Outside Wrigley Field - the red head on the far right is Scott Burnside (ESPN.com NHL writer). Behind him, partially hidden with glasses, is Pierre LeBrun - writer for ESPN.com, Canadian Press, and more importantly is on Hockey Night In Canada each week. I told him I love his work and he seemed genuinely pleased and wished me a happy new year.
This was right after the Red Wings has gotten off the bus. I didn't get my camera out in time. Hawks fans were quite cordial with their "Red Wings suck!" chants as they got off the bus.
I'd been waiting for this day since the day they announced there would be a game here.
My friend Deanna, who was the one who got lucky and was able to purchase these hard-to-get tickets.
Me in front of the sign.
No, I haven't gained weight! That's 4 layers of clothes plus a warm Columbia jacket!
In the fan zone.
Ice sculpture
Posters inside the concourse
Red Wings playing warmup soccer in the concourse! At one point, I caught a wayward ball and gave it to Niklas Kronwall. In this picture are Dan Cleary, Andreas Lilja, Niklas Kronwall and Kirk Maltby.
Action shots. Blurry, yes. Once in a lifetime - also yes.
Kris Draper (center) joins the fun
Kirk Maltby and Andreas Lilja
Dan Cleary, Kirk Maltby and Andreas Lilja
Note the Kirk Maltby (grey sweatshirt) now is wearing his hockey gloves
Kris Draper
Henrik Zetterberg (center, by the door) joins the action
First look!
Looking towards center field
Note the faux brick wrapping around the rink boards - very cool
Me! Like a kid in a candy store. Best event I have attended - EVER. We got there 2 hours before game time.
Me and Deanna - Procurer Of The Holy Tickets
TV broadcast booths in short center field (in blue)
The scoreboard behind me
Rooftop view - Sheffield Avenue
The booth on the left is for CBC (with Don Cherry and Ron Maclean from Hockey Night in Canada). The one on the right is for the US NBC broadcast team (Bob Costas and Mike Milbury). These were used for between period analysis.
Little rink for kids in center field.
You can see Don Cherry's white head to the left of Ron Maclean's white sweater. They are the super combo for CBC's Hockey Night In Canada - a show I've been addicted to since I was a kid.
Red Wings coming out for pre-game skate.
Still the pre-game skate with both teams
Getting filled up!
The play-by-play broadcasters were exposed to the elements like us. CBC on the left (Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson), NBC on the right (Ed Olczyck and Dave Strader).
The Zambonis!!!!!
Resurfacing the ice in preparation for the first period.
Cubs legends on the left podium (Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins and Ryne Sandberg). Blackhawks legends on the right (Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Denis Savard).
Vince Vaughn! He's in the red Hawks sweatshirt.
Vince Vaughn again
Fireworks and smoke as the players are introduced
The Red Wings coaches - complete with old time hockey Toe Blake-style hats
National Anthem time
Let's play hockey!!!!!
Final Score - Red Wings 6, Blackhawks 4 (as it should be!)
Wings dominate, as usual
