Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/adadac4e-dd90-491a-be38-7e391b1ac875.jpeg] Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The Maven had celebrated his eighth birthday (March 31, 1940) just two weeks earlier, when the grand event happened 85 years ago in Toronto. Maple Leaf Gardens was the scene when New York forwards Phil Watson and Dutch Hiller set up Bryan Hextall for the Stanley Cup-winning goal; the third championship in Rangers history. All things considered, the 1939-40 season was a good one for the New Yorkers.They finished in second place (27-11-10), three points behind the league-leading Boston Bruins and 30 points ahead of their MSG rival tenants, the New York Americans. Rookie coach Frank Boucher had his club doing all the right things in the playoffs. They beat the Bruins four games to two in the Cup semi-final and then led the Toronto Maple Leafs three games to two, heading into Game Six on April 13, 1940. Maple Leaf Gardens rocked with delight when Syl Apps and Nick Metz beat Rangers goalie Davey Kerr in the first period. But during the intermission New York's manager Lester Patrick visited his club's dressing room. "Let's get down to business," Patrick snapped. "I made arrangements for a victory party. Don't let me down." The Rangers Neil Colville and Alf Pike rallied Boucher's skaters with third period goals in a two-minute span, sending the game into overtime. Only two minutes and seven seconds were required for Watson to dish a pass to Hextall who beat goalie Turk Broda for the title-winning score. And as many of you Blueshirt fans know, it wasn't until June 14, 1994 that Mark Messier paced the Rangers to their fourth Stanley Cup. Happy Anniversary all around!
