Thursday, December 16, 2010

A Great Rangers Fan Needs Your Help

Fellow DARK-friends, post our third big win against the Phoenix Coyotes, a somber and human request...

My buddy Fran Pizzani, a lifelong Blueshirt Mega-fan was unable to be at The Garden the last two big games because he was taken over by an unknown condition that has left him in the ICU at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. He is unconscious, but his wife Carly is reading stories of hope, funny anecdotes and well wishes from hundreds of people. In two days he has received notes from Howard Stern and hundreds of Fran's friends.

Every voice means something, and as Rangers fans I call on all of you to rise to his occasion! Send anything to DARK at srel1229@gmail.com or leave a comment below and every single note will be sent to Fran, as we need him back at The Garden cheering on our boys...

Happy holidays and happy health to all, and thanks for helping Fran out of the DARKness!

TDR

61 comments:

  1. Fran - We are cheering you on from just off the ice!

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  2. Hey Fran we need you for the game on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flies. Can you believe we are 5th in the Eastern Conference, we must all be in dreamland? Remember that your woman Carly is the head of the house so listen to her closely and get the hell up already. Tell you what buddy, Section 117 Row D will dedicate four seats to F-R-A-N and you get to sit in them when you get better. Let's go Rangers and Let's Go Fran!

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  3. Fran,

    Look at all the New York action you are missing! The Rangers are one of the hottest teams going beating Washington, Pittsburgh and last night pulled a nailbiter shootout win against the Phoenix Coyotes.

    Trust that we in the hockey world are pulling for you, and it sounds as though you are surrounded by the people that love you the most.

    Though, I wouldn't trust this Dark Ranger fellow when you get out.... ;)

    Alex Walling, TSN

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  4. Hey Fran. I'm a Leaf/Sabres fan but we're all part of one big NHL community. I wish you all the best and hope to see you back cheering for the Blueshirts soon.

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  5. Get Well Fran!

    Dancing Larry and the fans at the Garden miss you.
    Looking forward to hearing you shout POTVIN SUCKS and sing SWEET CAROLINE soon.

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  6. Fran -

    Thinking of you, singing this -

    Bump Bump Bump ba dump
    Bump Bump Bump ba dump
    Bump Bump Bump ba dump
    Bump Bump Bump
    POTVIN SUCKS!!

    Get well soon! Hope to see you at the Garden, when Dobbie lends another beating to OvaryKing.

    Andrew

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  7. fran, we need you back at the garden! the 'gers have still won only eight of seventeen games at home, playing better away from the world's most famous arena. alison has been keeping my wife and me apprised of your awful situation, which sounds like a bad episode of "house." we're all pulling for you, buddy, whether you win in regulation, overtime, or a shootout!

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  8. Fran all the best and get well soon you are needed back at the world's most famous arena. The Garden isn't the same without you and this is a really exciting time to be a NY RANGERS fan! Hope to do a dance again for you very soon...LETS GO RANGERS!!!
    Dancin' Larry

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  9. Fran: its not the same without you. We are all waiting!
    Seth

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  10. We know you can fight to get better as your team The NY Rangers have won 3 and it was against Washington, Pittsburgh and Phoenix. Thoughts and prayers are sent your way! Get well Fran!!!

    Annmarie :o)

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  11. Sending love and light your way! We need all the TRUE BLUE we can get right now so a speedy recovery is in order here! Wishing you and your family a healthy, happy Holiday Season filled with joy and you back at the Garden!!

    Best,
    Hockey Chick

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  12. Hey Fran,
    From a TRUE BLUE Leaf Fan to a TRUE BLUE Rangers Fan Get Better soon. All the Best
    and Just for you... Let's Go Rangers!!!

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  13. Fran,

    I found a poem someone wrote about the memorable run by the NY Rangers to the Stanley Cup, May 3, 1995.

