Another third period comeback, followed by another shootout win, gave the Rangers a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators at Madison Square Garden.

This time the Blueshirts were down 1-0 going into the third before they were able to strike. But much like the last few games at MSG, the Rangers had to endure two tough periods before a fire was lit fire under their skates.

Although it’s been working, it’s something coach Tom Renney knows won’t last.

“I think what we have done in the last couple of game is minimize the opportunities our opponent has had in the first two periods,” said coach Tom Renney. “We haven’t been able to turn it the other way and go light the lamp at the other end of the rink. I think we have solidified parts of our game. We need to be more of an attacking team.”

Be that as it may, the Rangers still played well enough to get the two points. This time thanks to Freddie Sjostrom, whose hard work with Blair Betts, enabled the team to tie the game at 7:17 of the third.

“We were fired up and we were going to have to win this no matter what,” Sjostrom said. “Everybody excelled and played really hard tonight. We started to play more physical in the third and that’s our game.”

Of course, none of these comebacks could happen if Henrik Lundqvist wasn’t his solid self. The Ranger netminder stopped 27 of the 28 shots on the night, including some tough ones in the second.

“It was important to shut them down,” said Lundqvist, who now is 12-4-2 on the season. “They’re coming off a pretty tough stretch and if they get a couple of early goals and get the confidence, they can be a pretty tough team.”

Lundqvist was actually better than his record tonight because it looked like he was interfered on by Jason Spezza, as Daniel Alfredsson scored the Ottawa goal with 3:47 left in the second. Spezza knocked his stick into the back of Lundqvist’s knee, which should be an interference call, according to Renney.

But the goal stood, which allowed the Rangers to make it an interesting third. Renney juggled his lines again and limited Nik Zherdev’s and Aaron Voros’s ice time. That allowed Sjostrom to shine and ultimately got The King into the shootout where he simply holds court.

“The Zamboni comes out and you just try to relax,” said Lundqvist, who is now 3-1 in shootouts this season. “A lot of times I think about the extra point and that kind of fires me up. I like the challenge of facing the best players on the other team. I get nervous because you play such a big part and you want to win so badly for the guys. You need to have a lot of patience and right now I have both.”

Zherdev redeemed himself for his third period absence, by going five-hole on Alex Auld [26 save overall]. Lundqvist then stopped Spezza, Jarkko Ruutu and Antoine Vermette for the two points and now conference leading 30 points overall.

Notes: Ruutu seemed to agitate the Rangers in the first, especially Brandon Dubinsky and Aaron Voros, who fought the Finnish winger. But Dubinsky said he ignored him the rest of the game.

“He’s an idiot,” Dubinsky said. “He’s not professional out there. He tries to get under guys skin. It doesn’t matter. He’s not bothering me.”

Scott Gomez sat out his third straight game with a leg injury.

NEW YORK – The early returns are in. On this trade, it’s the Rangers by a landslide.

Nikolai Zherdev has been so dominate for the Blueshirts early on this season; it’s hard to believe Glen Sather stole him for middle of the road defensemen Christian Backman and Fedor Tyutin.

And yet again, No. 13 was starring on the Garden ice, chipping in a goal and an assist in the Rangers 3-2 over the Atlanta Thrashers.

His skating is an art form and his speed allows the Russian sniper to fly down ice to make a play. Against the Thrashers, that speed was on display, as the 23 year-old scored on the fly in the third and then took a trip around the net to outlet over to Dan Girardi for the game winning, just a few minutes later. Even more impressively, he also broke up a shorthanded breakaway earlier on in the match.

That’s why star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist said, “He is certainly one of the most talented players I’ve seen.”

The skills were always there for Zherdev, as evidenced by the Blue Jackets picking him fourth overall in the 2003 draft. But the talent never equated to the numbers. In four NHL seasons, the right wing scored 26 goals with 105 assists. He had a good year in his first full season [27 goals and 27 assists in 2005-06], but then fell to just 10 goals and 22 assists the next year.

Coach Tom Renney said when Ken Hitchcock took over the Jackets, Zherdev changed to a north south player, which caused him to put up his best season last year with 26 goals and 35 assists.

Yet, so much more was expected, though. Much like Alexi Kovalev in the mid-90s, the results never lived up the promise.

And because of that, it made the Russian expendable for Columbus, and he shipped him to the Rangers along with Dan Fritsche for the two defenseman back on Jul. 2.

