Welcome to the Mad House

Last night I caught up with a friend whom I hadn't seen in far too long. We had a man date at the Blackhawks game against the St. Louis Blues. After missing the entire season last year (Australian men play field hockey, not real hockey), I was extremely excited to see the only team able to bring Chicago a championship since I have actually cared about sports. Oh, and the White Sox may as well be from Indiana as far as I am concerned. I am still somewhat upset that I might have jinxed the hawks by coming back and disturbing the status quo (I'm a big deal).

Last night's game, however, quickly eliminated that idea. The United Center was absolutely amazing. The last time I went to a blackhawks game was during a VERY different, non-Stanley Cup winning, era. It used to be a fun event, but the crowd lacked confidence. Now, fans expect, and usually enjoy, victory at all costs.

The hawks went down 2-0 with 9 minutes left in the game. It was looking bleak. A couple years ago, many fans of the fair-weathered nature would have checked out in order to beat the traffic, but no! Not with these hawks. Even in an ice rink, there was humidity of a thick, musky, desire to take out our midwestern foes, no matter how scrappy we get.

Enter Marion Hossa. I would really like to thank all of you clowns up North for giving up one of the most prolific goal scorers in the game today. That man is oozing experience, infecting other players, and he has a nose for the goal like none other.

Hossa managed to score two goals right on the doorstep, the second being between his legs to tie it up. We eventually went into overtime and Kane had a 2 on 1 opportunity with all of the time in the world and, as we have come to expect from him, made a beautiful cross crease pass to Sharp for the goal after freezing the goalie by threatening to pick the near side corner.

The place went nuts.

Great reintroduction to the hawks and Chicago sports!