Defending Cup Champs

New York Rangers v Philadelphia Flyers, January 13, 1995

The Spectrum, Sec D Row 20

When the Rangers are in town, things tend to be kicked up a notch. The Rangers were the defending Stanley Cup champs. Goaltender Mike Richter is a local boy. The Flyers are coming on strong. I had season tickets but this game was not part of my package. I got this set from a girl at work. It was an afternoon game, which always felt more special to me for some reason.

It just had a big game feel. We had a number of Ranger jersey wearing fans near us. I was ready for some hockey. One team definatly showed up ready to play, the visitors. Nothing is worse then a home team morgue of a sporting venue. Usually when you can hear the swoshing of the skates and the puck hitting a stick on a pass, it is a sign the crowd is lost. It was one of those afternoons.

Mark Messier scored the game's first goal before we reached our seats. I already felt cheated.
In the opening minute, at the :52 mark, Messier scored his 30th goal of the season, unassisted.
Later in the period with the Flyers Aris Brimarius in the box for hooking, Adam Graves scored with Messier and Bruce Driver getting credit for the assists. The home team was down 2-0.

The 2nd period had a number of petty penalty calls with no scoring until the 19:44 mark. Anytime a team scores in the opening minute of a period or the last minute, it is an incredible boost, or gut kick, depending on your prospective. The Rangers now scored once in the opening minute (of the game) and in the closing minute of a period. Messier netted his 2nd of the game with assists going to Brian Leetch and Alexander Karprotsev.

The Flyers had a daunting task in the 3rd to come back from a 3-0 deficit. And they did nothing to close the scoring gap. The Rangers added another late in the period on a power play when Pat Verbeek scored with Messier and Karprotsev assisting.