After a lackluster start to their pre-season, or at least the parts of it that were played on American soil, the Rangers have turned things around in Europe. The team went 1-5 in their first six pre-season games, all of which were played in America against NHL teams. After crossing the Atlantic, the team played two
Victoria Cup games against European teams SC Bern and Metallurg Magnitogorsk. They defeated Bern by an 8-1 margin on Tuesday and downed Metallurg 4-3 last night. So, things are looking up for the team.
I'm sorry to report that things are not looking so good for new Ranger beat writer Michael Obernauer of the New York Daily News. Obernauer is replacing John Dellapina, who moved on to a job with the NHL. Dellapina was the Rangers beat writer since 1994 and did a solid job for what can sometimes be considered a tabloid. Anyway, Obernauer officially started today, and his first report, which he wrote yesterday, left a lot to be desired. And a few Ranger fans grilled him for it. But I guess that's what happens when you follow in the footsteps of a solid beat writer by, you know, writing one paragraph about a pretty important road trip.
Playing their first of two European exhibition games before Saturday's season opener in Prague, the Rangers scored six times in the third period to pull away from SC Bern, 8-1, in the Swiss capital Tuesday night. The Rangers struck six times on power plays and got goals from seven different players. They'll take on European champion Metallurg Magnitogorsk of Siberia tonight in Bern in the inaugural Victoria Cup game.
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That was Obernauer's entire report last night. Seriously. I know occasionally blogs can kind of get away with stuff like that, and it is only the pre-season, but what happened to making a good first impression?
After the jump, enjoy a few of the more hilarious comments left by Ranger fans.
"Why don't you just hand in a haiku...?"
- Thunderfromdownunder
"If this is your idea of reporting on the Rangers, someone erred in a large way by giving you this assignment. Most days there are NO stories and then you file this? Your coverage of the Rangers so far has been pathetic."
- Canadian Ranger Fan
They do exist!
And coming home with the gold star is HoZaY:
"No quotes from any players nor the coach? No telling of how the Rangers played in each period? Mr. Obernauer, did you even watch this game? All these goals are scored and you can't offer any details as to who scored them and in which fashion? F. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200."