The Rangers saw a player who just needed some fine tuning and also some acceptance among his teammates. With a very unselfish locker room, Zherdev immediately fit in and Renney tried to have him play to his strengths.

“I just am being Tom,” Renney said modestly. “One of the reasons we got him is because we thought that style of coaching would work with him. We really support our players and give them a lot of opportunity to get success.”

It allowed for a blistering start of five goals and seven assists with a NHL leading plus-11. With Chris Drury, Scott Gomez and Markus Naslund struggling, Zherdev has been the Rangers best forward, so far in this campaign.

“He’s doing what he can do, obviously, but he is playing every game with an edge in his game,” Fritsche said. “You can tell he is playing with a passion and playing to win. He is proving a lot of people wrong so far.”

Of course this could be a short lived tenure. Zherdev can be a restricted free agent after this season. The Rangers have made sure to make him feel right at home, so the winger considers staying in New York, rather than bolting for Russia next year.

Yet, that’s something for the future, because the Blueshirts are just enjoying Zherdev and what he is bringing to the table so far. But as good as he has been; there is certainly room to improve.

“He played hard and the effort is definitely there,” Renney said. “There are some things we have to improve as a team and Niki is certainly symbolic of that. Maybe he’s trying to do many things but at the same time, he works hard and he understands what we’re looking for.”

All you would have to do is look at the end of the bench to see Eddie Curry and Stephon Marbury – the poster boys of the Isiah Thomas regime – watching the game, but not being invited to participate.

This is Mike D’Antoni’s team now and the new coach is looking to build a likable franchise – one that will come to play every night, while leaving the drama and stain of the Isiah Era behind.

And the final result on opening night – a 120-115 win over the Miami Heat – signaled more than just a nice victory to begin D’Antoni’s tenure. More importantly, the inmates no longer run the asylum at Madison Square Garden. Under the new coach, there will be a meritocracy, where playing time is earned by performance and not dictated by the size of a paycheck.

D’Antoni, though, was quick to point out Marbury was not at fault here, but just wanted to move the franchise along. “It’s just that I think going forward, [Danilo] Gallinari, Will Chandler, [Chris] Duhon, David Lee, just go down through, Nate [Robinson] – we’ve got to know certain things as we go forward,” he said. “We’re trying to build a team. It’s not this year. It’s a two- or three-year project, and I don’t want to get started next year on the project. I want to get started right now.”

D’Antoni needs to look past Marbury. Although he’s owed $21.9 million this season, the erstwhile starter is not going to be re-signed. Because D’Antoni is in a honeymoon period right now, the coach needs to concentrate on his long term players in order to put together a winning team.

And to his credit Marbury was very diplomatic. “”If that’s what the coach says for me to do, then I’m fine with that.”

Sounds good after one game, but what if the Knicks are, say, 9-11 after 20 games, will Marbury still be fine with not playing? And what if his name comes up in a trade rumor or two, will he force his way off the team, even if it means the Knicks will lose the cap space next year?

Obviously those answers are for another day, as is Curry, who sat on the bench the first half and then went into the locker room for the second. After coming into camp out of shape, D’Antoni refused to play the center, instead allowing him to rot on the pine next to Marbury.

Before the game the coach said, “You’re not going to play yourself in (the rotation) during the games. You’re going to do it at practice. And it’s not just (Curry). It’s everybody.”

In his high tempo system, D’Antoni needs his players to be in the best shape possible. For it to work in New York there can’t be any loafing, because it will slow down the whole game plan.

Maybe that’s why it worked in the absence of Curry and Marbury. The Knicks looked good, despite the fact they almost blew a 26 point lead by allowing 40 Heat points in the fourth quarter.

“I think those last five minutes, it’s just a matter of ‘Oh, gosh.’ We kind of shut it down,” D’Antoni said. “We can’t do that. We’re not that good to be able to do that.”

Even with the near collapse, the Knicks really seemed to  like the system, especially Jamal Crawford, who led the Knicks with 29 points, and Zack Randolph, who put in 20.

“I love it,” Crawford said. “It’s wide open. It’s equal opportunity and it’s great for us.”

“I like it,” added Randolph. “Guys get open shots. It’s a good system.”

Sure there will be growing pains and the Knicks won’t look this good every night. But D’Antoni wants to build something here. If that means Curry and Marbury have to sit, so be it. His system worked on opening night, when the Garden was filled with hope. Now let’s see if the Knicks can build on this victory.

