Messier Takes Turn in the Spotlight

It is the law of hockey nature that Mark Messier would follow Wayne Gretzky with some headlines of his own.

Never to be outdone, even by his best friend, Messier’s two goals in regulation and Esa Tikkanen’s overtime winner--his second in the series--enabled the Rangers to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 3-2 victory in Game 5 on Friday night.

Tikkanen’s winning goal came on a shot from the left side that went over the shoulder of Panther goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck at 12:08 of overtime. Messier and Brian Leetch drew assists on the play.

In Game 3 on Tuesday night, Tikkanen drilled a shot that ricocheted off the inside of the Florida net and out in overtime, causing several minutes of review before the shot was ruled good.

Gretzky’s hat trick in Game 4, and Messier’s 107th and 108th playoff goals Friday ended Florida’s reign as Eastern Conference champions.

“I have two lucky overtime winners,” Tikkanen said. “Hopefully they don’t stop there. I’m doing everything I can to win the Stanley Cup for the New York Rangers.”

The Panthers’ season ended in overtime for the second consecutive year. They lost to Colorado in Game 4 of the 1996 Stanley Cup finals.

“It’s disappointing,” Florida goalie Vanbiesbrouck said. “This game is all about winning, and we didn’t do that. When you lose in the first round of the playoffs and you have home-ice advantage, it’s always disappointing.”

New York’s next opponent will be determined by the results of the other first-round series.

“What’s important now is to get rest and get healthy and let the other guys beat each other up,” Ranger Coach Colin Campbell said. “It was a very important win and tonight is a real high.”

Messier’s goals were his first two of the playoffs for New York, with Tikkanen assisting on both.

“This is one step toward the ultimate goal,” Messier said.

Ray Sheppard and Mike Hough scored for Florida. New York’s Mike Richter made 38 saves.

Florida outshot New York, 40-33, but managed just two shots in overtime. When the Panthers had a power play 7 1/2 minutes into the extra period, they failed to take a shot.

The Panthers tied the score, 2-2, on a power play at 12:37 of the third period when Sheppard’s centering pass from the corner deflected off New York defenseman Brian Leetch’s skate and into the net.

Most of the first two periods was played in the Panthers’ offensive zone, but they nonetheless trailed, 2-1.

Messier gave New York the lead with 15 seconds left in the second period. He took a pass from Tikkanen, skated toward the right circle and flipped a wrist shot past Vanbiesbrouck.

New York took a 1-0 lead on a breakaway goal 39 seconds into the game. Messier got behind Carkner, took a long pass down the middle from Tikkanen and beat Vanbiesbrouck on the stick side.

“Sometimes you just have to give the other guys credit,” Panther Coach Doug MacLean said. “They had some people who really came up big for them--Gretzky, Messier, Richter and Tikkanen. A lot of people criticize them--they said they were too old. But those guys came through when they had to.”