CUP!

They Did It!!! The Chicago Blackhawks have won the 2010 Stanley Cup! In what can only be described as arguably the biggest turnaround  in the history of professional sports, the Blackhawks have come full circle since the passing of their late owner Bill Wirtz in 2007. In a contest where the score is (relatively) misleading, Patrick Kane scored the winning goal in overtime to give the Hawks the 4-3 win! The goal which was scored not only  in electrifying fashion, but also by the thinnest of margins, to the point where for a few blissful seconds Kane was the only one in the arena that knew it went in. Overall though, the game summarized what the Blackhawks have been about all season : timely scoring chances mixed in with superb defense, efficient penalty killing, and fabulous goal tending. Just a perfect end to a truly remarkable and historic season.

Yes we all know that the Hawks have been an afterthought in Chicago for many decades. Yes we all know that Dollar Bill Wirtz took every chance he could over the last 14 years of his life to alienate any fans of his franchise that he had left. It wasn't that long ago, that the Chicago Wolves of the AHL were out-drawing Blackhawks games in attendance. None of that matters now, as the Blackhawks are now not only the toast of Chicago, but the rest of the NHL. The only worries both long time fans plus newborn Hawk fans have to concern themselves with now is how many players return for next year, and how many more Stanley Cups will the Hawks win this decade?

That's another matter for another time. As of right now, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the Hawks for allowing fans like myself to finally be able to laugh about the following names : Mike Smith, Theo Fleury, Darryl Sutter, Craig Harstburg, Alpo Suhonen, Bernie Nicholls, Bob Probert, Alex Zhamnov, Jocelyn Thibault, Wendel Clark, Doug Gilmour, Kyle Calder, Mark Bell, Michael Nylander, Lyle Odeline, Steve Poapst, Eric Daze, and any of the other stiffs over the years that have the blueprint of mediocrity attached to them which has plagued this franchise for several years of my hockey existence.

So CHEERS to the Blackhawks for winning arguably the toughest championship to win in teams sports, for becoming the feel good story of Chicago, and for paving the way for a possible dynasty that will run roughshod throughout the rest of the NHL for years to come!

GO HAWKS!!!!!!