JoeBuddy 10 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 I'm going to the Wings vs Hawks game on Dec 20 in Chicago. A group of guys decided that we'd book a hotel, buy tickets to the game, and drive to Chicago for the weekend. I was wondering if anyone else has had any experience dealing with these crazy Blackhawk fans that I read about everywhere. Also if anyone else had any advice as for fun and exciting things to do while in downtown Chicago I'd really appreciate any help. Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 Go to Giordano's before the game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MotorCityMadness 388 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 NHL Detroit Red Wings O'Malley's West 2249 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, Il 60614 (773)935-2719 A great place for Detroit fans to unite and watch the game. Great specials throughout the week! The Tin Lizzie 2483 N Clark St. Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 549-1132 http://www.thetinlizzie.com/ Michigan State and Detroit Red Wings fans flock to this Lincoln Park sports bar for big-screen TVs and good bar food. "Best spot to see Detroit sports in Chi-town. Period" Those might be your best bet as to being around other Detroit fans, but anywhere else its going to be a lot of annoying pain in the ass fans who did not know what hockey was until about 3 yrs ago Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 I go to nearly every game when the wings are in town, and I must say the fans are getting worse and worse towards us. There will be plenty of wings fans there (including myself) so you wont be completely alone. I nearly got beatup last year after that Hossa shootout, but to be honest, I might have been running my mouth a bit. Otherwise, its pretty much common sense, if you guys are respectful you'll get the same treatment. What kinda seats do you have? 200 section, 300? As much as i cannot stand their fans, it is a cool place to see hockey and can be pretty loud. Lots of restaurants and bars to go, soo many to choose from. Otherwise, Chicago is a great city, lots to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 Don't take your child if you have one. Chicago fans are known for shoving Detroit fans despite holding their infant children in their arms. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 I go to nearly every game when the wings are in town, and I must say the fans are getting worse and worse towards us. There will be plenty of wings fans there (including myself) so you wont be completely alone. I nearly got beatup last year after that Hossa shootout, but to be honest, I might have been running my mouth a bit. Otherwise, its pretty much common sense, if you guys are respectful you'll get the same treatment. What kinda seats do you have? 200 section, 300? As much as i cannot stand their fans, it is a cool place to see hockey and can be pretty loud. Lots of restaurants and bars to go, soo many to choose from. Otherwise, Chicago is a great city, lots to do. It's kind of hard to not run your mouth after that game. Chicago had like a three (maybe two) goal and fell apart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmad 18 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 It's kind of hard to not run your mouth after that game. Chicago had like a three (maybe two) goal and fell apart. I was at that game, too. It was fantastic. I've been to most of the Detroit-Chicago games over the last few years and while the fans can be obnoxious, I've never seen anyone get out of hand. They're mostly good people who want to watch a hockey game and yell a few insults to you when Detroit scores. Good fun if you ask me. Just don't get stupid drunk and ask for trouble. Be a little careful around the United Center, the neighborhood isn't great. Pay the 25 to park, you don't want to have to walk 4 blocks to your car. Also, if you like seafood check out Half Shell on Diversey and Clark. Their king crab legs are awesome and it's a cool little place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 I actually think i might go to the hawks game at the joe a few days after, or the avs on new years eve; but at the uc, the fans are stupid, just ignore them, that usually pisses them off and they don't know what to do, or talk about guys like Bickle or Hendry, they won't have a clue who they are, most hawks fans I've talked to besides the hockey players dont know anyone past Kieth. SO if you talk hockey to them they will shut up cause they don't know s*** about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 I was at that game, too. It was fantastic. I've been to most of the Detroit-Chicago games over the last few years and while the fans can be obnoxious, I've never seen anyone get out of hand. They're mostly good people who want to watch a hockey game and yell a few insults to you when Detroit scores. Good fun if you ask me. Just don't get stupid drunk and ask for trouble. Be a little careful around the United Center, the neighborhood isn't great. Pay the 25 to park, you don't want to have to walk 4 blocks to your car. Also, if you like seafood check out Half Shell on Diversey and Clark. Their king crab legs are awesome and it's a cool little place. nah the 15 or 10 cant remember is fine, ive even parked there with wings stickers on the bumper, but that was the layoffs last year and it was broad daylight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tommy_Like_Wingy 25 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 (edited) Don't take your child if you have one. Chicago fans are known for shoving Detroit fans despite holding their infant children in their arms. I don't know if this a joke post or not, but what kind