Marek Malik is in. Paul Mara is out and Steve Valiquette is in goal.

Tom Renney said Valiquette plays for scheduling purposes, and Henrik Lundqvist will be in Jersey and Montreal.

But tonight the Rangers play the Flyers in a game that hopefully gets the competitive juices flowing as time is ticking away.

“Anything can help,” Renney said. “I would like to think it doesn’t matter, but these are four point games and Philadelphia is playing very well and we have to have the passion to play”

For the lines, Renney is changing the lines once again with Marty Straka moving back with Scott Gomez and Jarmomir Jagr. Sean Avery goes back with his buddy Brendan Shanahan with Brandon Dubinsky centering and Chris Drury will center Nigel Dawes and Petr Prucha.

That’s all for now.

And for some Giants news check out NYGMen.com, which I am running for the week.  

 

Posted under Blog

I haven’t gotten these for the past few weeks:

The Wolf Pack went into the AHL’s All-Star break on a high, sweeping three games last week and allowing a total of only one goal in the process. After not managing to shut out any opponents in their first 44 games, the Pack posted two zeros in a span of three contests, blanking Albany on the road, 1-0, on Wednesday night and downing league-leading Providence by a score of 3-0 at the XL Center on Saturday.  That was the Wolf Pack’s first triumph in five tries this year vs. the P-Bruins (1-2-1-1), and sandwiched in between those two shutouts was a 3-1 home victory over Worcester on Friday that upped the Pack’s record against the Sharks this season to 6-0-0-0.  Miika Wiikman was in goal for all three of the week’s games and stopped a total of 92 out of 93 shots.  The two shutouts were the first of his North American pro career.  The duo of Ryan Callahan and Dane Byers paced the offense with 2-2-4 each.
This week:
After the conclusion of the All-Star Break, the Wolf Pack continue a season-high five-game homestand this week with games at the XL Center vs. Springfield this Friday, February 1^st, and against Bridgeport this Saturday, February 2^nd.  Both contests face off at 7:00.  Friday is a Guida’s Family Value Night, and Saturday evening’s GEICO Connecticut Cup game features the Wolf Pack’s annual “Scout Sleepover”.

Tonight, Monday, January 28^th – The AHL All-Star Game at the 2008 AHL All-Star Classic, presented by Reebok, at the Broome County Arena in

Binghamton, NY

The world’s best young hockey players and the NHL stars of the future light up the Broome County Arena in Binghamton tonight, in the 2008 AHL All-Star Game.  Faceoff is 7:00 PM.  The 2008 AHL All-Star Classic, presented by Reebok, began last night with the CCM AHL All-Star Skills Competition, won by the Planet USA team over the Canadian squad, 15-9.  Forward Greg Moore, who is representing the Wolf Pack at the All-Star Classic, went 3/5 for Planet USA last night in the CCM U+ Stick Rapid Fire event and was 0/1 in the Toyota Breakaway Relay event.  Tonight’s All-Star Game will be shown live in Connecticut on NESN, and NESN will replay it to all its customers at 10:30 PM.  The game can also be seen live on Cox Cable and Charter Cable systems in New England, and Comcast SportsNet New England will show the game on delayed broadcast tomorrow, Tuesday, January 19^th, starting at 12 noon.  A Broadband video webcast of the All-Star Game is available, at no charge, through B2 Networks at www.theahl.com, and the All-Star Game will also be carried live on the NHL Center Ice package.  An audio cybercast of the All-Star Game can also be heard at www.thahl.com.

