Black Hawk
FanSided

A Fans Perspective of the Chicago Blackhawks 2019 Home Opener

By Nikos Michals

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 10: Andrew Shaw #65 of the Chicago Blackhawks walks the red carpet prior to the game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks at the United Center on October 10, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 10: Andrew Shaw #65 of the Chicago Blackhawks walks the red carpet prior to the game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks at the United Center on October 10, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

A fan’s perspective of the Chicago Blackhawks’ home opener live from the United Center.

Let me just start out by saying that I was in the building for the Chicago Blackhawks’ home opener on Thursday. That United Center crowd was ELECTRIC. While I am not a fan of their new intro, this is the old one I wish they would bring back, it was still an amazing experience being in the building for the 2nd straight home opener.

Before I do get into my experience, I am looking for more Hawks’ fans on Twitter to follow, so go follow me on Twitter @NikofromtheTO and I will follow back!

By the way, below is the new entrance video the Blackhawks are using this season. You can decide for yourself whether you like it or not.

The doors opened up to the United Center atrium around 3 pm. I arrived at 4 pm, because in Chicago if they tell us to be somewhere at a certain time, it usually means we are showing up an hour later. For the last couple of ‘Hawks openers, they have been celebrated inside with a Red Carpet event where the players walk down the red carpet in the middle of a bunch of fans, high fiving and show off their suits. I, of course, got right up to where the players were walking out and got some sick slow-mo shots of them walking out so, go check that out on my Twitter!

If you’re wondering, Andrew Shaw — foreshadowing — was the best dressed Blackhawk. Brendan Perlini was a close second. Corey Crawford won the night with him walking with Megan from ‘Make a Wish’ who wanted to walk the Carpet with Crow. That’s a W in my book.

After that, the fans all started to leave and I spotted one of the most daring, courageous, some might call stupid, people in the crowd. A person was wearing all St.Louis Blues STANLEY CUP WINNING GEAR TO THE HAWK’S HOME OPENER. The audacity of this person to walk into our barn and think that is okay. Just kidding, I thought it was pretty funny.

Actually, she ended up finding my tweet about her and we started talking, which lead us to meet up! She is a really cool person ( fellow Comic-Con goer as well) and actually does cheer for the Blackhawks along with the Blues. I said she was cool, not smart, but just wanted to show off her Stanley Cup gear! It turns out Blues and Hawks’ fans can be friends, until they play each other. Then, it’s back to hatred.

After that, I walked the halls of the United Center taking in all the smells and sights. There is something about that smell of the “UC” that just brings back all the memories of when I was young, watching the Hawks’ play for the first time with my uncle and me being afraid of the goal horn.

Anyways, I got my usual meal at the game Chicken Strips and a Cola. Don’t try to tell me differently the strips are the go-to food at the UC, although in recent years they have added a bunch of little restaurants around the place that I have not tried (If you have PLEASE tell me what is good) so the strips could be changed this season.

Done eating, I went up to my seat (300 level represent) and got a really good view of the new scoreboard which makes sitting in the higher levels actually worth it. Seriously though this thing is huge compared to the old one they had since 2006, plus it is the highest tech scoreboards on the market.

After that, the game started and I will get into that whole debacle in my “Five Thoughts of the Week” post later, but here are some quick other details from the night:

  • No towels were given out this year, kinda disappointed
  • Loudest cheers for player entrances go in order – Shaw, Toews, Kane & Dach.
  • Koekkoek got booed
  • Blackhawks fans are the best in the world. Not really a detail, but more so a fact.

All in all, the home opener was a really top-notch experience for fans of all types, from those who are SUPER fans of the Hawks’ to the ones who may just be into the team because it’s from Chicago. I would definitely recommend people to go to the 2020 home opener if you have never been.

This was my experience from the opening day game! It was my second straight year going and I am looking forward to going next year as well! If you attended the 2019-20 opener, @ me on Twitter (@NikofromtheTO) with your experiences and comment below!

Home/Analysis