The Blackhawks have a major test Thursday night in their last game before the All-Star break. They will play the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in what could be a clash between the teams leading the National Hockey League in points.
They also have something else in common: long-suffering fans. The Rangers haven`t won an NHL championship since 1939-40. The Hawks, of course, have been without a title since 1960-61.
The teams have met only once this season, and that opening-night decision early in October went to the Hawks 4-3 at the Stadium.
Oddsmakers usually favor the home team in hockey games, but the numbers are in favor of the Hawks going into games Wednesday at New Jersey and Thursday in Manhattan. The Hawks are 10-2 this season against Patrick Division clubs and 21-7-2 against them in the last two seasons.
The Ed Belfour show: Ninety minutes after the Hawks finished beating the Jets last Friday in the Winnipeg Arena, there was one Hawk left in the building. Goalie Ed Belfour, whose hometown of Carman is just 50 miles from Winnipeg, was sitting before a TV camera and a bunch of his friends were in the audience to witness the interview. Cheers of ”Eddie, Eddie, Eddie” resounded through the empty rink as Belfour`s family and friends had their own private celebration of his 27th victory that night. It looked like a mini-Oprah Winfrey show.
Star time: Actor John Candy and ex-Hawks goalie Darren Pang will host the kickoff event Thursday for the Hawks` All-Star weekend. They will be at a clinic for youngsters at noon at the outdoor rink at Grant Park, where some legendary players will teach them skills.
On display: Hockey memorabilia and the Stanley Cup will be on display from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame, 223 W. Ontario St.