Rangers Fan Cam: Semifinals Edition

Rangers fans get very creative as they voice their opinion of Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby, but that didn't stop Pittsburgh fans from being bold and starting their "Let's Go Penguins" chants.

See for yourself.

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• Which Stick Is Better: Wood or Composite?
• Rangers Need a Miracle to Defeat Pitt
• How to Get the Job Done

Rangers' Sean Avery Sidelined for Remainder of Season

Here's the official word from the New York Rangers:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that forward Sean Avery suffered a lacerated spleen in last night’s game, and will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

He was taken to St. Vincent’s hospital after the game, and was admitted following a CT scan. He is expected to make a full recovery during the off-season.

The Rangers return to action tomorrow, May 1, when they face-off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Four of their Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m.).

MORE:

• Sam & Joe: Series Not Over Yet
• What was it Like at The Garden for Game 3?
• Get the Answers to Your Questions

Rangers-Devils Game 5 Viewing Party

Wouldn't you rather watch the Rangers-Devils game tonight with fellow Blueshirt fanatics and a couple of former players?

The Rangers are providing fans a chance to chill with Adam Graves and Ron Duguay at Clearview’s Legendary Ziegfeld Theatre and catch the Game 5 action in HD on the largest single screen in Manhattan.

The boys will be handing out playoff prizes and autographed merchandise, plus there will be free popcorn and soda available.

CLICK HERE for ticket information.

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• Watch What the Experts Are Saying
  
• Cangialosi: It All Comes Down to Marty
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Bury the Curse

So, there will be no curse on the new Yankee Stadium, as construction workers drilled for nearly five hours to uncover the hex ... or hoax.

Apparently, Gino Castignoli loves the Red Sox so much, he thought a buried David Ortiz jersey would bring the Yankees years of horror.

Mr. Castignoli, in case you haven't noticed, your Red Sox have won two World Series in the past four years without your help, while our beloved Bombers haven't been able to celebrate a championship since 2000.

What exactly was your plan? Did you think the frozen ghost of Ted Williams would haunt the new House that Jeter Built and put a chill on the Yankee drought forever? Maybe you put a curse on your ol' boy, Ortiz, by burying his jersey. Have you seen his numbers lately?

Truth is, Gino, Yankees fans should be the ones planting pieces of the current Stadium inside that old ballpark you love to root in. After all, we are now the underdogs and could use all the help we can get to end this little run your boys are enjoying up in Beantown.

Better yet, maybe you should step into the ring with the Yankees' feisty co-owner, Hank Steinbrenner, who boldly claimed, "I hope his co-workers kick the (expletive) out of him." That would settle the score.

You had your 15 minutes of shame and look what it got you, possible criminal charges. Sweet move.

"I would not go near Yankee Stadium, not for all the hot dogs in the world," Mr. Castignoli recently told the Herald.

Good call, I don't think anyone would object to that at all.

• Young Guns Struggling Early

MSG, NY Hot Topic: Knicks On-Court Need

Want to speak your mind about the big issues in the world of sports? Here's your chance!

TODAY'S HOT TOPIC:

What is the biggest on-court need for the Knicks next year?

Post your reactions in the comments section below and tune in to MSG, NY to see if your response is featured.

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• Gallery: Knicks Introduce Donnie Walsh
• Behind The Scenes At Press Conference

MSG, NY Hot Topic: Mets Fifth Starter?

Want to speak your mind about the big issues in the world of sports? Here's your chance!

TODAY'S HOT TOPIC:

Who should be the Mets fifth starter in 2008?

Post your reactions in the comments section below and tune in to MSG, NY to see if your response is featured.

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• Flushing Out The Predictions
• More MSG, NY Hot Topics

THE LOCKER ROOM 3/28 - A.M. Edition

Here are the top stories on the wires this morning ...

• The New York Yankees' spring training home was renamed George M. Steinbrenner Field during pregame ceremonies yesterday.

• Hideki Matsui chuckled while recounting his big week. Yes, the Yankees slugger really did get married and win a bet with teammates Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu at the same time.

• Bothered by back spasms, Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Sunday.

• Former Yankees trainer Brian McNamee resurfaced to give a brief motivational speech to a small group of workout buffs, but refused to comment on the steroid scandal that landed him and his famous former client in front of Congress.

