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“You Are What Your Record Says You Are”
By Bill Parcells (if I coached hockey and wrote game recaps)
October 19, 2002 – Stanley Cup Finals, Game 3
New York Rangers 23, Dallas Stars 7
Now listen, fellas—football, hockey, tiddlywinks, I don’t care what the sport is. When you get punched in the mouth three straight games, that’s not bad luck. That’s not injuries. That’s not "we just need to play our game." That’s who you are.
And right now? The Dallas Stars are a beaten hockey team.
You give up 23 runs on 23 hits in a Stanley Cup Final game? You didn’t come to play. That’s a lack of preparation, a lack of pride, and let’s be honest—some of those guys out there looked like they’d never even heard of defensive responsibility.
Now let’s talk about the Rangers. You don’t score 61 runs in three games by accident. That’s execution. That’s focus. That’s everyone doing their job. I always told my guys: if you want to eat the cheese, you better be ready to set the trap. The Rangers? They set the trap, took the cheese, and made a damn charcuterie board out of the Stars tonight.
You want a name? I’ll give you one: Avery Grubin.
Three home runs. Seven RBIs. Scored four times. The man is out there playing like the game owes him money. You hang a pitch, he’ll put it in the parking lot. You pitch around him? He’ll wait, then make you pay next at-bat. That grand slam in the first? That’s a tone-setter. That’s the equivalent of telling your opponent, “We’re not just here to win. We’re here to embarrass you.”
And let’s not forget the rest of them. Mark Grubin? Four hits, couple doubles, home run. Cuylle drew four walks—tied a playoff record. That’s discipline. That’s knowing the strike zone. Bliebernicht drove in six. Sattler? He didn’t even need to take his jersey off—he just keeps hitting and jogging.
I’ve coached championship teams. And I can tell you this: when everyone on the team contributes, when every guy knows his role and executes it with precision—that’s how dynasties are built.
The Rangers are up 3-0. They’re not hoping to win this series—they’ve already decided they’re going to. They’ve got the Stars reeling. The body language on that Dallas bench in the eighth and ninth? That's a team just trying to get out of the building without more damage.
I used to say, “Don't tell me about the pain. Show me the baby.” Well tonight, the Rangers showed us the baby, the crib, and the nursery. They played like professionals. They played like champions. And if Dallas wants to salvage any dignity, Game 4 better be about more than just playing out the string.
Because right now? The Rangers don’t just smell blood—they’re carving the Stars up and cooking dinner.
Game 4 tomorrow night. We’ll find out if Dallas has any pulse left.
If not?
Start engraving the Cup.
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