A Ranger Win For All Time!

Having rooted  for the Rangers my whole life I can name some of the worst losses but I can also remember some of the great wins. This being winning time I won't recant the losses so let me go straigh to the W's!

There was that magical night beating the Vancouver Canucks to win the Cup after 54 years of torment and derision. Having crowds chant 1940 ( yeah you Devil fans and Islander fans) was funny but un-original. When Craig McTavish won that faceoff with 1.3 seconds to go all that ended. Right before that the greatest goal in Ranger history by a guy who played all of 85 games for the Blueshirts. Matteau! Matteau! Matteau! The epic contest between the Rangers and Devils ended when Stephan Matteau swooped in behind the net and beat Devils netminder Martin Brodeur or there is no Cup!

Then there was last night when only 6.6 seconds seperated the Rangers from defeat and near elimination to the Washington Capitals. However these Rangers while lacking scoring punch don't lack for guts and heart. A dumb penalty by Joel Ward high sticking Carl Haglin gave the Rangers a chance. They didn't waste it as Brad Richards buried the biscuit to tie the game and send it to OT. Ward the hero for Washington in game 7 vs the Bruins played the goat this time. His errant stick drew blood and 4 minutes in the sin bin.

Richards poked the puck just before Cap rookie Golie Braden Holtby could put his glove over it and freeze it. Euphoria in the garden and OT beckoned.

With Ward still in the box the game ended fast this time as Marc Staal, who sat out almost a year after being concussed by his own brother powered a slap shot by Holtby and the game was over.

I am sure my neighbors heard the wild screams coming from my house. I know my 2 Siberians hid thinking the worst. But it was the best.

The Rangers dominated the game, outshooting the stubborn caps 38-18. They out hit the Caps 29-14.

So for me  the Richards goal goes right to the 3rd spot although I am sure i am forgetting a few along the way. By all means Rangers fans let me know if you can recall others. I usually don't like to just live in the moment but this time I am.

Richards, hammered by some for not living up to his huge free agent contract paid off the dividends with his HUGE goal. he also inspired the Rangers with his game 6 goal vs Ottawa in round 1. This is why this Veteran was signed and worth every dime he makes. While top scorer Marion Gaborik has struggled putting the disk in the net Richards has scored huge goal afetr huge goal.

Game 6 of this classic series takes place Wednesday night back in Washington. Why does my gut say it will go 7. Who knows perhaps I can add to my list of all time great goals and not have to worry about a game 7. Rangers Win! Rangers Win! Rangers Win!