Report: Chicago responds to Tampa Bay shutting out Blackhawks fans.

What do you do when a city decides to shut out your hometown fans? You send them an invite. That appears to be Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel’s strategy when faced with the idea of the Tampa Bay Lightning doing their best to stop Chicago Blackhawks fans from invading Amalie Arena in the Stanley Cup Finals. Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President Bill Wickett banned out-of-state Blackhawks fans from purchasing tickets for Lightning home games in hopes of making the Lightning brand stronger. What's worse is, should you manage to get a ticket, Blackhawks jerseys will be banned on the premises. In an unapologetic response as to why the team is choosingthis route, Wickett said he wants to create a hometown environment for the Lightning players and season-ticket holders. This unconstitutional ban has caused an uproar amongst NHL fans the entire postseason. So while the Lightning uses their powers, Emanuel extends the hand of (one-sided) camaraderie: “Chicago Blackhawks supporters are known to be among the best in the NHL, and certainly we wish the Tampa Bay Lightning management would welcome Chicago fans to their city and not be afraid to let them into their arena for the Stanley Cup finals. As Mayor of Chicago, I welcome Tampa fans –and hockey fans from around the country – to fly to Chicago and enjoy our world class hotels, restaurants, cultural attractions, and then go watch Stanley Cup hockey in Chicago. It doesn’t get better than that.” It goes to show which teams know the game is played on the ice and not in the stands, and which feel they need Mickey Mouse tactics to gain the upper-hand. Kudos to you Mayor Emanuel.