Marek Malík Goal Still New York Rangers Highlight 10 Years Later

ByDiana Driscoll|

It’s dubbed one of the greatest shootouts in NHL history and was the league’s longest for nearly a decade (until Dec. 16, 2014). I’m talking about the Nov. 26, 2005 game between the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden that ended in a 2-2 tie and went to a shootout. Fifteen rounds and 30 shooters took the ice before Marek Malik ended it all with a beautiful between the legs shot.

It couldn’t have been scripted any better.

For any Rangers fan, Malik’s goal is a true highlight. But for me, it holds a bit more significance. This game introduced me to the sport of hockey. Never before had I been to a live game, let alone step foot in the Garden for any type of sporting event. I didn’t know the then 23-year-old Henrik Lundqvist, who was a rookie, would become a household name and the backbone of the team. I actually didn’t know a single player’s name on either team.

In truth, I didn’t even want to go to the game. My aunt had gotten the tickets from her company and I reluctantly agreed to take the trip into the city to experience a sport that, to me at the time, only seemed popular in Canada.

And as it happened that game changed my life.

I was instantly hooked from the drop of the puck. The energy of the crowd was intoxicating and I quickly followed their lead. When they cheered, I echoed that cheer and when they shouted “these refs suck,” I fervently booed and jeered in their direction. I honestly had no idea what was going on. Of course the basics of the game were easy to follow. And by that I mean, I understood when a goal was scored. That’s about the extent of it.

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I didn’t understand the man advantage or what would happen when the buzzer rang ending the third period, and what would happen next when the overtime period also ended in a tie. Nor was I aware that the shootout was a new installment in the league; only two months into its existence and the Rangers and Capitals put together a shootout that many will always remember.

I also did not understand the greatness I was in the presence of. Both Lundqvist and Alex Ovechkin were rookies. Two of the most recognized players in the NHL today were just starting to navigate their way through the league (Lundqvist stopped Ovi in the first round which broke his 4-for-4 shootout streak). Those two weren’t the only worthy names who took part in the shootout. Brooks Laich, Dominic Moore, and Jaromir Jagr all tried and were unsuccessful in their shootout attempts.

The shootout continued, each team mirroring the others moves. If the Capitals scored so did the Rangers. If Olie Kolzig made a stop, so did Lundqvist. The anticipation, the excitement only rose as each shooter took to the ice. Would he be the hero? In every instance it was no. That is until Malik skated to center ice.

If you watch the clip above, you can hear the announcers weren’t even convinced Malik would be able to end this game. He wasn’t known as a goal scorer, but he came through. He had a moment of brilliance that will forever be a highlight of his 21-year career.

Via Yahoo Sports:

"“I didn’t expect Malik to pull a move off like that,” said Capitals netminder Olie Kolzig in the understatement of the night.“I was watching everything before me,” Malik said. “Olie was unbelievable. He stopped everything from shots, moves. I just thought to myself, ‘Maybe I’ll surprise him.’ I tried the move and it worked.”"

Watch the clip above again and then again. It is only then you may be able to experience the sheer brilliance of his move. Perfectly executed, Malik not only surprised Kolzig, but every single person in the arena.

I couldn’t have picked a better first game. That excitement I felt that night never dissipated; in fact it has only grown over the years. I went home and taught myself the game of hockey and have been following the New York Rangers and players around the league ever since.

So Malik, wherever you are, thank you for igniting my love for the game of hockey and for giving us Rangers fans a moment we will never forget.

Watch the video below to relive the shootout through those who were there:

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