Stick Salute and Three Stars 2/24/08

After every Rangers home win, the team gathers at center ice and raise their sticks in the air to salute the Rangers supporters. The salute was the idea of defenseman Darius Kasparaitis and the tradition began in the early part of the 2005-06 season, it has proved extremely popular with both the players and fans alike. Specifically, after the Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals in the longest shootout game in its short history in the NHL, the team gathered at center ice to salute their fans.
The salute to the fans is typically done only after home victories. However, at conclusion of the 2006 playoffs -- in which the Rangers lost four games to none -- the fans' cheers at the conclusion of an otherwise outstanding breakout season caused the players to stay on the ice after the loss and give the fans one final salute for 2005-2006. The Rangers also did the salute in the second round of the 2006-07 Stanley Cup Playoffs after losing Game 6, and the series, to the Buffalo Sabres. The New York Islanders later copied the "salute to the fans" after each home game victory, the minor difference being at the blue line rather than center ice.
Though not very popular in the National Hockey League, this tradition is common in European ice hockey. It may have been introduced to American hockey by Mike Schafer in 1995-96, his first season as head coach of the Cornell Big Red men's ice hockey team.

New York Rangers 5 vs. Florida Panthers 0
2/24/08
Three stars are
3 Scott gomez
2 Marek Malik
1 Henrik Lundquist

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• New
• York
• Rangers
• NY
• hockey
• NHL

[TheVerve31]

This tradition actually began in Sault Ste Marie, MI. The Lake Superior State University Lakers, have been doing this salute since the first days of the teams existence. The fans do not leave until the players salute them from center ice.

[AgravaineNYR]

Actually it came from Europe, I am sure they were doing it there before MI, or atleast I assume so, when I gave the history of the stick salute I meant for the Rangers, but thanks for telling me!!!

[ekwjhfedfhewhbjjhfeh]

It comes from Jaromir Jagr

[RonkonkomaMechanic]

thats one hell of a souvenier  henks stick

[RangrGirl11]

I was there too! Awesome game!

[jorekkeroj]

Oh MAn Oh Man What a game! Malik! Freakin Marek MAlik scores!!! Good Game Malik!

[hrtwphockey2000]

i was there!