Suffice it to say, but the next big game at Wrigley Field will not feature the Cubs. Instead, it'll showcase a squad that's just now washing its jerseys and sharpening its skates one last time - for its preseason is done and its regular season kicks off Friday.

Those at the United Center this evening know exactly who I'm talking about. These folks were treated to quite a hockey game tonight, as the Blackhawks rallied to force overtime with 1 second left in regulation, but lost 4-3 in the extra session in their final preseason contest.

And those Blackhawks will be playing against the Detroit Red Wings on New Year's Day at Wrigley Field in the second annual Winter Classic.

Tonight, Martin Havlat tied the score with 1 tick left on the game clock, and the crowd went into a frenzy. Dustin Byfuglien and Brian Campbell picked up the assists on the equalizer with Cristobal Huet's rump on the home team's bench.

But Ryan Smyth ended the game with a power-play goal with under two minutes to play in OT.

The Hawks finished the preseason with an admirable 5-3 record, two of those losses coming in overtime - to Minnesota and Colorado respectively.

Huet was so-so in nets Sunday, turning away 21 of 25 shots. Antti Niemi was again the backup, as Nikolai Khabibulin increasingly seems to be on his way out. The latest rumor, per the Sun-Times, has the Bulin Wall possibly bound for Russia, though GM Dale Tallon has been actively shopping Nikolai per multiple sources.

The Hawks looked good in the preseason and seem primed for a quick start out of the gate on the 08-09 season.

They'll be tested right at the start though, as they face a very good 2-0 New York Rangers squad next Friday at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated Tampa Bay twice in the Czech Republic this weekend, kicking off the NHL regular season.

They then travel to Washington, D.C. for a game against the Capitals on Saturday, before returning to Chicago for their home opener - Monday, Oct. 13 against Nashville.

What did you think of this post?

To start your own blog on The Windy Citizen, write to us at windycitizen@gmail.com.