...except I've actually commented here before, I'm not showing up just for a goofy fanpost. And I think I've commented often enough for people to get that I'm being silly with this piece. I mentioned in a game thread the other night how I'd just seen something I'd never seen at a Blackhawks game, something very upsetting, to be revealed here. All photos taken by me at the end of games.

first Blackhawks game and first time in United Center, thanks to friend visiting from Boston. great game with lots of goals (and fights).

vs Calgary Flames, 1/4/09  HAWKS WIN! 5-2

for various reasons didn't get to any more games last season. skipping ahead to fall 2009:

vs Edmonton Oilers, 10/14/09  HAWKS WIN!! 4-3

vs Minnesota Wild, 10/26/09  HAWKS WIN!!! 3-1

vs Montreal Canadiens, 10/30/09  HAWKS WIN!!!! 3-2

vs Los Angeles Kings, 11/9/09  HAWKS WIN!!!!! 4-1

vs Colorado Avalanche, 11/11/09  HAWKS WIN!!!!!! 3-2 SO

vs Toronto Maple Leafs, 11/13/09  HAWKS WIN!!!!!!! 3-2

vs Columbus Blue Jackets, 12/1/09  HAWKS WIN!!!!!!!! 4-3 SO

first away game, first (only?) visit to Mellon Arena
vs Pittsburgh Penguins, 12/5/09  HAWKS WIN!!!!!!!!! 2-1 OT

vs New York Rangers, 12/9/09  HAWKS WIN!!!!!!!!!! 2-1 OT

vs Tampa Bay Lightning, 12/13/09  HAWKS WIN!!!!!!!!!!! 4-0

vs St. Louis Blues, 12/16/09  HAWKS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!! 3-0

vs Boston Bruins, 12/18/09  HAWKS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! 5-4 SO

vs New Jersey Devils, 12/31/09  HAWKS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 5-1

vs Anaheim Ducks, 1/3/10  HAWKS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 5-2

first visit to TD Garden, and first 100 level seat, but that was just for the last 5 minutes of play, next to the friend who took me to game #1, when his friend left early
vs Boston Bruins, 1/7/10  HAWKS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 5-2

first visit to Nationwide Arena, first away game in the division
vs Columbus Blue Jackets, 1/16/10  HAWKS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 6-5

vs St. Louis Blues, 2/3/10  HAWKS W-wait, wait, they just...did that thing that isn't winning. Lose? LOSE? THIS WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!!!! They only win when I see them!!!

Yeah, I had to see them lose eventually. I was tense wondering when it would happen. It's not seeing them lose that bothered me (yes, I'm well aware may of you have seen many losses by this team)--it's that it's the end of the streak! 13 months, 17 games, 4 cities--all wins. (I wrote more about this on my blog with the title the greatest winning streak in sports is over. Um, yes, hyperbole.)

I thought if I'd seen win #18, I'd be going into a win-win scenario for the game in St. Louis tomorrow (I happen to be too broke this weekend to drink as much as I feel I probably should): either it'd be win #19, and people would buy me drinks to celebrate my continued status as a good-luck charm. Or it'd be my first time seeing them lose, and people would buy me drinks to help me cope with the shock. Okay, that's what I WANTED to happen...

Oh well. Time to start over. I no longer have to feel weird writing a sports blog from the perspective of someone who's never watched their favorite team lose. I no longer have to deal with the friend who took me to game #1 spending time calculating the absurd odds of me witnessing a win at every game. (I always wondered about this. I mean, either you'll see a win or a loss, but doesn't the fact that you're likelier to see a win against certain opponents affect this?)

Anyway, if you have any stories of winning (or losing) streaks you've witnessed for the Blackhawks (or other teams), share them. Or suggestions to help me get over the shock...