Blackhawks And Their Fans Keep Stanley Cup Party Going Well Into The Morning
CHICAGO (CBS) -- After winning their third Stanley Cup in six years, the Blackhawks' victory celebrations were still going strong Tuesday morning.
Chicago earned the Stanley Cup on home ice for the first time in 77 years Monday night, and the team and their fans spent all night partying across the Chicago area.
"Three in six years; what more can you really ask for?" winger Patrick Kane said. "I mean, we could have maybe been there last year, too, but this was special to win it at home."
After partying at the United Center, the players headed out to celebrate at several sites across the city. Kane, Kris Versteeg and some other players visited The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen, a popular sports bar in the South Loop, where they showed off the trophy for fans.
"It's just tremendous; I mean, the support we've been getting all the time," defenseman Johnny Oduya said. "The whole city just comes together, and, yeah, you feel fortunate to be a part of something like this."
Coach Joel Quenneville and several players also brought the Stanley Cup to The MID nightclub to party with fans.
Fans also TP'ed Quenneville's house after the big win, one of many unique traditions in professional hockey.
Lingering rain from Monday's storms couldn't keep Blackhawks fans from packing Chicago streets to celebrate all through the night. Thousands poured into the streets in Wrigleyville as soon as the final horn sounded, and for some, the celebration continued well into the morning.
Wrigleyville held up pretty well, especially compared to 2013, when more than 30 storefronts were damaged by rowdy fans.
While there were no reports of vandalism to Wrigleyville businesses on Monday, there were reports of revelers smashing the windows of a police vehicle.
There were reports of five arrests in Wrigleyville. According to the Chicago Tribune, at least two people were arrested after a confrontation with police officers, including one man who allegedly put his hands around an arresting officer's throat.
For the most part, though, fans were well-behaved, and police had a stronger presence in Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville, after the problems with vandalism in 2013.
Some fans chased the Stanley Cup through the night, hoping to catch a glimpse of the iconic trophy.
Blackhawks championship gear was sure to be a hot item, with many sporting goods stores opening early Tuesday to sell Stanley Cup caps, T-shirts and more.
Sports Authority in the River North neighborhood opened its doors at 6 a.m., and plenty of fans were lined up to get a Stanley Cup shirt or hat, but they weren't the first to get their hands on championship merchandise.
As soon as the final horn rang at the United Center, fans came out to the LaSalle Street store to grab their gear. The first shipment of hats sold out almost immediately.
Store managers said they expect their shelves to be emptied quickly once they're restocked Monday morning.