I watched a ton of Hockey last night. I decided to tune in for the third as the Avs were at Nassau and of course, we'll see them today at 5pm. While the Islanders took a 3-0 lead they were lucky to hold off Colorado in the final minutes for a 5-4 win.

While I hope they're tired.....what I saw was a club that had no quit in 'em. The Rangers should Av their hands full. The Rodent explains that he hopes the Rangers can hold on until the third where their fresh legs should help....amongst many other Rodent thoughts.

Newsday - "The whole season's a litmus test for this organization and for this team," Renney said of the Rangers, who haven't made the playoffs since 1997.

Daily News - Whether the Colorado Avalanche emerged from the lockout in the same class it was going into it - among the NHL's unquestioned elite - is now an open question.

Larry Brooks spits out a few lines on Prucha.....there's a nice picture too.

The Journal News talks about the line tinkering but there's really not much there....move along. Well, at least they had something....unlike the NY Times who printed nothing on the Rangers.

Last but not least.....the Wolf*Pack beat up on the baby Isles 6-2. Pöck was 1st star with a goal and 3 assists. The Pack recorded 55 shots on goal....um, damn that's a lot, eh?

Bridgeport was missing like half their team so there's no need to get too excited. The Tigers, already minus captain Kevin Colley and injured Joel Bouchard, Paul Flache, Jody Robinson, Justin Papineau, Allan Rourke and Chris Madden, called up four ECHL players: Mark Lee and Chris Thompson from Trenton and Jeff State and Doug Christiansen from Reading.

They also played without sticks I hear.

OK, I made that last part up.

NHL Stuff:

Bert scored two in a 5-4 OT loss to the Oil.

Larry Brooks points out that the NHL is still playing with the numbers. He also prints a sort of retraction in regards to the Brian Burke-Todd Bertuzzi thing. I'm guessing it's part of a deal worked out between the two parties as there had been some legal rumblings between Brooks and Burke.

Slam has an NHL news filled article and included is this bit.....

Ten Hockey Terms That Sound Dirty, But Aren't:

1. One-timer

2. Stick measurement

3. Butt-ending

4. Five-hole

5. Zhitnik

6. Pulled groin

7. Pronger

8. Third man in

9. Slot

10. Puck

Funny stuff dude, funny stuff.

TGO and Mario out:

Mario Lemieux continues to miss games as a result of a heartbeat issue. I may not be his biggest fan but I do wish him good health.

As to Wayne, he's left his coaching duties to help his mom who's is dealing with cancer. I know a little about this as I lost my mom to cancer back in '93. While I still wish there was something, anything I could have done....just being there for my mom was the right thing to do. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Gretzky family.

We'll see you after today's game.

----}- Bird

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