It seems all too often that in sports, the seasons come and go. One team rises as a champion, but before you know it, its back to the old grind. The champions from (what seems like) yesterday are already into the new year, busy defending their title. No more offseason celebrations, no more enjoyment, and no more trophy. Every team is out to get the champions, and often times, the champions are defeated. They become a distant memory; they become "a thing of the past". The glory of being a champion only lasts so long until they are tossed aside for a new. Then the cycle repeats itself. Often times, it feels like society focuses more on enjoying the fall of an empire, rather than the glorious foundation upon which it was built. Suddenly, a team that had accomplished so much over such a long period of time is forgotten faster than you can say "eliminated". Its tough watching a team fall from grace, especially if its your team. Whether its football, baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, or whatever draws closest to you, its always tough watching the best-of-the-best finally meet their match. Such is the case for the Chicago Blackhawks- a team that matters alot not only to the city of Chicago, but to me.
The Blackhawks looked as though they were,once again, poised to make another run at that prized Stanley Cup trophy during the 2016 playoffs. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way; and now the team that took the hockey world by storm over the past 4 years is suddenly out. The story would now write "The St. Louis Blues finally defeat the reigning defending Cup champions", and suddenly St Louis has the ultimate bragging rights. Suddenly they are put on a pedestal. Now the Blackhawks have-in a way-become afterthoughts. They were the champions of yesteryear; the team that had done what no other has been able to do in the modern era: win 3 Stanley Cups in 6 years. Many will say that this is all in the past, but what other team has accomplished this? Not even the Los Angeles Kings can say they've done it. Thats just another way of saying "out with the old and in with the new". While this would understandably be the talking points of those that aren't Blakhawks fans, it just doesn't seem right that a team thats been through so much can be left to dry that easily. How is that right? Well, its only right because thats what writes a better storyline for the press and the rest of the NHL; a storyline that will be forgotten a week after a new champion is crowned. So while its fine to enjoy the fall of this modern dynasty, it will never vanquish the legacy they've left behind for the rest of the league. Intriguing storylines are here for the short term, but the engravings on the Stanley Cup are eternal. While many will want to forget about the Blackhawks, I'm afraid they've already made their mark- 3 times in the past 6 years, actually. How many Blues fans can say that about their team? What about Lightning fans? What about Sharks fans? What about Penguins fans? They can't (and most likely will never in that short a time span). Instead of discussing how disappointing this all is, however, I think its time to take a higher road on this one; Its time to remember the Blackhawks for what they were and still are: champions.
It started in 2010, when the young Blackhawks were finally legitimate enough to be contenders. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and many others went through that posteason feeling as though it was their year. With their backs against the wall, they overcame a 2-1 series deficit in round 1 against the Nashville Predators to win in 6 games. They claimed victory in rounds 2 and 3, and eventually went on to beat the resilient Philadelphia Flyers in game 6 to win the Cup. Patrick Kane scored in overtime in dramatic fashion. It was the franchises first Stanley Cup Championship since 1961.
In a time where teams are destroyed by the salary cap, the Blackhawks had to find new ways to win. Most of the 2010 team had been dissasembled due to cap space, so it was up to General Manager Stan Bowman to rebuild the team. Though it had taken 2 years, the Blackhawks had finally recaptured their game in 2013. During this season, Chicago had won 24 straight games without a loss in regulation. They had also won the presidents trophy for the team with the best regular season record; all of which was done with an almost entirely new set of role players that surrounded the "core" of the team. Once the playoffs roled around, they handled Minnesota in the first round, winning in 5 games. Their real test of resiliency, though, came against the Detroit Red Wings in the next round. Down 3-1 in the series and on the brink of elminination, the Blackhawks managed to tie the series, eventually winning it in game 7 with an overtime goal. In round 3, the Hawks beat the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings in 5 games to head to the Stanley Cup Final. Here, they met the Boston Bruins in one of the best finals matchup's in recent history. The Hawks led the series 3-2 heading back to Boston. Down 2-1 in game 6, Chicago scored 2 goals in 17 seconds to eventually win the Championship for the second time in 4 years. It was an improbable victory to clinch their 2nd cup.
Then, last season, the Blackhawks were at it again. They beat the Nashville Predators in their first round series 4-2, moving on to play the Minnesota Wild for a third consecutive postseason. Although most experts picked the Wild to finally breakthrough and beat Chicago, the Blackhawks had swept the series, 4-0, moving onto their third consecutive Western Conference Final to face the Anaheim Ducks. Just when many thought they couldnt be tested anymore, the Blackhawks and Ducks battled toe-to-toe in another outstanding playoff series. Facing elimination, down 3 games to 2, the Hawks tied the series with a game 6 victory. They seized full opportunity in game 7, as they beat Anaheim convincingly with a score of 5-3. It was onto the Stanley Cup Final oncemore. Although Tampa Bay had given them everything they could handle, the resilient Blackhawks did what they do best: win. It came down to a game 6, the stage was set, and they had an unusual opportunity: to clinch a Championship on home ice. The previous two cups were won in the opponents building, so they knew what was in front of them. They wanted to win this one in front of the home fans; and they did just that. It was a night that many will never forget.
As glorious as this run was, it came and went too fast. Even just talking about Chicago's accomplishments didnt do justice to how significant they were, and their fans are eternally grateful. Their legacy will never be forgotten. But, if theres one thing to learn in all this, its this: stay in the moment, because life goes by and it fades way too fast. Even with 3 Stanley Cups, it never felt like enough because it only lasted a couple short months. The best part of the story though, is hope for the future. The salary cap once again tore apart team heading into this season, forcing management into tough situations. They were forced to trade away key players to the roster, which may have impacted the teams success for these playoffs. But i have yet to think Chicago won't be back next year, ready to try again. Maybe, just maybe, we haven't seen the last of them yet. Maybe theres more to the story that has yet to be written. Maybe theres more to build on this legacy.
