On September 2 in Rangers history: A shocking loss in Summit Series game 1

What happened on September 2 in the history of the New York Rangers

This date is notable not just for fans of the New York Rangers, but for all hockey fans.  On September 2, 1972 the first game of the Summit Series was played and the Soviets shocked all of North America by winning 7-3

Anyone who remembers those days will recall how the series between Team Canada and the Soviet Union’s national team was a showdown between western democracy and communism.  The Canadians went into the series full of bravado and confidence, sure that they were the best hockey players in the world and that they would pulverize the Soviets.

When the Soviets took the ice at the Montreal Forum, they were mocked for their uniforms and their equipment.  Team Canada, with five New York Rangers on the roster, was a powerhouse and the only question in the minds of the players and fans was how many goals they would score in their sweep of the eight game series.

When Phil Esposito and Paul Henderson scored in the first 6:32 it looked like all of the predictions would come true, but then the Soviets took over and blitzed the Canadians, outscoring them, 7-1.

True, the Canadian players had never played together and were out of shape coming off their summer vacations, but it was the transition game by the Soviets that dazzled.  It was the first time most North Americans had seen the European style of holding the puck, circling back to re-set for a rush and waiting for the perfect shot.   Rod Gilbert told NHL.com “We had never seen anything like it.”

They had also never played against goalie Vladislav Tretiak, who they soon learned was one of the best netminders in the world.  The Soviets had also been playing together for two years.  They were a team and not a collection of all stars.

The five Rangers on the team were the GAG line of Jean Ratelle, Vic Hadfield and Rod Gilbert along with defensemen Brad Park and Rod Seiling.  None of the Rangers made the scoresheet in that first game, but as they were booed off the ice by a stunned crowd, they came out of the game knowing that it was going to be a long series.

Neil Colville into the Hall of Fame

On this date in 1967, former Ranger Neil Colville was inducted into the Hall of Fame.  Colville played his entire career with the Rangers and was on the 1940 Stanley Cup championship team. He joined the Blueshirts for good in 1936-37 and played six seasons as a center with the team, a Second Team All-Star twice in that time.  He was in the top ten in goal scoring for three straight years.

During WWII he was in the Canadian Army, playing for their hockey team for three years.  He rejoined the Rangers for the 1945-46 season as a defenseman and he played until 1948 when he was demoted to the AHL. He served as team captain for his last three seasons.

When he was named Second Team All-Star, Colville became the second NHL player after Dit Clapper to make the All-Star Team as a forward and a defenseman.

His brother, Mac Colville also was a career New York Ranger and the duo was one of the first pair of brothers to play defense together in the NHL for the same team.  Mac and Neil both played only for the Rangers and were teammates for nine seasons.   As forwards, they played together with Alex Shibicky, the trio known as the “Bread Line” because they were the “bread and butter” for the Rangers.

After he retired, in 1950 he became the youngest coach in Rangers history at age 36.  He coached the team for one full season, but resigned in his second year due to health issues.

Today’s birthdays

24 NHL players have been born on September 2 along with four former Blueshirts including one has had a huge impact on the team and another who scored one of the most famous goals in Rangers history.

Glen Sather was born on this date in 1943 in High River, Alberta.  A Hall of Famer for his post-playing career as a Stanley Cup champion coach in Edmonton, Sather played several seasons for the Rangers in the early 1970s as a tough, physical left winger.   While he is known as a member of the team that lost the 1972 Final to Boston, his impact on the Rangers came after he retired when he was named President and General Manager in 2000.  He is going into his 22nd year with the Rangers and as presided over two of their longest playoff droughts and also built the team that made it to the 2014 Final.  He stepped down as General Manager in 2015 and is now an advisor to owner, James Dolan.

Stephane Matteau was born on this date in 1969 in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec and though he played only 85 regular season and 32 playoff games for the Rangers, the left winger will be forever known as “Matteau, Matteau, Matteau” for his series winning double overtime goal in Game Seven of the 1994 East Conference Finals against the Devils.   Matteau played 13 years in the NHL for six different teams, coming to the Rangers  from Chicago at the trade deadline in 1994 along with Brian Noonan in exchange for Tony Amonte.

Kevin Miller was born on this date in 1965 in Lansing Michigan.  he is one of three brothers to play in the NHL along with Kelly and Kip.  A 10th round draft pick by the Rangers in 1984, he made it to the team in 1988-89 and played three seasons in New York before being traded to Detroit. The center played 13 years in the NHL topping the 20 goals mark four times.  His brother Kelly, was also a Rangers trade pick, but they never played together.

Don Jackson was born on this date in 1956 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He played the last year of his NHL career with the Rangers in 1986-87.  He was a physical defenseman for the Edmonton Oilers, topping the 120 penalty minutes mark for three straight seasons and winning two Stanley Cups with them.  He came to New York in a massive eight player deal in October 1986.  For the Rangers, this was the most players involved in a trade in franchise history. In his one season in New York he played 22 games,scoring one goal and accumulating 91 minutes in penalties.