Chicago Sports Then and Now

The Hockey Goons were ready to take on Chicago.

The Journey

The only thing that beats a Bruins game on the road is a free Bruins game on the road. Being out of work, free tickets, free airfare, and a free hotel come in pretty handy.

My buddy Steiner and I(aka The Hockey Goons) took advantage of the opportunity at hand and headed to Chicago for an Original Six battle between our beloved Bruins and the Blackhawks.

Let the journey begin…

Pre-Game Activities

The only place to get pumped for the game is Rush Street. It’s the Chicago equivalent of Faneuil Hall but a million times better.

We visited one pub decked in our Bruins garb. One patron called us the worst name in the book. They called us Pittsburgh Penguins fans! UGH!

Sorry the Bruins are the “Original” Black and Gold team!

We then headed over to Tavern on Rush which was our hangout for the whole trip. Great atmosphere. Great beer. Great people.

The manager of the bar spent some time talking hockey with us. Nicest guy in the world. He even bought us a round! I am not sure how many other cities this would happen in!

We finished our grogs and headed to the United Center in the seedy part of Chicago.

After some confusion, heartburn, high blood pressure and Joe on Joe hate, we secured our tickets and put our game faces on.

Game On!

My former co-worker, Midnight Mills hooked us up in a freakin’ suite. Life was too good! After purchasing a $34 dollar six pack of Corona and some horrid “Chicago Deep Dish pizza”, Steiner and I settled in.

We heard that the National Anthem at the United Center was something you had to experience. It didn’t disappoint!

After Ex-Sox (Red and White) catcher, Carlton Fisk dropped the first puck, it was game time!

Original Six Battle

The Bruins-Blackhawks game was extremely entertaining.

This was one of the best games I have seen in person. It was intense from the opening face-off. The sold out crowd (largest attendance of the year) was in a frenzy. The beers were flowing and the bodies were flying.

One of the Blackhawks players compared the Bruins’ tenacity to a “tough girlfriend”.

The game went back and forth ending with a 4-4 tie at the end of regulation. The game went to the shootout where the young guns of the Blackhawks were too much for Bruins goalie, Tim Thomas.

We will take the point and the memories with us.