Ironic, isn't it? Tomorrow night the entire New York sports community and the hockey world will have their eyes focused on Madison Square Garden to celebrate the career of Mark Messier. Tomorrow night we honor the Mark Messier that captained the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years. Well deserved, to be sure.
It is almost comical, however, how futile the final seven seasons of his career were, while yesterday the Messier-less Rangers battled their way back from a 2-0 deficit to win against a very good Calgary team. One can't help but chuckle when you realize that the last four Ranger teams Messier led couldn't even finish .500, yet here is this "rebuilding" team at 12 games over with a 24-12-7 record. It is amazing that a team stocked with high priced vets and first ballot hall-of-famers couldn't come close to sniffing the playoffs, yet the Petrs, Henriks, Jeds, Ryans, Doms, and Fedors of the world are joining up with some modest pros and one superstar and plowing a clear road to the post-season.
With all the hype surrounding this event, you can tell that MSG brass thought the team would really suck this year, and that this was going to be one of the only highlights of the season. The more I think about it, though, the more I like the idea that Mark Messier Night comes at this time. I am happy for Mark, and I will be in attendance, but I have a different agenda in mind. I want the kids on this team to hear just how loud MSG can be. I want these players to feel just how much emotion can flow from the 18,200 fans packing the building. I want them to see how beloved Mark and Adam Graves and Mike Richter have become in this town. If the Rangers come out strong against the Oilers after this huge ceremony, the roof of the building will be blown off. I want Mark Messier Night to be as much for the current Rangers as it is for Mark Messier.
Most of all, I am thrilled that we can finally close the book on one more chapter of 1994. The past is a great thing, but it can also be a drag on the present. After tomorrow, we only have to watch one more player from that team, Brian Leetch, get his number retired. Hopefully, we can start putting 1994 to bed, and be able to look forward to Cups-to-come. Finally.
Last night the Rangers took another step in their evolution. The Sykora deal paid immediate dividends, even though he had some good fortune on his side. He secured the first star of the game with a goal and an assist, and received a huge ovation from the crowd. Henrik Lundqvist let in two quick, long distance goals in the first period, the kind that would have gotten Kevin Weekes booed out of the city. Unlike Weekes, however, Henrik is able to bounce back and shut the door for the rest of the night, standing on his head at times. Martin Straka's game has risen to incredible heights recently, last night adding another goal and an assist.
To steal a line from Pete Rocha, Ville Nieminen has gone from insignificant to irreplaceable in just a few weeks. He seems to have an ability to create scoring chances, even if they are ugly. His hard work (and whiff of a shot) allowed him to set up Jason Ward for the game winner. Dom Moore finally got on the scoreboard, albeit an empty net goal. Ryan Hollweg and Jed Ortmeyer are invaluable for their reckless abandon, and are drawing attention for it.
I am going to divide the news into two parts. First, coverage of last night's game, then the Mark Messier stuff.
NY Post: If you were still looking for measuring sticks and litmus tests, then you should have been at the Garden last night.
NY Daily News: Petr Sykora desperately wanted to come to the Rangers because nearly all of his Czech buddies already are on the team. Little did he know that good fortune was awaiting him in New York as well as good friends.
NY Newsday: "This is a Rangers team I haven't seen in a long time, a hard-working team with discipline and with the passion to win," Sykora said. "It feels very special to be in New York City . . . I haven't had this feeling in a long time."
The Journal News: "I think the fact that we believed in each other and in our team to get ourselves back in the game was as important as the outcome," Rangers coach Tom Renney said. "Obviously, our latest addition was a big help to us and, generally speaking, kept us going."
NY Times: Henrik Lundqvist made 19 saves in his first game since shutting out Florida on Saturday. He is 11-2-2 at home.
The Rodent has his usual recap of the game.
The rest of the news is about Mark, Gretzky, and tomorrow night's festivities:
NY Daily News: Two articles here and here.
NY Post: Some praise for Mark from The Great One.
NY Times: Wayne will not be available for Messier's ceremony.
Bird penned a new Birdcage about how New York owes Messier a "Thank you".
The Journal News has a great article on Sam and JD.
Tomorrow night the Rangers will host the Oilers. The ceremony will start at 7:00 pm EST, and they estimate the opening faceoff to be about 7:40, but figure it to be close to 8:00 pm.
HDH
Posted by Jim at January 11, 2006 10:31 AMeMail this entry!
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