WC News

Saturday was mainly a successful day for Rangers players in the World Championship.

Canada trounced Norway 12-1 (with potential Ranger Zuccarello Aasen) with Marc Staal getting an assist as well as a +3 rating. Michael Del Zotto was scoreless but was +1. Maybe most encouraging is the fact that GM Mark Messier and his coaching team continue to find opportunity to give Chad Johnson ice time. The Rangers goalie faced 7 shots in a 3^rd period and saved them all. Johnson saved 11 of 12 in another performance earlier in the tournament.

Even more impressive were the US born Rangers. The US team have had a disappointing tournament despite the team obviously being built with the future in mind.  Against Kazakhstan the US team got rid of a lot of frustration winning 10-0. Undoubted stars of the US team were Rangers Brandon Dubinsky and Matt Gilroy. Dubinsky was dominant with a 5 point night (1+4) and was +2 in just under 17 minutes of ice time. In slightly less than 14 minutes of ice time Gilroy was impressive and notched a hat trick for the US team. Such obvious success will be a huge boost to Gilroy for next year. The final Ranger was Chris Kreider. The talented teenage prospect also managed to score, adding the final tally. He took 5 shots and was a +1 in over 13 minutes of ice time.  Kreider continues to impress at this level and looks to have a huge future.

In other games Switzerland continued the tournaments upset trend and beat the Czech Republic 3-2 with Rangers property Andreas Ambuhl notching 2 goals. Does he have a future in North America and the Rangers organization? He’s certainly demanding attention.  Michael Roszival was -1. The final Ranger on display was Artem Anisimov. The talented pivot saw limited ice time (8 minutes) and was -1 in Russia’s narrow 3-2 victory over the in-form German team. Sunday sees USA take on France, Canada take on a young and talented Sweden and Anisimov and Russia taking on Denmark.

Despite a varied level of competition its encouraging to see numerous Rangers success stories in this tournament so far. Several young players have contributed while several (specifically Chad Johnson, Chris Kreider, Gilroy and Del Zotto) are gaining vital experience. It bodes well.