Note: If you’re not a Blackhawks fan, a hockey fan, an admirer of the Stanley Cup, or you otherwise just have good taste in what you read, please close the browser and go about your business. This is nothing more than random thoughts, images, and a short video from opening night at the United Center with the Blackhawks and the Capitals. Proceed at your own will…
“I’ve got good news and bad news. I can get you a ticket for tonight’s game, but it’s just a single seat. Interested?”
To make that part of the story short, the answer was a simple “Damn straight, skippy!” (or something to that effect.) It was opening night for the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks but more importantly, it was the night they raised their championship banner to forever be hung in the rafters at the United Center. The Stanley Cup was there, a few celebrity appearances, some incredible videos were played, and emotions were high – long before a single second of hockey was played.
Once in a Lifetime
Prior to the general announcements of the executives, team physicians, players, and a whole host of other people no one really hears nor cares about – there was a video that played. One that relived the journey of last season, the record winning streak that started it off, the playoff excitement, :17 seconds, and the summer of celebrations with the Stanley Cup. I will not confirm nor deny that I may or may not have teared up. It was simply awesome.
The light show, the hoisting of the Stanley Cup and the team raising the banner to the rafters was truly something that, just a few years ago, I never expected to see in my lifetime let alone live and in person. Granted there were 22,000 others in the building with me, but personally I was humbled and honored to be there. It was a great presentation and a wonderful night put on by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Yet despite all of that, there was a hockey game to be played.
The Good (Blackhawks)
The final score was 6-4 Chicago. It certainly wasn’t a pretty win, but how’s that saying go: “I would rather win ugly than lose pretty.” ?
Michal Handzus was well and had a beautiful assist to Brandon Saad. Brent Seabrook’s effort hitting the back of the net should make most weekly highlight films. And as much as I’ve justifiably ripped on Brandon Bollig for being, well, a crappy hockey player – his scrappy, garbage, goal to start it all was a first step in trying to change my mind.
The Good (Capitals)
Yeah he may be an annoying prick with a tramp stamp (look it up, it’s true!), but Alex Ovechkin is a hell of a hockey player. He’s fast and was always noticeable on the ice. It was easy to see why he’s MVP caliber.
Another positive on the Washington side of the ice was their power play (which scored 3 of their 4 goals). They were patient. They moved the puck very well. I can only imagine Blackhawks fans crapping themselves over a similar display if Chicago played that way. The annoying and impatient screams of “Shoot!” would be ringing loud and strong at the UC. Take note ‘Hawk fans, the Caps did it right last night.
The Bad
Late in the 3rd period, the Caps had a 5-on-3 advantage and the Blackhawks couldn’t win a face-off to save their frickin’ lives. It was frustrating, really and in the end they got lucky. You could almost sense a goal for the visitors, but fortunately it wasn’t meant to be. Still. They need to do better in those situations.
Niklas Hjalmarsson, I thought, was brutal – especially in the 2nd period. He looked lost, sluggish, and had sort of a non-nonchalant attitude. He’s better than that. He needs to be more consistent.
Finally, the Blackhawks aren’t physical. I’m not talking from a fighting standpoint. I’m just saying they need to hit, be hit, and play a little rough. A good, big, team is going to manhandle them and the idea of playing nice isn’t going to fly. Then again, they’re the Stanley Cup Champs so perhaps their changing the winning formula in the NHL.
The Ugly
Tommy Hawk, the penalty kill, and jersey fouls (see below.)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJqA8XpM7WU]
Yes. Those are my fat fingers holding the ring.
Wives and girlfriends got hooked up too.
This is a Jersey Foul. Big time!
Opening Face-Off
This is cool. Don’t knock it.
A shiny Stanley Cup.
Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull
Poor guys couldn’t help raise the banner…
It was quite a spectacle, wasn’t it? A thoroughly enjoyable evening! I’m not one who tears up easily, so there were no tears from me last night. But I won’t deny that I had goosebumps and felt my heart skip a beat or two. I never thought I’d witness something like this in person either simply because it took me a long time to discover how much I enjoyed hockey. It meant a great deal to me to stand next to my husband last night. Excellent, excellent post!!!!!
I’m kinda bummed I didn’t get a calendar! I asked the guy when I walked in about it and he said that there were wristbands at each chair and that we’d get the calendars on the way out. (I thought it was an odd answer, but I had no choice but to accept it.)
He was wrong.
Oh. Plus Fandamonium was out of the Media Guides! Big crowds are great and all, but they really put a damper on my ability to get what (and where) I want.