NHL.com's Brian Compton sat down with Mark Messier for a Q&A session. Here are couple of them. Click on the NHL.com link for the full interview...NHL.com: It didn’t last four overtimes, but where does that Game 7 against the New Jersey Devils in 1994 rank in your career?
MM: Obviously, it was a huge game for so many reasons. I guess what made it so special is what it really meant to the Rangers, to the Rangers’ organization, to the fans and to the city. That’s where it ranks. The way the Devils scored late in the game to send it overtime and then (Stephane) Matteau scoring the goal for us to win … it was an amazing set of circumstances the whole series. That game just culminated what was arguably one of the best series in a long time for the NHL.
NHL.com: What did you think of this year’s Rangers?
Mark Messier: I thought the Rangers ended up having a good year. I think there were a lot of expectations on them because of the signings of (Chris) Drury and (Scott) Gomez. There was some inconsistent play throughout the regular season, but more importantly than that, they seemed to be able to win games when they needed to, and that’s really what you’re looking for from a team that’s being built to win a Stanley Cup. They were able to rally and win games when they had to. They got a lot of mileage out of the young players this year, which is always important. (Marc) Staal and (Daniel) Girardi and (Fedor) Tyutin probably became their best defensemen, which was huge. Like any year, it’s so intense when you get into the playoffs — and when one goal is scored, it’s over. The only year that’s never disappointing is when you actually go on to win the Stanley Cup. I’m sure they’re disappointed, but they made some strides again this year.
NHL.com: How often do you get stopped by fans when you walk the streets here in New York City?
MM: I think what we were able to accomplish in ’94 after waiting for so long was really captured in the hearts and minds of the fans. But I think it’s not only what we did, but the way we did it. It probably made it even more important. There could be a lot of championships won in this town after that one, but maybe none will ever capture that kind of same feeling as that one did. Not only because it hadn’t been done for 54 years, but because of the kind of team that we had and the way we were able to connect with the fans. That’s what made it so special.
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