Well, that is not exactly what happened but it was close. During the off season the New York Rangers fired John Tortorella as head coach of their team. He was replaced with Alain Vigneault who had recently been let go by the Vancouver Canucks. Now here is the weird coincidence part. The Canucks then hired John Tortorella as their new head coach. I would almost call that a trade.

After the disappointing playoff run the Rangers had at the end of the 2013 season, it was no longer just the media who was upset with Torts; the fans joined in calling for his head on a stick. The team’s defense-first strategy was not producing the results everyone was expecting and the squad looked as if they’d had enough. As the playoffs went progressed, the Rangers players seemed to lack chemistry and did not appear to be putting in the effort you would expect of a team trying to win it all. Passes were off target. Pucks were not chased down with the desperate energy of giving it “your all.”  When a team is playing like that, there is no one left to blame but the coach.

It is not necessarily true that he was a bad coach (obviously the Canucks organization likes him) but rather his coaching technique is not working for the team and there needed to be a change. For the Rangers, that change comes in the form of Alain Vigneault. The expectation is that with Vigneault the leash will come off and the offensive force the Rangers possess will explode. Vigneault coached the Canucks to back-to-back Presidents’ Trophy seasons in 2011 and 2012, and you do not win those by focusing on defense.

Not much change however was made to the Rangers’ squad. Marian Gaborik was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets and his offensive production will be missed. It is a shame that we never had a chance to see Rick Nash and Gaborik play together under a coach that might have let them attack the net like Vigneault.

However, the Rangers have enough offensive talent to light the lamp. Rick Nash did not disappoint and I expect to see him shoot the puck even more with Vigneault on the bench. Chris Kreider and Carl Hagelin have the youthful energy to push, push, push and create the scoring opportunities.

Derek Stepan (who was just signed to a new 2 year deal with the team) led the team last season in points (44 points in 48 games) and will look to surpass that bar this season (especially with the hopes of making the 2014 USA Olympic hockey team).

Ryan Callahan is a great 2-way player and will create many offensive opportunities. And there is always Brian Boyle. He may not score a lot but he is a force to be reckoned with. His imposing 6’ 7″ body can not only pummel opponents but overpower the defense and lead to big goals. The one new (but old) addition to the team that I am most looking forward to is Dominic Moore. Moore was on the team previously and took part in the hilarious TV commercials the Rangers put out to attract more fans. He’s a great 3rd line center, great on the PK and can score some clutch goals.

The big factor I am most anxious about with regard to the Rangers’ season is the impact the 2014 Olympics will have. Not many but rather key players on the roster are expected or expecting to play for their national home teams. Ryan Callahan was on the 2010 USA Olympic squad and should be a shoe-in for the 2014 squad. Ryan McDonagh will probably make the USA squad as well and as mentioned before Derek Stepan is a likely candidate for the team too.

Rick Nash will help represent Canada and Mark Staal and Dan Girardi are Canadians who will possibly do the same. Of course Henrik Lundqvist will be in net for Sweden and hopes to help bring back the Gold as he did in 2006.

So how will the Olympics affect the Rangers’ chances of bringing home the Cup this season? Will the players get fatigued and/or thrown off due to the international competition? Or will the downtime for those players not going and the continued skating for the key players helping their national squad end in success? Only time will tell.

The other exciting factor for the Rangers’ 2013/2014 season is the Stadium Series. The Rangers are one of several teams chosen to participate in the NHL’s expansion of the Winter Classic staging several other outdoor games. The Rangers will play both the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils at Yankee Stadium. The Rangers were successful in the 2012 Winter Classic and with the added feature of the games being against local rivals there is much anticipation for these games. I only wish I could afford to see them live. Here is to the start of the 2013/2014 season! LET’S GO RANGERS!!!

I cannot help it. From the second I heard of him playing in the QMJHL back in 2003 I was hooked. If I actually met him in person I would most likely pass out (I once got close though, seeing him get on the “away-team bus” after they played the New York Rangers about 20 feet from where I was standing … wooh, heart was pounding). And so of course, with my fandom of Crosby came the haters attacking me during the 2005-2006 NHL season and beyond who insisted Crosby was a joke and Alexander Ovechkin was the “real deal.” So the second reason is that I have had this comparison on my mind for a while and have long been a participant of this debate. (Also, I got Adam’s permission to write it and assuming you are reading it now, Doug and Craig did not mind either).

