Dear Chicago Blackhawks,
I have been a fan of the Chicago Blackhawks since the early 90’s. I’ve been thru the ups/downs, when home games weren’t on the TV, and when the Hawks got swept by the Penguins in 92’. I would like to share a few stories about my brother, Mike, and how he supports me as a Hawks fan.
Last season (08’-09’), the Hawks made the playoffs….it was the first time since 02’. My brother had called me and asked me what I was doing Monday night (5/11/09). I didn’t have any plans so he told me, “You know it’s kinda sad that you went to all those games during the season and now that they are doing great in the playoffs, you can’t go to a game. I’m going to see what I can do for you!” I knew how expensive the tickets were so I wasn’t expecting anything. Turns out my brother ended up calling me later that day and said, “Alright write this info down, you’re going to the game. I got you two tickets to the game on Monday Game 6 vs. Canucks (5/11/09). This is your early birthday present.” I was in shock….I couldn’t believe my brother would get me tickets to a Western Conference Semi-Final game. Of course we all know what happen in that game with the wild ride in the 3rd period, Patrick Kane scoring his first career playoff hat trick, and the Hawks winning the series 4-2 to move onto the Western Conference Finals. That was the best game I went to!
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| My ticket to Game 6 vs. Canucks |
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| Ceremonial handshake after Hawks knocked out Canucks in the series 4-2 |
The next round Hawks played the Wings. My brother, Mike, ended up treating my other brother, Jeff, to the game. You have to realize that Mike lives 6 hours away and drove a total of 7 hours to get to the game. Glad to see that the Hawks win in OT 4-3 with Patrick Sharp getting the GWG.
Now comes this season (09’-10’). My brother ended up getting me and Jeff tickets for the NYE game vs. the Devils. All three of us ended up going together which was cute!! Talk about another awesome game to go to. Nice to see Madden score on his former teammate Brodeur in the third period and see another W on the board.
Hawks ended up being 1st in the division, 2nd in the conference, and 3rd in the league. First up for the playoffs was ....Nashville.... in Round 1. My brother only lives a couple of hours away from ....Nashville.... and ended up going with my other brother, Jeff, to one of the games. When he went there he ended up picking me up a puck and a program.
Next up was the Canucks for Round 2. My brother ended up texting me the night before Game 1 and asked me what I was doing Sat night (5/01/10). I told him probably just watch the game at home since a few of my friends are going to the game. He was like how come you’re not going and I was like because I don’t have that kind of money. Then he asked me a random question that had nothing to do with the Hawks and that was it. The next morning(5/01/10) he ended up calling me and left me a message to call him back…I thought that was weird cause he normally text me not call me. I called him back a little later and he told me, “I’m coming into town!! Me and you are going to the game tonight! OH YEAH!! This will be your early birthday gift” I was like “No way!” I couldn’t believe it…. he ended up surprising me again with a tix to the Hawks playoff game. I was totally ecstatic. He drove a total of 7 hours again to go to the game with me. We all know the outcome of that game which was kind of a bummer but the best part is that he did everything I normally do including going to my favorite hot dog joint after the game.
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| My brother driving me to the game!! |
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| Love this!!! |
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| Game 1 Hawks vs. Canucks (5/1/10) |
This is why I believe my brother, Michael Koeller, is one of the biggest Hawks supporter that doesn’t live in the Chicagoland area. I don’t think he would be willing to drive up here unless it was the weekend or holiday, because of work, to go to a game. Even if I was to buy him tickets for the Stanley Cup Finals (don’t have the money), I don’t think he would accept it from me. He would probably tell me to take one of my friends with instead of him.
I know he’s not going to care about going the convention, getting Hawks apparel or memorabilia because if he did I would have taken care of that. I would even be willing to give up my Sharpie stick and that’s saying a lot….cause that hockey stick means a lot to me. The way that I got it was totally unexpected and definitely a nice gesture from Patrick Sharp.
Anyways, I believe that he deserves the recognition and I don’t even think he realizes how much it has meant to me. I hope there is somebody out there that could do the same for him as he has done for me. Sure nothing might happen but I know that someone out there is reading this and just by that I know I got the word out there of how AWESOME my brother is and how he supports me as a fan.
Next up is the Flyers…going to be a tough series but the Hawks will battle til the end. Can’t wait. GO HAWKS!!!
From Hawks fanatic,
Christine Koeller
