New York maybe a baseball town but its hockey fans are the most rabid. My friend and ex-boss John exemplifies the rabid Ranger fan. His two sons and one daughter all play hockey in high school and college. His wife is also a fan and they proudly fly the Ranger flag proud at their suburban Rockland County home.
They have suffered through 54 years without a Stanley Cup from 1940 to 1994 as well as ineptitude management by both the Garden and NHL. If that isn't three strikes, I don't know what is.
Former NJ D*vil, Scott Gomez, gets loud cheers. The cheers grow even louder goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Finally, the loudest cheers are for 1994 hero Brian Leetch who drops the ceremonial first puck.
The real puck is dropped moments later.
At 37 seconds, Rozsival scores assisted by Drury and Jagr. Whoa! Is this a repeat of my last Ranger game, 7-0.
Carl the Bell Hop is dressed in goalie gear. Friend and former co-worker Rich explains that the Rangers were looking for someone to wear goalie gear all about town. They filmed various spots around town from rowing a boat with a hockey stick in Central Park, riding a pedicab, riding in a cab, etc. They are all funny moments but why didn't they ask me? Didn't they see me in a Frosty the Snowman outfit trying to cheer my colleague up after 9/11 at my firm's 2001 company holiday party . Anyway, Carl the Bell Hop now has season tickets. Good onion Carl.
Julia Stiles and Peta Nemcova are the celebrities featured on the Garden Jumbotron. Getting a picture with A-Rod is cool but I would rather have my photo with either one of those beautiful ladies. 
Nina from work asks me for the score and it was Indians 4 - Yankees 1. While waiting in the food line, I hear screams coming from fans watching the TV down the way. The Yankees thankfully score a run and close the margin to 4-2.
The food line is taking forever. The Panthers tie the score and then take the lead 2-1 just after I got to my seat. What do you expect being outshot 14 to 6. Darn it!
The fans behind me start comparing the Rangers to the Mets. Their language is unrepeatable and make Steve and Linda look like the happiest people in the world. This is beyond sad. I don't know even if my positive energy can help them.
Former Saturday Night Live star Jimmy Falon is holding a Rangers program with James Dolan face on it. The camera shot is quickly ended we'll see how quickly he is escorted from the Garden. Falon should have taken to the freight after appearing in the Red Sox movie.
After 2 periods, Panthers 2 - Rangers 1. Indians 9 - Yankees 3 in the bottom of the 5th. Double darn!
The Rangers tie the game at 6:07 of the third period on a goal by Petr Prucha and assisted by Malik.
The Rangers fans have more fight than the team. Even radio ad star Bobby Granger pictured below is escorted from the Garden by security after fighting in the stands.
The third goal was scored by #23 Chris Drury assisted by Jagomir Jagr and Malik at 8:46. Malik has three points and still gets booed.
The Garden announcer didn't even have time to announce the third goal by Ryan Callahan at 8:58. Rich called it. Well done Rich! Rangers 4 - Panthers 2.
Dancing Larry grooves to "Strike It Up". Enough said.
Straka scores at 13:02 assisted by Malik and Drury. Rangers 5 - Panthers 2.
You can't go wrong with "Potvin sucks" chant nor with Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" during a TV timeout at 4:15.
"Hey Don" I shout out to ESPN 1050's Don LaGreca as he walks by. He nods and waves back.
In a game that truly had three acts -- a strong beginning, unspired middle, and a strong finish. I tell Rich if the Rangers don't make the Eastern Confernence Finals with a chance of winning it all, the season is a failure.
The last minute of the game is marked by "We want the Cup!" chants. Final score: Rangers 5 - Panthers 2.
The Stars of the Game:
#3: With three assists, Marek Malik finally gets cheers instead of boos.
#2: Jagomiar Jagr had two assists.
#1 With a gooal and two assists, Chris Drury lives a dream for a hometown kid to be the first star in the first game as a Ranger.
Sinatra's "New York, New York" serenades the departing fans.
Posted by the Tank reporting live from the World's Greatest Arena, Madison Square Garden.