• The New York Mets placed infielder Ruben Gotay on waivers.

• Earl Clark scored 17 points and had 12 rebounds as Louisville dunked Tennessee, 79-60, to advance to the East Regional final against North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament.

• As for the Tar Heels, Tyler Hansbrough scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half as the top seed in the East held Washington State to 32-percent shooting in a 68-47 victory.

• With Kevin Love scoring a career-high 29 points, the UCLA Bruins nearly frittered away a 21-point halftime lead, but hung on to defeat Western Kentucky, 88-78, in the NCAA West Regional. Next up: No. 3 Xavier.

• The Musketeers rallied from a six-point deficit in overtime to eliminate West Virginia, 79-75, and advance on to play top-seeded UCLA.

• Sidney Crosby goes scoreless in his return to the Pittsburgh Penguins' lineup, a 3-1 victory over the Islanders.

• Having his famous father and uncle working the corner was no help to Cory Spinks, who relinquished his IBF junior welterweight championship in his hometown in a 12-round split decision to Verno Phillips.

THE LOCKER ROOM 3/27 - A.M. Edition

Here are the top stories on the wires this morning ...

• Alex Rodriguez refused to address allegations by Jose Canseco, who claims he introduced the three-time MVP to a steroids dealer. "It's over as far as I'm concerned," Rodriguez said after his New York Yankees lost 4-0 to the Philadelphia Phillies.

• A man who hit Mike Piazza with a water bottle thrown from the stands at Angel Stadium last year, was sentenced to 30 days in jail.

• Former major league manager Preston Gomez was critically injured when he was struck by a pickup truck at a gas station.

• Talk about time travelers. The Boston Red Sox landed in Los Angeles Wednesday after leaving for Japan Thursday.

• The NBA announced that the Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Washington Wizards will play two games each on an October trip to Europe to prepare for the 2008-09 season.

• Miami Heat head coach Pat Riley responded to Shaquille O'Neal's criticisms, saying his former center was wrong to disparage some of his old teammates and trainers in a Boston Globe story.

• The Ohio State Buckeyes advanced past Dayton in the NIT Quarterfinals and will meet Mississippi in the Semifinals at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. The Rebels beat Virginia Tech earlier Wednesday night.

• Massachusetts will take on Florida on April 1 in the other NIT Semifinals matchup at The Garden.

• Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Trufant and his hometown Seattle Seahawks agreed to a $50.2 million, six-year contract that runs through 2013.

MSG, NY Hot Topic: Primed For Playoff Run?

Want to speak your mind about the big issues in the world of sports? Here's your chance!

TODAY'S HOT TOPIC:

Are the Devils or Rangers more primed for a playoff run?

Post your reactions in the comments section below and tune in to MSG, NY to see if your response is featured.

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• Deb And Stan Have Answers
• Is He 'Gomer' Or 'Goner' Down The Stretch?
• More MSG, NY Hot Topics...

THE LOCKER ROOM 3/26 - A.M. Edition

Here are the top stories on the wires this morning ...

• Former major leaguer Jim Leyritz is being sued in Broward County for wrongful death in connection with a fatal traffic accident in December.

• The top Republican on the congressional committee that investigated whether Roger Clemens used performance-enhancing drugs released a report questioning the Democratic majority's conclusion that the seven-time Cy Young Award winner might have lied in his testimony before the panel last month.

• One day after Emil Brown made a costly baserunning mistake, his three-run homer in the third inning led the Oakland Athletics over the Boston Red Sox to split their opening two-game series in Japan.

• The Atlanta Braves traded relief pitcher Tyler Yates to the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league pitcher Todd Redmond.

• There have been reports that Donnie Walsh has agreed to oversee basketball operations for the Knicks. Pacers spokesman David Benner, however, said that the former Pacers President/CEO hasn't agreed to anything.

• Commissioner David Stern and three NBA owners believe Oklahoma City should be the future home of the Seattle SuperSonics.

• Dante Milligan slammed a two-handed dunk off a feed from Chris Lowe with 28 seconds left to give Massachusetts the lead as the Minutemen rallied from 17 points down in the final eight minutes and stunned Syracuse 81-77 in the NIT quarterfinals.

