On September 28 in Rangers history: A Summit Series clincher

What happened on September 28 in the history of the New York Rangers

September 28,1972 is a day that is almost a national holiday in Canada.  It’s the date that Paul Henderson became a legend by scoring the winning goal with 34 seconds left, giving Canada a 6-5 win and winning the series over the Soviet Union, 4-3-1.  Fans of the New York Rangers should be glad to know that the team played a crucial part in the victory.

While Henderson’s goals got the headlines, along with Phil Esposito’s heroics are legendary, the three Rangers in the game played an important role.  Brad Park led the way with a goal and two assists while Jean Ratelle had two assists and Rod Gilbert kicked in with one helper.  That’s six points from the Blueshirts on the team.

This game was insane.  The teams exchanged goals in the first period with the score 2-2 after the first period.  The Canadians were irate when they were called for three penalties in the first five minutes.  J.P. Parise was then thrown out of the game after he charged the referee when he was called for what was a blatant dive.  Coach Harry Sinden actually threw a chair on the ice in disgust.  The tying goal for Canada was by Brad Park on a give and go with Ranger teammate Ratelle.

The second period was all Soviets as they outscored Canada 3-1.  The only Canadian goal was by defenseman Bill White tipping in a shot by Park after a faceoff win by Jean Ratelle.

Phil Esposito scored 2:27 into the third period and at 12:56, Yvon Cournoyer tied the game on assists from Esposito and Park.  Only the goal light didn’t go on and superagent Alan Eagleson, who had put the tournament together, stormed the announcer’s booth, believing that the goal would be disallowed.  He was stopped, aggressively, by Soviet soldiers and was being hauled away when Peter Mahovlich and several Canadian teammates actually left the ice and intervened.

Soviet fans were perplexed by the players escorting a civilian to their bench, even more so when Eagleson turned and shook his fist at the off-ice officials.  Russian military surrounded the rink and things got very tense, but it all calmed down and the game resumed.

That’s when Esposito took over and in the game’s final minute and gets a shot on net that rebounds to an uncovered Henderson who scores.   Bedlam ensues and Canada is able to return home as heroes instead of disgrace.

Brad Park leads all Rangers in the tournament with a goal and five points and plays in all eight games.  Rod Gilbert and Jean Ratelle played in six matches each with a goal and four points.  Rod Seiling was scoreless in three games and Vic Hadfield had no points in the two games he played before quitting the team.

Frank Boucher becomes a Ranger

On this date in 1926, the fledgling New York Rangers franchise acquired one of the most important players in team history, Frank Boucher.  General Manager Conn Smythe gave the Boston Bruins $1,500 for his rights, on the advice of Bill Cook, who had played with him in the WHL.

Ironically, Smythe would be fired before the season even started with Lester Patrick taking over, but with Boucher centering Bill and Bun Cook on the famous “Bread Line” the team would win the Stanley Cup in 1928 and 1933.

Frank Boucher would play 13 years in New York and after retiring, he coached the Rangers for 11 years and served as general manager for 10 years.  He was a first or second team all star four times and won the Lady Byng Trophy seven times in eight years.  In his first year as coach, he led the team to the 1940 Stanley Cup championship. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1958.

Today’s birthdays

21 NHL players have been born on September 28 but no New York Ranger can call the date his birthday.