Last week I wrote about how the Chicago Blackhawks hosted their earliest game I could ever remember. This week the Blackhawks hosted their most important regular season game I could remember. This was a game between the top teams in each conference and NBC was televising the contest making it the second straight Sunday the Blackhawks would play an 11:30 am game. Besides this fact, I was hoping to watch Alex Ovechkin, arguably the best player in the NHL. The last time I saw Ovechkin in person was on March 19, 2008 – also at the United Center.

Beg, Borrow and Deal
Last Sunday I showed up at the United Center early, walked all the way to Billy Goat Tavern and back and ended up buying a ticket for face value along Madison St. just outside of Gate 3. Today I figured I would stay around the United Center and find a ticket from a fan rather than negotiate with ticket scalpers. The main reason I made this decision was because I did research on StubHub and Craigslist.org before the game.

At 9 am, StubHub had upper deck tickets listed for $145 each and SRO for $50. I considered buying the SRO, but knew that StubHub fees would make the ticket $70. I could not justify buying a SRO ticket for nearly three times face value.

At 10 am, StubHub upper deck seats had dropped to $115 each and the SRO was gone. I checked craigslist.org and there was a listing for a single ticket for $70. I called the guy but the ticket had sold. At this point I realized my price point was around $70 and that negotiating with any scalpers would only drive that price higher.

I arrived at the United Center and as I walked by Gate 2 some Capitals fans had an extra ticket available. I offered them $50 for the ticket (too high for the first offer) and they countered with $70 (face value). I agreed since that was my price point before I arrived at the arena.

The only problem with finding a reasonably priced ticket early was that I could not determine whether that was a good price. Even after buying the ticket I should have walked around to see what other tickets were available. Instead I entered the arena immediately.

Washington Capitals at Chicago Blackhawks
Ovechkin was kicked out of the game early as he slammed Brian Campbell into the boards – his third game misconduct of the season. The ejection does not guarantee Ovechkin a suspension since his last boarding game misconduct occurred over 41 games ago. A weird rule I must admit.

Four minutes later the Blackhawks took a 2-0 lead and with Ovechkin being out should have put the game out of reach. However, even though the Blackhawks added a goal in the second period to take a 3-0 lead, the Capitals stormed back scoring three goals in the third period within just over two minutes to tie the game at three goals apiece.

The game eventually went into overtime in which the Capitals’ Nicklas Backstrom scored the game winning goal with 1:50 left – the Blackhawks second straight overtime game at home.

One notable was that Vince Vaughn was at the game. I have seen him a few times now at the United Center this winter.