Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com – which by the way – is published here in the Golden Country known as the United States of America!
To quote the great Hacksaw Jim Duggan, then I must begin this much belated tome with this:
“USA! USA! USA!”
For American forwards Matt Boldy, Kyle Connor, Jack Eichel, Jake Guentzel, Jack Hughes, Clayton Keller, Dylan Larkin, Auston Matthews, J.T. Miller, Brock Nelson, Tage Thompson, Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk, Vincent Trocheck; defensemen Brock Faber, Noah Hanifin, Quinn Hughes, Jackson LaCombe, Charlie McAvoy, Jake Sanderson, Jaccob Slavin and Zach Werenski; and most certainly goalie Connor Hellebuyck and his two back-ups too, Jake Oettinger & Jeremy Swayman
And yep – the same goes for Bill Guerin, Chris Drury, John Tortorella and Mike Sullivan too.
Of course, then just like the “Miracle on Ice” squad before them, the 1980 American team that last won gold for this country before Sunday, February 22nd, 2026, came and went – then this new generation of red-white-and-blue stars have now inspired millions – and where one day – a third generation of Yanks will win Olympic gold.
Let’s just hope that we won’t have to wait another forty-six years to see such a triumph!
Outside of the Rangers’ news (remember them?) that we’ll get into after all of the Olympic stuff – then the purpose of this American recap is not necessarily to provide you with all of the news and quotes – but rather to share human emotion and feelings after such an emotional victory.
After all, then by now, and America’s 2-1 overtime win over Canada, carried by Connor Hellebuyck’s 41 saves (.976 save percentage), is long known to you guys and gals – and where you probably know all of the post-game reaction too – including, and sadly – all of the political stuff (which we’ll slightly touch upon as well).
I think if anything, then I’m mainly sharing these thoughts-and-words with you for one reason – just to have this to look back at one day.
Heck, no one loves their own archives more than yours truly!
(Seriously speaking? Unlike podcasts, which is why I’ve turned down every offer imaginable over the years despite that medium being much more profitable, easier and rewarding than writing, then it’s always easy for me, whenever trying to look up some sort of fact, figure and/or date, to search this site’s archives for the information.)
Nearly three-weeks ago, during my last blog entry posted on this site (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/2526/ ), I closed with the following passage:
As now enter the fugazi Olympic games – then I’m taking a deserved break from this site.
Since no trades can be made, then we shouldn’t have any Ranger news until they return to Tarrytown ahead of their February 26th home match against Philly.
And after seeing what the Blueshirts did tonight after 100-hours off?
Then expect the Flyers, and in a rarity for them, as they are the only team that the Rangers have dominated this season, to finally beat these bums.
There will be no Olympic coverage on this site – as after all – and I don’t care about it.
As much as I want to see America prevail – then I’d also get a good laugh if Drury, Sullivan and Miller get embarrassed by an underdog.
And with the IIHF soft-as-shit rules – then expect a Canada vs Sweden or Finland final.
Last parting thought?
That’s how bad the Rangers are.
That’s how bad they’ve broken me.
That’s how disgusted I am with them.
I’m actually hoping to see the Ranger failures get embarrassed in international play.
And that’s why I need a break from this mess – and perhaps a therapist too.
Now removed from those words, and where of course, the Americans actually prevailing helps too (yes, there is a bias here!) – and I can’t wait for the 2030 Olympic Games – and where this too – Russia must be included.
As noted above, then two things bothered me when entering the Olympics.
One, the Rangers suck – and it was a demise that as you all know, that I’ve been predicting ever since Chris Drury decided to foolishly make Chris Kreider one of the scapegoats for last year’s malaise.
While I excluded Vincent Trocheck from all of my wrath; then I’ve never been much of a fan of Drury in the first place – and I detested his nepo Masshole hire of head coach Mike Sullivan too.
Furthermore, and I thought that the Rangers traded away J.T. Miller just as he was entering his peak, then only to get him back once his best years were behind him.
Due to this current time period being the “Dark Ages III” in Rangers’ history (in my opinion); then, and because I could see all of this coming (again – site archives don’t lie) – then it just made it tough for me to root for these guys.
Two, and the other thing that bothered me about the “fugazi” Olympic Games, was the fact that Russia was excluded.
I don’t know why the Olympic committee has to enter the world of politics, but even so, to exclude innocent players from what’s supposed to be “best vs best competition” didn’t sit right for me.
For many, including Alex Ovechkin, Nikita Kucherov, Artemi Panarin and many others – and they may never get another chance at playing on the world-wide stage ever again.
For CZAR IGOR Shestyorkin, who probably would’ve backed-up either Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ilya Sorokin and/or Sergei Bobrovsky – and he may never get another chance either.
But since we can’t do anything about it – then it is what it is – and just like the Sidney Crosby injury.
(Truth be told? Had Sid been able to play? Then I think the game goes the same way – that is – until overtime hit…)
Does the American win over the Canadians come with an asterisk due to no Russian involvement?
Perhaps in the immediate aftermath – yes – and where moving forward, the print on the asterisk fades a bit.
