A Night In The Garden

[text_output]I had the opportunity to attend the Rangers game against the San Jose Sharks just this past Monday. I rarely catch live hockey games, let alone at Madison Square Garden, so I wanted to share a couple of my thoughts on my experience there as a fan.

Cheers.[/text_output][custom_headline id=”” class=”” style=””]

Who’s wearing that number?

[/custom_headline][text_output]If you watched the game against the Sharks or most of this season, you’ll know that the Rangers have not been doing too well. After multiple failed attempts on the power play, aberrant passes, and confused looks, another loss was tacked onto the now 2-6- 2 start.

And right on cue, angry boos filled the arena.

I know the booing tends to happen when the team is playing poorly, and NY is a pretty tough market for any sports team, but I find it’s quite the different experience when you are there to hear it live.

I don’t think I could ever bring myself to do so because I know the team knows when they aren’t doing well.

Case in point: I saw Chris Kreider walk out after the Sharks game had ended, and as he came by, a couple of fans approached him asking for photos. He glanced over for just a spare moment, before simply putting his hand out motioning for some space and said, “No, sorry” and continued on walking.[/text_output][image type=”thumbnail” float=”none” alt=”” href=”” title=”” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”” style=”” src=”764″][text_output]I feel for you, Chris.

I hope no one sees this as a poor reflection of him, but rather, I think we often forget that these players are still human. They are much more than just a product we see in the media, the pictures, the autographs, the boos and jeers, or even the cheers and celebrations.

It’s something easily forgotten, especially when we become as involved as we do with the highs and lows of a team. I still believe in this team and always will. But most of all, I won’t ever forget the person underneath that jersey.[/text_output][custom_headline id=”” class=”” style=””]

Suits

[/custom_headline][text_output]We hear about them all the time.

The suits have no clue what they’re watching! The suits priced out all the real fans! The suits ruined what could be a great atmosphere at MSG!

I managed to cop an amazing seat at the Sharks game; section 117, row 15, dead centre.

$80. (Thanks again for the advice, Dan! And if anyone is curious how, feel free to message us.)

As the game began, I noticed four young guys walk in. Hair slicked back, gorgeous leather watches, sleek suits, and the smell of cologne. Or maybe that was the smell of sweet, sweet wealth.

Great.

As soon as they sat down, they impatiently called for the maître d’, ordering drinks my student wallet would cry at the sight of. I overheard one say that they had even fallen asleep at one of the games before.

I rolled my eyes. I was not looking forward to 2-3 hours of what I assumed would be business talk.

“NICE PASS, MARC STAAL!”

Huh, that’s funny. He actually knows a player.

“Look at who they have out there, Burns, Pavelski, Thornton! God damn all stars!”

Wait, he knew that without even looking at the jumbotron?

“Watch the short side!”

“This place is so empty, with no LGR chants, to one of the worst Rangers teams I’ve seen. Sigh.”

As the game progressed along, I soon realized that I had been far too quick to judge.

“You know that kid there? Can you believe he’s like 20 years old? Amazing.” (Brady Skjei)

“That guy is a fucking beast. 6’8″ on skates!” (Brent Burns)

This all came from one particular individual. I even remember his friends had wanted to leave with only 4:55 left in the game; they had been disinterested for most of the night. They said the team blew it and it was over. His response?

“C’mon just five more minutes. Stay, stay!”

They did.

The other great thing was that this was same guy who caught a t-shirt tossed by the Blue Crew during one of the commercial breaks.

“THESE SEATS ARE FUCKING AWESOME!!!!”

I have never seen a grown man turn completely beet red, screaming with so much excitement over a shirt. I was definitely in the wrong for assuming they would be unpleasant fans. It made me realize how easy it can be to become biased by the things you hear.

Maybe my experience was rare, but maybe it wasn’t. Either way, give people a chance. You just never know.[/text_output]