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jg2977 · 07-05-2025, 12:30 PM

RANGERS SHOCK HABS IN THRILLER!
AVERY’S 2-STRIKE ROCKET SENDS BLUESHIRTS BACK TO THE STANLEY CUP FINAL
By THE NEW YORK POST SPORTS DESK | October 11, 2001

NEW YORK — YOU COULD HEAR THE ROAR FROM RIVERSIDE TO ROCKAWAY.

Bottom of the ninth. Two outs. Two strikes. One strike away from another home loss and a Game 7 in Montreal.

Then came Avery Grubin.

The Rangers’ right fielder stepped in, locked in, and crushed a 2-2 pitch from Montreal reliever A. Pasillas into the Manhattan sky — a two-run, walk-off home run that turned Madison Square Garden into a madhouse and sent the Canadiens packing.

Final: Rangers 8, Canadiens 7. Series over. Dynasty alive.

With one epic swing, Avery punched New York’s ticket to the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year, the third time in four seasons, and a record-extending 14th appearance overall.

And now? Just four wins stand between the Blueshirts and Stanley Cup No. 10.

“I was just trying to keep the line moving,” Avery said, moments after being mobbed at the plate. “Then I saw it. And I swung.”

Yeah. He swung. And he launched it.

KRAMER KEEPS COOKING
While Avery sealed it, Kosmo Kramer once again ran the show. The series MVP ripped two doubles, scored twice, and finished the series batting .444 with 3 homers and 9 RBI.

“Every time you look up, he’s doing something nuts,” said manager Artie Constanzo. “He’s got chaos in his bat.”

EARLY HOLE, VINTAGE COMEBACK
The Rangers looked rattled early. Montreal opened the game with back-to-back-to-back jacks — Vandelay, Newman, and Montreal’s own Asher Grubin (yes, different Grubin) taking Hector Macias deep.

But the home team didn’t fold.

Ben Rice crushed a two-run homer in the 4th. Sacrifice flies from Torres and Kim chipped away. Kramer doubled twice. And the bullpen — Garza and Vera — held the fort just long enough for Avery to drop the hammer.

NEXT STOP: CHICAGO
The Rangers now face the surging Chicago Blackhawks, who steamrolled Dallas in five. They’ve got youth, speed, and confidence — but not a single Cup.

The Rangers? They’ve got nine.

“This is what we play for,” Avery said. “This is New York. We don’t chase banners. We collect them.”

AVERY GRUBIN. BROADWAY HERO.
RANGERS. STANLEY CUP BOUND. AGAIN.

07-05-2025, 12:30 PM	#2528
jg2977 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 24,573	RANGERS SHOCK HABS IN THRILLER! AVERY’S 2-STRIKE ROCKET SENDS BLUESHIRTS BACK TO THE STANLEY CUP FINAL By THE NEW YORK POST SPORTS DESK \| October 11, 2001 NEW YORK — YOU COULD HEAR THE ROAR FROM RIVERSIDE TO ROCKAWAY. Bottom of the ninth. Two outs. Two strikes. One strike away from another home loss and a Game 7 in Montreal. Then came Avery Grubin. The Rangers’ right fielder stepped in, locked in, and crushed a 2-2 pitch from Montreal reliever A. Pasillas into the Manhattan sky — a two-run, walk-off home run that turned Madison Square Garden into a madhouse and sent the Canadiens packing. Final: Rangers 8, Canadiens 7. Series over. Dynasty alive. With one epic swing, Avery punched New York’s ticket to the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year, the third time in four seasons, and a record-extending 14th appearance overall. And now? Just four wins stand between the Blueshirts and Stanley Cup No. 10. “I was just trying to keep the line moving,” Avery said, moments after being mobbed at the plate. “Then I saw it. And I swung.” Yeah. He swung. And he launched it. KRAMER KEEPS COOKING While Avery sealed it, Kosmo Kramer once again ran the show. The series MVP ripped two doubles, scored twice, and finished the series batting .444 with 3 homers and 9 RBI. “Every time you look up, he’s doing something nuts,” said manager Artie Constanzo. “He’s got chaos in his bat.” EARLY HOLE, VINTAGE COMEBACK The Rangers looked rattled early. Montreal opened the game with back-to-back-to-back jacks — Vandelay, Newman, and Montreal’s own Asher Grubin (yes, different Grubin) taking Hector Macias deep. But the home team didn’t fold. Ben Rice crushed a two-run homer in the 4th. Sacrifice flies from Torres and Kim chipped away. Kramer doubled twice. And the bullpen — Garza and Vera — held the fort just long enough for Avery to drop the hammer. NEXT STOP: CHICAGO The Rangers now face the surging Chicago Blackhawks, who steamrolled Dallas in five. They’ve got youth, speed, and confidence — but not a single Cup. The Rangers? They’ve got nine. “This is what we play for,” Avery said. “This is New York. We don’t chase banners. We collect them.” AVERY GRUBIN. BROADWAY HERO. RANGERS. STANLEY CUP BOUND. AGAIN. Attached Images Last edited by jg2977; 07-05-2025 at 12:31 PM.