Montreal Screwjob Sequel?

For those still digesting the outcome of tonight's main event between Welterweight Champion Georges St.-Pierre and the #1 contender Johny Hendricks, you are NOT alone.  The social media stratosphere has blown up with angry tweets, posts and conspiracy theories.  Even UFC President Dana White, speaking truthfully, called out the judges and even the Nevada State Athletic Commission, commenting on how he was "blown away" that GSP won the fight .  (Two judges scored the fight 48-47 in favor of St.-Pierre, with the third judge scoring the fight 48-47 in favor of Hendricks, thus awarding the fight to St.-Pierre by split decision)  So why all the fuss?  Hendricks, a former NCAA Division 1 National Champion with knockout power and a dangerous striking repertoire, was ahead on many fans scorecards heading into the final round.  (For all the proof you need, just check twitter tweets as the fight was progressing)  Hendricks clearly won the first two rounds, with vicious elbows and power punches leaving the champion bloodied and hobbled.  GSP fought back to claim round three, but round four was seemingly decisive for the challenger.  Punches and elbows from the top position left the champion a bloody mess, and barring any major catastrophe, we were all set to crown a new Welterweight Champion.  While Hendricks landed minimal punches (or a punch) in the final round, he looked more like he was set to begin a fight than a fighter who just went 5 rounds with the best pound for pound fighter in the world.  Seemingly physically unscathed, you saw the challenger drop to knees at the referees decision-and most fans felt that something was amiss. 

In full disclosure, I am a HUGE GSP fan.  Since my introduction into the world of Mixed Martial Arts, Georges St.-Pierre has been my favorite fighter, hands down.  I just feel that Johny "Bigg Rigg" Hendricks was the better fighter at UFC 167.  And the fact that he is not leaving Las Vegas with the Welterweight title had me thinking about how something so obvious could be so imperceptible.

The post title to this entry merely pokes fun at the 1997 Survivor Series debacle (or genius PR move) involving Bret "Hitman" Hart, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, Vince McMahon and Earl Hebner-playing to the Montreal connection and its kayfabe repercussions.  Was this a fix?  Most likely not, just a scoring mishap, and at one of the worst times.  UFC is in the midst of celebrating its 20th anniversary-last nights PPV was dubbed the "20th Anniversary Show."  Reports circulating online indicated that this PPV was by all accounts "the most in demand event in the promotions history."  A strong undercard, with trash-talking pro wrestling-esque heel Chael Sonnen, former Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans, and Rory MacDonald doesn't exactly hinder box office shattering sales and interest.  However, an unpopular and maybe "erroneous" decision is not something that you want to overshadow a banner event for the company...or is it?  There is the old saying that "any publicity is good publicity."  The topic of the main event finish is mainstream news, even as I sit here at 4:10AM ET the morning after.  Despite what you read online, I don't think there was any fix in for this fight at all.  Sure, rumors of St.-Pierre retiring or taking time away from the sport he has dominated since becoming Welterweight Champion 84 PPV's ago may sit in peoples minds as having a potential impact on the finish.  However, that wouldn't make total sense.  St. Pierre is a major fan favorite.  Even after taking a massive beating and escaping with a questionable split decision, fans still booed Hendricks.  For a potential rematch, which is more must-see TV?  Hendricks, the underdog in the peoples minds and hearts, fighting to prove he was wronged in the first fight? Or, the former champion fighting to reclaim his place among the sports all time greats and show he is still the best in the world?  Ill go with the latter.  This is all irrelevant because fighting isn't scripted-as much as people may want to think there are conspiracies that go on behind the scenes and unfold in the octagon, this is not pro wrestling.  There are generally not real heels.  I will never argue with the motto "Controversy Creates Cash," but there is no need to use under-handed score keeping to generate interest for the king of PPV  while placing its integrity directly and advertently in the public eye.  So put those conspiracy theories away and continue to enjoy one of the up and coming sports in the world.  Even if two judges scored round one for the champion.  Happy 20th. 

