Gilroy shines in shootout defeat to archrival

September 16, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Rather than recap the particulars which saw the Devils outshoot the Rangers 3-2, avenging the farm teams’ earlier skill competition defeat at The Rock, we’ll just review what went well for the road club.

Indeed, the Devils took it with Travis Zajac ringing one off the post past Chad Johnson, who was outstanding in relief of Henrik Lundqvist (1 GA on 17 shots). The 23 year-old who the club acquired from the Pens for a fifth round pick the past Draft established himself by making 19 of 20 saves with only the first off the stick of David Clarkson beating him. And that was hardly his fault due to a brutal turnover by Michal Rozsival, who decided to take the night off.

It resulted in a gimme for Clarkson who had a nice game for the Devs tallying twice both on the power play. Yes. The Ranger PK has given up four goals already in two games. Time to push the panic button already? It’s exhibition. So, we’ll cut them some slack.

For a second straight night, the Rangers came out sluggish getting severely outplayed by a sharp New Jersey club who doesn’t play another preseason game until next week. Can someone explain this? Damn Dolan. The day he no longer owns them along with the Knicks can’t come soon enough.

Though they were only outshot 12-9 early, the club looked disjointed making Lundqvist work. He was sharp even if there was little he could do on Clarkson’s first following a lazy Ales Kotalik hooking minor in the offensive zone 180 feet away. The second straight night he took a bad penalty which led to a PPG. We’ll absolve him from further criticism because he did compete offensively doing some nice work down low with Vinny Prospal and Sean Avery, who we noted previously got a bogus goalie interference call that wiped out a potential Prospal goal. Of course, he argued and received a double minor. He was right but that can’t happen once the season starts.

The Blueshirts did draw a few power plays but again saw their shadows taking the collar in half a dozen making them 0-for-8 already. Yikes. Other than Clarkson’s second which put the Devils in front by a pair, the second was highlighted by a couple of scraps with Devil young gun Mark Fraser wrecking punching bag Aaron Voros and Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond (try saying that 5 times real fast) earning a draw with 6-7 beast Brent Henley who couldn’t maintain his balance.

There was some edge which we like to see especially when these bitter Hudson rivals get together. You had Bryce Salvador high sticking Avery in retaliation for a hit. Fun stuff as the clubs competed with the exception of Rozsival who was by far the most brutal player, also victimized for Clarkson’s first when he mysteriously vacated the front. Even Wade Redden asserted himself.

Trailing by two, the Rangers came back with a strong third getting it tied with goals coming from rookie Matt Gilroy and Jordan Owens. It was the 25 year-old Hobey Baker winner who was already having a splendid game excelling in all facets- getting it started when he took an innocent looking Voros pass and then split the Devil D before looking like a forward going backhand top shelf on a stunned Yann Danis. A goalscorer’s goal to say the least that had the MSG-Plus trio of Doc Emrick, Chico Resch and Joe Micheletti drooling.

All night, Gilroy (#97) jumped into the rush with effectiveness while not looking out of place in his end. He was outstanding and sure deserved the reward. If Mike Del Zotto looked better last night, then tonight was all about the BU product who shined with John Tortorella even giving him a chance in the shootout which he cashed going five-hole. His speed just might make him the fastest Ranger blueliner since Brian Leetch. The young man was flying out there almost ending things as well with another brilliant rush. It looks like the organization might have a keeper.

Del Zotto was alright as well logging a ton of minutes (25:37) while notching a helper on Owens’ equalizer. We really like the 19 year-old’s wheels. He shows some good instincts which explains why the Rangers tabbed him in 2008 first round. Off the early contests, Del Zotto and Gilroy have a leg up on competition which includes Mike Sauer, Corey Potter who played third pair tonight with Henley. Perhaps they’ll give forgotten Bobby Sanguinetti and Ilkka Heikkinen looks before Hell week is over.

Can’t say enough about Pierre Parenteau whose hustle led to Pack teammate Owens’ marker. The AHL lifer impressed again by allowing himself to get thrown into the Devil net by Salvador. With him distracting the Devils, Owens snuck in and buried the loose change. I know the odds are stacked against Parenteau but if he continues to impress while Brian Boyle doesn’t do anything special, why shouldn’t they give him a chance on the fourth line? Isn’t that what camp is for?

Boyle btw who couldn’t clear the puck on Clarkson’s first got better as the game went on playing a lot with Patrick Rismiller who also had a decent game. Boyle used his size well in the third generating some decent pressure while also going 10-for-21 on faceoffs. Not surprisingly, against a more veteran-laden Devil roster that included Zajac and Zubrus, the Rangers lost the battle going 26-for-50 with only Prospal (9-4) establishing himself.

For a second night in a row, Evgeny Grachev impressed showing excellent hands not just getting four on net but making some solid passes including a nifty setup for Enver Lisin late which he couldn’t finish. Better change the number before it curses him. He had to wear 81. Oh joy.

As for Grachev, there’s no doubting the big Russian left wing’s skill as it’s obvious why he excelled in his first and only season in the OHL setting a rookie record. The organization has to be pleased but he’s only 19. So, there’s no sense in rushing him. Some seasoning in Hartford should only help the potential 2008 third round gem get better acclimated. I definitely see him making it back up here for a stint because he uses his size and competes. He sure looks like someone to get excited over.

Also playing again was Matt Maccarone who threw his weight around and displayed his classic George Parros mustache. We like the energy the big boy brings.

Tyler Arnason also played over 15 minutes while finishing plus-one on for Owens’ marker. He had a decent third but got abused in the circle losing nine of 12 draws.

The Rangers get a much needed day off before headed to Detroit Friday and Boston Saturday. Both can be seen as everyone is on MSG. Start time for Friday is 7:30 and Saturday’s a 4 PM matinee.