NEW YORK — Mark Messier kissed th^ Stanley Cup as more than 18,000 long-suffering Rangers fans danced in the aisles of Madison Square Garden.

They broke into a gleeful chorus of what only teasing opposition fans had chanted in the past.
“1940, 1940, 1940, 1940.”

Then, in the dressing room, New York’s 54-year-old championship curse was drowned in a river of champagne.

“Everyone talked about the ghosts and dragons and everything,” said Messier, the Rangers’ captain “That’s why I said before the game, ‘You can’t be afraid to slay the dragon.’ “

New York, in the seventh and deciding game of one of the most exciting finals in league history, squeaked past the determined Vancouver Canucks 3-2.

Brian Leetch, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable playoff performer, Adam Graves and Messier, with the winning goal, scored for New York.

“•I say let’s have a burning party,” said veteran Rangers defenceman Jay Wells. “Get all the fans in one place and do away with all of those 1940 signs.”

Bill Clinton telephoned to congratulate the champions, marking the first time a U.S. president had made such a call to an NHL team.

The victory parade is set for Friday morning.

The Rangers took a 2-0 lead by the first intermission and that proved to be the difference. The Canucks clawed back but it was that early deficit that did them in.

“A little luck and a bounce here and there and it could have been different,” said Canucks goalie Kirk McLean. “The guys can be proud of themselves and hold their heads high.”

Vancouver forward Nathan Lafayette zinged a shot off the New York crossbar with six minutes left. Had the puck been a millimeter lower, the score would have been 3-3 and overtime probably necessary.

“It was a great chance to tie the game,” said Lafayette. “I got a perfect pass from Geoff Courtnail but the shot hit the bar.

“I’ll be thinking about that all summer.”

Messier was a dominating presence. He proved, again, he’s one of the great team leaders in the sport.

“The attention paid to this game was incredible,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like it and I’ve been in the game for 16 years.

“I’ve won five Stanley Cups before (with Edmonton) and I’ve never experienced anything like the last two months.

“I thought I’d seen it all.”

The Rangers’ Mike Keenan finally won the big one after coaching three finals losers in Philadelphia and Chicago.

“There’s a calm feeling, a sense of pride,” said Keenan, whose rumored move to Detroit to manage the Red Wings spiced the final week of the longest NHL season on record with controversy.

“People don’t understand how difficult it is to win the Stanley Cup anywhere, but to win in New York City it takes every ounce of energy you have.”

Pat Quinn announced after the game that he won’t coach the Canucks next season. He’ll concentrate on his general manager’s job.

“I would have liked to have gone out a victor,” said Quinn. “But I go out with a lot of pride in those guys in there. “That’s as much as you could ask.”

By NEIL STEVENS The Canadian Press