Momentarily, anyway, after left-winger Carl Hagelin of the New York Rangers tied the score with a nice goal in the second period of Game 4 of the Rangers’ first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thanks to my friend Paul Lindstrom (yes, that’s us, silhouetted against the rink), we got to sit in his company’s fancy box in Madison Square Garden. This may have been my first time in a box, and the view was much better than I expected–second level seats. Unfortunately, it was a view of lackluster Ranger performance, who lost 7-2. The team showed little little drive, littlfire, checked only intermittently, and authored more turnovers than Sara Lee. Their impotent power play underdid itself and gave up a short handed goal, and then, worse, they gave up an own goal. Awful. The Penguins took a three games to one lead, and are now poised to eliminate the dragging Rangers tonight. (Just for the record, I maintain that that is future Hall of Famers Sidney Crosby and Eugenie Malkin, author of very pretty turnaround goal, in the photo at far left.) But who cares? I just enjoyed going into the city, mingling with the crowd, feeling the excitement, , seeing the interesting changes that have been made to Madison Square Garden, hanging with Paul, and eating a decent sausage sandwich without getting heartburn. It was fun! (And again, for the record, the Rangers not only came back and won the next three games, but went all the way to the Finals.)
