Rangers Analysis: John Tortorella Needs To Hold Himself Accountable
by Joe Fortunato on Mar 17, 2010 1:08 PM EDT
in Rangers Analysis
63 comments
When John Tortorella took up his post as Head Coach of the New York Rangers, he promised to bring changes to the scene. He promised us a more up-tempo and offensive system while demanding a harder working attitude by his players on the ice. But most importantly he promised to hold players accountable for their actions; no matter how long they have been in the league or how many "zeros" are on the end of their checks.
Thus far we have seen very little of what we have been promised. Tortorella has implemented a go-go offensive system, but it can't produce shots, let alone quality scoring chances, or even goals on a nightly basis. Blame seems to fall on everyone, yet no one seems to actually be held accountable for their actions. The old Tortorella who would bench Vincent Lacavalier for not back checking on a goal seems unwilling to do the same with anyone on the Rangers. Instead Tortorella turns his fury to the media, where he has had various blow-ups and blow-offs, fire we would have expected to see behind the bench.
Blame can fall in a ton of places, and it does. The defense is too weak in front of Henrik Lundqvist, giving opposing players clear and clean lanes to deflect shots or bowl him over. They are soft in the corners, can't seem to keep pucks out of the slot, and they never punish anyone for skating in the zone with their heads down. The offense can't score goals, not too much more to say here. You all know the problems, you don't need me to highlight them.
Join me after the jump for more ...
But what I haven't seen is Tortorella taking it upon himself to make some real changes. A famous quote from Tom Renney when he was here was: "if they are doing things right I'll stand behind them, if they are doing things wrong I'll stand in front of them." For all the flak that I gave Renney I do miss him. I like a coach who steps up and says "what's happening is my fault right now, and I'm going to fix it."
What I'm trying to get at is that the finger of blame is slowly rotating onto Tortorella. His systems, ideologies, and demands are not being met, nor are they being executed on the ice. The team is a game away from .500, and is one or two losses away from freefalling out of a playoff spot. The exciting and optimistic team we saw through first eight games of the season are so far gone that you couldn't reach them if you were traveling on the Concord.
Let's get one thing clear here; Tortorella isn't going anywhere, at least not this season. Not only is it bad business to fire a coach after just a year and some change at the helm, it also sends a horrible message to future free agents and potential replacements that this is a team in disarray. Even though the team is in disarray, they probably don't want it so noticeable to the public. The other issue we see with Tortorella is that if he were fired it would be the 5thcoach that Sather has had the privilege of removing (counting himself). Any other General Manager would have been fired for much less, but not here in New York.
If Tortorella truly believes that is this a playoff team, and by his comments to the press he does, then he needs to step up and make some real changes. Maybe Artem Anisimov and Sean Averyshould see more than 12 minutes a game. Maybe Anisimov should see more than 48 seconds of power play time a game, since you aren't just developing him for this year, but the future as well. Perhaps Matt Gilroy should see more power play time than Michal Rozsival, since you are also developing him for the future. Maybe Tortorella should loses the leash on Sean Avery, so he can continue to be as effective as he has been the past two games. And what about giving Enver Lisin the shot he was never offered, since he brought just as much heart and soul to this team as anyone else night in and night out.
There are tons of moves that can be made, tons of changes we might be able to see. But the only way this team is going to go anywhere, is if Tortorella looks in the mirror and realizes that he is part of the problem, and he doesn't appear to be fixing it.
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Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till it's gone?
For what it’s worth, we were saying pretty much the same things about Renney’s offense as we do now about Tortorella’s. You can just substitute “Jagr” for “Gaborik” and the quotes are interchangeable.
Good post Joe
Torts seems to be very stubborn and he will continue to do things that hurt the team, but will not change.
As far as not holding players accountable, I think Glen Sather might have something to do with that.
Overall, I must say I am dissapointed in Torts. Last year at this time when he was hired I was excited, but Torts is not living up to my expectations.
