Geek Misconduct

Posts tagged Your 2010 Stanley Cup Champions

A Little Bling With My Hockey

So, the Blackhawks have these “official” road watches where they throw an ice girl or two at an local bar, have a couple giveaways, etc, etc, etc. I had been to one during the Stanley Cup Finals - by accident actually. It was either Game Three or Four and a bunch of us fans planned a meetup at an usual watering hole, only to find out it was an “official” road watch bar. Which meant I had sweaty men sitting on top of me, could barely see the TV and got I think one drink the entire evening. Bleah.

Last week I saw they were having one at the bar about six blocks away from my apartment for Monday’s game at Los Angeles, and since we frequent there every once in awhile (they have pretty good food), I decided to give it a go. Luckily, we got there early enough to get a table by the TVs, and was able to order and eat dinner before the game even started, The bar actually wasn’t packed, which was nice, but it was still amusing to watch some of the regulars come in and just kinda stare in bewilderment at all the people in hockey jerseys and two scantily clad glorified cheerleaders bopping around.

The game was good (THANK YOU HOCKEY GODS FOR TWO POINTS IN REGULATION KTHXBYE), but this was even better:



Yes my friends, that is a genuine Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Championship ring, sitting in my girlfriend’s hand. Gene Honda was at the bar - he’s the PA announcer for the Blackhawks at the United Center and also does White Sox games (which I will now forgive him for). Since the Hawks organization seemingly bought everybody but the cleaning ladies at the UC a ring, he was sporting his. It was pretty damn obvious -a prolonged beam of light on it could have burned a hole in the roof. As he was walking by our table, my girlfriend called him by name, which I assume impressed him somewhat as not everyone knows what the guy who makes the “one minute remaining in the period” announcement looks like. She asked him if we could look at his ring, and just TOOK IT OFF AND GAVE IT TO HER. 30K sitting in our hands - wow. I had to take a picture with it, but since I didn’t want to take up too much of his time, I got only one shot with it, thus the goofy look on my face:


Gene was very nice, and I appreciate the time he spent with us. Actually I give props to the Hawks folks for setting these up, even if I didn’t win the signed Niklas Hjalmarsson jersey. Boo.

Anyway, the game was good - the Kings dominated the first, the Hawks dominated the second, so fittingly they went into the third tied at two. The Hawks took the lead, but after taking three penalties in a row, of course the Kings tied it up. Toews was in the box when the Kings scored, so he worked a bit of magic and got a puck to ricochet off of him with about five minutes left, which ended up being the game winner. Was it pure dumb luck? Why yes, but with the way we’ve been hemorrhaging points, I’ll take it, thank you very much.

Because I haven’t done one in awhile - here’s a Toews face for ya….

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And here’s a “I can’t believe I just scored” Toews-Face:

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Well, I have a busy hockey week ahead of me, as I bought myself a ticket to tomorrow night’s game vs. the Stars (HI ADAM BURISH). My girlfriend is visiting her grandparents in Texas this week, so since I’m by my lonesome, I figured I’d buy myself a belated Xmas present and got a reasonably priced seat in the 200 level. Friday night we’re driving up to Rockford for another IceHogs game. So I will have plenty of pictures to upload, and hopefully will get a couple posts up here by the end of the weekend!

My Top Ten Moments of 2010

It’s NYE, so of course we’ve been inundated with year end lists for the last week or so. Let me add to it. After careful consideration (about 4.3 minutes), here are my Top 10 Blackhawks hockey moments of 2010. I limited this list to events that I personally witnessed or attended - this helped narrow down the choices quite a bit. The top five picks were pretty easy (and shouldn’t be a surprise), but the bottom five took a little more thought.


#10: 3/5/10 - Blackhawks 6, Vancouver Canucks 3

Anytime you can chase Roberto Luongo out of net with a five-goal first period is a game worth remembering. Add the usual chippiness that now occurs when these two teams meet (including Andrew Ladd vs. Ryan Kesler Part Two) and a Jordan Hendry breakaway goal (*Jordan Hendry*) and you have one of the best games of the regular season. The fact that this game occurred on my brother’s birthday helped too.

#9: 9/18/10 - Blackhawks Training Camp Festival

I’ve never attended the training camp festival, and this one was super special coming off the recent Stanley Cup victory. While seeing the Cup again was exciting (HI STAN MIKITA AND YOUR FLOODS), I was really stoked to see some of the new and young players on the Hawks. This was my first exposure to Marty Turco & John Scott and I was very impressed by Jeremy Morin & Nick Leddy. If anything, this was a satifising day of hockey after a seemingly long summer of celebration.