My favorite Hockey Road Trip Experience-Montreal

One of my favorite hockey road trips was in 2012 when a bunch of friends and I headed north on I-87 from NYC to Montreal, CA.  Once we got to the NY State Thruway, it’s a straight shot up to Montreal, about 6.5 hours. There were 8 of us altogether, and 6 of us had been to the city numerous times before, but never to a Canadiens game at the Bell Centre, let alone in visitor NY Islanders jerseys.  The journey itself was uneventful; we stopped in Albany for lunch as it is about the halfway point to Montreal, and then back on the same road which by then was now called simply ‘the Northway.’
The first time the excitement really started to kick in for me was when the signs on the road started to become multilingual (Exit/Sortie).  This was because I knew we were getting very close to our destination.   After a quick pit stop at the duty free shop on our side of the border, we got on line at the border hoping for a quick and uneventful pass.  When it was our turn, the Customs agent asked a number of questions and then told us to have a good trip and we were off, now in Canada, and only 45 minutes from Montreal.  It was hard not to exceed the 100 kilometer speed limit on this dark, poorly lit road as we were now desperate to get there already.  We then reached my favorite part of the trip up there, crossing the Champlain Bridge and seeing the lit up skyline of downtown Montreal, the frozen waters of the port below, and a distant Olympic Stadium off to the right, the former home of the Montreal Expos.
We zigged and zagged through the downtown streets that we’d come to know even better than the streets of New York City in recent years.  At the hotel, we changed into our Islanders gear and headed to a quick dinner at a great Italian restaurant on Crescent Street called Weinstein and Gavino’s.  Due to its proximity to the Bell Centre (about 3 blocks), the place was packed with Habs fans, every one of which stared at us as we were led through the place in our Isles jerseys to our table.  In every other arena I’ve been to, you would at least come across a handful of fellow fans but up in the frozen north of Montreal, Canada, it was pretty much just the 8 of us.
After dinner, we walked to the arena, continuing to attract glances from people, but I began to realize something.  The glances weren’t necessarily because they hated us or hated the Islanders, but it seemed to be more out of respect for the trek we likely had made to get there, all in the name of their national pastime, hockey.  I found the same thing at the game as we made our way all the way to the top row to our seats.  The people were nodding and grinning at us to acknowledge and give approval of our dedication to our team.
The pre-game intro at the Bell Centre was like nothing else we’d ever seen.  The building went dark, the ice lit up in Canadiens red, with full ice sized images of each player, giving the crowd a chance to clap for each one.  The music continued to play, and ultimately ended with the Habs taking the ice to a huge ovation.  What an awesome feeling.
During the game, there were noticeable differences between this place and the Nassau Coliseum (“The Barn,” as we call it, where I grew up attending games frequently).  For example, at the Bell Centre, the sound of the crowd gets increasingly louder as the Canadiens player skates the puck out of the defensive zone, through the neutral zone, and into the offensive zone.  If they get a shot off, the building roars and shakes like it’s the Stanley Cup Finals.
Another thing I noticed is the concourse during the period.  I went to get a drink and I was literally the only person out there while the game was still going.  Nobody gets up until the intermission. Nobody. Yes, they may wait on long lines causing them to miss some of the next period, but once they sit, they stay.
A third difference is the buzz around town after a game.  As the crowd filtered out of the arena and into the downtown streets, strangers that saw us wearing our jerseys (it didn’t matter that it was the visiting team) asked us specifics about the game.  Not simply who won, but how did certain players play? Who assisted on the goals?  Were the goals even strength or on the man advantage?  This was a shock to us, as we grew up scanning the TV channels to even find our game, and maybe getting lucky enough to have the score mentioned on the news if we missed the game.
Lastly, what I found to be truly awesome was the fact that you can turn to whoever is next to you in any bar in downtown Montreal and have an intelligent conversation about hockey into the wee hours of the night.  You may not want to, given all of the other activities the city has to offer.  All I’m saying is that you can.
This was a pretty descriptive review of my favorite hockey road trip experience but it can all be summed up as follows.  If you’re a hockey fan, or even if you’re not, you must get up to Montreal to catch a game at the Bell Centre.  So bundle up, pick a game from the schedule, search for a nearby hotel, price out flying versus driving versus the train, search yelp for all the good restaurants, convince your friends that it’s not as far away as they think, decide who’s driving, and get up there.  Or just click a button and come with us! 
www.roadicetravels.com

Road Ice Hockey Blog: One Billion Reasons to Travel to Madison Square Ga...

