The 5YA Project
The 1994 New York Rangers, five years later
This began as a mailing list project, but it grew into something more. This became not only a way to relive the Stanley Cup Championship, but a way to create some kind of tangible testimony to what that spring meant to me at the time, and what it still means now. A lot has changed; I've gotten out of college, I've gotten a job, I've had to (gasp) occasionally miss Ranger games, and part of the whole thing is that I'm technically not allowed to be a Rangers fan anymore. But while my relationship to the team may change, nothing will take that year away. This is the story of that spring, not only on the ice but in my dorm room and in my family room, too.
Each of these entries was written either on or before the date in 1999 (they began with Feb. 7, since just before then was when I was given the idea), and each was sent to the mailing list early that day. I've tried to keep them identical to what actually went out, as much as possible. Some things referenced have changed; others, obviously, refer to things that happened the day before, either in 1994 or in 1999. Some may make no sense at all; those are either inside jokes or complete lunacy on my part, and I wouldn't want to bet either way.
The entries are available in one of two forms:
One big file, everything from Feb. 7-June 17, which is somewhere in the vicinity of 175K. Great if you have a fast connection, or want it all in one fell swoop.
Individual date index
By date. They're linked (sorry, forward only -- but that's why you have a 'back' button, eh?), so you can start in February and work your way all the way to the parade on June 17.
Files in bold are of some particular relative interest.
Regular Season
Feb. 7, Washington
Feb. 9, Montreal
Feb. 11, ppd. (snow) and rumors
Feb. 12, Ottawa
Feb. 13, more Zubov rumors
Feb. 14, Quebec
Feb. 17 -- one year ago, Olympics and Campbell
Feb. 18, Ottawa
Feb. 19, Hartford
Feb. 21, Pittsburgh (OT), Amonte hits the net
Feb. 22, Birthday gifts
Feb. 23, Boston and the KES
Feb. 24, New Jersey
Feb. 25, Still more Kovalev-Nedved rumors
Feb. 26, Dallas
Feb. 27, Isles move up/Forsberg and the Gold
Feb. 28, Philadelphia
March 2, Quebec and the Aces
March 4, Islanders
March 5, Islanders
March 7, Detroit
March 8, Nedved Saga nears end
March 9, Washington and Gartner
March 10, Boston
March 11, Norstrom/Vasiliev
March 12, Pittsburgh, suspensions
March 13, Devils win; Nedved rumors
March 14, Florida, suspensions; Janney
March 15, Hirsch holdout
March 16, Hartford, Kovalev to center
March 17, Joisey wins again; Public Urinals
March 18, Chicago
March 19, Keenan and Smith meet with Gutkowski
March 20, Mullen's seizure; trading deadline nears
March 21, Massacre on 33rd St.
March 22, Calgary
March 23, Edmonton, Graves's 50th; Gretzky's 802nd
March 24, McNall's smuggling
March 25, Vancouver, Momesso
March 26, Joisey wins again
March 27, Winnipeg; Devils tie for conference lead
March 28, Florida can't gain ground
March 29, Philadelphia
March 30, Florida loses again; Potvin still does something
March 31, Philly loses again
April 1, Dallas, everyone hurt (April Fools!), taking first overall
April 2, Devils Wipeout Day, MacTavish's messup goal
April 3, 11YA for Easter Sunday Masacre; Penguins win
April 4, Florida, Skrudland hurt
April 5 -- Six Years Ago, Hartford, the Slide
April 6, Joisey loses
April 8, Toronto, clinch division and President's Trophy
April 10, Islanders
April 11, Pittsburgh wins Northeast; Rangers reach 29 men
April 12, Buffalo and Joby Mess
April 13, Islanders clinch eighth and Garden date; 59YA: 1940!
April 14, Philadelphia, team awards (who did you expect?)
April 15, Papers on the wall
April 16, Boston starts it off; no superstitions
Round 1: New York Islanders
April 17, Game 1 at New York
April 18, Game 2 at New York
April 19, PIT and NJ win; Gretzky tribute notes from 1999
April 20, Cherry calls Flames
April 21, Game 3 at Long Island
April 23, Appendectomies and Amonte
April 24, Game 4 at Long Island
April 27, Capitals beat Penguins; Hannan in 4OT
April 29, Joisey beats Buffalo; Fischler Keenan rumors
April 30, Sharks beat Wings; Vancouver beats Flames
Round 2: Washington Capitals
May 1, Game 1 at New York
May 3, Game 2 at New York; Viacom; Devils down 2-0
May 5, Game 3 at Washington
May 6, Sharks lead Leafs; Fischler: Beezer to Philly?
May 7, Game 4 at Washington
May 9, Game 5 at New York
May 11, Joisey eliminates Boston
May 12, Ceil Saidel remembered; Toronto forces Game 7
Round 3 (the greatest ever): New Jersey
May 15, Game 1 at New York
May 17, Game 2 at New York
May 19, Game 3 at New Jersey
May 21, Game 4 at New Jersey, the benchings
May 22, the Keenan-Messier meeting
May 23, Game 5 at New York
May 24, Sitting listening to the Beatles; Guarantees
May 25, Game 6 at New Jersey, Promises
May 27, Game 7 at New York -- need we say more?
May 28, Birthdays; Twilight Zone denials
Round 4: Vancouver Canucks, Stanley Cup Finals
May 31, Game 1 at New York
June 2, Game 2 at New York
June 3, Murray fired in Detroit
June 4, Game 3 at Vancouver, pinball
June 7, Game 4 at Vancouver, penalty shots
June 8, CJRW says Keenan to the Wings
June 9, Game 5 at New York, Return of Momesso and quick whistles
June 10, Plays and Family Outings
June 11, Game 6 at Vancouver
June 12, O.J. doesn't/does do it; Kypreos and Tikkanen the filmmakers
June 13, Anticipation and Denials
June 14, Game 7 at New York and Ending Eternities
June 15, Recovery and Confirmation
June 16, Graves wins King Clancy; Parade Plans
June 17, Heave-Ho; Four More Years; and a Big Parade
CREDITS
Mike ("Preserve your memories; they're all that's left you." --Simon and
Garfunkel, "Bookends Theme") Fornabaio -- mef17@oocities.com
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