As as their team headed into Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals, you had to forgive Rangers fans for wondering if the "jinx" would ever be broken. After all, the best chance the Broadway Blueshirts had in 54 years to lift the famous trophy seemed to be slipping out of the team's grasp.

The Rangers were having an incredible season, winning the President's Trophy after leading the league from wire-to-wire and then following it up by running through Eastern Conference playoff opponents in dramatic fashion.

After losing an overtime heartbreaker at home in Game 1 of the Finals to the Vancouver Canucks, the Rangers rebounded to win the next three games, including two on the road, setting up an opportunity to clinch the series in Madison Square Garden. What could be a more appropriate place be to lift the jinx that was supposedly began in 1940 when Colonel John Reed Kilpatrick, the president of the team and the building it played in, burned the mortgage papers in the bowl of Stanley Cup after the Rangers had won it for the third time?

Destiny seemed to be on the side of the Rangers, especially after they scored three goals early in the third period to erase the 3-0 lead the Canucks had established.

It wasn't. Vancouver went on to score again and again and again, winning the game 6-3 and then tying the series with a convincing home-ice win in Game 6.

Mike Richter's penalty shot save on Pavel Bure turned the series around.(Allsport)

But when the Rangers took to the ice for Game 7 on June 14, they left little doubt that it was time to end the frustration. Defenseman Brian Leetch, the eventual Conn Smythe Trophy winner, put New York ahead early in the first period, and then Adam Graves doubled the lead moments later. The Canucks got one back late in the period, but captain Mark Messier notched New York's third goal in the second frame, and the Rangers effectively clinched the game.

When Craig MacTavish won a draw for the Rangers in his own end with just over a second remaining, it was all over. The Rangers won 3-2 to capture their first Stanley Cup in 54 years. The "jinx" had finally ended.

One fan summed it up for all the Ranger faithful, displaying a sign that read: "Now I can die in peace." It was truly one of the great moments in hockey history, and it took place during the week of June 12-18.

June 12

Jacques Plante was one of hockey's legendary goalies.(Provided to SportsLine)

Jacques Plante was 39 years old and three years past his retirement when the St. Louis Blues decided to take a shot at getting him to put on the goaltending pads once again. On this date in 1968, the Blues obtained his rights from the New York Rangers in the intraleague draft. It was a great move because Plante ended up leading the NHL with a 1.96 goals-against average and sharing the Vezina Trophy with Glenn Hall the following season. Plante played one more year with St. Louis and then spent three years with the Maple Leafs before ending his NHL career in 1973 with Boston.

June 13

Don Cherry is known for his sour grapes.(Allsport)

He played only one game in the NHL, but that didn't stop Don Cherry from becoming a very successful coach in the league. He began his career behind the bench on this date in 1974 when the Boston Bruins hired the man who wore the heaviest-starched collars in the game. Cherry coached the Bruins for five seasons, winning four Adams Division titles and earning coach-of-the-year honors in 1976. He coached the expansion Colorado Rockies for one season in 1978-79, and then went on to become one of the most famous broadcasters in hockey history.

June 14

Bobby Clarke is in his second tour of duty with the Flyers.(Allsport)

Bobby Clarke has always been a Flyer at heart, even when he was running other teams trying to knock out the franchise that plays in the city of Brotherly Love. Clarke retired as captain of the Flyers to become the team's general manager in 1984, and spent six seasons in that role before leaving to assume the same duties with the Minnesota North Stars. After two seasons, he moved on to the Florida Panthers, but on this date in 1994 he returned to Philadelphia to become president and general manager, positions he continues to hold today.

June 15

Bobby Smith is now GM of the Coyotes, and works for Wayne Gretzky.(Allsport)

An underage kid named Gretzky had decided to turn pro with the rival WHA, but the Minnesota North Stars weren't too disappointed with their option for the No. 1 pick in the 1978 Entry Draft. On this date that year, the North Stars used the top selection to take Bobby Smith, who had outscored Gretzky and won the Ontario Hockey League scoring title one season earlier. Smith immediately jumped into the North Stars lineup and was named the league's top rookie in 1979. Smith played six seasons in Minnesota, before being traded to Montreal in 1984. The North Stars re-acquired him in 1991 and he retired from the team two years later.

June 16
Martin Lapointe got to lift the Cup after scoring the winner.(Allsport)	The Detroit Red Wings broke a 42-year drought when they beat Philadelphia to win the Stanley Cup in 1997 and the players liked the feeling so much, they figured they'd go for it again the following season. On this date in 1998, the Red Wings, behind the goaltending of much-maligned youngster Chris Osgood, topped the Washington Capitals 4-1 to capture their second consecutive Stanley Cup.

June 17

Mats Sundin changed the conventional nature of the draft.(Allsport)

They're not too crazy about English speaking people in Quebec, but they have no problem up there with Swedes, especially if they can play hockey like Mats Sundin. On this date in 1989, the Nordiques helped Sundin take a place in history by making him the first European player to be selected first overall in the NHL draft. Sundin joined Quebec one year later and played four seasons with the Nordiques before being traded to Toronto.

June 18

Ed Belfour made Chicago scouts look pretty good.(Allsport)

At age 22, he was a little old to be starting out by pro hockey standards, but after a great season at the University of North Dakota, the Chicago Blackhawks decided to take a chance on a goalie named Ed Belfour. On this date in 1987, the Blackhawks signed Belfour as a free agent. Belfour paid his dues in the minors, but in 1990 he became Chicago's No. 1 goalie and rewarded the team's faith in him winning the Vezina Trophy as top goaltender and Calder Trophy as top rookie in 1991, and being named to the first All-Star team.

Historical photos courtesy of Hockeyonline.com