The Winter Classic: The Fan Perspective

The Blackhawks are not “back”; they’re “here.”  Get used to it.  Fifteen months ago, they were back.  Now, they’re just here.

Yesterday’s Winter Classic at Wrigley Field put the success story on the national stage – and a hockey rink on a baseball field.  And, as I’ll one day tell my grandchildren (or someone else’s grandchildren if I don’t have them), I was there.  So, while the Fifth Feather’s John recapped the hockey on this space yesterday, I’d like to summarize the spectacle – and let’s just say the event itself faired far better than the ‘Hawks did on the ice.

It started off poorly; there were plenty of ‘Wing fans on the el.  (For the record, yes, most were in camouflage body suits, and many had teeth that would make an Englishman blush.)  But, stepping out at the Addison CTA stop was truly an experience of a lifetime.  After scaffolding (due to construction on the stop) blocked my senses from the outside world for nearly 30 feet, a break in the overhead plywood revealed an absolutely incredible sight.  Wrigley Field – and no, just for the record, I’m not a Cub fan – was completely dressed for an NHL hockey game.  And, with the flags of NHL teams displayed on the roof and Winter Classic signage around the outside facade, it was beautiful.  It took a second to gather myself, but I did – just long enough to walk to a neighborhood bar.  After a couple quick spirits, the picture taking commenced.  (Perhaps I’ll post them in the next few days.)  I wanted to make sure (a) I’d remember the event, and (b) I had something to show other peoples’ grandchildren fourty years from now.  They all turned out reasonably well, but Wrigley’s famous red sign took the cake.  Flanked by Blackhawk and Red Wing flags, it was a reminder of how far the ‘Hawks have come in just over a year – from one of the worst franchises in professional sports to the national stage.

It was time to go in.  Even the inside of Wrigley had undergone a makeover: posters of NHLers, Blackhawks and Wings hung from the chimney with care concourse ceilings.  It was surreal to see a Dustin Byfuglien poster hanging from within Wrigley Field.  We made our way to the bleachers – Aisle 311 in right center field for those who would like to know – and our first view of the field was as incredible as the view from outside the ball field.  It took a second to sink in: there’s an ice rink in the center of Wrigley Field.  I’d seen it on television, but this was different.  And, as the wind rushed the bitter cold to my bare facial skin, we took our seats, and marveled at how respectable the view seemed.  (Let’s just say that was short lived.)

The two teams emerged from the clubhouses shortly thereafter, and we had our first glimpse of the boys on the ice.  Other than the hideous ‘Wings socks, it was an incredibly beautiful sight.  (Notice a trend here?)  But, we had our first realization of the afternoon: we’re not going to see much.  From the bleachers, the players might as well have been a mile away.  As someone who can identify different ‘Hawks just by seeing their skates (sad but true), I wasn’t even able to identify individual players.  Eh, no big deal.  That’s why we have DVR.  You just can’t Tivo live memories.

Next up were the national anthems.  Both were stirring.  The Canadian anthem was first up.  (It gets me every time.)  Then, our national anthem was both incredible and disappointing at the same time.  First, the many Detroit fans destroyed the ‘91 All Star Game feel; about a quarter of the stadium’s fans stood quiet.  (Though this is normally the appropriate and patriotic plan of action during our nation’s song, it is absolutely inappropriate at ‘Hawk games, and it partially ruined the effect yesterday afternoon.)  But, those who did clap along with the on-field soldiers and fly-by crystallized the moment as one of the best of my life as a sports spectator.  There’s just something about the close roar of F-18 jets that says, ‘Man, are you lucky to be an American’ – and, in this instance, lucky to be at the Winter Classic.  I still have a goose bump on my right arm that has refused to go away.  Just before the game action began, those spectators not in the bleachers participated in a stadium-wide display Gene Honda (the public address announcer) called a stunt card display.  It went well until the folks in the lower bowl on the first base side realized side two of their cards spelled “Red Wings.”  In an awesome display, those fans started throwing their cards into the air.  It was a new take on the ol’ Chicago slogan: Detroit sucks.

The game action came and went – so I’m told.  Though the spectacle of the event was something to behold, I was just too darn far away to enjoy the game action.  The angle wasn’t very good either.  As we were only maybe twenty feet off the ground, we were unable to see about a fifth of the ice surface due to the near boards.  From the bleachers, we could follow the players, but we were almost completely unable to follow the puck.  That was all right, though.  The  celebrations following the first period tallies were worth it – even though I couldn’t necessarily see what we were cheering for.  Things (obviously) soured rather quickly, as the ‘Wings began – again – to exert their muscles, scoring five straight goals to overtake the (sort of) home ‘Hawks.  It was a bitter end to an otherwise memorable event.

