A New Season Is Upon Us

Tomorrow, we’ll all tune in, as the Rangers start another campaign. We’ll watch in disgust as the Penguins raise the Stanley Cup banner. We’ll boo when Sidney Crosby touches the puck. It’s hockey season.

A new season. A chance at redemption. Hope. Hope that we’ll make a captivating cup run. Hope that we’ll be chanting “Henrik! Henrik!” at the top of our lungs after the King makes another glorious save.

When a new season starts, I become filled with anticipation. I’m anxious. Excited. Nervous. All at the same time. You see, I don’t approach the season opener with worries. I don’t think about what’s going to go wrong. I think about what’s going to go right. I envision Gaborik gliding down the ice, making a move, scoring a goal. I envision Drury scoring a game winner. I envision Callahan making something out of nothing. I envision Del Zotto leading the rush. I envision Lundqvist being Lundqvist. Maybe this will all happen. Maybe none of it will. But for that one night, for the opener, all can be realized.

Tomorrow, we’ll all tune in. We’ll wait for Sam to scream, “It’s a Power Play goal!”. We’ll watch Gilroy’s first shift. We’ll punch the table when Fleury makes a save. It’s hockey season.

Saturday, I’ll join the Garden Faithful in welcoming our boys back. I’ll yell at the top of my lungs for Hank. I’ll boo mildly for Redden. I’ll high five perfect strangers when a goal is scored. I’ll express my anger with perfect strangers when a goal is let up. I like to think of my section at the Garden as a family. This is our family reunion.

A new season. A time for hope. A time to believe. A time to dream. A time when the Cup is not out of reach. A time when our faith in this team is never greater. I don’t know about you, but I’m excited. I’m pumped. I’m ready. A new season is upon us. And I can’t wait another second.