In the end I just don’t think the Rangers “have the horses”. They don’t have enough skilled players that can score and are too soft on defense. It seems to me that we have way too many 3rd line players and not enough 1st and 2nd line players.
i dont disagree that overall there is a talent deficiency here, but there also is no consistent system or effort and that in some measure is on the coach. i look at a team like phoenix who has approximately the same talent level as us in a much tougher conference and is getting results because they have a consistent structure, accountability and consistent effort.
accountability really is the key work here
the old Tortorella wouldn’t let Redden step on the ice after his poor play during the middle of the season. But Tortorella only seems willing to take ice time away from Dubinsky, Del Zotto, Lisin and Higgins (when he was here)
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by Joe Fortunato on Mar 17, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
fully agree with that mleetch...
however, I’m still not convinced that Avery is on some sort of leash, Joe. I still think that he has been partially tamed by that Dallas incident. If you look at the Philly game for instance, that is the Aves that everyone wants… the fans… the teammates… and Torts.
There is NO WAY that Torts is telling him not to play that game. If anything, Torts is encouraging it – play with an edge, rough it up a bit, hit people, draw penalties… and if you’re going to take a penalty, make sure its not a tie game late in the 3rd.
But yes, he needs to hold certain guys more accountable (including himself), and he needs to find something consistent, from himself, his staff, and the players. Thats his job, and he’s screwing it up.
there is a difference between putting him on a leash and actually telling him not to do soemthing
We have seen Avery lose ice time over penalites, something Tom Renney would never ever do. We saw their little screaming match after one in particular a few weeks ago.
The fact of the matter is that Avery is a different Avery because of Torts. Watch the bench during games,some times if Avery is yapping to opposing players Torts will yank him back a bit.
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by Joe Fortunato on Mar 17, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Torts yelling on the bench is not proof of a leash
your asking for accountability for a lot of these players, and i agree with that.
But why shouldn’t Avery be held accountable? He needs to be somewhat controlled, and needs to be held responsible for his actions.
Like I said above, its clear that Torts wants the type of Avery that showed up against Philly. Thats the type of Avery that is effective without hurting the team significantly.
Its up to Avery, himself, to find that balance. The coach needs to draw a line, and the player has to walk it.
i just don’t think it’s a “fact” that Avery is different solely because of Torts. Thats an assumption based on limited evidence.
I dont think it is at all
I do think that Tortorella is effecting the way that Avery plays. And I’m not saying don’t hold Avery accountable but his style of play leads to penalties and mistakes. but when he is effective those penalties are worth it.
Obviously if he steps over the line it’s an issue that has to be dealt with, but up to this point i havent seen any issues with him “crossing that line.”
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by Joe Fortunato on Mar 17, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
i agree with your last statement there – i haven’t seen him cross that line much at all this year (if ever). But it’s still up to Avery to find that balance, to play with the edge that helps us win games.
if you’re saying that Avery’s ineffectiveness is a result of the coaching, then clearly, his effectiveness against Philly was as well. Was it because of Torts that he was so good on Sunday?
Personally, I just believe that its the player that needs to find that level to be consistent with. I don’t think Torts has set unreasonable restrictions on him.
i think that Tortorellagave Avery some liberties against the Flyers and then again against the Habs
he had more ice tiem against Philly and he also was given top line shits a few times. Regardless he NEEDS to be effective if we want to go anywhere.
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by Joe Fortunato on Mar 17, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s the coaches job to get the best out of his players. In the case of Avery part of it is pulling him back when he gets out of line. It could be done by screaming at him or just telling him he is over the line. The way you get results isn’t important it is that you get results. If you have the players resepct and attention you don’t have to yell all the time.
If the players are playing thier best, the player sgets the credit. If most of the players are not playing thier best blame the coach!
+1
Absolutely on the money – I have been saying this for weeks now, using Phoenix as the same example.
I'm not sure it's a lack of skill..
There have been too many games when the Rangers look like the could beat anyone and far too many wneh it looks like they just don’t care. Outside of callahan I think everyone on this team’s guilty of taking nights off, That includes the King. That falls sqaurely on the shoulders of the coach IMO. Exactly like the article says Tortorella will not punish the High paid Vets with less Ice time Redden, Rosy, Drury, Gabby in particular. Like the previous Post I think it all comes down to heart and effort. Right now Torts isn’t getting either on a consistent enough basis.
Thats not saying I think our talent is on Par with Wash, Pit, San Jose. But ithink we have talent to be a 3-5 seed in the East.
4-5 seed you mean
we cant have a 3rd seed if we arent as good as PIT or NJ :-)
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by Joe Fortunato on Mar 17, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
As a side note...
I hope we end up with a good draft pick this year. I can’t wait for the draft.
We’ll be the team that gets the closest to the playoffs but misses it, that way we get the worst draft pick out of the teams that missed the playoffs.
