Jason Labarbera

Looking Familiar:

You can argue with me about a lot of different hockey issues, I am by no means an expert on all aspects of the game. Although I can't call myself an expert in goaltending it is the one thing I believe I do know pretty well. Having faced real NHL shots (never in a real game) and playing with and against some great hockey players I think I know something about the position. I have been watching NHL keepers all my life. Folks, from the opening face-off, Jason was in over his head.

I thought I was watching myself as I saw Labarbera play last night. Great heart, excellent effort but completely overmatched. He was what I used to be....an adrenaline goalie. Oh, it was flowing through his veins like mad last night. While Jason put in an admirable performance I didn't see anything that would allow me to think that Jason can be a number one keeper in the NHL.

Now let's be fair here......being a number one NHL keeper means that you are amongst the top 35 goaltenders in the world, so it's not a crime here that Jason is not on the list. But I want to point out what I saw, or rather didn't see. Labarbera didn't show a wicked fast glove or any real stickhandling ability. He didn't show good position either. Quite the opposite, he was out of position as often as he was in position. He took himself out of the play way too many times. Even on some of his saves he ended up on his ass praying for a whistle. And the rebounds were those of a keeper who was scrambling and fighting the puck. These are all things I did when I faced very high quality players.

Am I saying the goals against were all his fault ? Hardly. But Jason didn't really help the Rangers abysmal defense last night. His play made it tougher on an already suspect defensive group. I know it's been pointed out that he's fourth or fifth on the Rangers depth chart and I don't think anyone looks at Labarbera as a future NY Ranger backstop, but in case you did think that....sorry, not gonna happen. His skating is weak, stickhandling sub par, reaction time slow and he is not a master of whatever style that is that he plays. He's not a stand up, not a butterfly.....more like a mad flopper who'd do anything in his power to try and stop a puck. That's what I was....kinda. But like me, Jason was powerless to stop the Avs.

Before you get the wrong idea, Jason is way better than I ever was, so I'm not suggesting that I could have done better or even the same. But I did see some similarities in our game....and that's not really a good thing for Jason. All the passion, effort and desire can't help much against highly skilled players and the Avs are loaded with 'em. As I was exposed for my weaknesses against big time hockey players, so was Jason last night. Add to that the many different gaffes made by our beloved Rangers and Labarbera had little chance of getting an NHL victory. Too bad......I'm sure a decade from now it would have been great for him to be able to say he started and won an NHL game. A much better game was needed by the rest of the team to have given Jason that chance. Much better.

"Bad Job Reading The Play":

JD and Sam were reviewing the two goals against in-between periods after the first last night. During the replay, JD was breaking down a simple mistake. Leaving a Colorado player wide open as two Rangers slid towards one Av is a bad mistake and it lead to a goal. Mark Messier was the forward back and the closest player to what turned out to be the goal scorer. If you want to blame the defenseman on the play (I'm now unclear as to who that was), go ahead.....but in my eyes that was Messier's man to cover and he barely glanced at him. As JD pointed out.....that's a bad job and there is no excuse for someone with Mark's resume to miss that read. Is that goal or Mark the reason we lost ? No, but it was a big part of it. I'm a huge Messier fan but his play of late is tough to watch without getting upset. You may add several other Ranger players to that.......tough to watch.

I applaud JD for his pointing out the mistake on the play but he fell short of assigning the blame. While I'm hearing more criticism on individual players and the team in general.....it's not like they are killing the team at every chance. It's kinda like watching Fox News....fair and balanced and to be fair, Sam and JD are still very good at what they do. Wait until the games are meaningless, that's when it becomes tough to listen to.

F U Sather:

Was I the only one who wondered if that was Anson Carter's first thought after pumping his fist in celebration of his second period power play goal ? Slats had called him out in the press for his lack of production and I'm wondering if Slats thinks it worked and if Anson thinks he's exonerated himself. Add about 20 more goals like that and maybe Anson, just maybe........but what happened to you the rest of the game....eh ? "Tupac" Carter needs to contribute more often if he wants to avoid Sather's wrath as well as the fans. Hip hop hair aside, it's time to step it up Rapper C.

David Blaine Shows Larry what it's like to get pelted with eggs

Anson is not the only one. If you believe that Sather's comments to the press sparked the Carter goal then get ready to have nearly every player ripped by his coach in public. Of course, that won't happen.....but Slats needs to do something and if public humiliation works, breakout the stockade and I'll bring the rotton tomatoes. Even David Blaine could throw some stuff at these guys. Doesn't get more humiliating than that, eh ?

Classy Move:

Jason Labarbera got the start last night as Jussi the Fin was back home to be witness to the birth of his child (which I believe should be named in honor of Esa, the greatest Fin hockey player ever....well, I loved that guy). In years past, professional athletes were not given the option to go home if it meant missing a game. As a dad myself I can tell you that the birth of a child is a very special, moving event. A child is only born once......it's good to see that as an organization, the Rangers understand this and allowed it even though it put the team in a tough spot. Some things are more important than hockey.

No TV:

Like most of you I have developed quite an interest in the upcoming outdoor game to be held in Edmonton this Saturday. Watching the old Oilers play the old Canadians would be great.....and the regular game would be pretty cool (no pun intended) to see too. I'll miss both as they won't be on regular TV here in the States. What a shame. I hope Bettman and Co. are kicking themselves for not working something out. If they are not....I'd like to kick them.

One More Season, One Last Chance:

Something will need to change if the Rangers hope to get into the post season. I'm all but convinced that Jagr will wear a Ranger jersey at some point this year. I don't think it's the answer....I just think it'll happen. Too many signs point to it. Let's hope whatever happens, Sather does the right thing and makes the best possible deal. While we're at it....let's hope that whatever Sather does, it works and turn this ship around. I'd hate to give up on these guys and really, after all we've been through together here at Hockeybird, wouldn't it be fun to have a little success to read and write about ?

----}- Bird

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