This game had it all.  A hat trick. Saves. Blocked shots. A geek fight. And a boy named Dougie.

Thing #1 – A hat trick for Marion Gaborik

Gaborik was salty last night and gathered up his first hat trick of the season.  He’s partnered with Rick Nash and Brad Richards on the Rangers’ first line.  With that combination  I’m thinking that there are going to plenty more of these to come.

Especially impressive was the hand/eye coordination on his OT winner.

Not impressive was my failure to put him in my fantasy hockey line up last night.

Thing #2 – Tuukka Time

Two Us. Two Ks. All saves.  Tuukka Rask played an exceptional game last night, thwarting a number of Rangers’ chances that looked like sure things.

Like this one. And this one.

But especially this one…

Thing #3 – Block It Like It’s Hot

The New York Rangers blocked 5,157 shots. Okay so maybe wasn’t nearly that many, but this aspect of the game is something the Rangers defensemen (and the forwards, to some extent) have on LOCK. They are not afraid to sacrifice their bodies to prevent pucks from getting to Lundqvist.

It is frustrating as an opponent, exciting as a fan, and surprisingly kinda sexy.

Thing #4 –   Darth Quaider vs. Inigo Montoya

We like Brian Boyle.  He seems like an affable, goofy guy and we appreciate that. But damn is he annoying.  He’s like Brad Marchand…if you exposed Marchand to intrastellar radiation resulting in a genetic mutation, comic book-style.  Boyle is not shy about getting right up in there, getting under your skin, and taking some shots to frustrate you.

Be careful, Inigo. The force is strong with this one.

And Thing #5 – Welcome to the NHL, Dougie Hamilton!

Everyone, all together now!  DOUGIE, TEACH ME HOW TO DOUGIE!

You’re all  still dancing right now, aren’t you?

That’s cool.

We’ll wait.

……..

All set? Got it out of your system? Okay, let’s move on.

Dougie is our newest member of the HFC – the Hockey Fetus Club.  He is only 19, which is just “inconceivable”  and in three games this season has proven himself to be a poised, controlled presence on the Bruins’ back line.  As our friend Pez from Days of Y’Orr said “Dougie is wearing big boy pants now”.  And they fit him quite nicely.

Hamilton moves the puck well and has apparently impressed Coach Claude enough to earn some time on the PP and PK units. Best part of the night – his first NHL point. DH27 had an assist on Brad Marchand’s  power play goal.    The potential with this kid is scary good.  I predict an influx of Hamilton 27 jerseys in the TD Garden stands very soon.

It is not entirely out of the realm of possibility that these two teams could meet in the Eastern Conference Finals.  This game had an incredible playoff-like intensity from start to unfortunate finish. It was on like Donkey Kong from the moment they dropped the puck.  Rangers dominated in the 1st and then the ice tilted to favor the Bruins in the 2nd. The pace of the 3rd evened out as both teams looked to control the play and secure the win.

Although the Bruins lost in OT, they did get a point, bringing them to 5 and first in the Eastern Conference standings.    The teams will face off again on February 12th in their final meeting of the 2013 season.

April 19, 2012 –This early in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, beards are like second-round berths and regulation wins – shiny hopes and dreams. It’s barely Week 2 and, at best, most players are sporting only peach fuzz or the beard equivalent of an off-season weekend bender.

Some have already grown all they’ll ever manage.

But a few prime specimens have begun to emerge as top contenders for the coveted Beard of the Year award. Can they go all the way? Or will they be forced, defeated and follicle-free, to the back nine before they have reached their full potential?

Read the rest [here]

Damn you to the 7th level of hell with your evil ways and your trickery. Damn you for making me fall in love with NHL players that I should hate.

Take Brian Boyle, for example.

I should hate Brian Boyle.  And by hate, I mean HAAAAAAATE.  Like fire of a thousands suns HATE.

The man is a Ranger AND he played for Boston College (BC Sucks!).  My hatred for this man should be absolute.

Believe me.  I’ve tried to hate him.  I swear.  But I’ve failed.

As much as it pains me to admit it, I have to face the facts.

Brian Boyle is *gulp* Foxy.

He’s 6’7″, 244 lbs and was the 26th overall draft pick in the 2003 NHL Draft. He is a local guy who grew up cheering for the Boston Bruins.  He is the middle of 13 kids (God Bless his dear mother). He has AH-MAH-ZING hair.  His hands make me swoon.  Eddie Cahill (aka Jim Craig) is his doppelgänger.

NOT Brian Boyle.

So he doesn’t put up numbers like some other Ranger forwards. No big deal.  What he lacks in stats, he more than makes up for it with wit and humor.

And THAT, my friends, is just one of the reasons that Brian Boyle is this week’s Foxy Friday honoree.

He’s goofy and funny and undoubtedly one of the most liked guys in the Rangers locker room.  He’s a gem on 24/7 (waking up from nap, Proust helping him get dressed) and comes across as genuine and easy-going.

He can be on my beer pong team any day.

Being around him must be joyful and fun and we can only imagine that playing with him is even more enjoyable.  I really don’t think there would ever be a dull moment with Brian Boyle around.

Brian, you had me at “SANTA! I KNOW HIM.”

Love. 

Last week, I thought Pants was off her rocker for choosing Ryan Callahan as the Foxy Friday.

But now, here I am.

Just as guilty and brainwashed as she is.

Word.