of s***ty parent brings an infant to a hockey game? Anyway... You'll have a great time. I live just outside of Chicago and it's an awesome city. The girlfriend and I hit up every game when the Wings come to town and I'm never hassled or bullied at all. The Hawks fans have always been respectful to us and we've been respectful in return. I'm assuming if Wings fans have had problems in the past were probably asking for it. Edited November 17, 2009 by Tommy_Like_Wingy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingcapt 52 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 I'm going to the Wings vs Hawks game on Dec 20 in Chicago. A group of guys decided that we'd book a hotel, buy tickets to the game, and drive to Chicago for the weekend. I was wondering if anyone else has had any experience dealing with these crazy Blackhawk fans that I read about everywhere. Also if anyone else had any advice as for fun and exciting things to do while in downtown Chicago I'd really appreciate any help. Thanks last year for game 3 me and my friend and his little brother went to the game in the playoffs. i was 16 my friend was 16 and his lil brother was 13 at the time. after kronwall decked havlat, we actually has somethign to cheer about, hence the wings were suckign an egg at the time and we cheered not knowing how serious he was hurt, eve though it was freakin amazing!!!! well the drunk ass hole behind us decided to push my friends lil brother over the seat in front of us onto anothe chicago fan and punched my friend in the side of the face. i was next but i noticed and jumped the guy b4 he swung at me, seconds later othe r chicago fans jumped on the gu and took him down and handled it for us. the fans were nice enough and looked out for us since we were young. the other guy was 6'6'' and at least 250 pounds of total ass hole. he got it handed to him. i loved the game even though we lost but we won the next on and we were their too so it didnt sour the trip. its a great place to heckel with chitown fans and show your true fanhood. there is nothign i hate more than a blackhawk and yes our parents let uss drive down there alone, we stayed at my friends uncles house but he didnt go to the game Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b.shanafan14 733 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 My girlfriend and I go to school in Milwaukee, WI, drove down for a game in Chicago last season, the one where the Wings came back and beat them in a shootout on a Hossa slapper. The fans were pretty rabid, extremely obnoxious, seemed to yell obscenities for obscenities sake. Overall, terrible fans in my experience. Went beyond simple harrassing, extremely belligerent. Loved after the Wings won, they were all so angry. Coming into the area, we both got harassed as expected for having our Wings gear on, but after the Wings won, I said to my girlfriend "Do you hear that?", "No?", "Exactly " Good luck to you, if the Wings win, it makes the belligerence funnier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 I don't know if this a joke post or not, but what kind of s***ty parent brings an infant to a hockey game? Anyway... You'll have a great time. I live just outside of Chicago and it's an awesome city. The girlfriend and I hit up every game when the Wings come to town and I'm never hassled or bullied at all. The Hawks fans have always been respectful to us and we've been respectful in return. I'm assuming if Wings fans have had problems in the past were probably asking for it. What? do you dress normal and pretend like your not excited when the wings score? Either that or your just trying to defend the majority filth that attend those games. Ive never done anything besides cheer the wings and I get heckled everytime. What is odd is the only time i tried to incite them by yelling kronwall's hit was clean the game after he got annihilated this "tough guy" jsut stands up and looks at me like hes all tough and sits back down. No incident, I was amazed, prob just because wings fans outnumbered hawks fans where i was. But later after a few drinks he punched some guy for no reason who was just celebrating a goal as he walked up the stairs to his seat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HOCKEY MATTERS 167 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 DO NOT have lunch or dinner with pat honda. he will hate you so bad your food will spoil before you can eat it. lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tommy_Like_Wingy 25 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 What? do you dress normal and pretend like your not excited when the wings score? Either that or your just trying to defend the majority filth that attend those games. Ive never done anything besides cheer the wings and I get heckled everytime. What is odd is the only time i tried to incite them by yelling kronwall's hit was clean the game after he got annihilated this "tough guy" jsut stands up and looks at me like hes all tough and sits back down. No incident, I was amazed, prob just because wings fans outnumbered hawks fans where i was. But later after a few drinks he punched some guy for no reason who was just celebrating a goal as he walked up the stairs to his seat. I wear my blank Wings jersey and I stand up and cheer whenever we score. Nobody does anything. And for the last few years I've been attending Wings games at the United Center I've never seen any kind of violence either. So I'm really not sure what to tell you. Bad luck? