FINAL SCORE: Chicago 8 - Ottawa 7

February 18, 2019

Let me start off with saying that this game was the best game I have ever been to in my entire life. Look at that score above - it was like I was watching football. Sports are all about defense these days, it was awesome to see a game that was so high scoring. I was on the edge of my seat the entire game, truly incredible.

I was NOT feeling good during my trip. I left work Thursday night, went to the ER just to get some antibiotics because I knew I wouldn’t have time to get to the doctor before my trip. I walked in, said “I have strep, I know it. I know it’s excessive to come to the emergency room but I just need a script before I head to Chicago.” I was right. Strep and a fever. Great.

It was my best friend’s birthday that weekend, so, of course, I had to rally with her on a Sunday before my flight. I was actually off on a Sunday, which never happens. I usually fly out on Monday mornings, but since I had Sunday off, I booked an early flight. We go out, have the best time, and then I have to head out for Chitown.

I’m flying on standby, and there are zero seats left. I’m freaking out, eating a steak sammie at the Ulele pop-up at the airport. No bread, incase you were wondering #fitlife (was saving my fat cals up for deep dish). The gate guy FINALLY calls my name allows me on the flight, thank god *was about to use my game ticket insurance* (which, by the way, is only $12 extra and they give you your money back if you can’t make it, worth it).

An old friend of mine who is my neighbor in Tampa also has a place in Chicago. He always told me that if I ever visited, he would leave me a key. He is always traveling for his job, so, I decided to hit him up and see if I could use his apartment in Old Town (awesome part of Chi). He said yes, and I had the entire place to myself for two-and-a-half days. I was so sick, that I had to drag myself out of bed to go anywhere Monday afternoon.

Since I wasn’t feeling good, I slept real good once I arrived Sunday night. Woke up Monday, and headed to Giordano’s for some deep dish pizza. Everybody yelled at me for getting broccoli in it, but hey, I’m from Jersey and I love white pizza with broccoli and garlic. Sue me. Also, I was not told that I went to THE MOST generic, chained deep dish place in Chicago. I was pissed. But, the bartender was cool and the food was good. No regrets.

After this, I headed to Millenium Park to go ice skating and see the Cloud Gate (which I call the big, silver bean thing). First of all, I thought I was WAYYYYY better at ice skating than I actually was. Let me tell you, I look like the 4-year-old kid mic’d up from SportsCenter repeating “one two, one two, one two” - if you haven’t seen it, look it up. After a couple minutes, I felt like I knew what I was doing. Once you ice skate, you don’t forget how to do it, or so I’m told. I fucking forgot, but rolled with it.

I head back to the apartment before the game. I took a nap, woke up, ready to go. Called and Uber, dropped right in front of the United Center. The way that you walk in is very different - there are different “gates” that you enter for each section. It’s one big hall with a fan shop and statues. I had to ask somebody how to get to my seat, and I had to go through a certain line. Was very different and confusing.

I sat next to a HUGE Chicago fan. I found out later that her dad was the team doctor back in the day for the Sox and the Blackhawks. She’s an older woman, very nice. But let me tell you, she added ‘er’ to every single players last name. “KANNNNNNNERRRR, let’s go!!!! STROMERRRRR, C’MON MAN, SAADERRRRR, GET IT, TAZERRRR.” I swear to god, nicest lady ever, but she would not stop. She was commentating the entire game. I didn’t even need to watch. She should have a podcast.

I kept walking by the “make a sign” table with Blackhawks logo’d posters and thought to myself “eh, I shouldn’t be that person.” Walked past it a couple more times and said eh, fuck it. I made one that said “just here for a quick puck.” I had random people asking me to pose for pictures while in my seat, the sign was a hit. The guy handling the pucks in the penalty box saw it, CRACKED up, but I didn’t get a fucking puck! I was so surprised. Three for four, thanks, Chicago.

The game ended, and I called an Uber to go back to the apartment. You had to walk a couple blocks to get to the Uber pickup spot, but it wasn’t overly crowded, very easy to navigate.

Recommended things to do in Chicago:

All I could tell you is that the pizza was pretty good, the UberEats I got was phenomenal (did this three times while there), and Millenium Park was beautiful. I was so sick that I couldn’t really do much on my trip. You know when Sam doesn’t go out after a game, she doesn’t feel well.

MVP of the game:

DeBrincat with the fucking hattrick. Good shit.

Follow me on social media to find out what my next moves are:

Instagram - @sammajews

Twitter - @s_majew