Blackhawks Rally to Bring Stanley Cup Home

Blackhawks Rally to Bring Stanley Cup Home

Chicago Blackhawks 2013 Stanley Cup
Cover for the official Chicago Blackhawks 2013 Stanley Cup champs book. via NHL.

We aren’t hockey fanatics, but the story of Lord Stanley, his Cup and how it made its way to Chicago last night is a great tale to tell. And it is just the beginning.

Chicagoans and Hawks fans alike (is there a difference?) flooded the city streets Monday night after the Blackhawks defeated the Bruins 3-2 in a last minute scoring frenzy. Even the fairest of fans have to admit the win was epic, with two goals scored within 17 seconds of each other. The game secured the franchise’s fifth title and second in the last four years.

Stanley Cup Champions
Stanley Cup Champions! Via Bleacher Report.

With the team back in Chicago late Monday night, Cup in hand, Hawk-mania continued well into the night, with fans creating man-made roadblocks in neighborhoods like Wrigleyville, Wicker Park and Lakeview. If you didn’t hear fireworks, helicopters, sirens or people screaming bloody murder, well, then you probably live in a cave. Or in a peaceful suburb. Like George.

Fans wait in front of The Pony
Fans wait in front of The Pony Inn on Tuesday morning to get a glimpse of the Cup.

In Chicago fashion, the partying continued Tuesday morning, with people lining the streets by bars like the infamous Pony Inn, (who, BTW, opened Tuesday at 6 a.m. for Round 2), itching to get a glimpse of the Cup. The Cup’s unknown location has sent people on a wild goose chase around the city, using the hashtag #CupTracker on Twitter.

Speaking of Twitter, if you didn’t get to experience the aftermath firsthand, Twitter is the next best thing. The social media site, which is widely known for its ability to spread news instantaneously, exploded with live updates before and after the game, with photos and videos from news outlets like @suntimes_sports, @NBCChicago, @redeyechicago, and @chicagotribune. Hashtags like #stanleycupchampions, #Blackhawks and #cuptracker continue to trend.

According to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office, a parade and victory rally will be held Friday morning to congratulate the Stanley Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks.

May the story continue. Go Hawks!