So if you try to make Ehrsam take off his ‘Hawks sweater after he’s traveled all the way from suburban Villa Park, Ill., for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday in Tampa, then he’s got a little surprise for you, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
MORE: Best NHL jerseys all-time by team | 5 reasons to watch the Stanley Cup Final
You’ll find he has nothing on underneath.
Ehrsam, 61, told the newspaper that a well-placed friend got him his tickets, but he’s not exactly sure yet if the seats are in Amalie Arena’s pricey Chase Club and Lexus Lounge, about 1,400 seats where Blackhawks gear will be off-limits.
But if they are, “What are they going to do then?” asked Ehrsam, wondering how far Lightning officials would go to enforce their policy.
He has a couple of backups to his “skin-to-win” plan
“I don’t want to miss any of the game,” he said. “But if they give me a Tampa Bay shirt to wear, I’m going to turn it inside out.”
He also says he’s bringing his own “just-in-case” T-shirt.
Still, Amalie Arena ushers be forewarned, the Sun-Times says: If confronted, Ehrsam plans to test the resolve of anyone who tries to make him take off his jersey or miss one iota of on-ice action.
“If they tell me to take it off, I’m going to really ask them some serious questions, like ‘Is it even legal?’” Ehrsam said. “I’ve got a neighbor that’s a lawyer, and I was going to ask him … if that’s something they even can do.”
The Lightning didn’t return messages Tuesday from the Sun-Times, but the newspaper noted that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel issued a terse statement of support for put-upon Blackhawks fans:
