Witnessing the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup [Photos]

Scott Bolohan on 06.10.10 at 12:36 AM | 1 comment |

After passing up the chance to go to Game 3 for $310, I decided I HAD to be at Game 6 with the potential for a clincher. I made my way down to Wachovia Center (not wearing a Hawks jersey yet, I learned) armed with $380 cash (which I figured I'd either spend or have stolen from me when I was getting beat up) saw that they were selling tickets at the box office. So I stood in line for game...

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I made it. But upon entering the arena, I was immediately an heckled. I actually had people on the escalator move away from me because they thought things were going to get thrown at me.
I immediately went down to the Hawks' bench for the skate around, which was nice for two reasons. 1. I was surrounded by Hawks fans (power in numbers) and 2. My seat probably couldn't be further from the ice, so it was nice to actually see the players.
This kid was sitting across from me by the bench. His beard is actually better than the real Towes' beard.
Patrick Kane stepped out of the locker room and the Hawks fans acted like they saw the guy who was going to win the Cup for them. The rest of the stadium drowned out our cheers with boos quickly.
When the Hawks took the ice, it started to hit me where I actually was, something I didn't quite figure out throughout the entire game. It was also at this time when I looked around the rink and realized how surrounded the small contingent of Hawks fans were by Flyers fans.
The Hawks seemed to get a kick out of them, they were even tossed a puck by a Hawk.
Not as bad as it looks in the picture, actually much better than upper level UC seats. Going to your seat in a Hawks jersey in Philly is a terrifying experience. EVERYONE looks at you and most say something. The dad next to me would say "sucks" after every Hawks player's name was announced, and then added, "just like you" to it. The people in front of me gave me a hard time, but after talking to them, they were nice to me. The other Hawks fans in my section had it way worse than me, but they were acting stupid too. I was too scared to be too loud.
The guy next to me, after screaming in my face and telling me I was going to die, told me that this would be the most beautiful version of "God Bless America" I'd ever heard, which might be true since, you know, they don't usually play it at games. I was underwhelmed. I respect Kate Smith singing the second verse, but it's a little cheesey and you don't get tingles like at the UC. A guy in my section immediately after asked me how Chicagoans could disrespect America so much by cheering during the Anthem. I was not off to a great start.
It was surreal when they actually started playing. I could feel my heart beat against my jersey. I became a nervous wreck (for the Hawks and my safety).
That was a huge relief. I really wanted the Hawks to score first so the Flyers fans didn't get confident. What I learned is when Flyers fans are happy or sad, they are equally angry/violent people. About eight Flyers fans remarked how much they hated Byfuglien to me.
Nearly everyone here had something to say to me, but I was saved by a few dumb Hawks fans drawing a lot of attention to themselves, but for the most part it was Flyers fans. Angry, angry Flyers fans.
I freaked out. This is the type of game the Hawks would lose, I thought (mostly because I spent $300). They were outplaying the Flyers and then the momentum shifted toward the Flyers.
I've never heard a crowd die so fast, the momentum was killed. The crowd was silent for the next period and a half. The attendance figure reminded me that there were about 20,000 people who wanted to hurt me after the game, win or lose. Not a fun thought.
I thought this was it, the dagger. The game was so tense until here that I let out two huge fist pumps and a yell, despite my best interest in safety. I'd been holding all emotion in so far. I could feel it happening now.
After threatening to, among other things, give me two faces, beat me up because their mom texted them to, and saying I would be dead by the end of the game for sure, we ended up getting along. It turned out they really respected a number of the Hawks and before OT, they said they couldn't even be too mad if Kane scored the winner because they liked him to much.. I really enjoyed talking with these guys. Once they got done screaming in my face.
One of the worst moments of my life. I felt my insides sink. With under five minutes, I was already thinking about where I would go to shoot pictures of the celebration. The Hawks were just in control. It was a total gut punch. I was in a state of shock. Flyers fans for really loud after this. The momentum shifted going into overtime, my worst nightmare.
And just like that, the game ended. I had no idea where the puck was. No one else in the crowd did either. We all looked around wondering what happened and all the Hawks jumped on the ice. It was very anti-climatic and strange.
I've never been to a clinching game for a championship. But seeing all the players rush on the ice is something I'll never forget.
I love that hockey does this. The Flyers played so well too. This was a tight series that probably took 15 years off my life. But I can't complain too much.
Conn Smythe winner, to no one's surprise.
This time, the big trophy.
There's something about the first time the Cup is hoisted. It just sends an jolt of electricity through you. Incredible.
At this point, I was speechless. I couldn't believe what was going on and that I was there. It was like a movie.
I was so glad he got the Cup second.
And I made my way next to the Hawks' entrance to their locker room by their bench. It was a gamble that paid off big time.
Now I was safely all around Hawks fans as we crowded around the bench. This finally started to feel like a celebration.
I loved seeing Hossa with the cup. Even I gave him a hard time, but he deserved it.
For me more than anyone else. I still don't believe I was there and it happened.
If you look closely, you can see the Cup in the background. I never wanted this to end.
If you look, I have champagne on my face and hair. I'm never showering again.
A guy came off the ice with an empty one and I asked for it. This is now one of my favorite things I own.
The man is a fan favorite. This was one of the coolest things to happen to me ever, something you dream about happening but never actually expecting it to.
Sharpie brought it by the fans for us to touch. And I did.
He was the last player off the ice and could throw his arms up from in celebration randomly. Pretty exciting to watch. My favorite player.
When I bought a ticket to the game, I never thought I'd end up like this. I high-fived every player, touched the Cup, got sprayed with champagne, and got a bottle. Oh yeah, and we won the Stanley Cup. Best money I've ever spent.
It was pretty much only Hawks fans left at this point (about 12:30 am when we left). The entire night was a blur. As I walked down Broad Street carrying a bottle of champagne, I just started laughing uncontrollably. It hit me. We won. I was there. It one of the greatest days of my life. I got on the bus and took my Keith jersey off. I survived again.

My ticket

I made it. But upon entering the arena, I was immediately an heckled. I actually had people on the escalator move away from me because they thought things were going to get thrown at me.

1 Comment

hipsterprettyboy said:

GO HAWKS! Boo Philly fans!

Posted on June 10, 2010 4:20 PM

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