This team likes to stab us in the eye that way. Part of being a fan :-)
actually it's a lottery system
sao finishing in 9th doesn’t mena you get the worst pick of all the non-playoff teams.
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by Joe Fortunato on Mar 17, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
no because at a minimum you have to think 2 teams from the west will finish with more points than 9th in the East.
Any predictions on what 8th is going to take. I still think it takes around 87.
I'm guessing closer to 85
call it a hunch
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by Joe Fortunato on Mar 17, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
or that the Flyers totally drop out because of their goaltending issues
either way the Rangers are in bad shape
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by Joe Fortunato on Mar 17, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
like I said
we’re in bad shape
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by Joe Fortunato on Mar 17, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
yes, the best shot might be ottawa who has been awful lately.
as i said last night if they lose sunday to boston it might be the mercy kill shot.
don't forget about the home and home with Philly
thats 8 points sitting on the table right there. Four we can take and four we can take away
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by Joe Fortunato on Mar 17, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
captain?
I know every time I bring this up a bunch of you rush to his defense – but Drury is not the captain we need. And because this post is about Torts, I’ll try and keep it on subject by saying the coach should remove that C and hand it to nobody until a real leader emerges.
by schwartzy on Mar 17, 2010 1:48 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
if you want my opinion on Drury being Captain
read this http://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2010/1/26/1270626/rangers-analysis-chris-drury
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by Joe Fortunato on Mar 17, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Good post^
The whole thing we have assembled is just completely incompatible. You have no accountability and…common sense in the team’s management (Dolan-Sather), a coach who is a temperamental sparkplug with an up-tempo offensive system, for a team that has no spark, is lazy, and has more offensive body odor than talent.
Tort’s handling of the vets vs. the kids has been abysmal as well. AA needs to be getting ice-time to learn the game, to learn from his mistakes, and to see if he can be that #2 center guy. And as said, he needs more PP time, especially with his size, and he has good hands. Same thing with Gilroy. We gave him almost 2m out of college for his offensive abilities, it’s time we put them to the test. That’s my major gripe with him, especially if we do go with a youthful movement. We’d need to go along with what mleetch posted about AHL coaches or assistants on teams that have a track-record of developing young talent (Detroit for example).
As far as talent goes…the worst problem is that teams with talent can get away with being lazy, giving up bad goals, and not being cohesive on the offensive side of the puck. Wash/Pitt/SJ/Chi have that talent…we don’t, so when we have breakdowns, it’s game over man.
Our major offensive fails are…well shit, everything. Firstly, our transition and puck movement from our zone up is ass. Our D can’t pass, our F fly the zone early so people who can’t pass need to make 100ft. tape-to-tapers or it’s a turnover. Then, we have indecision at the blueline. Everyone stops, the puck carrier tries to figure skate his way in, can’t, dumps it in, and then we can’t retrieve it because everybody is standing still. We NEVER drive the net, create traffic, get dirty goals. We drive our own net and give the other team dirty goals. And we can’t hit the net. From 3 feet away, unchecked.
Coaching is a hell of a lot more important on a team like this, because teams like this need systems, schemes, plans, directions, and OH MY FUCKIN GOD THEY MIGHT HAVE TO EVEN PUT IN A LITTLE EFFORT to compete. Team defense, team offense, consistent effort from everybody, accountability, COACHING. I like Torts because he’s firey, I like up-tempo attacking systems, but I will not tolerate lazy.
This team isn’t a game away from .500, they’re 31-39, 8 games under (I don’t wanna hear jack about the 1 point you get for sucking in overtime/shootouts). Coaching fail.
from andrew gross:
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/
read this but still click the link so he gets the hit he deserves, thanks.
Q: How was practice?
JT: It was fine.
(pause before another question is asked)
JT: Staring contest?
Q: You hoping for more consistency?
JT: Yes.
Q: Chris Drury said it was immaturity on the Rangers part in the loss, do you agree with that?
JT: No, I don’t. I think that’s the wrong word to use by Dru and we’ve ironed that out within the locker room today.
Q: What word would you use?
JT: I have some words but not for you, with all due respect.
Q: Is it frustrating to still be moving lines?
JT: Yes.
Q: Are you trying to find a way to get Marian Gaborik going?
JT: Gabby’s got to get himself going.
Q: Do the top guys need to get going?
