Shadows (Patrick Kane)

(76) Moment of A Lifetime

Patrick

With the Lighting in town for game three the city was turning red. And in a good way. We've given this amazing city a lot of reasons to shout out our names into the bars and streets and wear our sweaters even in this June heat. And it never gets old, seeing the support and watching this place get turned upside down. I'm lucky to help create such an amazing hockey atmosphere.

With us in uncharted territory ESPN decides to do a whole segment on the Blackhawks and what this series means to us, to the city, to the organization and fans and the game of hockey. They chose Sophia to run the segment because she was great at this. There's not a lot of women in hockey, not like football and baseball. And she isn't just a women breaking the ground for others, but she's a Damn good reporter. The athletes love her. She's honest and doesn't walk around issues, she's straight to the point but in a way that doesn't make us feel she's using us or we're being judged. Sometimes it's really hard to sit there and listen to someone ask you the same questions over and over again. It's exhausting. The answers never change yet we still get asked. I used to hate interviews but now they're not as bad. It's still irritating to have just finished a game and have to sit there and talk when all you want to do is change, shower, cool down and go home. But at least I get to talk to someone I like now.

We get to the United Center where a bunch of us were waiting around. ESPN makes themselves at home as we watch from the sidelines. We were going to get mic'ed up for a practice and that's our participation. I was just here early to admire her work.

She goes out and stands on the X on the floor. People run around making sure nothing was in frame that shouldn't be. It was a bit chaotic but she stood in the middle unbothered. She was a natural at this and I'm so happy she loved her job.

Once she reads through some papers and fixes up her curly brown hair it was go time. The recording light comes on and the whole area goes silent. I get to sit back and watch the show for once.

"It's not very often that a moment in sports leaves you in awe. You can watch a thousand games and you've seen it all before. There are a few times when your jaw touches the floor and you are left in disbelief. Like the 1980 Miracle on Ice team beating the Soviet's to advance to the gold medal game. Or maybe it's watching Tiger Woods win his first masters as the youngest to ever do it. My personal favorite is Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, opening the door to so many more people in this world who's dream it is to make it big time. While sports can be predictable theres some moments where you never saw it coming and the impact it had on the game never will die.

I myself have bared witness many moments of jaw dropping performances. I was alive and old enough to remember both of my dads championships. Watched him win MVP and have his number retired. My brother won rookie of the year and is just getting started. The achievements and memorable moments are aplenty in my life and in yours.

But those moments where you are standing there asking "did that really happen", those are rare. There's many great sport moments but to be stopped in your tracks is hard to do. Sports gives us something to cheer for but what happens when you can't cheer? All you can do is sit in surprise. No movement or sounds, just pure shock and elation.

That's what happened back in 2010 when Patrick Kane danced around a defenseman and took a shot of a lifetime. Some fans had waited their whole lives for that shot to go in. He was still just a kid, people doubted he would be a difference maker. Then he turned around and ended a 49 year old drought and won his city a Stanley cup.

Then it happened again in 2013 when with less than 2 minutes left Bryan Bickell tied game six then seventeen seconds later Dave Bolland scored the go ahead goal. The Blackhawks went from game seven to partying in Boston in the matter of seconds leaving many stunned and many elated.

Now this same team has the opportunity to do it again. Surprise the world and win its third championship in six seasons. Many thought it couldn't be done. There's no way this team can consistently keep defying the odds. But here we are, game one and they're back battling for the right to call themselves champions once again" she finsishes.

I smile to myself as the producer praises Sophia for her work. Espn was top notch sports journalism. To have such praise from him was a honor and I'm happy she was getting her recognition while still sticking around. It was the best of both worlds really.

She exits the little stage and looks around before she finds me. The smile on her face grows as she takes off some wires and her ear piece before running over to me.

I quickly wrap my arms around her almost forgetting we were in public. Her face nuzzles into my neck giving me butterflies.

"You looked great out there" I whisper into her ear.

"Thank you" she replies as she reluctantly lets me go. We still stand close as I just smile like a idiot. The way she made me feel was addicting and I'm glad it came from the person I considered my best friend.

"What are you doing after this" I wonder.

"I don't know. Gonna go harass my cat and eat foods I shouldn't" she shrugs.

"Well if you want I can bring some Lighting tape over and we can watch it" I offer.

"So you could make a play date out of watching film" she accuses.

"Only you would actually agree to do it" I counter.

"You're right. I'm down as long as I can grab some food because I forgot to eat lunch. Again" she admits a sigh roll my eyes. She would forget her head if it wasn't attached to her body.

"Alright. I can grab some pizza" I bargain.

"Deal" she cheers.

She places a soft kiss on my cheek before taking off. Before she was out of sight she turns around before smiling. She waves goodbye and I try not to look like a love sick teenager.