I have been a fan of Tex's Rangers since the 77 season and I have heard the 1940 chants reverberate through barns across the NHL. It made 94 even sweeter knowing what a long tough slog its been wearing the Rangers blue.
I lived on the Island for awhile during their run on the cup and knew back then that their fan base was for the most part unaware of the fantastic talent Bill Torrey and Al Arbor had assembled at the Coliseum. Watching the rangers under Herb Brooks with Pavelich give the Icelanders a good run was a great memory, but having met Trots, Bossy, Wayne and Mess after our school hockey club finished its game was simply awesome.
I visited the Old Forum in Montreal and watched Patrick Roy play an outstanding game against the penguins only to lose it in OT to Mario who scored a SHG. The banners, the atmosphere... unbelievable.
But this year, this rangers team is perhaps the best memory since JD played NY into the finals against the Habs. 94 was special, especially the game 6 against the devils and Richter stealing the show in game 7 against the Canucks.
This is, for the most part a team drafted by the NYR. They played together in the AHL and grew into solid NHL players because NY changed it strategy. Slats love him or hate him, did assemble enough pieces to put this team in contention for the Presidents cup when fish wraps like the Hockey News said NY was at best a marginal team with an unproven defense.
Coach Tortorella, for all his intensity and outbursts fits NY well. I love that he demands accountability and that anyone sits when they blow it.
This team came out and out checked the opposition. Outworked them too. They forechecked their enemy into their own zone and kept the puck there for extended periods of time. They outfought, out hit, out competed and plain wanted the win more than the other teams on most nights.
What more can a fan ask for in the regular season ? Simply a fantastic season for the hockey team we follow and cheer for.
Thinking about next year puts a smile on my face when I think of the all star talent on the blue line. Hopefully the younger forwards a year better too ? wow
Later this week the 2nd season starts, which is the opportunity for this team to build something special. Even if they fail to win the cup they are coming back next year even better, even stronger even more likely to compete for a Presidents cup and be a legit contender for the Finals.
I agree, it's been an absolutely fantastic season. Considering the taxating style the team plays, I can't even be mad about the bad performances after the All Star break. They had basically clinched a playoff spot even then.
I'm sorry I can't call this a great season until they win a playoff round. If they do all this work for nothing, and have nothing to show for it in the playoffs, what's so great about it?
They'll be laughed at like the Capitals.
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"I used to pray for good things . I used to ask the Hockey Gods for puck luck for the NYR .
Now all I want is Torts the smug stupid goatee clown to be fired , . I hate Torts . Please hockey gods make him get fired. Please Sean punch him in face" -- Dorado
So far so good I'd say, but the real challenge starts with the PO's.
Even though I didnt expect us to be 1st in the east, I will still be disapointed with the season if we do not atleast make it past the first couple of rounds.
This has been the BEST season in almost TWO DECADES
It's unreal how much complaining there is here when the rangers have just played their best in almost 20 years.
Honestly, at this point, there's nothing to complain about. We won the east in a stacked as all hell division, yet people are throwing lundqvist under the bus already because he had a crappy game 82. If the rangers lose in the first round, then I'll be part of the mob throwing the team under the bus, but right now any complaining is ridiculous. I feel like some people here would complain if it took 7 games to win the cup, or if hank doesn't get "enough" shutouts in the playoffs, or some other ridiculous BS.
With the season gone, the playoffs are here. But this has been a long season. I never felt like I have before with a team, I love this team, the way they play with heart and soul every god dam night and winning all frigging season, some thing I never witnessed before with this team.
Personally as a 17 year old, I never saw a real Ranger team, so for me its surreal that we are number 1 in the eastern conference a team that we've been building for years, half of our players have been on this team for a few years now. From going to barley a playoff team to a number 1 team feels pretty god dam good.
But the best thing about this team is we're only going to get better. With up coming prospects, so I'm pretty siked for that! But I don't want to rush the rest of this season away because I am enjoying this way to much.
Just a quick question... Is this season your most favorite or memorable season since you've been watching Ranger's hockey? For me due to me being so young. Yes AINEC!
Now for the playoffs. Lets get em boys! We've fought all season to play in the playoffs.. Now we're here, lets do what we done all season and do it in the Stanley Cup ****ing playoffs!
I love this team, starting with our captain, Ryan Callahan and king Hank!
With the season gone, the playoffs are here. But this has been a long season. I never felt like I have before with a team, I love this team, the way they play with heart and soul every god dam night and winning all frigging season, some thing I never witnessed before with this team.
Personally as a 17 year old, I never saw a real Ranger team, so for me its surreal that we are number 1 in the eastern conference a team that we've been building for years, half of our players have been on this team for a few years now. From going to barley a playoff team to a number 1 team feels pretty god dam good.
But the best thing about this team is we're only going to get better. With up coming prospects, so I'm pretty siked for that! But I don't want to rush the rest of this season away because I am enjoying this way to much.
Just a quick question... Is this season your most favorite or memorable season since you've been watching Ranger's hockey? For me due to me being so young. Yes AINEC!
Now for the playoffs. Lets get em boys! We've fought all season to play in the playoffs.. Now we're here, lets do what we done all season and do it in the Stanley Cup ****ing playoffs!
I love this team, starting with our captain, Ryan Callahan and king Hank!
Same exact thing for me, I'm 17 as well. Never been this attached to a team.
Seventeen as well. For the "new" generation of Rangers fans, this is the first truly good hockey team that we've had the pleasure of watching. It's been great, no matter how it ends. I think our core is set for the next 3-4 years as well. It is a good time to be a Rangers fan!
WE WERE #2 IN THE ****ING LEAGUE! No team in the league had more ROW than us. No matter what bad things you could say about this team, nobody could say they couldn't win games.
WE WERE #2 IN THE ****ING LEAGUE! No team in the league had more ROW than us. No matter what bad things you could say about this team, nobody could say they couldn't win games.
I'm gonna miss it.
This is the biggest reason why I like our playoff chances.
I was just about to make a drunk thread saying how much I ****ing LOVE this team. I literally just got home, went on youtube and just watched videos, I almost cried. I love these guys. btw, Sam's voice just makes it that much better.
. Thank you New York Rangers!!!