JT: They didn’t. That’s a crowded bus though last night, not to point fingers at one, two or three players. That’s a crowded bus.
Anyone else tired of the cat claw BS from Torts?
thats why I said
The old Tortorella who would bench Vincent Lacavalier for not back checking on a goal seems unwilling to do the same with anyone on the Rangers. Instead Tortorella turns his fury to the media, where he has had various blow-ups and blow-offs, fire we would have expected to see behind the bench.
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by Joe Fortunato on Mar 17, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Q: Is it frustrating to still be moving lines?
Useless JT answer aside, why the hell does he (either Gross or JT) think he HAS TO move the lines? It’s really not that difficult, 70 games into a season, to have figured out who plays well together and leave it be.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Mar 17, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Wait, wait, wait.
So Captain Quiet, Chris Drury, finally shows a little emotion, calls the team immature after a disgusting display in the Montreal game…
And then Torts just blatantly cuts him down?
JT: No, I don’t. I think that’s the wrong word to use by Dru and we’ve ironed that out within the locker room today.
Seriously, tell us JT, what the hell would you call it?
Ironed it out in the locker room? JT “Well guys, your captain called you immature, but I think that may have been ‘GOD DAMNIT Redden put that Good Housekeeping magazine away’ a little out of line, and I’d like to apologize for that, I think you’re very mature ‘MOTHERF$*(ER Sean stop shooting spitballs at me!’ and Glen says keep up the good work.”
Torts
I really am tired of his smart comments and just overall him being torts. The first time I hear drury holding his locker room accountable for being Imature, torts of course has to come back and save his ass by saying that’s the wrong word to use. I don’t know what’s going on in that locker room so I won’t say drury is correct or not, but I will say if that’s the problem it falls straight on torts back. He has to turn these boys into men and The men into leaders. By torts saying it’s not Imaturity it’s just saving his own ass. Get this guy outta here. The only reason I’m not really pushing for him to be fired is because it’s not going to be a good look to free agents and anyone coming into this organization having 20 coahes in 10 years.
by klh2009 on Mar 17, 2010 6:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Get the team back to basics
Torts came in promising “Safe is Death” but I think he has slowly slinked away from that, and now the team has no identity. Hockey 101 – if the team can’t score, if the talent isn’t what you want, get ‘em to play mean. Rather then giving everyone excuses for why the puck isn’t going in by juggling the lines, Torts should keep guys together and force them to gut it out. If they can’t score, they better hit. Prust/Shelley/Boyle have shown a willingness to bump and sustain pressure, show them more ice time. If they rest of the guys want to play they will follow suit.
Another huge issue we are having is not capitalizing on chances. Dubi has pucks jumping all over the place on him (perfect example last night when he made a great move off the pass from Cally but never even got a shot off). Callahan came back from the Olympics looking to make his move to the inside off the wing – now he’s pulling off to the corner and trying to pass it in again. MDZ’s offensive spark is no longer outweighing his defensive liability. These are all little things Torts should be working on fixing with these guys – watch tape, get them relaxed, bring things back to basics. Think about how Shoney whipped the D in to shape last season when he took over – he got them focused on taking away passing lanes and giving Hank North-South plays that he could handle. Torts has had the same problems all season, and has zero ability to adapt his gameplan to address it.
held accountable
You are right. Torterral did say player will be held accountable if they do not performing. I assumed he meant benching them. Then I have one question?
WHY IS WADE REDDEN PLAYING A SINGLE MINUTE?
This guy is a six million dollar waste. I challenge anyone to tell me of a worse free agent acquisition? Remember….6 million dollars for 6 years….He is not a fast skater, he doesnt have a good shot, he doesnt know the meaning of the word physical and he is not a smart player. GET RID OF HIM and eat the money. Dolan has eaten millions in Knick player money that dont even play here.
The only reason why Redden is still playing is because of Sather.
However, I don’t see him staying with us until his contract expires… Redden is pretty bad right now and is only getting older, which means that his play will keep regressing. Eventually, it will get to a point when we have to do something to get rid of him and we will. All I hope for is that this will happen after this season.
