Royalty sees Islanders/Devils rematch on Super Bowl Sunday!

Prince at Nassau Coliseum - Home of the Islanders

The King and I took public transportation out to the Nassau Coliseum where we saw the rematch as the Islanders were hosting the Devils.

Due to television exclusivity on NBC, the game time was 3PM. As a result, the Islanders draw a crowd of 11,558. If the game started early, I like to think they would have had a better turn out.

As for the game we saw, neither team scored until late in the third period. The Devils cashed in on a power play opportunity as Islanders' defenseman Brian Strait was called for charging. Steve Bernier of the Devils scored with just 11 seconds left on the power play to give the Devils a 1-0 lead with 3:54 left in regulation time.

Bernier scored again just a minute and ten seconds later as he hit the puck off Islanders' goaltender Evgeni Nabokov from behind the net to make it a 2-0 game. David Clarkson of the Devils added an empty net goal to preserve the victory as goaltender Johan Hedberg got the shutout as the Devils beat the Islanders, 3-0.

After the game, we got a ride back to Queens from my pal Dennis Barbera who was at the game too.

The King and I wound up going to our friend Frank Anichiarico's place to see the Super Bowl. We enjoyed a great steak dinner and we watched the Baltimore Ravens become Super Bowl Champions for the second time in their history as they survived a blackout in the Superdome in New Orleans.

The Ravens made an impressive goal line stand as they held off the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31. Ravens' quarterback Joe Flacco capped off an amazing playoff run while Ray Lewis completed his Hall of Fame career with one last ride. It was a total team effort as they became Super Bowl XLVII Champions.

I was happy for all the good people I know from Baltimore.

Thank you for reading and following along.

Yours truly,

Gary Herman

Royalty sees playoff football in Baltimore as Ravens host Colts in AFC Wild Card Game!

Shannon, Nib & I

After the King & I had breakfast at Eichenkranz Restaurant, we drove within walking distance of M & T Bank Stadium & we parked the car on the street for free. We proceeded to walk over to the stadium.

We had tickets in advance because I decided to get them on Ticketmaster when they went on sale just before I went away to end 2012. With that being said, we were able to go right into the stadium without a hassle. After what I went through in Detroit, I'm glad I didn't have to waste my time outside trying to find tickets again. As it turned out, I "Lucked" out in more ways than one. It turned out that the Ravens wound up playing the Indianapolis Colts. It was Andrew Luck's first playoff game. In addition, a few days before the game, original Raven and inspirational team leader, Ray Lewis announced this was going to be his "last ride." With that being said, I knew tickets would be harder to come by.

This was going to be my 27th and final NFL game of the season regardless. I just wanted to see one playoff game to keep my streak of seeing at least one playoff game every year since 1997 alive. Mission accomplished. As for the King, it was his 20th NFL game of the season.

Upon entry, I headed right upstairs to section 500 row 32 which is the last row right at mid field. I wanted to see a guy named Harry "Nib"Pirrung who I met at a Raven game back on October 30, 2011 when I saw the Arizona Cardinals there. Nib has he's called was there with his daughter Shannon. It should be noted Nib has been at every Raven home game since they moved to Baltimore back in 1996. He loves his Ravens. Since we initially met, this was my fourth Raven game there since. Every time I've been there, I've made sure that I've seen Nib. The man is a fixture and he's a good guy. I'm so glad we've met. Once people came for the seats around him, I walked down to row 21 in section 500 and I "lucked" out again as I wound up finding an empty seat on the aisle where I was able to watch & score the game. With that being said, I gave myself a royal upgrade. I sat at mid field instead of the end zone where was my seat was located. The King decided to go to his seat. While I was getting ready for the game, I got in touch with our pal, Andrew Van Cleve who came on Amtrak from Philadelphia for the game. There were no seats available where I was sitting so he decided to stand below my section instead. He wound up having a great view of the game.
Speaking of the game, it started slow and sloppy. As a result, both teams failed to score in the first quarter despite a costly fumble by running back Ray Rice of the Ravens.

