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'I became the Flamingo Man': Why there was a flamingo behind the New York Rangers goalie in Game 1

NEW YORK -- The fans behind Rangers star goalie Igor Shesterkin were a sea of blue jerseys and black commemorative T-shirts during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday.

Except for one distinct splash of neon pink, courtesy of the inflatable flamingo being waved furiously after each save in the Rangers' 6-2 victory.

"We've won the last two games I've been here," proudly boasted Matt Ansen, a lifelong Rangers fan who lives in Florida.

Ansen's inflatable flamingo had "Go Rangers, 2022, ECF" and the date of Wednesday night's game written on it.