The Evil Empire

For people who don't understand how deep the Boston/NY rivalry goes or how far it extends, they should have been sitting in the pouring rain the other night at Nickerson field for the Boston Cannons home opener.

I know what you're thinking: "Um Karlsie, this is about the Red Sox, not lacrosse. Why are you talking about the Cannons?"

Simple, they played their home opener against the Long Island Lizards who were then greeted with boos; cat calls such as "Yankees go home" and the Evil Empire theme music playing over the PA system as they introduced the team.

Think about that for a minute - this rivalry is now so firmly entrenched that even lacrosse is part of the Boston/NY thing.

I admit that I have been to three professional lacrosse games in my life - all three at Nickerson and all three were the Cannons vs. the Lizards. All three times I have witnessed the rivalry. But for some reason, it truly struck me as I sat there in the pouring rain at how deep and how intense this truly is.

Tonight the kids know: it's Boston and NY - if it doesn't involve a fire, flood or blood, don't bother mom when the games on. I got my preview Saturday when the Cannons beat the Lizards 15-13 in the rain. I'm seeing that as an ... well, would omen be the right word to use this week?

Go Sox!