Road Ice Hockey Blog: One Billion Reasons to Travel to Madison Square Ga...: Our description of the renovated MSG, and a 12/8/13 Caps vs Rangers bus trip from DC!

One Billion Reasons to Travel to Madison Square Garden...on 12/8/13

On 10/24/13, the $1 billion renovation of Madison Square Garden was unveiled to the public. Three years of seasonal construction (which resulted in two very long early season road trips for the Rangers) resulted in this eye-widening transformation of immense proportions. Certain state of the art amenities described by privileged onlookers make it seem like the blueprint for change was stolen from the Jerry Jones book of pomp and grander. There are now 600 foot ceiling video screens at the Chase Square 7th Avenue entrance, along with a broadcast location for the MSG network, and an area for the Garden of Dreams Foundation. The most physically impressive additions to MSG are the 327-ton bridges (the “Chase Bridges”) that run parallel to the length of the event floor, suspended from the ceiling of the world’s most famous arena. All MSG patrons can access the bridge from the 10th floor. There is also a revamped and updated GardenVision scoreboard. Ticketholders who have an obstructed view of the new GardenVision scoreboard will have access and close view of a 145 inch monitor located on each bridge. (3 per bridge)

Why Change?
A futuristic approach to the fan experience has hit one of the last places you would expect. And let’s be sensible, this is not just ANY arena. This is the arena that hosted the Fight of the Century between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Inside its hallowed halls of tradition, Hulkamania was born…and with it a legion of pro wrestling disciples. This is where New York’s soul and resilience were on full display after the horrific acts of 9/11-the Concert for New York. So many countless memories-the concert for Bangladesh, the Georgetown/St. Johns sweater game and all those classic Big East battles, a visit from Pope John Paul, Gerry MacNamera taking over NYC in the 2006 Big East Tournament, the 12/12/12 concert for Sandy Relief. Led Zeppelin recorded “The Song Remains the Same” on stage in 1973. Surely hockey fans cannot forget Stephane Matteau’s OT playoff goal in the 1994 playoffs, Mark Messier Night back in 2006, or Gretzkys playoff hat trick against the Panthers in 1997. The arena located on 33rd street and 7th Avenue has seen so many miraculous moments over the years-everything just seemed more important when done inside of the Garden. So its no surprise that some purists draw parallels to the recreation of the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx-tradition getting pushed aside in the name of the all mighty dollar. Rest assured, the new MSG upgrades do pay reverence to the venue’s past. There is still an exhibit called Garden 366-for each day of the calendar year (including February 29th) a Garden moment is on display containing “memorabilia, artifacts and photos.” This display came about during the second phase of renovations and remains intact. Additionally, twenty days were selected for a “20 Defining Moments” Exhibit. The final 10 defining moments are now up for display in the concourse area. This is more than I could have expected, and much better and more detailed than a traditional venue "Hall of Fame." Well done MSG.

What Change?
As expected, the renovated MSG also has more places to get food and drinks, bigger seats, wider concourses and more bathrooms. In addition, there are now three new premium seat products: Lounge Club seats, Group Hospitality Lounges and Chase Bridge Seats. The Chase Bridge Seats are those seats located on the Chase bridge, high above the action. The North Bridge has 355 ticketed seats, with the South Bridge having 75 available for public consumption. Lounge clubs seats consist of 68 cushioned seats in the center of the east balcony. (now the Eighteen76 balcony) These seats feature in-seat beverage service and a lounge area located behind the section.
But if you are traveling with a group, the best option appears to be the Group Hospitality Lounges. Each lounge has 28 fixed seats and 14 bar stool seats, including food and non-alcoholic beverage. This section is ideal for groups, and has a dedicated lounge area for fans to mingle and take in the game. Inside the lounge area there are televisions and a buffet, and the seats come with in-seat wait service.

So Let's Go! 

