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Sharks take bite out of Rangers thumbnail

Sharks take bite out of Rangers

October 19, 2009   ·     ·   Jump to comments

The Sharks took the bite out of the Rangers literally, scoring seven of the last eight in a 7-3 rout on Versus at a quiet MSG more preoccupied with the Yankees and Joe Girardi’s clueless managing that got the Angels back in the ALCS.

We were in our usual 411 seats wearing a Jed Ortmeyer Ranger jersey and he didn’t disappoint, scoring a go-ahead tally in a dominant second that saw the Sharks outscore the home club 3-zip. Somehow, a night that began well with goals off the sticks of Chris Drury and Michael Del Zotto 1:17 apart, went awry. We’d warned that they were getting into poor work habits but got by the past three games thanks to Henrik Lundqvist, who wasn’t there to bail out teammates with instead Steve Valiquette getting the call.

As well as they played in Vally’s first game (3-0 shutout vs Ana) was how bad they were in this one. This beating was a long time coming and probably for the best. Especially with the Devils next. Gone is the seven-game win streak along with Marian Gaborik’s perfect start as he, Vinny Prospal and Brandon Dubinsky were blanketed. Finally, someone hit back and embarrassed our team in the process. Better now than later because you know John Tortorella will work them extra hard the next couple of days before Thursday.

Admittedly, I was locked in on the Yankee debacle too, finally headed downstairs to watch as the Sharks mounted their comeback after Brad Staubitz got it started thanks to a brutal turnover from Donald Brashear, who lazily gave the puck away right to Jody Shelley setting up the first San Jose tally. A clunker from above the left circle which Valiquette should’ve had. Yep. He struggled mightily permitting five on 18 shots. It just wasn’t their night summing up an ugly New York sports day following the Giants and Jets Sunday disgraces.

By the time I made my way down, the Sharks were on the power play and I knew it’d be tied. As I got to the TV, there was Dany Heatley celebrating the tying goal that came with under two minutes left in the first, probably taking the sting out of the Rangers.

I didn’t catch much of the San Jose onslaught but on the other TV kept seeing Sharks celebrate which usually isn’t a good sign. Following Ortmeyer putting them ahead with his second of the season, Devin Setoguchi put away two goals from in front, making it 5-2. When you see their players winning all the battles and getting garbage goals, it doesn’t say much for your team’s effort. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out what happened. Somewhere, the Ranger game got lost after a nice start off a Drury redirect and another Del Zotto PPG.

While the club unraveled, I watched a different kind of meltdown thanks to some of the dumbest managing in a meaningful October game. If the Yanks go on and win this thing, let’s just say it will be inspite of Girardi, who made some of the most clueless decisions that cost his team dearly. Between not taking Pettite out and changing the fat pitch which Guerrero knocked into next week and starting Hughes a third inning only to cap it off by taking out Robertson after he retired the first two for weak link Aceves, I couldn’t believe it. The Yankees are lucky to even be up 2-1 with this genius keeping Damon in a couple of nights earlier before A-Rod bailed him out. They better win tomorrow cause I don’t trust Burnett.

Once that debacle ended, I walked back up to bs with a Ranger buddy about the lost night. One which many fans didn’t care for because they were also keeping a close eye on the Yanks. Who can blame ‘em? October hockey means very little. We’ve been fortunate to get out to a nice start. This team will score goals and finish on the PP. So, I’m not overly concerned about tonight because that happens in this league.

No surprise that Lundqvist replaced Vally to sarcastic cheers. They had some nice attack time early but couldn’t finish with eventually Dan Girardi getting caught at the blueline, leading to Long Island product Ryan Vesce stuffing home a Heatley rebound for 6-2, ending any realistic hope at a comeback. Though Enver Lisin scored late from Sean Avery and Matt Gilroy, it was just window dressing with fittingly Patrick Marleau (1-2-3) concluding the scoring less than a minute later to groans from those that were still left. Many had already flocked after the sixth goal.

In garbage time, we found a classic pucker donning The Whale jersey. On the back was Scott Daniels. No joke!

In garbage time, we found a classic pucker donning The Whale jersey. On the back was Scott Daniels. No joke!

Yep. The place was dead most of the night and definitely wasn’t a sellout. But I’m sure Dolan will list it as anyway because he’s in complete denial. It’s a pretty sad state of affairs when they’re whoreing tix for every Ranger home game. You raised the tickets dummy despite no first round win. And in a bad economy where the cheapest seats cost in upwards of 40 bucks, he gets what he deserves.

The Rangers hadn’t played well the previous three but got by. Apparently, Tort’s warning wasn’t enough. So, they got what they deserved too. A royal ass kicking.

Notes: In relief, Lundqvist stopped 10 of 12 shots. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Evgeni Nabokov was sharp, making 26 saves. … Rangers extended their power play streak to seven thanks to Del Zotto, who rebounded home an Ales Kotalik shot. In nine games, DZ’s 4-5-9 with 3 PPG and seven power play points. He’ll stick with the club playing Game 10 Thursday versus the close Hudson rival. … Marleau, Heatley (1-1-2) and Setoguchi (2-1-3) combined for four of San Jose’s seven markers and eight total points. … Joe Thornton had a primary helper on Setoguchi’s winner. … Twelve different Sharks got on the score sheet including rookie defenseman Jason Demers, who had his first career two-point game with a pair of assists. … A real negative in the loss was the play of Brashear and Brian Boyle, who each were saddled with minus-three ratings along with Kotalik and Wade Redden. … Somehow Avery (2 A) was plus-two. … Not surprisingly, San Jose won all the key battles outhitting the Rangers 33-22 (Ortmeyer-5, Callahan-5), blocking six more shots (R. Blake-5, Huskins-4, Dubinsky-2) and dominating on faceoffs 33-20 (S. Nichol 8-2, Thornton 9-6, Drury 8-9).

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Jed Ortmeyer, (2nd goal, SOG, game high five hits, takeaway, +1 in 20 shifts-13:15)

2nd Star-Ryan Vesce,  (2nd goal, 4 SOG, 4 hits, 4-3 draws in 17:56)

1st Star-Marleau/Heatley/Setoguchi, (4 goals, 8 Pts, 9 SOG, +4 rating)

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  1. Sharks take bite out of Rangers | News|Blog|Video | NEWS.BOOKCOST.NET on October 20th, 2009 3:37 am

    [...] The Sharks took the punch out of the Rangers literally, scoring 7 of the final 8 in the 7-3 subjection upon Versus during the still MSG some-more rapt with the Yankees as well as Joe Girardi’s clueless handling which got the Angels behind in the ALCS. We were in the common 411 seats wearing the Jed Ortmeyer Ranger jerse … Blog Source [...]

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