For big hockey fans like my nephew Matt and me, it doesn’t get much better than watching our beloved Chicago Blackhawks beat the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit, Mich. The Hawks and Wings are two of the “Original Six” hockey teams and have had an intense rivalry over the years.

Sunday’s game was an exciting, well-played battle. The Hawks scored with two minutes left to tie the game, and they won it in a shootout, extending their NHL-record season-opening points streak to 22 games.

Joe Louis Arena (or the Joe) was completed in 1979 and is one of only three NHL stadiums without a corporate-sponsored name. It seats over 20,000, and all seats offer great sightlines. The concourses hold Red Wings’ memorabilia, trophies and various old and new photographs. It really is a cool arena, and the fans were friendly and engaging, despite the loss.

While near the Joe, we drove past the site of the old Tigers Stadium. Last year, we played around on the still-intact field. Sadly, it is now a fenced-in, vacant lot, although a few remnants remain.

On our way to Detroit, we stayed at my sister’s condo in St. Joe, Mich. This broke up our drive and allowed us to enjoy the delicious pizza at Silver Beach Pizza. My entire family loves their pizza.

We also checked out the Lego “Build Your Way Around Town” exhibits. The Lego fun runs through March 23 and features awesome Lego displays at various places around town. Legos have changed and improved dramatically since I was a kid.

On the way home, we stopped at Bagger Dave’s in Novi. I have written about their fantastic turkey burgers and homemade sodas many times.

It was another great, short trip. In fact, on the way home, we were already discussing the possibility of a return on Sunday, March 31, when the Blackhawks are in Motown again!

— John Wroblewski, online contributor