My first trip into Madison Square Garden tonight

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

OK, I made my first foray into MSG tonight for the Rangers vs Sabres game. It was an OK game, no great shakes. It's awesome walking in as you enter from 32nd Street, You kinda just wander in past giant banners of the only player who played there, Mark Messier. I kid I kid. The building just kind of envelops you as you head in. So you go in and take a few escalators up and up and up to your level. I was in section 215. While it looks fresh for the most part you can tell you're in an old building. The ends of the concourse are very narrow. VERY narrow. They have footlong hot dogs! Big ups there. Damn straight. The fans seemed very friendly (Of course I was wearing my authentic Reggie Dunlop Chiefs sweater which just tends to make friends whever it goes) and knowledgeable. Now, that knowledge is not all seeing, it ends when it comes to seeing things through Ranger colored glasses. The guy sitting next to my wife was screaming, I mean screaming for a too many men on the ice call against Bufflalo as two guys came on and the other two went off a tad slow but not penalty worthy. Sure, if one of the guys coming on had played a puck or touched it, you'd get the call. He seemed angry about a lot of calls to be honest. They are very very passionate. And LOUD. That place holds sound in. It feels like it's rocking when they score. And that chant when they do is pretty cool---Goooooooal Gooooooooal Goooooooal HEY HEY HEY is fun. My wife and I were doing that.

Some other observations:

*I've never seen an arena empty like that place between periods for the bar (where most said they'd be headed) or the food line. Entire rows go missing.

*It' is COLD inside. I mean runny nose cold in there. Good for the ice, not always great for fans.

*I like how the scoreboard while the penalty time is ticking along has the reason for the penalty listed.

*Tiny bathrooms compared to Joe Louis Arena, or in Nashville, Columbus, Chicago, or New Jersey, all the places I've now seen pro hockey games.

*Sean Avery is a hero there. There were dueling Av-ery Av-ery chants when they couldn't make them work as one.

*Several gals would kick up a chant of FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT whenever there was a scrum. Loved that

*My wife asked my how stupid a franchise has to be to retire the same number for two different guys. She has a valid point ya know? Both Andy Bathgate and Adam Graves have #9 retired.

*It looks bright on TeeVee but trust me, it's dark and dingy looking down at the ice from the stands.

*After the game you're in the middle of New York City, makes looking for a boffo place to eat pretty f*ing easy

My night in MSG, I'll happily go back as I'm making New York City my second home now. I'm gonna weigh 900lbs by September, the food here is that good

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

OK, I made my first foray into MSG tonight for the Rangers vs Sabres game. It was an OK game, no great shakes. It's awesome walking in as you enter from 32nd Street, You kinda just wander in past giant banners of the only player who played there, Mark Messier. I kid I kid. The building just kind of envelops you as you head in. So you go in and take a few escalators up and up and up to your level. I was in section 215. While it looks fresh for the most part you can tell you're in an old building. The ends of the concourse are very narrow. VERY narrow. They have footlong hot dogs! Big ups there. Damn straight. The fans seemed very friendly (Of course I was wearing my authentic Reggie Dunlop Chiefs sweater which just tends to make friends whever it goes) and knowledgeable. Now, that knowledge is not all seeing, it ends when it comes to seeing things through Ranger colored glasses. The guy sitting next to my wife was screaming, I mean screaming for a too many men on the ice call against Bufflalo as two guys came on and the other two went off a tad slow but not penalty worthy. Sure, if one of the guys coming on had played a puck or touched it, you'd get the call. He seemed angry about a lot of calls to be honest. They are very very passionate. And LOUD. That place holds sound in. It feels like it's rocking when they score. And that chant when they do is pretty cool---Goooooooal Gooooooooal Goooooooal HEY HEY HEY is fun. My wife and I were doing that.

Some other observations:

*I've never seen an arena empty like that place between periods for the bar (where most said they'd be headed) or the food line. Entire rows go missing.

*It' is COLD inside. I mean runny nose cold in there. Good for the ice, not always great for fans.

*I like how the scoreboard while the penalty time is ticking along has the reason for the penalty listed.

*Tiny bathrooms compared to Joe Louis Arena, or in Nashville, Columbus, Chicago, or New Jersey, all the places I've now seen pro hockey games.

*Sean Avery is a hero there. There were dueling Av-ery Av-ery chants when they couldn't make them work as one.

*Several gals would kick up a chant of FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT whenever there was a scrum. Loved that

*My wife asked my how stupid a franchise has to be to retire the same number for two different guys. She has a valid point ya know? Both Andy Bathgate and Adam Graves have #9 retired.

*It looks bright on TeeVee but trust me, it's dark and dingy looking down at the ice from the stands.

*After the game you're in the middle of New York City, makes looking for a boffo place to eat pretty f*ing easy

My night in MSG, I'll happily go back as I'm making New York City my second home now. I'm gonna weigh 900lbs by September, the food here is that good

My guess is along with the old building, the ice isn't very good in MSG, hense the cold temps. In my experience in watching games, players are always complaining about the ice there.

