Breaking Down Why I am a Blackhawks Fan for the 2010 Post Season

So This year the Blues are out of the playoffs, again, At least last year we were in the first round but I digress... Last year around this time I was rooting for my boys to kick the shit out of the Vancouver Cunucks after a MIRACLE Run into the playoff season. I was excited because I also had tickets to see Game 6 and it had been YEARS since id seen a playoff game in person... Unfortunately my boys in blue didn't win a game and were knocked out of the first round in 4 games, So i didn't get to witness their return to the NHL playoffs except for on TV. It was a little upsetting and I didn't think I would be able to continue watching the rest of the playoffs since my team was OUT. But I was reminded (quite constantly if you ask me...) of a promise that I had made a long time ago. If the Blues were out I would do my best to root for the Blackhawks in the post season. 

The back Story... 

About 3 years ago in January I walked into work a hockey game at East Alton Ice Arena back home in Alton IL. It was typical for me to do this in January and I often worked with a number of the same people. I walked to the score box that night and discovered this scruffy long haired guy I had never worked with. He was goofy and kind and reminded me of Jack Black A LOT. I remember playfully stating that the chair he was sitting in was of course mine and that he had to move. I am still not sure if he initially thought i was joking or not but I never expected him to actually give me the chair and strike up a conversation on the spot. I found out he was a hockey player for the local college in Edwardsville, which meant he played on the same team as my ex boyfriend which made things a little weird. But I remember that night and a lot of the conversation and how things were because that is the night I met my best friend and where all of this Blackhawks bull shit started. 

The NHL regular season has been interesting over these past 3 years. I am still not fully used to being best friends with a sworn enemy. I can't tell you what makes us stay friends but I can tell you that Hockey rules our lives even more then I think either one of us is willing to admit. It is the foundation of our relationship and it is something that I wouldn't change for the world. This sport brought us together and I am happy for that... BUT why dear hockey gods must he be a fucking Blackhawks fan!?  We often fight and "fight" about hockey stats and players that we like or dislike (we both hate Sydney Crosby with a passion...), we Always fight about our respective teams and I think we both get some sick enjoyment from it. I have been asked in the past how I can stand being around a Hated Rival but it really isn't that bad, except for maybe on the nights the Blues play the Hawks... (In one instance a few years ago when we were at the game in St. Louis and at the time my favorite player was Manny Legace... I loved that Little Rascal looking man, infact I still do! But that night just wasnt the Blues or Manny's night and they ended up losing. Johnny Towes ended up scoring on Manny and I prolly should have lost the hearing ability in my left ear from how loud My bestie screamed in my ear.) 

The Promise...

I can't really tell you the exact game but I am pretty sure it was sometime in December of 2008 before the second half of the season and the Blues were still playing horrible. The Blackhawks weren't playing to bad in the west but still wern't doing "Great" but My best Friend and I were watching the Blues/Hawks game... the Blues were losing and I was getting rather... shall we say... Angry and frustrated at the team. We got to talking about the Playoffs and what I would do, Watch or pick a different team to "root" for. (Now I never EVER have "cheered" for a different team other then the St. Louis Blues... To me there is a difference between Cheering and rooting for and I have rooted for other teams to win in the playoffs.) I said I typically will watch and enjoy the games and hope that a former Blue would win the cup. Some how, I am not really sure how he did it but SOME HOW he got me to Promise that when the Blues are out of the playoffs I would Root for the Blackhawks for Post Season hockey... 

So there you have it... Its pretty boring and non exciting and makes me slightly miserable because Rooting for the Hawks makes me want to puke... next Season I am hoping the Blues will be there to give the Hawks a run for their money!