Blizzard could make for interesting day

 

The snow has already been falling here for a few hours. Today's predicted blizzard could dump over a foot of the white stuff in the metro area. What that could mean for the Rangers and Devils, who each are scheduled to play at home later tonight may be a lot of empty seats with the games still going on. 

Considering that the Olympic Break is a few days away and a mad scramble that features a hectic remaining schedule when play resumes, the NHL has no alternative other than to play tonight. If they could force the Pens to fly into Newark and then bus to D.C. for what turned out to be the highest rated NBC game since this year's Winter Classic, then they may as well give the go-ahead. The decision should be easier with both the Flyers and Predators already in town. Philly meets the Devils in the back end of a home-and-home while the Preds meet the Rangers a night after falling to the Islanders in a shootout.

Besides, there won't be enough time to reschedule and in a crazy season where every point matters, these games must be played. What it means for fans is being inconvenienced. Unless you live closeby or have public transportation access, there's no chance of getting to either arena. Good thing we sold the Nashville game a while back. Not that we could predict the weather which has made for an upside down winter. The kind we used to get.

As for the pic above, it was taken from a Ranger HF thread already 14 pages which was started a couple of days early in full anticipation. Coming off the "big storm" that only really hit South Jersey and gave us about five inches along the coast, today's is expected to be much bigger. Having already been out with a few friends earlier, Staten Island has two inches. Well, at least the South Shore does. :-P

So, what is thundersnow exactly? This is the kind of storm that will start with light snow but eventually gain steam with whiteout conditions expected by noon. Basically it's lake effect snow caused by thunder that intensifies the snowfall. Here's a little more detailed explanation:

Thundersnow, while rare anywhere, is more common with lake effect snow in the Great Lakes area of the United States and Canada, the midwestern U.S., and the Great Salt Lake. Thundersnow also occurs in Halifax, Nova Scotia, sometimes several times per winter season. The British Isles and northwestern EuropeKanazawa and the Sea of Japan, and even around Mount Everest during expeditions. When such storms happen at ski areas, these mountains are often evacuated for safety. sometimes report thunder and lightning during sleet or ( usually wet) snow showers during winter and spring. It has also been reported around.

Over the years, we've had a few big storms with the most notable the Blizzard of '96 which dumped 28 and a half inches here. I'm fairly certain one had the conditions described above. There also was that huge one a few years ago that was roughly the same. I remember it cause the Knicks still had Allan Houston and played the Kobe Lakers and Houston went for 50. We actually drove to the diner to pick up food. Crazy. Speaking of '96, back then I delivered papers and the next day was the big Sunday morning and we had to put them together at my old public school before parking outside and carrying them in. Fun times.

With school already canceled for students, if you got nothing to do after shoveling, light the fire, have some hot cocoa and watch tonight's games. It'll be an interesting day.

Battle Preview: Rangers/Flyers clash on Blizzard Day

Later today, a Nor'easter rolls into the metro area, including Pennsylvania which already has to be feeling the affects of the predicted blizzard for the weekend. Yes, they're calling for 6-12 inches of snow in the NY/NJ area with the white stuff expected to begin right around noon and gain steam during what will be a bitter cold winter day. The kind we used to get. Of course, it comes for kids on Winter Break with plenty returning home for the holiday season. Whatever you celebrate (Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanza, Festivus), enjoy it!

That old Patrick rivals the Rangers and Flyers clash in the City of Brotherly Love with a classic 1 PM start at Wachovia makes it that much better. Nothing like taking in some puck between a pair of struggling teams who hate each other. Especially with probably not much else to do unless you gotta shovel which we will and clean/warm up the car. So, we'll be making a few trips back and forth from the TV set while what amounts to an important game with these two first half disappointments fighting tooth and nail just to gain back respectability. The Rangers aim for two in a row with the same lineup that snapped a five-game skid in Long Island, meaning both Mr. Kleenex and Ales remain out. Now why can't we get Huggy Bear out too?

The Flyers haven't really improved under Peter Laviolette, gaining just a point in a home-and-home versus the Mighty Pens. Though they did play better in earning a point in the rematch- a gimmick defeat with Sid The Kid sealing it. Good news is they'll finally get Simon Gagne back. If you're a Blueshirt supporter, just great. A guy who always gives us fits returns and can our popgun offense repeat the breakout they had versus the Islanders? It'd be advisable for them to come out stronger against a hungry opponent desperate for a win. In other words, don't let Henrik fend for himself. He was brilliant the other night but that won't work if they're to take another baby step out of this month long funk. The leaders (Gabby/Cally) must lead and the grinders (Avery/Higgins/Christensen) must grind away. Another '05-07 Rozy showing would help along with the same sturdiness from Girardi. Tort also liked what he saw from Heineken. So, he'll get another whirl as will Sangs.

Regardless, it's vital for the Rangers to get this game, which would boost self esteem. They were still quite shaky the other night. So, they're far from out of it. You know the Flyers will come hard. They must band together and stand up for their emotional leader, whose crease figures to be busy. Thursday was a start. Now, it's time to keep it going.

Make Blizzard Day a forgettable one for the Cheesesteaks.