Shadows (Patrick Kane)

(73) The Three Stooges

Patrick

As the story continues on we end up facing the Ducks in the western conference final. As we get further into the post season the attention starts to pick up. It's harder to get around the city and more and more people are on notice. It might be baseball season and this city might have two baseball teams to cheer for. But right now this city was ours. To win three championships in six seasons in this day and age is insane. Not a lot of teams do that with the whole salary cap issue and keeping good players around for a little less than what they're worth just to win a cup.

So being able to try and win my third ring, to make this a city of champions again and further cement my name in the hall of fame is a honor. Naturally there was a lot of news coverage and this means I got to hang out with Sophia in her place of work.

She takes me to her desk which was covered with pictures. I haven't been out here since she first started and she only had a few things up at her desk at the time. Now there's a football from her first game she covered and some pucks I had given her after special games. There was tons of pictures and some other Chicago things. It was really cute how much she put into this. She made it home and I know how much that means to her.

"I don't know if I've seen this picture before" I admit as I pick up a photo that hadn't yet been added to the collage. It was of her, her brother and I after the first playoff game in the United Center this season. Sophia was standing between Henry and I and we were all supposed to be looking at the camera but as usual we were laughing about something. Both of us had our eyes on her as she was most likely the one to crack a joke. Always was.

"My brother found this on his phone the other day and sent it to me. It's not perfect but it's one of my favorite pictures ever. I feel like it explains us really well. The three stooges" she smiles as I laugh.

"That's us alright. And to think we're three of the biggest names in the city but in real life we're just goofy kids" I shake my head.

"I feel blessed. I always wanted something like this. Something I could call my own. It's exciting and scary and so much fun. I wake up every day wondering what the day will bring. What comes next? With you two by my side there's so many adventures near and far. It's what I've been looking for this whole time" she claims.

"So you've found it. This is what you wanted all along" I wonder.

"I think part of my problem was that what I was looking for wasn't obtainable. It was like a shadow where I know it's there but I can't catch it, can't even touch it. It follows me around but it always seemed to stay behind me. Just out of my reach.

But now my dreams are no longer a shadow. They're a part of me. I look at these pictures, the ball and the pucks. My history is now something I'm proud of. And I wake up every day excited to be a part of history again. So yeah, I think I found my purpose" I admit.

"Good. Because that's all I ever wanted for you. To find your purpose" I admit.

"I'm not so sure if the worth comes from the path as much as who I let walk the path with me. You two, you walk in stride with me. You let me walk alone but you match my step when I need it most. I wouldn't even be here if it weren't for you two" she claims.

"We are pretty cool huh" I ask.

"The coolest" she smiles.

All us players get sit down and Sophia asks us some questions. CSN has a lot of coverage for this post season for if we win it'll be something a lot of fans would like to relive. And if we get some behind the scenes videos and interviews it will make the championship video that much more interesting. Something we all can look at back and smile as we remember these things as they're happening now.

"So what do you guys want people to remember about this team" she asks anyone in general.

"I think that there can be a modern day dynasty in hockey. With the salary cap and free agents going where the money is and not so much where there's a pay cut to be a part of a top heavy team it's not hard to see why it's been hard for teams to sustain competitiveness. But you look around and there's quite a few guys who are here on a discount for the soul reason to win. The core guys, we've been together since before 2010. Corey has been the goalie we need when we need him most. The young guys always seem to be where they need to and the rentals from the trade deadline has done exactly what we need them too. This team has exactly what it takes to win and keep winning.

What people should remember about this team isn't that we're the fastest of the youngest or the biggest. We have seven guys gunning for that third ring and many more for their second. Kids like Tuevo can't even drink yet and guys like Kimmo who is planning to stop playing after this year. On paper nothing special about this team but on the ice no one can deny us. That's what people should remember" Jonny says. Couldn't have said it better myself.

"What does three cups mean to this city" Sophia asks.

"Everything" I admit. "You can look at the two cups and say that's enough. But a good friend once told me that winning a championship isn't a team thing it's a city thing. And I know this city loves its championships. It deserves them. To bring this city to its feet, it's insane. And I think for a place so oriented around sports and their history to be able to make it means a lot. People will tell their grandkids about this one day. Tell them where they were when the Blackhawks win for the third time in six seasons. To be able to be a part of that is insane and I really hope we can do it" I nod.