Shanahan nets 600th
NEW YORK -- Talk about making a good first impression!
In his Broadway debut at Madison Square Garden Thursday night, Brendan Shanahan scored two goals, including the 600th of his stellar career, to pace New York to a season-opening, 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals.
The announcement of his milestone goal brought a standing ovation from the capacity crowd at the Garden, who have eagerly embraced Shanahan, who signed as a free agent after a very successful career with the Detroit Red Wings.
"It's part of the reason I chose New York. All those years of coming in and playing in Madison Square Garden to get the reception (was amazing)," Shanahan said. "To be in my 19th NHL season and to get chills from a responsive reaction from the fans is just amazing to me. They were fantastic. With each time I shot the puck or drove to the net or mixed it up in front, I could feel them behind me."
Since he had eight shots in the game, Shanahan could feel the love pretty consistently. But the fans weren't the only ones behind Shanahan Thursday night. His coach and teammates also were singing his praises.
"It's always great when you play your first game and you're able to score your first goal for a new team," newly crowned Rangers captain Jaromir Jagr said. "He got two and now has 600 goals and that's great for him."
"It was fun to be part of Shanahan's goal," New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist said. "It is really fun to watch him play. He is a good player and a good guy in the locker room."
But Rangers coach Tom Renney sees Shanahan as more than that. "The key word (about him is) his presence. It's his presence on the ice, in our locker room and in practice – wherever he is, he's a real gentleman."
The Rangers signed Shanahan over the summer to be a scorer and a leader in 2006-07 season, and in his first meaningful game, the 19-year NHL veteran delivered.
Over the course of his career, Shanahan has been anything but gentle on the ice. In picking up 600 goals and 1,234 points in 1,351 games, the former first-round pick of the New Jersey Devils has also accumulated 2,380 minutes in penalties during the regular season. Last season, Shanahan netted 81 points off 40 goals and 41 assists with the Wings. The 37-year-old winger also had 105 penalty minutes in 82 games and finished with a plus-29 rating. His 40 goals led the club and tied for 10th in the league, while his 81 points (24th in NHL) ranked third on the Wings and his plus/minus was tied for second. The Mimico, Ontario native also placed second on Detroit in power-play goals with 14 and ranked third on the Wings with six game-winning goals. His point total represented his highest output since the 1996-97 season, when he registered 47 goals and 41 assists in 81 games split between the Hartford Whalers and Detroit.
One of the main reasons the Rangers went out and got “Shanny” was because of his postseason resume. In 157 career playoff games, Shanahan has scored 53 goals and 66 assists to go along with his 257 penalty minutes. In the 1997 playoffs, en route to capturing his first Stanley Cup, he led the Red Wings in goals (nine) and game-winning goals (two). The following season, he collected five goals and four assists and helped Detroit win the Cup for the second consecutive season. During his third Cup run, in 2002, Shanahan tallied eight goals and 11 assists, along with 20 penalty minutes in 23 playoff games. Among all players in the playoffs that season, he ranked fourth in scoring with 19 points and led the league in power play assists (eight).
After last spring’s first-round sweep at the hands of the New Jersey Devils, the Rangers were looking to add a proven playoff presence. There’s that word again.
Shanahan’s skills, along with Jagr's offensive arsenal, should make the Rangers a force to be reckoned with this season. In their first regular-season match together, the duo showed just how lethal they can be on offense, combining for three goals and one assist against the Caps.
"Like I said when I came here, regardless of what line I play on, I just want to contribute and help the team win games," Shanahan said.
Shanahan, a prototypical 6-foot-3, 220-pound power forward, came into the 2006-07 campaign ranked first among all active NHL players in goals, but in his forst game as a Ranger, he did more than just contribute two goals. He carried his club to victory. As a result, Shanahan became only the 15th player in NHL history to reach the 600-goal plateau. The monumental goal came at 2:58 of the third period when Shanahan's second goal of the night against Olaf Kolzig gave the Rangers a 4-1 lead.
"I actually had forgotten about it (600 goals) when the game started – it's been so long since last season – but when I got my first one I peeked up at the scoreboard and saw that I had 599 so that's the first time I had thought about it," Shanahan admitted. "I definitely appreciate hockey history, but to be honest with you personal goals – I think it's something you might reflect on when you're retired. Nah, I take that back. I think they're nice, but you really do reflect on wins and championships (more). This is a team sport, so those are the things that stick in my mind."
The way he played in Game 1 of his Rangers career is what is going to stick out in the minds of his fans, coaches and his teammates for a long time to come.
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=280644Congrats!
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