    It was game seven, the opponent Nordique, the face-off was won to Pat Verbeek.
    His dump-in pass whizzed right by Fiset, where waiting to pounce stood Mark Messier.
    His pass went to the slot, right to Brian Leetch, who rocketed a slapper toward the goal crease.
    Waiting in front was, of course, Adam Graves, he deflected the shot but Fiset made the save.
    The rebound was brought out by Wendel Clark, he was sure he would make his mark.
    But out of nowhere came in with a zoom, was a bone-crushing hit by Jeff Beukeboom.
    The puck squirted loose and went right to Larmer, who connected with Kovalev waiting in the corner.
    He got out in front with a dazzling move. You could hear Coli shouting "Shoot Alex, shoot!"
    His shot had power, destined to score, but a clang could be heard as it hit the cross-bar.
    It ricocheted out to the neutral-zone, where it was picked up by the breaking Owen Nolan.
    He moved around Lowe, he was in all alone, he took a quick wrist shot but he was stoned.
    He was taken down with a quick little shove, as the puck settled into Richter's big catching glove.
    Ricky threw it down on the stick of Sergei Zubov, who played it up the middle to Sergei Nemchinov.
    He passed it across toward some open ice, this was a play that would prove to be nice,
    for breaking from nowhere with the puck that he led, was the speedy blue shirt of Petr Nedved.
    He moved into the zone all by himself, there was an opening in the net, it was the top-shelf.
    He faked a slapper and a wrist-shot he let loose, it was so hard he could be arrested for goalie abuse.
    It glanced off Fiset's shoulder but was still on line, the team that would win it I knew would be mine.
    The puck hit the net and the red light came on, as the fans in Le Colisee quieted, some even went home.
    No goals allowed by Richter, maybe just maybe, would bring from J.D. one big "Oh Baby!"
    The pressure kept coming but to no avail, as the face of Marc Crawford turned very pale.
    Their quest continued down the grueling road, and everyone thought "Heave Ho, Two in a Row!"

    The Rangers are moving up! Wishing you a speedy return to the ice!

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  14. Hey Fran,
    Ranger Fans are unique in that the face of all the BS calls, Cups Few and far between, being snubbed by the league, we endure, press on and like this season still manage to find things to consider ourselves blessed with. We are rewarded when the team does the same and manages come out on top. Sometimes the secret to victory is just not losing or giving up...Keep fighting, brother in blue...

    - Jay (J_Undisputed)

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  15. Hey Fran,

    Things like this transcend the lines that Atlantic division rivals may draw. From a Pens fan to a Rangers fan I can only wish you a speedy recovery. Hope to hear you are back cheering at the Garden soon.

    Oz

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  16. Get well soon Fran, your motivtion to get better should be not to miss any more games of a Ranger team that is setting us up for a special spring.

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  17. Hey Fran,

    As a Devils fan who's crossing enemy lines, I'd like you to know that I come in peace. Just here to wish you a speedy recovery and I hope you get well soon.

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  18. any ranger fan is a friend of mine, get well soon fran !!

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  19. Get well soon, We need you up and cheering the boys! You and Carly are in my prayers! Just remember - Potvin Sucks and Crosby does too! The Ranger family is cheering you on!

    Dawn

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  20. I have an idea that will get Fran's attention...

    "MATTEAU. MATTEAU. MATTEAU."

    Get back in the game, Fran. Your shift is coming up.

    Glennybits
    Washington Wombats
    PHL 242

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  21. Dear Fran,

    I can't wait to hear the good news that you're back at the Garden cheering on another Rangers win. Until then, we'll be cheering twice as loud for you. Get well soon! We need you and the Rangers need you!

    Best wishes to you and you're family,

    Debbie

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  22. Fran,

    We've never met and I'm a Bruins fan but it's fans like you who keep the Garden boisterous and strong, to boo punks like me in our #4 Bobby Orr jerseys. All the best to you and your family and high hopes for a swift return for you to MSG,

    Graeme

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  23. WHOA!!!.........greetings from a canucklehead from the west coast of Canada. Its too bad Messier couldn't do what he did for the Rangers when he was with the Canucks......what was missing was the rootin' and hollerin' from a bunch of Pizzanis!!! Keep it up or it'll be another 50+ years!!!

    canucksuck
    PHL 242

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  24. Get well soon Fran you just have to get better cause your their number one fan and when they go to win the stanley cup you have to be there. may you get better so you can have a very merry christmas and a n.y. ranger fan new year.