This is Tom Renney’s team from top to bottom and the coach has put his stamp on the Broadway squad down to the last man on the roster.

Not since Herb Brooks stood behind the bench has a Ranger team been built for the coach. The Blueshirts of the mid-1990s were designed for Mark Messier and in the early 2000s squads were based on star driven talent, many times with no direction.

Even when Renney started after the lockout, he had of tailor a system to the talents of Jaromir Jagr. After No. 68 left for Russia over the summer, Renney saw a chance to remake the Rangers in his image. Instead of a star driven offense, behind Jagr and Brendan Shanahan, the Rangers have a roster filled with up and coming younger players and veterans of unselfish systems.

It has allowed the Blueshirts to a better 2-way unit. It’s one that is designed to cut down on the number of opponent’s shots – and utilize Henrik Lundqvist to his fullest – while taking advantage of the team’s speed, peppering the net with pucks.

It was a risky move, because of the possible chemistry issues. Yet, with 142 Ranger wins – now fourth on the team’s all time list – and three playoff appearances under his belt, Tom Terrific has earned the right to do what he wants.

When he took over the team from Glen Sather, right before the lockout, Renney was thought to be a stopgap. He name wasn’t sexy enough to coach on Broadway and his one coaching stint in Vancouver was considered a failure.

But something changed in Renney after the NHL came back from its one season hiatus. The coach learned how to deal with the NHL ego. He let Jagr be Jagr, while slowing integrating Lundqvist into the league. It gave him the first Ranger playoff appearance since Messier and Wayne Gretzky played together and also a lot more say in how the team would be shaped in the future.

Slowly over the past two seasons, the roster changed. What was a European based system became a North American style team, built from not just free agency but the draft as well. Although the Rangers have notable names like Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Markus Naslund, and Wade Redden, the roster also heavily relies upon draft picks such as Brandon Dubinsky, Marc Staal, and Lundqvist, which gives the Blueshirts a good blend of experience and youth.

The result is a 9-2-1 record, the best record in hockey so far.

And here’s the scary part: The Rangers haven’t fired on all cylinders yet.

Early on this season, Drury has been slow at the start and Gomez is still searching for his offensive touch. Even Naslund looks a little lost out there, but is starting to come around. It’s forced Renney to stay on his team to keep them on target to the task at hand.

Take last night for instance. With a pedestrian first period on Long Island, Renney focused his team during the final half of the game, leading to a 4-2 win. As the game moved along, the Rangers got better and better, much like they did in Columbus last Friday and at home against Pittsburgh on Saturday. “The guys realize they have to be on the same page,” Renney said. “The idea was to play 60 minutes. They need to complete the deal in an intelligent way. I thought we did that.”

Renney helped move it along. He sent a message in the first by benching Brandon Dubinsky, after the young center took two bad penalties in the first 5 ½ minutes of the game.

This is not a Plaxico Burress situation. Dubinsky is a good kid and has produced this season. He just made a few bad plays. But Renney not only sent a message to the budding star but the rest of the team as well. Stupid mistakes will not be tolerated.

“Just wanted Dubi to understand there’s a way we have to play and the guy behind the bench is the boss,” Renney said and added, “I am not going to discriminate in that matter.”

Besides playing with discipline, Renney also has the team in great shape. By strongly encouraging the squad to arrive at training camp almost a month early, the Blueshirts were able to get into midseason form in September and the Rangers’ conditioning allows them to outplay opponents in the third period.

“We certainly make sure we get under the time in all the stop watch drills,” said captain Chris Drury. “It very well could be. We are very well aware of how important the third is.”

It’s that complete game with no lapses that Renney keeps preaching.

Of course, it’s still early and no one knows if the hot start will continue. But one thing is for certain: If the Rangers are going to go far into the spring this season, it will be first and foremost because of Tom Terrific and the stamp he put on his team.

Henrik Lundqvist, though, got an earful just 25 seconds into the game as the Rangers former agitator reintroduced himself to the goalie.

“It was nothing I want printed in the paper,” Lundqvist said when asked about what was said. Avery was pushed away by Brandon Dubinsky, and became a non factor in the game, registering 17 shifts and 13:55 of ice time. The “Grate One” played it smart and didn’t cause any major havoc out on the ice.

