European trip thoughts

October 5, 2008   ·   Hasan   ·   Jump to comments

First off I’m with Devils coach Brent Sutter that I don’t like the fact that the NHL or any of these other leagues (the NBA and MLB have done this a number of times too) starts its season overseas.  

Granted, I don’t know when else during the season you could put the games without having the teams be at a tremendous disadvantage (even moreso than now) but as a fan I would rather not have a league’s opening games be in a different timezone.  I’m a traditionalist to the extent that I feel almost all or all of the teams should play on the first night of a season and in their home rinks.  I’ve never even been a fan of the concept of a stand-alone game like the NFL or MLB has done in recent years, it adds unfair artificial hype for two teams. 

I do see the logic of playing games overseas though, especially in the NHL which is more global than any other sport though the NBA’s become pretty global as well.  It not only helps grow the game but can bring stars like Daniel Alfredsson back to their home country for a couple of games that count.  And at least the games started on a weekend afternoon and not 5 AM on a weekday like baseball’s Japan trips (though having the Rangers play a Sunday game overseas at the same time as a Giants home game is not exactly ideal either).

As far as the actual games, well I’m sure Derek or Lenny will be around with the full Ranger recap later, but it might as well be a reprint of yesterday’s recap (just change the names) because it was basically the same game, only with Olaf Kolzig keeping an outclassed Tampa team in it this time as they lost a second straight day by a misleading 2-1 score.  I guess after they play some other teams in North America we’ll find out whether the Rangers really are that good or Tampa just sucks. 

In Sweden, Pittsburgh and Ottawa split their series with a shaky Martin Gerber dooming the Sens to a 4-3 OT loss in the Saturday matchup.  Alex Auld started today’s contest for the Senators and the results were a bit different.  Auld’s 30 saves (only allowing a last-second PP goal that spoiled a shutout bid) and Dany Heatley’s two goals led the Sens to a 3-1 triumph.  At least Ottawa can claim three points from their first two games, though the goaltending riddle is already a concern up there.