For the fourth time this season (and second in the playoffs), “Blackhawks Jim” invited me to attend last night’s Game 4 between the Vancouver Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks. As usual, I was planning to purchase tickets on the day of the game. This is another example of why I wait to buy tickets sporting events unless I have to. You never know who might invite you at the last minute.
Pre Game DiningI met “Blackhawks Jim” and his friends at CrossRoads Bar & Grill located at 1120 W. Madison St. …

For the first time in 13 years, Chicago Blackhawks fans could attend a hockey game in Chicago in May.
Obtaining TicketsEarlier in the day, I had agreed to purchase two standing room only tickets from craigslist.org for $30 each (face value was $25 plus Ticketmaster fees). I had agreed to meet the seller at Billy Goat’s Tavern (located on the corner of Ashland Ave, Madison St. and Ogden Ave.) around 5:30 pm – where we wanted to eat before the game anyway.
Standing Room Only at the United CenterWhile many …

Sometimes it is hard to determine which sporting event to attend in any given day. The Ultimate Sports Wife, who is also a synchronized figure skating coach, had scheduled her team to compete in the National Synchronized Ice Skating Competition in Orland Park. With the Chicago Cubs scheduled to play the St. Louis Cardinals at 2:40 pm Saturday afternoon, I was hoping her team would compete Saturday morning – giving me time to drive back to Wrigley Field in time for the game. As luck would have …

Last night was the Chicago Blackhawks first playoff game in seven years and their second playoff series since 1997.
Obtaining TicketsFor the third time this season, my “first cousin once removed,” who at this point we will call “Blackhawks Jim,” invited me to the game with his friend’s season tickets.
Pre Game DiningThe plan was to meet “Blackhawks Jim” and his wife and daughter at our usual pre-game meeting place – The Beer Bistro, which has $5 martinis and ½ priced appetizers on Thursday nights. However, the Beer Bistro was too …

I had not planned to attend the Chicago Blackhawks game on Wednesday night, but my cousin (who I have either attended with or met at the Beer Bistro the last four Blackhawks games I have attended) invited me on Tuesday night.
Rather than go to the Beer Bistro or Billy Goat Tavern before the game, my cousin had promised his kids he would pick up the Jonathan Toews bobblehead promotional giveaway. So we parked in the official United Center parking lot for $21 and walked into the United Center at …

On Wednesday night, I witnessed an NHL game go to a shootout for the fourth time. The San Jose Sharks, who were behind 4-1 and 5-3 during the game, came back with two goals in the final 5:07 to tie the game at 5 goals apiece – becoming the 15th NHL game I have attended where two teams combined to score more than 10 goals in the same game.
The Blackhawks made their first two shootout attempts while the Sharks missed their first two resulting in the Blackhawks OT win.
Obtaining …

Yesterday I received a call from my cousin – “My friend has four extra tickets, do you and Nicole want to go to the Hawks game tomorrow?” I said yes, since I already planned to go but did not have a ticket.
Pre Game DiningWe agreed to meet at our usual pre game bar – The Beer Bistro. On Sundays they have 25 cent wings. In addition, we ordered our favorite Beer Bistro pizza – Pepperoni & Goat Cheese. After eating we took the Beer Bistro’s free shuttle to the United …

Around 3:45 pm yesterday, the Ultimate Sports Wife checked her Facebook account and noticed that my cousin’s status read “Carl is going to the Hawks game!!” Having wanted to go to the Blackhawks game myself and get together with my cousins, I called Carl’s father, Jim, and asked if he was going as well. He was, as well as his wife and Carl’s girlfriend. Nicole realizing that her checking of Facebook was leading her directly to the Blackhawks game added “I don’t think I will state anyone’s status to you …

The NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field is an event not to be missed – especially for the Ultimate Fan. First, I was able to attend an outdoor hockey game. Second, it was at a new stadium for an NHL game. Third, it was New Year’s Day which is generally reserved for college football. I have been to four bowl games on January 1 – two Rose Bowls (1996 and 2007), the Citrus Bowl (1997) and the Outback Bowl (2003). Fourth, the event was held within one block of …

I had wondered what I would do between the end of the Bears game and the 6 pm Chicago Blackhawks start. However, since we ended up in the United Club at Soldier Field I had my answer. We left the United Club around 4:45 pm and I took the red line from the Roosevelt el stop and got off at the Monroe el stop. I transferred to the #20 Madison Street bus and got off at Ashland Ave. in order to eat dinner at Billy Goat Tavern, located at 1535 …