir Frias led off with a bloop single to shallow right field.  Center fielder 

Alejandro De Aza advanced the runner.  First baseman Sam Travis reached safely on a strikeout/wild pitch, and Frias advanced to third.  Chris Nunn then walked Deibinson Romero to load the bases.  Designated hitter Rusney Castillo struck out looking.  With two outs, L.J. Mazzilli drew a base on balls to break the scoreless tie.

Long Island left-hander Tyler Webb was tasked with pitching the ninth and did not disappoint.  Staten Island put the tying run on second base but advanced no farther.

Joe Iorio earns the win, and Chris Nunn takes the loss.  BOXSCORE

BEFORE the BUMS 5/17/1890: Brooklyn Bridegrooms Bow to Pittsburgh Alleghenys

From the desk: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

 

In baseball's sixth ever World Series clash of 1889, the National League New York Giants defeated the American Association champion Brooklyn Bridegrooms six games to three, and an inter-city rivalry was born.  While this marked New York's second straight championship victory over the Association, it would be Brooklyn's last as an AA member club.  The following season, the Bridegrooms would make their National League debut.  Welcome to "BEFORE the BUMS" my game-by-game rewind of (the city) Brooklyn's historic 1890 season.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Sunday, May 18, 1890

GAME #18

Saturday, May 17, 1890

Pittsburgh Alleghenys vs. BROOKLYN BRIDEGROOMS

WASHINGTON PARK

Dave Foutz Remains Hot, Rest of Bridegrooms Not So Much

Pittsburgh evens the series.  The Alleghenys posted five runs in the second inning.  Afterwhich, it was just a matter of them holding on.   Right-hander Bill Sowders limited the Bridegrooms to single runs in the bottom half of the second, third, fifth, and seventh innings and made sure the rest of Brooklyn's hits were scattered.  The youngest of Brooklyn's hurlers, right-hander Mickey Hughes yielded six runs on nine hits and three walks with four strikeouts in the loss.  First baseman Dave Foutz continued punishing Pittsburgh pitching, wielding another three hits but was stranded on second base in the ninth.  He now has seven hits in two games against the Alleghenys.  A crowd of 1,597 filed out of Washington Park less than happy.

• FINAL: PITT 6; BKN 4
• RECORD: 9-9 (.500); 4th place, 2.5 GB of Philadelphia Phillies

Artemi Panarin Punches New York Rangers Ticket to Round Two

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

RANGERS def. PENGUINS; 4-3

I - PITT 4; NYR3

II - NYR 5; PITT 2

III - PITT 7; NYR 4

IV - PITT 7; NYR 2

V - NYR 5; PITT 3

VI - NYR 5; PITT 3

VII - NYR 4; PITT 3

The Bread Man Delivers!  

Everyone knows the playoffs are a different animal.  It requires a more straightforward and more barbaric approach than the regular season.  

The Rangers' top forwards clearly needed time to figure that out.  Maybe they were overthinking things - paralysis by analysis.  Because the kids, Filip Chytil, Alexis LaFreniere, and Kakko Kappo, played more free and easy as if being too young and inexperienced to know playoff pressure.  Down in the series three games to one, Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider finally stepped up to become the decisive factors in games five and six.  

Chris Kreider opened the scoring in game seven at the 7:36 mark.  At 14:15 of the third period, Mika Zibanejad scored the game-tying goal, and they went into overtime at Madison Square Garden.

After a most frustrating series, Artemi Panarin saved his best for last.  He received criticism for failing to put more shots on the net throughout the series.  He spent his time trying to be a facilitator, always looking to pass first.  It's what he does.  Artemi led the Rangers with 74 assists and 96 points during the regular season.  However, he entered game seven with six points (two goals, four assists) through damn near 21 periods of hockey.  The first three periods on Sunday changed little.

Alas, when the team needed another hero, Panarin answered the call.  He took a team-high five shots on goal, and at 4:46 of overtime, Artemi put the biscuit in the basket to send the Rangers into a round two matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes.

I'm an older fan now, so I'm not easily impressed.  But Chris Kreider has become such an incredible leader for this team.  The unnamed captain led the Rangers with five dramatic goals, snatched an iPad from the hands of Mika Zibanejad, smashed it on the floor, and told his linemate to stop second-guessing himself.  

The series also changed when Ryan Lindgren returned to the ice.  Just ask Sidney Crosby, who Lindgren showed mercy on when the Penguin captain was poking at Igor Shesterkin.

K'Andre Miller was brilliant throughout, smart, effective, and tough, and Igor Shesterkin is a star, and soon he'll have the hardware to prove it.

That was a hell of an education for the youngsters and some fine tutoring by the veterans.

De'Andre Johnson Leads New Jersey Generals to Victory Over New Orleans Breakers

From the desk: FIVE STAR PIGSKIN

WEEK FIVE

New Orleans Breakers  17

New Jersey Generals    24

FINAL

Week One    Week Two    Week Three    Week Four

New Jersey Generals Lead USFL in Rushing

Luis Perez did not play through no fault of his own.  Coach Riley changed tactics against the New Orleans Breakers, veering away from his dual quarterback system. 

