Happy 22nd Anniversary of Now I Can Die in Peace:
The below has been run a few times before but figured it's never a bad time to run them again. With free agency and all the rumors that come with it looming coupled with the ongoing handwringing that still exists related to Carl Hagelin and his departure from New York, revisiting a more pleasant memory seemed to be the way to go. Enjoy seeing this again.
As the years fly by and the memories fade a little bit, it's always good to reflect on history, especially good times. That is especially true when you factor in that we are in the midst of the Stanley Cup Finals and the Rangers' current coaching search prominently has two members of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champions front and center. I am not one to repeat blogs, but given the recollections that this stirs, I figured it was worth running it again.
In a day that continues to resonate for the later generations who were either not alive or old enough to remember it and is constantly referenced to by my and older generations, June 14, 1994 has a hold that will continue until the Rangers win another cup (one can only hope).
That whole season was magical. From Keenan coming on board as coach, opening the pre-season in Wembley Arena in London, the acquisition of Steve Larmer, the hot start that seemed to run all season, Richter, Graves, Messier and Leetch as All-Stars at MSG, deadline deals for Matteau, Noonan, Anderson and MacTavish, the PP led by Leetch and Zubie, the Black Aces, Kovy etc.
In the playoffs - the whitewash of the Isles, a relatively easy five game series against the Caps and the Conference Finals against NJ. Double-OT in games 1, 3 and 7. Richer with the GWG in Game 1, a shutout win Game 2, Matteau (remember that name) to win Game 3, Richter pulled in the loss in Game 4 and the third period collapse in Game 5. The Guarantee and natural hat trick by Mess in the third period in Game 6. Zelepukin late to toe Game 7 and Matteau, Matteau, Matteau and the Rangers have one more mountain to climb in Game 7. (For me especially this has even better memories, as I was married two days after that Game 7).
The Stanley Cup Finals - Game 1 - crossbar by Leetch, then game-winner by Adams. Game 2 - goal by Anderson and a pair of late, game-saving stops by Richter. Game 3 - high-stick and game misconduct by Bure and solid overall performance by New York. Game 4 - down 2-0 and penalty shot to Bure. The Save changed all the momentum and Rangers head home with a shot a clinching. Game 5 - down 1-0 heading to the third, two goals in 2:22 put NY down 3-0, but Rangers find way to tie only to give up a goal 29 seconds later and two more to send series to back to Vancouver. Game 6 - decent effort but 4-1 loss sends series back to NY for Game 7 and a frazzled Rangers crowd. Game 7 - goal by Leetch and then Graves has NY up 2-0. Linden makes it 2-1 but Messier responds making it 3-1 heading it to the third. Every Rangers' fan is on pins and needles watching the clock tick down way too slowly. Linden makes it 3-2 and sends crowd into a panic. Big saves by Richter on Gelinas, whose shot touched the post, and Lafayette, the ex-Rangers, whose shot drew iron and it was really hold the breath time. Tick-tick-tick and a draw with 1.6 seconds to go, where MacTavish drew it back and it was "Now I Can Die in Peace Time"
Enjoy the links below as well as the memories they should bring back:
Enjoy the links below as well as the memories they should bring back: