Tony Amonte played his first NHL game last night wearing #31 of the New York Rangers and was credited with an assist. Ranger coach Roger Neilson started him out playing short shifts and eventually even put him in on the power play. Overall, I think he played a great game -- it was hard to tell he was only a rookie. He even had an encounter with Capitols veteran defenseman Rod Langway. In this clash between young and old, Rod had trapped the puck with his glove against his stomach and Tony took a couple of pokes at it. The two waved gloves in each other faces after the whistle had blown but no penalties were assessed. The Caps announcers were calling for a spearing penalty -- give me a break! How about a delay of game on Langway? The Caps announcers also kept harping on how they couldn't believe Roger Neilson was playing rookies in this important playoff game. (Rookie #10 Rice was also playing -- got a goal) I thought the two rookies, which were playing on the same line, looked at times better than the seasoned players -- so why not play them? When the Rangers started a veteran line for the beginning of OT, the announcers made the comment, (paraphrased) "See, the Rangers are now going with seasoned players when it really counts." They failed to observe the fact that the Rangers were putting out their starting lineup or the fact that both Amonte and Rice played in the OT period. sigh. To make matters worse, the Caps won. :-( We still have yet to see an appearance by Doug Weight. Perhaps in game 6 on Saturday at the Cap Centre -- which has not sold out yet. Pete