However, then I don’t think that it will always be forgotten that Russia was excluded from this tournament either.
After all, then when comparing America’s most recent two gold medal wins (1980 and 2026), and the semi-final win over Russia from 1980 is one of the most legendary stories in all of sport.
As the 2026 U.S. win enters the annals of history, then future historians and talking heads, including people who may not be born today, will go back and look at what Russia did in 2026.
Maybe they’ll find that asterisk then.
Do you know what this folk will also find?
How an American gold medal win can not only define an era – but become the biggest story in sports too.
No joke?
Then I saw many people, including family and friends that really don’t pay attention to hockey, glued to their screens throughout the tournament.
I don’t think that will ever change either.
Yeah, the Stanley Cup is the prize that we all want for the Rangers, but nothing is bigger than an American gold medal hockey win.
Outside of the joy and jubilation following Hughes’ golden goal, then you knew it had to happen – some people, mainly hockey novices, were already comparing the 2026 Americans to the 1980 version – and where of course – Sunday’s A.M. win wasn’t a “Miracle on Ice 2.0” situation either.
After all, then the circumstances between the two gold medal wins couldn’t be any more different.
For starters, then DUH, the 1980 team were a bunch of college athletes – and where nary an NHLer could be found.
Under GM Craig Patrick and Head Coach Herb Brooks, two Hall of Famers and legendary Americans in their own right (yes – Patrick came from a long lineage of Canadians but he was born in America due to his father’s career – and where both Lynn and Craig, and Lester, their patriarch, are covered in my first book too), then these two hockey stalwarts had plenty of time, and practices too, when assembling their lot for the 1980 games.
Some 46-years later, and the very best in the sport today, NHL professionals, are included – and not only on the American roster – but throughout other competing rosters too – and of course, and most notably as well, the Canadian squad.
A fact that’s often lost both due to legend and lure whenever talking about the “Miracle on Ice” team is that the Americans did beat the Russians – but albeit – in the semi-final round.
Their gold medal victory then took place two days later, on February 24th of that year, when the Americans downed Finland by a 4-2 final score.
But of course, it was the win against the big, bad and heavily-favored Russians that’s much more well remembered than the gold medal victory against the Finns.
Furthermore, then because the Americans fielded a roster full of amateur players in 1980 – then they were a long-shot.
Fast-forward to 2026 – and the Americans were pegged as the second-best favorite when entering the tournament, second only to Canada.
Suffice to say – then what we saw on Sunday morning, at around 11AM on the east coast, wasn’t a miracle.
Instead, it was a stamp of approval on how much the American system has grown – and where today – not only does America, sans a few Canadian teams, host the best league in sport, the NHL – but now sit atop of the almighty Olympic hill too.
Funny enough – and politics was the major backdrop in both the 1980 and 2026 American gold medal victories.
Obviously, then without the political villain in 1980, Russia – and we would have never had the “Miracle on Ice.”
In today’s world (and it’s not my intent to get too deep on this), then the Donald Trump administration, including the POTUS’ comments on Canada, where he threatened to make them a “51st state,” is also a story.
And of course, there’s also in-fighting in America about Trump – and now in the aftermath – where some Americans, mainly crazy-and-kooky far-left liberals (don’t get me started on Keith Olbermann), are denouncing the gold medal hockey players for not only voting and welcoming Trump into their mix – but by also accepting an invite to not only the White House (as is customary) – but to Trump’s Tuesday night’s (2/24) State of the Union Address.
(More on this below – and I promise – I’ll keep this stuff short.)
Despite tensions, both political and economical, between America and Canada perhaps reaching an all-time high; but needless to say – and Canada v. America is nowhere close to what it was in 1980 between America and Russia.
And to be fair – there were a whole lot of tensions between Canada and Russia too back then – and of course – in the hockey world as well.
For the majority, myself included, and the 2026 Olympic Games was always destined to be settled by the two hockey super-powers – the red-white-and-blue and the Maple Leaf.
And had America beat Finland, as Canada did, to enter the gold medal game – then a USA golden win over Finland, and as it was in 1980, wouldn’t have been well remembered either.
To finish their story – then simply put – and America had to beat Canada.
A win over anyone else would’ve just led to “what if” questions.
There’s no what if after Sunday – and where it’s been settled – America is where hockey reigns supreme!
Last year, and the NHL presented us a “Four Nations” tournament, where just like the Olympics – and Russia, for political reasons, was excluded.
And just like the Olympics?
Then the two other teams that took part in Four Nations were Sweden and Finland – and two Scandinavian clubs that were eliminated by America and Canada in the Olympics respectively.
In a game that will never be forgotten about; then on February 15th, 2025, America picked up their biggest international win ever since their pair of wins in 1980 (and with all respect paid to the 1996 Americans who won the “World Cup of Hockey” tournament – but the Olympic wins were much bigger than Mike Richter’s heroics, the MVP of the WCOH), when behind three fights in the opening nine seconds, they eventually trounced the Canucks by a 3-1 final.