Now let us get something out-of-the-way before I continue. If you are one of those haters who simply says “Crosby sucks” or “Crosby is a crybaby” only because your team cannot handle his talent (ehem … Flyers and Capitals fans) you probably do not need to keep reading. I am sure anything you read that I write that is positive about Crosby you will probably just ignore, deny, etc. 

Frankly, I do not understand why fans on opposing teams say things like that. If Crosby had zero professional accomplishments, okay. But Crosby has won every hockey award (except the Calder Memorial Award). He not only won an Olympic gold medal on 2010 but scored the game winning goal to get team Canada the medal. You want to boo him because you want your team to win, I get that. You want to cheer when he loses the puck, misses a shot, or gets checked by one of the players from your team, I get that. But to say that he sucks, I got the evidence to disagree. There I go. I already anticipated Crosby hatin’ and went off on a tangent. Ok, I am focused again.

So I know some people might be asking, why are you writing this article now? 12:30pm on Super Bowl Sunday is puck drop for the first meeting between the Pens and Caps. To many, that’s the real show of the day. Through the first eight games of the season, we have a decent glimpse of these two players: Crosby is 4-6-10, coming off a great game on Saturday against the Devils, while Ovi is struggling a bit, 2-1-3. Beyond these early season numbers, I’ll take a few steps back and offer a more comprehensive look at both captains.

Ovechkin has not put up the numbers as he used to in the last few seasons and Crosby has accomplished so much, how is it even a question? Well, I think it still maters. People still like to compare the two players and it is also still one of the most hyped rivalries going on in the NHL. I still think a Capitals vs. Penguins Eastern Conference final would be the NHL’s wet-dream series. It is also now with all the games that have come to pass that we can look back and have real information to use in the debate (as opposed to just saying “Crosby is better!” “No, Ovechkin is better!” “Nu uh!” …). So let us get into it.

I am going to compare and contrast the 2 players in several categories and argue which one I think is better (spoiler alert: I am going to say Crosby). To be honest, I think both of them are incredible hockey players. But I sincerely think one is a better player than the other. And I will provide my evidence and opinions to support why I believe so.

Goal Scoring:

Yes, Ovi has won the Rocket Richard Trophy (for most goals) twice and Crosby has only won it once (and had to share it with Steven Stamkos). And yes, Ovi scored 65 goals in the 2007-2008 season, which no one had been able to do for almost two decades (and no one else has since at this point). However, this is a comparison of the two players overall, not just a season to season contrast. Looking at the players over the past 8 years Ovechkin seems to have peaked already whereas Crosby is still growing. Ovechkin had 65 goals in the 2007-2008 season and 56 goals in the 2008-2009 season. Since then his numbers have dropped. Crosby on the other hand has been increasing his goal numbers. In the 2007-2008 season he scored just 24 goals. The next season he scored 33 goals.

The next season, 51 goals. In the 2010-2011 season he scored 32 goals before he was sidelined by his concussion. Most said he was actually on pace to score at least 66 goals that season. That is the reason why I think Crosby is the better goal scorer. It almost seems like the NHL figured out how Ovi scores and has come up with an answer to it. But Ovi has not figured out how to adjust his game to get back to those high numbers. Meanwhile, Crosby has increased his scoring numbers and abilities. He will shoot from anywhere, the side, in front of the net, from the blue line, etc. Ovechkin has that powerful one timer he likes to shoot from the slot. Crosby shoots wrist shots, back-hands, and will even try a slap shot from time to time (though he is not very good at it [yet]). When Crosby sees something is not working, he adjusts his game to fix it.

Leadership:

Both players are the current Captains of their respective teams. Therefore both of them are looked at as their team’s leader. Crosby was named captain of the Penguins at the beginning of the 2007-2008 season. The organization wanted to do it earlier but Crosby said he did not feel it was the right time yet (even further evidence of his leadership skills). Early in his career he was already showing his leadership capabilities to the team and the “higher ups” of the Penguins’ organization.  He made his voice heard in the locker room and on the bench. He was able to push and motivate the other players on the team, both young and old. When he was injured during Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup finals he came back to the bench even though he would not skate the rest of the game to show support for his teammates. You do not really see this sort of role when it comes to Ovechkin.

