Yes, Jarkko Rutuu is a complete asshole and deserves to someday be on the receiving end of those elbows to the head that he likes to dish out but Ranger fans, please stop crying about what took place last night in the shootout against the Senators. If you missed it, I will recap. Jarkko Ruutu was the second Senator to take a try in the skills competition the NHL likes to use to decide games. The puck floated off the end of Rutuu's stick as he approached the net. Rutuu chased the puck and then fired it from a bad angle at goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Well guess what Ranger fans, it was completely legal.
According to the rules of the NHL, when Rutuu lost the puck off his stickand it wasn't considered a shot. Therefore, the puck is live until it comes to a complete stop or the puck completely crosses the goal line. Rutuu never stopped his forward progress, allowing him to legal fire a shot at the net. So all you Ranger fans that have been crying over the Rutuu, calm down.
If you didn't see it, this is the shootout between the two teams. Rutuu gets the puck around 1:40 into the video.
Hear me out because the title of this post would make one think that I am putting Marty Brodeur down but I am not. For years I have felt that the Devils Organization has put so much faith in Marty's ability to escape injury they've never sat down and said "what if". Now we don't know what Marty's injury is all about so there is a lot of speculation out there. The Devils are saying its an "elbow bruise" but that can mean anything. If you look around the Internet, you'll find rumors that range from a hyperextension to a torn biceps tendon. From the looks of how he acted in the moments after suffering the injury, I would bank on it being a hyperextension.
It looks like Clemmenson will be taking Weekes seat on the bench for the next few games and Weekes will take Marty's spot in between the pipes. I have a lot of confidence in Kevin Weekes. There was a time where I hated seeing Weekes in the opposing goal because he ofter made some spectacular saves.
Hopefully, Marty Brodeur isn't out for an extended period of time but hopefully Lou is sitting in his office this morning, realizing that Marty is getting on in years and that franchise goalies like Marty don't grow on trees.
On a side note, congratulations to Nicklas Bergfors on his first NHL point.
I am a certified sports nut who will write about everything that centers around sports. Devils, Sox and Cowboys keep my blood pumping but will cover everything that happens in the world of sports. Hope you will join me in this adventure.
