It's been an absolute circus in New York lately, and we're not talking about the kind of circus that makes regular appearances at the World's Most Famous Arena.
Prior to the much-needed victory last night by the New York Rangers over the visiting St. Louis Blues, the Rangers were in complete shambles and appearing to be utterly lost, especially after their setback against the lowly Chicago Blackhawks. Of course, the major event that took place in that game was Rangers captain Jacob Trouba absolutely lighting up Blackhawks forward Andreas Athanasiou that led to a meleee on the ice:
Athanasiou had words for Trouba afterward, calling out Trouba for being a dirty player who only tries to hurt people since he can't help his own team. That sounds like sour grapes from a player who couldn't follow one of hockey's cardinal guidelines of keeping his head up when approaching the neutral zone and has been on four teams in two years, but that's another story.
And now, the Rangers themselves are offering their thoughts on the matter.
“That’s sending a message to the whole team that we need to wake up a little bit and play better,” fellow defenseman Ryan Lindgren said Monday. “Seeing him that passionate and that fiery, that provides a spark for our team. I thought we did a better job in the third of playing with a little more passion.”
Naturally, Lindgren heard Athanasiou's comments, and had something to say about them as well, calling them "ridiculous".
“The guy’s going through the middle of the ice with his head down and Troubs has a very clean, legal hit,” Lindgren said. “So yeah, I have no idea what he meant by that. But that’s just part of the game. Big hits are part of the game. Especially with Troubs out there, if you got your head down, he’s going to make you pay.”
“It’s what had to be done the other night,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “He felt like our team was flat and I don’t blame him one bit. He’s a leader, he’s a captain, he’s frustrated with losing. So he went out there and had a big, clean hit and a fight. But things happen. He did show a little emotion and that’s what happens. A coach likes when you see that. I’m not a guy looking for fights every night, but that compete level rubs off on your teammates.”
