Doubleheader Day Game #2: Lightning at Blackhawks

After the Chicago Bears game, I took the CTA train back to our house to pick up the Ultimate Sports Wife, go to a holiday party near our house and then drive down to the United Center for the Blackhawks game – ah, the conveniences of living in the city.

Obtaining Tickets
When I called Blackhawks Jim to invite him and his wife to the Packers and Bears game, he said he had his usual four seats in the lower level for the Blackhawks game. So after a simple trade of tickets, the Ultimate Sports Wife and I were sitting in the same seats where the Vince Vaughn drama occurred a few weeks ago. Too bad tonight’s ceremonial first puck dropper, Jim Belushi, did not cause any drama.

The Game
The Blackhawks shutout the Lightning 4-0 – the second consecutive Lightning game I have attended in which they were shutout. Patrick Kane scored his 10th goal of the season to take the team lead.

NHL: Colorado Avalanche at Tampa Bay Lightning

Last night I chose to attend the Tampa Bay Lightning game. St. Pete Times Forum is a 90 minute drive from where we are staying in The Villages, FL.

Parking
Parking around St. Pete Times Forum is cheap. Most lots are $5 and if you bring change you can park at the meters for 75 cents per hour.

Obtaining Tickets
I always park at a lot with some distance from the stadium so I can pass scalpers on the way to the stadium. My goal last night was to pay $5 or receive a free ticket. The first scalpers I passed had between 10 and 20 tickets each. I’m not sure why they had such a supply but that was definitely to my benefit. I decided rather than spend time looking for a free ticket I would offer the next scalper $5 for a ticket. I did and he accepted the offer. In my mind, $5 is equal to free when I do not spend any energy searching for tickets.

The Game
Before the game, IKEA sponsored a $5 all-you-can-eat buffet with Swedish meatballs, hot dogs, chips and non-alcoholic beverages.

The arena was pretty empty last night. Even though the announced crowd was 12,214, only the first 8,000 fans were supposed to receive the night’s promotion of thunder sticks and gate attendants were still handing them out when I entered the arena.

The Avalanche scored a goal in each period to win 3-0. Matt Duchene had two goals as Craig Anderson made 33 saves to lead the Avalanche.