Blues Need The Blackhawks

by Brad Lee on Feb 19, 2008 12:52 AM CST

Greetings from St. Louis.

The Hawks are in town tonight. We'll have a You Write the Comedy and an open thread later on. To get your juices flowing for what is surprisingly a big game for both Chicago and St. Louis tonight on the kind of national cable network, we give you a piece Gallagher wrote for Game Time earlier in the season. Since the only way to leave comments in the printed version of GT is to write snarky things in the margins and then pass it around your row at the game, we figured we'd put up the electronic version. Feel free to chime in below.

Growing up outside of Chicago, I was not a Blackhawks fan. I wasn't even a hockey fan. Strangely, it was the Blackhawks' most hated rivals, the Blues, that made me a fan and made me a total devotee to the game of hockey. In fact, it was a Blues/Blackhawks game that made me the no-life-having Blues fanatic that I am today.

Back in late 1992 I attended my first hockey game with the St. Louis girl who would become my wife just three years later. Going into it I was skeptical that I'd be interested - I'd never watched more than about a minute of any hockey game that wasn't played in Lake Placid in 1980. Being from Chicago and, therefore, obnoxious, I thought I might just be a dick and root for Chicago. Little did I know. I was quickly captivated with the atmosphere of the Arena and the rabid Blues fans and the mighty trash talk that was being hurled at the few insane folks who were wearing their Indianhead gear. By the time the game was over, the Blues had won, the Hawks fans had been properly doused and I was addicted to hockey and the Blues.

But when I think back to that first game that I ever saw, I wonder if it wasn't the intense rivalry of the Blues and Blackhawks at that time that didn't make the experience so unforgettable. If my first game had been a Blues/Blackhawks game last year, would I even be mildly interested in hockey? Would I even be interested in coming to another game, especially when this rivalry seems so tepid?

At my first game, the Blues and Blackhawks rivalry was, unbeknownst to us at the time, nearing the end of its golden age. Steve Larmer was in his last season in Chicago. Dirk Graham and Michel Goulet were within one season of hanging up their skates. Jeremy Roenick, Eddie Belfour and Chris Chelios would all be gone within a few years. The Blackhawks fell out of relevance shortly after my fandom was forged in the heat of that rivalry's fire. The Hawks have been some shade of shitty for over 10 years now.

The Blues, to their credit and our enjoyment, stayed at the top of the division for most of those years that the Blackhawks owned the bottom half. Only recently did our team dive down to check out the murky depths where the Blackhawk bodies rotted. It wasn't pleasant for any of us, and honestly, the fire of competition between two equally matched teams doesn't really burn that white hot when they are equally badly matched. Battling to see who isn't going to be in last place isn't nearly as much fun as battling to see who takes the division lead.

Now, with both franchises stocked with fresh new draft picks, and high-end draft picks at that, many people will tell you that the Blues/Blackhawks rivalry is about to begin anew. I'd love to see it, but for the time being, my official status on that is "skeptical." The main reason I have holding me back is that these Blues and Blackhawks are very different from the teams of old (or even the teams of "I remember those guys"). I can't speak to the earliest days of the rivalry, as I'm still a bit of a late arrival to the Blues fanbase at only 15 years, but where is the Chris Chelios that we can all agree to hate? Where is the crazy Eddie Belfour to go ballistic and hammer his stick into splinters? Where is the giant mouth wearing No. 27 that answers to the nickname J.R.? Instead, the Blackhawks and their talented crop of new-NHL talents are all skill and slick playmaking. Hell, half the people I know coming to the game tonight can't wait to see Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. How is that a rivalry?

Speaking of Toews, he is best buddies with Blues top prospect T.J. Oshie. Oshie should be playing in this building next year and lining up against his college linemate Toews several times. Is there going to be any animosity there? Any sense of dislike? Any rivalry that isn't described as "friendly?" I say no way. And when the top players on the two teams don't hate each other, it's going to be tough to build a nasty rivalry like the one that made me an instant fan. Instead, I think that the Blues and Blackhawks are headed towards a competitive next decade with lots of great games to be played. It should be exciting, but I don't believe for a second that it'll ever be the same.

-Sean "but I still hate the Red Wings" Gallagher

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Comments

I agree. The rivalry isn’t the same. (My hockey background is exactly the same as Sean’s, but 10 years earlier. And I was a ‘Hawks fan. And I was too young for a girlfriend. And I saw my games at The Stadium. And didn’t convert to being a Blues fan until 10+ years later. So exactly the same.)

I only really have 3 strong memories of those “early days” as a ’Hawks fan: One beautiful Denis Savard goal in the closing seconds of a game to beat Detroit; One game in which the North Stars shelled Tony-O; and playing the Blues (no specific game). Saw them enough to know Sutter and Federko and knew there would always be tons of hitting and probably a couple of fights. It was always super-charged.

Can I explain why it’s not like that anymore? Not really, but I have some ideas. I agree that both teams have to be contenders for first or second place in the division. I also think they both must contend year after year, and that the teams are knocking each other out of the higher spot in the standings. There also has to be some core group of players on both teams that come back year after year.

I also think there are other factors too: rule changes that “protect the player” so teammates don’t have to; “generic” buildings that follow modern fire codes and safety standards; The Internet; new playoff format; regular season overtime.

Still, I think there is a “healthy rivalry” left between the 2 teams, and it could easily get back to old intensity levels and will in the next few years. It just won’t be the same for us the second time around.

by Mr. Particle on Feb 19, 2008 7:13 AM CST reply actions

My most intense Hawks memories involve Belfour breaking his stick on the goal after the Blues swept them around 1993 and the St. Patrick’s Day game in 1991 where there were multiple fights and Adam Oates had to play defense because too many blue liners had been given game misconducts. Both of those involved pure hate.

