Lias Andersson represented Sweden at the Carlson Hockey Games as part of the Euro Hockey Tour (EHT) during the past week. The Rangers' first round pick (seventh overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft skated in three contests with Sweden, and he registered a power play assist in Sweden's first game of the tournament on Apr. 19 against Russia. On Apr. 23, Sweden announced its roster for the upcoming Sweden Hockey Games as part of the Euro Hockey Tour; Andersson will represent his country in the tournament, along with current Ranger Mika Zibanejad (the Sweden Hockey Games begin on Apr. 26 and end on Apr. 29).

Prospect Tim Gettinger and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds advanced to the Ontario Hockey League semifinals on Tuesday with a 9-7 victory over Owen Sound. Sault Ste. Marie will face the Kitchener Rangers in the third round.

It's hard for Mike Richter to even think of a time he didn't see John Amirante before a game at Madison Square Garden. As Richter remembers, Amirante's presence at the World's Most Famous Arena was as much a staple as the Rangers' logo emblazed at center ice.

"I don't remember him missing a game," Richter said of Amirante, who passed away Tuesday at 83. "We were never at MSG when he wasn't there. He was a staple. John Amirante was always part of it."

Amirante, who began signing the Star Spangled Banner at Madison Square Garden back in 1980, set the bar high for anthem singers. But if it was possible, Richter said he was an even better man.

For years, it was a Madison Square Garden ritual. A door would swing open near the Eighth Ave. end of the ice, and John Amirante would emerge for his short walk on the blue carpet to a waiting microphone. Then, in a fierce baritone, thunderously belting out the National Anthem, he would lift the building - and as he described it, The Garden would lift him.

Amirante, whose rendition of the Star Spangled Banner before home games spanned generations of Ranger fans, and who is surely ingrained as part of team lore, died Tuesday morning at 83.

Three Stars of the Week

Lias Andersson joined the Swedish National Team during the past week to play exhibition/tournament games prior to the start of the 2018 IIHF World Championship. He registered three points (one goal, two assists) in two games against Denmark during the week, and he was named Sweden's Best Player of the Game on Apr. 14. The Rangers' first round pick (seventh overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft will continue to play with Sweden's National Team in international competition this week at the Carlson Hockey Games, which take place in Russia and the Czech Republic. Sweden plays three games in the tournament: Apr. 19 against Russia, Apr. 21 against the Czech Republic, and Apr. 22 against Finland.

Brett Howden scored a goal and added an assist to help lead the Moose Jaw Warriors to a 3-2 victory in Game 6 against Swift Current that took three ovetimes. The victory forced a Game 7 on Monday.

Howden's goal tied the game at 11:28 of the third period to set up the marathon overtime session. He now has seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 13 games thus far in the postseason.

After a short stint in New York to close the season, forward Lias Andersson was back across the pond representing Team Sweden in a match against Denark on Thursday when he posted an assist in a World Championship exhibition game.

Tim Gettinger had a pair of assists, including the primary helper on the game-winner for Sault Ste. Marie, who edged Owen Sound, 5-2, to even their second-round series in the Ontario Hockey League at two games each.

Disappointment of a season ending earlier than they'd like - or are accustomed to - was clear on Tuesday when the Rangers met for exit interviews and spoke to the media for the final time this season.

But also clear was a level of excitement, perhaps for the unknown of what lies ahead for the Rangers heading into next season. 

There will certainly be changes to the roster as there are after every season, but there was a level of optimism that was evident throughout the locker room.

The Rangers met with the media for the final time after the conclusion of the 2017-18 season. Watch the full interviews below.

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