Last night with the Rangers on the power play trailing 1-0 in the first period, Brad Richards went and did this…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXQIzE4Qjk0&w=450&h=315]To watch on YouTube, click here.
Here’s Richards on the goal (via New York Post)…
“They took away the delay, so I just tried to take my ice to see what would happen, if someone would come to me. I got a head of steam and had a lot of ice to play on, so I just decided to keep going.”
John Tortorella added…
“It just parted for Richie and he took it. Brad’s game — he’s just seeing things better. He’s allowing himself to play. That’s just creativity on his part.”
…i’ve joked around about Richards’ love life being the reason for his struggles this year, but sometimes it just takes a player, especially one that’s played in small markets his entire career, awhile to adjust to playing in New York. The increased media, big city, lots of distractions, etc. Not to mention trying to gain some semblance of chemistry with new teammates. Which is never easy under a coach who seemingly picks line combinations out of a hat before every game.
…and while Richards is 20 points off his pace from last year, he has picked his spots to the tune of eight game winning goals this season. Take away three of them and the Rangers are the fourth seed in the East.
…i also feel being placed in between two speed players has opened up the ice for him and allowed him to use his vision to make plays.
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