COLUMN: Blackhawks win!

OFF THE MARK COLUMN
By: 
Mark Spensley
Express Co-Publisher

     You can cross attending a Chicago Blackhawks hockey game off my bucket list. Last week Darcey, friends Scott and Jen Adams, and myself made our way up Interstate 80 to the United Center to see a Blackhawks matchup against the much-hated Dallas Stars. (I did that for Pete who hasn’t forgiven the Stars for leaving Minnesota back in 1993.)

     There were four things I was looking forward to on this trip. One, the national anthem, has become quite the tradition before a Blackhawks contest. Fans are on their feet screaming and celebrating the entire duration the anthem is played. One can only wonder if the United Center is the loudest building on the face of the earth at that particular moment.

     Secondly, I couldn’t wait for the first Blackhawk score, which happened at the 8:13 mark of the first period. After each goal the loud siren goes off and then the song Chelsea Dagger, by the Fratellis is briefly played. It was even better in person.

     The third item I was hoping to see was a fight break out. At the 11:46 mark in the second period, Chicago’s Ryan Hartman put the coals to Stars player Dan Hamhuis. We got to see a few punches thrown and landed before the two guys fell to the ice.

     And last but not least, a cheeseborger, cheeseborger, cheeseborger at the Billy Goat Tavern, made famous in a SNL skit by Bill Murray, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.

     On paper the Blackhawks were clearly the favorites but as we all know, games are not played on paper. The Hawks were outshot 44-26 and I thought outskated as well.

     Chicago took the lead, 2-1 in the third frame on a Marian Hossa goal but with just 4:09 left in the game, Dallas tied it up to send the match into OT.

     New overtimes rules now have a five-minute sudden death period of three-on-three hockey. No goals were scored but the action was fantastic.

     We then got to experience a shootout to decide the game. The Hawks missed their first chance and fell behind 1-0 after a Dallas goal. Then the Blackhawks tied it up at 2 and Dallas misfired. Chicago’s Artemi Panarin made good on their third chance. Then Chicago goalie Cory Crawford successfully defended his goal on shot number three for a Blackhawks win.

     I hope to go back again to the United Center to catch another Blackhawk hockey match. Or is it a Blackhawk game? We debated that on the way there and never came to a conclusion. Pete?

 

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