Shadows (Patrick Kane)

(70) Legends Never Die

Sophia

With the skid the Hawks hit on thier way out of the regular season they started their post season in Nashville for the first two games. Unlike their other playoff runs many of their series will be started away from Chicago. But best believe when they get home the Madhouse will be alive.

They split the first two games against the Preds with some issues in the net. Corey was the number one goalie but there was too many mistakes that forced Scott Darling into the net. And he's done well, he's expected to start tonight for game three here at home. This is Patrick's first game back at the United center too so we were expecting a good game. I get to travel and cover games in other cities but there's nothing quite like playoff hockey in the Windy City.

I get to the UC early to go over notes and talk with all the coworkers. We get to ice level and I go over what to watch in this pivotal game three. There hasn't been a lot of scoring from either team yet but give it time. There's a lot of players on this team who are due so I believe in them.

"Hey Soph, you got a special guest for tonight" they tell me. I raise a eyebrow because I had no idea we had a guest lined up.

"Who is it" I wonder.

I look over to see the great Stan Mikita being wheeled over by his wife. I let out as gasp as I cover my mouth with my hands.

Patrick and his dad had told me all about Stan Mikita. Last summer we watched a lot of his game tapes along with that of Patrick. He was a name of legends here in the UC. What Mr. Cub was to the Cubs and what MJ was to the Bulls is what Stan is to Hawks. He lead the league in scoring four times in the 1960's and had the record for most points in a season at the time. He brought the cup back to Chicago and was one of the best to ever play the game. He even started the trend of the curved stick and wearing a helmet during games when part of his ear got taken off and sewed back on. Even off the ice he was a saint starting a hockey school for the hearing impaired and winning the lady byng trophy after getting called out by his daughter for being in the penalty box too much.

By the end of his career he played 1394 games all with the Blackhawks and scored over 1400 points for this franchise. He has his statue up here with Michael Jordan among some of the greatest athletes that got to call Chicago home. I haven't heard one bad thing about the guy. Patrick told me about being a rookie and Mikita being around to help him out. I know there's not a lot of genuine guys in this game but Stan is one of them. He is the best Hawks player, best Slovak player and one of the best at his position there ever was. My respect for him was as large as my admiration. I was lucky to be in his presence and I hope the guys show him a good time.

But he was getting older. His hockey days were starting to fade from his memories and all those games were catching up to him. He played in a time where safety wasn't really a thing. There was no concussion spotters or technology to identify and treat injuries. It was just hockey and in a way I wish it was still like that. Just hockey and less other crap like politics and business. But there's no going back and to me player safety is the upmost important thing. Three of the most important people in my life gave up everything for a sport so the least I want in return is for it to be safe for them. But for people like Stan they weren't so lucky.

He stops by the glass and his wife sits on the other side of him. Someone waves me over and pulls a chair up next to Stan's. I sit next to him as he smiles at me. His presence was so kind, so welcoming. It was a honor to just be here.

"I've heard so much about you" he claims as I gasp.

"About me" I ask.

"Of course! I don't miss a game and you're the first women I've seen cover the games. I had to come meet you" he insists.

"I'm speechless. I haven't been around hockey all the time but you are the player that everyone seems to adore. What you did for this game, for this city and it's fans is timeless. You've inspired people like Patrick who has given his life for this game and you've inspired people like me who are just not getting into it. I can't put into words what this means to me" I say.

"This game is in good hands. Jonny, Pat, Sharpy, Duncan. The game has evolved and it's players have too. I'm sure one day those guys will have a statue along side of me. I did a lot of things in my time, some that might be never done again. But those men are doing things I never could and it warms my heart to see it" he smiles.

"Well we're happy to have you here. And it is such a pleasure to meet you" I insist.

"You as well, Sophia" he nods.

I leave him and his wife be as they enjoy the game. I do my job and try not to show too much emotion. I can root for them for I only have to be on tv during breaks or intermission. So I have time to compose myself through this tight game.

The Blackhawks end up winning and taking the 2-1 series lead. I interview Jonny and Saader for they were the top two players of the game. We talk about puck battles and face offs and the chemistry they found tonight. After a few hours since the final horn I was finally heading home. Only when I get there I find someone else too.

"Are you here for the cat" I tease as Patrick props himself off the door.

"Partially. Partially because this is usually when I would go to the bar but I don't do that anymore. I know it's not where I belong" he claims.

"And where do you belong" I question.

"With you of course" he smiles.

"Of course" I tease.

I let us in and he goes right for the cat on the couch. He moves Olaf into his lap and I sit down next to him. I tell him all about meeting Stan and how nice he was. For once I could share my excitement and I knew he understood.

"That's really cool for you. Did you get a picture or anything" he wonders.

"One. But I didn't ask for anything else. He's a legend and legends never die. Even when his time comes we will always talk about him. Compare him to others but know there will never be another like him" I admit.

"That's how I'm trying to be" Patrick claims.

"And I believe you'll get there. I truly do" I insist.