Your New York Sports Blog

After playing a home and home Tuesday and Thursday night each team came out with 1 win a piece. The Rangers, however, came out with the slight edge accumulating 3 points to the Islanders 2. The 1st game on Tuesday night went to the Islanders who won the game 4-3 in a shootout taking the shootout 2-1. It was a disappointing loss for the Rangers who were playing in their home, Madison Square Garden, and who were facing the Islander's backup goaltender Wade Dubielewicz. With both teams rallied the next game moved to the Coliseum.

After beating the Rangers Tuesday night Wade Dubielewicz earned a 2nd start against the Rangers. This time the angers got off to a quick start scoring 1:29 into the 1st period on a breakaway goal from Brendan Shanahan. The Rangers notched one more goal that period and that was all they would need. The went on to take the game in regulation winning 4-1 and goals by Shanahan, Avery(2), and Gomez. Henrik Lundqvist had a spectacular game stopping 26 of 27 shots and gave him his 30th win of the season.

This was the 3rd straight year Lundqvist won 30 games which is only the 2nd time in NHL history that a goalie won 30 games in their 1st 3 seasons in the league. Lundqvist has been amazing all year and even though he has had some bashers who are quick to jump the gun he is only 26 and one of top goalies in the whole league. Ron Hextall is the only other player who can say they won 30 games in their 1st 3 seasons and Henrik is likely to get a 3rd straight Vezina nomination for the best goalie in the league.

Overall it was a great home and home leaving the Rangers in 6th place with 79 points and the Islanders in 11th with 71 points 5 points out of 8th.

Bookmark this post:

Si.com:
Tony Richardson has confirmed to SI.com that he has agreed to terms with the New York Jets. The financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal is for one year. Richardson, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, is latest addition to a revamped Jets' offense; and he will be counted on to pave the way for Thomas Jones in the running game.

After having a terrible run game last year the Jets are really trying to improve and give Thomas Jones some help.

Bookmark this post:

Metsblog:
Moises Alou will miss the start of the season due to hernia surgery.

Alou suffered the injury during Monday’s game with the Braves.

He is expected to miss four-to-six weeks.

This injury came out of left field!!! I can not believe Alou is actually hurt before the season even started. Lol yea okay this is pathetic this guy gets hurt more than a 80-year-old grandma playing rugby. Well Angel Pagan this is your chance now go out and get it!

Bookmark this post:

• The SI.com writer said the Mets and Tigers are discussing a Marcus Thames for Jorge Sosa swap. Thames definitely fits the Mets' needs, though Sosa seems a little light for him-MLBTR
• According to The Record Billy Wagner has been working on a new pitching style. Apparently he will be trowing his change-up and curveball more in an effort to adapt to his age.
• Some possible players to play first base/back up include Nick Johnson, Scott Hatteberg, Richie Sexson, Tony Clark, Kevin Millar, and Dan Johnson.

Bookmark this post:

Mets.com:
"The number of able bodies in the Mets' projected starting lineup has been reduced to two. Left fielder Moises Alou, already considered an injury risk, has now become an injury reality, flying to New York on Wednesday for an examination of his strained right groin.
Alou initially injured the groin during Monday's game against the Braves. Manager Willie Randolph removed him in the third inning for seemingly benign reasons. Alou will see a doctor in New York and undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury."

Wow, I can't see how they signed Alou to a 2 year contract. It is not like this is the 1st time he has been injury prone. The guy has always been an injury risk and they gave up 1st round pick last year for this. This also leaves just about the whole line up hurt. Wright and Reyes, pretty much the only ones under 30, healthy. Castillo, Beltran, Delgado, Church, Schneider, and now Alou have either gotten hurt this off-season or have been recovering from surgery.

Bookmark this post:

Today at their spring training game the Yankees threw a rain shortened perfect game. Phil Hughes started the game by throwing one perfect inning, Scott Patterson then went on to do the same pitching 1 perfect inning, Kei Igawa topped both of them by going perfect for 2 and finally Billy Trabor capped of the night by striking out the side. It was only 5 innings, but its still pretty cool.

Melkman and Shelly Duncan both hit run scoring singles. Duncan has been really impressing everyone by racking up 8 steaks so far and with some power. He is a real slugger and might be the front runner for the 1st base job.

Bookmark this post:

ESPN:

• Warren Sapp's 13-year NFL career officially ended when his retirement was posted on the Oakland Raiders' Web site.
• Wide receiver Javon Walker, released by the Denver Broncos on Friday, agreed to a deal with the division-rival Oakland Raiders. The terms of the deal call for Walker to receive a six-year, $55 million contract that includes more than $16 million in guarantees and pays him roughly $27 million over the first three years of the deal.

Bookmark this post:

SI.com:

"The Mets appear to be looking for a right-handed-hitting outfielder to platoon with Ryan Church."

Reed Johnson, Kevin Millar, Johnny Gomes, Jason Michaels, Matt Murton, and Jay Payton all make sense.

Bookmark this post:

NFL.com:
GREEN BAY, Wis. - After flirting with retirement for years, Brett Favre means it this time. The Green Bay Packers quarterback ended a 17-season career in which he dazzled fans with his grit, heart and rocket of an arm.

"I know I can still play, but it's like I told my wife, I'm just tired mentally. I'm just tired," Favre told ESPN's Chris Mortensen in a voice mail message.

Well this is a sad day for the NFL. Most of us never thought we would see the day of the Iron Man's last game, which actually turned out to be a loss to the NY Giants. Favre was truly one of the good men in sports and one of the best in sports history. Favre was one of the only players ever to play with such enthusiasm and skill as he did. No one has ever played as many games in a row and will most likely never play as many games in a row. I am just really shocked at this and I am still not sure what to think. I really thought that Favre would be back after a stellar season last year. You can't blame him though he put everything he had for 17 years into this and it takes a major toll on his body. Well we all wish you well and thank you for all of the memories.

Bookmark this post:

ESPN:
ATLANTA -- Warrick Dunn was released by the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, one day after the club signed free-agent running back Michael Turner. The 33-year-old Dunn had three straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Falcons, helping the team lead the NFL in rushing from 2004-06. He ran for a career-high 1,416 yards in 2005, earning his third Pro Bowl appearance.

Wow have things have changed. It was just a couple of seasons ago the best run game in the NFL consisted of Warrick Dunn and Michael Vick. Boy how things have changed. Vick is now in jail and Dunn is being replaced by a combination of back-up running backs. I would suspect that someone is going to pick him up, and if I had to guess I would say the Bucs who love to have an abundance of players at QB and RB and who ESPN says he met with and my dark horse is the New England Patriots.

Within hours of his release from the Falcons, Dunn spent Monday visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to determine whether he might return to the team with which he started his NFL career, agent Jim Steiner told ESPN's Ed Werder.

Bookmark this post:

Here are great pics of top prospect Fernando Martinez courtesy of Matthew Cerrone:

Bookmark this post: