THIS DATE IN NHL HISTORY, MARCH 31
2004: Mark Messier scores a goal in his last NHL game, the New York Rangers' 4-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden.
Messier, who announces his retirement five months later after playing 25 seasons, scoring 694 goals and hoisting the Stanley Cup six times, certainly acts as if he knows his career is over. He skates around the Garden ice after the game, waving to the sellout crowd and shedding more than a few tears.
"I guess there's no blueprint for something like this," Messier said. "I didn't know what to expect myself. It would have been a lot simpler, a lot easier if I had come out a month ago and announced [my retirement]. It would have been a lot less stress. Any time you make a decision of this importance it should be made with a clear mind."
Ten years after Messier delivers the Stanley Cup to the Rangers in 1994 to end their 54-year drought, he scores his final NHL goal with 57 seconds left in the first period. It is the 1,887th point of his career, second in League history.
With his family in the stands and former Rangers teammate Mike Richter in the locker room, Messier is chosen as the game's First Star. When Messier takes off his sweater, the only message he has for his current teammates is "good luck with your careers."
Still, he's vague about his plans for the following season.
"If I did think in my mind it was it, then I would have set a lot more plans and preparations a month ago," he said. "I just didn't know completely in my heart that that was the case and didn't want to put myself in a situation if I did that come September perhaps would want to play again."
Messier doesn't play in New York's season finale April 4 at the Washington Capitals; on Sept. 12, he officially announces his retirement.
MORE MOMENTS:
1923: The Ottawa Senators' Francis "King" Clancy, 18, plays all six positions, including goalie for two minutes after Clint Benedict is assessed a penalty, when Ottawa defeats Edmonton 1-0 in Game 2 of the Final in Vancouver to win the Stanley Cup. Clancy goes on to referee in the NHL and later enjoys a long career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, serving as coach and then as an executive in various capacities.
1928: Gordie Howe is born in Floral, Saskatchewan. Mr. Hockey scores the first of his 801 NHL goals as an 18-year-old with the Detroit Red Wings and goes on to play in 1,767 NHL games during 25 seasons with the Red Wings and one with the Hartford Whalers. Howe wins the Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy six times apiece, plays on four Stanley Cup-winning teams, and sets numerous NHL records. He is inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.
1942: The Maple Leafs become the first team in NHL history to win 50 Stanley Cup Playoff games when they defeat the visiting Rangers 3-2 in Game 6 of the Semifinals.
1951: The Boston Bruins and Maple Leafs play the last Stanley Cup Playoff game to end in a tie. They were even at 1-1 after one overtime in Game 2 of the Semifinals at Maple Leaf Gardens when Ontario's "Sunday Curfew" law would have made it illegal to begin another period after midnight.
1973: The Bruins' Bobby Orr has his third NHL hat trick to become the first player in League history to earn 100 points in four straight seasons. The milestone comes in Boston's 7-3 loss to Toronto at Maple Leaf Gardens.
1990: Joe Sakic of the Quebec Nordiques becomes the first player in NHL history to get 100 points in a season while playing on a last-place team when he scores a goal in a 3-2 loss to the visiting Hartford Whalers.
1992: The Sabres' Pat LaFontaine becomes the first player in NHL history to score a goal against 21 teams in one season. He reaches the milestone when he scores in a 5-3 loss to the Minnesota North Stars at Met Center.
Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99
Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonth.html
Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonthman.html
No comments:
Post a Comment