On December 15 in NYR history: Hockey comes to New York

What happened on December 15 in the history of the New York Rangers

On this date in 1925, the first NHL hockey game was played in New York City.  While it was between the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Americans, it was the first step towards the creation of the New York Rangers.  The Canadiens prevailed, beating the Americans 3-1.

Only ten players suited up for Montreal and 12 for the Amerks.  New  York’s Shorty Green scored the first goal ever at MSG, at 11:50 of the first period.  Although the season began on November 26, the Americans played their first four games on the road, going 2-2.

That made this the first professional hockey game played at Madison Square Garden III,  known at the time as Madison Square Gardens.

The significance for the Rangers is that the owner of the Garden, Tex Rickard, was so impressed by the success of the Americans that he decided to apply for and was granted a franchise.  Tex’s Rangers began play the next season, breaking Rickard’s promise to the Americans’ owners that they would be the only team to play at the Garden.

A first in the Windy City

In 1926 on this date, the Rangers played their first game ever in Chicago, losing to the Black Hawks 6-2.  Bill Cook scored twice for the Blueshirts.   Mickey MacKay led the way for the Hawks who were in their inaugural season in the NHL, just like the Rangers.

The Rangers would go on to finish first in the newly created American Division with Chicago coming in third in a 44 game season.

The game was played at the 6,000 fan capacity Chicago Coliseum, the Black Hawks’ home until the construction of the Chicago Stadium.  The Rangers played there eight times with a record of 5-3.

Another major Messier milestone

In 2001 on December 15, Mark Messier became the third player in NHL history to total 1,800 points.    He scored a goal late in the second in a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden to reach the mark only achieved previously by Wayne Gretzky and  Gordie Howe.

Messier, 40, almost didn’t play due to back spasms, but insisted on playing when Eric Lindros was out with a sprained knee.  He had an assist in the second period to set up the record setting goal.

Messier retired with a total of 1,887 points, passing Gordie Howe (1,850) for second place. In 2017, Jaromir Jagr passed Messier to finish with 1,921.   Gretzky is tops overall with an astounding 2,857 points.  That quartet remains the only NHL players to reach the 1,800 point mark.

Today’s birthdays

Only 10 NHL players have been born on December 15 with one former Ranger among them.

The numbers

On December 15 the Rangers are dead even with 16 wins (1 by shootout) and 16 losses along with eight ties in 40 games.

Games: 40
Regulation wins: 15
Regulation losses: 16
Ties: 8
Shootout wins: 1
Points percentage: .500