#8: 8/11/10 - Visit to Hockey Hall of Fame - Toronto

I had visited the Hockey Hall of Fame about ten years prior, but only had an hour to spend and breezed through it. This summer we spent three days in Toronto, and I made a point of carving out a good chunk of time on one day to spend there. It is truly a must see for any hockey fan. I picked the best possible time to go, as they had updated many exhibits to reflect the Hawks recent Cup win, which as you can see above, presented many wonderful photo ops.

#7: 2/27/10 - Blackhawks Night at Rockford IceHogs Game

I made my first trip to an IceHogs game (the Hawks’ AHL affiliate) for their Blackhawks night which honored former Hogs players. Included were Colin Fraser, Troy Brouwer, Kris Versteeg, Assistant Coach Mike Haviland (Former IceHogs Head Coach), Niklas Hjalmarsson & Antti Niemi. Unfortunately the line was way too long to wait for autographs (which I REGRET), but it was a fun time. It was also a pretty awesome game as the Hogs scored in the final minute of regulation and beat the Peoria Rivermen in the shootout. 

#6: 10/30/10 - Chicago Blackhawks 3, Minnesota Wild 1 @ Minnesota

I was looking forward to this roadtrip to Minnesota for months. Not only was I going with a large group of Hawks fans including my gf and brother, it would be my first time seeing a game at the Xcel Energy Center. Of the three opposing arenas I have been to (Minnesota, St. Louis, Columbus), this one is by far my favorite. Add excellent seats in the 100 level and an exciting Blackhawks victory, and it resulted in a memorable weekend!

#5: 5/23/10 - Western Conference Finals Game Four: Blackhawks 4, San Jose Sharks 2

I only had tickets to two playoff games during the Hawks Stanley Cup run (the first being the Hawks Game One loss to Nashville), and I really couldn’t have hoped for a better game. The Hawks coming back from a 2-0 deficit in the second to tie the game at 2. Duncan Keith infamously losing seven teeth. Dustin Byfuglien scoring the game winner with six minutes left in the third. The deafening roar of the UC when Kris Versteeg scored the empty netter to seal the deal. Jonathan Toews heeding my cry of “DON’T TOUCH IT,” as the Campbell bowl was presented. Going home knowing I was about to witness my first Cup Finals with the Blackhawks in 18 years. Hands down, this was the best game I attended in this magical season. 

#4: 10/9/10 - Blackhawks Home Opener & Banner Raising

It’s a moment any sports fan lives for: the opportunity to see a championship banner raised in your home arena. I was determined to see this happen at the United Center - it took money and effort, but I was there. From seeing the team enter the UC at the traditional red carpet entrance, to the beautiful and memorable banner raising ceremony, it was a night to cherish. I was lucky to spend the evening with my mother, a lifelong Hawks fan who waited 49 years to witness such an event. Even though the Red Wings won the actual game, it could not spoil the memories I have. Every time I see that 2010 Stanley Cup Champions Banner at the United Center, I can smile knowing I was there when it went up to the rafters. 

#3: 6/19/10 - Stanley Cup Rally for John McDonough @ Brooks Park

“How’d you like to photograph the Stanley Cup?” That was what my brother said to me when he called me shortly after the Blackhawks won it all. Turns out there was going to be a rally for local boy, Hawks Team President John McDonough, at Brooks Park in Edison Park. My brother knows people who were organizing it and they needed a photographer. Would I do it? Is the Pope Catholic?!? Not only did I get to photograph the rally, but I also got to spend time in the field house gym for an hour with the Cup and a small group of people. And I met Jim Corneilson (LOL at my brother’s face). And I GOT TO KISS THE STANLEY CUP. Seriously, I owe my brother forever for this. 

#2: 6/11/10 - Stanley Cup Victory Parade

It was hot. It was crowded. The parade started late. We left before the speeches were over because we couldn’t see anything and I was about to die. But it was an event I had to experience in person - and let’s be honest - as a Chicago sports fan, who knows when the next opportunity will happen? I just happened to have the day off of work as my cousin was getting married that day. This caused much apprehension in my family as I’m sure myself and others would have been a no-show had there been a game seven. But the Hawks won it in six, and I got to celebrate with two million of my closest friends. 

#1: 6/9/10

Need I even tell you what happened this evening? Sure I wasn’t in Philadelphia celebrating the Blackhawks first Stanley Cup in 49 years. But I was at a local bar with my girlfriend and other fans, and it was probably one of the more surreal moments of my entire life. The gut wrenching three periods of regulation. The OT goal by Kane that no one knew went in (I swear time slowed down and the bar was SILENT) and the uproar after it was confirmed. Crying. Being wired until 3am and working that morning. Yeah. It was cool, bro.

Here’s to an even better 2011. Have a safe and happy New Years dear readers!

Game Two: Detroit Red Wings 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2

This evening would have been perfect had they not actually played the game. Sigh. 