“He’s a good hockey player,” coach Tom Renney said. “He came here on a business trip, basically. Their team won the game, so I think that translates to a successful contribution.”

Maybe the Rangers need some more of that from their own team, because after Markus Naslund scored just 55 seconds into the game, the Rangers fell asleep and couldn’t muster anything against a Dallas team, which game the Blueshirts its chances.

It came from all lines with Chris Drury still invisible and the Dubinsky line not being able to provide the scoring punch like it did early on in the year.

“We were stupid,” Renney said. “When you’ve got a one-on-four, you chip pucks in behind and go hunt them down. It’s not a case of one guy trying to beat four people.”

And because they couldn’t solve Marty Turco, who had 28 saves on the night, Dallas was able to capitalize to tie the game in the second and ultimately take the lead in the third.

First, Stars captain Brenden Morrow tied the match at 5:28 of the second on the power play, to push the Rangers back and then Mike Modano scored the winner at 8:03 of the third after Dan Girardi cleared the puck to the Dallas Star.

“The puck went straight to that guy, probably the worst guy to get it to,” Lundqvist said. “He waited, dragged it, got the screen and he just placed it up there.”

It was enough for a win at the Garden and a triumphant return for Avery.

Speaking of Avery, he was tracked down by the MSG network after the game and he took some parting shots. Both Dubinsky and Stephen Valiquette were critical of the former Rangers. Avery praised the young center, but said of the backup netminder, “He’s a minor-leaguer and he’s got to get noticed, so what better way than to talk about me?”

It’s nice to know he never changes.

Notes: Naslund’s goal was his second of the season…Lundqvist’s twin brother Joel played for the Stars last night registering 10:11 of ice time.

The win in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5, made her work for the victory so much, she couldn’t even thing of what to say to the press afterwards.

“You think when I’m playing a match I’m thinking of what to say to you guys?” laughed Jankovic, now the favorite in the tournament after Ana Ivanovic’s ousting yesterday. “I’m thinking what they are going to tell me, because I had like five match points and I haven’t made them. What are they going to tell me? Of course not.”

The 23 year-old should have beat Zheng easily, but the 37th ranked Chinese national was able to keep fighting against Jankovic to make it a match.

“In the first set, I was serving quite well and holding my serves and doing quite well,” said Jankovic who beat Sweden’s Sofia Arvidsson on Wednesday in a three set scare. “Then in the second set, I don’t know what happened. I just lost my rhythm. Throughout the whole match, I had a really bad percentage of first serves and mainly playing with second serves, which didn’t help.”

She only shot 61 percent on the first serve for the match and committed 41 unforced errors, which made the game close. It’s something she needs to work on if Jankovic plans on advancing next week.

“I served pretty well the first set,” she said. “But then somehow I lost the timing in the second set, because maybe I got a little tired. And then when you don’t use your legs, you don’t accelerate as much with your arms, and the strokes fall apart.”

With Ivanovic out, Jankovic has a chance to win this tournament, which will be her first singles Grand Slam title. But that’s a long way away and the Serbian won’t have to worry about Ivanovic’s ouster until the finals.

“I’m in the lower side of the draw, so I really don’t have anything to do with the top side,” she said. “For me it doesn’t make a difference until if I go to the finals. We are complete on two different sides, so I follow my own side of the draw.”

And if that happens, she will have plenty of time to figure out what to say to the press.

But there are no trophies for offseason moves. If there were the Mets would be a dynasty and the Rangers would have more than one Stanley Cup since World War II.

Too many times a team brings in big names and makes major changes only to flop on the field during the season. There are chemistry problems and sometimes a veteran will lose that edge after going to a new town.

The Jets face this task right now. After spending millions on the offensive line, the prize of Brett Favre was shown off yesterday in the basement of Cleveland Stadium. Sure all the right things were said, but the Hall of Fame quarterback still has to get in shape and learn a new system in a very short period of time.

“We’re up against the clock,” Favre said in the press conference. “I want these guys to know me, know what I’m about, how I play, what type of leadership I have. I’m not going to call team meetings, I’m not going to ‘rah-rah,’ I’m going to do what I have to do, pat guys on my back, hug them, pick them up off the ground and hope they do the same for me and hope that’s enough to win.”

