Sabres 4 – Rangers 3
There were the graceful bows with a flourish to the fans who adore him, the on-ice curtain call demanded by a city forever graced by his presence.
And if last night’s game at the Garden wasn’t the final one of Mark Messier’s 25-year NHL career, well, it sure was a hell of a dress rehearsal.
“I’d probably say I’m leaning toward not playing – I wouldn’t put a number on it, but with the disappointment of the season, and this being an emotional time for everyone, that’s the reason not to make a decision right now,” Messier, who will not play in Saturday’s season-ender in Washington, said following last night’s 4-3 loss to the Sabres in the home finale.
“Any time you make a decision of this importance, you want it to be with a clear mind and with the right intentions, not with an emotional edge.
“This is a young man’s game. You have to have the desire. It takes a lot, you have to be willing to do it. It’s not easy, this is a demanding game, a dangerous game, and it’s nowhere to be if you’re hedging.
“I’ve been thinking about this a lot for the last month. Those are some of the things that have to be answered.”
There’s no question that the game had the feel of a career celebration. Not only was Messier’s entire family was on hand, but his teen-age son, Lyon, went behind the bench for the third.
Messier – who scored the 694th goal of his career in the first period – kept the puck from his goal. He used a number of sticks that he’d autographed prior to the match.
Jack and Jan Leetch, Brian’s parents, were back in the building for the first time since their son was traded. Mike and Veronica Richter were at the Garden, and so were long-time friends Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon.
The Garden chanted for Messier throughout the final 10 minutes, and gave him a series of standing ovations both toward and at game’s end, and then again when he took a final call after being introduced as the first star.
“If I did think in my mind this was it, I would have made a lot more preparations a month ago, but I didn’t know in my heart that was the case,” said Messier. “I didn’t want to put myself in that situation and then come September, perhaps I’ll want to play again.”
If GM Glen Sather leaves the decision to the 43-year-old athlete he first mentored in Edmonton in the WHA season of 1978-79, Messier may not have to make up his mind until after negotiations on a new collective-bargaining agreement are completed. If next year becomes a facsimile of the 1994-95 lockout season in which play began on a 48-game schedule in late January, Messier, who will turn 44 next Jan. 18, might feel more inclined to return.
On Monday, Messier would not address the prospect of perhaps playing elsewhere next year, giving the impression that he might want to conclude his career on a contender. But Messier, who received a phone call from Wayne Gretzky at the end of warm-ups, last night indicated it would be New York or nowhere.
“That’s pretty much safe to say,” Messier said. “New York is my home now, whether I play the game or not. I feel it’s where I belong.”
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Mark of greatness
By the numbers:
* 694 NHL goals (7th all-time)
* 1,756 NHL games (2nd all-time)
* 54 Cup-less years for Rangers before Messier delivered the silverware in 1994.
* 43 years old
* 27 pro seasons (2 in WHA)
* 25 NHL seasons
* 6 Stanley Cup championships
* 1 Cup with Rangers
Career highlights:
* Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoff MVP) 1983-84
* Hart Trophy (Regular-season MVP, writers vote) 1989-90; 1991-92
* Lester B. Pearson Trophy (Most Outstanding Player, players vote) 1989-90; 1991-92
* Guaranteed victory in Game 6 of Cup semis vs. Devils on May 25, 1994 – then scored hat trick as Rangers tied series, 3-3.
* Scored Stanley Cup-clinching goal on June 14 1994 vs. Vancouver in Game 7 of Finals.