Wrigleyville an 'Octopus Free Zone' on New Year's

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley is a Blackhawks fan. It goes without saying he hates the Detroit Red Wings.

So when Quigley put together an official resolution Tuesday celebrating the Hawks' outdoor showdown against the Red Wings on New Year's Day at Wrigley Field, he included a secret message to the reigning Stanley Cup champions and their fans.

He used red capital letters in the last line of his resolution to spell out a favorite chant he learned while growing up a Hawks fan ''in the second balcony in Chicago Stadium.'' The letters spelled out, ''DETROIT SUCKS.''

Besides declaring Jan. 1 will be ''Chicago Blackhawks Day'' in Cook County, Quigley's resolution designates Wrigley Field and the surrounding area an ''Octopus Free Zone'' -- a dig at Red Wings fans' tradition of throwing octopi on the ice after their team scores.