If the Rangers’ past year were to be compared to the typical cliché of a roller coaster, it would be the American phenom Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure.
The tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, with its hydraulic launch mechanism that shot a train up to 128mph in 3.5 seconds until it reached the top at 456 feet before plummeting at a 90-degree angle to finish the ride in all of 28 seconds.
Kingda Ka was shut down in November. Right around the time the Blueshirts went down their own 90-degree drop.
Mechanical failures, safety concerns and maintenance costs led to the ride’s demise. Just like defensive and structural breakdowns, personnel and management issues, and an off-kilter locker room have fed into that of the Rangers.