Your first NHL game and other prominent games you attended

[goldenage]

Originally Posted by Nunzio11

Grew up going to the Islander games in the mid 80s. Would even take the train into the city to go to Islanders Ranger games at MSG in high school. Always an adventure.
The best time ever though was 2014 going at a Blues game with a buddy who grew up with Brett Hull. Went to his box then down to the ice level bar outside the locker rooms. Watched the whole game with Brett. Must have drank 20 vodka sodas. The stories were just incredible.

Yep. Brett could put them down. He was the life of the party in the casino one night after the Lake Tahoe celebrity golf tournament. Friendly to anyone who came up to him. I had the pleasure of sitting and talking with Mario Lemieux while playing blackjack. Mario was winning all night long. M. Jordan has his own private area where no one could get near him, except Brett, who just kept drinking while watching Michael throw down millions.

[Kevin]

Lemieux- I’d have to say he was the best player I ever saw play: let’s say 1979 to present day. How was he 1:1? I have a lot of respect for him, but his whining after the brawl game I discussed above was pretty weak.

When I was really little, 1977, 78? I was at a game and we were in our “other seats” in 301. It was the pre game skate. Isles-Flyers brawl. Thinking back at most of the games I ever attended, we were rarely at the pre game skate. But this day we were. All the player - Isles/Flyers - paired off - brawling.

[goldenage]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Lemieux- I’d have to say he was the best player I ever saw play: let’s say 1979 to present day. How was he 1:1? I have a lot of respect for him, but his whining after the brawl game I discussed above was pretty weak.

When I was really little, 1977, 78? I was at a game and we were in our “other seats” in 301. It was the pre game skate. Isles-Flyers brawl. Thinking back at most of the games I ever attended, we were rarely at the pre game skate. But this day we were. All the player - Isles/Flyers - paired off - brawling.

Ever catch the video on youtube of the Flyers-Canadiens pre game brawl where Chris Nilan and Dave Brown go at it. Claude Lemieux shot the puck into the Flyers net after warm ups, and the Flyers didn't like it. I was at a Devils-Flyers game in Philadelphia years later and Brown caught Lemieux at center ice, and Claude Lemieux turtled while Brown threw punches. Brown never forgot.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by goldenage

Ever catch the video on youtube of the Flyers-Canadiens pre game brawl where Chris Nilan and Dave Brown go at it. Claude Lemieux shot the puck into the Flyers net after warm ups, and the Flyers didn't like it. I was at a Devils-Flyers game in Philadelphia years later and Brown caught Lemieux at center ice, and Claude Lemieux turtled while Brown threw punches. Brown never forgot.

Remember that well. Brown/Lemieux! Great call back.

Speaking of cool events to be at: my dad was at MSG in November 1959 when Jacques Plante first donned the mask. Pretty cool event to witness in person.

[goldenage]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Lemieux- I’d have to say he was the best player I ever saw play:.

I'd say that too, but I saw Bobby Orr play. Mario just dominated on the ice like anyone except Bobby Orr.

[Throttlesteer]

Originally Posted by goldenage

I'd say that too, but I saw Bobby Orr play. Mario just dominated on the ice like anyone except Bobby Orr.

Never got to see Orr, but Lemieux also holds the title for me (Jagr is a close second). It's truly hard to compare players from different generations. I'm sure Connor McDavid would run circles around our favs from the 60's, 70's, and 80's. But different nutrition, conditioning, rules, equipment, etc...

[goldenage]

Originally Posted by Throttlesteer

Never got to see Orr, but Lemieux also holds the title for me (Jagr is a close second). It's truly hard to compare players from different generations. I'm sure Connor McDavid would run circles around our favs from the 60's, 70's, and 80's. But different nutrition, conditioning, rules, equipment, etc...

The greatest coach in NHL history speaks to McDavid and Orr in this article. It's a great read. Both Bobby and Connor are mentioned in the same breath when people talk about "quick feet", or "going from zero to sixty".

Gretzky speaks to the terrible skates the guys had to skate on in the fifties and sixties. My guess is that only McDavid could keep up with Orr today. Both of them are on a different level.

https://www.tsn.ca/bowman-on-the-uns...f-orr-1.586976

[mikemb]

First game was around 1980, NY Rangers vs. Chicago Black Hawks at Madison Square Garden.

Was at MSG for game 7 of the 1993-94 Eastern Conference finals when Rangers won in double overtime.

Mike

[Writehooks]

I've been fortunate to earn my living in Canadian sports media for 45 years, starting with covering the Vancouver Canucks in 1975. Relocated to Edmonton in 1982 and covered the Oilers dynasty through '92, then turned to fulltime freelancing. For what it's worth, the most dominant player I ever saw was Orr, with Gretzky a distant second. The most talented player I ever saw was Mario. Best pure goal scorers: Mike Bossy, Joe Sakic. Most exciting to watch: Guy Lafleur, Gil Perreault. Best goalie: Patrick Roy.
Just my 2 cents worth ...