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 Dining
We 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 Center.

The Game
The Blackhawks defeated the Kings 4-2 after taking a 3-1 lead early in the first period. Blackhawks’ goalie Antti Niemi made 22 saves in his first NHL start. The Blackhawks scored a goal with 43 seconds left in the third period which meant everyone in the crowd received a free Big Mac from McDonald’s. The promotion states that if the Blackhawks score a goal in the last minute of any period or overtime everyone with a coupon handed out before the game receives a free Big Mac.

This was not the first time I have seen the Kings at the United Center, but I have seen the Kings play in seven different stadiums on the road (nine arenas total if you include the Great Western Forum and Staples Center). I have also seen the Red Wings in seven different venues as the visiting team.