6.5
just sayin’
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Mar 17, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
you know i was in the middle of reading all of these posts
and i just hadda stop……………i cant take it anymore. This team is pathetic and going nowhere……………again.
by giantsNYrangers on Mar 17, 2010 4:13 PM EDT reply actions
lets face it. who wants to see this horrible ranger team in the playoffs as the 8th seed to get destroyed by the top seed. this team plays with no fire. no energy. no enthusiasm. no heart. they are the best stick checking team in the nhl and they are better off skateing for the ice capades.i’ve never seen so many opposing forwards get un touched in the offensive zone. they know coming in that not 1 ranger defensman is gonna hit them except stahl. i think sullivan would make a better coach to be honest with you. i am so tired of seeing that smirk from torts.you can tell the players dont like him and prolly dont respect him either.wow i can go on and on but i’ll cut it short.torts promised changes. bullshit.
regarding the comment someone made above saying the rangers have the talent to compete i’m gonna totally disagree with you on that. Where do i start. Who is our #1 center? This has been an issue from day 1 of training camp. Prospal? A descent player but definately not a #1.
Dubinsky? he’s a good #3 center. Not a #1. Drury? Again a #3. Christenson? Are you freaking kidding me? First priorty in off-season is get a #1 center here!
Defenseman have been a problem all year also. We have 2 rookie starters who are learning as they go. Not gonna get on their case. A “veteran” making 10 times what he’s worth who is ass slow, doesn’t hit, and has the weakest shot i’ve EVER seen. Not only that he cant even hit the net. You would think with such a weak shot he’d have good accuracy. But nope!
There is NO talent on this team except Gaborik and Lundqvist.
I’ve had it up to here with this team! Lets tank and hope for a top 5 pick.
everbody should be responsible..
sather and the players should be held responsible first . what the hell you want torts to do this team sucks they have no players they have a super goalie a right winger who is injury prone and a minor leauge system that is below average in talent its pretty hard to win and get in the playoffs with the personel they have if i see this roster next season im gonna puke its time to get rid of the garbage and that starts with sather first wake up dolan your team is a laughing stock of the n.h. l…
i pretty much agree. what do you expect torts to say. there’s nothing to say. he can’t skate for these guys. he has a bad mix of players. the only thing he can do is try various systems and none of them work because the talent is all pro level, for sure, but second / third line talent. nuff said. we need to shuffle the deck and sather obviously was more interested in creating cap space than running for the cup…which was a wise move. he didn’t see the player out there we need and is waiting for the free agent crop at the end of the season to see who emerges. that’s it. this isn’t our year. torts can’t make wine out of grape juice.
This is what they are
The Rangers are a mediocre team. They are not a playoff team, and we should accept that. Until we get rid of some of the outrageous contracts, we will stay this way. Sather has to go. We have some young players and are one of the youngest teams in the league. Let the kids play, I think we can deal with it. I have no problem with a young kid making a mistake, but it kills me when the Rozsival can’t keep a puck in at the blue line during a PP. Druy is not the problem. Sather signed him to a big contract, and we can not blame him for accepting it. He is a good player that gives his body to help the team and I think his attitude is helping Callahan. With the playoffs on the line, they looked like crap against the Habs. No passion or hard nose hockey that is needed this time of year. All I can say is, I hope next year is better,
From an old fart on the left coast
Been a fan since ’57. Accountability, Accountability, Accountability. Sather and Torts talked the talk; time to walk the walk. High hopes; mostly nopes.Blow the playoffs, pass the Icelanders on the way down and get a GM who gets it who hires a coach who does as well.
Tired of the BS and false hopes.
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Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Jersey
|
82 | 48 | 27 | 7 | 103 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
82 | 47 | 28 | 7 | 101 |
|
Philadelphia
|
82 | 41 | 35 | 6 | 88 |
|
New York Rangers
|
82 | 38 | 33 | 11 | 87 |
|
New York Islanders
|
82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)
Rangers Schedule
Next 5 Games
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Thu 09/23 | 7:00 PM EDT |
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New Jersey
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Sat 09/25 | 7:00 PM EDT |
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Detroit
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Sun 09/26 | 5:00 PM EDT |
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Detroit
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Wed 09/29 | 7:00 PM EDT |
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Ottawa
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Fri 10/01 | 7:00 PM EDT |
Last 5 Games
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Philadelphia
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Sun 04/11 | SO - L 1 - 2 |
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Philadelphia
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Fri 04/09 | W 4 - 3 |
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Toronto
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Wed 04/07 | W 5 - 1 |
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Buffalo
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Tue 04/06 | L 2 - 5 |
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Sat 04/03 | W 4 - 1 |
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