In second quarter, the Ravens got a 23 yard field goal from rookie kicker Justin Tucker with 11:18 left until halftime to take a 3-0 lead. With 2:25 left in the half, the Colts got even as veteran kicker Adam Vinatieri kicked a 47 yard field goal to tie the game at three. The Ravens roared back as they capped off a six play sixty three yard drive to regain the lead, 10-3 as fullback Vonta Leach ran in from two yards out with 50 seconds left. The Colts made good use of the remaining time as they converted a third and long which put them in position to attempt another field goal to slice into the lead as time expired in the half. Adam Vinatieri capitalized on the opportunity as he boomed a 52 yarder to make it a 10-6 game as the teams headed into the locker room.

In the third quarter, the Ravens extended their lead to 17-6 with 8:26 left as quarterback Joe Flacco connected with tight end Dennis Pitta on a 20 yard touchdown pass. With 40 seconds to go, the Colts added another field goal to get within eight at 17-9 as Adam Vinatieri booted one through from 26 yards out.

In the fourth quarter, the Ravens finished the scoring as wide receiver Anquan Boldin caught a 18 yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco with 9:14 left to secure the win for the Ravens, 24-9. The Colts and Andrew ran out of "Luck" on this day.

As for the Ravens earned a trip to Denver as Ray Lewis' "last ride" continued on the road in the Mile High City against Peyton Manning and the Broncos.

Stay tuned for the special post I'm going to do about Ray Lewis and his legendary football playing career.

Thank you for reading and following along.

Yours truly,

Gary Herman

Royalty goes to Cleveland to see the Browns play the Ravens!

Prince at Cleveland Browns Stadium

After we spent the night in Somerset, PA at Days Inn, we got up in the morning and we had breakfast at the hotel before we continued our journey to Cleveland, Ohio.

We left the hotel at 9:15AM and we arrived in downtown Cleveland at 12:20PM. We parked the car on the street and we walked over to Cleveland Browns Stadium where we were going to see the Browns play the Baltimore Ravens.

We didn't have tickets yet. We went outside the southeast gate and we asked around for them. After a short time, we were able to round up a few singles. The first one cost us $20 and the second was $10 so we split the difference and we went inside to watch the game.

As for the game we saw, the Browns reminded us of the Washington Wizards from the night before. Ironically they fell behind big early as the Ravens raced out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter. Running back Ray Rice from Rutgers was running wild early. He scored the first touchdown of the game with 8:32 left in the quarter as he ran in from 8 yards out. His counterpart in the backfield, rookie from Temple, Bernard Pierce scored with just one second left on the clock. He toed the sidelines as he took it in from 12 yards out. This occurred after he took an unnecessary roughness penalty that moved the ball from the 6 yard to the 21 yard line.

In the second quarter, the Browns started to make a comeback. They got a 32 yard field goal from their kicker Phil Dawson with 9:19 left until halftime to break the shutout at 14-3. Later in the quarter they failed to get in the end zone on a few more occasions. They wound up settling for field goals from 28 & 29 yards out as they made it a game going into the locker room trailing by five points at 14-9.

In the third quarter, the Browns' defense continued to dominate as they held the Ravens scoreless. The Browns tacked on another field goal from 33 yards out with 2:39 left to get within two at 14-12.

In the fourth quarter, the Browns took their first lead of the day with 8:48 left as Phil Dawson connected on a 41 yard field goal to give the Browns a 15-14 lead. The Browns defense was worn down as they allowed the Ravens to regain the lead. The Ravens awoke as they marched down the field on a nine play 81 yard drive that culminated with a 19 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Torrey Smith with 4:26 left in the quarter. They added the two point conversion as quarterback Joe Flacco found wide receiver Anquan Boldin to give the Ravens a 22-15 lead. After the Browns turned the ball over on downs deep in their own territory, the Ravens got a 43 yard field goal from kicker Justin Tucker to seal the deal, 25-15. Just like the Wizards the night before, the Browns found a way to lose.

That's the way it goes. After the game, we walked back to the car as we got ready for the long ride home.
We got in the car just before 5PM. On the way back we stopped off at Burger King for a fast dinner. We made a pit stop for gas as well in Pennsylvania so we didn't have to worry about waiting all night to find a gas station who had gas. We got back home at 1AM.

All things considered we had a great weekend. We adjusted to the circumstances we were given and we made the best of them.

Thank you for reading and following along.

