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The Rangers raised their sticks at center ice in their traditional victory salute to the fans.
“Because they’re great fans,” Renney said. “It’s a great hockey city, it’s a great hockey country, and we want to acknowledge the fact that we very much appreciate the support for both teams.”
Forward Ryan Malone of the Lightning and Voros drew big cheers midway through the first period during their brief fight.
The crowd missed Jaromir Jagr, the former Rangers captain who left New York as a free agent and signed with Avangard Omsk of the KHL in Russia. The Rangers, however, had Czech natives Petr Prucha and Michal Rozsival in the lineup, while Tampa Bay countered with Vaclav Prospal and Radim Vrbata, who failed to impress.
“It was an unbelievable experience for me to play here,” Prospal said. “It’s just a pity I didn’t score or have at least an assist. One goal is not enough to win.”
It was the fifth time the NHL began its season outside of North America, with the other three times in Japan in 1997, 1998 and 2000. Renney and Melrose expect the league to return to Europe again.
“We’re ambassadors for the game,” Renney said. “Our legacy is to leave behind good things, and I hope we do that. I have no problem to come back to do this again,”
“I think that any NHL team would love to come over,” Melrose said. “I’m sure that the NHL will continue to do it every year. We’ve got so many European players, the fans over here deserve to see their homeboys play.”
The Rangers will host the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night in their first game back, and the Lightning will welcome the Carolina Hurricanes to Tampa on Saturday.
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