I arrived at the United Center just before 4pm for the cheesy Red Carpet Entrance thingy. At least this year they had a bonafide reason for the grand entrance. I actually shelled out $25 to park near Gate 6. Usually I park off of Ashland, but I wanted to make sure my car was close so my mom wouldn’t have to walk far afterward. I managed to snag a spot against the ropes right near where the limos would be dropping the players off. It was a sweet spot except for the security guard partially blocking my view of the drop off point. Ack. The whole deal lasted about a half hour - I endured my foot falling asleep, a kid practically sitting on said foot and sweating a bunch jockeying to get into position to get good photos. I was pretty pleased with the shots I did take. This one is probably my best. 


They opened the doors early at the UC, at 5:30, whereupon I got my swag - a mini banner and two keychains that light up red when you press on them. I guess we were supposed to shine those during the banner raising, but no one really did. My dad dropped off my mom and I met her inside. It’s funny - when I was telling her where to get dropped off she kept thinking she should get let off on Warren Blvd. Poor mom - had the Stadium still been here, she would have been right.


We settled in our seats - first row of Section 315. As we sat there - they showed clips from the red carpet. Since I was near where the official press was, I got on the jumbotron a bunch. As you can see above, I looked glamorous :P I usually go downstairs for warmups but I wanted to keep my mom company and I figured I would never have the opportunity to take such good photos from the 300 level again. I guess it was a good thing as the 100 level looked like a madhouse and I doubt my photos would have turned out that well. After they did the post warmup resurfacing of the ice, the banner raising ceremony began.


I thought the whole ceremony was quite well done. I have a couple choppy videos of it I’ll put up on here if I can figure out how to get them off my phone. The video montage they did with images projected on the ice was breathtaking. They announced all of the front office, support staff, coaches and players as they came out onto the ice. Gary Bettman got a loud chorus of boos (heh) while Rocky Wirtz and Coach Q got the best reception for a non-player. Poor Brian Campbell could barely hobble on with his bum knee - bless his heart, he toughed it out. Jonathan Toews was the last to be announced - he came out with Lord Stanley’s Cup as I wished he had in June. Five members of the 1961 Stanley Cup Winning team came out to the ice with the 2010 banner - Pierre Pilote, Ab McDonald, Eric Nesterenko, Stan Mikita & Bobby Hull. The members of the 2010 team skated out to them to take ownership of their banner. It was a truly touching scene. As the 2010 Blackhawks skated across the ice with their banner, I’m not ashamed to say I cried. It really was beautiful. The banner was slowly raised to the rafters. It was all so surreal - I still can’t actually believe I witnessed it in person. A big shout out to the Blackhawks organization - it was an excellent ceremony and one that will be remembered. 


Oh yeah, a game was played wasn’t it? I’m not really going to say too much about it as I’d like to remember all of the good times I had last evening. I’ll say this - the Blackhawks played sloppy again. Losing Sharp surely didn’t help and most of the lines are still playing like they just got thrown together three seconds prior. It’s just going to take some time for the guys to work the kinks out - I think once they get the first win of the season under their belt, things will start to fall into place. I’m patient. For now. Anyway, onto the awards:

The Han Solo Award (Best Overall Performance)
Bryan Bickell
Pickle (hee) scored the second goal of the evening, which at the time, tied the game. He currently leads all Hawks with two goals. You’re on pace for 82 - Richard Trophy baby! All kidding aside, I’m liking Bickell’s physical presence on the ice and his recent scoring touch is a bonus. I’m expecting a good year from this kid.


The Wedge Antilles Award (Unsung Hero)
Jack Skille
Jack didn’t show up on the scoresheet, but seemed to be everywhere on the ice. If he wasn’t hitting someone, he created scoring opportunities, and had 4 SOGs. Let’s hope this is the beginning of Skills finally living up to all of the hype.




The Jar-Jar Binks Award (Most Annoying/Asinine Person Or Object)
John Scott
His face plant with his stick ending up halfway across the ice would have been hilarious had it not led to the winning score. I guess the blue line stuck its foot out and tripped him. Scott looked painfully slow out there tonight, and pairing him with Nick Leddy (who did much better, thank you) was enough to cause heart palpitations. If he’s not going out there to beat the shit out of someone, what’s the point? I don’t know what Jordan Hendry did to get in Coach Q’s doghouse, but he better be out there vs. Buffalo instead. At least the man can skate well enough. 

The Darth Vader Award (Evil Beyond All Words)
The Detroit Red Wings
First the Winter Classic and now this? Thanks for ruining a perfect evening. THIS IS WHY WE CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS!






TOEWS-FACE OF THE GAME


Well this was a easy choice wasn’t it?

Onto Buffalo!

P.S. You can see all of my photos from the evening on Flickr. 

*Chorus Of Angels Singing*


That is all.

One nerdy girl's obsessive love for all things hockey. Home of the Toews-Faces archive.

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