Ovi was named team captain in 2009 and unlike Crosby, where he was given a title to a character he was already playing, my impression is that Ovi now had to adjust to that being that character. I do not really see Ovechkin as the type of leader that gets his teammates motivated and going. Sure he is trying to be that person and lead by example. In the game in 2010 vs. the NY Rangers when the Capitals were performing very poorly, he got into his first NHL fight to try to motivate the rest of the team. (It did not work, they lost 7-0). You see Crosby constantly on the bench talking to other players, critiquing the last play, making a suggestion what to do the next time in that situation, etc. You do not see that as much with Ovechkin. He screams and cheers a lot when the team is doing well. But when they are not, he seems to tend to just shut down (as we saw in the HBO 24/7 documentary).

Face of the NHL:

From the moment Crosby was going to play in the NHL he was seen as not only being the face of the Pittsburgh Penguins but of the entire League. The NHL wanted to put on a new face after the 2004-2005 lockout. They wanted to personify a young and fresh look that would showcase talent and flashy goal scoring. Crosby was going to be that face. But after a few seasons people began to tout Ovechkin as being that face and a better choice than Crosby. Ovi was scoring often and glitzy goals. He had the rock-star personality; driving fast and expensive cars, going to clubs, etc. But in my opinion, that is exactly why he is not the face of the NHL.

The rock-star personality is not what should represent a professional sports league. You do not want the unpredictable, showy, large ego person. You want someone who embodies professionalism, humility, and simplicity. That is what Crosby does for the NHL. He does not put himself above his teammates. He always makes himself available to the press and is non-confrontational. He tries to stay away from controversy and help those less fortunate. That is why Crosby is the better face of the NHL.

Okay, that is my argument. That is (mostly) why I think Crosby is the better player than Ovechkin. And if all of that did not convince you, how about Crosby’s GQ pictures?

Now I know there are many fans out there who are still upset about how the whole process of negotiating took place. I have heard many people say they do not care about the NHL anymore, they do not plan on going to any games, they do not plan on buying any NHL apparel or memorabilia, etc. But not me! I am so pumped about the new season and seeing my boys in red, white and blue back on the ice. I want to go to games. I want to buy Rangers’ gear. I have already bought a new Rangers’ jersey and hope to christen it at MSG soon (hopefully with a win).

So here is what you can expect to see from the New York Rangers in 2013 …

The big news that came at the end of the 2011-2012 season was the Rangers signing (via trade) Rick Nash. Nash has been long been considered a strong and skilled hockey player who has only been held back from “greatness” due to a lackluster supporting cast. That is why when rumors started that Nash could be available there were a lot of teams interested in going after him. It was a great day when the news spread that the Rangers got him (even at the cost of fan-favorite Brandon Dubinsky [not the only player involved in the trade]). While the expectations are high, it is not without good reason.

As I mentioned, many critics have assumed Nash’s numbers have not been as good as they could be because of what was around him. Now with the Rangers, he will have a number one center with Brad Richards and capable potential wing-partners in Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan, or others.

I anticipate big things to come from Rick Nash this season and that he will now finally able to shine the way he always should have.There was much concern, when the assumption was that the 2012-2013 season would start on time, about Marian Gaborik. He was set to have shoulder surgery to repair an injury and would have missed the beginning of the season. Injury has often plagued this gifted player and has negatively impacted his stats.

When healthy, Gaborik has been in contention for both the Rocket Richard trophy (most goals) and Art Ross trophy (most points). His speed and skill with the puck are at the highest levels. With the time he has had to recover and the shortened length of the season, Gaborik’s performance should be incredible to watch this season. He will start off healthy and with fewer games to be played there will be less of a chance of him missing any due to injury. Perhaps he will finally capture one or more of those awards I mentioned.

And of course let us not forget about King Henrik. Henrik Lundqvist is an elite goaltender who has been an integral part to the Rangers’ success over the last few seasons. The 2012 NHL Vezina trophy winner (awarded to the best goaltender) looks to keep his crown and help the Rangers to another successful season. He has shown no signs of slowing down and will continue to shut down opposing teams’ offense, perhaps even with just his good looks! I smell a repeat for the Vezina.

