Was just alerted to the fact by someone checking TM's site out of boredom that there have been various "bunches" of tickets released for Game 3.  Not the greatest seats in the world necessarily, and you still have to pay TM charges, but if you don't have a ticket, want a seat, and don't want to go through a broker or Stubhub, there's inventory out there, at least as of 4:33 CDT on Friday.  Enjoy the game!

Press Release from the team:

The Blackhawks released the following statements this morning regarding Head Coach Joel Quenneville:

Blackhawks head team physician Dr. Michael Terry:

“Joel presented severe discomfort late last night at his home in suburban Chicago. He went to the emergency room and was admitted early this morning. He is currently in stable condition and is being treated for an undisclosed health concern today, not of cardiac nature. Further testing is ongoing and we will provide an update when possible.”

Blackhawks Vice President/General Manager Stan Bowman:

“Acting as head coach tonight in Joel’s absence will be assistant coach Mike Haviland. We certainly wish Joel a speedy recovery and we will do everything possible to support him and his family throughout the process.”

In the past 10 years, by my unofficial count culled from Wikipedia and other sources, there have been five players who were offered offer sheets (or is it offered sheets?).

Ryan Kesler....offered by Philly....matched by Vancouver

Thomas Vanek...offered by Edmonton...matched by Buffalo

Dustin Penner...offered by Edmonton...accepted for the full compensation

David Backes...offered by Vanouver...matched by St. Louis

Steve Bernier...offered by St. Louis...matched by Vancouver

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHL_players_who_have_signed_offer_sheets)

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There's been a lot of complaining and concerns about new fans in the United Center taking up valuable seats.  I can't decide if I am one or not.  I don't think I am, but others may think otherwise.  Since it's an off day, I thought I'd share my story and  let you decide.

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If I'm reading my letter from Standard Parking about discounted pre-paid parking correctly, what was a $16 lot is now a $16 after a $4 discount.  First-grade arithmetic puts those lots at $20 now.

Now, the CTA has a wonderful solution with the Express Bus, which is great for fans in the city connecting to the "L".  But despite the fact that the bus stops at the Ogilivie Train Station, the connection is essentially worthless for suburbanites coming down on Metra.

Why?  7:30 starts.

By the time the game is over, Gene announces the three stars, everyone stumbles to the bus, and the CTA staffers make sure no inch is left uncovered on the bus, it's too late for anyone who wants to connect on Metra.  Because there are about six Metra trains leaving Ogilivie and Union Stations between 10:30 and 10:40 that just aren't catchable in that time frame.  Trust me...I've seen my train take off as I've gone running to the station.

Well, the Hawks are not going to get Metra to change the schedule of six train lines...so why not start games at 7:00?  The Sox, Cubs, and now Bulls do it with no problems, so I don't see why the Hawks should be any different.

I know the Hawks don't want to do anything to jeopardize their parking revenues.  I wasn't born yesterday.  But I can't help but wonder if people knew that they would have extra time to sober up on a suburban train home, that they wouldn't make up some of the difference at the beer taps.

I don't know what the balance is between city and suburban fans...I'm guessing there's a way to gauge that based on season ticket sales, even if many of the tickets are redistributed through companies, TicketExchange, StubHub, etc.  Maybe there's just a handful of us commuting from the suburbs and I'm making a mountain out of a molehill (though I still think $20 is ridiculous, even if that's what the Hawks would claim the market "dictates", and even if other stadiums are getting it).

In the meantime, I'll just continue to use "alternative" parking soultions as I have in the past rather than forking out $16/20 a game, but I'd love to know McD the marketing maven has ever really looked at this.  Because between $20 parking and the chance that gas could rise back up to $4 or $5 a gallon down the line, it wouldn't surprise me if there was a parker's revolt at some point.