This series was amazing. Simply ****ing amazing. No other word for it.
We've all loved seeing shows that give us a glimpse behind the curtain of the Rangers, but this was unprecedented (well, besides last year's 24/7 of course).
It was great to see the players up close and personal. It was even better to see and HEAR the stuff that happens on the ice. I would gladly pay for pay-per-view games, if they left the players' mics open.
The Rangers came off like gentlemen in the Classic. While the Flyers game off like whiny little twerps. They chirp almost as much as their neanderthal fans. I was glad at first to see the refs were mic'd, but disappointed we didn't get to hear any of the collusion that was going on at the end to force overtime. And no, that's not being bitter or what not -- that's what happened, and we all know it. Maybe someone on the HBO crew will leak out some of that audio/footage at some point.
Torts rose up several notches in my book. I hated him for the way Avery was being handled, but I'll eat crow -- the way he talked about how he made his decision, it's hard to argue with him. Hopefully Aves will get another chance soon. But Torts' stock definitely rose with me. I don't think there's another coach out there that fits this team right now. Sure the speeches sound similar, but it's obviously working. And the Rangers know what's at stake anyway.
I also loved seeing how close and comical they were with each other. Laughing and having fun when the time is right. You can tell they're bonding well together, and that's what Mess and Gravy have always said about the '94 team -- they were very close with each other.
All in all, I would love to see MSG or someone competent enough to continue some form of this behind-the-scenes chronicle of the team. I'm sure it would be a huge distraction. I wonder if there's a way to be less invasive. Hopefully someone comes up with a way, and we get to see more.
Maybe we're being manipulated by the wonderful editing HBO did, but, you see the contrast between the two teams. The Rangers reveal themselves to be a very mature club considering their youthful status, and with Torts, it was about remembering "to play our game, and what we need to do to be successful". Whereas, Laviolette sometimes comes off as the cliched, "go kick some ass" type of coach, and you didn't get the sense of unity from the Flyers that you did from the Rangers. Again, it could be the story HBO wanted to tell, but, the discussion about the "Ansimov salute" sort highlighted the difference between the two teams in my mind. It's very easy as a Ranger fan, after watching this series, to come away with a very high opinion of this team, from the head coach right on down.
I agree with this, and maybe it's because I'm a NYR fan....but something seemed "off" about the Flyers that I couldn't put my finger on. There is a difference between the teams, but again, I'm a Ranger fan and might be seeing it that way.
I agree with this, and maybe it's because I'm a NYR fan....but something seemed "off" about the Flyers that I couldn't put my finger on. There is a difference between the teams, but again, I'm a Ranger fan and might be seeing it that way.
I agree and think it has to do with Carter and Richards being shipped off and their "new" captain being sidelined. You don't have that much turnover without some lingering effects.
I agree with this, and maybe it's because I'm a NYR fan....but something seemed "off" about the Flyers that I couldn't put my finger on. There is a difference between the teams, but again, I'm a Ranger fan and might be seeing it that way.
Maybe it's not fan bias though. I mean, since the 70's, the Flyer identity has been bullies. They proudly wore, and still proudly wear, the moniker "Broad Street Bullies". A team identity that says we win through fighting and dirty play rather than superior skill and sportsmanlike conduct. The fans have nurtured that and are actually proud that their team identity is that of Goons On Ice. Customer demand is always obliged and the team puts a product on the ice that comports with what the fans want. It's a South Philly mentality that says, "We may not look prettier than you, we may not be smarter than you, we may not be as skilled as you, but we'll punch you in your face and jab a stick in your ribs." The Flyer and South Philly identity are virtually indistinguishable and thus perpetuates. Think about it...did you ever, have you ever, seen a Flyer team that doesn't fit this description?
Maybe it's not fan bias though. I mean, since the 70's, the Flyer identity has been bullies. They proudly wore, and still proudly wear, the moniker "Broad Street Bullies". A team identity that says we win through fighting and dirty play rather than superior skill and sportsmanlike conduct. The fans have nurtured that and are actually proud that their team identity is that of Goons On Ice. Customer demand is always obliged and the team puts a product on the ice that comports with what the fans want. It's a South Philly mentality that says, "We may not look prettier than you, we may not be smarter than you, we may not be as skilled as you, but we'll punch you in your face and jab a stick in your ribs." The Flyer and South Philly identity are virtually indistinguishable and thus perpetuates. Think about it...did you ever, have you ever, seen a Flyer team that doesn't fit this description?
Of course, I could be way off base here.
Not really correct.
1973-1974 Flyers: 5th in goals for (16 teams), 1st in goals allowed
1974-1975 Flyers: 6th in goals for (18 teams), 1st in goals allowed
They were dirty and mean, but they were also a very skilled team with players like Clarke, MacLeish, Leach, and Barber.
But Torts was my favorite part about the Rangers in the show. Disliked him before the show, but I gained a lot of respect for him after.
I thought Giroux came off very likable until the last episode. He, like the rest of the Flyers team IMO, showed that when the momentum swings against them they get offensive and emotional - and not with good results in most cases. Any time they're backed into a corner on the ice, especially Giroux, they start running their mouths and trying to be tough guys instead of focusing on hockey. Two examples struck me from the WC itself, first they're talking about Rupp's salute ant they say something like, "what is that his second goal ever?" and they talk some more trash to him and then he scores again and ties to game. Second, they talk about doing the AA celebration and who they're going to fight (Giroux picking the smallest guy, also a rookie who has never fought before) and what happens? They get scored against and lose.
Maybe they should focus on scoring goals and preventing goals scored against them instead of trying to look like the toughest losers. I mean, as a NYR fan, I'll gladly let them have that title, but for their own sake, you'd think they'd start to grow up and focus on winning.
this series reminded me why I love Jaromir Jagr. He knows he's a ****ing legend yet he doesn't come off as arrogant or cocky at all. It'll be a sad day when he finally calls it quits. One of the greatest ever.
Lol you never organise a goal celebration its like the biggest jynx
I lined a game once and before the players came on the announcer was telling the crowd what to do after the home team scored, he was going to say the player's first name and the crowd would yell the last name. The home team got shut out that game, and it was the first shutout in the league ever for the away team's goalie
"I will do the Anisimov"
"Yeah, I will do the Hagelin, can you do the Girardi?"
Man, someone is copying one of the best NHL players of the last 2 decades and they try to get back at him by copying Anisimov, Hagelin and Girardi? Hahahaha
Gotta give it to Dubinsky. He doesn't care how many cameras are on him. When he's got a nugget in his nose he's gonna get it. At the team meeting where the projector crapped out he was digging for gold.