I personally am looking forward to watching Brian Boyle. First off, he is a huge stud.

At 6 foot 7 inches, this giant of a hunk was recently featured in Esquire magazine as one of several players chosen to model some “executive portfolio” designs. But Boyle is not just good lookin. He is a force to reckon with on the ice. His large frame and strength mean that when he goes on to the boards to fight for that puck, he is likely coming out with it. He registered 236 hits last season and blocked 83 shots. Brian Boyle is also a part of the You Can Play Project. He appeared in a video with other NHL players who support the cause.

There is a lot to look forward to from the NY Rangers club this 2013 season and I cannot wait! It is going to be awesome! There are some high expectations, both for specific players and the team as a whole, and I believe they will all surpass them. This is one extraordinary hockey club and they are itching to prove it.

Here is to the start of the 2013 season! LET’S GO RANGERS!!!

It seemed too good to be true. So many similarities to 1994. The NY Rangers finished first in the Atlantic Division. They were playing the NJ Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals. Everyone thought this was our year. Unfortunately, it did not turn out that way.

I thought we had an amazing run. The Rangers established early on in the season that they were a team to take seriously this time around. Half way through the season they were the #1 team in the entire league. They won the 2012 Winter Classic against the Philadelphia Flyers (and swept the Flyers during the regular season). And they were able to make it to the Eastern Conference final. If you ask me, that is a pretty darn good season. Something to be proud of and something to build upon.

Two things got the media’s and critics’ attention during the playoffs with regard to the Rangers. One was shot blocking. Everyone seemed to be “up in arms” over the way the Rangers were blocking so many shots. They were saying it was “boring hockey,” “a snooze-fest,” etc. Now this all mostly came up in the early games of the Conference Final against the Devils. It was not mentioned during the regular season, even though this was how the Rangers were playing the ENTIRE time. This did not come up during the first round of the playoffs vs. the Ottawa Senators. It did come up in the second round vs. the Washington Capitals, but not as a complaint. Everyone was excited over how well the Caps were out-blocking shots against the Rangers.

That’s right; the critics were all gaga over how well the Capitals were beating the Rangers at their own game. No one was saying how boring it was with two teams blocking so many shots.

It was actually quite exciting, at least I thought, since the scoring was so slow and so infrequent. I was constantly on the edge of my seat waiting to see who would score. Suddenly, the Rangers make it to the Conference Final and there was a whole big thing brought up that the Rangers were making the game boring by blocking shots. I thought it was exciting hockey. I thought the Rangers were doing what any other team in their position would be doing, trying to win the Stanley Cup (by whatever means possible). It was not a big deal before. I do not think it should have been now either.

The second issue that was widely discussed was the Rangers’ coach, John Tortorella, and his “behavior” with the media. During the playoffs, Torts began seem to become very curt with media in his post-game interviews. His answers were short, not very detailed, and at times abrasive. This was especially noticeable when the Rangers lost. The media seemed very perturbed by this. There were numerous complaints and comments thrown out at Tortorella over this. This he was not doing his job appropriately, that his actions were wrong, and the like. It was also comical. I know lots of fans who enjoyed what Torts was doing. They thought it was funny and intriguing to watch him play with the media this way.

In my opinion, Tortorella did this for two reasons, which I think were successful. One, it took attention away from the players. Everyone was up in arms over what he was doing and not blaming the players for mistakes they might have made. Coach Herb Brooks did something similar during the 1980 Olympic hockey games, when he refused the media access to his players. The attention was on him and not the players (though his motive was more about the team remaining a unit and not letting one individual shine above the others).

The second reason I think he did this was, as only some media critics pointed out, Tortorella had previously gotten in trouble with the media. Twice he was fined during the regular season for remarks that he made to the media. Those remarks cost him over $30,000. Now if it were me, after getting in trouble twice, maybe I would watch more carefully what I said to the media. Maybe I would not say very much, be so specific, or have some resentment. “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice …..” Fool me three times, I don’t think so! The less that you say, the less than can get you in trouble. If I am correct, I do not blame Torts for acting with the media the way he did.

