The trumped-up pregame party was signature McDonough on display. Even while maximizing a relatively mundane statistical accomplishment (280 players have done it) for the purposes of mawkish stagecraft, he was still able to use it to keep the NHL title top of mind for anyone caring to pay attention.

Some fans are uncomfortable trying to reconcile this reality with their currently giddy euphoria over the record-setting start. Anybody daring to point out that larger accomplishments loom is derided for trying to spoil the fun, quickly getting the “No Pare La Fiesta” message. It’s a peculiar thing, this apparent emotional fragility, especially considering that the franchise is not far removed from its own parade, and that “One Goal” has been a marketing mantra, with its message obvious.

The last Chicago team with an unprecedented start to the season went out of their way to embrace the higher expectations brought on by their success, not worried for a second that any fleeting happiness could be undermined by confronting the truth.

The 1996 Bulls began the season 41-3, en route to 72 wins. Along the way, and amid the Beatles-in-America kind of attention they attracted, both Scottie Pippen and Ron Harper were fond of saying “It don’t mean a thing without the ring.” They were smart enough to copyright the slogan, even, monetizing it on hats and t-shirts as the playoffs were set to begin. No fear, their excitement over less meaningful games tempered by context, and full awareness of how disappointing anything less than ultimate victory would be after setting a record. Their own version of “One Goal.”

Blackhawks fans should revel similarly in the higher stakes created by their team’s explosion out of the lockout. There is no reason for any current thrills to be lessened one iota by the focus on the championship, when that singularity of purpose is what validates and galvanizes everything else.

Do any of you disagree that anything less than a Cup would be a disappointment?

Do any of you disagree that anything less than a Cup would be a disappointment?

Do any of you disagree that anything less than a Cup would be a disappointment?

Anybody daring to point out that larger accomplishments loom is derided for trying to spoil the fun, quickly getting the “No Pare La Fiesta” message. It’s a peculiar thing, this apparent emotional fragility, especially considering that the franchise is not far removed from its own parade, and that “One Goal” has been a marketing mantra, with its message obvious.

The last Chicago team with an unprecedented start to the season went out of their way to embrace the higher expectations brought on by their success, not worried for a second that any fleeting happiness could be undermined by confronting the truth.

both Scottie Pippen and Ron Harper were fond of saying “It don’t mean a thing without the ring.” They were smart enough to copyright the slogan, even, monetizing it on hats and t-shirts as the playoffs were set to begin.

There's 0% emotional fragility. "Anybody" is derided b/c it's fucking annoying to hear "Only Championships Matter!!1" after every win.


Many Hawks have stated the streak is nice but the postseason is what matters.

A lot of times, when Berns writes something, I don't know if he's responding to things people are actually saying or if he's kinda making it up. I guess it's the latter in this case.

Anybody daring to point out that larger accomplishments loom is derided for trying to spoil the fun, quickly getting the “No Pare La Fiesta” message.

Who specifically is being derided and by whom? Give me names Dan.

“Look at all this,” I told him, making a sweeping gesture to indicate the whole tableau of filled seats, intensely-shared emotion and riveting on-ice action that had been dormant for so long. “You should be very proud of yourself.”

The always-affable McDonough turned serious, his eyes narrowing as he responded.
[/i]
“We haven’t done anything yet.”

Look out for the callers that kiss his ass and fall all over themselves to tell BernSTINE that all they care about is the Stanley Cup and how fans need to know what is important and basically repeat verbatim what BernSTINE is puking out.....all the while sounding like a total dork trying to find acceptance from the cool kids.

Just a prediction.

He gets on a caller instantly when they use general terms like "They've been saying" or "I've been hearing" yet he does so without hesitation in all of his columns. He's doing this on purpose right? I mean, no way he's that dense.

Nope. And that's why Bernstein's column sucks. It's his usual gimmick of arguing against shit nobody is actually saying.

He gets on a caller instantly when they use general terms like "They've been saying" or "I've been hearing" yet he does so without hesitation in all of his columns. He's doing this on purpose right? I mean, no way he's that dense.

So are well all just going to sit around here and complain?? Or are we going to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!