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December 24, 2002
NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils have the kind of intense regional rivalry that often leads to exciting, emotionally charged contests.
The teams put on a show Monday night with a tough, fast-paced game that ended in a 2-2 tie by spectacular goaltending.
For the Rangers, the spotlight was on former Devils goaltender Mike Dunham, who made 40 saves in an outstanding effort.
``It was fun to be part of that game,'' Dunham said. ``I've been away for four years and I see the rivalry is still there. It was exciting out there.''
The game also pitted another former Devil, Bobby Holik, against his old team.
``These games always have more to it than just regular games,'' Holik said. ``Without your hype and all the questions and answers for the last couple of days, it's a rivalry. These two teams haven't played a game like this in a while. There was hitting, there was skating and I thought it was a good game.''
Rangers coach Bryan Trottier commented on Holik's intensity.
``He didn't play like he had too many friends over there,'' Trottier said dryly.
Richard Lintner scored the tying goal on a power play at 12:09 of the third period to make it 2-2. He backhanded the rebound of Petr Nedved's shot past Martin Brodeur for his first goal of the season and first with the Rangers.
``We didn't score on the power play and they did,'' Brodeur said. ``That's why we didn't win. Dunky played really well for them. These are fun games, you come into a building that's packed and the fans are going crazy. We have a few more fans in here than we used to.''
Both teams scored within a minute of each other in the first period while they skated 4-on-4.
Patrik Elias gave New Jersey a 1-0 lead at 14:33. He skated with Brian Rafalski and fired a shot at Dunham. After Dunham saved Rafalski's follow shot, Elias converted the rebound for his seventh goal. ``This was a typical Rangers-Devils game,'' said Elias. ``Good speed and good intensity, a lot of emotion. Fun to watch and fun to play.''
Joel Bouchard tied it for New York 57 seconds later when he converted a cross-ice pass from Mark Messier for his first goal with the Rangers.
The Devils took a 2-1 lead at 3:03 of the second period on Scott Gomez's fifth goal. After Dunham saved Turner Stevenson's shot, Gomez slid the puck in while he was falling down in front of the crease.
``Both sides were pretty good,'' Devils coach Pat Burns said. ``Marty definitely made some big saves for us. Dunham made some big saves for them,too. Any tie is a good tie, especially in the other guy's barn.'' Notes It was the first time Rangers C Bobby Holik played against his former team. Holik signed with New York as a free agent in July. ... Rangers defenseman Tom Poti was scratched with the flu. ... Elias' goal was his first in 15 games. ... Brodeur made his 45th consecutive start against the Rangers,dating to Dec. 26, 1993.
Updated on Tuesday, Dec 24, 2002 5:01 am, EST
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