Here Come The Hawks...The Mighty Blaaaaaaackhawks

Normally during this time of year I am all ampt up about the NFL playofss. Not this year. My team (besides Da Bears) The Dallas Cowboys got embarrased by the team in purple last Sunday. The Bulls, who are still trying to find their identity, are my favorite basketball team, but have never gained back my interest since MJ left. Usually after the Super Bowl, the days slowly go by until I find myself in icy weather for the April start of the White Sox home opener.

I've struggled to find my sports fix to keep me busy from the NFL to the MLB season. Three names have filled that void: Kane, Toews and Hossa. If you are not familiar with these names you better get familiar. Arguably the best team in the NHL right now are our Chicago Blackhawks.

People walking past me wouldn't picture me as a Blackhawks fan, let alone a hockey fan. Before this year I would have to say that I didn't see myself as a hockey fan either. That all changed when the Blackhawks played the Calgary Flames at the United Center towards the end of last year.

It was Monday October 12, 2009 when I found myself sporting a black Blackhawks shirt on my way to the United Center on Madison. My buddy has always been a die-hard Blackhawks fan and quizzed me on players names on the way there. I faired poorly as I only got a few names right. I told him "Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Cristobal Huet, The Buff-Man (Dustin Byfuglien) and..." I drew a blank. He was impressed I knew so many.

There is just something about pulling up to a stadium that just sends chills throughout my body. I don't think that it's weird at all? We then walked in the doors to the stadium, went up the escalators with pictures of old and new Hawks hockey stars hanging from the ceiling, throught the mezzanine and down another flight of stairs, through an opening and then boom. You walk through a curtain and you see it. A big scoreboard and a big ice rink with the most storied logo in all of sports.

This was my first ever professional hockey game, as I have seen numerous amounts of Chicago Wolves games previously. The Hawks and Flames came out to do their pre-game warm-ups and get ready. Then the fun began. The Canadian national anthem was played and then passed. Then came the "Oh, say can you see...", and I've never heard anything louder before in my life. The crowd yells during the national anthem, which is something that has to be experienced first-hand to get the full effect. The introductions began and the game was on.

I will NEVER forget how the beginning of the game went. Before I could even get comfortable in my seat the scoreboard read, Flames 5 Hawks 0. I asked my friend, "are we really this bad?" The first period ended and the Hawks finally scored a goal, making the score a lousy 5 to 1.

I guess the Blackhawks forgot they had a game that night and in the locker room before the 2nd period began they realized there was a game going on. The came out that third period and lit up the Flames for 3 more goals. Flames 5 Hawks 4.

During the first period I had gotten a pretty big drink, only $8.50 was necessary to buy it, but by the third period began I had to use the bathroom. Not being a smart fan I decided to go while the game was going on. Bad idea. I missed Patrick Sharp's game tying goal, and heard a loud cheer while I was standing in the bathroom. End of 3 periods. Flames 5 Hawks 5.

Now the crowd was really into it and so was I. I had taken numerous pictures on my iPhone, and stopped checking my Fantasy Football score. I had turned into a hockey fan, and a big Blackhawks fan. This team was exciting and the fact that they fought back to tie the game up showed alot of heart.

26 seconds into overtime and little would you know Brent Seabrook, lit up the Flames for a 6th and final goal in the most thrilling game I have ever seen.

And that is the type of excitement that I look forward to in those dull months/days leading up to the MLB season.