[NEEDMOREGRIT 12]

Nice review

[softshoes 83]

Footlong hotdogs, nuf said :thumbup:

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

*It looks bright on TeeVee but trust me, it's dark and dingy looking down at the ice from the stands.

The last couple of NBC Sunday games from MSG, it looked like the worst lighting was at the ends of the rink, the width of the surface. But, it is an old building.

When in NYC:

1) Wallet in the front pocket,

2) Try to ignore the smells

3) Limit eye contact.

[kook_10 1,705]

The last couple of NBC Sunday games from MSG, it looked like the worst lighting was at the ends of the rink, the width of the surface. But, it is an old building.

When in NYC:

1) Wallet in the front pocket,

2) Try to ignore the smells

3) Limit eye contact.

check that...

When in Jersey City:

1) Wallet in the front pocket,

2) Try to ignore the trash

3) Take valuables out of car.

I am in downtown JC as well.

Have you been to the Prudential Center?

[Holmstrom96 347]

The last couple of NBC Sunday games from MSG, it looked like the worst lighting was at the ends of the rink, the width of the surface. But, it is an old building.

When in NYC:

1) Wallet in the front pocket,

2) Try to ignore the smells

3) Limit eye contact.

Thanks for the tips, I'm headed that way in June, staying on 57th street.

[edicius 3,269]

I love, love, LOVE going to games at MSG. And it's so damn convenient too. Hop on NJ Transit, ride into Penn Station, go upstairs. Boom, you're there. Haven't been able to go to any this season (just haven't been able to afford it this year), but went to quite a few in the past (including at least one Wings/Rangers game where we got pummeled). Fans at MSG are actually pretty decent. A lot of good-natured ribbing back and forth but nothing overly vicious, y'know? They know their hockey and they love their hockey.

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

check that...

When in Jersey City:

1) Wallet in the front pocket,

2) Try to ignore the trash

3) Take valuables out of car.

I am in downtown JC as well.

Have you been to the Prudential Center?

Yes, I have been to the Prudential Center, 5 or 6 times. VERY nice facility. Cheerleaders, UGH

[I Red Wings I 40]

I went to MSG back in November '04 to see the Knicks and Raptors play. That place has a lot of escalators, but it's well worth making a visit for any sporting event, after all it is MSG

Edited March 22, 2009 by I Red Wings I

[Nev 1,085]

My guess is along with the old building, the ice isn't very good in MSG, hense the cold temps. In my experience in watching games, players are always complaining about the ice there.

IIRC it was at MSG that Bure first blew at his knee - caused by a rut in the ice - which led to his retirement several years later.

[JPT 26]

Thanks for the tips, I'm headed that way in June, staying on 57th street.

Get a prime rib sandwich they only sell them on the concourse outside of section 335. Its worth it!

[Drake_Marcus 890]

The last couple of NBC Sunday games from MSG, it looked like the worst lighting was at the ends of the rink, the width of the surface. But, it is an old building.

When in NYC:

1) Wallet in the front pocket,

2) Try to ignore the smells

3) Limit eye contact.

Really? Man I'd get killed in NYC. I'm one of those Canadians that are terrible at not being friendly

[SuperNovaXll 124]

I have been to many games at MSG. While I honestly have to say...MSG is kind of a dump...the fans are great! They are crazy loud, chant all the time and really get into the game.

Good review!

[SuperNovaXll 124]

The last couple of NBC Sunday games from MSG, it looked like the worst lighting was at the ends of the rink, the width of the surface. But, it is an old building.

When in NYC:

1) Wallet in the front pocket,

2) Try to ignore the smells

3) Limit eye contact.

Sorry for the double post but...

Its really not that bad. (outside of the smells lol)

Just dont do anything stupid and you wont get your ass kicked....or stabbed.

[smosier 0]

MSG is one of the best places to watch a hockey game. It's "the world's most famous arena"....

Nassau Coliseum is horrible, as well as the Prudential Center... so be happy you have MSG to go to...

All of your complaints will be fixed once the renovations are finished anyhow!

As for as retiring numbers go... if the player hasn't retired, what do you expect. The Rangers weren't big on retiring numbers, then they win the cup in 95 and retire half of the team. Adam Graves is an integral part in many charities and active in the youth hockey community, as well as scoring 50 goals in 95!!! So he deserved it... (Even though the Wings drafted him.... !)

I am an implanted Detroiter in NYC as well. I have lived hear for 10 years, and the one cool thing about hockey in this city is that the community is tight knit.... Especially, if you play hockey here.

Enjoy!

[smosier 0]

Seriously, it's the biggest city in the world... it's very safe, don't be so sheltered.

You'll get robbed at the Joe way easier than MSG... !!!

Sorry for the double post but...

Its really not that bad. (outside of the smells lol)

Just dont do anything stupid and you wont get your ass kicked....or stabbed.

[smosier 0]

The ice is great, I've skated there a few times.... back in the 90s the NHL didn't have standards in place for ice conditions, like they do now.

IIRC it was at MSG that Bure first blew at his knee - caused by a rut in the ice - which led to his retirement several years later.

[Williams29fan 6]

Everytime the rags play at MSG and i am watching i always complain about the lighting.... It drives me nuts.