It’s become a pregame ritual for many of the members of Chicago Blackhawks to enjoy a pregame meal at Sushi Wabi in Chicago’s West Loop. Unfortunately, tragedy struck Saturday’s meal as all four left wingers for Chicago were injured in what some are calling the most gruesome chopstick accident of all time. Details are still being ironed out at this time, but it is believed that Ben Eager, Andrew Ladd, Patrick Sharp, and Kris Versteeg were all injured when one of the players chopsticks suddenly splintered injuring all around the epicenter of the accident. [Note: Earlier reports of Kris Versteeg singing with the chopstick just prior to the incident seem to be fabricated by witnesses.]
The events of the day would have been even more tragic had it not been for Coach Quenneville, Rocky Wirtz, and Dale Tallon’s quick thinking. With the teams entire offensive left side out for the vital Game 5 against Calgary they were in need of a miracle. The three headmen contacted Bobby Hull who was in the house expecting to be a spectator that evening. After a few minutes of contract disputes, the Blackhawks were able to agree on a one day contract with the Hall of Fame Left Winger.
No one could have expected what came next. The legendary winger stepped on the ice to become the oldest player in NHL history at a youthful 70 years of age. Riding the emotion and miraculous performance by The Golden Jet the Blackhawks were able to stand victorious 4-2 and take a 3-2 series lead. With only 17 seconds left Hull netted his second goal of the night in the Calagary net which had been vacated by Kiprusoff for an extra attacker only seconds before. Hull’s box score was as follows: 53 mins, 2G, 2A, 1- 5 minute fighting penalty, and 1 TKO.
The highlight of the night may have come when he circled off against the Flames’ Cammalleri who had garnered Hull’s attention with a cheap shot on Chicago’s Martin Havlat in Game 1 of the series. Jockeying for position at first the two ended up trading blow for blow until Cammalleri ducked into Hull’s Right Uppercut knocking Cammalleri unconsious. Cammalleri missed the remainder of the 3rd period and his status is unknown for the rest of the series.
When asked why he didn’t play for 1 minute in the first period and one in the second, Hull responded, “I was Tweeting updates to @NHLBlackhawks. If Oprah can do this whole twitter thing so can I.”
During the post game interview with Sarah Spain of Mouthpiece Sports all Bobby could say is “Are you still f@#%ing Steve Bartman?”
During this wondrous night for the first time since it’s construction the United Center’s rafters shuttered like the old Chicago Stadium. The crowd stood for the entire game not letting up even during intermissions and breaks. The once boisterous horn was but a quaint whisper on this night under the deafening roar as Chicago celebrated each goal. The whole night was that of biblical proportions and I’m sure all who were there to witness such greatness will continue to tell the story of the Golden Jet’s return for generations to come.
Staying consistent with team policies, specifics of the injuries are not being discussed with the media; however, all 4 players are expected to be available for Game 6 in Calgary on Tuesday.
