If you missed it, still floating around. The NY Ranger's Present:


A Girl's Guide to Watching the Rangers

By: Mirna Mandil

I was recently one of four females in a house packed with about 20 guys watching the game — football, I think. The men were there for the game, while I was there for the food: deep fried turkey, which quickly turned into deep frying everything in sight.

Sure, I could've sat and watched with the men, but I don't care for football, nor do I pretend to. I'm not going to fake an alpha-male-level obsession with a sport because, frankly, that just seems exhausting.

That being said, when having either guy friends, brothers, boyfriends or husbands in your life, watching games in any sport becomes unavoidable. And if you live in New York and have one of the aforementioned male figures in your life, then chances are you can't avoid their obsession with the Rangers. The fact that every single one of the guys watching this football game was wearing a Rangers jersey is a true testament to the loyalty of a Rangers fan. It's not just a phase. It's not just an obsession. It's a Rangers lifestyle.

News of the NHL lockout's end caused as much excitement in the male world as a 70 percent off sale does in a woman's. If you're completely oblivious to what the end of the lockout means, think of it as the premiere of the newest season of "Girls" being delayed by months, and then suddenly, it's announced that it will be coming back but with a lot fewer episodes to make up for lost time.

Have said all that, this article is an attempt to help you at least understand their obsession, enthusiasm and passion, and help you hold your own during game nights.


They're EXPECTING You To Ask Questions

...Just know WHEN to do it.

Carl Hagelin has the puck. The boys are all standing and screaming and you're going to yell 'what's happening!?"

Nope.

You need to sense the tension at certain points in the game and let them do their jumping, screaming and cheering thing. You can tell if something huge has happened by their reaction, and if you're absolutely lost, wait for the replay. There's always a replay after a major play.

Still confused? Wait until a penalty or other whistle to ask. The clock stopped so there's a pause in the game, and at this level you won't need to know why a penalty was called anyway (unless there's a fight, which is pretty self-explanatory). Everything else? Not important in your world ... yet.

Get To Know The RANGERS

I'm not asking you to memorize a yearbook, but after watching a game or two, last names will start to sound familiar: Staal, Callahan, Del Zotto. You'll get the idea. The Rangers' roster is easily available online, and even though knowing a last name won't do much in terms of understanding the game, it will build up your connection when watching future games. You'll be more attuned to a game when you hear a name you recognize.

Get To Know Goalie Henrik Lundqvist

If New York were to have a new face on every quarter, it would be his. He's broken NHL records. His nickname is "The King." He played "Sweet Child O' Mine" on guitar during a recent episode of "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon." Don't you want him to do well? Don't you want to watch when he's on the ice? My point exactly.

Congratulations

You've officially graduated level one of what to expect when Ranger fans are expecting. Before I wrote this article, I gave all the guys I spoke with the option of saying, "I don't want her watching the game with me. It's my sport, leave it alone."

Not a single one of them took it.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, but ask quesions they'll enjoy answering. Things like who their favorite player is, or who their biggest rival is. If you have a couple hours of free time, go ahead and ask about the famous Potvin chant. You'll certainly be in for a great story.

If you feel too forced and uninterested, at least know the Rangers' schedule so you can schedule a girl's night for those times. Oh, and one last thing: don't give the guys and grief for their playoff beards.

Google it. You'll thank me later.

Reply · Report Post