As Rodney Dangerfield would say…

I went to a fight — and a hockey game broke out!

That is what it felt like last night.  The time machine went back about 20+ years, when I remember all of those WARS at Islander-Ranger games.  This one took me back.

The Rangers were back to their underhanded, confrontational selves.  Hitting and slashing when the refs were not looking (and dont get me started on those idiots!).  Late and nasty hits.

Oh - by the way - Ryan Hollweg is a cheap shot artist who is really going to get his someday, and I won’t be 1% sorry about it.

Over 160 minutes in penalties, 6 misconducts, and the goalies even fought.  Although Al Montoya looked like the little nerd that was getting bullied at school.  Ricky sure gave him a what’s up!

Oh - by the way - they did play a hockey game…

All of the new Isles contributed in the game.  Ruslan Fedotenko scored on the power play to make the score 1-0.  After four Ranger power plays (thanks to the wonderful officiating) gave the visitors a 4-1 win, and the crowd expecting a Ranger triumph, Mike Comrie and Bill Guerin scored nearly a minute apart late in the second frame, with the Captain’s crossing the line with 4.4 seconds remaining.

Half way through the 3rd period, Josef Vasicek did something we have not seen much of from this team.  Vasicek, the former Hurricane came down the slot like a category 4, and moved around the Ranger defense, getting the puck by the replacement Ranger netminder, to even the score at 4.

In Overtime, Brendan Shanahan, went into crybaby mode.  He did not like the way that Freddy Meyer was moving around him and proceeded to get a penalty called on him.  Shanahan, turning to a total ‘cry baby’, proceeded to slap around Freddy Meyer like he was complaining that he did not get the proverbial cookie from the cookie jar.  Meyer was called for roughing, but Shanahan got a second minor, giving the Isles the power play.  Mike Comrie stuffed in his second goal of the game, giving the Isles the victory.

While I am not the stuanchest supporter of fighting, this game was a little entertaining to say the least.  I wonder what it will be like on Friday, when the teams meet again at MSG.  Should be fun!

The Isles record is now 2-1-2-0, and head up to Lowell, Mass to take on the Devils.  Then, Friday at MSG, Saturday in a home game against the Devils, at Bridgeport, and a game against Boston on Sunday to close the preseason.

BTW - Bryan Berard, in my opinion, has played his way onto this team.  He had 3 helpers last night, and seemed to be in full season mode.  With the one exception of skating on the puck, he was great!

I also think I am starting the Joe Vasicek appreciation society, (knowing that i am making a young lady in North Carolina very happy!)

Have a great day!