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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)
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