Bandwagon Critical Mass - When will it Happen?

[DiehardSince81]

I'm new to the board, but definitely not a bandwagon fan. Unfortunately, hockey is like that. Many people wait until the playoffs to follow the sport. I've been guilty of that myself in years when I lost interest due to lockouts turning me off. But I always come back.

It's natural that as the team goes deeper into the playoffs, the interest starts to climb. Many casual fans who "root for the Rangers when I watch hockey" start to climb aboard, then that's followed by people who like sports but don't care for hockey. Finally, you get the people who don't like sports or hockey at all but just want to associate themselves with the feel good situation and be a part of the celebration. Those will come if and when the Rangers are very close to winning it all. Estimate: 2 wins in the finals. That's when critical mass will occur.

I myself can't understand people who like sports but don't like hockey. They're the same ones who complain about baseball being too slow, football getting weak with not being allowed to hit, and basketball not mattering until the final few minutes. Hockey has all of that, and NOTHING is more exciting than playoff hockey in the 3rd period of a close game, or overtime. Not the NFL, not MLB playoffs, nothing.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

i just wonder where everyone was when we weren't too good back in October, that's all. if you're gonna wait till now to show pride, why not keep up all year round?

Well, I agree with you there but in the end, we all know who are the real fans and who have been here through thick and thin.

 

[Miamipuck]

I welcome any and all to the bandwagon, who cares if their childhood wasn't subjected to punishment meted out by watching Carol Vadnais, Lucien Deblois or Eddie Johnstone nightly. Who cares if the glory days before 1994 didn't involve Pierre LaRouche and Walt Podubbny. I don't, bring them on!

Seriously, it's no badge of honor that I can hear "Shoot the Puck Barry, shoot the puck" in my nightmares.

 

[Nanaki]

I think it may be here now

 

[RangersFan]

Anyone who isn't from the old boards is a bandwagoner in my book

 

[Ilovemymum]

Anyone who isn't from the old boards is a bandwagoner in my book

The blackboard era?

 

[AlternateSideParking]

There's nothing wrong with a bandwagon. In fact, it can only help the amount of attention the team gets.

Fans have been complaining that the Rangers never got enough coverage. Now some complain they're getting too much. Make up your mind already.

1994 was a special circumstance. The current team is also unique in its own way.

The best thing about the bandwagon is that it turns Isles and Devils fans into Rangers fans - love it when that happens, and it most certainly happens no matter what the 19 Devils and Isles fans left tell you

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I think it may be here now

I work in Columbus Circle and was pretty surprised to see that.

 

[GordonGecko]

I work in Columbus Circle and was pretty surprised to see that.

It was in Herald Square before, and they're going to move it again this week. I think they make ron duguay hang out there too

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

It was in Herald Square before, and they're going to move it again this week. I think they make ron duguay hang out there too

So it gets moved around?

I thought more and more were just popping up around the city, much like the bandwagoners.

 

[adam graves]

50 year ranger fan.

Always welcome bandwagon fans for they are tomorrows diehard.

LGR!

 

[Miamipuck]

There's nothing wrong with a bandwagon. In fact, it can only help the amount of attention the team gets.

Fans have been complaining that the Rangers never got enough coverage. Now some complain they're getting too much. Make up your mind already.

1994 was a special circumstance. The current team is also unique in its own way.

The best thing about the bandwagon is that it turns Isles and Devils fans into Rangers fans - love it when that happens, and it most certainly happens no matter what the 19 Devils and Isles fans left tell you

You sir are a noted exaggerator, aren't you? That # is way too optimistic.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

You sir are a noted exaggerator, aren't you? That # is way too optimistic.

There are more 8 year old Rangers fans in Winnipeg then there are total Devils fans in NJ.

 

[KingWantsCup]

If we win tonight 2:58 is what bandwagon critical mass will look like.

The band wagoners are the zombies. The real rangers fans are the normal people. Everyone is rushing for Finals tickets. God help us all.

 

[BringBackLibertys]

I don't mind the band wagoners, the truth is a few will stick around. I have been following the team since the mid 70s, and no matter how bad they sucked I couldn't look away. I even loved Barry, and never have nightmares about him not shooting.

Next year, when we are all here reminding people that we WILL fit everyone under the cap, and actually not forfeit games, it will feel like home again.

 

[BlueShirts702]

Out here in Vegas I was wearing my Ranger hat after Game 4 and went to the South Point (An off strip casino) to cash my winning Ranger ticket and as soon as I got out of the elevator a Let's go Rangers chant erupted. Lots of New Yorkers here in Vegas. It was awesome.

 

[Blueshirt13]

NYC taxi's are showing videos highlighting there is a game tonight... Operation Create Bandwagon Fans = Complete

 

[CommaSynapse]

Here in Queens.

Walking to 7-11 the night of Game 5 wearing a Leetch jersey. On the way back, had a guy scream out his car window "WOOO! LET'S GO RANGERS!" as he sped by.

I was in Target yesterday morning wearing a Zuccs jersey. I'm about the same height as Zuccs, and my hair's getting a bit unruly, so I'm in line, I hear "ZUCCS!" and I turn around and there's a few firefighters. The guy said, "make sure you show up to play tomorrow!" Too bad I don't make Zuccs money.

It's happening.

 

[CHGoalie27]

Here in Queens.

Walking to 7-11 the night of Game 5 wearing a Leetch jersey. On the way back, had a guy scream out his car window "WOOO! LET'S GO RANGERS!" as he sped by.

I was in Target yesterday morning wearing a Zuccs jersey. I'm about the same height as Zuccs, and my hair's getting a bit unruly, so I'm in line, I hear "ZUCCS!" and I turn around and there's a few firefighters. The guy said, "make sure you show up to play tomorrow!" Too bad I don't make Zuccs money.

It's happening.

Driving in Boynton Beach, FL...I spot a dude in a silver Mitsubishi, NYR plate cover. We end u shouting at each other for half a mile.
Lets get to the dance tonight dammit!!!

 

[Hemlawk86]

I live at the jersey shore and I'm starting to see Rangers gear down here. And it's locals, not bennies.

Lots of people down here are catching the fever.

 

[GordonGecko]

It's kinda funny hearing Francesa talking hockey for 75% of his show. Dude obviously knows nothing about hockey, but I'm not going to knock him for trying. He should be trying all year long though.

In the span of two days he went from "Stefan", to "Steppin", to "Stepahn is one of the best Ranger players"

 

[RiceCooker]

Lol Francesa...I remember him saying he could never work at a sports radio station in Boston because he would have to talk about hockey.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

I don't mind the "band-wagon" fans.

Actions have consequences, and the fair-weather fans will pay for their indecisiveness.

These so called "fans" will really feel like silly-nannies at the ticker tape parade when the HF Boards 5000+ post count float travels down victory lane at the ticker tape parade, and the lesser fans will have to watch the real fans glory.

Alas, I barely have 500 posts. My family's season tickets since 1980 be damned, I will not be on that float. I've made my bed, and I will lay in it.

LGR!

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

I think it may be here now

Tin foil hat much!

I'm sure setting up a Rangers marquee was accomplished by real fans applying for a permit from Mayor De Blasio's office.

I doubt there was any corporate influence on the Columbus circle or any other sightings

 

[Nanaki]

Tin foil hat much!

I'm sure setting up a Rangers marquee was accomplished by real fans applying for a permit from Mayor De Blasio's office.

I doubt there was any corporate influence on the Columbus circle or any other sightings

I am wearing a tin foil hat. Are you watching me???