FIVE YEARS AGO: May 22, 1994

Mark Messier and Mike Keenan huddle to clear the air over the debacle that was Game 4. Messier, speaking for his teammates, is upset over the mass benchings (Leetch, Messier, Noonan, MacTavish) that most feel took away the Rangers' chances to win the game. Keenan would claim injuries; though some were nicked up, none were injured enough to miss large amounts of time.

"Everyone at this time of year is tired, Mike," Messier says, in Barry Meisel's _Losing the Edge_. "We've got a great opportunity here, we're so close. We just have to win this series and we'll win the Cup. You need to give us every chance to win."

Keenan promises that he understands. Meisel reports that at the end, Messier cries as the two embrace. When Messier returns to the dressing room, his report, simply, is, "That won't happen again."

Meanwhile that night, Vancouver takes a 3-1 lead over Toronto with a 2-0 win over the Leafs.

Mike (Well, it won't happen again HERE) Fornabaio -- mef17@oocities.com

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