De-troit sucks! De-troit sucks!

Last night I watched the Chicago Blackhawks’ final home game for the 2006-2007 season.

For the record, the team’s record this year—not that I’m a serious fan—has been abysmal, ranking near dead last in the NHL.

Still, recently I had a chance to get a ticket for last night’s game versus the Hawks’ storied rival, the Detroit Red Wings, whom I fully expected to take a buzzsaw to the team’s fragile (and season-best, yikes) three-game win streak. But little did I know I’d catch the Hawks’ best performance all-season, featuring 58 saves by goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, who carried the team to a 2-2 tie in regulation, ending in a terrific shoot-out in which the home team prevailed.

Whoops!

I couldn’t believe it; it was almost enough to indoctrinate me as a full-fledged Hawks fan.

Almost…

This was my first Hawks home game since 1998 for a reason, as ticket prices are insanely high, especially for a franchise whose owner refuses to air home games on local TV for fear that fans won’t come to games.

Well, Mr. Wurtz, having a sucky product on the ice tends to do that just fine. How’s that for a self-fulfilling prophecy?

But win or lose, if one is to see a Hawks game, there’s no better opponent than an Original Six team like Detroit, or perhaps St. Louis as an alternative. So despite the Hawks being outshot by the Wings 58-19 (that is not a misprint), I was hardly disappointed with the game.

The stadium’s atmosphere was terrific; plus, there’s no beating the energy of the National Anthem at the United Center. But alas, after two more road games (including one at Detroit who will likely take sweet, sweet vengeance on our boys for last night), the Hawks’ current season will mercifully come to a close.

So long, blokes. See you in October.

PS: This is just me thinking, but perhaps the Hawks winning last night had something to do with me scoring a smooth, authentic Khabibulin jersey at Hawkquarters before the game?

Never underestimate the power of karmic commerce.