Madison Square Garden ? for #11 nite

[DarkStar50 679]

Hi,

I have a ticket to Messier lovefest tonite at MSG. Its been a while since I've been to see the NYR live in person. Can you bring a small backpack into the building? I know I will be searched, this is NYC. I'm bringing a camera, binoculars since I'm in a suite above blue heaven and a backpack would be easy to carry my stuff.

Anybody know the rules and regulations at MSG?

[Vapor 0]

You can, it will be searched, but it is fine.

[DarkStar50 679]

Thanks, I just checked MSG website. It says no digital cameras so I guess I'll be stuffing that in my pants!

[Vapor 0]

yeah, they dont want them in there, but just put it in your pocket, but I think tonight they will let it slide

[pldhockey4 0]

is that a new rule?

because i got tons of pictures when i went to his last msg home game

[Jim A 4]

Peter, enjoy it!!

[#96 0]

Very well done. Great to see the '94 team including Kovalev. Congrats to Moose.

Did anyone notice how bored Neil Smith looked?

Or that Dana Reeve was kind of a babe in those little go-go boots?

[tuzzifan44 0]

Im not a Messier fan, but that presentation was excellent, and Dana Reeve did look pretty good ;)

[#96 0]

Yeah, I don't even know how she was singing with the lung cancer and all.

She goes on Howard Stern alot and he always comments on how cute she is. Nice job by her, hats off to her.

[Vapor 0]

yeah, so what if I cried, i twas touching. Seeing mess cry, made me cry GRG

[Chadd 916]

Very well done. Great to see the '94 team including Kovalev. Congrats to Moose.

Did anyone notice how bored Neil Smith looked?

Or that Dana Reeve was kind of a babe in those little go-go boots?

Nice wig too

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

I was a Ranger fan when they won in 94. I always like Mess, it seems like he was the reel leader. Fun to see Kovy, Nemchinov, Richter and the others there.

That was great!!!

[DarkStar50 679]

This is my night inside MSG last night. The electricity in the building was at full amp. I have never seen so many jerseys with the same #11 being worn in one place. If you owned a Messier jersey, last night you wore it to the Garden. Whether it was the classic white NYR or an NHL All-Star jersey, vintage Oilers jersey, or Canucks, those with #11 were wearing them with tons of pride and respect for Mark Messier. Before the game the seats behind the players benches were filled with different live TV spots going out. The fans were pumped. After warm-ups the red carpets were rolled out and JD started the night. After bringing out the Cup and the 94 team(its easy to forget Mike Hudson, Doug Lidster, Joe Kocur, Eddie O and other Black Aces who were so important but so unheralded), at 7:11 PM Mark Messier stepped onto the Garden ice. I will just give the short version to say everything he said came from the heart. When they moved down to the end of the arena to raise the banner, that was when it was really hitting home. It was #11 to the rafters for all time, forever. I was in the TPS Hockey suite courtesy of John Pagotto, President of TPS. The suite was directly in front of where the banner was being raised. When they raised the banner and Messier lifted the Cup one last time, it was a moment for the ages. The ultimate Captain, the true leader of an amazing team, had his most deserved honor and moment to share with everyone. The building was so loud that it was not until 1 AM when I watched replay on TV at home did I hear the music being played. The ceremony was perfect from start to finish. The players who honored Messier did so with the passion for Messier that Messier provided to them in their playing days. The pride these guys have for Messier and where Messier took them in their playing careers probably cannot be truly expressed in words. There is probably just a look, a nod, or an expression between teammates like that, that says what words cannot.

In our suite, there was a rumor Messier might stop by. We all know his association with TPS through his NYR days. The buzz was sometime during the 2nd period. The 3rd period started without Messier coming by. It didn't matter. I thought if he did make it, all I really wanted to do was shake the hand and feel the strength of one of the most powerful players in hockey history. Midway through the 3rd period as I watched the game, for some reason, I turned around from my seat. There he was, #11 Mark Messier. He had quietly slipped into the suite to say hello to the people in the business who knew him well. Yes, I did skake his hand and congratulated him for his honor and career. He must have heard that a million times over last night. It still felt good to say it personally to him. He talked with the people he recognized and those he did not know he treated as if he had known them long before last night. He looked totally relaxed as now the ceremony and its overwhelming pressure was behind him. He signed a few autographs and took pictures with us. I managed pictures of him talking with the new #11 banner and the 93-94 Cup banner in the background behind him. Even off the ice, in a suit, the intensity and fire that was Mark Messier could be easily felt. The man does have an aura. Quickly, it was time for him to go. He left our suite but not our memories. It was an amazing experience to be a part of.

I used to consider Mark Messier an Edmonton Oiler for life. No, Wayne Gretzky is an Edmonton Oiler for life. Mark Messier is a New York Ranger for life and forever.

[Miike 1]

Wow, seems like you had an awesome night! Must of been enjoyed by all!

[#96 0]

You know, as a Ranger fan, you like to think Mark Messier was only a Ranger. That the Cup win in '94 was the only cup win that mattered. And that, yes, he was an Oiler, but that #99 was the Forever Oiler, while #11 was the Forever Ranger.

But, Messier won the cup several times in Edmonton. He grew up there. He was an 18yr old kid playing there, and went on to win many cups for the Oilers.

So as much as I like to think Messier is only a Ranger, I would like to hear what Oilers fans would say about that. I know Gretzky was really in the limelight, and Mess was basically a number 2 guy there. So when the Cups were being won, everyone looked at Gretzky for delivering them. But when in New York, Messier's role was unquestionable. He brought the Cup to New York.

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

Classic pic of Mess and Gary Coleman...LOL

[Sven 1]

Dark, that is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. You can practically die now ;)

I always liked Messier more than Gretzky..