With a third place schedule, the Jets should do well with Favre at the helm, but with games against the Patriots and Chargers during the first three weeks could land the Jets 1-2 going into week 4. Then the panic will set in and Favre will be right in the middle it. And this is why Gang Green will be ok with the man from Green Bay. After going through a month of ‘How the Quarterback Turns’, the cool customer will be able to keep his team together.

“Green Bay is a small market but is there a bigger team?” Favre thought. “I’ve been in front of a lot of media. I’ve been in big games. I’ve won big games. I’ve lost big games. I’ve had my share of criticism and glory… It doesn’t matter what city it’s in. I’m here for one reason, not to do commercials, Broadway, all those things. I’m here to help the Jets win, that’s why they got me.”

That’s what the Jets hope. Although Chad Pennington is a good quarterback, Favre is a great one. When the chips are down, the team will look to the QB for leadership. If Favre can come through with a comeback win in the fourth quarter or raise the level of the Jets play by himself, it will go a long way to having the team believe in their new leader.

It may be a lot to ask from someone who will be 39 in October, but Favre will have motivation. He said his first choice was to go to the Vikings of Bears just to be “vindictive” to the Packers. If that anger is still burning, what better way to stick it to Green Bay than be playing in January, while Lambeau Field sits in darkness? If that is what rives the quarterback the Jets will be just fine.

First, Favre has to get ready for the season. The circus has to end today with the quarterback working twice as hard as the average veteran to get ready for the season. If he does, then the Jets will be fine and well onto a playoff year.

So, even with a good start, the Jets were bound for the land of hockey and the Nets in the competitive New York media market. And with no new major skill players coming on board for the season, it was going to be a silent season for the club, even if they improved on the four win record.

That all changed early this morning when the Jets acquired quarterback Brett Farve. Although he’s 38, the future Hall of Famer gives Gang Green instant credibility and makes Sunday a two game must see for the New York sports fan.

“I am looking forward to seeing Brett Favre in a New York Jets uniform,” said Jets Chairman & CEO Woody Johnson in a statement. “He represents a significant addition to this franchise, and reflects our commitment to putting the best possible product on the field.”

Every Jet fan is feeling like Johnson right now. It would be a tough pill to swallow if the Pats go on to repeat in the AFC East, while the Giants dominate the NFC. Farve changes that. With a last place schedule, the Jets now not only have the chance to make the playoffs, but also can become an elite team in the NFL.

And that’s what No. 4 gives the Jets – respectability. With Farve the Jets become better than the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. With NFL bottom feeders like Arizona, Cincinnati, Oakland and St. Louis on the venue, Gang Green has a chance to pile up the wins. As for the Pats, the Jets now have a complete team which can compete with the almost perfect franchise.

All of this comes for the incredible low price of a conditional draft pick, which only become a No. 1 if the Jets make the Super Bowl.

That’s something each and every Jet fan will take.

In 2008, the Jets will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of Broadway Joe’s miracle run in Super Bowl III. Since then the franchise has seen nothing but heartache. Even the near misses ended in spectacular fashion. In 1982, they ran into a muddy field in Miami, losing their best shot for the Super Bowl. And if they played to win in the second half of the 1998 AFC Championship Game, their success would be credited to the former Giants coach Bill Parcells.

So the Jets can’t seem to catch a break. Remember, they still play in a stadium named for an opposing team, which ends in 2010, but the New Meadowlands, for some reason, will still have a Giants feel to it.

With Farve, the team has a chance to erase it’s checkered past. It’s a chance to become a player in the New York landscape. Sure, it can backfire and the new quarterback can flop, but it’s a risk the Jets need to take.

The first step was getting him here and Gang Green passed that with flying colors.

A few years ago, right after another failed attempt the Mets to get Manny Ramirez, Yankee general manager Brain Cashman joked with reporters that he was willing to toss in a few prospects if it meant getting Ramirez out of the division.

Mets GM Omar Minaya should check with Cashman to see if the offer still stands.

With the Red Sox possibly looking to move the perennial All-Star, now is the time for Minaya to strike and bring the Washington Heights native back to the city to finish his career. It’s obvious the Mets need and outfielder – and some bullpen help as well – and the 36 year-old fills the bill nicely. He will slot right into the middle of the lineup, taking the pressure away from Carlos Delgado – who will cool down eventually – while allowing Carlos Beltran to assume the role he is better suited – a very talented secondary option, where the weight of the team is not his shoulders.

