Had a bad feeling at a recent hockey game

[Mr. Sandman]

Took the kids to an Ice Hockey game while on LI over the Christmas break. Islanders vs. Rangers. We were all excited to see these two teams play each other and watch them engage the rivalry. We had 8 great seats and I was seated on the next to the last seat on an end row. There was a vacant single seat next to me. A Middle Eastern fellow sat down next to me and he had an islander jersey on like most folks. He was really quiet. The game was heated and there were lots of big hits and wild plays. I was horse in a matter of minutes. I noticed this fellow did not utter a sound. He sat quietly. He has his cell phone on his lap and a small book in Arabic in his hands, which he was reading most of the time. Every now and again his cell phone would ring and he was talking (in Arabic) to another person in the coliseum. The second period he never opened his eyes was clearly praying and it was not for the islanders as their 2-0 lead evaporated. I was starting to get concerned about his intentions on why he was at the game if he didn’t care to look at the game. All I kept thinking was here I am sitting next to a terrorist in NY with my entire family…I didn’t like it one bit. I got up several times during the break and each time I passed him I patted him on the back or stomach or rubbed up against him slightly to see if he was strapped with anything…. felt a little overweight but no bulges. He kept reading and praying and talking to his buddy in Arabic. I kept my eyes open for a security guy and when a group of rowdy guys behind us through a beer bottle (now plastic) at the ice and it fell short and when into the crowd, they quickly appeared and removed the entire group from the game. I was about to tell the guard that this fellow is acting strange to me but by then it was late in the third period and he left.

I regret not telling someone about this sooner. Thinking about it now I was actually frightened at one point. Nothing happened it but I just hate being in places like that anymore.

If I see something that appears strange again I am getting the security folks .

[BigFish]

Could be he/they were casing the joint for a suicide gig....I have been saying it for some time now....they will begin to target sporting events....lots of people and a high body count......if I was you I would have packed the family up and left at least as a precaution......does not seem as though you spent much time watching the game....your family would have understood!

[BigFish]

How did you know this fellow was talking on the cell to someone else in the arena?

[Goose]

One time I was waiting to board a plane in SC and noticed a suitcase by itself, although it was over 15 years ago I recall it was a scary... maybe it was because I had just got out of boot camp.

[nightfighter]

Jim, I would report that to arena security as most stadiums have video surveillance. I would at least expect they would want to get the guy's face off the tape. Still got your ticket stub?

[TheSpecialist]

I would get the seat number to them, let them trace the seat out. It very well could have been a dry run.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

Jim, I would report that to arena security as most stadiums have video surveillance. I would at least expect they would want to get the guy's face off the tape. Still got your ticket stub?

Jim - you gotta call it in. Sure it is a pain in the ass and 90% chance just a freak thing but let the Security Pros (or those that fill the billet) make that decision. Definitely kick this one upstairs...

This would not happen at a Bruins game - No Fans

[Swimmer]

Should have hung a rubber chicken over into the bench and then give it to the arabic type fellow. The islanders bench would have taken care of the situation ala Derek Sanderson during that away game years ago.