Anyhow, this was a great season. While it did not end in June, it was still successful and well played. There is always next year.

On a personal note, I am happy to say that I am back on a New York City Gay Hockey (NYCGHA) team. I am now a proud member of the Wizards and hope to contribute to a very successful season (and many more in the future).

GO WIZARDS!!! [and Let’s Go Rangers!!!]

Follow the newest Wizard, Scott, on twitter: @moridin87

I figured since “my guy,” Rangers’ forward Marian Gaborik, won the MVP award at this year’s NHL All Star Game, perhaps I should say something about the event. The NHL All Star Game does not tend to be an exciting event. The game itself is a diet version of an average hockey game. There is little to no checking involved since no one wants to get hurt over this meaningless game (as opposed to the MLB ASG in which the winning conference gets home field advantage during the championship game at the end of the season).

It is a high scoring game but that is more due to the lack of physicality, as I just mentioned, which then lends to the goalies not having as much of a chance of stopping the puck. So the high scoring is a result of an overwhelming advantage for the players and not so much a result of “exciting play.” Players due make an attempt to showcase their talent during the game but in my opinion I believe the Skills Competition is where we really get to see the stars’ abilities on display. 

I approached the 2012 NHL All Star Game with a bit of dismay and disinterest. I have been disappointed in particular the last couple of All Star Games due to the fact the Sidney Crosby was not able to attend them. This year would unfortunately be another year without Crosby at the ASG as a result of the return of his post-concussion symptoms some weeks back. However, this year not only would Sidney Crosby be missing the ASG but Alexander Ovechkin would be out as well. Ovi decided he did not want to participate in the ASG in response to the league leveling him a 3-game suspension for a hit he made during a game.

Not to get into this topic too much, but personally I feel he was right for opting out of it. First off the ASG is supposed to be a fun break for the players from their normal schedule. If Ovi would have went he would undoubtedly been bombarded by the media about the suspension and what was supposed to be a fun weekend would have turned into a migraine.

Second, what does Ovi miss out on not going to the ASG? The un-competitive game that does not have any meaningful gain from winning?

The media circus and constant pressure they create (again for a meaningless game)? I do realize that I am going on giving excuses for how lame the ASG is and why it was alright for Ovi to skip it, while at the same time starting this chatter by saying that his absence was making me less interested in the ASG (meaning his absence would be having an impact).

So while I do feel Ovi was in his right to choose not to go I will admit it did have a negative impact on the ASG. And the reason for that is because Ovi has been one of the main attractions at the ASG.

His antics during the Skills Competition (such as putting on the straw hat and using 2 sticks during the breakaway competition) and his celebrity-personality are great attractions for this venue. Without him (and Crosby) I thought the ASG would lack greatly in entertainment.

I believe the Skills Competition is the real showcase of the NHL All Star Game (and not the game). We get to see star players compete against each other using the skills that make them stars. Those that are great at speed, race each other.

Those that are excellent “snipers” test their abilities in the Accuracy Competition. Etc. While there is plenty of humor and showmanship taking place during the Skills Competition, you can tell that they really are trying their best to excel at the skill they are competing to be the best in. 

The 2012 NHL All Star Skills Competition was a surprise hit for me, even without Ovi (or Crosby) and that is because others stepped up to the plate and put on a good show. Two rookies bested the veterans in the Fastest Skater Competition. Zdeno Chara destroyed his previous record in the Hardest Shot Competition by blasting the puck at 108.8 mph (previously it was 105.9).

But what really impressed me was the Breakaway Challenge. John Tavares and Sean Couturier displayed some magic with their abilities to control the puck.

The goalies (Carey Price and Brian Elliott) had fun trying to throw off the shooters by acting unusually, such as jumping around and waving their arms, covering their masks, or facing the wrong way. Corey Perry was entertaining by skating about five feet in, stopping, throwing his gloves and stick away, and then pulling out a mini-goalie stick with which he skated in on the goalie low and scoring. But the player who really stepped up to the plate and “knocked it out of the ballpark” was Patrick Kane. 

