| |
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
NEW YORK, N.Y. (AP) -- Mark Messier continues to make history. So
do the New York Rangers, although it's not something they're
especially proud of.
|  | | Vacouver's Peter Schaefer, left, and Todd Bertuzzi celebrate Schaefer's third-period goal. |
"I've never seen anything like this," Rangers coach John
Muckler said after his team was shut out for the third straight game.
The last time the Rangers were shut out three games in a row was
in the 1950-51 season when they lost twice and were involved in a
scoreless tie. They have not scored for 234:31.
Messier, meanwhile, tied Mario Lemieux for sixth place on the
all-time goal list with his 613th. The empty-net goal in the final
minute was set up by Peter Schaefer, who scored two himself.
Messier downplayed his achievement.
"It was an important win for us, and I was happy with that,"
Messier said. "I think the goal was an extension of our team so
far this year."
Messier's goal equaled the entire offensive output for the
Rangers over their last four games, all losses. New York has been
blanked since Valeri Kamensky scored a power-play goal in a 2-1
loss to San Jose on Oct. 19.
The Rangers' power-play continued to suffer. The league's worst
power-play team went scoreless in four chances, and has only four
goals in 55 opportunities. To make matters worse, Vancouver scored
the winning goal at 16:50 while killing a penalty.
Harry York sent Schaefer down the right side with a pass.
Schaefer moved into the right circle and sent a wrist shot over the
glove of Rangers goalie Mike Richter.
"Yorkie made a great pass," Schaefer said. "I was debating
whether to shoot or to pass back to him, but I saw (Rangers
defenseman Brian) Leetch moving in, so I let it go."
New York's troubles continued in the second period. The Rangers
totaled four shots on Weekes, only one in the first 15 minutes.
With the Canucks clinging to a one-goal lead, Weekes made the
save of the game when he made a rising glove stop on Theoren Fleury
as he was falling on his belly at 6:53 of the third period.
"Kevin made that highlight-film save on Theo," Canucks coach
Marc Crawford said. "I'm sure (Fleury) will see that one in his dreams."
Fleury didn't have to wait until bedtime to wonder.
"Surely, I would have tied the game," Fleury said, "and who knows what would have happened after that."
Schaefer finished off a give-and-go with York at 14:35 with a wrist shot past Richter for a 2-0 lead. Messier then scored with 8.5 seconds left and Richter out for an extra attacker.
Schaefer will never forget his first game at Madison Square Garden.
"It was just unbelievable for me," Schaefer said. "To be here
with Mess in this building was just wild. And with Mess here, it was more exciting than intimidating."
| |
ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Vancouver Clubhouse
NY Rangers Clubhouse
RECAPS
Vancouver 3
NY Rangers 0
Philadelphia 2
Florida 0
Boston 3
Anaheim 2
Los Angeles 4
San Jose 3
|
