22 years ago today, Mark Messier made good on his guarantee
A third period hat trick in an elimination game is a good way to show you mean business.
Staring elimination in the face is hardly a pleasant circumstance, but that's exactly where the '94 New York Rangers found themselves. Coming off of a 4-1 Game 5 loss to the New Jersey Devils, the Rangers were one game away from seeing their season end.
At which point, Rangers captain Mark Messier guaranteed his team would win Game 6: a boldfaced proclamation, one that could have made him look either like a hero or a fool.
Going down 2-0 to the Devils in the first period leaned things more towards the latter, but Mike Richter's performance and Alex Kovalev's goal in the second gave hope.
That's when Messier stood up again. Down a goal going into potentially their final period of the season, he scored the game-tying goal - then the game-winning goal - and to complete the hat trick, an insurance empty netter.
Tons of players have guaranteed victories over the years, particularly when their backs are to the wall. But there's a reason Messier's has risen to become its own, powerful narrative - because while he didn't do it alone, he played a massive part in his team's coming back, and eventual Cup victory.
Has it been 22 years already?