Rangers’ Richter Shines in 1-1 Tie on Gretzky’s Night

On a night the Edmonton Oilers put on a great tribute to Wayne Gretzky, Mike Richter put on quite a show for the New York Rangers.

And the Rangers could thank Richter for earning them a point as New York played Edmonton to a 1-1 tie on Friday night.

“He was brilliant,” Ranger Coach John Muckler said after watching Richter make 29 saves. “He saved the game for us. He’s the guy. No question about it.”

The Oilers officially retired Gretzky’s No. 99 jersey in extravagant pregame ceremonies. The sweater of hockey’s greatest player was raised to the rafters of the building he made famous before his family, ex-teammates and more than 17,000 cheering fans.

Gretzky led the Oilers to four Stanley Cups in the ‘80s before finishing his unparalleled 20-year career in New York at the end of last season.