 

Friday, February 1^st vs. Springfield at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.
·         Friday nights are Guida’s Family Value Nights at the XL Center.  Family Value Night packages are available that include tickets, hot dogs or pizza slices, sodas and a Wolf Pack souvenir.  Packages start as low as $39 per family.  To purchase a Family Value Night package, call the Wolf Pack ticket office at (860) 548-2000, or go on-line to Ticketmaster.com and use the promo code: TFAM.
·         This game features a special appearance by Dora the Explorer.
·         The Falcons are winless in four games (0-1-1-2) since a 3-1 home victory over the Wolf Pack January 18^th.  The fourth-place Falcons (20-18-4-5, 49 pts.) trail the third-place Pack by 13 points in the Atlantic Division.
·         Planet USA All-Star Rob Schremp leads the Springfield club in points and assists, with 11-32-43 in 45 games.  His 32 assists tie him for fifth in the AHL in that department.
·         The Wolf Pack are 3-1-0-0 in the season series vs. the Falcons and have won both previous games between the two teams in Hartford.
·         Radio – live with Bob Crawford on ESPN Radio 1410, and on the web at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com, or watch on B2 Networks!  Go to www.harfordwolfpack.com for details.
 

Saturday, February 2^nd vs. Bridgeport at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.
·         This game features the Wolf Pack’s annual “Scout Sleepover”.  Scouts from throughout the area will be camping out in the XL Center’s Exhibition Hall after the game, and enjoying all kinds of scout jamboree-type fun.  To order Scout Night tickets and register your scouts for the sleepover, call the Wolf Pack ticket office at (860) 548-2000.
·         After dominating the GEICO Connecticut Cup series with the Sound Tigers last season, to the tune of a 9-1-0-0 record, the Wolf Pack are just 1-2-0-1 in the first four games of this year’s matchup.
·         Bridgeport’s Jeff Tambellini, a Canadian AHL All-Star, leads the AHL in goals with 26 and sits fourth overall in points, with 53 in 41 games.
·         The Sound Tigers are currently seven points out of a playoff spot in the East Division, with a record of 23-22-1-0 for 47 points.
·         This night is also Channel 3 Kids Camp Night.  Fans can purchase $23 Red-level seats for only $18 apiece.  For every discounted ticket purchased using the promotional code “kidscamp”, $4.00 will be donated to the Channel 3 Kids Camp, which provides educational, fun filled experiences for more than 4,000 children 6-16 years of age.  The program welcomes boys and girls from all walks of life, but primarily those who typically do not have financial abilities to experience the joys and value of a high quality program.  To purchase the discounted tickets, go to www.hartfordwolfpack.com, click on “Buy Tickets Now” at the bottom of the page and select the February 2^nd home game on the Wolf Pack schedule.  Chose “promotions and special offers” on the purchase page and select the $23 Red-level seats.  Type in the promotional code “kidscamp” in the space provided for the discount.
·         Radio – live with Bob Crawford on ESPN Radio 1410, and on the web at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com, or watch on B2 Networks!  Go to www.harfordwolfpack.com for details.
 

Sunday, February 3^rd  – Wolf Pack “Kids’ Club Day” at the XL Center, 9:00 a.m.

This special day, for members of the Wolf Pack’s Kids’ Club, presented by Click-It-or-Ticket, features an open, narrated Wolf Pack practice, a chance to meet the Wolf Pack players for pictures and autographs, face-painting, raffles, pictures with Sonar, and more.  Plus, all Kids’ Club members will receive great gifts, including a special set of Wolf Pack trading cards.  Doors open at the XL Center at 9:00 AM, and the practice starts at 10:30.  The Wolf Pack Kids’ Club is open to kids of all ages, and membership is free.  New members can sign up at Kids’ Club Day, or you can call the Wolf Pack office at (860) 246-7825 or join on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  
 

Recent Transactions:
Jordan Owens – returned on loan by the Wolf Pack to Charlotte (ECHL) January 21^st, and recalled by the
Wolf Pack January 24^th.
Practice:
All Wolf Pack practices are open to the media at the XL Center or Champions Skating Center in Cromwell.  As schedules are subject to last-minute changes, please call the public relations department at (860) 246-7825 before attending a practice.
Tue., January 29            No Practice – All-Star Break
Wed., January 30           11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Champions Skating Center
Thurs., January 31         11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, XL Center
Fri., February 1              10:00 – 10:30 AM, XL Center (Game vs. Springfield)
Sat., February 2             Game vs. Bridgeport
Sun., February 3            Wolf Pack Kids’ Club Day, XL Center (10:30 AM practice)
Mon., February 4           11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, XL Center
 

