The playoffs
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
The playoffs are a special time for any state lucky enough to have their team to make it. I watched as our Chicago Bulls played the Miami Heat. The Bulls played well considering they did not have Derrick Rose and some of their other players. I continued to watch the series, and hoped the Spurs would win. I don’t know; I feel that the Heat has talent stacked against everyone. It comes down to whoever has the biggest payroll gets the most talented players. It puts an unfair spin to the games.
Another playoffs series, I definitely watched was the Chicago Blackhawks. Talk about an exciting series! First they are down 3 to 1 in the Detroit series, only to come back 4 to 3! During the playoffs, our neighbors all got together at the Patt’s garage, and watched the games outside. We all brought a dish to share and some wine or beer. During the games, everyone told the Blackhawks what they should do to win the game. You would think that we were experts about hockey!
Anyway, the playoffs create a sense of community and pride for all that have their teams in the games. People go to restaurants and bars to cheer their teams; or people gather with their neighbors and friends to watch them together. These games take our minds off of our own problems, and have us focus on the win. When we win, there is no better feeling in the world.
Cheering with my neighbors in the garage, makes us all feel better about life. After every goal, the fog horn went off, loud and clear! The sixth game of the Bruin series, even though Chicago was ahead 3 games to 2, we were all on the edge of our seats! It was amazing that we scored two goals under the last two minutes of the game! Everyone was jumping and screaming, high fiving, and blowing the fog horn! We are the champions! Another championship within four years for Chicago! Cars were honking their horns as they passed the garage of neighbors, and fireworks were going off in the sky!
The championship and the Stanley Cup bring great pride to Chicago. The parade is tomorrow, Friday. They are expecting over two million to show. The Stanley Cup goes home with each winning player; and they can take it with them where they want. So, I want to say congratulations to our Chicago Blackhawks in giving all of us fans something to cheer for during the playoffs!