Circus Travels Back to NY after Three Ring Affair in DC

Ranger coach John Tortorella decided to scratch trouble-maker Sean Avery for game five of the Caps-Rangers series because of undisciplined play in the last couple of games. So with Avery out of the spotlight, Tortorella took over as the center attraction in the three ring circus currently touring under the name of the New York Rangers.

During a TV break, Tortorella got into a war of words with a fan and security was called in. At some point Tortorella got wet. Initially it was reported as a beer being thrown by a fan on Torts. Later the discussion turned toward the possibility that Torts actually threw a water bottle at the fan. By the time the video cameras got rolling Torts had a stick and was ready to head over the glass. Regardless of how it happened, Tororella will have a difficult time explaining to Sean Avery why Avery's stupid play on the ice is worse than Tort's stupid play on the bench.

Tororella confronts fan with a stick

To me, this seems like a situation worthy of review by Colin Campbell and the other honchos in the NHL home office. Torts needs some of that anger management rehab that Avery went to. Do you think they do it like AA... "My name is John and I have anger management issues." Since Sean has been through the program maybe he could sponsor Tortorella.

Another video appears to show Tortorella throwing something at the crowd

The anger didn't get any better in the televised Tortorella post game interview. When he went to the podium he said, "No questions? Then ask the damn things. I'm not going to stand up here and look at you." I guess the reporters were in fear of an outburst. Later when asked about the fan incident Torts snapped, "Ask me a question about the game." When the reporter followed with a question about throwing a water bottle, the Ranger handler stepped in and said something along the lines of another question like that and we'll end it now.

Edited version of Tortorella Post Game Presser

In the midst of all this, there was an incredibly good Washington Capitols team that blew the Rangers off the ice in a 4-0 thrashing anchored by Simeon Varlamov's second shutout in the last four games. Matt Bradley got the ball rolling scoring two goals in the first period to get the ball rolling. The amazing feat performed by Alexander Ovechkin in another highlight reel goal was hard to believe.

Ovechkin's Highlight Reel Goal

All this excitement should help NBC recover from not being able to show the poker tournament that they had lined up for Sunday afternoon's hockey broadcast time slot had the Caps-Rangers series ended Friday night. I, for one, can't wait to see what happens with the game and the whole Torts-Avery situation when they return to the ice for game six.

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

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Here's a couple of other takes on the game by Capitals Kremlin and Puck Daddy

In a totally unrelated topic, Twitter friend @dani3boyz met Sarah Ferguson today and Tweeted with a pic - @dani3boyz and Sarah Ferguson, The Dutchess of York (Coolest woman I've ever met!) #todaysmoms

@dani3boyz and Sarah Ferguson