Five days later, on February 20th, 2025, and Canada not only got their revenge – but they won the only game that mattered too – a 3-2 overtime tournament final victory at America’s expense.
Ironically, and not only did Canada win the game via 3 x 3 play (something that Canadian coach Jon Cooper cried about after having the roles reversed on him on Sunday) – but because of this preview – and it allowed both countries to tinker with their rosters a bit.
(I also don’t want to dig into Cooper – but yeah – we all hate the 3 x 3 overtime rules – but these rules have benefited him in the past. Plus, his team should’ve scored on a lengthy 5 x 3 power-play too.)
For Ranger fans, then this roster tinkering meant that Chris Kreider and Adam Fox, part of Four Nations, wouldn’t be traveling to Italy for the Olympics.
For the likes of Tage Thompson and Jackson LaCombe – this was great news – and where sadly for Seth Jones, then if he wasn’t injured, then it would’ve been he, and not LaCombe, with an Olympic gold medal right now.
Whether or not this was a shot at Kreider and Fox, then following the American gold medal win, and the head coach of not only the Americans, but the Rangers too, Mike Sullivan, said, “the team was built with personality in mind. We were loaded with personality and up-and-down the line-up. There are whisky drinkers and milk drinkers and we have a whole lot of whisky drinkers on this team.”
(And based on what Sullivan said, then there is no bigger Ranger fan on the planet than me – as I consume nearly a bottle of Buffalo Trace or Michter’s whisky whenever writing one of these tomes – and that doesn’t include the booze I digest whenever watching the Blueshirts play too!)
The Rangers?
Then they are drinking out of juice boxes these days – but let’s stick with the Americans before getting into the sad state of the Blueshirts!
As we all know, and especially when Sullivan was crediting his entire roster for the gold medal win (let’s face it – this game would have been a Canadian blowout victory if it wasn’t for Hellebuyck, who put on the best American goaltending performance ever since Mike Richter in 1996) – then winners write history – and they can write whatever they want too.
While I went into the Olympic Games with a negative mindset; once the first puck was dropped (and as proven on my Tweeter/X account, where you can find all of my real-time thoughts, https://x.com/NYCTheMiC/), and I quickly got into it.
After all, then despite all of the bullshit with the Rangers of today – and I love hockey more than anything else.
To be fair, while I’d take one Rangers’ Stanley Cup win over 786767869867896798 American gold medal victories; but of course – that’s fantasy and not reality.
In reality, then I can’t make the Rangers win the Stanley Cup.
In the time, which was these past two-weeks, then all I could do was root for my country.
Granted, while I was originally going to just remove myself from watching; but once the American slate was announced – I then soon carved out all of my free time in order to watch USA compete.
For a man who has made plenty of bad decisions in life, including deciding to follow my father’s footsteps when becoming a fan of the Blueshirts, a decision that’s led to nothing but heartbreak sans that one time in 1994 when I was 12-years-old – then I’m glad that I didn’t make another mistake come the Olympics – as I was there for all of it.
And these past two weeks, culminated by an American gold medal win, was one of the best rides that I’ve ever had as a hockey fan.
Furthermore?
Then approaching my 44th trip around this planet – and this American Olympic gold medal win was the first one that I’ve ever seen with my own two eyes.
Obviously, I had nothing to do with any of this most positive history – but I’m just thankful that I was able to witness it.
I’ll never forget it.
I didn’t miss one second of American Olympic hockey – but admittedly – and due to my real life j-o-b – and I did skip most of the Latvian, Slovakian, Danish and really, everyone else not named Canada, slate of games.
I took in three American wins at my favorite bar, while watching everything else at work (during my allotted breaks – I must stress that!) or from my humble abode at home.
While I’m not here to give you play-by-play recaps, much less game summaries either; then here were my prevailing thoughts from throughout the tournament – and right prior to Sunday morning’s 2-1 gold medal win:
— With the thinking that America v. Canada would determine the gold and silver, then I relied on my old tired-and-true catch-phrase of “SPECIAL TEAMS SWING GAMES.”
— Going into the final, and Canada had the best power-play (they finished 38.89%), while USA had the best penalty kill (100% – and boy did they need that on Sunday too)!
— I thought a special teams goal would swing the final, and with the American power-play not that hot in the early stages – then I was worried – and especially with Sullivan and David Quinn, “masterminds” of the god-awful Rangers’ power-play, being tasked to do the same here.
— Zach Werenski, robbed of a Norris Trophy last year because his Columbus Blue Jackets didn’t qualify for the Stanley Cup Tournament (Cale Makar won it – and while he earned it – Werenski did much more with less), was the best rearguard in my eyes – and with all respect for the much more offensive Quinn Hughes. I just thought that Werenski was a complete stud – and in every which way.
— Jeremy Swayman, in the American 6-3 win against Denmark, proved to us that he couldn’t be the man to man the pipes come the elimination games. That was fine to me too – as after all – and just like Canada v. America being destiny – then so was a Four Nations rematch between Jordan Binnington and Connor Hellebuyck.