On Sunday 12/8/13, the Rangers take on the Capitals inside the newly renovated Madison Square Garden.  Road Ice Travels offers a terrific travel package for fans of the Capitals!  In the morning of 12/8, at 6:30am, Road Ice Travels provide bus transportation from the metro DC area for group travel to NYC.  Our expected arrival time is 12:30pm, which gives us time to watch the Redskins take on the currently undefeated Kansas City Chiefs at the Australian NYC in midtown.  At the Australian, we have an all you can eat (Potato wedges, mozzarella sticks, nachos, wings and vegetable platter) and drink package (including alcohol-Bronze Aussie, Bud Light, Yuengling and house wine, for those of age) during the 1pm game.  The Australian NYC is located on 20 W 38th Street b/t 5th and 6th Ave., a quick walk to and from MSG. The bar caters to Redskins fans, and will have the game on the big screen with sound for our group!  The Australian has a great layout with two floors, excellent food and ton's of TV's.  There are Redskins flags and banners hanging throughout the bar and a Redskins Blowup outside.  Support the Redskins as they continue to compete for the NFC East crown!  Afterwards, we will head over to MSG, where we have a Group Lounge in the Eighteen76 Balcony for the 7pm Caps vs Rangers contest.  As described above, the lounge affords us a private club experience with comfortable seating featuring in-seat wait service.  The lounge area has televisions and a buffet for our group.  The buffet contains:

• Popcorn
• Nachos and Dip
• Fruit Platter
• Salad
• Spring Rolls
• Hot Dogs
• Chicken Fingers
• Vegetable Crudité
• Coke/Diet Coke/Sprite/water

This private and comfortable setting is an ideal location for our group!  Come and mingle with fellow fans and make new friends!  After the game, the bus will take us back to DC, with expected arrival time around 2am.  The package price of this event is $339 a person including all taxes and fees!  This trip makes the ultimate early holiday gift for the Capitals fan in your life!  It also makes an outstanding bachelor party event! Book your trip now at www.roadicetravels.com and check out why we are the preferred choice in hockey fan road trips!  Any questions please email us at roadicetravels@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you on the road! 

Detroit Winter Festival....isn't long enough!

There is no bigger salute to hockey than the Winter Classic, the NHL's signature regular season event. This season, the Red Wings take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium on January 1st in the sixth installment of the New Years Day event. This winter classic hopes to shatter attendance records with an expected crowd of over 105,000 fans at Michigan Stadium on New Years Day. The celebration begins two weeks prior with the 2013 Sirius XM Hockeytown Winter Festival-a merriment for hockey fans featuring events such as youth hockey games, open skates and corporate events. As the new year draws closer, the 12/27 Great Lakes Invitational and the Ontario Hockey League Doubleheader at Comerica Park kick the Winter Festival into high gear. These events exemplify the passion and excitement of a city for the sport of hockey. The most anticipated event leading up to the New Years day clash is the Alumni Showdown between the Leafs and Red Wings, which takes place on December 31st at Comerica Park. The event plans to celebrate the players storied histories with the franchises, including videos and special introductions for the participants. Check out http://redwings.nhl.com/ for a full list of coaches and players. Among those participating for the Red Wings include Chris Chelios, Sergei Fedorov and Joe Kocur.

But why wait until December 27th to start the Winter Festival Celebration? On 12/23/13, Road Ice Travels invites you to come and celebrate our Legends Night Event featuring a Meet and greet with 3 time Stanley Cup Champion Joey Kocur at Hockeytown Café from 5-6pm. Kick off the holiday season, and the road to the 2014 Winter Classic with our meet and greet package in our private room at the Hockeytown cafe! Included in our package are:
•2 drink vouchers (beer, wine, well/soft drinks).
•1 ticket to Red Wings vs. Islanders with voucher for pizza and a soda. Seats are in section 203B & 203C.
Game time is 7:30pm ET

This package is only $99, inclusive of all taxes and fees, and is the perfect gift idea for the Red Wings fans on your holiday gift list!

For those of you who are Red Wings season ticket holders or if you already have tickets to this game and just want to attend the meet and greet to mingle with fellow fans and meet and interact with Joe Kocur, this option is available for only $49.00 inclusive of all taxes and fees.

