By Matthew Blittner
Special Contributor to MSGNetworks.com
“Always a gentleman, forever a Ranger.”
Those six words are the most accurate way to depict Rangers’ legend Jean Ratelle.
And just like when Ratelle scored the final goal at The Old Garden, the Rangers played host to their Original Six rivals, the Red Wings.
However, the Blueshirts’ 3-2 overtime loss to Detroit Sunday night at The Garden was a mere footnote in the story of the celebratory evening.
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While the Rangers trade of Rick Nash to Boston early Sunday morning certainly qualifies as newsworthy, the night belonged to Ratelle.
To open the ceremony, Sam Rosen — in his role as MC — took the fans on a trip to the past; to another time, when hockey was a different game.
Then, one-by-one, Rosen introduced every Rangers player to have had their number retired; sans the late Andy Bathgate and Harry Howell — who was unable to attend.
After the likes of Eddie Giacomin, Brian Leetch, Rod Gilbert, Adam Graves, Mark Messier and Mike Richter took their seats at center ice, several of Ratelle’s former-teammates joined them, including the likes of; Ted Irvine, Brad Park, Rod Seiling, Pete Stemkowski, Gilles Villemure and of course Vic Hadfield.
Then, the Rangers had one more surprise for Ratelle, as they brought out his former manager, Emile “The Cat” Francis, to a thunderous ovation.
Speeches from Francis, Hadfield and Gilbert preceded one from Ratelle; with each emphasizing Jean’s gentlemanly nature.
Next came the surprise of surprises. After Ratty turned the mic back over to Gilbert, Rod announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, next season the G-A-G line will be reunited … when the Rangers organization retires Vic Hadfield’s No. 11!”
As Gentleman Jean later told me, “Rod and I knew about the surprise for a couple weeks. It’s a wonderful move by the Rangers organization and an honor well-deserved for Vic.”
Finally, came the pièce de résistance, as Ratelle’s No. 19 was raised to the rafters, where it will hang alongside the other Rangers’ greats for all-time.
After the ceremony, Giacomin also praised his former teammate when he told me, “Jean Ratelle, just a perfect gentleman.”
As for the game itself…
WHAT WENT WRONG
1. ROOKIES LEARNING
For all the praise the young defensemen have garnered, they are still prone to mistakes. Each of Detroit’s first two goals were the result of a misplay by one of the young guns. “A lot of guys now are playing their first five, 10 games,” said Henrik Lundqvist. “They need to understand when to go forward and when to stay back so we don’t give up these odd-man rushes that have been hurting us in a few games. It’s a learning experience.”
2. LAST MINUTE HICCUPS
For the umpteenth time this season, the Blueshirts gave up a goal in the final minute of a period. And against Detroit, they actually did it twice, as the Red Wings’ first and third goals of the game came in the final minute of the period.
3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The Rangers outchanced the Red Wings and were generally the better team. But the better team doesn’t always win. Missing several of their sharpshooters, the Blueshirts had trouble finishing off scoring chances; a factor that ultimately cost them the game. “We had all the looks,” said J.T. Miller. “We are just coming up on the wrong side of things lately.”
POSITIVE TAKEAWAYS
1. FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Ryan Spooner made his Broadway debut just hours after being acquired as part of the trade that sent Nash to the Bruins. And Spooner certainly showed his worth; tallying an assist on both Rangers’ goals. “I’m more of a pass-first kind of guy,” said Spooner. “It’s usually what I do. I just want to help out here, that’s the goal.”
2. SPECIAL TEAMS
A strong performance by the Rangers’ power-play and penalty-killing units gave them the chance to walk away with a victory. By going 3-for-3 on the penalty-kill, the Blueshirts were able to negate a lot of Detroit’s scoring chances. And the Rangers added a power-play goal of their own on a blast from Miller; which put them back in the game by cutting the Red Wings’ lead to 2-1.
3. GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN
With questionable officiating getting a lot of publicity this season, it’s important for coaches to have a way to counteract the wrong calls. And head coach Alain Vigneault has proven himself quite capable of doing just that, as he’s now 5-for-8 when throwing the “challenge flag.”
FINAL THOUGHTS
During the second intermission, Jean Ratelle told me, “This whole night has been fantastic. The Rangers have been great, really took care of me and my family.”
A gentleman through and through. We salute you, Jean Ratelle!
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