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  25. Fran! This year is going to be the year! Get well soon so you can see the Rangers go all the way!

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  26. Get better soon Fran! Our Blueshirts need you back cheering them on!

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  27. Get well soon....Being that I lost my lovely wife two days after thanksgiving last year I know that the Holidays can be hard when a love one is sick.... Be strong take care of your husband/dad....We need to love our family everyday...I will be saying a prayer for you and your family......

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  28. Hello from Britian i'm a very new rangers fan but i already know one of the things that makes the rangers as awsome as they are is fans like you here's to hopping you will be back at the garden soon cheering on our boys all the way to winning the cup

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  29. Fran,
    My thoughts are with you and your family. You will be in my prayers for a speedy recovery.

    -Rob

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  30. It could be worse. You could've be an Islanders fan.

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  31. sending my thoughts and health your way. will be cheering even louder for you. LETS GO RANGERS!

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  32. As a fellows Rangers fan who fell in love with the Blue Shirts so many years ago at my first live hockey game (Rangers Vs Bruins at Boston Garden)and probally one of if not the only Rangers fan in Toronto.I wish you and your family the best in these tough times.

    Go Rangers !

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  33. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. We need you back at the Garden cheering on our boys. Hoping for a speedy recovery.
    Janene

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  34. Our Father, who art in the Garden, hockey be thy name. Thy will be done, the cup will be won, on ice, as well as in the stands. Give us this day, our hockey sticks, and forgive us our penalties as we forgive those who cross-check against us. Lead us not into elimination, but deliver... us to victory. In the name of the fans, Lord Stanley, and in the name of the Rangers, Amen!

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  35. Fran! Get better quick! The boys in blue need your support in person! Lets go Rangers!

    Best to you and your family.
    Fred from Baltimore

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  36. Fran,

    Get well soon! We're gonna need you at the Garden screaming with the rest of us! Best of luck and God bless you and your family. And always, go Rangers.

    Brian

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  37. FRAN-NATION UPDATE:

    KEEP WRITING EVERYONE...It's working.

    Dear Team Fran! Fran has had a STELLAR day! No more dialysis, normal ventilator, and suddenly all the docs are saying 'When' he wakes up. NO MORE IF!!!

    As Fran is still unconscious and in the ICU (still unknown to the medical staff around him), we are all growing "playoff Fran beards" until he wakes up, so with that I present to you,...

    FACIAL HAIR UPDATE (from Jeff at the hospital): Formerly known as the “BEARD UPDATE” until that took on a completely new meaning. (You sick monkeys)
    There was a towel obstructing Fran's beard, but his moustache is a force to be reckoned with. Black as an I-talian’s heart, and as thick as your mama’s thighs. When he pulls out of this, and they make the FRAN PIZZANI MADE FOR TV MOVIE, he will most definitely be played by Tom Selleck. Or Chewbacca.
    *Carly wanted it noted that she is still not a fan.

    Keep 'em coming. Make the guy laugh...tell your friends. Stan Fischler, Sean Avery, Dancing Larry, Puck Daddy, tons of bloggers, hundreds of hockey fans are crossing lines and willing FRAN to recover.

    Thank you, thank you hockey fans around the globe!!! This energy is working.

    DARK

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  38. Hey Fran,

    Never met you but as a fellow Blueshirt Faithful I hope everything is OK and you get well soon.

    Let's go Rangers!

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  39. Get well soon so you can cheer our Rangers on at the Garden!

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  40. As a fellow human being, and blueshirts fan, i wish you the best of luck in these testing times. Hope to see you at a home game soon

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  41. Hey there Fran. I don't know you personally, but this request from your friend moved me, so I had to put something in here for you.

    From an international and long-time Rangers fan, all the way from the United Kingdom, I wish you and your friends and family the very best, and of course I hope for a speedy recovery for you. I'm certain you'll get the chance to thank your buddy TDR for this gesture.

    When the boys score the next goal of many against the Lightning I'll think of you and send some positive vibes your way! I've got friends and family over in New York who go to Rangers games, I'll get them to do the same for you!

    Potvin Sucks!
    LET'S GO RANGERS!!!!!