Book now at www.roadicetravels.com. We look forward to seeing you in Detroit on 12/23/13!

I'm Sticking with Lou

The only time I got to see Lou Reed live was on October 8, 2010 at Madison Square Garden.  It was in a unannounced guest role with the Gorillaz on their "Escape from Plastic Beach" world tour.  Lou joined the band for "Some Kind of Nature," a track off of the Gorillaz third album, Plastic Beach.  

I remember this show being one of the first shows of the 2010 tour in support of Plastic Beach.  For this tour, Paul Simonon and Mick Jones of the Clash were part of the Gorillaz project. Not only did they bass and guitar on the title track on the studio album, they were part of the touring band.  Being a huge Clash fan, you can only imagine my excitement of getting to see Damon Albarn perform Gorillaz songs, both old and new in an arena setting, with half of one of my favorite bands.  I often wondered in the days leading up to the show if there would be any Clash songs performed. (maybe a Big Audio Dynamite track?)  Alas, there were none.  But what happened was even more special, more fulfilling than a possible one or two Clash tracks that could have resonated inside the worlds most famous arena...out came Lou Reed.  I lost my mind-on one stage was Lou Reed, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Damon Albarn.  Generally reserved, I let out a long Loooouuuu chant-my vocal cords compressing, heart pumping, adrenaline flowing.  A drink in one hand, covered in sweat from dancing around to the contagiously upbeat and dance-rock sounds of Damon Albarn's side project, (Gorillaz>Blur) I lean towards the rail of my section.  My camera out, I begin to size up my photo when I hear people in my section, with confused voices, clammering "Who's Lou Reed?"  

One would think that an artist with only one top 20 hit, nearly forty years ago would be long forgotten.  Yet, after nearly half a century since the first Velvet Underground release, social media has exploded with tributes and stories of one of New Yorks last remaining icons.  An artist. Poet. Lyricist. Contrarian.  Lou Reed inspired all forms of musical expressions-songs about junkies, transvestites, prostitution, domestic abuse, adultery and sexual expression in New York in the late sixties/early seventies that would result in the birth of early punk.  Never has an artist captured an era through music with such descriptively intense, violent, truthful yet beautiful lyrics.  An alternative to the hippie culture that was all the rage on the other side of the country, Lou Reed's lyrics could place you directly in the seedy, dangerous underworld of decrepit downtown NY amongst the characters and factual individuals he wrote about.  

Through changes in style and presentation, Lou Reed's music was never complacent.  One of the great storytellers and poets, Lou Reed played by his own rules, delving into periods of glam rock (Transformer), the concept album (Berlin-a tale of two junkies in love-yet so moving) and scenes of NY life (aptly named "New York") amongst countless others.   Radio hits often elusive, Lou Reed was the voice of a New York generation.  In fact, when it appeared his music could possibly become mainstream, he releases an album of total electric-audio feedback. (Metal Machine Music) How's that for momentum?  Regardless, songs about social issues and situations that are sometimes best left unspoken have made his listeners his companions.  I can say, in complete truth, that Lou Reed's music has more of a direct impact on my music catalog and taste than any other artist.  I remember how I felt during my first listen of "White Light/White Heat."  Feeling strangely intrigued by songs such as "The Gift" and "Lady Godiva's Operation." It was like nothing I had ever heard before.  I know I'm not alone in allowing the music of the Velvet Underground to completely change my preference on sound.  It's a shame I didn't get into Lou Reed or the Velvet Underground until college.  Still, at 33, I feel fortunate to have discovered his catalog of lyrics, stories and songs at a younger age, providing the soundtrack to many lifetime events.  Thank you for the songs that defined my twenties, and describing what New York City life was like in song back when it was a more dangerous, and perhaps more fun time.  That's what Lou Reed's music means to me.

