Why I Don't Want The Kings To Play The Rangers In The Stanley Cup

By Eugene Joh on May 23, 2014

For all intents and purposes, I am a New York Rangers fan. I was born in a suburb of Queens, living in a rickety apartment with an equally rickety television set. And there I sat idolizing as I watched Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell at a tender age when I couldn’t realize how much of an abysmal failure the New York Knicks were.

image via http://graphics8.nytimes.com

I sat there in awe of Mike Piazza and Cliff Floyd, again unable to recognize how terrible the Mets were. (Is there a pattern here?) And I sat there in wonder of Wayne Gretzky (yes he was on the Rangers) and Jaromir Jagr, (yes, him too) cheering them on as they skated their way to exactly 0 championships.

As a New York fan, I had gotten used to the heartbreak, the frustration and the disappointment of the Big Apple’s sports franchises. But then I moved, just one state over, to Connecticut, landing in a small town of 60,000 called Hamden. And when I was in the seventh grade, there was a future superstar in the making just four streets over from where I lived–where Jonathan Quick was already dreaming big playing street hockey in my neighborhood.

I remember in 2012 all the hysteria that was surging through this small town when Johnny went from small town long-shot to World Champion and Conn Smythe Trophy winner. There were parades, there were Facebook posts, there were some good-natured jabs taken at his younger brother Joey, who is my age. The win meant a lot to this town, born and bred to love hockey like few towns I have ever encountered.

Hamden High School had won 20 state championships over its storied history, but overnight, Jonathan Quick, who only played one year for Hamden, became the end-all be-all symbol of Hamden Hockey. I remember how the glitz and the glamor of the moment didn’t seem to unsettle Johnny at all, inexplicably mundane for a player with so much flair on the ice.

I’m glad that Quicky got his moment in the spotlight, a consummate worker and no doubt the hero of generations of Hamden hockey players to come. I’m also glad, however, that it didn’t have to come at the expense of my Rangers. I remember when the Kings and the Rangers were in the playoffs at the same time that year, and looked to be the favorites going into the cup. I remember almost breathing a sigh of relief when the Rangers were defeated by our arch-rival New Jersey Devils (I said almost) in six games that year, feeling torn about who I would support if it came down to the final.

But here it is one more time, the Kings and the Rangers in their respective conference finals, and the very real possibility that I won’t know who to cheer or jeer in the battle for the Cup this year.

It’s hard to say if the Kings will be able to beat the odds and make it to the finals again this year. In their championship season, the Kings steamrolled through their competition, losing just four games through four rounds of the playoffs en route to the cup. This time around, they’ve already been through two grueling seven-game series with the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks, more indicative of clutch play than dominant play.

Standing in their way right now is the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks, who look more and more determined to become a dynasty every time they hit the ice. That series is currently tied at one apiece. The Rangers, currently with a 2-0 lead over the Montreal Canadiens, look to be a bit more comfortable in their conference final. And as much as it hurts me to say it, Hamden’s knight in shining armor has gotten his turn basking in the glow of victory. If the Kings and the Rangers are to clash in the final this year, I’ll have to honor my past instead of my present. For me, this year is not the Kings’ year; it’s King Henrik’s.

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format