Live Blog - Game 3: Blackhawks @ Rangers

Hey everyone…sorry I’m late, I was briefly blacked out of the game in favor of the Sabers on MSG.  But, thanks to a free preview of NHL Center Ice I’m watching now.  The Garden is buzzing for this Original 6 home opener.  Lets go Rangers!

Rangers ave six games in the next nine nights…must be hockey season.

Scratches for tonight - Prucha, Rissmiller, Fritsche

By the way, I know some of you were expecting to hear Steve and My NHL Preview show.  That will be coming up sometime this week for your enjoyment.

7:19 pm: Korpikoski called for the penalty…Chicago gets the first man advantage…Rangers look good on the PK so far…fast pace so far

7:22 pm: No shots for Chicago on that PP….Callahan just got into a fight with Fraser…Cally’s line is looking like a bat out of hell…Good way to pump the Garden up

7:28 pm:  WADE REDDEN, WELCOME TO THE GARDEN!!!!!!!! GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Drury puts the puck on the net and Redden puts in the rebound…Rangers lead 1-0! Rangers getting great pressure, but up until that goal they weren’t getting to many pucks on net.  But, Drury able to get one on Huet and Redden was in the perfect position to follow it up.

7:33 pm: First real test on Henrik…nice stick save.  Followed up by a great 2 on 1 stop.

7:38 pm: Rangers starting to give away to many pucks in their own zone…Drury just gave one up behind the net that led to a nice chance for the Blackhawks…On the opposite end Huet continues to give up nice rebounds for the Rangers.

7:42 pm: Nice little move by Zherdev…missed the net on the sho, but still looked good doing it.

7:49 pm: GOAL Chicago…Brian Campbell shot goes of the side of the net, rebounded by Pat Kane through the legs of Henrik…Game tied 1-1.

7:51 pm: Drury draws the penalty with 6 seconds left…they’ll start the second period on the PP.

End of 1st Period: Chicago stepped their game up the second half of the period.  Rangers a little careless with the puck but still playing pretty physical.  Huet is giving up some juicy rebounds, Rangers just need to keep challenging. Game tied 1-1.

8:11 pm: Rangers come out on the PP…great shot by Gomez and an even better glove save by Huet.

8:13 pm: PP over…Rangers get one shot on goal…not a great PP, no real pressure

8:16 pm: WELCOME TO THE GARDEN AARON VOROS!!!!!!!!! GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great feed by Dubi to Voros and a great finish for Aaron’s first goal as a Ranger…Rangers lead 2-1!  The crowd is back into it at the Garden.

8:17 pm: Voros showing Tom Renney he belongs on that second line…that was a great shift for the second line…excellent job on the forecheck and their rewarded with a goal.

8:21 pm: Wade Redden missed a wide open net, not to sure if it hit the post or if he just whiffed.  Penalty called on the Blackhawks….Rangers on their second PP and they are buzzing.

8:24 pm: PP over…a little better than the first one, but still not great…Chicago controlling the puck right now, Hank with some great saves.

8:30 pm: The Dubi, Zherdev, Voros line is looking excellent…Marc Staal with a nice shot, off the shoulder of Huet.

8:35 pm: DUBI DUBI DUBI!!!!!!!!!!! GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did I not just say that line was looking excellent…great pass and a great finish by Dubi.  Rangers lead 3-1!

8:37 pm: Paul Mara getting into the fisticuffs.

8:39 pm: Gomez will join Mara in the box.  Questionable call of tripping, Gomez’s not happy and if he’s not happy I’m not happy.

8:42 pm: Short handed 3 on 2 for the Rangers…great shot by Betts and an amazing save by Huet. Full strength fot the last minute and fifteen.

End of 2nd Period: Great energy by the second line turns into two goals.  Much more energy in the second period, not giving up too many chances for the Blackhawks.  Blueshirts doing a good job of taking advantage of turnovers.  Rangers lead 3-1.

9:03 pm: Rangers come out hot…but they’ll cool down as Redden takes an interference penalty.

9:05 pm: Great short handed effort by Freddy Shoes to force the turnover and continue to work for a wrap around shot that went wide.  Teams at full strength.

9:12 pm: Goal Chicago. Blackhawks just kept the puck in the zone and kept the pressure on Hank.  Goals will happen when you give up so many chances.  Rangers lead 3-2 with 12:31 to go.

9:17 pm: NIKOLAI ZHERDEV, WELCOME TO THE GARDEN!!!!!!!!!!!! GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The new guys getting into the action.  Another goal by the second line.  A great shot after the assist from Voros.  Picture Perfect.  The second line has seven points.  Rangers lead 4-2!

9:25 pm: Chicago now out shooting the Rangers.  They are starting to put the puck on net more than they were earlier.  Rangers need to remain tight on defense.  Two goals is insurmountable with seven minutes left.

9:30 pm: Pace of the Ranger continues to be impressive.  Not necessarily getting a whole lot of opportunities but moving the puck and staying in control.

9:34 pm: Rangers can’t capatalize on their thir PP.  Under a minute to go.  The perfect season is still in tact!

9:36 pm: RANGERS WIN 4-2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They go to 3-0 for the first time since 1989-1990.  Heck of a job on their home opener.

New guys getting the job done tonite.  THe second line looked phenomenal.  Henrik with 30 saves on the night.  A total team effort.  Great win.  Aaron Voros gets the first star, well deserved.  On to Philly tomoorow for the Rangers first road game in America.

Thanks for tuning into the Live Blog everyone.  Steve and I will be back with a new podcast on Tuesday night to discuss all the Rangers games of the weekend.