— Whether this was fair or not to their NHL employers (and let’s face it – country bested teams in all cases) – and players that were either injured, or missed time with their respective teams, sure showed up when it mattered.
— Say whatever you want about the Trocheck and Miller injuries, key stars of the “whisky-drinkin'” American penalty kill); but in the same respect, then look how bad the Devils have been this year – and mainly due to several injuries and afflictions sustained by Jack Hughes this season.
— There’s one fact that can’t be argued against it. Not only was Jack Hughes one of the best players in the tournament, and from among all nationalities – but he only seemed to grow in power as the games progressed. While Hughes’ 2025-26 season has been marred – I’m sure that American Devil fans can forgive it somewhat now.
— Another thing about Hughes? Then I didn’t know he was Jewish until a co-worker told me last year. Hopefully the Hughes’ family can inspire more Jewish-American kids to get into hockey.
— For Ranger fans? It’s harder to hate Miller and Sullivan – but I’m not so sure if the same feeling applies to Drury – and especially as time passes on.
— Also for Ranger fans? Then away from the Gaudreau respect, and perhaps Hellebuyck’s golden heroics too, then was there any better story than the pair of brothers, Tkachuk (Brady and Matt) and Hughes (Matt and Quinn)?
— I’m telling you – Brady Tkachuk, who Blueshirt fans have clamored over for years (or should I say “dreaming of?”), is the player that J.T. Miller pretends to be with the Rangers. I mean, who else dragged the Americans into the fight more than the captain of the Senators?
— Jack Eichel, who should’ve been a Ranger (not going to explain all of this again), was a fantastic beast when centering the flank of Tkachuk’s. And to think – only Vegas, a city known for their affinity of chances and gambling, was the only team willing to take a risk on him.
(As noted at the time, then Eichel’s surgery was only new to the NHL – as this neck procedure had successfully been performed on WWE and UFC athletes – and athletes that take much more abuse on their necks and heads than hockey players do).
— As someone who lives ten-minutes away from Long Beach, then it was hard not to get caught up in all of the Charlie McAvoy stuff. His jersey adorns many walls in Long Beach watering holes – and after Sunday – then not only is he a Long Island icon – but now an American icon too. I wonder how Adam Fox feels about that.
— If anyone had a “coming out” (not in the multi-colored flag fashion!) party, then it was Minnesota’s Matt Boldy. And if it wasn’t for Hughes and Hellebuyck, then perhaps you’d see more about his opening goal from the gold medal win too.
— While this perhaps belongs in the Rangers’ section of tonight’s manifesto – but it was reported that Trocheck joked to the media prior to the tournament that perhaps he should pose with Boldy and the other members of the Wild (Brock Faber and Quinn Hughes). And with both Bill Guerin (Wild and American GM) and Drury sharing plenty of time together this month, then I wouldn’t rule out a Trocheck trade to Minny either.
— Of course, and I don’t have to tell you this either – but EVERYONE wanted this win – badly at that. That said? Then perhaps American captain Auston Matthews, much maligned in Toronto (akin to the Rangers to boot), needed this win the most.
— I also liked how his American teammates immediately shut down all questioning when Canadian media, after their own country’s silver win/gold loss, tried to paint Matthews as a failure with the Leafs.
— And since I love history, then perhaps it was Brock Nelson that now has the most interesting tale to share. Not only was his uncle Dave Christian part of the “Miracle on Ice” team, but his grandfather, Bill Christian, and his great-uncle too, Roger Christian, were also part of the 1960 American gold medal winning team.
— Just to mention it, and since no one else talks more about hockey broadcasts more than yours truly – and the temporary NBC/Peacock team, Kenny Albert, Edzo and Brian Boucher, now on TNT, were absolutely fantastic. Ditto Mike Tirico. And yep – no one works harder than Albert today – and he’s an automatic lock for the Hall of Fame, multiple ones at that, one day.
Let’s now talk gold.
On Friday afternoon, I watched Canada complete their second of two late elimination game comebacks.
After pulling off the near impossible on Wednesday, with their 4-3 overtime win against Czechia, Canada made another comeback – and scored another late goal too – and as they did on Friday in their 3-2 win over Finland.
On the American side, then on Wednesday, USA led the whole way in their eventual 2-1 overtime win against Sweden. When Mika Zibanejad, on a 6 x 5 goal, scored late, tied the game – then I was seeing red – and had Quinn Hughes not put the Swedes away in overtime – then the tone of this blog would be very different right now!
While it was thought that the Americans had drawn the strongest opposition in the quarterfinal round (and as it was proven); then come the semi-final round – and you didn’t have those same stressful feelings when entering USA v. Slovakia.
Slovakia, who had the easiest path to the semi-final round, then faced their toughest opponent yet – and as America proved in their 6-2 blasting of the Slovaks on Friday.
As I was enjoying the American win during my break time at work, then once the score read USA 4, Slovaks 0 – and I immediately got texts from my buddy, who is also the head cook of Pearsalls (well renowned at that), Will M., about a gold medal watch party at the bar on Sunday morning.
