Quite a contrast from the game against the Wings. This time the arena was less than half full. Ranger fans were plenty but were numerous or vocal enough to drown out Thrasher fans. It was back up to the cheaper seats at the top of the arena.
Thrashers started very strong taking the forecheck to The Rangers and controlling. Good effort resulted in the puck in the net but no goal due to quick "yankee" whistle.
The a slew of penalties began. Thrashers played a majority of the first half shorthanded including a couple 5 on 3s. Rangers had one goal disallowed because of high stick but got the lead despite good penalty kill.
The Thrashers were able to get an equalizer but kept drawing penalties. Rangers got another 3 goals including soft shot from the point that Hedberg misplayed.
Down 4-1 the Thrashers spirit was low and you could see it in their play. With less than 30 seconds in 2nd period, it was Kaptain Kovy to the rescue. With a burst down the right, Kovy faked a move to the middle forcing the goalie to move and gaining a stride on the defenseman as he flew behind the net. Before the goalie could recover, Kovy circled the net a stuufed in the back side. The Thrashers suddenly had hope down 4-2.
The Thrashers took the momentum and ran with it. Again they outplayed the Rangers but this time they got results Kovy set up two more goals including a beautiful pass to White for the tying tally. The clock ran out and a loud cheer rang for the great come from behind effort.
OT was pretty disorganized by both sides with few scoring opportunities. The shoot went 10 shootera with a single goal. Hedberg did a great job challenging the NY shooters. Finally Todd White got a puck past Valleque and the Rangers couldn't watch. Sweet victory and bunch of bummed out Ranger fans left wondering if the one point they gave up would be critical in the playoff race.
Kovy was easily my first star although Todd White got the official honor. Hedberg and Exelby were big goats early but at least Hedberg made up for it late. The Rangers looked bad despite early lead and wont last long in the playoffs if they play like that.
Finally i'll share red-neck hockey quote of the night :
"if that guy could hit a puck up here, the Braves would draft him in second"
I couldn't decide if this quote was stupid or arrogant. Probably both.
