Rangers Lose in Shootout, 4-3

The New York Rangers took it on the chin Tuesday night in a 6 round shootout against the New York Islanders. Jeff Tambellini finished the Rangers off with a quick wrist shot past Henrik Lundqvist, which sent the Ranger faithful scurrying to the exits. I was at the game and I had that eerie feeling early in the 1st period when the Rangers were unable to capitalize on numerous chances.

You could just feel it. The Rangers out chanced and outplayed the Islanders by a wide margin, but found themselves down by a goal at the end of the 1st period. My early personal feelings proved prophetic as the Rangers played the role of chasing the Islanders the rest of the way. I have played in many games like this and it's a terrible feeling on the bench, you know you should be winning but it's not happening. Sometimes as a team you win games you should lose and sometimes you lose games you should win.

I really don't want to dwell too much on one game, however I must tip my hat to the Islanders - especially backup goaltender Wade Dubielewicz (Boy thats almost as tough to spell as my last name). Who was a surprise starter in place of Rick DiPietro. In the end the Rangers salvage a point so all is not lost. Points down the stretch run to the playoffs are like gold.

On the personal side, it was really great meeting up with former teammate Ron Greschner. "Gresch" is and always will be one of the truly great Rangers of all-time. Ron is as genuine a person you'll ever meet. I will always consider it a privilege to have played with Ron and to be able to call him my friend. In the future I will delve into the reasons for Ron's jersey to be retired and hung up with the other legendary Rangers at MSG.

The other interesting part of the night was it looked like a "Sopranos" reunion at the Garden. There were too many to name, but it felt like the whole cast was in and around the building.

I will be away this weekend doing radio for the Quinnipiac Bobcats (Quinnipiac University). Please check back, I will be talking hockey more and more in the future.