Welcome to World of Sports, The Feather’s revived sports column written by multiple sports enthusiasts. Our writers will be serving up tasty tidbits, hot takes on the latest sports trends and events, along with predictions about the world of sports beyond Fresno Christian Schools. Meet us here to explore the world of sports and to weigh in with your own opinions on these worldwide topics.
Skates glide across the ice. Pucks fly towards the net. Swift movements and bruising contact are all too familiar for those on the ice. Professional hockey demands consistency and resilience…
During the week of March 14-21, the Feather Online team set out across the country towards the iconic skyline of New York City as they participated in the CSPA 102nd Spring Conference hosted at Columbia University. At the end of the conference, the team was honored with a Gold Crown Award in Digital News. Filled with various extensive activities and experiences throughout the week, on Wednesday, March 18, The Feather team ventured into Madison Square Garden to spectate the legendary NHL “Hudson River Rivalry” between the famed teams, the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils.
The Rangers and Devils are both in the Metropolitan Division in the NHL. All but one team has a winning record, making the Metropolitan Division one of the most difficult to play in throughout the league.
Anticipation for the game grew amongst the Feather crew as they knew the night featured multiple Olympians. Head coach for the Rangers, Mike Sullivan, coached the USA’s Men’s Olympic Hockey team at this year’s Winter Olympics. The team won a Gold medal, defeating Canada in a thrilling 2-1 overtime steal.
Two of his players from the Rangers followed him to Milan, Italy, for the Winter Olympics. Forwards J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck both bring a physical presence to the rink, which was displayed throughout the games.
Most notably, Jack Hughes, a forward for the New Jersey Devils, scored the golden goal in overtime to win the gold medal for the US. Instantly becoming a nationally recognized name, Hughes was under the spotlight at the game against their rivals, the Rangers. Freshman Nicolla Elbert is a big fan of Hughes; this was her first time attending a hockey game.
“It was so cool to see him play in person, especially because I watched him on TV during the Olympics,” Elbert said. “I was so happy to see an Olympian playing for his home team.”
The game The Feather witnessed was nothing short of thrilling. A total of nine goals scored created an atmosphere that kept fans on the edge of their seats the entire game. With less than 5 minutes left of the first period, the Rangers struck first with number 44, Vladislav Gavrikov, shooting through traffic and placing the puck in the top right corner of the goal.
The Devils wasted no time in getting even. 56 seconds later, Jesper Bratt passed the puck towards the goal where number 13, Nico Hischier, was waiting. The puck deflected off a Ranger player into the air and hit Hischier, and while it was in mid-air, Hischier hit it in for the equalizer.
As time ticked away towards the end of the first period, Devil’s forward, Arseny Gritsyuk, found himself with the puck on a breakaway counter-attack. Disregarding two Rangers defenders, Gritsyuk readied his shot and let it loose, striking the puck with immense power; the goalie had no chance at stopping the shot.
Only down by one point going into the second period, the Rangers came out of the locker room ready to play. It only took 19 seconds of play for Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad to score a tying goal. For the next 12 minutes, both teams played defensively with such physical intent that it took New Jersey till their second power play to take the lead. Using the extra player advantage, Hughes, with the puck, rotated around the defenders and found a gap to pass it to Connor Brown, who was positioned right in front of the goal and shot away for the goal.
Senior Garrett Alvis enjoyed attending the game at Madison Square Garden, especially the atmosphere.
“The stadium was electric,” Alvis said. “After every point, the crowd erupted in excitement for their respective teams; the sound of the air horns in the stadium is something I will never forget.”
Still a close score of 3-2 at the end of the second period, both teams had a chance to win the game. However, it was the Devils who came out with the burning drive to seal the deal. Already ahead by one point, the Devils outscored the Rangers 3-1 in the final period, finishing the game with a comfortable 6-3 win.
This goal-filled matchup was the first hockey game for many of the Feather journalists.
To read more from World of Sports, visit World of Sports: March Madness fans prepare for brackets and upsets.
To read more from The Feather about the NYC trip, visit The Feather ventures to the Big Apple for the 102nd CSPA Spring Conference.
