Tagstanley cup finals

Puck You Tampa!

00 Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Finals Tampa Bay Lightning Florida TORsAdventures

After driving 8 hours 1 way and spending over a thousand dollars to attend a game that no one wanted us at in the first place I am happy that the Blackhawks won. I am not happy that I didn’t get to see them do that. We got to town checked into our hotel and decided to go out to dinner somewhere around the arena. Once I spotted the first of many Blackhawks jerseys on the streets the knots in my stomach started to go away. I was really worried we were not going to have fun at the game and be able to enjoy the experience. We were yelled at a lot on the streets but we also met some really nice people. After dinner we entered the arena and found that in our section and row we were surrounded by Blackhawks fans. We were in seats 8 and 9 and seats 1-7 were filled with other Blackhawks fans who we became fast friends with.

Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Finals Tampa Bay Lightning Florida TORsAdventures

We all had issues from the beginning with the fans that were behind us. The moment we sat down one specific fan said the he was going to be a dick all night long. They also had some noise makers that they were shaking right next to our heads just trying to annoy us before the game started. The fans behind us tried to get one of the Hawks fans ejected from the game before it even started. Things were going okay until we scored our first goal late in the 3rd period. After we scored the second goal was when things got crazy! All of the Hawks fans in the arena were standing up and celebrating the fact that we finally took the lead with 4:30 left in the 3rd. I had brought a rally towel from a previous playoff game that I had attended. I did turn around and yell to the guy behind me to ask what now? He started saying some extremely derogatory comments to me. I turned back around in my seat and that’s when I saw the police officer motioning for me to come to the aisle. I went out and before I could even say anything I was being told that I needed to leave the game immediately. No one warned me that me behavior needed to be calmed down. I had not been spoken to by anyone that was on staff for the Lightning. We asked if we could just watch the final minutes from the aisle. I was then told that if I did not leave now I would be arrested. I kept asking the police officer to speak with the usher on the other side so that he could tell him that all of us had been having issues with the same people all night long.

08 Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Finals Tampa Bay Lightning Florida TORsAdventures

After knowing that this was not worth getting arrested over we did exit the arena and watched the final 30 seconds of the game from the Corona bar outside the arena. We also started talking to an employee of the arena and explained the situation. She said that I should not have been removed that quickly and that the situation was not handled correctly. She took our information and also gave me the name and number of her supervisor to contact. I called and left a message with the supervisor and I am still waiting for a call back.

We are happy to be home and I am going to watch Game 2 from my sofa where I can cheer as loud as I want!

LETS GO HAWKS!

 

One Blackhawks Fan’s Opinion

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Is this really how you want to welcome people to your city and your Arena? I have been to many arenas, stadiums and parks over the years and I have not experienced anything like the fear that I currently feel. I am a HUGE fan of the Chicago Blackhawks. I have lived in Key West, Florida for over 2 years and love the weather and what the island life has to offer. I went to Sunrise, FL and Tampa, FL earlier this year to see the Chicago Blackhawks at their 2 games a year that they play in Florida and had a blast!.  I met Blackhawks Fans in Sunrise, FL and we all went to Tampa, FL.  It was all great fun!  It was SPORT! We try to teach our children good Sportsmanship.  Here is the definition of Sportsmanship:  Sportsmanship is an aspiration or ethos that a sport or activity will be enjoyed for its own sake, with proper consideration for fairness, ethics, respect, and a sense of fellowship with one’s competitors. A sore loser refers to one who does not take defeat well, whereas a good sport means being a “good winner” as well as being a “good loser”.

Taken from www.Wikipedia.com

I feel like I am not welcome or allowed to go to Tampa, FL and cheer them on in the Stanley Cup Finals.  They have limited ticket sales to Florida Residents and they are limiting Blackhawks Gear to certain sections.   All morning,  friends from Chicago have been sharing links on my timeline warning me about the rules that the Tampa Bay Lightning have enacted to keep Blackhawks fans away and in their place! I happen to be the exception to their residency rule since I am a current resident of the state of Florida and can purchase tickets. I bought tickets on StubHub days before the Lightning won their game 7 in New York. Where is the line when it comes to supporting your team? I called the Tampa Bay Lightning office and asked for specifics on the rules so I can be prepared for the game on Wednesday. They said that these policies are to help their local fan base and that we are welcome. Yet it doesn’t appear that way. I  have spent thousands of dollars over the years in different cities in different states at sporting events cheering for my favorite home teams. How much does the city of Tampa rely on the tax dollars generated from the airport, rental cars, hotels, ticket sales and food while I am there? This is a sporting event and  there will be a winner and a loser.  However: at the end of the day, This is about sports!   This should not be about not driving away fans of one team (is that SPORTSMANLIKE?????) This should be about the joy of the rivalry and the joy of the game!  The game we all love and support the rest of the year by buying tickets, watching games on TV, traveling to see them and wearing their gear. 

I will be in Tampa on Wednesday to support the Blackhawks! I hope many other fans get the chance to do the same thing!

LETS GO HAWKS!

Sitting on the glass at the Blackhawks vs. Panthers game.
Sitting on the glass at the Blackhawks vs. Panthers game.