On his second attempt he donned a Superman cape and Clark Kent glasses and then proceeded to skate down the ice, purposely fall to go into a slide (as if flying), and then, using his hand, threw the puck onto his stick to knock the puck in to the net. On his third attempt, still wearing the cape and glasses, he skated in and took a slap shot at a puck that exploded into three pieces, demonstrating his “super” strength. The majority of fans agreed with me on this and voted Kane the winner of the Breakaway Challenge. 

The Skills Competition did not disappoint. So, while this year’s NHL All Star Game may not have featured THE players that would usually steal the show, the players who participated shined bright and proved why we call them Stars. See you in Columbus!

Stuff the 2013 ASG ballot box with the entire NYCGHA squad. You can follow team captain, Scott, on twitter: @moridin87

 “On Wednesday December 14th, 2011 HBO premiered the first episode of its original series “24/7 Rangers/Flyers: Road to the Winter Classic.” The show will follow the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers for the four weeks leading up to and including the NHL Winter Classic on January 2nd 2012.

NY Ranger Michael Del Zotto

The show is following the success of the incarnation last year, which did the same in following the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals for four weeks leading up to their showdown in the 2011 Winter Classic.  The show gives a behind the scenes look at the teams and what happens on and off the ice; i.e. what the coaches say in the locker room, what the players do on their “off” time, what the players are saying on the ice (they are mic’d up), etc.

As a Rangers fan, I was very excited about the show, having thoroughly enjoyed last year’s. While I have heard that a number of people were disappointed with the first episode, I enjoyed it a lot. I tend to like any hockey documentary but then again I like anything hockey.

Del Zotto and a friend

I can watch any game (even an Islanders game) and enjoy it.  

I was eager to watch the parts covering the Rangers as I would be able to put that which I have seen (games on TV) and know (from articles and reports in the media) into context from the behind the scenes point of view I would now get. 

Usually, as fans, the knowledge we gain about the teams we follow are from our own observations during games and what the media reports to us. Now I would be able to hear and see from the sources themselves what happened.

One MOAR time!

It is no longer that I know Del Zotto got hurt chasing the puck into his zone during a game but I can hear the sound of his collision into the boards, him yelling “f#%k!” and his reactions as the medical staff check him over.

The Rangers’ media outlets mention their work with the Garden of Dreams Foundation and you get the idea that the Rangers are a charitable group.

Now I get to watch the players as they spend time with the under-privileged children and the real effects it has on both the children and players.

According to most people I know, two “persons of interest” to watch throughout this documentary were going to be Coach John Tortorella (“Torts” as he is at times referred to) and Sean Avery. Tortorella can be difficult at times when dealing with the media. While he is known for saying things bluntly (like Bruce Boudreau,) he does not always get along with the media. He has done short press conferences or not answered certain questions to the frustration of reporters. He once told New York Post reporter Larry Brooks to “get the f#%k out of here” live on TV.

So it was going to be interesting to see how he would react with all the cameras being around the team. It did not seem to me like he let it affect him at all. In fact, he yelled at Brian Boyle at one point for making a mistake on the ice, which had led to a goal against, as a result of Boyle letting the mic on him mess with his head.

I am sure everyone was also curious to see if he would be dropping F-bombs the same as Capitals (at the time) Coach Bruce Boudreau had done so frequently on the program last year. While Tortorella did not, in at least this first episode, use the F-word as frequently, when he did say it I “felt” it. He was irate. Even I was scared to do something wrong while watching the show so as not to be on the receiving end of Tortorella’s wrath. 

Sean Avery was not on the Rangers squad when the NHL 2011-2012 season first started. He did not make the cut at the end of the pre-season and was sent down to the Rangers’ farm-team the Connecticut Whales (formerly the Hartford Wolf Pack). However, with all the injuries to players on the Rangers’ roster Avery was eventually placed on re-entry waivers and called up to play for the team again. Some critics questioned the move being so close to the start of the filming for the 24/7 documentary and asking if Avery was called up to have him around for the show more than for any other reason.

Sean Avery frequently seems to be surrounded by drama. He is the face of the NHL agitator (or some might say “pest”) and considered one of the most despised players in the league. He is hated on the ice for his mouthing off to everyone and his ability to get under other players’ skins. The NHL created a rule known as the “Sean Avery rule” for his acts in a game versus the New Jersey Devils. Avery parked himself in front of and facing Devil’s goaltender Martin Brodeur and began waving his stick in his face to obstruct Brodeur’s view of the puck.  (I happen to think that was kinda creative and funny).

