Behind the Faces of The Battle of The Hudson
- Mike Merolle
- May 5, 2023
- 4 min read
Messier versus Stevens. Lundqvist versus Brodeur. Shesterkin versus Hughes. The New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils rivalry, known as the Battle of the Hudson, has featured different players over the years but one constant that has remained is the passionate fans.
In the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Rangers and Devils are facing each other for the first time in the postseason since 2012. The Devils got the best of that series leading to a run in the final where they lost to the Los Angeles Kings. 11 years later, the boiling atmosphere still remains.
For the first home game of the playoffs, the Rangers organized a fan plaza outside Madison Square Garden for fans to enjoy for a three-hour period before game time. A regular spectator wouldn’t have to know that New York took the first two games of the series due to the energy on W 33rd Street.
It was difficult to find a red shirt among the masses of blue sweaters roaming around the plaza. However, two noticeable Devils fans stood aside to watch their rival fans dancing to the music played by the street DJ. Jack and Landon Bentley were dressed in Devils red from head to toe. The father and son duo paid high ticket prices among travel expenses since they traveled from their home in Ontario, Canada.
“It was a little over 500. It’s not worth it but we came this far and we wanted to go the game,” Jack said.
They were not shy to describe their feelings for the Rangers as Jack said he hated them. Landon expanded on his father’s answer. “Rangers suck. They have the worst fans and the worst team in the league. Biggest rivalry in the NHL and we’re gonna take it to them tonight for sure.”
Social media celebrity and passionate Devils fan, Frank Flemming, popularly known as Frank the Tank, didn’t attend Game 3 but he went to Games 1 and 2 in New Jersey. He told me he first got into hockey in 1988 when the Devils made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and they ended up advancing to the conference finals. Like the Bentley’s, Flemming was not afraid to voice his hatred for the Rangers.
“Game 1 was bad but the Devils can overcome the nerves they have. They have the talent,” Flemming said. “[The Rangers] are losers. One cup in 83 years with a team that was basically the [Edmonton] Oilers.”
Rangers fans felt the same for their opponents. Rob Webster wasn’t going to attend Game 3 but he made sure to be there for the pre-game activities. He told me the Devils are the second-best team in the east behind the Rangers. When asked about his favorite memory at the Garden, he responded, “When Matteau scored in Game 7 in ‘94.”
Webster is referring to the 1994 Eastern Conference finals where Rangers’ winger, Stephane Matteau, scored the double overtime game-winning goal that eliminated the Devils and advanced New York to the final where they’d go on to be Stanley Cup Champions. Fittingly enough, Matteau made an appearance at the fan plaza.
Matteau stood in front of the “No Quit In NY” sign planted outside the Garden awaiting the long line of Rangers fans wanting to take a picture with him. Besides including Matteau and a music DJ in the plaza, the Rangers set up a face painting table, free munchkins and shots of espresso provided by Dunkin’ Donuts, and a truck handing out Rangers logos and selling playoff apparel.
There was a large amount of Rangers fans in the Prudential Center at Games 1 and 2. It was evident to viewers watching on TV as numerous “Let’s Go Rangers” chants were heard and discussed on the broadcasts. After attending the fan plaza, it was clear that New Jersey fans weren’t going to flood the Garden at Game 3 given the masses of blue in the crowds leading up to the eight o’clock start. At the plaza, there were many New York fans booing every time a rare Devils fan passed by. One Rangers fan even told a Devils fan that he’s “brave” for wearing his jersey and hat here.
On the other side of the block on 34th St, a mob of Rangers fans crowded the gates of the personnel parking to see players arrive at the Garden. Security moved the gates and held fans back as some players came by car and some by foot.
Some of the Rangers’ players who fans were able to see enter included Adam Fox, Jacob Trouba, Vladimir Tarasenko, Igor Shesterkin, Tyler Motte, and more. The crowd was enthusiastic every time a player came in but their energy shifted when the Devils’ team bus drove in. Profanities and visual obscenities were thrown at the bus which was met by a smile in the window by one of the Devils’ players.
The atmosphere going into Game 3 gave substance to the notion of New Yorkers being some of the most passionate sports fans in the country. Former NHL player and current ESPN broadcaster, Ray Ferraro, loudly said, “You guys are some of the best in the world, I tell ya,” as he made his way into the Garden. If there is one thing for sure it is that the Rangers and Devils rivalry is still alive.
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