Cheers all around

They cheered wildly when the Blackhawks starters were introduced to the strains of "Justify."

They roared when new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, decked out in a No. 6 Cutler Hawks jersey, strode the red carpet for the ceremonial puck drop.

They even sang the Bears fight song in unison - and with gusto - long after Cutler was gone.

And then the National Anthem began and ... you know the rest,

To say the 22,478 on hand to witness the Hawks hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2002 were a little riled up Thursday night doesn't do the term riled up justice.

These guys were jacked.

Even taped spots that appeared on the big screen over center ice elicited big responses.

They loved seeing former Hawks greats Denis Savard, Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito and were receptive to Cubs manager Lou Piniella and Ozzie Guillen, but what they really wanted was a lot of great hockey and on that front the Hawks and Calgary certainly obliged.