We left our seats (OK, our spots on the bleacher benches) and walked back through the concourse.  I took a moment to remind myself to remember the feeling: to remember what it felt like to see NHL fans clad in Winter Classic jerseys strolling the Wrigley Field area.  I stopped at a vendor’s stand to purchase a program and a pennant to make sure I had more tangible reminders of the experience.  I had to admonish an apparent Nashville Predator fan to get in line behind me, and fifteen dollars quickly scored me the keepsakes.  We continued our slow procession out of the old ballpark – er, hockey field, I guess. 

I turned to have one last look at her – all dressed in NHL apparel like Halloween.  Though the 6-4 score sullied the experience, and my view – or lack thereof – will always besmirch my memories, it was all worth it.  As many have commented, it was likely a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, and I experienced it. 

It’s been too long since the national stage shined on Chicago hockey, but the ‘Hawks, my fellow fans, are here. 

It’s just too bad the ‘Wings were waiting for them.

Red Wings 6, Blackhawks 4

Even though the two teams shook hands following the game, a custom saved for the end of playoff series, the season is by no means over for the ‘Hawks.  Coming into a home and home against the Red Wings with a chance to be tied for first in the Central Division, the Wings swept the ‘Hawks in dominant fashion and sent them back to the drawing board. 

The ‘Hawks came out blazing in the first led by Martin Havlat who played arguably his best period since his ‘Hawk debut against Nashville in the ‘06-’07 season.  Revenge was on their minds for the shenanigans Detroit pulled on Tuesday night.  Brent Seabrook wasted no time evening the score with Dan Cleary by sending him head over heels into the ‘Hawks bench which then led to a too many men penalty on the Wings.  On the ensuing power play, Versteeg followed a Havlat slap shot and banged home the first goal.  The ‘Hawks owned the physical play putting a body on any Wings player within 4 feet.  Every whistle led to scraps and the ‘Hawks were playing the role of aggressor.  Just ask Andreas Lilja who still has a piece of his face on the glass after Andrew Ladd bumped into him.  After Mikael Samuelsson tied it up on a power play goal, Havlat knocked in a one-timer from a no look pass from Versteeg.  Then Ben Eager followed it up with a great individual effort behind the net and one of the funniest goal celebrations you’ll ever want to see.  He skated as fast as he could all the way to the blue line and whipped out an incredible assortment of fist pumps.  Things were about as perfect as possible in Blackhawkland.  Then the period ended.

In one of the most annoying storylines of this season, the ‘Hawks opened up a period with a two goal lead against Detroit and watched it disappear as quickly as they got it.  I don’t know if the ‘Hawks expect the worst to happen when they start a period with a lead against the Wings or if Detroit just decides they’re going to start playing but this has officially become a trend.  Jiri Hudler scored on a scramble in front a minute and fifteen seconds and then scored almost the exact same goal about eleven minutes later right as Brian Campbell’s tripping penalty expired.  After Detroit scored three ugly goals to tie it, Pavel Datsyuk scored on an end-to-end rush that ‘Hawk fans will have to relive during every Winter Classic.  Along with the Eager celebration, expect to see him split Campbell and Barker every New Year’s Day.

For all the goodwill Cristobal Huet has built up among the ‘Hawk faithful, expect it to be tested after the third period disaster.  He let in a goal three minutes into the period so soft it couldn’t have done any damage to certain members of the Ice Crew’s enhanced anatomy.  Then Buffalo Grove’s finest Brett Lebda (Did you know he’s a Cubs fan???!!!???) roofed one right over Huet’s glove seventeen seconds later.  After that, it looked like the Wings had 12 guys on the ice and the ‘Hawks only had 3.  They probably had control of the puck for 85% of the time.  Every shot the ‘Hawks put to the net hit a body before it even got to Ken Dryden.  To add extra salt in the wound, Duncan Keith scored with nine seconds left which would’ve been the tying goal if not for those two goals.

The Wings are still the King of the Hill.  In the last three games against the two top Western Conference foes (the ‘Hawks and Sharks), they outscored them 16-4.  Make no mistake, they are as impressive a team the league has.

Winter Classic Notes

What better way to spend my last vacation day of 2008 than watch the ‘Hawks practice on the NHL Network.  Here’s a few of the highlights:

–Scotty Bowman did an interview and has started to change his tune about your ‘08-09 Chicago Blackhawks.  Earlier in the year, Bowman did an interview with a national publication and stated he didn’t think the ‘Hawks would truly contend for a Stanley Cup for another two to three years.  Bob and I were surprised when the quote came out no one from the Chicago media picked it up.  At the beginning of the year when most people had ridiculous expectations for the team, I thought for sure someone would use that quote to try and temper the enthusiasm.  Apparently the nine game winning streak helped sway Scotty.  He said he was surprised how well guys like Versteeg, Bolland, and Ladd play and the ‘Hawks have as good a chance as anyone this year.  Bowman even corrected himself by saying at the beginning of the year, he thought they were still a couple years off.  I’ve said this before but it’s amazing what an actual NHL coach will do for a team.

