Stats are boring. You want stats, go see the Rodent. Or check out the official Pack site at http://www.hartfordwolfpack.com/2002/index.asp?content=pressbox_statistics.

Here are some thoughts about the forwards and a bunch of other stuff. Enjoy.

Two years ago it was knee injuries. One year ago it was concussions. This year it is shoulder separations. Is there some sort of incentive program for the trainer here? An ‘Injury of the Year’ club?

Mike Mottau is finally playing defensively responsible hockey. Of course, now he gets hurt and misses games for the first time in over a season.

Doubtless this will now be the time that my pleas for a Mottau trade finally get answered. Continuing the Ranger tradition of taking in lost souls as rehabilitation projects, perhaps we will get Mike Danton from the Devils.

Ironic that our blue line toughs (State, Chebaturkin, Kloucek and Weller) are all injured. Only Dean Arsene remains.

How many offensive dmen does one team need, anyway?

Nice to have Holmqvist back, particularly with that sparkling sub-2 GAA. Johan always does best when he knows he’s the number one. One of two things will eventually happen, though – either he will get called up and Jason will settle in as number one, or the Rangers will get another backup and Jason and Johan will have to fight it out down here.

Either way, don’t expect to see Scott Meyer play any time soon.

Both Hartford and New York have aging, oft-injured captains whose departure had been called for by many *cough*. Both of them are among the best on their teams right now. Kenny Gernander continues to quietly inspire and guide kids into playing their best. Kenny gets a free pass from here on out from me.

Dixon Ward left the team a few games back to return to New York to deal with personal issues with his wife. Since then, he has been in a visibly foul mood on the ice. Even fought some idiot the other night who apparently wasn’t aware of what he was getting into. Result? Dixon is playing the best hockey I have seen this year, and is leading the team in points - even though he has played 6 fewer games. Something to be said for redirected anger.

Garth Murray must be playing injured. In 17 games he has only 37 PIM. He has been very quiet so far this year, not his hard-hitting self that we saw in the playoffs last spring. He’s the kind of guy who would play through an injury, too. Just hope he isn’t doing long term damage by hiding it. Wouldn’t like him to remind me of Holik in any way other than his play.

Damn, damn, damn! about Ryan Hollweg’s possibly career-ending injury. This kid was nuts on the ice, would take on anyone, and would knock them down with sheer force, regardless of his diminutive size. Nice kid, too. Best of luck making it back, Ryan. Rest that brain.

Bobby Andrews looks like your accountant, but he hits. Just don’t expect him to intimidate anyone, as he blinks nearsightedly at his opponent in the face-off circle. It is very odd to watch the kid who got bullied in middle school smashing giant hockey players into the boards, though. Odd, and vaguely alarming.

No word on when Tomas will be back from his ‘mild’ concussion.

Gordie Dwyer, who was our resident red-headed tough guy while Richard Scott was out, has been out nursing an injury as well. Richard is down in Charlotte right now, and is set to return to us on Wednesday. Gordie may be back then as well. With any luck, they will deal with the little Kariya once and for all.

Gordie, Richard, Garrett, Dean, Jeff, John, Garth, Tomas, Craig… no wonder the other teams around the AHL are whining about the big bullies in Hartford this year. Isn’t it great? All we need now is one more big brawl, and we can pass Utah for the most PIM in the league!

Billy Tibbetts finally has company! Congratulations to Pat Aufiero, who just joined Billy in that elite club of ‘Pack Guys Who Are a Minus!’ Pat is -1 and Billy is -4. Billy has 61 PIM and 6 points to go along with that -4, in only 10 games.

Why only 10 games? Because Canada won’t let felons in, you silly!

Nils Ekman just returned from his extended absence due to back spasms. He promptly scored 2 goals and a handful of assists in the three games since his return. Nice, huh?

John Tripp defines the phrase ‘streaky scorer’. John, who was referred to as ‘a house’ by the opposing coach the other night, plants himself in front of the net and knocks the puck home. He has 11 goals and 4 assists so far this year, and a couple of fights to go with that. I know he was in the ECHL when we found him last year, but why hasn’t this guy even gotten a sniff from New York yet?

Garrett Burnett has been the protector of our team this year. When a chicken shit Leaf decided to go after Dixon in one game and Jamie in the next, it was Garrett who hunted him down. The biggest shock of all has been the 3 goals to go along with his 76 PIM in 21 games. Garrett makes me think of Sandy, the way Sandy used to be.

David Inman looks just like Pat Aufiero, only slightly more clueless. However, he gets scratched. Why isn’t he in Charlotte playing instead of sitting around up here?

Layne Ulmer. hrm. Well, he’s annoying to other players (but not that annoying – he only has 4 PIM in 17 games). He has a couple of goals and assists. Layne always seems just about to do something really impressive.

Roman Lyashenko is still around. Just very quiet. I mean, he looks quiet, but then you look at his numbers, and realize he is doing a hell of a lot out there. He’s on a line with Kenny Gernander, and that suits him well. Roman is second on the team right now with 18 points in 21 games. I’ll take that.

Jamie Lundmark seems to have done a pretty good job of keeping his spirits up and not sulking since his return from New York. In 11 games, he has 11 points, and has managed to keep his +/- even, which is a great improvement from last year. How much longer before this kid becomes Manny Malholtra, I wonder?

That’s it for now. Check out the picture below - this is Madeline, watching her very first Rangers game on Thanksgiving. Her main thought? "Thrash THIS, you lazy Rangers!" However, because she is as pathetically hooked as the rest of us (even at only 4 1/2 months) she watched the entire game.

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