I’m sure the Rangers organization was probably looking to draw in more female fans? Perhaps they thought that the ‘article’ was going to be read as funny or sarcastic? But what they failed to realize is that 90% of the females who read Blueshirts United are fans already. Knowledgeable fans. Fans who don’t need to be told to hold our questions until there is a stoppage in play. Fans who do more than just swoon over Lundqvist’s dashingly good looks. Fans who can rattle off the entire roster faster than any one. Fans who know who the Rangers’ biggest rivals are and relish those games.

Rest assured, if my boyfriend or husband showed me this in an attempt to help me “at least understand their obsession, enthusiasm and passion, and help you hold your own during game nights.”, he would’ve gotten a swift kick to the babymaker.

The fact that she kept referring to the game they were watching as ‘football’, was particularly annoying. If it was an attempt to be funny, it wasn’t. I seriously hope her day job is not a comedienne. Or a writer.

The fact that every single one of the guys watching this football game was

wearing a Rangers jersey is a true testament to the loyalty of a Rangers fan. It’s not just a

phase. It’s not just an obsession. It’s a Rangers lifestyle.

If the goal of this ‘article’ was to encourage women to get to learn the sport that their men like, or if they just want to learn the game in general, it may have been better received had it been written from the point of view of someone who knows the game. Take any of the numerous female bloggers and ask them to write a “How to Guide…”. I’m sure you’d get some witty and sarcastic, yet educational posts. Instead, we got this. The ‘article’ made it seem like if you memorize names, don’t speak until spoken to, and ooogle at Lundqvist while browsing the internet for sales and eating fried turkey, then you’ll be a pro at knowing the game of ‘football’.  Add in some gum snapping and hair twirling and you’re all set.

Maybe next time, your guide should include what the power play is (which may be useful for the players too), the rules of icing, how to play a 5-on-3, or any other useful information that you would need for watching ‘football’.

I’m utterly embarrassed and appalled that an ‘article’ like that came across without someone, anyone, seeing that this may not have been the best submission. Even more embarrassed that a female would write something like that.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to put my apron back on and get off the internet and back into the kitchen. The man of the house will return soon, so no more browsing the internet for 70% off shoe sales.

Big props to @fuddlecuddle for emailing me the ‘article’ after it was taken down.

Motherhood is a big adjustment for me, and I could not envision putting the time and effort into hockey games as I once had. So I’ve decided to re-open TMITPB, so I can write when it’s convenient for me, which may not be frequently. But don’t expect posts after every game. Just the ones where I have lots to say and a baby that is sleeping so I can type with both hands on the laptop.

Shocked? I’m not really. I’d be rusty too if I was out of work for 8 months.

So, yes, the Rangers PP was sloppy. Very sloppy. And someone may have very well stole Lundqvist’s sparkles. And Rick Nash may not have gelled right away with his new linemates. And, there were no preseason games to allow players to find their place. Maybe it was the fact that the MSG Graphics team thought there was still a lockout, leaving all viewers scoreboardless for most of the first period?

Granted, I only watched the first two periods (baby bedtime routine falls right in the middle of a game), and sure enough the Rangers PP haters were out in full force.

Don’t expect perfection, you’ll never find it. And thinking that the Rangers, much less their struggling PP, would be perfect the first ‘real’ game back is outlandish.

Honestly, the best part of tonight was Ron Dugay. Not many men can match their sportcoats to their tan exactly.

And with that, I give you some parting words that I saw on my twitter timeline summed up in one large hashtag…

#ZOMFGTEHRANGERSLOSTTRAIDEVERYONETRAIDNASHSOMEONESTOLELUNDQVISTSSPARKLESPERFECTGOALIEISNOTPERFECTBRADRICHARDSLOOKSLIKEARABBITSTILLBOYLERSHUTYERTRAP

Let’s go Rangers

Until now.

Don’t get me wrong.  I still think Richards is a wonderfully handsome guy, and a great skilled player.  But seeing him naked?

Image courtesy of ESPN

My retinas will never be the same.

The offseason brings us unconfirmed trade rumours, lots of mock drafts, free agents galore, and a lull and an eeery quiet on social media.  For some, the offseason is torture, for some, it’s a welcome relief after a long season.

Hockey is one of the longest running seasons, especially for fans and writers (and bloggers).  Hockey usually begins to winds up around mid-August with training camp rumours running in full force and usually winds down mid-June after all the Stanley Cup hoopla dies down.  It’s a long season, to say the least.  I welcome the ‘break’ in the summer, but I do, sometimes, miss watching a game at night.

Without the offseason, I don’t think I’d be as excited for the season to start.  At times, I wish the offseason was comparable to that of the NFL.  But at other times, I’m happy with the 2-3 months of no hockey.

Who am I rooting for?

Well, sometimes in the past I have rooted for the Eastern Conference team. Sometimes I’ve rooted for the Western Conference team.  It usually depends on what teams are in the finals.  This year?

I got the Kings.

I can’t stand the Devils.

There were numerous, and I mean numerous, comparisons between this season and the glorious season of 1994.  While there were some minor similarities between the two, you simply can not compare the team of 1994 with the team of 2011-2012.  While the current Rangers are stocked with some talent, the combination of talent in the 1994 team is just, well, spectacular. I think comparing them to 1994 made the losses that much more hurtful to some fans.  Next season, don’t compare it to any season. Not even this last one.  Take each season for what it is.  Each team evolves, therefore each season evolves with new players and ‘rivalries’.  No one season should ever be compared to another. Too many changing factors.

Comparisons aside, this Rangers team was not only exciting to watch, but also made me want to pull my hair out and jab my eyes out with a rusty fork.  Things like the power play, the inconsistency, and the inability to play a full 60 minutes in some key games all were detrimental to the Rangers at one point or another during the season and the post-season.

In the pre-season, the Rangers brought on Brad Richards (aka ‘The 9 Million Dollar Man aka ‘Brad the Rabbit’) with much anticipation of his ability to score and make a huge difference in the team.  Some say he underproduced based on his hefty salary, some say he played well, some blamed Olivia Munn for his decline in production on the ice.  Either way, he was clutch at key times, and invisible during others.  First-time New York jitters? Who knows.  But hopefully next season he can improve upon his somewhat-lackluster season this year.

Ryan Callahan has worn the C and did it proudly.  He was impressive on the ice, and behind the closed doors as a role model for the players.  He stepped into a big role and handled it with such poise and maturity.

The rookies impressed me the most.  Guys like Stu Bickel, Carl Hagelin, and Chris Kreider proved that rookie jitters don’t affect everyone.  Hagelin far surpassed my low expectations of him.  His skill, knowledge and speed are remarkable.  Bickel has his highs and his lows, but he played well and was able to beat some veterans (Jeff Woywitka and Steve Emminger) out of a 6th d-man spot.

The tenders of goal were a key point to the Rangers season.  Without Henrik Lundqvist playing spectacular, the Rangers would not have had some of the opportunities they  have had this season.  Martin Biron has once again proven that he is not merely a back up goalie.  He’s played well during key games, but has also had some subpar games.

Overall, the Rangers made this season a rollercoaster of emotions, a sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of season.  Let’s do it again next season.

I will be wrapping up my thoughts on the season later today…

Not many.  But I’ve never been one to follow.

So, while we’re moving and internetless, please pardon the silence here.

Let’s Go Rangers!