Truth be told – and the thought of this particular night owl waking up early was mortifying!
(And as you may know – then I don’t even post these blogs until 3AM too!)
While I’d definitely get my ass out of my bed to watch the game – if not just watch it from there; then I didn’t envision myself going out drinking on Sunday morning either – and especially not with a late Saturday UFC event in my future too!
I also made this tweet around the time of Will’s text to me – and I can’t believe over half-a-million people had to explain to me how time zones worked either – but again – then whenever a tweet goes viral – and people replying to you don’t know you, nor what you have previously said either:
If 🇺🇸 does their job, then NBC, Sportsnet and the NHL really need to apply pressure on the Olympic committee and push the gold medal game to 3:10PM EST. 8am is just pissing away a TV rating.
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 20, 2026
After laughing at a lot of the responses that I got to the tweet above; I soon told Will that I’d be there – but where at the time – I didn’t know if it would just be the two of us watching.
Elsewhere, and my usual crew either had work or church commitments – and that’s also why “TEN O’CLOCK TOMMY” is now known as “TOMMY THE COMMIE!”
While Will was always going to open the bar regardless; then he didn’t have to worry about any repercussions after his original text to me, as Governor Kathy Hochul (who I’m not a fan of – but she did get this right), mimicked her peers in Canada, and as she did when she announced the following on Saturday:
By now, you know me.
I’m a drinker.
I’m a bar guy.
And I love to watch big games with family and friends.
While most of the time, I do tend to prefer to watch Ranger games at work from my fart-filled chair or at home from my beer-stained sofa; but this gold medal game, akin to a Super Bowl (and where afterwards there’s no doubt – this USA win was 79867986878678967986796 times bigger than this year’s annual NFL gala), was an event that needed to be watched while in a gathering.
And since I have a ton of friends who work in the bar and restaurant business – then yeah – I was thinking of them when I was hoping for this game to be pushed up to a more reasonable hour in North America.
I guess that I must admit fault here – as this 8AM puck drop didn’t do much to deter anyone from watching this game as I thought it would – and that’s even with one of the biggest blizzards on record that was set to hit the area!
All over the place, including both in the United States and in Canada, and I saw about a zillion bars/restaurants promoting their own watch parties.
Pearsalls was no different.
After the game?
Then like Pearsalls – and all of these places were packed to the rafters – and where like my video – and I can’t get enough of all of the American celebration either:
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 22, 2026
The only business hurt on Sunday morning was the brunch business – as hockey and the impending snow storm dominated everything else.
As Pearsalls was standing room only, and just like about 7867867786798679867867868689 other locales in the world, then I was reminded of my days from now over a decade ago, when I split Rangers’ season tickets with my dumbass good pal, YOFFREY.
Again, bar guy here, and when talking to NYC bar owners outside of M$G prior to every Rangers’ pregame – and they all told me the same thing:
“Ranger fans drink. Knick fans do not.”
The American/Canadian puck drop was scheduled at 8:10 on Sunday morning – and a religious time for some.
Perhaps like peanut butter and jelly – and hockey and booze go together hand-in-hand too!
I’m living proof!
At Pearsalls, I drink so much Labatt beer that they even order kegs of it for me and my friends – and my good old dear old dad too!
Not on Sunday!
With the Labatt keg closed, the Budweiser tap opened – and starting at 7AM (first patron – but certainly not the last) and all the way to noon (where I couldn’t wait to check my phone then doze off) – and I was joined by large group all pounding beers, sucking down shots and all while screaming “USA! USA! USA!”
I could’ve very easily stayed home – and yeah – I’d still remember the game anyway.
But the experience I had at Pearsalls on Sunday when watching the Americans win gold?
UNFORGETTABLE!
And I can’t wait until we do this again in four more years!
While I’m sure there is some psycho liberal out there crying about all of the alcohol being promoted in the country, not only by the politicians who waived local liquor laws, but by the players for drinking copious amounts too (we’ll get to Kash Patel in a bit – I promise), but this is what the majority of American adults too – they drink during big events.
Whether it’s a wedding, a bachelor(ette) party, a birthday, an engagement, an anniversary or in this case, a major sports event – and as humans, we want to celebrate these special events in the most fun (and responsible – despite all of my drinking – and I always walk or Uber everywhere) way possible.
The booze also calms the nerves – and the American 2-1 overtime win over Canada was one of the most nerve-wracking games that I’ve ever experienced.
Again, no play-by-play, but just some thoughts about the win:
— Matt Boldy’s opening 1-0 goal was beautiful, a work of art, but as noted earlier – it’s not the lede story because of everything else that happened.
— The first period, slightly favoring the Americans, ended with this 1-0 score in-tact – and with the shots on goal totals even at eight a piece. Furthermore, and USA, who had problems scoring power-play goals, had the lone man-up time of the match.
— Then the second period happened.
— For the next forty-minutes and this was the CONNOR HELLEBUYCK show – and the fact that Connor McDavid was named as the MVP of the tournament is a decision that needs an appeal.
