The Chicago Blackhawks hockey team and the Chicago Bulls basketball team did not make the playoffs in the completed 2020-2021 season. The two Chicago professional baseball teams are working hard to stay above .500 and perhaps point themselves to a City World Series some day, better sooner than later. The Chicago Wolves did well in the minor league American Hockey League, however, the AHL decided to avoid COVID-19 problems in travel and other distractions and not hold playoffs.
We can take comfort in one professional team’s championship. The Chicago Steel captured a second Clark Cup league playoff championship in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with a 3-1 series victory over Fargo, N.D. Saturday on the road. The Steel won the Clark Cup in 2017. The Steel became the first USHL team to win both the Clark Cup and have the best record in the regular season since Dubuque (Ia.) did it in the 2012-2013 season. The franchise held a reception for the team and fans Monday at its home site, the Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva.
• High school sports in the final stage, just moved into its State tournament countdown phase with regional tournaments in girls soccer, even though it just started. Track and other sports will hold tournaments and last week the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) decided to hold State tournaments in boys lacrosse and boys volleyball. Will next year be on full force in conference and State tournament games. We look forward to their return and say we survived the COVID-19 pandemic.