Pack Tracks:
This next edition of Wolf Pack Confidential, the Wolf Pack’s Tuesday-night talk show, is coming up next Tuesday, February 5^th, with Greg Moore and Jake Taylor as scheduled guests.  The show originates live from the M&M Restaurant at the Hilton Hartford, located at 315 Trumbull St. in downtown Hartford, from 7:00-8:00 PM.  Fans are welcome to be on hand at M&M for an exclusive opportunity to ask questions and speak one-on-one with the guests.  Wolf Pack Confidential can be heard live on the radio home of the Wolf Pack, ESPN Radio 1410.

 

This Wednesday, January 30^th, Wolf Pack players Michael Sauer, Jordan Owens and Mike Ouellette will be visiting Sage Park Middle School, 25 Sage Park Rd. in Windsor, CT (860-687-2030), from 2:30 – 4:00 PM.  The players will be speaking to students about how they became professional athletes, and about the importance of good behavior and reading.  Also on Wednesday, Pack players Artem Anisimov and Miika Wiikman will be attending a practice of the Connecticut Clippers Squirt Minor team at Champions Skating Center, 6 Progress Drive in Cromwell, CT (860-632-0323), from 5:30 – 6:30 PM.  The Wolf Pack players will be talking with the youth hockey players about their own youth hockey experiences, and helping with the practice.
 

This Saturday, February, 2^nd, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sonar, the Wolf Pack’s lovable mascot, will be appearing at the Big-Y “Yeah Baby” Expo at the Connecticut Expo Center, 265 Reverend Moody Overpass in Hartford.  Sonar, along with members of the Pack Attack promotions team and the Wolf Pack Cheer Squad, will be meeting and greeting fans, signing autographs and handing out Wolf Pack promotional items.
 

Girl Scout Night with the Hartford Wolf Pack is coming up Saturday, February 16^th at the XL Center, as the Pack host the Providence Bruins in a 7:00 game.  The event includes discounted tickets, a unique Girl Scout patch, a Wolf Pack T-shirt, a post-game surprise, and much more.  For more information, contact Wolf Pack account executive John Suchenski at (860) 246-7825 ext. 450 or jsuchenski@hartfordciviccenter.com, or
Andrea Gargano with Girl Scouts at (860) 522-0163, ext. 250.
 

Monday, February 18^th is the date for the Wolf Pack’s annual “Tip a Player” Dinner and Sports Carnival, which benefits Gaylord Hospital.  The event takes place on the floor of the XL Center and features dinner served by the Wolf Pack players, great food provided by area restaurants, raffles, zamboni pictures, tours of the Wolf Pack locker room, sports competitions, pictures and autographs with the players, a silent auction, and more.  For more information and to purchase tickets, call the Wolf Pack office at (860) 246-7825, or go on-line to www.hartfordwolfpack.com.
 

The Wolf Pack have moved their home game vs. the Providence Bruins that had been scheduled for Friday, February 22^nd to the night before, Thursday, February 21^st.  Faceoff time remains 7:00.  The change was made to accommodate a concert by the Spice Girls, who will appear at the XL Center on February 22^nd.  Tickets already purchased bearing the game date February 22^nd will be honored on February 21^st, and fans holding tickets dated February 22^nd who cannot attend on February 21^st can exchange those tickets, at the point of purchase, for tickets to any future 2007-08 Wolf Pack home game.  Also, despite the fact that the game is being rescheduled from a Friday night to a Thursday night, February 21^st will still be a Guida’s Family Value Night.  Family Value Night packages are available that include tickets, hot dogs or pizza slices, sodas and a Wolf Pack souvenir.  Packages start as low as $39 per family.  To purchase a Family Value Night package, call the Wolf Pack ticket office at (860) 548-2000, or go on-line to Ticketmaster.com and use the promo code: TFAM.
 

