ekansekans's blog: "df"

NEW YORK -- Euphoria replaced pure panic at Madison Square Garden in a matter of moments. Kevin Walter Womens Jersey . And even the most optimistic New York Rangers fan couldnt have seen this one coming. Brad Richards scored the unlikeliest of power-play goals with just 7.6 seconds left in regulation, and Marc Staal added another one on the second half of the advantage in overtime to lift New York to a stunning 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Monday night. "The last minute was incredible," Staal said. Just seconds away from a 3-2 series hole -- and facing the prospect of having to win two straight to survive and advance -- the Rangers somehow cured their ailing power play and rode it to one of the most thrilling wins in team history. "We knew we had a power play going into overtime and we wanted to get one and be quick," Staal said. "Thats what we ended up doing." The defenceman made sure that Richards tying goal wouldnt go to waste when he scored 1:35 into overtime. "Its a kick in the gut when you lose because it happens so quickly, and its pretty exciting when you win because it happens quick," New York coach John Tortorella said. The Rangers overcame a 3-2 series deficit in the first round against Ottawa, just the second time in 18 tries they have pulled off the feat, and were looking at having to do it all over again. Now one win in the next two games will put New York in the conference finals for the first time since 1997. With goalie Henrik Lundqvist pulled for an extra attacker, Washingtons Joel Ward took a four-minute penalty for high-sticking Carl Hagelin with 21.3 seconds left. Richards tied it on the first half of the power play, and Staal won it with a drive that appeared to deflect off a Washington player before beating goalie Braden Holtby. Ward was the first-round hero for the Capitals, scoring the winning goal in overtime in Game 7 to knock out the Boston Bruins. Now, he hopes he will have the chance to redeem himself. "This definitely stings," he said. "It was a hard-fought battle. Its tough when you let the team down on a play like that." But his coach and teammates raced to his defence, and tried to take the blame and spotlight away from him. "It was an accident," Capitals coach Dale Hunter said. "Those are the breaks of hockey. It accidentally came up. Its just a hockey play. "You dont overanalyze it. You just go play. Well battle again like we did the whole series and the series before." The top-seeded Rangers can advance to the Eastern Conference finals with a win Wednesday in Washington. If necessary, Game 7 would be back in New York on Saturday. "Nobody thinks we are going to lose it easily," Capitals star Alex Ovechkin said. "Its not over yet. Were going home to play at our house. Well come back here." With the crowd still buzzing over the shocking tying goal, a din that held up through the long intermission, John Mitchell won a faceoff in the Capitals end to start the winning play. Staal corralled the puck at the right point, glided to the centre of the zone, and fired the drive that set off a wild celebration on the ice and in the seats. "We just kept trying to come at them," Staal said. "It wasnt a set play or anything off the draw. Just a good clean draw, and guys went to the net, and (Holtby) couldnt see it." The Rangers mobbed each other at centre ice as the crushed Capitals trudged toward the tunnel to their dressing room. Then, the New York players raised their sticks to the crowd as red, white and blue streamers cascaded down from the rooftop. The celebration, that culminated in fireworks as the three stars of the game were announced, seemed almost inevitable after Richards tied it. After no success with traditional 5-on-4 power plays, the Rangers made the most of their 6-on-4 edge as Lundqvist watched from the bench. "You could tell when games are getting tighter, more important, he plays better," Lundqvist said of Richards. "I think he likes the intensity in games like that. It just shows what type of player he really is." Michael Del Zotto took a shot that hit traffic in front to the right of Holtby. Ryan Callahan took two or three hard whacks at the loose puck, but couldnt get it forward. Richards jammed his stick into the maze of legs and poked the puck past Holtby just before he was able to cover it with his glove. John Carlson, who had given the Capitals a 2-1 lead with a power-play goal in the third period, couldnt keep the puck out, either, after he got in behind Holtby as a last line of defence. "You have to believe you can do it," Lundqvist said of the comeback. "It was tough for us to get in front and create real good scoring chances, but we were shooting a lot and had a lot of energy. We definitely deserved this win. We worked so hard." Anton Stralman staked the Rangers to a 1-0 lead during a dominant first period for New York, but Brooks Laich answered for the Capitals in the second. Carlson then snapped the 1-1 tie 4:20 into the third with the goal that appeared to put the seventh-seeded Capitals on the brink of knocking out the top-seeded Rangers. It would have marked the second straight game that Washington used a man-advantage goal from a defenceman to earn a victory, but instead the Rangers won their second of the series in overtime. The Capitals, 0-5 in the playoffs when their opponent scores first, were fortunate to even be in position to win as they were outshot 38-18 overall by the Rangers. "We have to put it behind us," Holtby said. "Its a tough loss, obviously. Its the way hockey goes sometimes." Washington woke up a bit in