The roar is back.
Okay, it may not be the earth-shattering, floor rattling, ear-numbing sound that used to eminate from the old Chicago Stadium, but hockey is once again live and well in the Windy City.
The young Blackhawks have turned the United Center into one of the toughest road venues in the league. The team leads the entire NHL in attendance and posts a 9-1-4 record in the building after Wednesday's nights 2-0 win over Ottawa. And the best part is none of it's a fluke. The most gratifying thing about this Blackhawks team is that they are night-in and night-out not only competitive but often the better team on the ice.
"They play the game the way it's supposed to be played," Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon says. "Great puck movement, very unselfish, they care about each other and they play with a lot of speed and passion."
And speaking of passion, it's returned in the stands as well.
"It's a great place to play and players should feel very priviliged to be in that kind of environment," Blackhawks Head Coach Joel Quenneville smiles when asked about the United Center crowds. "Not every place around the league has the enthusiasm and the full crowd support like we're getting right now."
And it all continues, the Blackhawks may find themselves playing at the United Center well into the post-season.
Do you want to share your Blackhawks moments from the United Center? Send them to isee@nbcchicago.com and we'll post the best pictures on the site.