— No one will ever remember whatever Connor “The Bridesmaid” McDavid did in this tournament. They will always remember “THE HUCKLEBUCK!” (yes, a “Jerky Boys” reference) – or as my pal Ricky O. calls him now, “UNCLE BUYCK!”
— I’ve seen plenty of excellent goaltending in my life – as despite how bad the Rangers have been in their attempts to win Cups – and it’s been the goalies that’s largely carried them.
(Other memorable goalie performances off the top of my head? Mike Richter in 1994 and 1996, Joonas Korpisalo’s 85 saves in a Covid-time playoff loss to the Bolts and CZAR IGOR’s 79 saves against Pittsburgh in the 2022 Playoffs. Favorite goalie duel? The one that I always talk about, Henrik Lundqvist’s 1-0 win against Evgeni Nabokov from April of 2013 – and a game that yours truly and my great friend, “The Maven,” Stan Fischler, often talk about.)
(Worst goalie performance? Every game from Rocco W. during Degeneration X’s 1997-98 season – my high school team of youth! As my dad always says, if only he had video from those games – and he’d be a blooper-reel millionaire! And to be fair, then yours truly, and everyone else in front of Rocco too, left him out to dry like early 1900s’ laundry! How Rocco grew up to be a well-adjusted man after all of that trauma we presented to him is just as inspiring as “The Mirace on Ice!”)
— Recency bias tends to trump all, but yeah – then this showing from Hellebuyck was one of the best performances from a goalie that I’ve ever seen in my life – and especially when you factor in the stakes – and the quality of opposition too.
— Did Hellebuyck get some breaks in between his 41 saves? Sure, as I still don’t know how Nathan MacKinnon missed this:
— Similar to this “Miss Heard Round The World” – and I don’t know how Canada, who had 100-seconds of a 5 x 3 power-play – couldn’t score.
— Hellebuyck, under siege for forty consecutive minutes, only broke once – as Cale Makar, Mack’s teammate in Denver, tied the game at 1-1 at the 8:16 mark of the second period.
— Prior to the overtime heroics, then we were right back to “SPECIAL TEAMS SWING GAMES” – as with 6:34 remaining in regulation – and the score still tied at 1-1 – and only because of the goalie – and the Americans drew a four-minute double-minor high-sticking call – as Sam Bennett had high-sticked Jack Hughes.
— While we didn’t know it at the time, this penalty would also set the stage for what was to come – and one more time – that iconic photo too:
— Tied after one of the most stressful regulation games of all-time – and the Canadians were out-shooting their daddies by a 41-26 margin.
— The Canadians had a chance early – but again – this guy:
As cigarettes were being chain smoked, as beers were being gulped and as fingernails were being chewed to the wrists during a lengthy intermission break between the regulation and overtime periods – and your heart was racing as if it was a Kenyan.
For the Canadians, they had to know they’d finally beat THE HUCKLEBUCK – and especially with arguably the best three 3 x 3 players in the world – MacKinnon, Makar and McDavid – leading the way.
Enter Jack Hughes at just the 1:41 mark – and who is a hell of a gimmick time – and big-game too – player himself:
JACK HUGHES WITH THE GOLDEN GOAL 🇺🇸🦅
FIRST MENS GOLD SINCE 1980 🥇
(Via @NBCOlympics)
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 22, 2026
2-1, USA.
2-1, USA, your final.
2-1, USA, in one of the most orgasmic, life-changing and career-defining moments of all-time.
I had about 79867868679867986 million thoughts racing throughout my head after Hughes’ golden goal – and where of course – “I CAN’T BELIEVE WE WON” (yeah, I said “we”) was at the top of them.
Before hitting the post-game stuff, then here was some of my immediate reactions:
— If that was Fox, and not Makar, that the Americans blew by, and had this been Four Nations too – then would’ve Makar been excluded from the Olympics? Yeah, I didn’t think so either.
— But again, winners write history – and as a result – the American staff can say whatever they want (although anything but “Hellebuyck carried us” is wrong).
— This American win is completely unprecedented. It was their first with an NHL roster. Moving forward, then what will the ramifications and consequences (this doesn’t imply anything negative either) be?
Obviously, the win will inspire a new generation of American hockey players. We know that.
But in the immediate near-future, then what?
What I’m getting at is can you see any of these players being booed in American road markets again?
While I’m sure that Jack Hughes will get booed in Canadian markets (Hellebuyck will have a fun time in Winnipeg!); but is he really going to be booed by Ranger fans?
(And how about that asshole Sieve Vagistat, who once infamously said that Kaapo Kakko would become the better player among the 1-2 picks of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft?)
— In the same vein, then how about the newly minted gold medal Olympians? I mean really, can you see Brady Tkachuk looking to lay out Quinn Hughes with a big hit? Do you think you’ll ever see Matt Tkachuk drop the gloves with Brock Faber? And I sure as hell know that you’ll never see any of the skaters ever dare to bowl over Hellebuyck too!