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auxlepli 17 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 My hockey trip to Chicago was one of my worst hockey experiences. The fans were nice though, but that was before the Hawks' current renaissance. The food, particularly the Chicago dogs, were good. Beer selection was just OK. The UC's sightline are horrible. There's nothing around the UC, no bars, no restaurants, no hotels ... nothing. People complain about JLA, but really there's bars, restaurants and hotels within walking distance of JLA. Also there's tons of shuttles and the People Mover. As great as public transportation is in Chicago, the L doesn't have a stop at UC, which was astounding to me. Go to game there to say you've been. That's what I did, but I don't ever plan to go back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilmickeyli 40 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 I went to the UC to see the wings play the hawks when I was 14. A dude who was probably 19 tried to start a fight with me while I was standing at the urinal. Needless to say, an older and bigger wings fan (mid 20s) overheard this asshat and told him to pick on someone his own size. They duked it out right there in the bathroom. Needless to say, I hate hawks fans. I wasn't even talking s***. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 Advice....expect to hear "f*** You" or "Wings ******* Suck" as you're walking to your seats. You'll likely find one person in your immediate seating area that you can have an actual intelligent hockey conversation with while half of everyone else ignores you and the other half taunt you all game. It sure is fun though when we win, which has been the case at every single Wings/Blackhawks game at the UC I've been too. I was even there for the December 23rd game a few years ago when the Wings were down 2-0 with a minute left in regulation only to score with 37 seconds and 9 seconds remaining before Dats eventually scored with less than 0.1 seconds left in OT. It was hysterical to see the looks on the faces of those that were being pricks to us all game. I don't know if this a joke post or not, but what kind of s***ty parent brings an infant to a hockey game? Anyway... You'll have a great time. I live just outside of Chicago and it's an awesome city. The girlfriend and I hit up every game when the Wings come to town and I'm never hassled or bullied at all. The Hawks fans have always been respectful to us and we've been respectful in return. I'm assuming if Wings fans have had problems in the past were probably asking for it. This is not true. My brother and I went to the aforementioned game wearing Wings apparel and that was enough for the 5-6 drunken 18-year-olds sitting two rows behind us to be assholes the entire game. I found one fan sitting one row behind us that I had a great civil and intelligent hockey conversation with the entire game, but those 5-6 others behind never relented. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 Enjoy the game! had a blast the last three times i have been to the UC. I even enjoyed last years playoffs when we were in downtown chi-town walking the streets with our wings gear on. Excpect to be heckled... but remember... "sticks and stone may break my bones, but names will never hurt me!" then you are all set. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
creedie 2 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 You will have a good time - the fans are intense but so are wings fans. The UC is a great place to see a game. I had season tickets last year and never had a problem with the fans (I only went to the wings games). The parking is also fine. yes it is not a great area, however there are so many people and police that you will not have a problem walking to your car - it is quite safe. If you are into beer there are some really great beer bars and gastropubs around Chicago. A personal favorite beer bar is Sheffields which is located at Sheffield and School (near Wrigley Field) If you are into great beer and food there is Mrs. Murphy and Son's Irish Bistro which is located at 3905 N Lincoln Ave. If you are into pizza head over to Bucktown and check out Piece - it is also a brewery with fantastic beer. The pizza is amazing and so is the atmosphere. There are also plenty of bars in this area - it is north west of downtown. Hope this helps - have a great time! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeBuddy 10 Report post Posted November 17, 2009 Thanks for all of the advice! I'm very well-mannered when it comes to cheering for the Wings, but my friends that are coming with me aren't. I'm anticipating some sort of retaliation from the Hawk's fans. I can't wait. I'm just praying for a Wing's victory so I don't have to hear the s*** coming from them. We have a group of 5 guys and we're sitting in the 300 level sadly. All of us our in college and broke enough as it is. Tickets there seem to be expensive from what I gathered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
finalfilppula 2 Report post Posted November 18, 2009 please, if you do anything, be respectful. after the wings won in game five, the hawks fan in front of me shook my hand and there was no ignorant heckling going on. let's keep it a class act. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Louisville 112 Report post Posted November 18, 2009 I'm going to the Wings vs Hawks game on Dec 20 in Chicago. A group of guys decided that we'd book a hotel, buy tickets to the game, and drive to Chicago for the weekend. I was wondering if anyone else has had any experience dealing with these crazy Blackhawk fans that I read about everywhere. Also if anyone else had any advice as for fun and exciting things to do while in downtown Chicago I'd really appreciate any help. Thanks I will be there. Be prepared to be harassed a bit but if your friends are with you, you will be fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
