After our rest in the hotel room we met up with the Winklers around 5pm in the Lobby and headed out to the game. As forecast there had been a significant change in the weather so for the first time we needed to take a jacket. We took off down 7th Avenue for the walk to Madison Square Garden. We stopped at Al's Deli again for dinner before making our way into the stadium.
We passed through security and then separated from the Winklers as we had seats in different areas. Tonight we knew exactly where to go as we were again in Section 115, Row 18. Before taking our seats we wandered through the shop. The Knicks merchandise of last night had been completely replaced with Rangers gear, especially heritage items as they were playing in the heritage jersey tonight. Connor made a small purchase of a pack of 50 Rangers hockey cards.
We were really happy with our seats. It was amazing to think that only last night we were sitting in the same stands watching basketball and tonight there was a full sheet of ice, boards and plexi. The kids also loved that everyone received free New York Pride Rangers t-shirts.
As is usual at MSG there were a handful of celebrities watching the game. Tonight a Sports Illustrated model, and actors, Johnny Lee Miller and Tom Cavanagh.
After the formalities of the national anthems of Canada and America the game got underway. It was a good close tussle. After the first period it was nil all. We saw our first score in the second period. By full time it was a 2 all tie. Next 5 minutes overtime 4 on 4. As both teams failed to score in overtime it was down to a shoot out. We sure seem to be getting value for money from our tickets.
In the shootout, the Rangers chose to shoot first. The shot from the first shooter from each team was stopped by the goalie. The second Rangers shooter scored and the roof nearly lifted off the Garden. The second shooter for the Maple Leaf's was blocked. In turn the final shooter for the Rangers was also blocked. It was now up to Henrik Lundqvist, the goalie, to secure the win by blocking the final Toronto shooter from scoring. The feeling, and noise, in the stadium as the Toronto player skated towards Lundqvist was electrifying. The shot was blocked. The Rangers won 3-2 in a shootout.
We left MSG and began the walk back to the hotel. There was a noticeable drop in the temperature and it was obvious that it had been raining during the game. We made it most of the way back before all of a sudden there was a torrential down pour of rain. We sheltered briefly before realising it wasn't going to stop any time soon and so ploughed on. Needless to day we were all soaked through by the time we got back to the hotel. That didn't dampen Ryan's spirits though, he was still able to "force" himself to eat his tub of Ben and Jerry's ice-cream before we all crawled into bed knowing we would have another busy day tomorrow trying to make sure we cover everything that is on our NY must do list.
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