In vintage New York Rangers (24-9-4) style the Blueshirts rallied to pick up a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers (22-11-4) in the 2012 NHL Winter Classic, played at Citizens Bank Park on Monday. New York has ruled 2011 using second half comebacks, and started the New Year using the same formula for the victory.
The Classic featured many bone-crushing hits by both teams; it was Philly that opened up the scoring salvo when Brayden Schenn recorded his first career goal at the 12:26 in the second period. Claude Giroux (18) gave the Flyers a 2-0 lead at the 14:21 mark.
New York started the comeback when Winter Classic veteran Mike Rupp (2) scored a snap shot at the 14:51 mark to cut the lead to 2-1 before the end of the second period. The Rangers ruled the third as Rupp and Brad Richards (14) scored the final two goals to ice the victory.
Making the return to the Rangers lineup was blueliner Marc Staal, who finished the game with a plus-one rating and one hit. Stall missed action with the Blueshirts for nearly a year from a concussion. Fans of the Flyers received bad news, as Jaromir Jagr left the game due to an injury.
Rangers’ cager Henrik Lundqvist made his presence known in the game making 34 saves, including a penalty shot by Danny Briere with 19 seconds left in the game. With this victory New York now has a 3-0 record over the Flyers this season.
New York will have two days off before returning indoors to take on the Florida Panthers at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. The game against the Blueshirts and Flyers is slated to air on the MSG network with face-off slated for 7:00 p.m.
Written on January 3, 2012