New York Rangers head coach David Quinn had an opening day that was exciting but was just another game once the puck dropped on the Garden ice.
As the New York Rangers prepared to take on the Nashville Predators on Wednesday night, there was excitement in the air and a touch of nervousness as head coach David Quinn was getting ready to take his place behind the Blueshirts bench.
“Obviously, leading up to the game, there was an awful lot of excitement,” Quinn said to Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post. “But once the puck drops, really you’re just coaching. You’re so caught up in your responsibilities as a coach, that you’re just paying attention to what you’re supposed to be doing.”
The coach had had little to say when the questions about a high-sticking play that occurred in the third period of the team’s 3-2 loss to a Nashville.
Kevin Fiala’s incident on the Rangers’ Adam McQuaid certainly looked like a high sticking call. All four on-ice officials gathered together to discuss the play, but no penalty was called. On the ensuing faceoff, Nashville won the draw and defenseman P.K. Subban rifled a shot over the arm of Henrik Lundqvist to give Nashville a one-goal lead that eventually led them to the victory.
“You just have to keep on playing. Can’t let that type of situation affect you,” Cyrgalis reporting what the coach had to say.
Other Rangers News
The New York Rangers honored longtime anthem singer John Amirante in a pregame ceremony. John passed away last April after being part of the Rangers family for over three decades. His microphone stand stood alone as his family came on the ice to celebrate a beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.
A video of him singing the National Anthem was played from various years to the fans delight.
ICYMI watch the emotional #NYR Opening Night tribute to John Amirante last night @TheGarden. pic.twitter.com/lqKfVyMqgF
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 5, 2018
Center Boo Nieves was at the game, but he is still in concussion protocol since the hit he suffered in a preseason game against the New Jersey Devils in mid-September.
Opening day or not, the Rangers take care of their own players and make the special moments stand out.
As the team was to take the ice for pregame warmups, Brett Howden led the team out of the locker room. The Rangers players all remained and let a Howden take his first lap around the ice alone to enjoy the moment.
