Here's one Red Wings fan who won't break a sweat at UC

When Cody Anderson showed up at the United Center on Friday night wearing a white Henrik Zetterberg sweater, one wondered how the 24-year-old Detroit Red Wings fan would handle being on enemy turf for Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.

As it turns out, Anderson was on leave from Afghanistan, where he's a squad leader responsible for nine other soldiers in the Army's 3rd Brigade Combat team, 10th Mountain division.

So Anderson knows a little something about enemy turf - and exchanging friendly barbs with Blackhawks fans during the 4-3 Hawks win hardly counts as something to sweat.

"It's a totally different culture," said Anderson, who must return to Afghanistan in two weeks to pull another six-month shift. "They actually live like they're still in the 1300s over there. It's quite a shock, actually, to see.

"And when you come home, I mean, I get to go to Game 3 of the Western Conference finals? It really makes me appreciate the life that we have here a lot more."

Anderson's older brother, Kyle, deserved credit for making their special night happen.

When the 27-year-old Las Vegas teacher discovered Cody's leave would coincide with the Blackhawks/Red Wings series, he gladly coughed up $170 on eBay to snag two standing-room-only tickets for Game 3.

The Alpena, Mich., natives were among the first fans to pour through the Gate 7 turnstiles when the gates opened at 5:30 p.m.

You've got to believe they shared in the goose bumps when the 22,678 in the house all but drowned out Jim Cornelson's passionate rendition of the national anthem.