At some point, you become what others believe you are - perception is the virus that worms its way into and devours reality - and Andrew Ference’s bad hit on Ryan McDonagh 1:50 into overtime added another log to the fire of hate for all things Black-and-Gold.
“I didn’t get a good look at it,’’ said Rangers forward Brad Richards, referring to Ference’s dump of McDonagh into the end boards. “I was on the bench, sucking water, but from talking to our guys, yeah, that’s the stuff we want taken out of the game. Hey, we keep talking about it, and then we keep going out there and doing it to each other - so we’re the only ones to blame.’’
“One of the most dangerous hits I’ve seen in a while,’’ added Rangers coach John Tortorella, making clear his belief that Ference should be suspended.
It now rests with Brendan Shanahan, the league’s disciplinarian and quality control engineer, to figure out what to do about Boston’s latest egregious faux pas.
The Bruins, who are in Philadelphia this afternoon, called up young defenseman Steven Kampfer from Providence before they left the building. Clearly, management is bracing for Ference to get the heave-ho, and the bet here is that he is told to sit for at least a couple of games. The call on the ice was 5 minutes for boarding and a game misconduct.
The Rangers said after the win that they would provide no update on McDonagh’s condition until today. Dumped head-first into the rear boards at high speed by Ference, he appeared to take the brunt of the blow to his left shoulder and collarbone, but his head also was impacted. He may be yet another NHLer to join the growing fraternity of the addled and concussed.