Honest question: does this team hate any team in the NHL?

by Brad Lee on Feb 19, 2008 9:01 AM CST reply actions

I for sure HATE the Blackhawks for then any other team, ever.

I will be there tonight with Catfish. We spoke just for a few minutes yesterday about the outing. Both us us will bring our fighting hands with us tonight. Not just for old time sake either. We will be looking for some action. God I love Blues vs. Blackhawks.

I’m headed to the gym around 11:00. It is going to be a good one.

by Answer Man on Feb 19, 2008 9:05 AM CST reply actions

Why hasn’t someone on the Blues Freight Trained Patrick Sharp?

by Answer Man on Feb 19, 2008 9:06 AM CST reply actions

… or caveman extraordinaire Brent Sopel?

by Marcus Pettersson on Feb 19, 2008 9:35 AM CST reply actions

I’m bringing the Hate tonight. Are you?

I might only be 26 but I remember what tonight SHOULD be like. Was I able to be one of the drunks picking on ’Hawks fans in the Barn? No. But I did I yell at every ’Hawks fan walking by? Did I accidentally on purpose spill my soda or popcorn on a ’Hawks fan? Did I accidentally trip a hawks fan my age? Younger? You bet your ass!!!

So if you see me tonight, I will be the drunk guy in a Blues jersey, say hi or give me a high-five, or have your girlfriend, wife, daughter show me her boobs, Whatever It Takes!!!

Let’s Go Blues!

by LosBri on Feb 19, 2008 9:48 AM CST reply actions

We need more LosBri around this joint. Just sayin.

by Brad Lee on Feb 19, 2008 10:17 AM CST reply actions

I, like LosBri, am 26. I still vividly remember one of the first games my dad took me to at the old barn where thousands of my new closest friends chanted BEL-FOUR at the top of their lungs. Having the bells and the 4’s on the light baord egging the crowd on just made it better. I would pay “one billion dollars” (if Belfour would give me a loan) to go back to that rivalry.

Unlike LosBri, however, I don’t need or want to see your wife, girlfriend, or daughter’s boobs. My boobs and I will be at a meeting tonight and unable to watch the game. We are quite sad about this, but hopefully there will be another Blues win (and maybe another Matt Walker goal – and yes, some day I will be happy to tell my imaginary grandchildren that I was there when Big Country got his first goal!)

by Jessica on Feb 19, 2008 11:09 AM CST reply actions

The whole reason I’m a Blues fan has its roots in the Black&Blue rivalry. Back when I was Poor Grade School Student my weekends at my Dad’s involved picking up something to cook for dinner and subsequently stopping whatever we were doing to tune in to Blues hockey on Friday or Saturday night. Times were good and I got to stay up late on nights when we won. Losses were terrible and resulted in early bedtime for me. Hawks games? The old man usually had some buddies over to drink beer while the kids played on my SNES. I was the only one watching with the grownups. I can still remember to this day watching a game in Chicago on an afternoon when it always seemed like the home team won. I don’t remember what the final tally was but Stastny scored in OT to send us home winners and the Blues players just mobbed him. I was rather enthusiastic.

Adding fuel to this is the fact that my two cousins within close proximity to me have an uncle on the other side of their family who is a lawyer for the Hawks (they hate dollar Bill, too) so I was constantly being badgered by my two older cousins. I still use the Belfour chant as a comeback to this day.

So tonight, I’ll be up there in 331 in the white clown suit non-C Hull jersey with the lady cheering my ass off and hoping for Towel Boy to slip. It is no coincidence that I sit completely opposite Towelhead. I’d normally close with a “C’mon Blues” or something similar but today is a special occasion.

Fuck you Hawks.

by Poor College Student on Feb 19, 2008 11:34 AM CST reply actions

I’m 28 and I can fondly remember the home and home series in the Ol’ Chuck Norris Division. I especially recall how much fun it was when the second game was at the old barn cause you knew some fisticuffs would be going down. Probably my #1 memory was the sweep and Belfour throwing that now famous temper tantrum. GOD I HATE THE FUCKING BLACKHAWKS!!!!!! I feel much better now ;-) GO BLUES

by Johnny Stats on Feb 19, 2008 1:19 PM CST reply actions

the intigating rule has killed a lot of the fun. the core group of players and the teams not battling for sumpremacy in the old norris. some of my earliest memories date back to the early eighties in the old barn. seen guys tossed down stairs. people back then were really drunk and a lot worked in factories. the day it all changed was when we moved into the drinkscotch building. when they had those pink seats and they were filled by people who wouldn’t scream bloody murder. back then you could pretty much yell what you wanted. the only people that controlled that were the other fans who said hey that’s my fucking kid right there so why in the fuck are you yelling curse words? fighting in the old barn was real and happened often. the bathrooms were full of drunks drumming on eachother. but now there’s so many polite yuppies for who i think going to a hockey game is like slumming it that when you scream out let’s go blues they look at you like you’re mildly crazy(but that’s what i get for sitting in the lower sections).

that all said i think we can all hate zuzyin. that flowery name of some russian defenseman that takes all kind of stupid hack penalties and what not. also both teams should be full of emotion as they battle for a playoff spot with desperation and maybe for once the pride of making it rather than not, though both teams could easily not make it after all is said and done.

by Chris D. on Feb 19, 2008 1:28 PM CST reply actions