the second period and got even, despite recording only six shots on Lundqvist. However, that was two more than the Capitals generated in the first. The Rangers held a 26-10 edge in shots in the first 40 minutes, but had only a 1-1 tie to show for it heading into the tense third period. The Capitals tied it in the second after gaining control of the puck following a faceoff in the Rangers end. Ovechkin, who heard even more boos than usual from the Garden crowd, sent a pass from the side boards to the right of Lundqvist that bounced off Rangers forward Brian Boyle. The puck came right to Laich in the slot for a hard drive that beat Lundqvist inside the right post to make it 1-1 at 8:15. New York had numerous chances to extend its lead or get back in front before Washington tied it, but the Rangers power play continued to struggle and looked disorganized. The Rangers had been 2 for 16 on the power play in the series before Wards penalty changed everything. Notes: Stralman scored his first two career NHL playoff goals -- both on the power play -- in the Rangers first-round series win over Ottawa. ... Washington is 6-1 in the playoffs when it scores first. ... The Capitals are 3 for 16 on the power play in the series. ... The Rangers won Game 3 in triple overtime 2-1. Owen Daniels Jersey . -- Tiger Woods is in a place he hasnt been in 30 months -- atop the leaderboard on the PGA Tour going into the weekend. Andre Johnson Camo Jersey . Linebacker Marcellus Bowman could be back in the lineup for the first time this season when Winnipeg meets the Montreal Alouettes this Friday. http://www.texansfansroom.com/arian-foster-jersey . Fred Couples is taking advantage of it. With sweltering temperatures easing the stiffness in his chronically bad back, the defending champion birdied the final three holes Friday for a 7-under 63 and the second-round lead at Fox Chapel. J.J. Watt Red Jersey . Mariner was an assistant coach for the Revolution from 2004 to 2009 before taking a coaching job Plymouth Argyle in England. He is now completely focused on the plight of Toronto FC -- a team that is still looking for its first win since he took the helm. Glover Quin Jersey . The Timberwolves and Portland Trail Blazers engaged in sign-and-trade talks all day on Thursday with the Wolves hoping to land the versatile 23-year-old swingman.OTTAWA -- The Ottawa Senators have already begun to feel the effects of the NHL lockout. Senators president Cyril Leeder met with members of the Ottawa media Monday afternoon, saying layoffs have taken place and full-time staff have been placed on a reduced work week. "Every full-time, every part-time employee is affected by a work stoppage," Leeder said. "On the full-time employees theyve either been laid off temporarily or gone to a four-day work week." Leeder wouldnt say exactly how many people have been laid off, but that "it was a significant number" and "more than ten." The Senators have 170 full-time employees. "This really is the area that I worry about the most," Leeder said. "Its not good for anybody when we have a work stoppage and the people most affected are our staff here." One employee who will continue to earn a paycheque, somewhat ironically, is Milan Michalek. His agent confirmed to The Canadian Press on Monday that the injured forward will continue to be paid and will have access to the teams facilities until he is cleared to play. Michalek is scheduled to make US$4,750,000 this season. Michalek underwent surgery last Tuesday in Philadelphia to repair a torn abdominal muscle he suffered while training in late August. Michalek is expected to be sidelined four-to-six weeks. Off the ice, local charities are going to be feeling the side effects of the lockout, but Leeder says the organization is committed to upholding any previous commitments. The Senators were forced to cancel the 2012 Bell Sens Charity Golf Classic, which was to take place Monday and Tuesday, and once games are cancelledd revenues from the 50/50 draw will be lost. Duane Brown Jersey. Over the past 20 years the Sens Foundation has given back nearly $70 million in support of various community initiatives. Leeder knows that many charities rely on funds from the Sens Foundation to implement its programs and has no intention of having them suffer due to the work stoppage. While players were often the main draw in charitable endeavours, the organization will now need to be a little more creative with its fundraisers. Coach Paul MacLean may also see an increased role in his participation in events. "Weve got to work harder to raise money," Leeder said. "The community has come to rely on the Ottawa Senators as an important contributor back to the community. Were not going to walk away from those responsibilities." One of the Sens Foundations biggest recipients remains Rogers House, a pediatric respite and palliative care home, that receives nearly one million on a yearly basis and Leeder says Rogers House has been told "in no uncertain terms that they dont need to worry, that we will make good on that commitment." Season ticket holders will have the option of a full refund or leaving the money with the organization at a five-per-cent interest rate should games get cancelled. Leeder admitted fans have voiced their displeasure and are angry with both sides and want to see a resolution as soon as possible. Despite the labour dispute the team remains pleased with its season ticket sales and "are ahead of where we were last year." Leeder says the organization is working hard to ensure its ready to resume operations once the lockout comes to an end. ' ' '