Stop #8 - Wild @ Rangers, 2/4/04
I haven't been bringing my journal with me lately because, well, it hasn't been much of a tour lately. Same ol', same ol' Rangers and Devils games. Not to say I haven't been having a lot of fun though.
Richter Night was stop #8 for me, and I'd been looking forward to it ever since my dad got me tickets in October. I went with my friend Bret. Anyways, the game wasn't all that good, the Rangers lost 4-3. First time I'd seen Jagr as a Ranger, so that was always a plus...he played pretty well, too. I got to see Dwayne Roloson, which was good, because I'd already seen Manny Fernandez play for the Wild in 01-02. But after the game was some of the most fun I'd had in recent memory. I got to meet quite a few former and current Rangers. The former players I met were Nick Fotiu, Jan Erixon, Stephane Matteau, Nick Kypreos and Adam Graves. Meeting Gravy was quite the epxerience, let me tell you (some would argue it was "tremendous.")
I also met Jussi Markkanen, Mike Dunham, Tom Poti, Lawrence Nycholat, Dan Blackburn, Jamie Lundmark, Jed Ortmeyer, Dale Purinton and Boris Mironov. Got my picture with Graves, Erixon, Markkanen, Dunham and oh yeah, Matthew Barnaby. Got his auto for the first time and got a pic with him, awesome!
As for the ceremony itself, it was everything I was expecting it to be. Getting to see the jersey number of my favorite player get raised to the rafters was quite an experience. I'll make sure I go to as many jersey retirements as I can, they're pretty great.
Stop #9 - Rangers @ Devils, 2/11/04
You could argue that I had a better time at the Rangers-Devils game on the 11th. How often do you get to see the Rangers beat the Devils these days, no less in New Jersey. I went to the game with my dad, which is always an experience in itself, but I mean that in a good way. It's good to spend time with him in whatever way possible, and I'd love to go to more hockey games with him. This is his first time seeing the Rangers. I'll never, ever sit in section 217 again, but that's a different story. Nothing bad, just not my kind of people. Anyways, the game itself was a good one. The Dan LaCouture goal was rather sweet, and Mike Dunham actually played well. Good stuff.
Stop #10 - Devils @ Rangers, 2/21/04
But then we go to the game at the Garden on the 21st. I met a guy in Queens using the Subway by myself just to get the ticket, so you know I was really looking forward to this one. Not so much. 7-3, Devils win. I sat in the lower level, behind the net, not quite where my ticket really was, but who cares. Anyway, I was on my own for this one...which led to a lot of screaming and cursing, etc. This wasn't even a good game, regardless of who won. Dunham stunk up the show in the 1st, yet came out for the 2nd. He gave up a goal then and got pulled. Great. Not fun.
Stop #11 - Thrashers @ Rangers, 3/2/04
The Rangers didn't beat Atlanta on March 2nd, but I still had fun. This will forever be known as "The Don King Game." I was waiting around by Gerry Cosby's at around 4 in the afternoon when I see someone who looks like Don King walking outside waving little American flags around. Sure enough, it was him. I had nothing better to do, so I walked over and got my picture taken with him. How cool is that!? Dunham sucked early, got pulled and Jussi came in. Pasi Nurminen was in goal for the ATL, Cassivi backed up. I saw Heatley and Kovalchuk score, didn't catch a practice puck Tom Poti threw me and met a bunch of guys before and after the game, too. I'm working on getting a yearbook signed, and I got about 10 guys to sign it. Historically, this game will be known as the last time Brian Leetch wore a Rangers jersey. Same with Nedved, Kovalev and Markkanen. But to me, this is the Don King game.
Stop #12 - Blackhawks @ Devils, 3/11/04
And today, stop #12, March 11, 2004; I saw my 24th different team play, the Chicago Blackhawks. They were in New Jersey and this was a shootout. The Devs won, 6-4, beating the Michael Leighton backstopped Blackhawks. I really thought the Devils might start Scott Clemmensen, but for the 21st time I'd be seeing Martin Brodeur. He got his 398th win tonight, he'll get 399 if he beats Philly on Saturday and that would put him on pace to collect 400 in New York on Monday. And I just so happen to have a ticket for that one. So, for Saturday and Monday only, Go Devils!!! The only other game I have a ticket for is the Sabres-Rangers game on March 31st, possibly Mark Messier's last home game as a Ranger. But, I am working on a trip to Philly, I can't believe I haven't been there yet!