NHL Tag

This month’s Sports Traveler blog takes us to the “Windy City” in which I reside, Chicago! The city has its fair share of amazing sports venues, and this month’s blog highlights “The Madhouse on Madison.”

The United Center hosts both the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, two teams always competitive in their respective divisions. And it was last Friday I attended a Blackhawks game right at the United Center. From the moment you pull unto Madison Avenue on the West side of Chicago you can feel the energy radiate from the fans on the street all marching towards the United Center! Half of the fun of the night was interacting with other fans, including fans of the opponents at the game.

I was just getting into the arena a few minutes late, side note always leave early to guarantee stress-free parking, and walked into a guttural rendition of O-Canada. One of the most famous traditions at the United Center came next, the cheering of the national anthem! The UC literally was

Whoa!  The sports world is going crazy right now!  So much going on and it is all too exciting to miss.  To catch up with the sports world I have harnessed all the major news/results from the recent events.  I am going to briefly hit on each sport and give a few predictions for the Masters, MLB, NBA, and NHL.  Ready?  Lets go!

NHL

Seems like the season just started but it will shortly be coming to an end.  But I guess that's what happens when you are in a shortened and compressed 46 game season.  Thanks lockout.  The story early on in the season was the winning streak by the Chicago Blackhawks and then both the Anaheim Ducks and Pittsburgh Penguins went on their own winning streaks.  Although no one has matched a start like the Blackhawks, it seemed for a while like the Penguins might be the best team.  Now that Crosby is out the battle for best appears to be between the Ducks and Blackhawks.

The Chicago Blackhawks have started off the 2013 NHL season like a house of fire.  Going into a lockout shortened season, I'm sure every team has a lot of questions as to what level the team could perform at.  Many of the players had been playing in other countries but I would imagine that conditioning played a role for all players.  Being rusty to start this season would almost be expected.  Not for Chicago.  The team has come ready to play since the first puck dropped.

Through 19 games the Blackhawks have accumulated 35 points and also set the record for most games without a regulation loss to start a season.  The record continues to grow after last night's 1-0 win over Edmonton.  Their record currently sits at a robust 16-0-3.  The Hawks 16 wins are most in the NHL and 3 more than any other team.  The next closest team in the West is the Anaheim Ducks with 27 points and a record of 13-3-1.

*The Blackhawks are 8-0-1 at home in the United Center and 8-0-2 on the road.

The NHL All Star Game has featured the Eastern vs. Western Conference and the World vs. North America.  The 2011 contest will be slightly different and more exciting for everyone.

For the first time in all star game history, the players are choosing the rosters.  The fans will select the initial starting roster.  From there, captains from both teams will go back and forth to fill out the remaining roster. 

It's like the players were 12 years old again playing a pickup game on a frozen pond.

Here's your chance to visit Raliegh, North Carolina on January 30 and see this historic game.  NHL All Star Game Packages are now available with lodging, game tickets, gifts, and more.

View NHL All Star Game Packages

For the past several years I've been on my own version of a Legends of Music Concert Tour. My goal: to see as many living legendary entertainers as I can while they are still performing. Now I am ready to start my Legends of Sports Tour. I want to see the best players play their game before they retire and become a permanent part of ESPN Classic programming.

So today I have assembled my Top 5 List for my personal Legends of Sports Tour:

1. Brett Favre. Even as a life-long Chicago resident and Bears fan I can't resist watching this guy play. Maybe you've found yourself like me, becoming fascinated with whether or not he will get up every time he gets knocked down. One Super Bowl ring doesn't seem to be enough for him. I think we all admire his drive and passion for the game but his career can't go on forever.

2. Shaquille O'Neal. I can still remember when Shaq came into the NBA in 1992 - geez that was 18 years ago already! Back then I couldn't stand him. Remember Hack-a-Shaq? That was when

The 2011 Winter Classic will be held in Pittsburgh on January 1 at Heinz Field, home of the Steelers. The game will feature a great matchup between the Capitals & Penguins, also known as Ovechkin vs. Crosby.

Winter Classic Packages & Tickets now on sale!

Winter Classic Packages include guaranteed tickets to the Winter Classic, hotel accommodations in downtown Pittsburgh, official gift, and more.

Winter Classic Tickets are available in all areas of Heinz Field for this great game. All tickets are guaranteed and can be purchased securely online.

View Winter Classic Tickets & Packages

It's only been a few weeks since the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, but Chicago is ready to do this all over again.  The Blackhawks have taken the city and the NHL world by storm.

Blackhawks Luxury Box Suites are now available for all 2010-2011 home games. The suites include 20 tickets and 4 parking passes to the United Center for each game. It is located on the penthouse level directly on center ice!

Food and drinks are not included in the price, however, can be added on. You will be able to choose from anything you want from the menu for the suite. The menu is about 25 pages long, so you will have a large variety to choose from. When you have a full group of 20 people in the suite, food and drink cost ranges from $35-$45 per person. The price can be slightly higher/lower depending on what you order.

If you have any questions about Blackhawks Suites or would like to check availability, please call Mike Maksym at 888-654-7755 Ext 101.

The 2011 Winter Classic will be held on January 1 in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Pittsburgh Penguins will be hosting the Washington Capitals. This matchup is also best known as: Crosby vs. Ovechkin, the two best players in the NHL. 

Winter Classic Travel Packages & Tickets will be available soon.  Packages will include hotel accommodations in downtown Pittsburgh near the stadium, guaranteed game tickets, official gift, and more.

Please sign up to be notified when tickets & packages will be available for this great event.

Congratulations to the Flyers & the Blackhawks on clinching their spots into the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals. The Flyers have shocked the hockey world by advancing this far as a 7 seed. The Blackhawks have been one of the most elite teams all season and are looking for their first cup since 1961.

Stanley Cup Finals Packages include lodging in Chicago or Philadelphia, guaranteed tickets to the Stanley Cup Finals, and more. Packages are available for games 1, 2, 3, and 4. Airfare can also be added on to the package.

Purchase Stanley Cup Finals Tickets for any game of the series. Tickets are available at all areas of the United Center and Wachovia Center. All tickets are guaranteed and can be purchased securely online.

View Stanley Cup Finals Tickets & Packages

Congratulations to the Blackhawks who have clinched their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 1992.  Led by Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Dustin "Big Buff"  Byfuglien, this Blackhawks team is on the way to their first Stanley Cup Championship since 1961.
 
Purchase Blackhawks Stanley Cup Finals Tickets for any game of the series.  Tickets are available at all areas of the United Center.  All tickets are guaranteed and can be purchased securely online.

View Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Tickets