Archives for 2004

'Before the game, Messier posed for photographs with friends, family, staff members and fans. He also signed several commemorative sticks, which he played with during the game.' … [Read more...] about Rangers' Messier All but Says Goodbye to the Garden

'The eighth-place Islanders had already done what they had to do. Receiving two goals each from Parrish and Roman Hamrlik, they dominated the Montreal Canadiens, 5-1, and remained 3 points ahead of Buffalo with two games remaining. An Islanders victory or a Sabres loss will lock up the Islanders' third straight playoff berth.' … [Read more...] about Islanders Aren't Backing Into Anything

'Last night certainly looked like a farewell. From the presence of Messier's extended family - teenage son Lyon even stood behind the bench for the third period - to the dozens of sticks he autographed and used in the game to the photos for which he posed with teammates and trainers to the pregame phone call from Wayne Gretzky, it had all the trappings. The only thing … [Read more...] about Looks like Mess bows out

'Certainly everything pointed to this being the final chapter. In recent days, Messier posed for photos with everyone on the team, probably right down to the cotton-candy vendors.' … [Read more...] about For Garden goodbyes, this one is on the Mark

'Islander fans had become so desperate they also were willing to cheer for the despised Blueshirts on the scoreboard.' … [Read more...] about Isles 2 points away

'"This is a young man's game. You have to have the desire. It takes a lot, you have to be willing to do it. It's not easy, this is a demanding game, a dangerous game, and it's nowhere to be if you're hedging. I've been thinking about this a lot for the last month. Those are some of the things that have to be answered."' … [Read more...] about Fans shower love on Mess

'The Islanders need only one win to clinch, no matter what Buffalo does the remaining two games of its season. The Isles pick up the remainder of their schedule tomorrow in Carolina before wrapping up the regular season at home Sunday against the Flyers.' … [Read more...] about Islander re-birth one victory away

'The Sabres are three points behind the Islanders with two games to go, having sealed this one on Dmitri Kalinin's goal 2:56 into the third that gave Buffalo a two-goal lead. Josh Green cut it to one goal and the Rangers, led by Messier, pressed for the tie late but could not capitalize.' … [Read more...] about Last game or not, Messier receives big send-off

'With 56.3 seconds left in the first period, he whisked a backhander into the Buffalo Sabres net. He raised both hands, as he always has done, and smiled. The crowd roared, then chanted, "Mess-eee-aay!"' … [Read more...] about Mess deserves best

'Goalie Rick DiPietro, who made 20 saves for his 22nd win, said he was "enjoying rooting for the Rangers," but was disappointed they couldn't offer any help. "You'd think after beating us six times this year," he said, "they'd do us a favor."' … [Read more...] about Not quite there yet

'The Sabres, in a classy move, lined up across the ice to acknowledge Messier as he was surrounded by his teammates.' … [Read more...] about Rangers captain unable to think about retiring after scoring goal at Garden

Messier, playing with an infected right elbow that kept him out of the last two games, and the sellout crowd of 18,200 treated last night as if it was his last home game. The 43-year-old captain signed sticks and uniforms for teammates, posed for pictures with teammates and staff and had many of his former teammates, such as Mike Richter, in the stands. He also scored at 19:03 … [Read more...] about Dolan stands by his promises

'``We knew they were going to come out hard to play for Mark,'' goaltender Martin Biron said. ``The win is a big plus for us right now. We're not going to beat ourselves. Yes, we need help, but we need to win our games.''' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 4, NY Rangers 3

'As reporters waited to talk to the Islanders, several players were watching the Rangers-Buffalo game on television. One player was heard to say ``Come on! It's (Mark) Messier's last game at the Garden!'' It didn't help.' … [Read more...] about NY Islanders 5, Montreal 1

'"We are not completely out of it, but we are going to need a lot of help now," Briere admitted. "We are going to battle to the end and continue to give ourselves a chance."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 4, NY Rangers 3