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Blackhawks Fri Jul 18 2008
Blackhawks bits
Despite the weather's attemps to smother Chicago in oppressive humidity lately, the Blackhawks have been in the news this week.
First, the long-rumored Winter Classic outdoor game at Wrigley Field was finally, officially, announced Wednesday. The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup champion Red Wings will face off at noon on New Year's Day.
The next day, the remaining 81 games on the Hawks schedule were revealed. The team kicks off the season in Madison Square Garden October 10 against the Rangers and in Washington the next night before the United Center home opener October 13 against Nashville.
Other notable home games on the schedule include the following:
San Jose - November 16.
New Hawks defenseman Brian Campbell's former team (for half a season) and Jeremy Roenick bring the Sharks to Chicago.
Philadelphia - December 26.
The return of the resurgent Flyers for the first time in three seasons.
New York Rangers - January 16.
An Original Six matchup with the Blueshirts.
Pittsburgh - February 27.
Superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin lead the Penguins into town.
Detroit - April 12.
After traveling to Detroit April 11, the teams battle in the second half of a home-and-home to finish the regular season.
Sun-Times writer Carol Slezak has an in-depth profile of team chairman Rocky Wirtz that is a great piece for anyone who wants to learn more abuot the team's dramatic turnaround in the past year. Change you really can believe in!
If you see a multitude of sweater-wearers downtown this weekend, they are not crazy, despite the hot and humid forecast. They're most likely making their way to the Hilton for the first Blackhawks convention, which opens this evening and runs through Sunday. Team president John McDonough lifted a page from his tenure with the Cubs to create the offseason festivities for fans to unite and meet past and present players. Passes sold out in two weeks last spring, and for fans from across the country, the big weekend has finally arrived. So while it's not the best sweater weather, it's for a good reason.