— It could’ve been very easy to move on from the Gaudreau family and let me explain what I mean here before you chastise me.
Professional athletes are notoriously the most superstitious people on the planet. After the Four Nations loss, where all respects and tributes were heavily paid to the Gaudreau family, and the Americans could’ve moved on come the Olympics.
What I’m trying to say here is that the Americans, and in the classiest and most respective way possible, did everything when honoring Jonny Gaudreau (and his family) last year.
It didn’t work.
The Americans never wavered.
Not only was Gaudreau’s jersey still hanging in their locker room – but Team USA also flew out the bulk of his family to Italy.
It all set the stage for one of the most emotional photos and moments in USA Hockey history:
Nothing will ever replace Jonny Gaudreau, nor his brother Matt, after they were violently murdered by an irresponsible drunken driver in August of 2024.
Widows were made, children were now left without fathers.
Brothers were lost, sons senselessly killed.
Team USA, and perhaps using the post 9/11 spirit of “NEVER FORGET” – did the same for the Gaudreau’s.
IN EVERY GAME ACCOUNT OF THIS EPIC GOLD MEDAL GAME – and the word “Gaudreau” appears in all of them.
Yet, and some special type of assholes, you know the sort, want to solely turn this game about what happened in the locker room – as if receiving a call from the President and drinking beer with an FBI guy is some sort of crime.
I went into this tournament without a care in the world about it.
I left it completely all-in (shit, I’ve already spent about $400 in swag already) – and where I’ll never forget this group.
Nor the surname Gaudreau either.
You’ve probably seen these videos already, but I guess that I have to mention them, as they are part of the story in the aftermath.
Here is Trump, doing what any President does after a major sports event, especially one with these international bragging right stakes on the line, calling a team that nearly in complete unison, supports and voted for him:
The greatest post game locker room phone call of all-time.
President Trump is one of us. pic.twitter.com/FbAz5ysvSN
— Nick Adams (@NickAdamsinUSA) February 23, 2026
Again, some losers, the extreme dyed-hair liberal type, hated this.
HOW DARE THESE PLAYERS VIEW POLITICS DIFFERENT FROM THEM – AND WHAT NERVE TO VOTE IN A DIFFERENT MANNER AS THEM TOO!
Trump, who may love sports more than any other American president in history, also made a locker room joke to the guys, when he said something like, “you know, I have to invite the women too, or else I’ll get impeached!”
Everyone laughed.
And Trump will be inviting all American gold medal winners to the White House too – a fact that’s also lost.
Trump’s FBI guy, Kash Patel, was also ostracized by the people who think having genital mutilation surgeries is a natural way of life:
🚨LMAO: Leftist & Woke Right lunatics are MAD at Kash Patel for celebrating with Team USA after their historic WIN! Kash is an adult & off the clock. He can do this in his spare time if he wants. Go touch grass if the sight of a man celebrating his country upsets you.
Seriously,… pic.twitter.com/X3RZLdB3Gv
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝘼𝙜𝙚 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 🇺🇸 (@GoldenAgeTimes2) February 23, 2026
News Flash: If the USA players and staff didn’t want the FBI Director there, then they’d tell him the locker room was closed.
This was an American win – and what – people are mad that American government employees were celebrating it?
Again, I don’t want to spend all day on this (these blogs are already along enough – but hey – one click, 10,000 words and no ads!), but to turn this into anything than what it was – THE BIGGEST AMERICAN HOCKEY WIN SINCE 1980 – well that’s just a waste of time to me.
I’ll even be open here. I’m a Trump guy.
That said?
Had Kamala Harris won the 2024 election and was the person calling the team, while her head of the FBI was pounding beers with the Americans?
Then I’d support all of it too – and just like I did with Hochul’s decision to waive all early morning liquor serving laws.
This is about AMERICAN HOCKEY.
NOT AMERICAN POLITICS.
Let me step off my soap box now!
A few more thoughts and news before UGH, getting into the Rangers:
— The American gold medalists have accepted Trump’s invite to the White House. After landing in Miami on Monday, Trump is sending them a private jet in order to not only get a private audience with the President – but seats for Tuesday night’s State of the Union Address.
— Talk about getting a rating – as not only will this State of the Union Address draw big numbers anyway – but having the hockey players there will also add intrigue.
— I don’t care about the Canadian side of it, but obviously, and with the NHL resuming play on Wednesday night – and many gold medal Americans may not rejoin their teams on time.
— I know this will upset some, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these players. To miss one game out of 82 isn’t a big deal for me – and of course – I should say that I’m a Rangers’ fan – and presently rooting for a first-overall pick come the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
— The Blueshirts return to action at home, against Philly, on Thursday night. I don’t think you’ll hear the “FIRE DRURY” chants on that night – but I’m sure they’ll return eventually.
— Funny enough – and the Rangers were the only team NOT to honor their Olympians prior to the break. You can expect flowers and multiple ceremonies for Miller, Trocheck and Sullivan on Thursday – if not Saturday against Pittsburgh – as the players may get a day off.
