Attending two NHL Games on the same day-Possible? YES

[Cujokidder]

My buddy and I just booked a whirlwind trip to NYC on October 12.
It is one of only a few times I can remember when you can see two NHL games in two different buildings on the same day.
With the US celebrating Columbus Day and Canada celebrating Thanksgiving the Isles host the Kings at 2pm in Uniondale. At 7pm that night the Rangers host the Blue and White.
We fly to Laguardia on the morning of the 12th watch the two games and spend the night in Manhattan with a noon flight home to Toronto (Mississauga) on the 13th.
This should be sweet.
We were able to get front row tickets behind the Isles bench for that game (Isles tix are still easy to find even with the Tavares era beginning). The Rangers tix were tougher but we were able to get first row in the second level in the corner. Let's hope the Monster starts for the Leafs that night.
About three weeks after that I am off to Notre Dame to see the Irish and the Navy game. This is going to be a sweet 8 weeks but when it all done I owe my wife big time.
Has any one else done two NHL games on the same day?

 

[NNeves]

^^ This is how man was meant to live.

Sounds like an awesome trip!

 

[Reddrgn88]

How are you buying tickets already? I have to wait until teh 12th to buy Wild tickets...

 

[Hama]

Make sure you get on the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) as soon as that first game's done - it's still going to take you a good hour to get back into Manhattan from Uniondale IIRC.

 

[Cujokidder]

Stub hub has comfirmed the tix. Leafs/Rangers were in hand and will be here tomorrow-Isles will be printed on 9/12.
Hama, thanks for the heads up about the train-we are planning on getting a taxi or limo into Manhattan-do you see that as a problem after a 2pm Monday game on a holiday? I have no idea how the traffic will be as I normally come in straight for Laguardia but appreciate any help or suggestions.
I am also in NYC this weekend on business and will be checking out the O's/Yanks at the new Stadium so lets hope Jeter gets into a slump for the next couple of days...he is only 3 hits from Gehrig's all time hits records as a Yankee.

 

[Kharlamov17]

Awesome. I really enjoyed both arenas. Nassau's location sucks badly though.

 

[allberts]

Yup saw Caps-Devils in the old Meadowlands on a Sat game at 1.. Then back down to Philly for the Panthers-Flyers at 7..

Very doable on the East Coast

 

[Hama]

Stub hub has comfirmed the tix. Leafs/Rangers were in hand and will be here tomorrow-Isles will be printed on 9/12.
Hama, thanks for the heads up about the train-we are planning on getting a taxi or limo into Manhattan-do you see that as a problem after a 2pm Monday game on a holiday? I have no idea how the traffic will be as I normally come in straight for Laguardia but appreciate any help or suggestions.
I am also in NYC this weekend on business and will be checking out the O's/Yanks at the new Stadium so lets hope Jeter gets into a slump for the next couple of days...he is only 3 hits from Gehrig's all time hits records as a Yankee.

I will say that a cab/limo ride ain't gonna be cheap - cab from LGA to Midtown is about $30-40 + tolls IIRC. Do that from Uniondale, that's gonna get pricey - remember that the two locations are going to be about an hour apart no matter what mode of transportation you choose. I've only been out to the Island once to visit my cousins, and that was quite the trip. I also know that they take about an hour/hour and a half to commute in and out of Manhattan for work everyday depending on the schedule.

If you're going to Yankee Stadium - I would suggest the Subway. I know the 4 goes straight up to there from Midtown. I'm not as well versed about some of the nuances of NYC, but I think I know more than the average tourist about how to get around fairly easily and I have some favourites in terms of entertainment and dining spots. PM me if you have any other questions

 

[Burner]

I haven't done 2 games on the same day but I did 3 games in 4 nights: OTT-LA, MON-LA, MON-ANA

 

[Cujokidder]

the update (with pics)

Well it was definitely doable but without a hired driver for the day I'm not sure we could have pulled it off. Here's a sampling of our pics from the big day out...
After flying in with former Whaler, Penguin, Blue and Blackhawk Greg Millen and another member of the Leaf tv crew we took the car service from Laguardia to Nassau Coliseum. We actually had lunch at Hooters down the street as they were the only non fast food joint open at 11am.

Here's the coliseum-it's definitely time for the Lighthouse project to take shape...

Here's a shot of JT during the anthems. We were lucky enought to get seats directly behind the bench which is a great experience but its very hard to follow the on ice action.

Another shot of Tavares.

Here's a cool bench shot of the Isles power play combo. Doug Weight epitomises as Captain. All the young Isles listen to him and he is talking on the bench (and to the officials) ALL the time..

Here's Matt Moulson speaking to one of the assistant coaches. He had a great game and looks to be in line for a solid NHL career.

Here we see two past Oiler greats chatting to the official during a tv timeout. Any Oil fan knows what Doug Weight and Ryan Smyth meant to the Oilers recent playoff runs

The Isles pulled the goalie so here is a shot of Marty Biron's new mask, featuring a nod to Billy Smith.

Here is our view of the "goalie out" play with about 45 seconds to go. Scott Gordon was in our way all afternoon!

Then it was of to MSG for the Leafs at the Rangers.

It's impossible to get a clear shot in front of the garden 1/2 hour before game time as the place is buzzing.
Here are the anthems. My buddy is not the biggest Jason Blake fan but even I had to agree with him when he questioned why Blake stands so far away from the rest of his teammates...

Here's a nice shot of the historic ceiling-what a building!

If you are a Leaf fan you know how this game ended so I will close with this shot...

There were plenty of more pictures (especially from Long Island) but I don't want to bore anyone.
After that we had a night on the town in Manhattan, a 9 am wakeup call,and were back in Mississauga for my sons birthday by 1pm.

A great trip that we hope to do again-next time we'll make it two days and two cities.

 

[cujofan2000]

Sounds like a blast, nice pics too.

Cheers
Connie

 

[missionhocky10]

looks like a good time! i remember the isles game...:kings: won 2-1 haha

never done 2 nhl games in one day, but not too long ago my friend got tickets from his boss for an angels game at 1 and after we went to a :kings:/sucks preseason game at 5 at the pond. going to have to look into a game at staples and the pond though on the same day thats how you should spend your weekend...a kings win and a ducks lose haha

 

[Ironman Indy]

Great pics Chris, sounds like you had a great time.

Thanks for showing the photos, some nice closeups

Cheers :beer: