2014 Yankee Stadium Ranger Games - Part II

[JimmyG89]

The view is amazing from the upper levels. No blind spots at all. Can see everything happening. Sat in section 325 and had a great time. Walked over to section 305 by the foul pole and it was good. The fans were split. I expect the same for Wednesday. I'm still thawing off. Today feels like a summer day compared to yesterday. Was fine when first getting there. Was freezing during the 2nd and was good for the 3rd. Will be adding another layer for the night game.

The experience was awesome. There was a significant uncle daddy chant at least it could be heard in the distance. Marty blowing chunks was awesome. The Devils defense being pitiful was even better. Was hoping for more baseball type organ music. I know it is a devils/islanders home game, but having the Yankees announcers, ballpark not Michael Kay, would have made it fair, but I guess the Devils needed their guy. Will see what the Islanders have.

 

[Jackson Ranger]

I was in row 11 and you are right 224 was all rangers and 223 was mostly devils. I went with my kids and was really happy to see how civilized everyone was. Not much foul language. No fights. No drunks throwing up. A good time was had by all. Going back Wednesday with the guys. I imagine it will be a bit different. I also had the hospitality passes and as FYI, they are not the same as the legends food for Yankee game. Much less and not as fancy but it did have the open bar.

I was in 224, row 10. There were about 6 Devil fans in front of me and I thought the section was split with Ranger/Devil fans. I agree, everyone behaved themselves for the most part. I think I heard more Ranger fans talking/commenting and of course all of the Ranger fans participated in the M-A-R-T-Y chants.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

A plastic flask is a must!

Yeah, i brought two in. They were key to keeping warm. By the time the game started i didnt care that it felt like 5 degrees with the windchill.

 

[nhnyr88]

I know a hot topic on here was why the Rangers are the road team for both games. I also know the belief on here is because of the tax abatement. While it may be true, it may not have mattered. My brother-in-law's friend works for the NHL. Said to buy the home dates from the Rangers would have cost the NHL over $2MM more for each game. Said from the start it would have been home games for the Devils and Isles.

I still believe that if it wasn't for the tax issue there would be no NY Stadium Series at all, at least not yet. They would focus on holding a Winter Classic with the Rangers as the home team.

 

[patnyrnyg]

I still believe that if it wasn't for the tax issue there would be no NY Stadium Series at all, at least not yet. They would focus on holding a Winter Classic with the Rangers as the home team.

I disagree completely. 3 of the 4 games feature local rivalries. NBC allegedly has told the NHL they are not interested in a Rangers-Isles or Rangers-Devils Winter Classic. Secondly, the NHL could simply have Rangers-Bruins at Yankee Stadium as the Winter Classic and designate the Bruins as the home team. Would be silly, but would get around the tax issue, if it really is the issue this site believes.

 

[Gardner McKay]

I disagree completely. 3 of the 4 games feature local rivalries. NBC allegedly has told the NHL they are not interested in a Rangers-Isles or Rangers-Devils Winter Classic. Secondly, the NHL could simply have Rangers-Bruins at Yankee Stadium as the Winter Classic and designate the Bruins as the home team. Would be silly, but would get around the tax issue, if it really is the issue this site believes.

There have been multiple links posted in the thread about the tax issue Stadium Series in National Hockey League Talk.

As weird as it is, it is legitimate.

 

[Giacomin]

I disagree completely. 3 of the 4 games feature local rivalries. NBC allegedly has told the NHL they are not interested in a Rangers-Isles or Rangers-Devils Winter Classic. Secondly, the NHL could simply have Rangers-Bruins at Yankee Stadium as the Winter Classic and designate the Bruins as the home team. Would be silly, but would get around the tax issue, if it really is the issue this site believes.

Not that he is Mr. Hockey by any stretch of the imagination but WFAN devoted a large part of their show yesterday to Hockey. After Boomer and Carton was on Richard Neer of all hosts actually spent some time explaining the the whole tax issue and how it was put it under the Koch Administration and he explained that by playing a Rangers home game anywhere but at MSG in NYC they would forego about 17.4 million dollars in tax breaks.

 

[NYRFAN218]

The view is amazing from the upper levels. No blind spots at all. Can see everything happening. Sat in section 325 and had a great time. Walked over to section 305 by the foul pole and it was good. The fans were split. I expect the same for Wednesday. I'm still thawing off. Today feels like a summer day compared to yesterday. Was fine when first getting there. Was freezing during the 2nd and was good for the 3rd. Will be adding another layer for the night game.

The experience was awesome. There was a significant uncle daddy chant at least it could be heard in the distance. Marty blowing chunks was awesome. The Devils defense being pitiful was even better. Was hoping for more baseball type organ music. I know it is a devils/islanders home game, but having the Yankees announcers, ballpark not Michael Kay, would have made it fair, but I guess the Devils needed their guy. Will see what the Islanders have.

