I went to my first hockey game this weekend as part of a client outing in the company suite. This was the first game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Western Conference finals between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings. We didn't know until late Friday night who would have home ice (depending on the winner of the Kings-Ducks series), so it was up in the air whether our tickets would be for Sunday afternoon or next Friday night. Since the Kings won, the Hawks get to host the first two games as the higher seed.
The game was thrilling, and we were sitting on the edge of our seats for all three periods. This is a far cry from the Bulls games when we go and we mostly stand inside the suite eating and chatting! The biggest surprise to me was how often they clean the ice. As someone who has never been on an ice rink, I didn't think about how much ice chips up while they play. The "ice crew" of scantily clad ladies scooped up ice shards with shovels and put it into their wagon. There were also fully dressed men who helped scrape it to the edges, but the ladies were the ones who shoveled it up. The zambonis came out during each intermission.
The final score was 3-1 for a Blackhawks victory. There was also a fourth goal that was taken away. Each of the four Blackhawks scores (or almost scores) sent the United Center crowd into a frenzy. The celebration was amazing! I didn't even notice when the Kings had scored - that one didn't get as much attention! The other neat part was the final 3 minutes or so when the score was 3-1 so the Kings goalie left the net unattended to play offense hoping that 6 on 5 would result in a Kings score, since that was their only chance to attempt to tie or win. Luckily the Hawks were able to play effective defense and prevent any more scores.
After the game, the Hawks lined up to congratulate each other. None of the shaking hands with the opponent like you see in amateur sports. The Kings just sort of disappeared back into the tunnel, I guess.
