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5 iconic Rangers play-by-play calls by legendary Sam Rosen
By Benjamin Lefkowitz,
20 hours ago
Rangers players jump from their bench as the final buzzer sounds in game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals at Madison Square Garden June 14, 1994. The Rangers won the game 3-2 and the Stanley Cup. Rangers Win Stanley Cup Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News
After calling more than 3,000 New York Rangers games as their television broadcaster, Sam Rosen will retire at the end of the 2024-25 NHL season. The 77-year-old began his run in 1984 and was named the 2016 recipient of the Foster Hewitt Award and inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Simply, he’s done it all behind the mic for the Rangers.
“I’ve been living out a dream for the last 40-plus years,” Rosen said. “To be able to call the games for the team I’ve been cheering for since I was a 10-year-old kid in Brooklyn has been magical, and to be there to see the Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1994 was one of the greatest moments of my life”
Rosen’s voice is synonymous with Rangers history. Generations of fans have never experienced a hockey season without Rosen behind the mic.
No list of Rosen’s great calls is complete without one of Rosen’s signature “It’s a power-play goal” calls.
5 iconic Rangers calls by legendary play-play-voice Sam Rosen
Choosing five iconic calls from a 40-year career with the Rangers is near impossible. But here’s what we’ve got among Sam Rosen’s best moments behind the mic.
5. March 5, 2020: Mika Zibanejad scores 5th goal to help Rangers defeat Capitals 6-5 in overtime
The last Rangers game at Madison Square Garden in front of fans before the COVID-19 pandemic was one to remember. A back-and-forth game between two division rivals that was tied 5-5 in overtime. Mika Zibanejad scored his fifth goal of the contest to win the game, sending The Garden into a frenzy. Rosen’s perfect use of pauses helps capture this historic moment for fans tuning into the game.
4. April 24, 2015: Carl Hagelin scores in overtime to send Rangers to 2nd round of playoffs
The Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2015 and were heavily favored to win this first-round matchup. Any overtime game, much less one with important playoff implications, had the potential for a legendary Rosen call. Carl Hagelin was the overtime hero in Game 5 here against the Pittsbirgh Penguins. Rosen’s call encapsulates the excitement as Hagelin was swarmed by his teammates on the ice.
3. June 7, 1994: Mike Richter stops Pavel Bure’s penalty shot in Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final
The Rangers were down 2-1 in Game 4 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Final against the Vancouver Canucks. Pacific Coliseum was at a fever pitch when Pavel Bure was awarded a penalty shot in the second period. One of the most famous saves in Rangers history will forever be remembered thanks to Rosen’s call. “Saved by Richter” is a phrase etched in history.
2. May 15, 2022: Artemi Panarin’s Game 7 OT goal sends Rangers to 2nd round of playoffs
The “No Quit in New York” mantra was in full display during Game 7 of the first-round playoff series against the Penguins in 2022. The Rangers were down 3-1 in the series but fought their way back for a win-or-go-home game at The Garden.
These days in the NHL, local broadcast outlets only get to air the first-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After that, the national networks have exclusive rights to all playoff games. As such, Rosen wasn’t able to call major playoff moments in the past such as Derek Stepan’s Game 7 overtime winner in the second round in 2015, Marty St. Louis famous Mothers Day goal in 2014, and many more.
Fortunately for the first round of the 2022 playoffs, MSG Network was broadcasting this gem between the Rangers and Penguins.
Rosen delivered one of his most iconic calls on Panarin’s overtime goal. “Rangers, Rangers, Rangers, Win” followed by the blare of the goal song and fan celebrations was the perfect edning to an incredible series.
1. June 14, 1994: Rangers end 54-year curse, win Game 7 of 1994 Stanley Cup Final against Canucks
The moment couldn’t have been bigger for Rosen’s career with the Rangers on the brink of history. The team had captured the heart of New York City during their magical 1994 playoff run. There was one final face-off before one of the most iconic play-by-play calls in NHL history.
“The waiting is over! The New York Rangers are the Stanley Cup Champions! And this one will last a lifetime!,” is a call that’s ingrained in the memories of Rangers fans. Rosen had a perfect pause for fans to hear the boom of the fireworks at MSG, before proclaiming his most famous line, “This one will last a lifetime”.
These are just some of the countless calls that could have been included in this list. This season will be the last time fans hear “It’s a Power Play Goal” and “Save by Shesterkin,” by a true Rangers legend behind the mic, but Rosen’s voice will be remembered forever.
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