The Wolf Pack are offering a new “Saturday Six-Pack” ticket package.  Fans can select any six of the Wolf Pack’s remaining Saturday-night dates, and purchasers of the Saturday Six Pack will receive a free Wolf Pack T-shirt.  Saturday Six-Pack prices start at just $96 for adults (and $60 for fans 16 years old or younger) in the Blue Seats.  For details, call the Wolf Pack ticket office at (860) 548-2000.

96.5 TIC’s Acoustic Café Volume 7, the proceeds from which benefit the Hartford Wolf Pack Community Foundation, is on sale now at the Wolf Pack store at Hartford 21, Strawberries and FYE stores and on-line at www.965tic.com.  Acoustic Café Volume 7 features exclusive performances by Daughtry, KT Tunstall, Lifehouse, Avril Lavigne, Mat Kearney, Bowling for Soup, The Fray, Collective Soul and Mandy Moore.  The CD costs only $9.65, and each CD also includes a voucher redeemable for a free ticket to a Wednesday or Sunday Wolf Pack home game.

Individual tickets for Wolf Pack games are on sale now at the XL Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations including Macy’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 or online at www.Ticketmaster.com.  Season tickets, five, 10 and 20 game packages and group tickets are also available.  Contact 860-548-2000 for more details.
 

 

 

Posted under Blog

Ok, after John Dellapina’s and Jay Greenberg’s revelations of why Marek Malik was sent home yesterday, it’s clear that the much maligned defenseman must move on.

First, the obvious: Tom Renney deserves better. He has been one of Malik’s biggest defensers and to snub him in front of the whole team is just inexcusable. Renney is trying to win games and frankly, scratching Malik over the past month was justified.

Secondly, Malik’s attitude has become a me-first type of player. Besides the well documented blowups, after a Ranger win a few weeks ago, the defenseman came out just a few minutes after the game to dispute a +/- call on him. Malik felt he was on the ice for one of the Ranger goals and should be rewarded. That type of pettiness is not championship material.

The Rangers are playing very hard to turn this season around and Malik is making it very clear he doesn’t want to be part of it. It’s time to cut bait. If Glen Sather can’t trade him over the break, then waiving him, with a trip to Hartford may be a good attitude adjustment.

Posted under Blog

In case you haven’t heard, Brian Leetch announced Adam Graves number will be retired next by the Rangers with his No.9 hanging from the rafters along with Leetch, Messier and Richter.

It took Graves totally by surprise. “To have the privilege of having this opportunity,” Graves said. ”I had the good fortune of having known Rod. I look at Brian, Mike and Mark. I was the one guy who depended on them more than they depended [on each other]. I just feel humbled by that.”

The ceremony will come sometime next season and the Rangers said Graves will be the last member of the 1994 team to have his number retired.  

Posted under Blog

Ok, Johnny Two -Times might like today if he’s a Ranger fan, because there’s a lot of news, yet some are must reads like:

1. John Dellapina’a take on Brian Leetch, the Greatest Ranger and he interviews former Blueshirts.
2. Larry Brooks sits down with Jaromir Jagr and discusses his future in New York.
3. There’s a new issue of the Blueshirt Bulletin out, go and subscribe.
4. There’s a new issue of NYS out, subscribe as well.
5. And this guy’s take on Brian Leetch.

Posted under Blog

I did a full report on NY Sports Day, but just some musings:

• Unlike Mark Messier a few years ago, Leetch’s pre-retirement gathering was much more subdued, like the way he played.
• Leetch was very forthcoming about still being hurt when he was traded almost four years ago.
• All the Rangers agreed he may have been the most important player from the 1994 team.
• When asked Leetch didn’t want to give a Super Bowl prediction, but Messier said 24-21, yet he would not guarantee that.
• Tonight, don’t expect a 75 minute ceremony, although the Rangers have 98 minutes, but that also includes pregame warmups and getting the ice ready.
• Tie Domi was at the event last night as well, which was a welcome surprise.

