Hurricanes 3 Rangers 1
And so there were the Rangers posing for their 2000-2001 team picture prior to yesterday’s home finale morning skate at the Garden.
There were the (gingerly) walking wounded, Mike Richter, Vladimir Malakhov, Tim Taylor, Brad Brown and Tomas Kloucek, suited up in full regalia.
There was PR chief John Rosasco, in skates and wearing No. 14, providing the torso and neck on top of which Theo Fleury’s face will magically appear without a hint of retouching on the final product.
It was very different from the first time this season the Blueshirts had posed for a team photo, that’s for sure. Because on the morning of the Oct. 11 Garden opener, when the Rangers sat for the cameras with the 75th Anniversary Team that would be introduced before that night’s match against Montreal, a sense of optimism was palpable. Everything – eighth place, at least – seemed possible.
By yesterday morning, however, there was only reality in the musty air, the reality of a fourth straight Stanley Cup tournament that will be played without New York in the mix.
“It’s the time of year where you know you’re supposed to be gearing up, but instead you’re shutting down,” a chagrined Dave Checketts told The Post upon leaving the ice surface. “The excitement begins everywhere else, but not here. And it’s a shame, really it is. Four years…
“I understand the empty feeling that our fans must have now. We all have it. It’s no fun for anyone to be in this position. It’s very, very difficult to take.”
As Checketts chatted casually with The Post, Glen Sather walked by, caught the tone and subject matter of the conversation, and issued an unsolicited vow.
“This is the last time,” the GM said, with no elaboration necessary. “The last time.”
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Another game, another defeat, another knee injury: life with the Rangers.
“It’s just unbelievable; to me it’s bizarre,” Ron Low said of the Grade 2 left MCL sprain suffered by Jan Hlavac during the third period of last night’s 3-1 loss to the Hurricanes. “Is it severe? It’s severe enough. It’s really too bad for him.”
Hlavac, who now finishes his sophomore season with 28 goals, will wear a brace during a rehab period of six weeks that will prevent him from representing the Czech Republic in the World Championship Tournament that will commence in three weeks.
Adam Graves, cheered warmly by the mostly subdued audience whenever his image was flashed on the scoreboard screen, would not speculate whether last night’s match would, in fact, become the final home game of his Ranger career.
“As I’ve said before, I don’t know what the future holds,” he said. “But regardless of what the outcome is here, it’s always been a thrill for me to play at the Garden. I have nothing but the greatest feelings in my heart and mind about having had the opportunity to play for the Rangers.”
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Filip Novak, the 18-year-old defenseman whose WHL Regina Pats lost their first-round playoff series but will as the host team nevertheless compete in the Memorial Cup championships, is all but certain to skate, practice and travel with the AHL Wolf Pack until his junior team reassembles on April 23.
“We think it will be very beneficial for him to spend time with the pros,” Sather said of Novak, who had such an impressive training camp after having been the Rangers’ second-round selection in last June’s Entry Draft. “He can’t play because of the rule barring junior players from competing until their teams have been eliminated, but he can do everything else.
“We’ve talked to [agent] Rich Winter about it, and with Regina. We’re just working on the arrangements.”
Novak has not yet signed a contract with the Rangers, but Winter said that poses no obstacle for him to join Hartford. The four-team Memorial Cup Finals (WHL winner, OHL winner, QMJHL winner and the Pats) will commence in Regina on May 19.
“No, a contract is not an issue,” Winter said. “As long as we get Filip covered on liability risk issues, we’re all for it. Skating with professionals, traveling and living that life, will only be a positive experience for him.”