— And a day off for Miller and Trocheck won’t hurt the Rangers in their current state either. Heck, call up two ECHLers if you have to!
If you recall, then in the aftermath of the “Miracle on Ice” team – and the Rangers were in the gold medal business.
Entering the fray were not only Patrick and Brooks, but a slew of players too, including Mark Pavelich (the most successful of the lot), Dave Silk, Rob McClanahan and Bill Baker.
While the Blueshirts had some good runs in them during the early 1980s – well, the less said about who won the Stanley Cup during those years is better off left unsaid!
Fast-forward to today?
And the Rangers already have the assistant GM of the 2026 winners, Chris Drury. They also have the head coach too in Mike Sullivan.
Of course, there’s also a pair of gold medal players in the mix too – J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck – and where who knows – then perhaps this win increases the chances of Trocheck staying in town.
(And if this leads to Trocheck staying – and Mika leaving – then no one will be more happier than me!)
Of course, the other alternative is perhaps more likelier – Trocheck, already one of the top prizes in the league come 3PM on March 6th, has only increased his trade value after the gold medal victory.
And as we now get into our final quick segment – the Rangers of today – then that was the last thought I had after the USA win –
“Ugh, back to the Rangers after this elation?”
One last thought before getting into them?
THANK YOU TEAM USA.
USA! USA! USA!
In news that shouldn’t shock anyone, then last week, when USA was entering their elimination rounds, it was reported that Matt Rempe, who previously broke his thumb his season, will most likely be missing the rest of this 2025-26 campaign – as he prepares to undergo another surgery in order to repair his biggest digit.
I’ve talked about this story to death, so I won’t bore you once more, but yeah – why the Rangers, specifically Drury and Sullivan, allowed Rempe to return when not 100%, still remains beyond me.
Had Rempe returned with a taped up thumb for a big playoff game – then yeah – I get it.
But to rush the big man back with the Blueshirts in the cellar never made any sense.
It remained ridiculous when both Rempe and Sullivan admitted that #73 was still nowhere close to 100% – yet he was still in the line-up.
This is pure medical maleficence as done by the Rangers to their young player – and this isn’t the first time something like this has happened.
After all, remember Filip Chytil, who once said he’d never play again in 2022 after receiving what was his 786798678969698th concussion, only to be rushed back into the line-up for the playoffs?
Speaking of the Czech today?
Then during the Olympic break – and he sustained another concussion after taking a puck to the head during a Vancouver Canucks’ practice.
At this point, and as said before, and I have no sympathy for Chytil anymore.
He’s just doing it to himself.
The Rangers, without the bulk of their management and captain around, practiced several days during the break.
Most notable were the returns of both Adam Fox and CZAR IGOR – but is that what’s good for the Rangers right now?
In the case of Fox, he has a point to prove, after sustaining a pair of injuries, both in-between his Olympic snub.
For CZAR IGOR, he returns to a team that’s already trading off their best players – and where it will only get worse from here.
Should he return to play – then he will play behind one of the worst teams in front of him during his NHL career yet.
CZAR IGOR also lost a comrade during his injury timeout – and where the LA Kings, now featuring Artemi Panarin, will get prime-time national coverage on Wednesday night (TNT) when they host a Vegas team that may be without Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin.
Speaking of CZAR’s, Kings’ and Russians, then former Ranger, Mike Rupp, in his post-playing career as a TV talking head, has floated it out there that Vladislav Gavrikov, who took less money to come to New York over the summer, may be interested in leaving – as this isn’t what he signed up for.
Of course, how anyone could think that the Rangers would be competitive this season is the work of a fool in my eyes.
The returns of both CZAR IGOR and Adam Fox, in theory, should help to stunt some of the Blueshirt bleeding – but where at this point – then what is the point in that?
Similar to the New York Giants over the past two years – and you don’t need meaningless end-of-the-season wins – victories that only propel you away from a top spot come the draft (nothing is “learned” from a late March win when entering a season in October) – and where boy-oh-boy – does Drury need this draft to go right in order to get this team out of the deepest bottoms of the ocean.
SAVE US MCKENNA!
While on Drury?
Then after the American win – and there is no way that Dolan will even entertain firing him now.
Ditto Sully, who while deserving some blame, isn’t nearly as in fault as Drury is for this mess.
In other news?
Only twenty-five more games of garbage – then onto next season.
Up Next For the Rangers: Some practices without the gold medal winners, then a Thursday night tilt against Philly on ESPN.
Note the 8PM puck drop.
After that?
Three or four games a week to conclude this god-awful centennial campaign.
Since I still want to ride the USA high, then that’s enough Ranger talk for one night!
See ya after the loss to the Flyers – as after all – and Philly is due to win!
One last time:
THANK YOU USA!
And in another “time” moment, your favorite segment and mine, which brings us to…
PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)
My fourth title and tenth book is now available!
“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!
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My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:
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For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:
Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today
My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.
My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/
To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”
The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!
“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.
All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.
To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com
To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:
Don’t forget to order my four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”
If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com
For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Thanks for reading.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
