After the Chicago Blackhawks' surprising season took them to the Western Conference Finals last season, expectations for the 2009-10 season had been high.

Within the environs of the Greater Chicagoland Area, hockey regained popularity not seen since Dirk Graham sported the finest moustache in the NHL, and the Madhouse on Madison was a nickname for a beloved old arena, and not a test-marketed brand slapped on the 300 Level at the United Center.
 

That being said, allow us at HOCKEENIGHT, along with Madame Marie, the erstwhile fortune teller from the boardwalk in Asbury Park NJ,  to give you a glimpse back into the season that was:

October 2: The Blackhawks open the season against Florida in Helsinki. The first Florida goal prompted roughly 100,000 Chicagoans to scream about the Blackhawks not re-signing goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. 

October 14: The Edmonton Oilers visit the United Center. Khabibulin gives up 4 goals in the First Period, before being pulled, silencing exactly 0 of the aforementioned 100,000. Khabibulin goes on Injured Reserve, with a “Lower Body” injury.

October 26: The Minnesota Wild visit the United Center. The 100,000 flood radio shows' phone systems with calls proclaiming the worst thing the Blackhawks have ever done in their history was to let a proven star like Martin Havlat go. That night, Havlat leaves the game in the first period with an "Upper Body" injury.
 

November 19: Patrick Kane turned 21. Chicago bartenders rejoiced. Chicago cab drivers filed restraining orders. Coach Joel Quenneville put Kane on a curfew, telling him he could only do "Calgary Playoff Drinking" - one round, then go home.

December 1: Marian Hossa joined the Blackhawks' lineup. He scored a goal on his first shift, and the 100,000 wondered how he'll keep up this production for 12 years.

January 1: The Hawks don't play, but 100,000 lined up outside Wrigley Field, not understanding the Winter Classic is held in a different location each year.

January 10: The Blackhawks hosted the Anaheim Ducks on Construction Helmet Night. After last season’s Jonathan Toews’ hat trick, personal injury lawyers surround the United Center, passing out business cards to fans as they walk in.

February 3: Duncan Keith Bobblehead Giveaway. Despite Vancouver's Alexandre Burrows' pleas, they don't come with pullable hair.

February 5: The Las Vegas Coyotes visit the United Center, with new coach Mike Keenan. It marks the first time NHL players leave jersey glitter on the ice.

February 15: Olympic Break. The Hawks' reluctance to sign European players is to their benefit, as the entire Red Wings roster suited up for their countries, and Toews, Hossa and Kane are the only Blackhawks who went to Vancouver.

March 5: Vancouver visited Chicago for the last time during the regular season. Kyle Wellwood vanished into an Old Country Buffet, never to be seen again.

March 23: The Saskatoon Coyotes visit the United Center, with new coach Barry Melrose. The Blackhawks and Canadian Tourist Bureau had T-shirts on hand for the first 10,000 fans who could correctly find Saskatoon on a map of Canada. 9,990 shirts are still available.

April 4: The Hawks hosted the Calgary Flames, and the ceremonial puck drop was performed by Michael Donohue of Chicago, who was the one millionth caller to The Score to talk about the Hawks and next season’s salary cap.

April 11: The regular season ended, and the Hawks prepared for the Playoffs. The Wild announced they expect Havlat to be ready for training camp. Same with Edmonton and Khabibulin.