Posted under Blog

I wasn’t at practice today, but reports out of Greenburgh say Marek Malik’s equipment was not in his locker.

When asked, Tom Renney stated it was an “internal matter” and as of right now, he’s still a Ranger.

Ok, but that doesn’t mean Malik will be a Ranger later today or after the All-Star break. The much maligned defenseman has been rumored in trade talks and may be moved, if someone will take his $2.5 million salary which expires at the end of the year.

More on this as it comes in.

In other news, Ilya Kovalchuk won’t be at the game either due to a one game suspension for his boarding hit on Michal Rozsival on Tuesday.

Oh, and there’s the matter of No. 2 going to the rafters as well. The ceremony starts at 6:30 and the game will begin at 8:08 with the Rangers fined if it’s late.

Posted under Blog

Some All-Star News:

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Alex Goligoski and Norfolk Admirals forward Justin Keller have been added to the rosters for the 2008 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Reebok, to take place this Sunday and Monday in Binghamton, N.Y.  

The AHL also announced that Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Jeff Taffe (Pittsburgh), Norfolk’s Kyle Wanvig (Tampa Bay), Syracuse’s Derick Brassard (Columbus), Hartford’s Nigel Dawes (N.Y. Rangers) and Toronto’s Anton Stralman (Toronto) will all miss the event due to recall to their respective National Hockey League affiliates, and Philadelphia’s Jared Ross will miss the event due to injury.

Goligoski, a 22-year-old rookie from Grand Rapids, Minn., will join the PlanetUSA AHL All-Star team. In 38 games for the Penguins this season, Goligoski has recorded six goals and eight assists for 14 points along with a plus-4 rating. Pittsburgh’s second-round pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Goligoski played three seasons at the University of Minnesota and was an NCAA West First Team All-American and a WCHA First Team All-Star in 2006-07.

Keller, 21, is in his second professional season after being drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004. He has compiled nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points in 39 games for Norfolk and is tied for the team lead with seven power-play goals. He led the Western Hockey League with 51 goals in 2005-06, and scored the winning goal in the Memorial Cup Final for Kelowna in 2004. A native of Nelson, B.C., Keller will play for the Canadian AHL All-Star team.

The 2008 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Reebok will feature the top young talent in the American Hockey League competing in the 2008 CCM AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday, January 27 (7:00 ET), and the 2008 AHL All-Star Game on Monday, January 28 (7:00 ET). The event will be televised live on Rogers Sportsnet in Canada and on a network of regional broadcast partners in the United States. It will also be offered at no charge on B2 Networks’ broadband video webcast at theahl.com.

Of the 427 players to take part in the AHL All-Star Classic since 1995, more than 93 percent have competed in the National Hockey League, including Patrice Bergeron, Brad Boyes, Daniel Briere, Zdeno Chara, Jonathan Cheechoo, Pavol Demitra, Rick DiPietro, Patrik Elias, Ray Emery, Jiri Hudler, Miikka Kiprusoff, Kari Lehtonen, Ryan Miller, Martin St. Louis, Jason Spezza, Eric Staal and Steve Sullivan.  

 

Posted under Blog

After doing the editor thingy out in Vegas for the past week and other fun stuff, I’m back now and the Rangers have a game against the Bruins starting in a few.

The Rangers lost yesterday 4-3 in Boston on a shootout on a very sloppy game and today they need to cut down on the miscues in order to get the two points.

On a side note, yesterday and today 12 of the Ranger dads are at the game supporting their sons and I am sure you will see them on NBC as they start their broadcast.

No word on starting netminders and such, but I am sure to get them in a bit.

And don’t ask how I did in Vegas, it wasn’t very good.

Posted under Blog