New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down

We are near the end of October, and the NHL season is a little over three weeks old. By now, many fans have had the opportunity to see their favorite team(s) play at home. Those fortunate fans have had an opportunity to tailgate in near seventy degree weather, kick back and await faceoff with optimism and hope. At most, you could see your team of choice a few games in, perhaps a game or two above or under .500. No season storyline overly alarming. You can enter the arena and cheer on your favorite players and know that a loss generally wouldn't signify the end of the world. While opening nights are traditionally a spectacle, seldom are they met with an urgency to perform and produce in hopes of "saving a season." Tell that to fans of the NY Rangers.

Who doesn't love this time of year? A comfortable walk in Central Park. Debating between a pumpkin coffee and pumpkin ale. The sports landscape is also its most busiest this time of year. (or a close second to March) Baseball playoffs begin and the NFL season enters its second month, where most teams and fan bases still have dreams of post season success. Basketball articles and stories (both pro and college) begin to pop up with more frequency as the season begins this week. Throw in a few haunted houses and hours of brainstorming and planning the trendiest costume ideas, it is a wonder people have time to sleep and eat. And just in case you couldn't stay up for those early season west coast Rangers games, or if you did and purposely went to sleep early for the east coast ones, here is a short description of what you missed? Absolutely nothing! Well, a little:

On Monday, the Rangers will come back to NY to open the home portion of their schedule at Madison Square Garden against the Montreal Canadiens. Temperatures will be in the upper-40s around game time. Expectations have been tempered, at least temporarily. The last time the Rangers opened their home schedule this late during a non-strike campaign, Truman was in office.

Most preseason publications believed that the hiring of Alain Vigneault and his up-tempo system would translate to more opportunities on the offensive end, yet through their first 8 games the Rangers have amassed, as a team, 12 goals. That is a goal and a half a game! Coming into last nights game against the Red Wings, they have given up 31 goals, with teams averaging just shy of 4 goals a game. In no game have they scored more than 3 goals. The numbers are staggeringly horrid. Making matters worse, the team is playing without Rick Nash, (out of action after suffering a concussion on October 8) Ryan Callahan, (broken thumb) and Carl Hagelin. Brad Richards has scored 5 of the Rangers 12 goals coming into their ninth consecutive road game of the season against the Detroit Red Wings. The only other forward to score a goal this season is Derek Dorsett. Henrik Lundqvist has played some pretty uninspiring hockey thus far, with fans wondering if its his current injury or his contract situation. However, Lundqvist, the Rangers all-world goalie, is the least of the teams worries. If you were coming to the garden to cheer on Marty Biron, you wont see him. He was assigned to Hartford of the AHL after two ineffective games against the Sharks and the Blues, cleared waivers and retired. The Rangers now look to Cam Talbot to back up Lundqvist. On top of all that, the schedule makers have also not been too kind to the Rangers. The first four games on the west coast against teams who currently have 7 wins or more, and games at St Louis and Detroit. Some of those West Coast games were just horrific-a 9-2 beat down by the Sharks, and two other combined Rangers goals in the three other matchups.

But nothing turns those negative vibes around quite like a last second, unexpected victory-this one coming from Derick Brassards breakaway goal with 12.9 seconds on the overtime clock to beat Detroit on the road for the first time in 14 years. Coincidentally, reports indicate that Brassard was called out by Vigneault before last nights game for needing to contribute more. I'm sure most Rangers fans were thinking that this two and a half week road trip would result in a 2-7 record, and some urgency to turn things around at home...and quickly. After looking dreadful against the Flyers on Thursday and shut out by the lowly Devils last weekend, the Rangers now carry a little (and much needed) momentum into Mondays home opener. Cam Talbot stopped 32 shots filling in for the injured Henrik Lundqvist. Mats Zuccarello scored his first goal of the season late in the third to tie the game at 2. And the Rangers are going to be home a lot-10 of the next 12 games are in NY. Maybe this is the spark that ignites this turnaround. Last nights opponent, the Red Wings have hit a rough patch themselves, losing their last 4 games. Could this be a case of right opponent at the right time? 40 shots last night on goal is a step in the right direction. As well as coming back from one goal deficits on two occasions. News of Lundqvist return to the starting lineup tomorrow night against the Canadiens, Carl Hagelin's return Tuesday against the Islanders and Ryan Callahan skating at practice today has fans optimistic that the injury plagued early season may be coming to an end. And just in time.


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