Ramirez will make the Mets a complete lineup which can go toe-to-toe with the Phillies nine on any given night and will give the team the extra runs, so the bullpen meltdowns are kept to a minimum. Even at this advanced age, the slugging outfielder becomes the most feared hitter the Mets have had in the lineup since Mike Piazza terrorized the Senior Circuit in 1999 and 2000.

More importantly, if Minaya is able to acquire Ramirez, New York not only becomes the favorite in the National League, but a serious World Series contender. No matter how well they are playing right now, the Mets are still a very flawed club, which will be lucky to play in October.

Sure there are a number of risks. Although he tried a number of winters ago, the Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein won’t just give Ramirez away and the Mets, after emptying the farm to get Johan Santana, don’t have a lot to offer. The Sox, though, might be happy just to get rid of Ramirez and may take top prospect outfielder Fernando Martinez, who the organization kept in the minors despite an outfield drought and a few lower ceiling players. Ramirez is a 5-and-10 man, so he can veto any trade, but it’s thought he will gladly accept a trade to his home town.

Minaya may also have to pick up his option for next season, but with Moises Alou coming off the books and if Delgado’s option get’s declined, Ramirez is already paid for in 2009 as the Mets open up Citi Field. Speaking of the new edifice, trotting out Ramirez everyday is a great way to get the fannies in the seats, even at the top dollar prices the Mets plan to charge.

Of course, there’s always the problem of Manny being Manny, which is why the Sox is trying to send him out of town. Over the years Boston seemed to ignore his eccentric behavior in favor of production at the plate. This could be a concern in 2009, but right after a trade, Ramirez, like most players, will be on his best behavior as he gets acclimated to his new surroundings. And if it doesn’t take, the Mets can part ways with the slugger after next season. And if it works out, the Mets still have a club option, keeping Ramirez in Flushing through 2010.

The clock is ticking though. A trade like this is tough to do at the deadline and it can easily fall though. Yet Minaya needs to pull the trigger is the gun is loaded. Fernando Tatis and Delgado won’t keep hitting like they have the rest of the season and a high quality left fielder is needed, especially with Ryan Church’s status still up in the air.

Ramirez fills the bill and then some. If he’s available, bring him to Queens.

Go get him, Omar.

By relocating their conference matchup with the Indiana Fever to Arthur Ashe Stadium, the Libs made an otherwise a forgetful game a must see event, complete with stars, a fireworks show, and a fan fest during the pre-game. And neither the humid weather nor a flat Liberty effort could sadden the impressive crowd of 19,393.

That’s because this was more than a game. Rather this was a way of promoting a sport. Back in 2004, when the Garden was being used for the Republican National Convention, the Liberty played six games at Radio City. That was out of necessity and although the hallowed halls of the Music Hall provided a nice backdrop, it was poorly equipped to host a basketball game.

This time, it was all about the sport. With the Liberty floor covering the tennis court nicely, the team came out to a fireworks celebration. Dancers entertained the crowd, while Garden stars Boomer Esiason and David Lee sat in the stands. Even Menudo performed a nice rendition of the National Anthem in front of a giant flag to put everyone in the mood.

But the Garden has a history of fine shows. It retires numbers and honor players, better than anyone. And it can giveaway food and put on performances just to mask the stench of the team on the court or ice.

This was no exception.

The 71-55 final score was more of a concern for the diehards in the stands rather than the curious. A Liberty win would be nice, but the team is still in third and holds a 12-10 record with plenty of basketball left to play.

The season is a concern for another day. Saturday night was about the franchise and how they can win over fans in a unique way. Taking a page from the NHL – of all places – and putting a basketball game outdoors is an original idea and even can be considered daring. Although it was hot and humid, the day could have become a disaster if rain came and postponed the event, or worse, caused a delay during the game. Also, the possibility of a player getting hurt was heightened. Not used to playing in the hot weather could have caused a cramp or a muscle pull which could have ruined either team’s season.

Yet, that didn’t happen and the Garden looks like a champ. A long time ago, MSG put on outdoor events in Queens all the time. Back in the 1930s when the arena was on 50th street and the name Dolan didn’t strike fear into New York fans, the Garden owned the MSG Bowl in Long Island City. Mainly a boxing venue, it was famous for James Braddock’s defeat of Max Baer, which was romanticized in the movie Cinderella Man.

The Bowl was torn down a long time ago and today the Liberty played in a tennis stadium and although the lost the game, the party was a major success.