• Maya Moore scored 24 points and the Huskies shot a blistering 60 percent from the field to beat Texas 89-55 in the second round of the women's NCAA tournament. Top-seeded UConn advanced to the Greensboro Regional semifinals on Sunday against Old Dominion.

• On the night Lady Vols head coach Pat Summitt became the first coach in Division I basketball to win 100 NCAA tournament games, Notre Dame's Charel Allen stole the show with a career-high 35 points to lead Notre Dame past Oklahoma 79-75 in OT and into their first regional semifinal appearance since 2004. Summit's Tennessee squad blew away ninth-seeded Purdue, 78-52.

• Chante Black scored a career-high 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead Duke over Arizona State 67-59. After Duke disposed of the Sun Devils, top-seeded Maryland beat Nebraska 76-64 to earn a matchup against fourth-seeded Vanderbilt on Saturday in the semifinals of the Spokane Regional.

• Despite missing superstar Sidney Crosby for most of the second half of the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins clinched a playoff berth by blanking the Devils and are closing in on the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

MSG, NY Hot Topic: Devils' Beast Of The East?

Want to speak your mind about the big issues in the world of sports? Here's your chance!

TODAY'S HOT TOPIC:

Will the New Jersey Devils finish first in the Eastern Conference?

Post your reactions in the comments section below and tune in to MSG, NY to see if your response is featured.

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• This Is IT For The Devils
• Devils Must Play For Pride
• Ask John And The Maven
• More MSG, NY Hot Topics...

THE LOCKER ROOM 3/25 - A.M. Edition

Here are the top stories on the wires this morning ...

• Following the announcement that Indiana Pacers CEO and president Donnie Walsh is leaving the organization after this season, numerous reports have surfaced that the Bronx native is headed to the New York Knicks.

• Michael Vick's trial on state dogfighting charges has been rescheduled for June 27.

• Candice Wiggins led Stanford to the third round, while George Washington advanced with a frantic comeback to headline the women's NCAA Tournament last night.

• Rick Adelman earned career win No. 800 with a win against his former team as the Houston Rockets beat the Sacramento Kings last night.

• Start of the Major League Baseball season was an early show in the U.S. as the Boston Red Sox beat the Oakland A's this morning in Japan.

• First baseman Sean Casey's stiff neck improved enough for the Red Sox to keep him on the active roster for the the first two games of the season against the Athletics on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

• It was a busy day for closers as Brad Lidge is now slated to start the season with the Philadelphia Phillies on the DL, while Kerry Wood got a new job as closer for the Chicago Cubs.

• Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki remained optimistic after word came that he will be out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain and sprained knee.

THE LOCKER ROOM 3/24 - A.M. Edition

Here are the top stories on the wires this morning ...

• Sidney Crosby plans to accompany the Penguins on their brief road trip that starts Monday against the Islanders and could play for the first time since March 9.

• The Islanders were stuffed by Martin Biron and the Flyers last night, 4-1, in Philly. Biron stopped 32 of 33 shots to remain perfect against the Isles this season.

• The Nets will try to avoid their first season sweep by the Knicks in nine years when the teams meet up at The Garden tonight.

• Yankees No. 2 starter Andy Pettitte underwent treatment but did not play catch yesterday, one day after being scratched from a scheduled start due to back spasms.

• Orlando Hernandez and Mike Pelfrey, the leading candidates for the No. 5 job in the Mets rotation, were both ineffective yesterday in a 14-4 loss to the Cardinals.

• After a wild day in the NCAA Tournament yesterday, the top seeds are still alive but three double-digit seeds are also in play as the Madness is down to "Sweet 16." The biggest upset of the day was No. 10 Davidson knocking off No. 2 Georgetown.

• Novak Djokovic is looking more like contender for the top spot, although Mardy Fish says Roger Federer is still the best. Fish beat both in Indian Wells.

• Adoring fans in Daisuke Matsuzaka's home town await his return to the Tokyo Dome mound in the uniform of the champion Boston Red Sox tomorrow night.

MSG, NY Hot Topic: Yankees Or Mets Rotation?

Want to speak your mind about the big issues in the world of sports? Here's your chance!

