Giveaways. Giveaways.

That’s the story of the first period as the Rangers gave away the puck a little too much for anyone’s taste. And the 2-0 Flyer lead, on goals by Sami Kapanen and Mike Knuble is the result. Some neat things: Colton Orr took on David Laliberte and the Flyers rookie got a 10 minutes misconduct and an instigator penalty. When will the Flyers learn?

And Henrik Lundqvist made a penalty shot save off Kapanen to the glove side.

But giveaways. If the Rangers cut that down, they should be fine.

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And you want to watch practice, it’s open to the public. Starts at 10 A.M. and ends at 12:45 p.m.

Here’s the official release:

HARTFORD, September 22, 2007: Northland AEG LLC announced today that the Hartford Wolf Pack’s practice this Monday, September 24th at the Hartford Civic Center will be open to the public. Wolf Pack fans will have a chance to observe as new head coach Ken Gernander puts the team through its paces, getting an inside look at how players and coaches prepare themselves for the challenge that is an American Hockey League season.

The practice begins at 10:00 and will last until approximately 12:45. Fans wishing to watch the practice can enter the Civic Center beginning at 9:45 AM. Entry will only be permitted through the Civic Center’s main entrance, adjacent to the box office in The Atrium at Hartford 21. Seating will be restricted to one lower-bowl section. There is no charge to attend.

The Wolf Pack open their 2007-08 AHL season at the Civic Center Saturday, October 6th at 7:00 PM, with a GEICO Connecticut Cup battle vs. the Bridgeport Sound Tigers that has been designated “Everyone’s a Kid Night”. ALL fans can purchase seats for opening night at the kids’ price of $10 each. Throughout the 2007-08 Wolf Pack season, Kids are always $10. Any seat. Any game.

Wolf Pack single-game tickets are on sale at the Hartford Civic Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations, including Filene’s at the Buckland Hills Mall and at the Westfarms Mall. Tickets may also be charged by phone at (860) 525-4500, (203) 744-8100, (203) 624-0033 or (413) 733-2500, and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

Wolf Pack season tickets are also on sale now. For information on all of the Wolf Pack’s ticketing options, including full-season, five, 10 and 20-game packages, coupon books and group discounts, contact the Wolf Pack Ticket Office at (860) 548-2000.

The AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack is newly operated by Northland AEG LLC, a joint partnership between Northland Investment Corporation and AEG Facilities. The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.

So if you want to take a look at the Pack, please stop by.

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With two assists on the night and the first star, Brandon Dubinsky made his case to be on this team when the season starts on October 4.

“Obviously, that’s my ultimate goal to be here,” he said. ”So I’m just trying to go out every night to [show] our management and coaching staff. That’s what I am fighting for.” 

Looking sharp, the rookie won 8 of 13 faceoff won and got coach Tom Renney’s attention. “He’s good; he’s responsible,” Renney said. “He worked both ways and played with confidence. He was very vocal on the bench. I liked him.”

Competiting for the third line center slot is Artem Anisimov, who also looked good on the night skating with Sean Avery and Brendan Shanahan, but Dubinsky was a little better. Only Ryan Callahan, goal and an assist, was comparable to the Alaska native. 

And Dubinsky loved it. “Obviously it was pretty exciting to be in MSG again and I felt like my legs were there. I was just happy to contribute tonight.”

You can read more on the game at NY Sports Day.  

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Blair Betts and Marty Straka scored for the Blueshirts while Dainius Zubrus and Zack Parise scored for Jersey as the Rangers lead 4-2 after 2.

Both netminders look good and the youngsters, like Marc Staal, High Jessiman, Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi all are skating strong.

The key though are the netminders. Tom Renney is looking to keep one, which Valiquette leading the younger Montoya just because they don’t want the former first round pick to waste on the bench. It will be interesting to see what the coach has to say.

Let’s talk after the game.

 

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Power play goals from Dane Byers and Ryan Callahan paced the Rangers to a 2-0 lead.

But more than that was the injuey to Kevin Weekes, who hit his head on the crossbar ad he went down after Sean Avery pushed Johnny Oduya into the former Ranger. After several minutes down on the ice, he was helpped off.

The Byers goal was scored off Weekes and the Callahan tally was off his Jordan Parise, Zack’s brother.

Otherwhise the Rangers look good as they have had a solid attack and Anisimov blends well with Avery and Shanahan.

Also Dan Girardi with 2 assists. Brandon Dubinsky and Marc Staal both with one.

More after 2…. 

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On a Seam Avery interference call, ‘even Weekes was carried off. After The “Grate” One knocked him over.

After several minutes on the ice he was helped off. Jordan Parise is now in goal.

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A new Gardenvision and graphic boards at both goal ends highlight the look at the old girl. Also the John Condon press room got a once over.

And debuting tonight are the new uniforms.. But no Jaromir Jagr, Scott Gomez, Chris Drury or Henrik Lundqvist. Antem Anisimov is centering Brendan Shanahan and Sean Avery.

Al Montoya and Stephen Valiquette are in goal and olf friend Kevin Weekes is in net for Jersey.

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The Rangers Just Announced two more cuts before the preseason starts tomorrow night at the Garden.

The team sent defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti back to junior and forward Tom Pyatt to Hartford.

The Rangers now have 37 players remaining in training camp, including four goaltenders, 13 defensemen and 20 forwards. 

Here’s the list:

Goal: Henrik Lundqvist, Al Montoya, Steve Valiquette, and Miika Wiikman

Defense: Ivan Baranka, Dan Girardi, Andrew Hutchinson, Darius Kasparaitis, David Liffiton, Marek Malik, Paul Mara, Thomas Pock, Michal Rozsival, Michael Sauer, Marc Staal, Jason Strudwick, and Fedor Tyutin

Forwards: Artem Anisimov, Sean Avery, Blair Betts, Dane Byers, Ryan Callahan, Nigel Dawes, Chris Drury, Brandon Dubinsky, Scott Gomez, Ryan Hollweg, Marcel Hossa, Jaromir Jagr, Hugh Jessiman, Lauri Korpikoski, Francis Lessard, Colton Orr, Petr Prucha, Mark Smith, Martin Straka, and Brendan Shanahan

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The Blueshirts will be going to West Point today for two days of team building exercises and then heading back home to play the Devils on Friday night.

These exercises seem like a good thing for the team, since they build unity on the team. Hey, it worked the last two years.

I have a magazine to lay out the next two days, so I will be back on Friday for more. But if something breaks be sure to check back.  

Oh and please leave a comment or two.  

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Dave Liffiton tied it and then a tip in by Hugh Jessiman to give the white a 3-2 win. Jessiman, the former first round pick, is trying to impress this camp. Skating today with Straka and Drury, he looked strong using his body to open up space.

I will have more later, but now I want to beat the traffic to get to the office.

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