At the Garden last night, with my father, watching the Rangers I saw something I hadn't seen in over a decade....and never prior to 1994....satisfaction. In past years happiness on the face of my dad at a Ranger game was as hard to come by as a newspaper without Brad and Angelina on the cover. Frankly, I'm amazed that he came back to watch hockey at all this season after the lock out.

You don't my father, but you know the type. He is from a breed of gentleman who actually waited the 54 years to see the Rangers win that elusive Stanley Cup. These are the men who watched their beloved Brooklyn Dodgers leave for California and never watched baseball again. Men who loved John Davidson when he was between two red steel pipes rather than Sam Rosen and Al Trautwig. Stubborn, angry men, who regardless of deteriorating eyesight continue to sit in the 400's and scream at the revolving door of mercs that have flooded the Garden ice for the past 7 years till they are hoarse. They still scream, but its a different kind of scream. One of approval, for a New York Ranger team that shows up every night, puts forth an effort worthy of support and finally, for the first time in over 10 years, a team that actually cares about the jersey they wear.

Granted, last night, while my dad was happy, (he loves Ville Neimenen, "that son of bitch works his ass off!"), the Rangers fell apart in the final two minutes and gave the game to Philadelphia. In the spirit of so much giving, big Don happily taught the five year old in the row ahead of us a variety of words he probably won't ever hear again, unless he does time. It was good to see the old man back, it reminded me of how far this team really has come.

This New York Ranger team has done a lot to bring hockey back to this city. It's still not recognized by the papers as far as back covers (unless Messier retires), but even Larry Brooks can't be pissed off this year. You've made a lot of old men happy very proud this year guys. Keep up the great work!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh