Blackhawks Game

Eric has talked about going to a Blackhawks game since we got married.  Actually, probably since before we got married!  He grew up a big Blackhawks fan, and they great success in the past few years has only increased his excitement.  The past two year, in particular, the season would start, and he'd say, "We should really go to a Blackhawks game this year."  But the season would progress and his travels kept him overly busy (or just gone).

I, myself, have never been to a true professional hockey game.  I've been to a minor league game, I guess, and an amateur/feeder league... but I heard that nothing compares to a professional hockey game, especially a home Blackhawks game.  Fane get loud and rowdy... but not in an obnoxious way.  Needless to say, I've been intrigued for a few years now.

So with them coming off of their Stanley Cup win last year, the anticipation was, once again, burning inside of at least me.  We watched pre-season hockey start up, and murmurs of going to a game again this year surfaced.  But this time, I decided to take control.  I jumped online and searched out some tickets, myself.  That would be the most perfect thing I could give Eric.  So, I surprised him with them.  And as much as he hates surprises, he liked this one.

So that was what we did last night.  I know... long story to lead up to the actual event. But I felt the back story was important.  It was a primetime game, which made it nice for us, as we didn't have to rush up to Chicago early in the morning.  So we mosey up to Chicago, and actually go to Ikea first.  Eric needed a few things for his office.  But it was a quick stop and then we headed to the hotel, where we had just enough time to check in and freshen up.

We rode the "Blackhawks Express' bus over there, which really turned out to be the way to go.  Pretty much drop you off and pick you up at the front door!  We get inside the United Center and dirst things first, I had to get a jersey!  Sounds weird, but jerseys at a hockey game are a must!  I kid you not, 90% of the people there have a jersey on... all ages!  Of course, it was crazy in there!  But I found an away (white) jersey I liked (Hossa) and we were on our way to our seats.

Now, due to their popularity, tickets aren't the easiest to come by for games.  And what you do find are usually through broker sites, and can get expensive!  but I felt pretty good about the deal I got on some first row, upper deck seats.  So we grabbed some Italian Beef sandwiches and took our seats, just in time for the pre-game stuff to begin.

First thing I noticed about getting loud... they get loud during the National Anthem!  It's a trip!  Not singing the Anthem, but the roar just starts to get going.  And it flows right into player introductions.  You can't help but get hyped up!  This game was against the Minnesota Wild, which is a decent team.  And they showed that.  But just as is the case with most sports, it is WAY better to see hockey live verses watching it on TV.  It's gotta be the atmosphere you're in.  I loved watching the game and getting into the scores and the power plays.  We were sitting next to a family, and I thought it was interesting that the mom was the one explaining everything to the kids.  Quite well, at that - she was definitely a fan.

So the game was a blast, obviously.  I definitely want to go again.  I could do this every year, just like we do Cubs games every year.  Unfortunately, the Blackhawks lost this one, 5-3.  Wish they could have won this first game for me.  But it doesn't detour me from wanting to go back.

That was pretty much the only reason we had to be in Chicago.  The next morning, we got up and found this French Bakery that Eric had read about, La Fournette .  It was REALLY good!  You could easily over indulge here, though... but worth the ride on the CTA to Old Town to check it out, even if the temp was right at freezing outside!  It actually made for a nice, relaxed morning.  Afterwards, we strolled back to the red line station, and headed back to the hotel to check out.  And that was it.  Our trip to Chicago was short and sweet.