October 14, 1979 - Rod Gilbert Night - Rangers 6, Minnesota North Stars 4
"You have given me a home, friendship, respect, and love, and that's more important than fame. For these things, I will always be grateful."
March 15, 1989 - Eddie Giacomin Night - Winnipeg Jets 6, Rangers 3
"You have been my motivation, my inspiration. It's the most thrilling moment of my life."
The bottom-feeding Jets scored 4 power play goals and 1 short-handed goal to beat the Rangers. The Blueshirts lost their 6th game in 7 tries yet were still in 2nd place in the Patrick Division, trailing Washington by 2 points.
Brian Leetch got hurt after scoring his 22nd goal of the season.
Giacomin became the 2nd Ranger to have their jersey retired and the 4th in NHL history (first 3 were Bernie Parent, Rogatien Vachon, and Tony Esposito).
February 4, 2004 - Mike Richter Night - Minnesota Wild 4, Rangers 3
"I'm wondering whose idea it was to get a guy who retired because of head injuries to memorize a speech to give to 18,000 people."
Adam Graves got the loudest cheers of the night.
Rangers were leading 3-2 on two Jaromir Jagr goals (and an assist), then Mike Dunham gave up two goals and the crowd chanted "We want Richter!"
January 12, 2006 - Mark Messier Night - Rangers 5, Edmonton Oilers 4 (OT)
"I was ready for the challenge of winning the Stanley Cup. I was ready for this city. I wasn't intimidated about coming to New York."
Leetch wasn't in attendance because Boston was playing (and losing 6-0 to Los Angeles) that night, but his video tribute gathered the loudest applause.
Rangers leading 1-0, Oilers go up 3-1, Rangers go up 4-3, Mike Peca scores in the 3rd to tie it at 4. Jagr scores a beautiful goal 14 seconds into overtime to end the game. A great game capped off an emotional and incredible night.
January 24, 2008 - Brian Leetch Night - Rangers 2, Atlanta Thrashers 1 (SO)
"I've always been privileged to play for the Rangers. We'll always share that championship banner that hangs from the rafters."
Thrashers had a 1-0 from early in the second period. The crowd was getting restless until Michal Rozsival finally tied it up midway through the third. Brendan Shanahan scored the only goal in the shootout to end a night that will be remembered more for the ceremony than for the boring game.
February 3, 2009 - Adam Graves Night - Rangers vs. Thrashers
As I sit here watching a replay of Game 7 of the Rangers/Canucks series in 1994, I'm reminded of how great a player Adam Graves really was. This team is missing someone like him, although Brandon Dubinsky reminds me of him in spurts. Graves went to the net, got smacked around, hit by sticks, cross-checked from behind, and still stood and scored. The 2 points tonight are needed, but tonight won't be remembered for the game, that's for sure.
1) They retired Gilbert's number while he was still playing? Wow.
ReplyDelete2) Graves was one of those players you couldn't measure by goals, even though he held the team record for goals in a season for more than a decade. I think that's why a lot of people who aren't Rangers fans don't get why his number is being retired. The only knock I could make on Graves is that he always had help, whether it be Messier or Gretzky, but you can't fault him for that.
3) Remind me to bet the under for every Rangers game for the rest of the season. They make the Devils look like the 1984 Oilers.