Photography: Eastern Conference Game 4: New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Viewing Party, Bryant Park 6/7/22

I’ve been a huge, die-hard New York Ranger fan since 1990. So understandably, with the team making this current postseason run, my personal and professional life has been centered around postseason hockey — until whenever it ends. The other day, the New York Rangers, Bryant Park, Madison Square Garden and MSG Networks hosted a viewing party for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Rangers and the defending, two-time Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Rangers, MSG, MSG Networks and Bryant Park did a great job trying to replicate the Garden in Bryant Park for fans. It was fun to hang out with other fans before the game. They had a pop-up from Memphis Seoul, a Korean and soul food fusion place that was just straight fire, y’all. (Photos are below.) And while I wish I could have had a couple of beers during the game, a good portion of the evening was a lot of fun.

It started to rain a bit earlier than what the original forecast suggested. It was light and if you had a raincoat or an umbrella, you were still good to go. The rain got a bit heavier and steadier during the first period. Around the time, Tampa Bay scored the first goal of the night, the night got progressively more miserable. By the middle of the second period, my friend and I decided to go to a nearby bar: Getting dry and a bit warm was a necessity. And Guinness, of course.

If only the result and the weather held up. But what can you do?

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Caption: New York Ranger fans getting amped up for Eastern Conference Finals Game 4.
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Caption: Ranger fans before the game.
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Caption: Ranger fans before the game.
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Caption: I had to represent, too.
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Caption: I got down to Bryant Park pretty early — and I was thrilled to get that blanket. It’s a surprisingly nice and soft blanket.
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Caption: Amazing Korean-Soul fusion food from Brooklyn-based Memphis Seoul: Bao Buns — pulled pork, fried chicken and meatloaf; Tiger Tots with fried chicken and sauce; and Ramen and cheese.
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Caption: Close up of Memphis Seoul’s Bao Buns.
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Caption: Close up of Memphis Seoul’s Tiger Tots with Fried Chicken.
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