Sloppy Seconds

Anyone who follows the NHL just a bit knows that Sean Avery will be making his return to the New York Rangers fairly soon, and I find it funny how I heard all Rangers fans say good riddance to him, but now that they are in a push to make the playoffs this is the best thing that could happen.

With the standings in the Eastern Conference as close as they are no team can really afford to make any mistakes. As of Feb. 26, five points separate 6th from 10th in the East, and the Rangers have made it clear they are not going to down without trying something drastic. They are hoping that a new coach and the return of Avery will spark this team, and give them enough momentum into the playoffs.

I heard some harsh words about Avery being allowed back into the league, and I do not see why this is a problem. While what he said was stupid it was even more stupid to practically exile him from the league for it. Worse players have done worse things and received a slap on the wrist for it.

The only issue for the Rangers is going to be is he ready yet?

I got a chance to see Avery in Lowell as the Lowell Devils took on the Hartford Wolfpack (see photo above), the Rangers AHL affiliates, (for the record it still angers me to see a hockey team in Hartford that is not the Whalers). While the Wolf Pack won it was not a productive day for Avery. More then half the time on ice he looked to be playing at half speed. That can not be a positive sign for the Rangers unless he feels ready after that layoff and is just coasting through the AHL (more then probable). The only way to find out is to wait and see what happens.

On another note I have to question the choices by the Devils. Why would you send Scott Clemmensen back to Lowell rather then use him as your backup? Obviously Brodeur is the #1 guy now that he is back, and not just on the team but maybe all-time (feel free to prove me wrong Roy and Hasek fans). But Clem went 25-13-2 with a GAA of 2.39 in his absence, and carried this team to a division lead. He should be the backup to Brodeur rather than Kevin Weekes

Rancid Rankings

This one should prove who is actually reading my blog. I should expect a lot of praise and/or hate mail for this post. The rankings for this week just came out in NCAA hockey. There is no issue with the top as Boston University belongs at #1, but further down there is a big question that needs to be answered.

"Why is Boston College even ranked?"

Last weekend the Eagles gave up three points to UMass Lowell in a home and home series. This included a 6-0 beat down that the River Hawks handed them at Conte Forum. Do not think for a second I am trying to be biased or a homer. This is in no way saying that Lowell should be ranked and not Boston College, but it seems odd that Boston College can be dominated like that, yet only move down a couple spots in the rankings.

As a matter of fact this has not been a good season for BC. Currently they are No. 6 in Hockey East with a record of 8-8-5. They are behind unranked UMass Lowell. Schools like Canisius and Niagara have records equal or better and are not even receiving votes. Their record against currently ranked teams is 3-6-2. The last of those three wins came in the middle of November against a New Hampshire team using their backup goalie with a GAA of 4.66. Not the most impressive stats.

It seems as though this team is being ranked because of their name, and not their numbers. Aside from the great comeback by Brock Bradford, there is not much to scream about for the Eagles. Forwards Joe Whitney and Ben Smith are on pace score only half the points they did last season.

Goaltender John Muse is giving BC fans fits with his year, causing one BC fan to demand a pie be thrown at him during their 6-0 loss. His GAA jumped from 2.2 to 2.92 in a year, and it has been worse lately. In the past five games he has allowed six goals in a game twice, and has a GAA of 3.8. Although I can not just point out the bad he did have a shutout against UMass Amherst in one of those games.

Still a shutout against the minuteman does not grant a national tournament birth. The fact this team is even close to being on the bubble for one is mind boggling. Although I am a believer that Hockey East should have a minimum of three, maybe four, tournament bids a year, barring an amazing performance in the Hockey East tournament, BC should not have one. I know the classic saying to be the champs you have to beat the champs, but it seems as though this team is pretty beaten up already.