NEW YORK, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Defenseman Brian Rafalski scored 1:40 into overtime Tuesday night to give the New Jersey Devils a 2-1 exhibition victory over the New York Rangers.
Signed by the Rangers as an unrestricted free agent after 10 seasons in New Jersey, Bobby Holik received the loudest pregame ovation but did little else to warrant applause in the penalty-filled contest.
The teams combined for 19 minor infractions, but only the Rangers could make good with the man advantage.
Defenseman Vladimir Malakhov, a member of New Jersey's 2000 Stanley Cup championship team, netted a power-play goal with 4:01 remaining in the third period for the Rangers, who played without Petr Nedved and defensemen Brian Leetch and Darius Kasparaitis.
After two scoreless periods, Patrik Elias scored at 6:15 of the third to give New Jersey the lead. Martin Brodeur stopped 19 shots for the Devils, who rested Jamie Langenbrunner and defensemen Oleg Tverdovsky and Ken Daneyko.
