Looking backward, The Maven has unearthed a few matters that merit reflection. I call them "The Trochecks And The Forecheck."
So many angles have emerged from Sunday's never-to-be-forgotten classic New York Rangers sudden-death victory at The Meadowlands that I wouldn't be surprised if a movie and at least two books are already in the works about it.
The sudden-death goal -- and it sure was "sudden," wasn't it? -- must already have been replayed two-and-a-half billion times by the citizens of Rangerville and good for The Breadman. I hope he gets royalties.
Looking backward, The Maven has unearthed a few matters that merit reflection. I call them "The Trochecks And The Forecheck."
Without them there never would have been what has fast developed into one of "Hockey's Greatest Moments." (How could it not when you figure that the audience of almost 80,000 critics could not fit into Radio City Music Hall.)
The Trocheck part should be obvious. New York's second center scored two goals before the deluge and -- without Vinnie's red lights -- there never would have been the Hollywood ending.
And, I submit, since his name is neither Mika nor Artemi, the heroics of Master Trocheck will remain buried somewhere in the Department of Rangers Afterthoughts.
So, The Maven's line goes like this: No Trocheck, No Super Win Of All Outdoor Victories.
Ah, but lovely to look at, though they were. Vin's win contributions to the flick needed a last act, and that's where the "forecheck" comes into play for this four-act play.
When the 5-5 overtime began, the Islanders owned the puck. Once in position, the Orange and Blue's best defenseman -- he already had three assists -- Noah Dobson prepared for the inevitable attack.
What Dobson indubitably was thinking had to do with Breadman's plan; that Artemi would start back-skating as the enemy attack unfolded. After all, that should have been the normal thought process.
Quick-thinking Panarin wanted none of that defensive maneuvering. The Ranger was thinking out of the box and came at Dobson with an unexpected forecheck. That upset Dobson's plans and, well, you know the Happy Ending to this tale that -- when you think about it -- could not be made up.
Trocheck started it, and a forecheck turned Panarin into a James Bond on ice!
P.S. Frankly, I don't think James Bond would have believed it either!