New York. Mika Zibanijad co-wrote a cheerful truth story in Manhattan last night.
The New York Rangers won the exciting Game 7 game against Pittsburgh – after a sudden death goal scored by Artemi Panarin, with help from Mika.
– This is perhaps the most beautiful victory I have achieved, says the star midfielder, who himself set the vital equalizer at the end of the third half, for Sportbladet after winning 4-3.
That was seven years ago New York Rangers I recently played Game 7 at home in Madison Square Garden and it’s not unbelievable that some fans forget how dramatic the all-or-nothing confrontations were, but in this case they got a sure reminder last night.
The final deal between Blueshirts and Pittsburgh penguins He became a truly heartbreaking nail biter, constantly throwing home fans between happy poisoning and anxiety causing stomach ulcers.
After Chris Kreider hit 1-0 in the first half, with a pass from Radar partner Mika ZibanjadThe guests – with Sidney Crosby, Rickard Raquel and goalkeeper Tristan Garry in the line-up once again – took a 2-1 3-2 lead and when the clock ticked off recently, it looked as if the Rangers season was over. .
But the club’s new slogan “Never give up” (a variant of “Never give up”) has once again proven to have an impact.
With just over five minutes left, Mika fired in one of the biggest goals of his career with resounding shots from close range which was followed by extra time.
When it lasted for three minutes, Pittsburgh’s Brock McGinn went on an expulsion — and before he entered the ice again, Park exploded at his most fervent and raucous cheer since May 2015.
Mika got the wand disc to Artemi Panarin. He made a pass to Adam Fox, got it in return, took a few pieces into the penalty area and scored a 4-3 goal that turned off the lights for the Penguins and took Rangers to heaven – and the next round in the playoffs.
– I was standing next to the pay yard and saw how the puck entered and it is not easy to explain how I felt at that time. It was just such a relief and a great joy,” said Mika Zibanijad when we spoke to him afterwards.
– Probably the most beautiful victory I’ve experienced. to date. We only won one round and hopefully there will be more. But now everything feels really good.
Mika has been with Rangers since fall 2016, but hasn’t seen a truly successful playoff with the club – and now having that means a lot.
– In my first year in New York, we went to playoffs and I was eager to experience that atmosphere again. Being able to do that with what we have now as a team is incredible, he continues.
The atmosphere tonight was crazy. People have been talking about how Game 7 at Garden could be so it became critical in overtime… I’ve never heard of such a scale in this room. He couldn’t hear himself thinking.
That the 29-year-old midfielder has suddenly gained so much momentum on offensive production and actually earned seven points in the last two games – three goals and four assists – can’t really explain it.
– No, I don’t know. When you play with the guys I play with, the opportunities come. He says it’s just about keeping shooting, and eventually it gets loose.
– But there was nothing to worry about me earlier in the series, the only thing that mattered was the team winning.
Now a new series awaits Carolina Hurricanes – number one in the Metropolitan division and a tough challenge for anyone.
– It will be difficult, they are very good, but it is difficult whoever you play against in the playoffs and we still believe in ourselves, says Mika.
For Pittsburgh, the season is over – despite long moments in which he played better than Rangers in the quarter-finals – and Sweden’s Rickard Rakel and Marcus Peterson are theoretically available for Johan Garbenlov’s World Cup squad.
However, Raquel was already injured in his first encounter with the Rangers, so he only came back last night, so his health is somewhat unclear.