NEW YORK — Timo Meier’s last trip to Madison Square Garden is etched in his memory for a reason he’d just as soon forget.
Like most young-hockey players, the Swiss-born forward was eagerly anticipating his first taste of action in the world-famous arena where Mark Messier hoisted the Stanley Cup, Wayne Gretzky played his last NHL game and Stephane Matteau sent the New York Rangers to the final by scoring in double overtime of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final.
But instead of making his Garden debut, Meier watched the game from the press box, serving as a healthy scratch.