Islander fans had better have enjoyed it, because that was as good as it was going to get, not only this afternoon but for the better part of two decades.
The Rangers tie it (Kovalev in the first, Zubov in the second) and then take the lead in the second on a Messier goal. Larmer adds one in the third before Howie Rose makes one of many brilliant calls this postseason.
"And here's Messier! Racing on a breakaway! Cuts in, he shoots -- he scores!!! And that, my friends, will BURY the New York Islanders."
Aye, that it would -- five years later, the Isles haven't been back to the playoffs. Howie knows that first-hand -- getting a chance to work TV for Sportschannel, which became Fox Sports New York, he's now Islander television play-by-play man.
16 different Rangers score points in the series, which the Rangers win 22-3 in total goals.
NYR 1 2 2--5
NYI 2 0 0--2
(Rangers win series, 4-0)
Goals: NYR--Messier 2, Kovalev, Zubov, Larmer; NYI--Thomas, Plante.
Assists:
NYR--Larmer, Zubov, Leetch, Nemchinov, Gilbert, Beukeboom; NYI--Krupp,
Ferraro,
Turgeon, King. Goalies: NYR--Richter (18 shots-16 saves); NYI--Hextall
(34-29). Power
plays: NYR--2 of 6; NYI--1 of 2.
Mike (and then ABC cut out to show us the last two seconds of Blues-Stars. So we still haven't seen the Islanders shake the Rangers' hands) Fornabaio -- mef17@oocities.com
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