–The hosts of the show actually referred to Wrigley Field as one of the most fan friendly venues in America.  I don’t know if they have to use the same bathroom facilities as everyone else or have wanted to see a replay of a home run but I found this statement to be ridiculously entertaining.

–Tim Sassone has the scoop on who is getting the start tomorrow.

Quenneville said Cristobal Huet would start in goal. Huet has won his last five starts, and it’s his turn in the rotation.

If you got to see the practice, it was pretty obvious who was getting the start after Huet broke out his new mask.  It has a picture of the Wrigley facade on the forehead.  ‘Go Hawks Go’ is on the left ear and the Hawks logo is on the other side.  What an incredible waste of money it would have been to have the mask made so Huet could bust it out for practice and then wear his winter cap watching Khabibulin tomorrow.  

–SHADOWS!!!!  Without exaggerating, the hosts brought up the shadows on the ice about 12,136 times and that was only during the ‘Hawks practice.  I didn’t bother counting for the Wings practice.  They spent a good hour discussing the effect it will have on the game tomorrow, never once mentioning the forecast calls for mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of snow.  So yeah, the shadows probably won’t make much of a difference but for those who miss Ed Farmer and DJ talk about shadows, this was definitely the broadcast for you. 

–Brent Seabrook and Andrew Ladd got asked if they played a lot of hockey outside growing up.  They’re both from Vancouver.  The coldest it usually gets is about 38 degrees and that’s in a cold winter.  They looked like they had been asked what  their feelings were about the Hamas/Israeli conflict.

I’m sure there was plenty of other silly things I can’t recall now.  This was a gold mine of comedy.  Feel free to share anything you saw.  With that, Bob and I would like to wish you a Happy New Year and remember, whatever happens tomorrow, they’re not handing out the Stanley Cup to the winner and there’s still 40 something games left in the season.

New Rules; New Year’s Game

After Friday night’s scintillating win against the Flyers, a couple of things really annoyed me, and none of it had to do with anything on the ice.  The Blackhawks just finished off a dominant third period against one of the Eastern Conference’s finest and tied a franchise record with their 8th straight win.  The team gathered at center ice, Frank Pellico was tickling the ivories, and what does the crowd feel the need to chant?  Was it ‘Let’s go ‘Hawks?  Nope, as usual the inferiority complex came out in full force and everyone chanted ’Detroit sucks’.  Look, I hate the Wings just as much as anyone but it’s country dumb to chant ‘Detroit sucks’ when they’re not playing each other.  The ‘Hawks are one of the top four teams in the conference and gaining fast on Detroit.  What happens when they eventually pass them on the Central Divison Totem pole?  Are we as ‘Hawk fans still going to be chanting ‘Detroit sucks’ after wins or during games?  We shouldn’t.  There’s no reason to be concerned with anything Detroit is doing unless the ‘Hawks are playing them or need them to lose to clinch the division title.  Everything else is meaningless.  It reminds of Sox fans being more worried about what the Cubs are doing than what their own team is.  It’s silly and juvenile.  Let it go.  Be more worried about the ‘Hawks beating who they’re playing and let the Wings fall where they may.

The other thing I saw that made me want to poke my eyes out was the ‘W’ flag with feathers on it and ‘Hawks win’ underneath it.  Ok, first of all, everyone in Chicago knows what the ‘W’ stands for, so the ‘Hawks win’ thing looks a little silly.  Now, why are the ‘Hawks trying to start a tradition that’s firmly entrenched on the North Side.  I understand they’re playing one game there next week but after that, do we still have to be objected to it?  No one is going to ride on the el looking out the window as they pass the United Center to see if the ‘Hawks won the night before.  It’s a Cubs thing, not a ‘Hawks thing.  It’s like if next year, everyone started cheering through the whole National Anthem during a Cubs-Pirates game in May.  Just doesn’t feel right.  Please, I’m begging you, after the New Year, let’s get rid of those flags.

Speaking of Wrigley, it looks like the recent warm spell won’t do much to slow down the ice making process.  You haven’t heard much from me concerning the Winter Classic so let me spill my beans about it now.  Am I looking forward to it?  Yes.  Am I dying in anticipation over it?  Meh, not really.  It’s a game against Detroit being played outside.  It could have implications for first place.  That’s all.  It’s just one of 82 games.  The winner only takes home 2 points and after the game is over, there is still the rest of the regular season to play out and the playoffs.  A lot of the excitement is warranted and I don’t blame anyone for being pumped up about it or wanting to be part of the experience, but I just hope people realize after the game is over, there are far better things to look forward to the rest of this season.  Ya know, like seeing the ‘Hawks with a realistic shot at winning the Central Division, Western Conference, and Stanley Cup (gulp).