An Extremely Touching Game Opener

[Rebecca]

oh my...

the home opener game for the NY Rangers has made me cry! Did anyone watch it or even get to go??? It was incredible. Actually, the game hasn't even started yet but the opening ceremony is incredible.

It started with the NYPD and the NYFD ice hockey players coming out on the ice. Many had ribbons and pictures of their loved ones pinned to them. Messier came out wearing a NYFD helmet with a picture of a fallen hero. The crowd went wild! they were chanting U-S-A U-S-A.

Next the Buffalo Sabres came out. They had these AWESOME jerseys on that said NEW YORK all the way accross the chest. These were made specially for this game and will only be worn tonight, then signed and auctioned off for charity funds for the victims and families.

I cannot believe how incredible this is. John Davidson's speech started out, "...this isn't just the return of the NY Rangers, it's the return of New York City.". The crowd went wild! There will be 80 seats donated for the families at every game. And the goal siren will be a fire engine. WOW you should have seen this!!!!

The entire ice is covered with firefighters. Now a moment of silence.....
*sniffle

Wow, can't wait to hear the anthem. I'll be back in a few. (no time to check typos LOL)

Rebecca Breitel
ECRHA, Chairman/MAR, Referee In Chief
http://www.ecrha.net
http://www.crhl.net

Rebecca

[poptart]

Nice story Rebecca....I went to the Carolina Hurricanes Home opener Friday night aganist the Rangers......The Hurricanes honered a guy at the game that carried a women in a wheelchair down 68 flights of stairs out of the WTC to safety...As well the canes had some nice words to say the rangers...Its good to see the NHL honering true heros....

[gentdj]

It was truly special to be among those attending the game. The feeling in the arena is one that can't be properly captured with words. I had gone to the two preseason games on the two prior Sundays and at all three games the crowd and the team showed how classy and proud New York really is. At the preseason game against the Bruins (3-0 win by the Rangers), the in-arena camera found a guy holding a sign with a picture of a fallen firefighter with his name and "We Know You Are Watching" written on it. Now I have been in the Garden during sold out playoff games, and the ovation that the sign received from the far-less-than-full crowd was louder than I ever heard before and doubt to hear again.
Last night came close when the NYPD and FDNY hockey teams stepped on but, perhaps because it is a little bit farther away, it didn't garner quite the same responce. Still, seeing the firefighter give Mess his chief helmet was amazing ... not to mention seeing people applaud the officers as they were walking around the arena was heartwarming.
I love NY - cheesy but unrefutable ...

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