Much has been made about the noise level at MSG. Sometimes, it’s deafening. Sometimes the place becomes as silent as a church. I have read comments on hockey blogs, Montreal ’s in particular and even some Ranger boards, accusing MSG fans of not getting behind their team this season, not cheering. One criticism cites that Ranger fan support collapses when they get scored on. When another team scores, it let’s the air out of the tires of the Garden faithful.

Sure Ranger fans go crazy when their team scores a goal. Ranger fans don’t hesitate to get on the Refs for bad calls and non-calls. But, when the Rangers get scored on or are behind, the crowd can get awful quiet. The thing that the viewing audience doesn’t seem to understand is the symbiotic relationship between the team and the crowd. If fan support was measured by brain scans and not vocal vociferousness, the readings would be off the charts.

When I asked my esteemed seatmate, Bob D, why he thought the crowd goes quiet, he said he attributes crowd silences to nerves, plain and simple. The fans are intently watching the game and willing the boys to play well and score goals, for Henrik to make the saves. We are all concentrating  hard on the play. It’s difficult to be that mentally engaged in the game and be a cheerleader, too.  Hell, I have a hard time walking and chewing gum at the same time.

So, next time if it seems the fans in the Garden are falling down on the job, that they are not vocally supporting the team, think of how you are feeling watching the game on TV. If you have a knot in your stomach, think how big the collective knot of 18,200 fans must be. It’s hard to cheer with your heart in your mouth.

At the end of the game last night, a stranger sitting behind me told me to keep up the good work, to keep leading the cheers.  Turns out he is a transplanted Ranger fan from LA who knows me from HockeyRodent and this blog. I am so glad he got to sit in 409 and see a great victory by the Rangers. Glad I went easier on the swearing, too…

Let’s Go Rangers!