There was drama both on and off the ice last night as the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Colorado Avalanche.

Obtaining Tickets
Blackhawks Jim, who buys his tickets from a friend, invited me to the game. His tickets are in Section 120, Row 11 which was the only reason why I could participate in any off ice drama.

On Ice Drama
Before the game Blackhawks Jim mentioned that both games between the Blackhawks and Avalanche this season have gone to a shootout. Thus, he thought this game would be close. I did not think much of the comment until Cam Barker tied the game for the Blackhawks five minutes into the third period and it appeared the game was heading for overtime. The game ended up in overtime and had a shootout.

Last night consisted of the minimum three shootout rounds as Patrick Sharp scored on the Blackhawks third attempt to win the shootout 2-1 and the game 3-2.

Off Ice Drama featuring Vince Vaughn
Off ice drama started once Vince Vaughn showed up shortly after the game started and sat in the front row of Section 118. We had a perfect view of Vince and could see everyone asking him for autographs or a picture during the entire game.

At the start of the second period, we noticed that two men were sitting in Vince Vaughn’s seat in the front row because two women (one we will call cute and the other not-so-cute) were sitting in their seats across the aisle from Vince. Once Vince showed up, the women were forced to move and that is when the musical chairs began.

The women moved from seat to seat in Section 118 after people would come back to their seats – even moving to empty seats in the middle of the section (breaking an unwritten rule that if you are sneaking down to a closer section you never make the people who paid for those seats move). At this point I mentioned to Blackhawks Jim, and his friend Brett, that these women may become more exciting than the game itself. They settled in Section 118, Row 6 for the second period until security finally got wind of them from other fans and kicked them out at the end of the second period.

The real excitement began at the beginning of the third period. The two women walked down “our” aisle between Sections 119 and 120. I turned to Blackhawks Jim and Brett and said, “This is going to be good.” Next they crossed Section 119 in order to get to Section 118. We pointed at the usher and said “go get them.” As security was after them they attempted to sneak by a woman and a few guys in Section 118, around Row 13. The woman in the row (we’ll call greenie since she was wearing a green Blackhawks jersey) said something to “not-so-cute.” “Not-so-cute” proceeded to spit in greenie’s face and grab “greenie’s” hair in order to yank her out of the row. That’s when the brouhaha began. The three women ran into the concourse followed by the guys greenie was with. I, of course, ran out as well to see the hubbub. At this point security had already grabbed “cute” and “not-so-cute” and brought them to the security office (aka United Center jail) but not after a lot of yelling and screaming!

Pre Game Dining
Before the game I met Blackhawks Jim and two of his friends at CrossRoads Bar & Grill, which appears to be our preferred place to meet over the Beer Bistro.

Parking
For the first time ever, I parked at People’s Stadium Lot. The cost was $18. The parking attendant collecting money asked for a tip, which is something I have not experienced since the mid to late 1990’s when I parked at the Red Top Parking lot located by Ashland Ave. and Madison St.