TWO PERIODS Rangers 2 Flyers 2
PHILADELPHIA – In an extraordinary display of sportsmanship and of establishing proper priorities, the preseason match here last night between the Rangers and Flyers ended after two periods in a 2-2 draw out of respect for the President’s address to Congress.
The Flyer organization was showing the speech on the video portion of the center-ice scoreboard when the teams returned from the second intermission. After first advising fans that play would begin and that the address could be seen on various television sets around the con- course, Flyers Chairman Ed Snider responded to loud booing from the crowd, and then televised the entire speech while both teams watched from their respective benches.
Fans and players alike reacted to the President’s address. Brian Leetch banged his stick on the boards in salute when the President cited Mayor Giuliani and Governor Pataki for their leadership. Ron Low vigorously applauded several times.
After 20 minutes, just as the speech was coming to a conclusion, coaches Low and Bill Barber chatted at center ice and agreed to cancel the remainder of the game. When President Bush completed his remarks, players lined up for a handshake traditionally reserved for the conclusion of playoff series.
“I thought the speech was inspiring, it brought a lot of pride,” said Leetch, whose brother, Eric, is an Army Green Beret currently stationed in Kuwait. “Not only people like my brother and others have to be ready, we all have to be ready.
“This is reality.”