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New York Rangers Daily Dose: Team Russia Fined, Former Rangers Mission

By Patrick Comia

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Welcome back to the Tuesday edition, New York Rangers fans. As always, we have some news to share with you all.

Team Russia gets slap on wrist for ‘snub heard around the world’- THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

Well, justice was finally served to Team Russia after their ‘disappearing’ act at the World Juniors this past May.

Kinda.

The Russian Ice Hockey Federation was fined $85,000 US dollars for their team leaving the ice before the close of the awards ceremony in Prague of the Czech Republic. Team Canada won the tournament with a 6-1 win over Russia. Team USA finished third.

After the Canadian players received their Gold medals, most of the players Russia were seen leaving the ice before the Canadian anthem was played.

A representative for Team Russia spoke of the incident as a ‘misunderstanding’. The representative further explains:

"…(the) open gate was interpreted according to existing practices as a signal for the players to leave the ice"

Really, that’s ‘existing practices’?

In international competitions, such as the Olympics, isn’t it a sign of respect to stay on the ice as the winning team’s national anthem is played? I thought that was universal “existing practices”.

It is important to note that not all the players of Team Russia left the ice that day. In a separate article posted on cbssports.com:

"Only a handful of Russian players remained on the ice following the game, including Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (who urged his teammates to stay), Pittsburgh Peguins forward Evgeni Malkin, Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and forward Viktor Tikhonov, now a member of the Chicago Blackhawks"

Maybe it was the ‘drumming’the Russians took from the Canadians? Or, they may still feel ‘hurt’ from not delivering the Gold medal in last year’s Olympics, which was held on their home soil in Sochi? Or it was was simply a ‘misunderstanding’?

Whatever it might have been, the awkwardness of their actions has prompted the powers that be to act: by slapping the wrists of those Russians.

Let the modern day Cold War begin!

NHL tough man comes unglued, contemplates retirement from the game- NBCSPORTS.COM

Former Rangers Daniel Carcillo has been contemplating leaving the game he loves, and trying to help his fellow players come to grips with the decision.

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But, the reason for his leaving may not be about finding a team. It’s more about his medical history, they after-affects, and the problematic lack of attention to players who have been victims of concussions.

As fans, we can take these players who play for our beloved cities for granted. We think they are invincible, and can overcome any injury in the name of the Stanley Cup. And, much of that perception is due to the players themselves, cause they have shown that injuries are temporary, winning is a lifetime.

However, there is a price for that winning attitude that as fans that we must take into consideration.

In this article written by James O’ Brien, Carcillo shares his friendship with his late-teammate Steve Montador, who passed away earlier this year, due to depression-like symptoms.

His aim is to let those, who are experiencing these symptoms, know they are not alone.

"I just want to be somebody one or two or 20 or 50 guys can rely on to kind of guide them through"

Let us hope his message reaches out to those in need of help.

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule, and read up on what has been going on. Rangers hockey is almost here, don’t fret.

See you all tomorrow.

Next: Rangers Would Be Smart To Sign Kreider To An Extension, Soon

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