For the second consecutive week, De'Andre Johnson started behind center.  This time he played the whole game.  In a well-deserved opportunity, Johnson finished 14/21 for 213 yards and threw his first interception (a week after throwing his first touchdown).  He connected with KaVontae Turpin on five passes for 106 yards.  De'Andre also ran ten times for 39 yards with a long of 14 yards and two touchdowns.

If you recall, Luis Perez was brought in to replace Ben Holmes, who two weeks before the season opener was felled by injury.  De'Andre Johnson in week one was a mere 3/8 for 59 yards but ran twelve times for 95 yards and a touchdown.  He has since emerged into a legitimate dual-threat playmaker.

New Jersey continues dominating on the ground.  Darius Victor rushed 17 times for 95 yards and a third-quarter touchdown.  He ranks fourth in the USFL in rushing yards.  Trey Williams rushed 13 times for 44 yards and broke one off for 28 yards.  All told, the Generals rushed for 188 yards.  They lead the league in rushing with 901 total yards through five games.

The Generals' defense allowed two touchdowns through the air but again held their opponent under twenty points for the fourth consecutive week.

BEFORE the BUMS 5/16/1890: Brooklyn Bridegrooms Take Series Opener From Pittsburgh Alleghenys

From the desk: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

 

In baseball's sixth ever World Series clash of 1889, the National League New York Giants defeated the American Association champion Brooklyn Bridegrooms six games to three, and an inter-city rivalry was born.  While this marked New York's second straight championship victory over the Association, it would be Brooklyn's last as an AA member club.  The following season, the Bridegrooms would make their National League debut.  Welcome to "BEFORE the BUMS" my game-by-game rewind of (the city) Brooklyn's historic 1890 season.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Saturday, May 17, 1890

GAME #17

Friday, May 16, 1890

Pittsburgh Alleghenys vs. BROOKLYN BRIDEGROOMS

WASHINGTON PARK

Brooklyn Resumes Feud With Former American Association Foe

The Brooklyn Bridegrooms hosted the Pittsburgh Alleghenys for the first time in four years when both were still member clubs of the American Association.  Pittsburgh left the Association after the 1886 season to join the National League, just as the Bridegrooms are doing this season.  On wet and muddy grounds with a slippery ball, the Bridegrooms opened with a run in the first, then in the second inning took a 4-1 lead they would not relinquish.  Facing Pittsburgh rookie Kirtley Baker, the Bridegrooms tallied three more times in the fifth.  Brooklyn right-hander Bob Caruthers was on his mark, allowing three unearned runs on a mere three hits and four walks with three strikeouts, and delivered home two runs at the plate for the win.  Shortstop Germany Smith finished with two hits, a run batted in, and scored.  First baseman Dave Foutz accounted for four of Brooklyn's nine hits and recorded 15 putouts.  A crowd of 379 determined fans withstood the inclement weather and were rewarded a win.

• FINAL: PITT 3; BKN 6
• RECORD: 9-8 (.529); 4th place, 1.5 GB of Philadelphia Phillies

New York Rangers Force Game Seven Against Penguins at MSG

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME SIX
Penguins   3

Rangers     5

FINAL

First Line Proves Its Playoff Worth 

Following two deflating, if not disgraceful losses in games three and four, the young Blueshirts rose to the occasion in game five.  The Rangers got critical goals from Adam Fox, Alexis Lafreniere, and Filip Chytil.  But that was on home ice, and so the call to action sounded loud and long for Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider immediately after the game.  

Sidney Crosby left the ice midway through the second period of game five and did not play on Friday, but that made New York's game six road victory at Pittsburgh no less impressive.  During the first intermission, whatever was discussed in the Ranger locker room seemed to work.  The Blueshirt big boys, the veterans, the top line, answered spectacularly.  Facing elimination for the second consecutive game, Kreider and Zibanejad seized control of the situation, leading the Rangers into Pittsburgh needing to extend the series and doing just that.  

Down 0-2 after the first period, Mika Zibanejad scored during a power play at 5:05 of the second period on a one-timer from Adam Fox and Ryan Strome.  A mere seventy-six seconds later, Zibanejad again scored on a one-timer from Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox.  Mika almost accomplished the hat trick at the 13:48 mark.  Igor Shesterkin made a brilliant first pass to Zibanejad.  Louis Domingue made the initial save, but Chris Kreider was there to clean up the rebound for a 3-2 Rangers lead.

However, before the second period ended, Evgeni Malkin picked off a pass in the Pittsburgh defensive zone and scored on a breakaway at the 16:36 mark.

The third period was a tightly contested affair.  Finally, with 1:28 left in regulation, Chris Kreider launched a shot from the left point that (I say) deflected off a Penguin stick.  Mika Zibanejad was causing traffic in front, and Domingue thought he made the save, but the puck deflected over the goalie's head and into the net for the tie-breaking goal.

Andrew Copp sealed the deal with an empty-netter off feeds from Adam Fox and Kevin Rooney.

Adam Fox assisted on four of the Rangers' five goals, and of course, the Rangers got two by Mika Zibanejad and two by Chris Kreider.

Mika hit the post on another opportunity, as did Frank Vatrano.  More importantly, the Rangers were 2 for 3 on the power play and did well to prevent the Penguins from scoring on their three opportunities.

Now they have to do it all over again, but they'll be home at Madison Square Garden this time.