TODAY'S HOT TOPIC:

Yankees or Mets: Who has the stronger starting pitching and why?

Post your reactions in the comments section below and tune in to MSG, NY to see if your response is featured.

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• More MSG, NY Hot Topics ...

THE LOCKER ROOM 3/21 - A.M. Edition

Here are the top stories on the wires this morning ...

• With the Devils enjoying a night off between key games against the Rangers and Islanders, the Canadiens passed New Jersey for first place in the Eastern Conference while the Penguins caught them for a share of the lead in the Atlantic Division.

• The wife of a former NBA referee charged in a betting scandal wants a restraining order against her husband, Tim Donaghy, who she said verbally and physically abused their children.

• Duke barely beat No. 15 Belmont, while Xavier, West Virginia and Purdue all advanced to round out the first day of the NCAA Tournament.

• Brian McNamee, the former personal trainer who has said he injected Roger Clemens with steroids and HGH, fainted while driving and crashed his car head-on into a city bus, according to published reports.

• Red Sox hurler Daisuke Matsuzaka, a national treasure coming back to Tokyo as a World Series champion, posed for pictures and fielded questions after his workout today.

• Coco Crisp is getting better, Mike Timlin is getting worse and Red Sox manager Terry Francona still has some roster decisions to wrestle with before Tuesday's opener against the Athletics.

• New closer Brad Lidge might be ready to start the season with the Phillies, while John Patterson is looking for a job after he was released by the Nationals.

• A co-defendant of suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick has been released from federal prison after completing a two-month sentence in the dogfighting conspiracy.

• Geoff Ogilvy left Bay Hill on a positive note last week after closing with a 66 to salvage a finish in the top 20. Now, Ogilvy and Miguel Angel Jimenez Jimenez share the lead ahead of streaking Tiger Woods.

• Defending champion Rafael Nadal beat James Blake for the first time in their four meetings to move into the Pacific Life Open semifinals.

MSG, NY Hot Topic: Where Will The Rangers Finish?

Want to speak your mind about the big issues in the world of sports? Here's your chance!

TODAY'S HOT TOPIC:

Where will the Rangers finish in the Eastern Conference at the end of the year?

Post your reactions in the comments section below and tune in to MSG, NY to see if your response is featured.

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MSG, NY Hot Topic: NCAA Sleeper Pick

Want to speak your mind about the big issues in the world of sports? Here's your chance!

TODAY'S HOT TOPIC:

In this year's Men's NCAA Tournament, who is your sleeper pick and why?

Post your reactions in the comments section below and tune in to MSG, NY to see if your response is featured.

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• Big East Teams In The NCAA Tourney
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MSG, NY Hot Topic: Do Duncan And Cabrera Deserve Suspensions?

Want to speak your mind about the big issues in the world of sports? Here's your chance!

TODAY'S HOT TOPIC:

Do Shelley Duncan and Melky Cabrera deserve the three-game suspension for their roles in the Spring Training fight with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays?

Post your reactions in the comments section below.

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THE LOCKER ROOM 3/17 - A.M. Edition

Here are the top stories on the wires this St. Patrick's Day morning ...

• Former Yankees catcher Jim Leyritz, facing DUI manslaughter charges, visited former teammates yesterday before the game with Cleveland.

• Hank Steinbrenner has not been disappointed by the way new manager Joe Girardi has run an excellent spring training camp."I think the players have the 'Eye of the Tiger' back," the co-owner said.

• Yankees center fielder Melky Cabrera said he most likely will appeal a three-game suspension for his role in the spring-training fight between New York and the Tampa Bay Rays.

• Pedro Martinez threw four shutout innings in his spring training debut, and Carlos Delgado was cut by a flying bat, in the Mets' victory over Detroit.

• Longtime powers Arizona, Kentucky and Villanova slipped into the NCAA men's basketball tournament, while many schools once again claimed 'snub.'

• Andy Roddick lost his temper - and his third-round match in the Pacific Life Open. Roger Federer, meanwhile, was as cool as usual in Indian Wells.

MSG Live: Joey Reynolds Blogs From Celtic Gloves Boxing

First Lou Reed, now Joey Reynolds?

