Just wondering, but will the insufferable pair of Don Koharski and Mike Hasenfratz be fined a suitable amount for their laughably inept work in Washington on Friday night? And if not, why not?
Ron Low’s post-game assertion that the league would overturn Igor Ulanov’s match penalty for having punched Chris Simon in the face following a pair of uncalled spears by the Washington winger, was proven correct. Though a match penalty calls for an automatic hearing before VP Colin Campbell, the Rangers yesterday were notified that – for better or worse – Ulanov would face no such review.
As well, the Rangers were notified that Dave Karpa, who was tagged at the 20:00 mark of the third period with an abuse-of-officials misconduct penalty that generally invites a suspension, will also escape further review.
Now, after completing its review of the officials and making public the findings of gross incompetence, perhaps the league might want to do something about the Ranger defense before this afternoon’s 5 p.m. Garden match against the Mighty Bad Ducks.
Because while there’s no doubt that the officiating in some manner contributed to the Rangers’ on Friday – honestly, 16:17 of power play for the Caps, who initiated every bit as much of the chippy stuff as did the Blueshirts? – the 6-2 defeat was a long time coming.
The 8-0-0-1 ride was great fun while it lasted, no doubt about it, even greater in light of the four seasons that preceded it. But it was evident to anyone with hockey sense that the team was flirting with danger throughout the run, saved quite literally by the goaltending of Mike Richter and Dan Blackburn, who faced an average of 36 shots per during the last seven games of the streak. On Friday, Blackburn faced 51 shots – 27 in the second period alone.
And, yes, the numbers have been indicative of the play within the Ranger zone. These haven’t been shots from the perimeter. The Rangers have been all over the place in their own end – notably the defense that until Friday had been receiving excellent support from back-checking forwards.
The Brian Leetch-Vladimir Malakhov pair has been outstanding, but beyond that twosome, there’s been nothing but trouble. Somehow, the Ulanov-Bryan Berard pair has remained intact despite some absolutely astonishingly undisciplined play. If Tomas Kloucek, who is expected to be available following a two-game absence caused by back spasms, can play tonight, it’s time for him to skate with Berard, or maybe even with Darren Van Impe. A game or two off wouldn’t hurt either Ulanov or Berard.
It’s also time for the Rangers to take a look at bringing Sylvain Lefebvre up from Hartford to steady a third pair with either Karpa or Dale Purinton. Lefebvre is an emotional flat-line – which disturbs Glen Sather to no end – but the fact is that he registered a plus-3 last season, the only full-time defenseman to escape a minus rating.
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Radek Dvorak, who twisted his right knee in a rut on Friday, is doubtful for tonight.