Yeah the organ was the one they use at Prudential too. Little disappointed that they didn't play the goal song because I really thought it was gonna be a neutral site type deal but I can't complain because it was their home game after all.

Fans wound up singing the goal song anyway which was awesome. Don't know how it came through on TV but that and the Marty chants were really loud at least where I was sitting up in 418.

 

[Islespuck89]

No, but just in case they used detectors or wands I used a plastic flask. But you could have brought anything in really. The people next to us brought two zip lock baggies filled with vodka. lol

Thanks for all the responses, looks like its warming up for Wed could be 16 degrees at game time.

I found one of the hard plastic 200ml (6oz) bottles of vodka in my freezer last nite!! I will be bringing that. Thermals, sweat pants, hoodie, my jersey, jacket, hand warmers and the booze should keep me warm.

 

[nevesis]

Yeah the organ was the one they use at Prudential too. Little disappointed that they didn't play the goal song because I really thought it was gonna be a neutral site type deal but I can't complain because it was their home game after all.

Fans wound up singing the goal song anyway which was awesome. Don't know how it came through on TV but that and the Marty chants were really loud at least where I was sitting up in 418.

I was in 418 as well, what row were you in? Some LOUD Marrrrrrrty chants going up.

 

[patnyrnyg]

There have been multiple links posted in the thread about the tax issue Stadium Series in National Hockey League Talk.

As weird as it is, it is legitimate.

Right, and those are all based off one writer's speculation when it was announced the Rangers were the road team for both games. If it really was the sole reason, why wasn't something official announced by the Rangers or the NHL? No, it was one guy who wrote an article, a bunch of hack bloggers ran with it and this place bought it hook line and sinker. If that was the issue, the NHL and Rangers could have tried to get an exemption for the game and the city would have granted it based on the revenue it was going to generate.

 

[patnyrnyg]

Yeah the organ was the one they use at Prudential too. Little disappointed that they didn't play the goal song because I really thought it was gonna be a neutral site type deal but I can't complain because it was their home game after all.

Fans wound up singing the goal song anyway which was awesome. Don't know how it came through on TV but that and the Marty chants were really loud at least where I was sitting up in 418.

I was disappointed they didn't play the Rangers goal song. Yes, it was a Devils home game, but let's be realistic, it was a neutral-site game. Only reason they need to designate a "home" team is for line changes and which team loses the game at their own arena. Not as if the Devils controlled the ticket sales or anything else. Rangers STH were given access to just as many tickets.

 

[Vickers8]

Pat Leonard‏@PLeonardNYDN

Brodeur complains about Stadium ice after being pulled

Very weak....I thought that he would complain about his equipment having holes in it...

 

[MrZ123]

The view from 229 Row 19 was amazing! Also partially covered so the snow didn't get us.

I still have 4 for Wed if anyone is interested.

 

[patnyrnyg]

Not that he is Mr. Hockey by any stretch of the imagination but WFAN devoted a large part of their show yesterday to Hockey. After Boomer and Carton was on Richard Neer of all hosts actually spent some time explaining the the whole tax issue and how it was put it under the Koch Administration and he explained that by playing a Rangers home game anywhere but at MSG in NYC they would forego about 17.4 million dollars in tax breaks.

I am well aware of the deal Koch made, after it was brought up on here I did a significant amount of research on the topic. My point never even came to that and was not the reason. Now, had the NHL WANTED the Rangers to be the home team and a deal couldn't be reached with the city, then it is a different story. From the start, it was going to be Rangers road games because it was cheaper for the league to do so.

 

[Made Dan]

For people in the bleachers, how bad was the view? Assuming its better as you go higher up.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Pat Leonard‏@PLeonardNYDN

Brodeur complains about Stadium ice after being pulled

Very weak....I thought that he would complain about his equipment having holes in it...

Brodeur always has an excuse. Even if he takes the blame for something, it comes with a caveat. And he seldom gives credit to the opposition. That's always bothered me. Hes an all-time great player, a living legend - but that attitude is mainly why I dislike him so much. Its really arrogant.

If I was a Devils fan i'd be furious with him, given his postgame comments. He seemed very nonchalant about how the game went down. Before the game when asked if he was starting he said something to the effect of "it would be nice to play a game one of these days" like he was owed it. Well, you need to go out and back it up then instead of running your mouth.

I know professional athletes are confident people with egos, they have to be that way to get to the level they are at. But that arrogance, again, is what drives me nuts about him. Devils fans have it difficult right now with him. Hes not all the great on a consistent basis any longer and they have a solid starter in Schneider that should be in there for a majority of the games, including yesterday. But we all know it was a ceremonial decision and Marty made them pay for it.

