Wouldn’t it be great if this really was the team we would have for the rest of the year? We did win the game tonight, but that doesn’t matter all that much to me right now. Kind of the icing on the cake, I guess. I want to tell you about the last 10 seconds of the game, and how I have managed to find one glimmer of hope in our ugly start to the season.

It started with a scramble around the Pack net, as Jason Labarbera tried to cover the puck in his crease. A River Rat (no kidding, that is what they call them in Albany) slashed at him repeatedly until Jason decided he had had enough, and slashed him back. Infuriated, the Rat dove onto Jason and began throwing as hard as he could. Roman Lyashenko skated over to pull the Rat off of Jason, and succeeded in doing so and falling to the ice tangled up with him in the process. When I looked back, Vlad Chebaturkin was in the process of beating down the Rat. Roche, Alb (double minor cross checking, unsportsmanlike cond), V Chebaturkin, Hfd (roughing), J Labarbera, Hfd(slashing). Win, Vlad and the Pack end up on the power play.

Everyone mills back to the center for the faceoff, but a Rat stays behind to jaw at Labarbera. Finally Jeff State notices this, and circles back to find out if the Rat needs an escort to his own side of the ice. The Rat won’t give up though, so finally Jeff steps firmly between them and disdainfully shoves the Rat in the chest, causing him to tumble backwards. Win, Jeff.

So we are now finally ready to start again, with 6 seconds on the clock. Albany pulls their goalie so that they can have five skaters. At the puck drop, 5 simultaneous fights break out on the ice. McGill has sent out Gordie Dwyer, John Tripp, and Garrett Burnett as forwards, and all three are engaged in honest-to-God fights, gloves and elbow pads off, throwing and taking constantly. Gordie administers a beating to his partner, Tripp works hard on his, and Garrett is busy stripping his of jersey, pads, and now shorts as he takes him to the ice. M Matteucci, Alb (double fighting, major game misconduct), R Skrlac, Alb (major fighting game misconduct), - Bench, Hfd (bench minor), G Burnett, Hfd (major fighting game misconduct), G Dwyer, Hfd (major fighting game misconduct). All wins, and the only reason why Tripp didn't get the penality is because there weren't any refs or linesmen free to break up the fight. Therefore, apparently, it didn't count.

Meanwhile, Tomas Kloucek has his partner up against the glass, and Joel Bouchard is snuggling with his. Tomas gets the win just because his guy kissed the glass, and Joel gets his win just for creeping out his guy with his, umm, hugging. Jason Labarbera looks distressed that he has no one to fight since the other net is empty.

Finally, still with 3 seconds left on the clock, we are wondering whether the guys will get to finish the game. A very safe, quiet line is out for us (seeing as everyone else has been sent to the locker room) and it seems we will finish the game without incident.

Remember Jeff State and the twerp he shoved a while ago? Puck gets dropped and gloves go flying. State, who is 6-6, has the reach of the man I compared him to earlier in the year, Chris Pronger, and after a few little slaps on both sides, Jeff grabs his man and beats him for awhile, then goes for the take down. Win, Jeff. J State, Hfd (major fighting game misconduct), M Rupp, Alb (major fighting game misconduct).

By my score, that’s Pack 8, Albany 0.

I find this encouraging, as this is a team that in the past has fought out of personal dislike for other players, but not in defense of the two players who should get it without second thought – the captain and the goalie. Ironically, it is the most recent addition to the organization, Gordie Dwyer, who has been the staunchest defender of each. A team that sticks up for each other is truly a team, and that would be a big step for us.

Player Update

Gordie Dwyer has three goals and a string of wins. Didn’t take long to win me over as a fan.

Patrick Aufiero has been sent to Charlotte. Damn, liked that one. He was a great college player, but needs to develop some toughness in order to be effective. He’ll get it down there.

John Tripp is again looking like the player I felt was the dark horse to make the Rangers this year. 6 goals in 3 games. And playing with quite a snarl too.

Tomas Kloucek scored again tonight, giving him 2 on the year and a handful of assists. Who’ve have thought? He continues to hit hard and relish doing so. Now if only he wouldn’t panic with the puck in his own zone, he’d be great.

Garth Murray has been a blessing. He had a lengthy fight last night against Philly, and did a great job with it. He hits harder than Tomas.

Jeff State has returned from Charlotte. 6-6, 235, hits and skates well for his size, with a long reach and longer stick to tangle up oncoming opponents. Thank you, thank you, for bringing him back to us.

Ted Donato brings solid, dependable smart play, just like a vet should. Very helpful, now that our captain is getting 4th line ice time.

Rico Fata was called up to New York today. Wonder if we’ll lose him on waivers THIS time?

David Inman is a liability. He needs to go to Charlotte to smarten up, I’m tired of watching his numerous dumb penalties each night.

Speaking of liabilities, Mike Mottau took a shot on our net in the second period. Labarbera made the save.

The goalie situation is starting to shake out for us. With Johan Holmqvist out for a month with a hairline fracture in his hand, Jason Labarbera has stepped up big time. Jason has now played in the last three games, and has done well. McGill wants a clear #1 (in contrast to how its been in Hartford the past 5 years) and I would say Jason has made a good case for it to be him. Scott Meyer will likely back him up, as McGill talks as though Johan is out of the picture permanently with this team.

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