Game #86- Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins February 22, 2015 United Center A classic showcase game of the day featuring two original six teams. They have played over 600 games against each other with Boston holding a slightly better record over the 100 year rivalry. Both teams are having good years, the Hawks are at the top of the western conference and the Bruins are still in a solid playoff spot in the east. I have long been a fan of the Bruins for two reasons: first and foremost Ray Bourque. The dude was a stud on the blue line for years. Second, freshman year in college they were my go to team on Nintendo’s NHL hockey (another guy on our floor took the Kings). But tonight I am secretly cheering on the boys in black and yellow because the Hawks have become a bitter foe with the LA Kings in recent years. In fact the last four Stanley Cups have ended up in Chicago or LA. The Hawks fans were fired up for the game, and the intensity in the United Center hit a fever pitch when the now infamous singing of our national anthem began. If you have not seen a Hawks game, the fans scream as loud as they can during the anthem. Apparently this started in the 80’s, it is said to have began in 1982 but gained popularity in the 1985 game 3 conference finals vs. the Edmonton Oilers. It is an awesome sight to behold. Unfortunately for the home fans they didn’t have much else to cheer for during the game. The players seemed sluggish on the ice, the passing was not crisp, and overall they seemed off. After the first period the Bruins were up 2-1 but completely dominated the second with 4 goals and eventually winning the game 6-2. For me it was still really exciting. The ice was peppered with NHL stars from Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane to Pattrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara (has a 110 mph slapshot). And although the home team lost, I just completed my 85th regular season game! As I mentioned in the Bulls report, Chicago didn’t do a good job of praising their teams history or present glory. Yes, there are the statues of Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull. There are the hanging posters of current players. But come on, this is an original six team! Where are old jerseys? Where are the original ticket stubs and media guides?

It’s crazy to me that a team that is 100 years old is not honored in their own stadium. Well, at least I met some friendly neighbors and was able to snag a ticket stub a little easier than the previous night…although they were not happy I was a Kings fan, as long as I was not flaunting it we were all cool. But surprised at how much they hate Dustin Brown and love Drew Doughty…

Game #85- Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns February 21, 2015 United Center This is the Chicago Bulls/Hawks 2.0 trip. Last year my goal was to see both of these teams during my visit to Indiana for work but the “polar vortex” blew through the mid west with -41 degree temps and dumping a foot of snow. Needless to say the 360 mile round trip was not going to be possible in those conditions. This time the weather was going to at least cooperate, meaning it was going to be below zero again but at least the freeways would be open. The first game of this trip is the Chicago Bulls. Growing up in the Jordan/Pippen era I was never a fan of the Bulls. They were not necessarily a rival of my Lakers but for about a decade one or both of these teams would be in the finals. Since then the team hasn’t really fell on hard times but also have not won a championship since 1998 (Lakers have 5 rings in that time span…just saying). The 2015 team has the potential to be top notch. There are three all-stars in the rotation, center Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose and one of my favorite former Lakers Pao Gasol. The game started off slow for the home team, being down for the majority of the first half and part of the 3rd quarter. That’s when the game got exciting. Led by Gasol’s 22 points and 14 rebounds the Bulls pushed by the Suns in the last minute of the game to take a 112 to 107 win. Derrick Rose also had a strong game with 16 points, he looked agile on the floor showing no signs of his previous injuries. I don’t know how athletes can come back from ACL surgeries and play these types of sports, every time I run I am super cautious of each step I take. It was good to see him on the floor. Besides the cold weather, the worst part of the game was trying to find a ticket stub. I was in the rafters and no one around me had one. A gentleman told me that they didn’t issue them to the season ticket holders this year, similar to Orlando a couple seasons back. That was frustrating to hear, but as I went toward the exits in the lower level I saw people with hard stubs. After asking about 30 people I finally convinced one guy to give up a ticket. I am constantly baffled on why people are so stingy with tickets when there is a 99% chance that person will be trashing it as soon as they get home.

Finally an update about the arena. I was shocked to not see a lot more Bulls memorabilia around the building. They were a dynasty in the 90’s and had the greatest basketball player ever in that time span. Yeah, it’s great to look at the rafters and see championship banners and players numbers retired, but I would expect a lot more. I found a single trophy case showing off the championship trophies, a randomly placed statue of Pippen’s head in the foyer, and the iconic Jordan statue in front of the United Center…but that was it.