Its hard to appreciate the magnitude of this play unless you understand just how other-worldly Pavel Bure had been playing at the time. Richter is a God in NY for this one play alone.
@@steve8803 hahahaha. Trust NY and Ranger fans know EXACTLY who Mike Richter is. Don't be jealous because no one will ever know who you are other than a troll who wanted to feel like a big man making a BS comment on RU-vid. 🤣🤣🤣
Huge Canucks and Pavel Bure fanboy here. This has to be one of the most underrated saves of all time. Look at the speed at which Mike Richter lunges back to make that toe save on the fastest player in the NHL at that time. The Canucks were up 2-1, this was their opportunity to regain momentum and push their lead back to 2 goals with a penalty shot on the stick of the world's best goal scorer at the time. The stakes could not have been higher for Richter. Not only did he make a beautiful save, but this was the turning point in the game as the Canucks from this point on were completely shut out by Richter with the Rangers, of course coming back to score another 3 unanswered goals. Were that puck to go in, I don't see the rangers recovering from that lead; I imagine that goal would have sealed Game 4 for Van. To me, this save is every bit as meaningful and epic as Kirk McLean's "The Save" moment. I don't know how rangers view this in their team's history, but it surely needs to be up there. Top 5, at worst top 10. Absolutely phenomenal save.
I'd say Rangers fans rate this particular save really high up in great moments in franchise history, up there with Messier's Game 6 ECF guarantee and performance, "Matteau! Matteau! Matteau" in Game 7 of the ECFs, and of course, the Rangers' Cup victory.
Yes, this moment is every bit as important to Rangers fans. This is the play that many of us remember as a defining moment for Richter, whose number is now in the rafters at MSG. Great calls by JD and Sam as well.
I actually shook Pavel Bure's hand at MSG in the early 90's. A group of us shared season tickets, and those seats were about 5 rows in front of a set of seats for an opposing team. I saw him, and asked for an autograph, said he was a great player, and shook his hand. His hand was as big as a catcher's glove, and strong. A true gentleman, and a moment I'll remember always
@@rieldebonk1044 I don't think he meant by the literal physical play, but how much it could've changed the game and even the series... Bure was a superstar at that time and this goal could've alternated history
Considering the circumstances without a doubt. Stanley cup finals, in Vancouver against one of the best players in the league at the time. Amazing save.
The next day I tried to make goalie pads out of a cardboard box. I was 8. My parents let me stay up late to watch the games in Van. Such an influential moment. And I was already a diehard Pens fan haha
Wow. I remember this save. Richter flat out STUFFED HIM with that leg. Lightning quick reflexes. One of the best saves I have ever seen, in such a huge spot too, no less.
Earlier that season, in the All Star Game, Bure had a breakaway against Richter, and he used the exact same move, and Richter stopped him. What a story book season this was for the Rangers.
I was at that All Star game which was at MSG and also in the Garden for this game on the big screen. I was fortunate enough to be at all 13 home playoff games that year.
Stars, I'm a goalie too. I think our experience in net is part of why we admire this save so much - we know how hard it would have been for us to pull it off. Some people should spend just a few minutes between the pipes so they can really understand how good an athlete and how skilled you have to be to play the position at the highest level.
Keaton Dayne I'll never forget when Bure became a Ranger (a few years later) playing on one freaking leg and all he did was score goals like a machine. There was Pavel, Larouche, Don Murdoch and Mike Garter. Those were the most exciting forwards who ever laced 'um up as Rangers. Yes I could add Gilbert, Messier and two or three others but these 2 lot it up from day one after they were aquirred in trades.
Rangers fan here. It really sucks that injuries robbed him of that speed. I know he didn't win fastest skater contests and all but to me, he was still the fastest in-game skater I've ever seen. In two strides, he was just GONE.
@@soundtracks94 There were always a handful of guys that were faster than him in those competitions because you were allowed a ton of time to pick up top speed. Bure was never known to have the best top speed. He had amazing acceleration while he had the puck which is all you really need when you are in a real game.
One of the greatest shootout goalies against one of the greatest snipers in the history of the nhl this is definitley my favorite hockey playoff moment of all time (im a rangers fan)
I remember watching this and it was good memories. This was one of the best stanley cup finals to watch. Mike Richter was the man and helped the rangers get through the playoffs and helped the team win the stanley cup in 1994. Richter was one of the rangers best goalie they had in the 90's. I was jumping for joy when Richter stopped Bure and I was shaking watching this also. I was just happy watching the rangers win the cup and breaking the curse 1940. It's just sad Richter's career ended early
Sam & JD. The best! Too bad these days the NHL has taken away the conf final and the cup from the teams local broadcast and we get NBC. Eddie and doc do a good job, but the passion and excitement for the games is missing. Going back and hearing JD almost loose his mind makes that very obvious to me. LGR!!!
I would be unbelievably happy if local broadcasts aired second-round games once again. Could you imagine Sam Rosen calling Game 7 of the 2015 second round series against the Capitals?
As a lifelong fan who was 12 at the time, it amazes me to think just how YOUNG JD (and Sam to a point) were at this point. I'm watching the 2019 finals now and seriously, Zdeno Chara is the same age was in '94 calling that game.
