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Memories of the Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are Stanley Cup Champions, and the Zuiker Family is full of happiness. My father and uncles go way back with the Hawks. As at the other Chicago stadiums, they spent countless hours during countless games vending sodas, popcorn, beer and hot dogs.

Here’s my father on one of his memories:

I worked some of the old Stanley Cup Finals against Montreal. One time I was on the third balcomy with beer selling like crazy. The fans were going nuts and I saw Pappin take a puck off the boards and simply deflect it from an odd angle right on to Mikita’s stick for a goal. The place went wild and I have never forgotten that shot.

When I was in high school, Dad took me to the old Chicago Stadium a couple of times for Blackhawks games. He’d greet some of the old-time vendors, and we’d get a free coke or two. The best part of the night was the first note of the national anthem — from that moment on, the crowd’s cheering drowned out the song, and there was no mistaking the passion or patriotism of Chicago fans.

Now, if the Cubbies could be as victorious.

06.13.2010