The New York Rangers (9-3-3) extended their winning streak to six straight games in a 5-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes (5-8-3) on Friday night hockey action. New York was powered by four goals in the third period of play, as it was a blueshirt barrage on offense.

In a physical game, Sean Avery opened up the scoring for the Rangers at the 9:43 mark in the first period of play, on a nine foot wrister. For Avery it is his first goal in the season, along with the first points earned at Madison Square Garden this season.

Carolina found the equalizer at the 16:22 mark of the second period, when Alexi Ponikarovsky (3) tallied an 18 foot wrister, tying the game a 1-1. The Blueshirts barrage began in the final period of play, as Dan Girardi (3) recorded a power play goal with 10:47 on the scoreboard.

The hard-working Brandon Dubinsky, who has been grinding it out for the Rangers-playing a stellar game defensively-finally, broke through for his first goal of the season.  ‘Dubi’ immediately celebrated the 13 foot snap shot, which gave New York the 3-1 lead at 10:56.

Captain Ryan Callahan (7) scored on a beauty of a backhanded shot for the 4-1 lead at the 13:47 mark, assisting on the play was Michael Sauer (1) and Dubinsky (7).  Thanks to his extra-effort on the ice tonight Dubi was named as the third-star of the game, as the forward recorded two points in the game.

New York capped the victory when Brad Richards added to the lead at the 18:26 mark, on a wrap-around shot, sending the MSG faithful into a celebrating frenzy.  The Rangers will now look to gain revenge on Atlantic Division Rival, the New York Islanders-as the two are slated to play on Tuesday night.

The last time the Rangers and Islanders met, the kids from the Island were able to skate away with a 4-2 victory. The game is scheduled to air on the MSG network, with face-off slated for 7:00 p.m.

Written on November 12, 2011