The “Sean Avery” rule now makes that action illegal in a game. I (of course) have gotten super annoyed at him when he targets Sidney Crosby. Avery has also gotten some media attention for his support of same-sex marriage. He recorded a video in May of 2011 for the New Yorkers for Marriage Equality and had lobbied politicians in New York to support the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state. In a New York Times interview Avery discussed his support for the gay community and how he has made many gay friends through living in both LA and NY.

So with this reputation as a pest and the media attention he receives, what was going to happen with him in the show? Well, not much. There were some clips of him mouthing off to opponents and a scene with him in the locker room bouncing a tennis ball off his stick. The “feature” part on Avery was the cameras following him on his off-time to a fashion shoot (of all things). Avery is known for his “passion for fashion” and has been involved in the fashion scene as both a guest-editor for Men’s Vogue and as a model for men’s clothing (as shown in the episode). And that was it. No real drama if you ask me. Which leads me to think he was more likely re-called due to the injuries and not for the show. 

One thing that you can see in the show that was not focused at all on was some of the new renovations that were done to the aging Madison Square Garden (MSG), home to the Rangers (and New York Knicks). Early in the season the Rangers went on a long road-trip series in order to accommodate the construction going on at their home arena. The renovations were reportedly going to give the building a much-needed face-lift. I went to the Rangers vs. Penguins game on November 29th at MSG and was curious to see the changes made. I was very disappointed.

The only changes I noticed were that the “Team Store” was no longer located at gate 75 (it was one level lower now) and you could no longer walk around in a full circle around the concourse unless you were inside the arena by the seats.

The towers were now somewhat cut off from each other. Nothing else seemed different. After the game, I went on for several days telling friends how the renovations were awful and no “face-lift” existed. Boy was I proven wrong. On December 13th I was offered by a teammate of mine his 2 tickets to the Rangers’ game that night against the Dallas Stars.

I accepted them without even asking where the seats were. When I found out where the seats were located I almost passed out: Section 2 Row 1. (I sat in the 300’s section at the Pens game). I would be sitting right behind the net, at ice level. These tickets were also part of MSG’s new Delta Sky 360 Club. What does that mean you might ask? It means that these tickets included unlimited free food and drinks (alcoholic beverages were sadly not free though). This was an experience I will never forget.

My friend and I walked into the arena and felt like kids in a toy store. We were in awe the entire time. This whole section of the arena is so classy and chic. I was speechless for the first ten minutes we were there. I just could not believe it. This is what I am referring to that you get to see in the 24/7 episode.

Those areas where the players are going up escalators and heading to the locker rooms are the same ones we used to get to our seats. That is because the new locker rooms are located right next to the . When you see during the intermissions the players walking back to the locker room surrounded by glass walls and fans looking in, that is the 360 Club behind the glass walls. I was immensely impressed and will now back up that there was indeed a face-lift (I should note that I was told the renovations are not finished yet and more are still to come). It is unfortunate though that you can only experience this renovation if you have tickets in that area and not in the higher seats. I am definitely spoiled and will now have trouble sitting anywhere else at a game.

Seeing the players so up close and personal was so awesome. I flinched every time the puck came toward us and hit the glass and could almost feel every hit a player took against the boards.

I only hope my staring at Lundqvist for so long, being as he was so close, did not throw him off his game and cause him to give up the only goal scored, which resulted in the Rangers losing 0-1. But sitting that close, how can you not stare at him?!”

Follow Scott on twitter and you too could get that close to King Henrick: @moridin87

“Go the f@#k back to the Island b#%ch.” That’s a quote from a 10-year-old New York Rangers fan that sat a few seats away from me at a game at Madison Square Garden, to a 45-year-old New York Islanders fan.

There is nothing quite like a Rangers vs. Islanders game.
 
I started playing hockey at the “ripe old age” (I’m guessing according to Canadians at least) of 6. However, unlike our neighbors to the north, in New York City there was not much easy access to ice rinks or local ponds that have frozen over. So I played roller hockey. My friends and I would grab our rollerblades, sticks, and an orange hockey ball and head over to the local basketball courts to play a game of shinny.