Reynolds, the Hall of Fame radio/TV personality who can be heard weekdays from midnight to 5:00 am on WOR, will try his hand at blogging from the Celtic Gloves Boxing event at The Garden this Saturday.

If you remember, music legend Lou Reed blogged live from the Klitschko-Ibragimov fight back on Feb. 23.

Saturday night's card will be headlined by James Moore vs. J.C. Candelo and Pawel Wolak vs. Dupre Strickland.

MORE:

• Cautious Klitschko Wins
• More Boxing at Game On!

THE LOCKER ROOM 3/14 - A.M. Edition

Here are the top stories on the wires this morning ...

• West Virginia University disposed of the favored Connecticut, but now has to go up against the top seed in the Big East, Georgetown. The two face off in the tournament semifinals at The garden today before Marquette and Pittsburgh go at it later tonight.

• But not all is rosey for WVU, as running back Noel Devine was among four Mountaineers' football players to plead no contest to misdemeanor battery charges after being arrested yesterday.

• Scrambling for tickets is at its most frenzied in New York, where both teams are entering the final seasons of their ballparks. And don't think The Mitchell Report and steroids has helped simmer ticket prices. Just take a look at the $100 boom from last year for a box seat at Yankee Stadium.

• Speaking of a tough sell, baseball in China won't be easy or cheap either. This weekend, two exhibition games will be played in Beijing, the first MLB games in China. It's the first test of the Olympic baseball venue, and MLB's boldest attempt to attract Chinese fans.

• Steve Tisch has scored a remarkable honors double, winning an Academy Award as producer of "Forrest Gump," and a Vince Lombardi Trophy as co-owner of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants. So, which meant more to him?

• Also GIANT news, maybe not, the team signed free-agent linebacker Danny Clark to a two-year contract.

• For you car racing fans, Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen lap in the first official practice of the Formula One season held up after the second session today in Australia.

• More from Down Under: McLaren has fired the designer at the center of the Formula One spy scandal last season.

Big East CheerCam: Cincy vs. Pitt

At the Big East tournament Wednesday morning, Villanova and Syracuse's cheerleaders squared off on our "CheerCam" at The Garden.

Later in the evening, it was Cincinnati and Pittsburgh's turn to go head-to-head.

Who do you think stole the show?

MORE:

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• Seton Hall's Pirate Mascot Gets Loose
• Did Rothstein Get It Right?

The NetJets Showdown: Fan Cam

Were you at The Garden to witness Pete Sampras and Roger Federer volley for bragging rights in The NetJets Showdown?

Share your thoughts on the night in the comments section below.

MORE:

• Tennis Legends Give Their Take On The Best Ever
• Al Trautwig And Taylor Dent Answer Your Questions
• Federer Wins Game On!'s "Best Ever" Poll

Vote For The Best Men's Tennis Player Of All-Time: We Have A Winner

The final votes have been tallied in our "Best Men's Tennis Player Of All-Time" poll and the winner is ... (insert drum roll) Roger Federer.

The Swiss Maestro beat Pete Sampras in the championship round, by a whopping 68-32%, after eliminating Mats Wilander, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg.

Do you agree with the masses? Where's the love for Pistol Pete?

MORE:

• The Best: Top-16 | Sampras | Federer
• Ask Taylor Dent And Al Trautwig

Vote For The Best Men's Tennis Player Of All-Time: Championship Round

It's down to the final two!

Pete Sampras and Roger Federer walloped their Final Four competition to coast into our final matchup.

Now it's your turn to determine who's the best men's tennis player of all-time, once and for all.

VOTE NOW:

No. 1 Pete Sampras vs. No. 1 Roger Federer

MORE:

• Sampras-Federer Is Going To Be Exciting
• Tennis Greats Ready To Clash
• Ask Taylor Dent And Al Trautwig
• The Best: Top-16 | Sampras | Federer

THE LOCKER ROOM 3/10 - A.M. Edition

Here are the top stories on the wires this morning ...

• The New York Jets signed free-agent running back Jesse Chatman to a one-year deal. Chatman, out of football in 2006, ran for a career-high 515 yards with a TD and caught 27 passes for 161 yards for Miami last season.

• Nigel Dawes scored the lone goal in the tiebreaker to help the New York