Can You Take Out A Home Equity Loan For Hockey Tickets?

I guess it was to be expected - team wins a championship, tickets become scarce. But when single game tickets went on sale for the Blackhawks last month, I did not expect to be completely shut out. Of all 41 home games. Except for standing room (fuck that). Or the exorbitantly priced 100 level seats (fuck that even more).

I already had issues with the Hawks’ ticket sales because not only did they raise ticket prices again (I can’t say I blame them - supply & demand) but they also divided parts of the 300 level into *3* price levels. For serious? There’s only 17 rows in most of them for Chrissakes! They also have dicked around with my brother’s season tickets - they wanted to move down a couple rows because they sit in the second to last row of their section and folks in standing room basically invade your personal space the entire game. I can attest to that - I used my brother’s tickets to see the preseason game vs. the Wings on Saturday and Amy had to put her arm out to prevent some guy from basically resting his junk on the top of my head. Eww. In any case, the Hawks ticket folks refused to move my brother and his seatmate (even though most of the seats in the rows in front of them are not used by STHs) unless they wanted to move down far enough to be in a more expensive price level. Way to take care of your loyal fans. But why would the Hawks make any concessions to them? The waiting list (which I am a part of) is miles long and they could find someone to take my brother’s seats, probably at the non-grandfathered price range to boot. Hey, the Hawks organ-I-zation is still miles above when Dollar Bill held the reins, but boy can you tell John McDonough is in charge - he pulled the same shit when he was with the Cubs.

Saving the Worst For Last

[Goodbye Nemo *wails*]

We all knew that the moves the Hawks were going to have to make in the offseason would be painful. But if you had told me earlier that this would mean we'd lose no fewer than *10* players, including our Cup winning goalie, I would have thought you were on crack and proceeded to either get drunk or jump off my porch (I live on the second floor). 

I had been dreading the impending Antti Niemi arbitration hearing and was hoping against hope the two sides could hammer something out beforehand. Alas, that did not happen, so I crossed my fingers that the arbitrator would award Nemo something in the 2 mildo range: that would be the only way he'd fit in a cap tighter than my thighs in spandex (please note I have never owned any spandex. Go away fashion police!).

He was awarded a one year-$2.75 million dollar contract.

That was that - no more Nemo. Within 24 hours, the Hawks had signed Marty "C-3P0" Turco, and Antti Claus (because he can give up rebounds like it's Christmas) was no longer a Hawk. On a selfish note, I can state I'm happy I didn't invest in a jersey (but I might still get a Niemi T-Shirt) but I really, really grew to like Nemo as the season wore on. He seems like an unassuming, hard working, goofy guy. And he is cute in that dorky way I find so endearing.

It's not fair that a Stanley Cup winning goalie is out of a job, mostly due to the fact that the Blackhawks were punished for their success in terms of bonuses counting against next year's salary cap. The poor guy was a Cinderella story - Zamboni driver to hoisting the sports' greatest prize in a few short years. I will have to lay some of this blame on Niemi's agent, Bill Zito. I know his job is to get the best deal for his client, and of course his value will never be higher having just backstopped the team to the top. But any idiot could tell you that this was a shit year for goalie free agents (just ask Jose Theodore and Evgeni Nabokov). Everyone knew of the Hawks' cap issues - you'd think perhaps you'd take a one year deal at a reasonable price with the promise of a multi-year deal for bigger bucks in the wings. I guess money talks - yet here we are, several days after the decision and Niemi's gone nowhere. Sure Zito's boasting that several teams are now interested, but I can't see any NHL team right now signing Niemi to that $2.75 mildo price tag - especially since unless a team changes its current roster, Nemo would only be needed in a 1A or backup role. I get the feeling Zito was filling Nemo's head with Halak-type numbers, only to see that idea fly out the window. Reportedly Niemi asked Zito "Now What?" after the decision was rendered. Now what indeed - poor Nemo could legitimately be out of the NHL or playing at a price less than what the Hawks probably offered him come the start of the regular season. 

Antti Niemi, you captured my heart in the midst of the journey that brought me to tears at the end, the journey that culminated in something no logical Chicago sports fan ever expects to see: a championship. Wherever your career takes you, I wish you nothing but the best. Just remember not to lose the puck in your pants again.

I wonder if Turco will sport red sparkling pads. I may have to wear sunglasses to the UC.

Games 67 & 68 - Mel gives you two crappy game recaps for the price of one.

You know, I had a pretty good and productive weekend with exception of these games. Anyway.

Flyers 3, Hawks 2

Hawks play an aggressive game with plenty of shots and Huet looks confident and in position. Hawks jump out to a 2-1 lead. They're on their game. For 57 minutes. Then the D loses its shit and leaves Huet out to dry, the winning goal by the Flyers coming with 2 seconds left. Game over.

Capitals 4, Hawks 3 (OT)

Hawks come out to a 3-0 lead after 2 periods. Asshat Ovie takes out Soupy but gets a game misconduct. Mel misses all three goals due to brunch. Niemi looks awesome. Third period rolls around, Hawks take dumb penalties, D shits the bed again, leaves Niemi out to dry, Craps tie in regulation. Coach Q looks like he picked his lines out of a hat for OT, it bites him in the butt, Game Over.

I won't waste any more of my time recapping these games - they sucked, it's depressing and it reminds me too much of countless Cubs games. I will make a few points.

• How can this be the same team that came back five goals down to Calgary early in the season? We get a lead now and the other team scores one and it's like everyone gives up. Someone on this team needs to step up and carry this team. Not necessarily by scoring, but by being a leader - a sparkplug. Something. Toews? Madden? Keith? Bueller? The team seems tired, uninterested and confused lately. Get It Together.
• Rumors are rampant that Campbell is done for the year. I'll believe it when I hear it from someone I trust, but nonetheless we'll be without him for awhile. They scratched Johnsson today and Sopel is banged up as well. I don't know who they'll call up from the Hogs - at least Hendry has had enough playing time this year to step in easily. If Campbell is indeed done, it is a serious blow. I'm not a huge fan, but we need his speed and offensive skill.
• Speaking of which, can I just say what a piece of shit Alex Ovechkin is? You'll get no argument from me that he is one of the most talented, electrifying players in the game today. But doesn't anyone else this year have *three* game misconducts? Watch - he'll get a slap on the wrist because of who he is, meanwhile his reckless, careless play possibly put an important piece of our team on the shelf. I am not a vengeful person but I really hope someone, anyone kicks his ass old-school retaliation style. It's the only way this jackass will learn that all the talent in the world doesn't give you carte-blanche to take people out as you please.
• Seabrook - horrible. Needs to be scratched. Kane - looks like he is scared to shoot the puck and his two way game has been nonexistent. Hossa - day to day. These are three guys who need to be on their game if we have any chance of hoisting anything other than golf clubs in June.

These issues can all be a distant memory in a few weeks. But for the first time I am worried. I worry about the psyche of this team. I am worried about the mounting injuries. I am worried that Coach Q is starting to lose his shit. But hey, the goalies are playing well!