My elementary school did not have an official hockey team and so those games were really the only opportunities for me, at the time, to play.

My mother once took my sister and me to go ice-skating. After skating for a bit, we went into the store there. I inquired about the possibility of learning to play ice hockey. My mother asked the clerk behind the counter how much the equipment would cost. I left the store with just a stick.

I continued to play roller hockey up until the end of high school. Hockey was big in my high school but I wasn’t really into that so I never tried out for the team, though I did play with them in their practice games.
 
I can explain how I started playing ice hockey in two words: Sidney Crosby. The 2005-2006 season could not start soon enough for me. Forget the lock-out, forget the new CBA, forget the new rules …. I wanted to see Sidney Crosby. Since the moment he put on the Pittsburgh Penguins jersey at the draft, and man did he looked good in it, I wanted to see him on the ice.

The way he moved, the way he played ………… Ok, sorry I lost my train of thought thinking about Crosby.

Anyhow, somehow there’s a connection to me playing ice hockey because of him yadda yadda yadda.

After learning how to properly “hockey-stop” and doing some prep-sessions I felt I was ready to start playing. But I did not know how to get onto a team.

That is when I was introduced to the New York City Gay Hockey Association (NYCGHA).  I never would have guessed that such a thing existed. It was a wonderful opportunity for me. I was apprehensive about joining a team for the first time but felt more assured that I would be welcomed being placed on a GHA team. And I was right! I went on to play for 5 seasons with the GHA including winning the championship in my second.
 
I grew up in New York City and so a part of me always has and always will be a Rangers fan. My first NHL game I attended was at the age of 5 when the Rangers hosted the Boston Bruins. I don’t remember much of the game itself except that the Rangers lost 6-3, my friend’s father bought me a puck, and we left before the final buzzer of the 3rd period. Since then, to this day, at every NHL game I attend I always buy a puck.

Brad Richards

I have been fortunate to attend many games since then and continue to do so. This season for the Rangers has been going very well although it did not start that way. The Rangers had a big signing during the off-season of Brad Richards with the hopes that his leadership and offensive qualities would be a big help to the team.

The Rangers were also one of the teams chosen this year to start the season in Europe. We were going to get the chance to see Henrik Lundqvist (a.k.a. “King Henrik”) perform on his native “soil” (ice) in Sweden.

Unfortunately, the Rangers were only able to return to New York with 2 points, having lost both games in Sweden in overtime to the LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks. Things did not get much better the next game with a loss to the hated rivals the Islanders. Things were not looking good.

The next game up was against the Vancouver Canucks who were coming off a great 2010-2011 season having made it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. This would be a tough game. The Rangers ended up blanking the Canucks 4-0 in a huge win.

From there, the Rangers have taken off playing some very good hockey, including a seven game winning streak. They are currently 4th place in the Eastern Conference, tied in points with Pittsburgh, and only 1 point behind the Flyers who are in first place.
 
Aside from being one of the teams chosen to play in Europe to start the NHL 2011-2012 season, the Rangers were also picked as one of the two teams to play in this year’s NHL Winter Classic outdoors game. The game would be against the Flyers and played in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park, home to the Phillies. This will be the Rangers’ first Winter Classic game with the Flyers having participated in and winning the 2010 Winter Classic against the Boston Bruins.

I am not so sure how I feel about the Winter Classic anymore. From a short-term perspective it is a lot of fun to watch and unique in that it is played out doors. But thinking long-term, as superstitious as most sports fans are, historically the winner of the Winter Classic has not done well when all is said and done. By that I mean, the winner of the Classic the first 3 years has gone to the Stanley Cup finals the same year and lost. The Penguins in 2008, the Red Wings in 2009, and the Flyers in  2010.

In fact the losers of the Winter Classic have had better success. The Blackhawks lost the 2009 Classic and won the 2010 Stanley Cup and the Bruins lost the 2010 Classic and won the 2011 Stanley Cup. So I am not totally sure how I feel about a team winning the Winter Classic. I am still very much looking forward to it.”

If you follow Scott on twitter, he may say nice things about us to Sean Avery: @moridin87