{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/gyyBb80l.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Stan Fischler On Rangers Cup Chances", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/gyyBb80l-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/gyyBb80l.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/gyyBb80l.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/gyyBb80l-MekIZXV7.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 168613, "filesize": 2634582, "framerate": 24 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/gyyBb80l-7QE9Jvzm.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 208874, "filesize": 3263661, "framerate": 24 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/gyyBb80l-qqOg26QO.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 469263, "filesize": 7332244, "framerate": 24 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/gyyBb80l-aEJFL7DH.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 114163, "filesize": 1783798 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/gyyBb80l-KdCtR6Rp.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 1080, "width": 1920, "label": "1080p", "bitrate": 850418, "filesize": 13287790, "framerate": 24 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/gyyBb80l-stjsiaJR.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 243580, "filesize": 3805943, "framerate": 24 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/gyyBb80l-kbqqdTAi.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 341188, "filesize": 5331068, "framerate": 24 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Historically, the Rangers march to the Stanley Cup has become a revered part of The Game's heritage. Among other things, it enabled the Blueshirts and their fans -- once and for all -- not having to hear the dreaded \"1940\" chants delivered by Islanders country. It also featured some of the biggest names in the business, led New York captain Mark Messier." } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NzkyNjk5Nzg0MTExOTk5/usatsi_12894011.jpg" }, "caption": "" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "To reach the pinnacle, New York had to battle through assorted skirmishes, beginning with their heated rivals, the Islanders. As a service to fans, we'll be taking you through game by game, day to day -- 30-years later, featuring all the important details and quotes along with significant commentary." } }, { "type": "delimiter", "data": {} }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "June 17, 1994: Islanders @ Rangers, Game 1" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The opening game of the 1994 Rangers-Islanders best-of-seven series looked like it might go the limit. At least Blueshirt goalkeeper Mike Richter thought so." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\"I don't think there's a more challenging opponent we could face in the first round,\" Richter opined. So did Zachary Weinstock, co-author of the Rangers-Islanders rivalry book." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeZZ1szzJbk[/embed]" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\"Despite the 14-game difference between the teams,\" said Weinstock, \"it was hard to find a pundit from counties Suffolk to Sullivan who didn't view the series as a toss-up Some even gave the Islanders a slight edge.\"" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Nassaumen did have their assets:" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "* Goalie Ron Hextall was a Conn Smythe Trophy-winner. His Rangers opposite, Mike Richter had been the goat of the 1992 New York-Pittsburgh series." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "* In head to head competition since 1990, the Isles led, 14-7-4." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "* Entering the series, the Isles had momentum via an eight-game unbeaten streak in April." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "* Intense pressure was on the Rangers who had not won The Stanley Cup since 1940." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Game One on April 17, 1994 was an afternoon affair at Madison Square Garden before a national television audience." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "It didn't take long for the capacity crowd to be pleased. Early in the first period the Visitors were penalized and Blueshirt defenseman Brian Leetch scored a power play goal at 3:34. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "By the time the buzzer ended the opening frame it was 2-0 for the Blueshirts and in the second period, Hextall's reputation suffered once more. This time a left wing drop pass from Adam Graves skimmed to Mark Messier who trickled an unassuming wrister through Hextall's five-hole; which was fast becoming a \"six-hole.\"" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Even Hextall criticized himself. \"It was a terrible goal.\" The crowd underlined the point with roars of \"Hexhhxxxx.....taaall\" repeated enough times for Ron to get the message." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "And just three minutes after that blunder, Hextall blew a Graves shot to make it 4-0 for the Manhattanites. The once proud Islanders defense took on the look of wet tissue paper while the Nassau offense was non-existent." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Meanwhile, the home crowd wanted more and the Rangers obliged. Alexei Kovalev split the Isles defense and easily beat Hextall to make it a 5-0 romp." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "When Rangers defenseman Sergei Zubov lifted the score to 6-0, Isles coach Al Arbour had seen enough. He finally yanked Hextall and replaced the vet with young Jamie McLennan who stopped the bleeding." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The game ended 6-0 for the Rangers which promoted one press box wag to comment, \"This is beginning to look like the start of a tennis match!\"" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "As time went on, he was to be proven right!" } } ] }

Rangers 30th Anniversary March To The 1994 Cup: The Opening Playoff Game Started A Lopsided Tennis Match

Rangers Part Ways With Long-Time Athletic Trainer Jim Ramsay: Is There A Deeper Meaning?