A'course, this is a different Rangers team. Battling their way through a period and a half to a 2-2 tie, the Blueshirts score three straight (Esa Tikkanen 10:44 2nd, Adam Graves 10:47 3rd, Stephane Matteau 11:06 3rd) to get a 5-2 win and a 2-0 series lead.
This is the first time in six games the Rangers fail to score on the power play; in fact, all seven goals are scored at even strength.
Meanwhile Viacom, which at the start of 1994 engineered a massive takeover of Rangers and MSG parent Paramount Communications, announces it is interested in selling the Madison Square Garden group, including the barn, the network, and the Knicks and Blueshirts. After acquiring both Paramount and Blockbuster Entertainment, Viacom is in dire need of a cash infusion. ITT and Cablevision will become the key players in negotiations. And don't get me started on THAT.
Meanwhile, by the way, the Devils are officially Facing Adversity. The Bruins have gone into the Swamp and come away with two wins, this one tonight by a 6-5 score in overtime. Joisey goes to Beantown with the possibility of never returning.
WAS 1 1 0--2
NYR 1 2 2--5
(Rangers lead series, 2-0)
Goals: WAS--Hatcher, Ridley; NYR--Kocur, Zubov, Tikkanen, Graves, Matteau.
Assists: WAS--Ridley, Bondra, Poulin, Miller; NYR--Larmer 2, Karpovtsev,
Nemchinov, Noonan, Tikkanen, Messier, Leetch, Kovalev. Goalies:
WAS--Tabaracci (25 shots-20 saves); NYR--Richter (24-22). Power plays:
WAS-- 0 of 4; NYR--0 of 4.
Mike (I knew this guy named Charlie in Boston that never returned) Fornabaio -- mef17@oocities.com
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