SPG
Registered User
Rangers lock up playoff berth
Blueshirts clinch first postseason appearance in five years
NEW YORK (HFAP) -- It was a long time coming, but the New York Rangers are finally on their way back to the HFNHL's postseason. With a thrilling 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars at Madison Square Garden last night, they skated to center ice and saluted their fans who will see playoff hockey for the first time since 2004.
"It's been a slow process to get this team back where it should be, but with the state of our roster three or four seasons ago, we expected it may take some time," said GM Sean Gaffney.
With the trade for Ilya Kovalchuk two offseasons ago, the beefing up of the blueline with some stronger more defensive oriented players, signing of some key free agents, the continued emergence of Marc Savard and Tim Thomas, and the eventual trade for Sergei Zubov, the Rangers are once mentioned in the same breath as the other upper-tier teams in the league.
Not only is the current team finding success on the ice, but the future also looks bright with Michael Frolik, Colin Wilson, and Jakub Kindl, among others, waiting in the wings. Frolik is expected to make the jump to the pro roster next season and Wilson and Kindl should not be far behind.
"It's an exciting day, especially when you consider how long it's been," said coach Andy Murray. "We still want to end the regular season strong and push for the division title. And then we have our work cut out for us in the playoffs."
Blueshirts clinch first postseason appearance in five years
NEW YORK (HFAP) -- It was a long time coming, but the New York Rangers are finally on their way back to the HFNHL's postseason. With a thrilling 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars at Madison Square Garden last night, they skated to center ice and saluted their fans who will see playoff hockey for the first time since 2004.
"It's been a slow process to get this team back where it should be, but with the state of our roster three or four seasons ago, we expected it may take some time," said GM Sean Gaffney.
With the trade for Ilya Kovalchuk two offseasons ago, the beefing up of the blueline with some stronger more defensive oriented players, signing of some key free agents, the continued emergence of Marc Savard and Tim Thomas, and the eventual trade for Sergei Zubov, the Rangers are once mentioned in the same breath as the other upper-tier teams in the league.
Not only is the current team finding success on the ice, but the future also looks bright with Michael Frolik, Colin Wilson, and Jakub Kindl, among others, waiting in the wings. Frolik is expected to make the jump to the pro roster next season and Wilson and Kindl should not be far behind.
"It's an exciting day, especially when you consider how long it's been," said coach Andy Murray. "We still want to end the regular season strong and push for the division title. And then we have our work cut out for us in the playoffs."