Life long Rangers fan here, Grew up when Mio was the Rangers goalie, and I have to disagree with this. The best goalie of that time period was hands down, Martin Broduer. Not taking anything away from Richter, he was always an exceptional Goalie, but he was 3rd best in the league, behind Roy and Brodeur.
Wow! This is one of those just classic hockey moments like Bobby Orr's leaping goal, Steve Yzerman's Blue Line Blast, Bill Bairiko's OT Winner, and the list goes on
Cuts off before the best lines: Sam: "Even Davidson couldn't have made that move!" JD: "No. You would have had to get a crane out there to get me off the ice if I did."
Don't forget about Sergei Zubov's 89 point regular season. There was TONS of talent in that team. And from a ranger fan to a canuck fan. You gave us the finals of a lifetime :)
This NHL Stanley Cup Final started my new love of Hockey. Next to real football (soccer) Hockey is my 2nd favorite sport. Stanley Cup Playoffs year after year are just insane
One of the wildest memories of my life. Mom had season tickets for 2 decades plus at this time and right before this game I got stuck (court order) to visit my dead beat dad. On a cruise. They had to drag me on to that stupid boat. I had to watch this game in the crew's quarters and this save was simply one of the best feelings ever. I was lucky enough to get back for Game 7
I skated against Bure a couple times....before I got on the ice I was certain I was a really fast skater...but Bure was on a break away and I was right behind him...he checked and saw me...and then shifted gears and I pretended I pulled something and went to the bench...he was on another level....he had gears I just didn't have
This was my first year watching hockey. Little me, didn't understand this moment. Looking back on 3 decades later, I understand that Ricther could only cut down the net as much as possible and hope Bure didn't have extra magic to get back to the other side of the net. Fantastic speed and power by Bure. Fantastic positioning and technique by Richter. And an all time call.
Richter played this penalty shot perfectly and I think really demonstrated his knowledge regarding what to do. He came out of the net as soon as Bure touched the puck and matched Bure's speed as he entered the zone. Playing the angles so aggressively gave Bure nothing to shoot at until the very last second. His spatial awareness in regards to his place in his own crease was one of Richter's best strengths. He could play the angles really well. You can see how he gives Bure absolutely nothing to shoot at. Richter then allowed Bure to make the first move at what would have been the only point he could shoot. The he relied on his agility and speed. Such an awesome goalie. He is one of the key components regarding the Rangers winning the cup that year.
I'm turning 20 years old next month and I have been playing hockey since I was about 11. I have been a goalie since day one and Mike Richter is the reason why. I grew up watching him goaltend for the Rangers and he is, without a doubt, my sports idol. He's the reason I suit up and play between the pipes to this day. As far as I see things - Richter is the greatest goaltender in NHL history. We miss you Mike - and thanks for '94. LET'S GO RANGERS!
Remeber watching this series. Bure used the same move on mike vernon in game 7 to win the series. Richter is very underrated. He put on a goaltending clinic during thr 96 world cup of hockey ( usa upset canada in thr finals)
That save kept the Rangers in the series. Save by Richter! He also stopped Pavel Bure in the all star game with the same kind of save. I'm not a Rangers fan but I really had to appreciate that enormous save by Mike Richter.
Man, 1994 was quite a year to be a NY sports fan. We hit the peak that spring (June 14) and hit the bottom by the fall (no World Series). The Garden was rocking with the Blueshirts and Knicks, and summer was Yankee time. Rangers brought it home following the best hockey playoff run I can recall, Knicks came oh so close, and the Yanks were denied a likely World Series date (they would've lost to Montreal, though) by that damned strike. Still, it was great. What a time.
now that you can kinda look, did Bure dive? nevertheless, Bure was one of my favorite players and what a save by the greatest Rangers ever =D lets go rangers!!!
It's not coincidence that Leetch was also the captain of the US team that won the World Cup two years later (perhaps the shining moment of Richters career as well). The guy had the respect of every player that he ever played with or against.
Hate to tell you this (You never played did you?) but Leetch did exactly what a defenseman is supposed to do in that situation. You never let a guy (especially if it's a Pavel Bure) go in for an out-right break-a-way if you can stop him. BTW; that was the best save I ever saw in playoff hockey and Mike Richter was the best goalie in the world that year, by far.
I met Pavel in LA. He just came onto the scene of North American hockey. I remember he and Paul Coffey raced to see who was the fastest. That guy was a beast, he was so fast I was at the rink every day sprinting.
It was a damn good save on the greatest breakaway guy in the history of hockey. There's a reason why this is a special moment and it's cause of Pavel Bure
Turning point in the series. If Bure scores, they go up 3-1 in Game 4 and probably tie the series ... and possibly win it. Biggest save ever by Richter!
I’ve Been Blessed To See All Of The 1980s To Now 1994 Was A Good Year For New York The Rangers Knicks Yankees Great Memories I Was At Madison Square Garden For The Stanley Cup And NBA Finals
I remember this series like it was yesterday.... being a Bruins fan I hated the Rangers but were pulling for them silently. The series was over after this penalty shot. My mother made go to bed after this play. I'll never forget it...
If you paused it at 2:06 and asked someone if you think he scored, i don't think anyone would say no. The speed in which Richter closed down that angle is otherworldly. .
at this time Richter was awesome. Remember the World Cup of Hockey that the USA won? He made so many amazing saves--single-handedly beat Canada in the end. Did everything until Hull's fluky high stick deflection game winner