Yours truly,

Gary Herman

Royalty completes NFL Doubleheader in Baltimore for AFC Championship Game rematch with the Ravens and Patriots on SNF!

Prince at M & T Bank Stadium - Home of  Baltimore Ravens

As I walked back to my car, I saw plenty of people sitting in traffic. As for me, I got out with no hassle. I decided to go to McDonald's which was right nearby in a shopping center as I headed back to the highway to take out food as I drove to Baltimore to attempt to get into the Raven game. I knew it wasn't going to be easy but I wanted to give it a shot. As I like to say, you can't succeed if you don't try. With that being said, I wound up parking the car on the street in the neighborhood around 6:30PM. I walked over to M & T Bank Stadium, which is the home of the Baltimore Ravens. Upon arrival, I went right to the box office in hopes of them releasing tickets for the game. Last Thanksgiving night, the King and I did the same thing and we lucked out and got tickets.

This time they opened the window around 7PM and they sold some tickets at different price points. I was around the tenth person on line. When I finally got to the window, they said they were all sold out. The guy in front of me got the last ticket they sold on the lower level for $115. I didn't give up. Instead I walked away and I went near the gate that was up the block and I asked over and over if anybody had an extra ticket. After trying for 20 minutes or so, I lucked out as a lady told me she had an extra ticket. She said it was a $55 ticket and she wanted $55 for it. I instantly told her, you got it. I couldn't thank her enough as I proceeded to go in at 7:45PM which gave me plenty of time to get ready for the opening kickoff. I was jumping for joy when I was inside. The seat was located in section 507 which was near the end zone. I told the lady I may not sit there because I know somebody who sits in section 500 in the last row at mid field. I gathered myself and I headed up to the top to see my pal Nib who I met at the Raven game against the Arizona Cardinals last October 30th. Nib has been at every Raven game since they moved to Baltimore back in 1996. He was joined by his daughter Shannon as well as friends of his who have seats next to his. It was great to see him again. Once the seats filled in around him, I said goodbye. I wound up playing musical chairs as I made my way down. After moving a few times, I lucked out into a few seats in row 11 in section 500. What a view I had. A royal upgrade indeed. Those seats in that section regardless of the row cost $90. I did amazing well outside and inside.

As for the game I saw, the Patriots raced out to an early 13-0 lead after the first quarter. The Ravens like the Redskins earlier in the day came back. They wound up taking a 14-13 lead late in the second quarter as Ravens' quarterback Joe Flacco found wide receiever Torrey Smith who played college ball at the University of Maryland for a 25 yard touchdown pass with 9:45 left in the second quarter. It should be noted he was playing with a very heavy heart because his brother got killed Saturday night. Flacco hit Dennis Pitt for the go ahead score with 1:47 left in the half on a 20 yard touchdown pass. The Ravens left too much time on the clock for Tom Brady and the Patriots. As a result, the Patriots regained the lead with just two seconds left in the half as Tom Brady connected with Julian Edelman on a seven yard touchdown pass to give the Patriots a 20-14 lead at the intermission.

On the first drive of the second half, the Ravens got the ball and they scored to take the lead again, 21-20 as Ray Rice formerly of Rutgers scored a touchdown from seven yards out. With 6:48 left in the third quarter, the Patriots responded with another touchdown as former Jet Danny Woodhead ran in from three yards out to make it 27-21. With 14:10 left in the fourth quarter, the Patriots extended their lead to nine at 30-21 with a field goal. The Ravens continued to fight back as Torrey Smith, heavy heart and all, caught another touchdown pass this time from five yards out with 4:01 left to get the Ravens within two at 30-28. Unlike the game in January, when the Ravens missed a field goal that would have tied the game, this time rookie kicker Justin Tucker took advantage of his chance to be the hero as he kicked a 27 yard field goal to win the game for the Ravens, 31-30 as time ran out. What a day of football action I saw.

Both games I saw on this day were eerily similar. They were competitive and they were full of action from start to finish. I was thrilled as a football fan to be at both of them.

After the game, I drove home and went to work without getting any sleep.

Stay tuned for further details as well as my w/o 9/24 in review. Please bear with me as I continue to play catch up.

Thank you for reading and following along.

Yours truly,

Gary Herman