Rangers Humbled by Islanders

Despite a week of intensive training, an inspirational message from their leader in exile, and a solid effort the New York Rangers were beaten by the New York Islanders last night.

The Rangers came out flying and dominated the first period with ferocious intensity. A quick goal by Pavel Datsyuk of the Islanders at 4:17 of the first didn't slow them down and they kept coming at the Islanders in waves. Jason Blake utilized his blazing speed to break free on an outlet pass from Ponikarovsky and beat Aebischer just over 2 minutes later.

Sundin blew a one timer past Aebischer on a cross ice pass from Dvorak at 12:46 of the first to put the Rangers up 2-1 on the mighty Islanders but Arkhipov potted an unassisted marker just two minutes later and to tie the game. It was the last lead the Rangers would see in the game.

The second period was much more even with both teams throwing big hits and tightening up defensively. Christian Erhoff scored for the Islanders off a rebound from a Hagman shot and the Isles were out in front late in the second. The second ended with a vicious elbow delivered by Jason York to the head of Pavel Bure that sparked a melee. Fortunately Bure was uninjured.

The Rangers opened the third with a goal from Mike Ribeiro on the power play but the Islanders slowly took control of the period. When Ehrhoff scored at the 12:37 mark of the third the Rangers seemed to sag and couldn't get control of the play. Datsyuk scored the final heartbreaker in the 19th minute and, despite outshooting the Islanders 32 - 30, the Rangers walked away empty handed.

"Well we can take some positives from this," said team captain J.P. Dumont. We played a solid game and kept pace with them every step of the way. All our lines contributed offence and a bounce here or there could have changed the out come. We didn't like the way we played in the third but if we had played our game the whole night I think we could have won. If we up the intensity a bit I think we can take them if we meet in the playoffs."