    Get well soon Fran, you're needed at the next puck drop!

    Laura.

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  42. Get well soon fellow fan! Wake up and enjoy the Holidays with your loved ones, gain a few pounds, and watch Avery kick some ass!
    To Carly, keep your head high and think positive!!!

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  43. Fran, You are a sister to me. The Rangers Organization, and the love we share for the Rangers makes us a family.
    Tonight I light a candle for you, and I will every night hereafter. I will do my Novena to the Infant of Prague, every night hereafter, for you, because you are my sister.
    Now!!! THINK POSITIVE THOUGHTS!! WATCH FUNNY MOVIES!! HUG EVERONE!! OUR MINDS HAVE SO MUCH POWER, SO LET YOUR MIND RULE YOUR BODY!
    I will think about you during each game, and with every thought I have, a prayer goes up for you.
    THIS IS OUR YEAR!! THIS YEAR OUR TEAM HAS SUCH HEART AND SUCH BACKBONE! KEEP ROOTING LOUDLY, AND WITH JOY! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
    PEACE!!!! PATTI HIRSCH

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  44. Hey Fran,
    As a fellow Blueshirt diehard I'm wishing you all the best in the world, get well stay strong, and stay true to the blue(shirts)!! ToCarly stay strong and think positive this to shall pass and Fan will be back stronger then ever!

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  45. Hey Fran,
    As a fellow Blueshirt diehard I'm wishing you all the best in the world, get well stay strong, and stay true to the blue(shirts)!! ToCarly stay strong and think positive this to shall pass and Fan will be back stronger then ever!

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  46. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Fran.

    I hope that Rangers games are broadcast for you to hear.

    I believe that the sounds of love ones and the team that you love can only help with the healing process.

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  47. Hey man, Rangers fan from Atlanta checking in, I heard about your troubles and you gotta get better so you can get back to the garden. It doesn't sound quite the same when I am watching on MSG.

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  48. Fran, you are in my family's thoughts and prayers. If Nedved can be a Ranger twice, God really does grant miracles. You have all of us on your bench tapping our sticks. We WILL see you at the Garden soon. God bless you and your family.

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  49. LET'S GO FRAN!
    CLAP CLAP CLAP-CLAP-CLAP

    Can you tell how much we missed you Saturday night?

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  50. Fran, there's so much for you to come back to. We're doing great: we have more points than the Isles and Devils combined! But it's a tight race in the conference, and we need you there.

    Best of luck, Fran, from one diehard fan to another.

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  51. Hi Fran,

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. May God give you continued strength and good health today and always.

    Let's Go Rangers!

    Tom Russo, Jr.
    Parsippany, NJ

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  52. Fran,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you. Wishing you a speedy recovery from one die-hard fan to another. It's fans like you that personify the term TRUE BLUE. Get well soon!!!

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  53. Get well soon Fran =)
    Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!

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  54. Hey Fran

    Here is to a speedy recovery!!

    We need all our blueshirt fans!

    Get well!!

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  55. Get well, Fran! You had better be attending the next Devils / Rangers game to show those bitter Devil fans what's what!!

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  56. Hi Fran --- we've seen the boys come back --- and you can too...hang in there --- and hurry back --- they need you!

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  57. Fran, hope you're reading this, but all of us Ranger die-hards wishing you a speedy recovery & hope you can get back to The Garden real soon to assume your rightful spot; @ Ranger home games!!! And more inner strength to you, Carly!!!

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  58. Hey Fran,

    We finally have a team worth rooting for. Here's to a speedy recovery. Get back to the Garden real soon.

    You and your family are in our prayers.

    Frank & Nancy

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  59. Happy holidays everyone! Hockey fans across the globe are the best fans by far, as your words have all been read to Fran during his unconsciousness. I couldn't be any happier to report that he is AWAKE (finally) and today they actually took him off the ventilator. Breathe... You have all had a profound effect in his recovery and for that I am humbled and grateful to all of you. Think about the number of beers he'll owe me! Happy New Year!

    TDR

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  60. A Message From Fran Pizzani
    http://www.thedarkranger.com/2011/01/message-from-fran-pizzani.html

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