A Devil of a Game

It's been a couple of weeks since putting pen to paper (so to speak) after the sudden end of the Icers season, and I couldn't think of a better time to get back to the "Booth" than tonight as I sit in my hotel room at the Newark Airport.

I'm not flying anywhere, just relaxing after a great evening at the Prudential Center, thanks to the generosity of Messrs. John Conte. Number 6's father and grandfather invited Greg Kirstein (Matt's father) and your humble correspondent to join them at tonight's New Jersey Devils - Columbus Blue Jackets game.

To say we enjoyed ourselves is an understatement. OK - maybe Kirstein didn't after the Jackets were smoked 6-3. In case you didn't know, Greg is the Jackets' general counsel by day and hockey dad by night.

We couldn't get much closer to the action. Judge Conte's seats are along the boards right beside the visiting team penalty box!

You really appreciate the speed of the NHL game sitting a couple of feet away! Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk put on clinics, Martin Brodeur recorded his 8th 40-win season (no one else has come close) and the win vaulted the Devils into the top spot in the Atlantic Division.

I had to laugh at the Devils fans. Every once in a while a chant of "Rangers suck" came out of nowhere and every Devils goal brought a chant of "Hey, you suck" to Gary Glitter's Rock & Roll Part II.

HOW LAME! Is that the best they can come up with? Reminded me of Illinois fans at the Big Pond!

The elder Conte is obviously known and loved by just about everyone that works at the Prudential Center, including legendary announcer Mike Emrick and his sidekick, Glen "Chico" Resch.

On Tuesday, Doc called his 3,000th hockey game when the Red Wings beat the Penguins 3-1. Needless to say, I've got a long way to go to catch the Hall of Famer!

Mike knows a little about Penn State hockey, mentioning that former Icer Ben Bouma kept stats for him in some of those 3,000 broadcasts.

We not only share a passion for the game, but we also "share" similar broadcasting positions. While the visiting team's broadcasters are up in the rafters, Doc and Chico call the game from the top of the lower bowl, right outside the Fire Lounge.

Now that is what I call a "fan friendly" spot, and both men are happy to meet their fans.

Thanks again to the Contes for their generosity, their hospitality and - above all - their friendship.