Home Opener…10/10
By Susan | October 11, 2009
When my brother told me he bought himself home opener hawks tickets for 10-10 (his birthday) I only HOPED he would invite me, and not one of his friends to go. I waited and waited, all through September, secretly and sometimes not so secretly, wishing he would take me…and finally he did!
While I choose to miss the red carpet event prior to the game; we arrived at the United Center sometime around 5:30. With 2 hours to kill before the game, we did what everyone does; drink and shop at Fandamonium. After three beers and about 100 bucks spent, we went to our seats. We were seated on the 200 level, first row. While to those of you who are usually sitting in the 100 level and on the glass, these may not seem like good seats, but to fans that are used to the 300 level we were thrilled! Having a personal waitress and being a whole level closer to the ice, made the game incredible!
We were anxiously awaiting the boys to come out to warm up and when they finally did, I could feel my heart racing. I haven’t been to any preseason games and it’s been about 6 months since I’ve seen them play a game live…the convention doesn’t count!
When the lights finally dimmed, and the intro video started, we were on our feet with excitement…along with 20,000 other people. Feeling the chill of the ice, hearing “Lets Go Hawks” echoing in the UC, and sitting right below the banners, made me the luckiest girl in the world. The crowd was the loudest I have ever heard it, even during playoff games-against the Wings.
When the players were announced they all lined up, and it was a beautiful site to see. Then to I think, everyone’s surprise, they announced Denis Savard. When he came out wearing full hockey gear, the UC blew up. Then Tony-O in his spectacularly unique goalie gear came out, with his mask and all. My heart was going to jump out of my chest. He took his mask off and spun around for everyone to see. It was spectacular. When it seemed too good to be true, Stan came out, looking better than ever. And finally Hull. While it was so loud in the UC no one missed the part where Hull almost fell and relied on Mikita to keep him balanced!
Sadly, there wasn’t much fighting last night, although there certainly should have been. There was some crazy action, however, as the Avalanche lost to the Blackhawks 4-3 in the shootout. Even though we ultimately had to settle for one point, the Avalanche were fun to watch.
It didn’t start out crazy. The only scoring in the first period was by Barker. In the second, of course Huet went down and Hendricks shot one right over his shoulder to tie the game. A few minutes later we thought we had a goal, but of course it just stopped on the line and after ‘Chelsea Dagger’ was prematurely played, the goal was reviewed and overturned. After a wild 2nd period, the score was 3-3.
And that was it for the scoring. Both teams tightened up considerably in the 3rd period.
And then came the shootout. I have never seen a more exciting, 9 round shootout. The entire UC was shaking and on its feet yelling ‘HU-ET’. When we saw the unusual order of the shootout, my entire section was worried. Seeing Buff, Boland and Brouwer all in the shootout kinda made me cringe. Don’t get me wrong, I love all three, but in a shootout-with Huet as our goalie-I was terrified. And when Ladd came up and made that shot, I wouldn’t hear silence for the rest of the night. The UC was electric; the streets were electric, even in the parking lot waiting to get out.
It was perhaps the best game I have ever been to.
So thanks Mark, for taking me to celebrate your birthday!
(Look a whole post, without mentioning Sharp…see I can do it….sort of)
Topics: Uncategorized | 87 Comments »
It’s finally October!
By Jeanna | October 4, 2009
Hi everyone, @siana_mia as I’m known on Twitter, or just Jeanna elsewhere. It’s finally October which of course, means hockey is back!! :D I can honestly say that I have not been this excited for a new hockey season to begin. Also… if it weren’t for my awesome Twitter friends, I would not have been able to get through the offseason. Yeah it was only two months but it’s eternity for hockey fans.
I’m also happy because I was able to watch a few of the pre-season games online and the last game (and first regular season game) in Helsinki, Finland. I have a feeling that this year will be one of the best yet — I am sad we don’t have Burish for quite a few months but I know with our team we’ll get through it!
The best thing from the pre-season has definitely been Sharpy’s amazing all-access videos on blackhawks.nhl.com. If you’ve seen us post about how hilarious they have been, and not checked them out by now, you should! Sharpy should just be filmed 24/7 and it will be awesome. I also like how in the 3rd & 4th video, he got Tazer to loosen up a bit. It’s good to see — however I don’t think we’ll ever know if he ever played any pranks like he talked about in the first one. I’m just glad we have the funniest team on the league. It’s important to have the chemistry like they do! If these vids are great, I can imagine how good they’ll be the rest of the year….
My husband and I are still unsure if we’re going to the Jan. 30th game in Raleigh… I would really, really like to go — but I know for sure we’re going to see our local minor league team in action in a few weeks 
That is all for now from North Carolina — GO HAWKS!
Topics: Blackhawk-isms, Uncategorized | 93 Comments »
Hello, World!
By Cari | September 7, 2009
Please, allow me to introduce myself… My name is Cari, or @caricariboberri, for those of you on Twitter.
Just like my “about me” says, and like Clare, I am from Buffalo, New York, and was born and raised a die-hard Sabres fan. So, how did I come to be writing for a blog about the Chicago Blackhawks, you ask?
It all started the night of the 2009 NHL All-Star Game… I don’t usually watch this event (I find it boring, to be perfectly frank), but for some reason, this past year, I tuned in. And man, oh man, am I ever glad that I did. The episode of Sports Soup that aired afterwards featured my idol Sarah Spain’s interview with Blackhawks forward and now Rookie of the Year nominee, Kris Versteeg. From the moment he began to rap Luda’s part in Fergie’s “Glamorous,” I was done for. He had me at “champagne weaknesses.”
About a month and a half later, Clare and I met, and she made it her mission in life to get me to become a Blackhawks fan. To be honest, I didn’t think it could be done. I obviously stand corrected. And it didn’t take all that long or much. Sure, a deep playoff run helped quite a bit, and the Sabres breaking my heart (yet again) didn’t hurt either.
Now, I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to treat my posts on Not the Ice Crew… I have my Sabres blog (Sabre Chaser), on which I write both seriously, and very tongue-in-cheek-esque, nonsensical ramblings (most of which end up with me talking to Derek Roy like he’s my gay boyfriend). Then there’s my very little Blackhawks project, dedicated right now to Kris (but eventually Jonathan maybe?), called Verbeauty and the Beast. That’s all just me blathering and swooning over Steeger. It’s all nonsense, but I love it. So I’m thinking I’ll write on here as I would Sabre Chaser, but just a little more seriously…
But first I have to get myself back in the blogging mode, as I’ve been slacking majorly this summer (I think I’ve blogged twice since the Blackhawks’ season ended). I hope to write on here at least once a week, but at least every Wednesday (don’t ask why, but that’s what it is). So I’ll talk to you then!
And oh yeah, training camp starts Saturday!! Woo!
Topics: Introduction | 1 Comment »
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