Chicago Blackhawks Observations From Behind Enemy Lines In Tampa

Final thoughts from Monday’s loss

When the game was over, we headed over to the bar across the street to wait out the inflated Uber prices to get back to our hotel.  Just as I was turning away from the bar with my drink, I saw a well-dressed older man meandering towards me.  He definitely looked out of place in a sea of people wearing red and blue jerseys (still mostly red, I might add).  It took me a minute to get my bearings, because I knew I recognized him, but I couldn’t figure out why.  It was Pat Foley!

Now this is where I realized that my dream of being a professional sports writer will never come to fruition.  A man and his wife asked, and received, a picture with Pat.  While they were getting set up, I tapped him on the shoulder and tentatively told him I loved listening to him broadcast Blackhawks games.  Then I politely stood by and watched while said picture was taken, and promptly walked away, for fear of bothering him.

I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY INTERVIEWED THE MAN!  I’m such an idiot!  I guess I’ll stick with my day job.

In hindsight, I don’t care what anyone says.  Yes, the Chicago Blackhawks played a horrible second period and lost the game in overtime.  But it was a lovely first period of scoring, and a hard-fought third period.  And that was some of the most exciting 3-on-3 overtime I’ve ever seen.

Next: 5 Thoughts On The Tampa Bay Loss

I’m really not that concerned.  The Chicago Blackhawks were playing without the injured Artem Anisimov, or the scratched Ryan Hartman, and Coach Q was tinkering with the lineup.  They also didn’t start Corey Crawford.  Although I don’t think Scott Darling was the problem in this one.  The Hawks might have lost two in a row, but they still got a point.  They’re comfortably eight points up on the Minnesota Wild for first place in the Central Division and the Western Conference.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.  The best is yet to come!  Playoff hockey is just around the corner.