The Yankees moved to within three wins of the World Series with a dramatic comeback 6-5 win in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. CC Sabathia started by walking Elvis Andrus and followed that up by giving up a single to Michael Young. Josh Hamilton then took the Yankees' ace deep to give the Rangers' a three-run lead three batters into the bottom of the first. Michael Young added a fourth-inning double to make it a five-run game. But the Yankees didn't quit. Robinson Cano got to C.J. Wilson for a homer. In the eighth inning, the first seven Yankees reached base and the Yankees picked up a five-spot. Then Kerry Wood worked around a leadoff walk in the bottom of the eighth, and Mariano Rivera worked around a leadoff single. Game 2 is Saturday at 4 p.m.
The New York Rangers rallied from a 3-1 deficit to earn a point, but they still fell to the Maple Leafs in overtime, 4-3, at the Garden. Marc Staal took an interference penalty to set up the Toronto game-winner. Michal Rozsival scored in the first period, and Brian Boyle scored two third period goals. Sean Avery had two assists in the loss.
Like their rivals, the Islanders rallied from a two-goal deficit to force overtime. Like their rivals they fell. Pittsburgh downed the Islanders, 3-2, to erase second-period goals from Josh Bailey and Radek Martinek.
The Devils made it 0-for-3 for the local hockey teams. They had 43 shots on goal but still fell to the Avalanche, 3-2. Matt Taormina and Ilya Kovalchuk had the New Jersey goals.