Im glad they chased him from the game. He was stinking up the joint. He really did a great job of shutting up the Devils fans in the second period.

 

[The Gloaming]

Yeah the organ was the one they use at Prudential too. Little disappointed that they didn't play the goal song because I really thought it was gonna be a neutral site type deal but I can't complain because it was their home game after all.

Fans wound up singing the goal song anyway which was awesome. Don't know how it came through on TV but that and the Marty chants were really loud at least where I was sitting up in 418.

I'm in 418 on Wednesday. What row were you in and how was the view?

 

[nhnyr88]

I am well aware of the deal Koch made, after it was brought up on here I did a significant amount of research on the topic. My point never even came to that and was not the reason. Now, had the NHL WANTED the Rangers to be the home team and a deal couldn't be reached with the city, then it is a different story. From the start, it was going to be Rangers road games because it was cheaper for the league to do so.

I just looked into this and for what it's worth the Rangers played a regular season home game in the Czech Republic vs Tampa Bay in 2008. Maybe the tax break isn't the issue after all? Maybe there was an exception for it being overseas?

 

[Baby Punisher]

Great time this afternoon....my 12oz flask definitely helped with the cold.

What would you guys recommend in the way of an acrylic ticket holder...want to keep this one.

Looking for something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Pro-1...ylic-Display-Slab-Beveled-Edges-/400621246393

I am having mine framed along with a few pictures we took of the day & the thank you card that came with the tickets.

 

[patnyrnyg]

I just looked into this and for what it's worth the Rangers played a regular season home game in the Czech Republic vs Tampa Bay in 2008. Maybe the tax break isn't the issue after all? Maybe there was an exception for it being overseas?

If a home game is played within NYC limits it applies. They also played neutral site games from 92-94 and one each year they were designated the home team. However, they played in Nova Scotia, I believe so it didn't apply.

 

[Baby Punisher]

Brodeur always has an excuse. Even if he takes the blame for something, it comes with a caveat. And he seldom gives credit to the opposition. That's always bothered me. Hes an all-time great player, a living legend - but that attitude is mainly why I dislike him so much. Its really arrogant.

If I was a Devils fan i'd be furious with him, given his postgame comments. He seemed very nonchalant about how the game went down. Before the game when asked if he was starting he said something to the effect of "it would be nice to play a game one of these days" like he was owed it. Well, you need to go out and back it up then instead of running your mouth.

I know professional athletes are confident people with egos, they have to be that way to get to the level they are at. But that arrogance, again, is what drives me nuts about him. Devils fans have it difficult right now with him. Hes not all the great on a consistent basis any longer and they have a solid starter in Schneider that should be in there for a majority of the games, including yesterday. But we all know it was a ceremonial decision and Marty made them pay for it.

Im glad they chased him from the game. He was stinking up the joint. He really did a great job of shutting up the Devils fans in the second period.

He is just a dick. In his mind he wasn't chased by the Rangers or pulled by the coach, he thinks he willingly gave up his spot so Schnieder could get "the experience".

 

[JimmyG89]

I'm in 418 on Wednesday. What row were you in and how was the view?

Went up to 418 as I have seats for the game wednesday. View is good. Not far away. If you have been to Yankee Stadium, the 400s are directly behind the 300s, them being higher up. You will see the entire playing surface. Obviously the further distance will make it seem very far as compared to MSG, But they are the best seats in the house. 400s and 300s Views Are Great.

 

[Giacomin]

I just looked into this and for what it's worth the Rangers played a regular season home game in the Czech Republic vs Tampa Bay in 2008. Maybe the tax break isn't the issue after all? Maybe there was an exception for it being overseas?

Only going by what was said on the radio yesterday the deal the Rangers signed with NYC back in 1984 only applies to Rangers playing at another venue in NYC. The genesis of the tax break was that in the early 80,s the Rangers had threatened to move to possibly New Jersey and MSG and the Koch administration reached a 10 year deal for the tax breaks which would extend as long as the Rangers never had a home game in NYC at another venue. The NHL wanted a Bruins/Rangers WC going back to when the original Stadium was around and they definitely wanted that game when the New Yankee Stadium opened. The only reason the Devils and Islanders got involved was the NHL way off circumventing this tax break. The NHL would take a Bruins/Rangers WC in Yankee Stadium in a heartbeat.

 

[GordonGecko]

If a home game is played within NYC limits it applies. They also played neutral site games from 92-94 and one each year they were designated the home team. However, they played in Nova Scotia, I believe so it didn't apply.

I dunno, the law seems to be ambiguous on that point:
http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S7362-2009

But, if it is true that only games in NYC must be at MSG, then that bodes well for a Winter Classic where the Rangers would be the home team at Metlife Stadium