Following Part Three, the continuation of a few brief observations from the games I'm attending while on the wrong side of the Atlantic.
Game #4: St. Louis Blues 2-0 New York Rangers
- A real buzz in the building as everyone anticipates the much-hyped, marquee goalie match-up of...er, Ty Conklin versus Marty Biron
- If you like having people walk across your line of sight repeatedly, including vendors carrying large objects above head height, then try and get tickets two rows back from the internal concourse at MSG. (Alternatively, just watch a Red Wings home game on TV.)
- Beer Pong has a strong first period to keep the game goalless, as the Blues dictate most of the play
- A break - aided by the fleet-footed Derek Boogaard stranding himself in the offensive zone looking for a pointless hit - sees Alex Steen open the scoring early in the second
- From that point, the Blues sit back and watch the Rangers painfully flounder for the rest of the game
- I was hoping for a disallowed goal from the Blues' #64, so I could say it was nixed as Nikita Nikitin kicked it in, but no joy...
- The only serious threat comes from a five-minute powerplay in the third period after B.J. Crombeen tries to decorate the boards with the contents of Derek Stepan's skull. The "threat" mainly one of being deafened by the booing of the practically impotent Rangers PP
- My view of the empty-netter is blocked by a few hundred people leaving - not that I care by that point. A pretty rancid game all round
How much were you drinking to make you think you saw a fleet-footed Boogaard?
ReplyDeleteI love Ty Conklin! Why does he get such a bad rap/rep? Someone should have snapped him up as starting goaltender after he played so well for the wings.
In Soviet Russia puck kicks Nikita Nikitin in.
When do you think the hockey world is going to start buzzing about St. Louis? Looks like they are assembling a competitive team, not to be taken lightly.
You're going to the game tomorrow night? I'm jealous. You might get to see Bongos Round 2 live in person. Please take lots of Caps pics for me :)
ReplyDeleteoh god please get photos if semin breaks out the bongos....
ReplyDeleteThe Blues look like a solid team, considering they had three regular D-men out too. They did just play a pretty dull road game for the most part though - and it didn't take much to make the Rangers look bad.
ReplyDeleteStaal has learned his lesson. He won't go near the bongos again. It'll have to be Boogey vs Bongos.
I have been in those very seats and I feel your pain. And I too know the thrill of hearing Ranger Nation serenade their heros while on the power play. I'm still jealous. In order to be fully centered for the Sens game, go to Central Park and sit by the boat house, and meditate on the joy of attending live NHL games in one of the most hallowed of hockey halls. Then stop in at the Oak bar at the Plaza at the South end of the park, and get royally hammered,stagger over to Broadway and catch the E subway, take it all the way to Penn station, wearing Ipod earbuds in your ears but no ipod, glaring at the other passengers and occasionally laughing with manic abandon, then cursing at no one. From Penn it's a 4 minute stagger to MSN (same building). buy a beer, complain about it, go to your seat, bump other patrons on the way, sit down and start telling people in front of you to 'move your f###ing fat ass tubby!' and just like that you're a Flyers fan at a Rangers game! Win/Win!
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