Chicago sports madness: 16 results and preview of next round

Last Monday, April 6, your voice was heard as York students took to the polls on the this_is_york Instagram page to vote for their favorite Chicago sports moments in recent history. After 24 hours of voting, we collected the results and put them, along with the moments themselves, in the video below. As the number of finalists have been cut in half from 16 to 8, the match-ups for the quarterfinal round are listed below. Voting for the quarterfinals will take place again on the this_is_york Instagram on Wednesday, April 8, starting at 12:00 p.m.

Quarterfinal Preview

1) Cubs win the 2016 World Series vs 9) Joakim Noah steals the ball and dunks on Paul Pierce to win 2009 playoff game in 3OT

Theo Epstein finally was able to answer a generation of Cub fans’ prayers. Not only were the Cubs time and time again unable to finish the deal, but this season showed a new Cubs team. They always seemed to need to come from behind, whether that be a game or a series. The Cubs really had all of America cheering for them in this game seven game and they prevailed. Although not as dramatic as the Cubs World Series win, Noah’s dunk not only came as a virtually winning play, but also a relief after such a hard fought triple overtime game. It slammed the exclamation point that the Bulls could beat the original big three. 

4) White Sox win 2005 World Series vs 5) Kane’s OT goal clinches Hawks 2010 Stanley Cup victory

This is the match-up between two drought ending teams; the White Sox ended their 88 year World Series drought, while the Hawks ended their 49 year drought. Although both ending the same way, how they got there was slightly different. The White Sox dominated the entire postseason only losing one game, while winning 11. Whereas the Hawks showed their grit and consistent fight, dropping six games, but coming out victorious in 16. 

2) Blackhawks score two goals in 17 seconds to win 2013 Stanley Cup vs 10) Khalil Mack’s first game as a Bear

With under 1:30 to go in the third period, it looked as if the Hawks might drop game six, and take it to a winner take all game back in Chicago for the Stanley Cup. Against all odds, the magical events that occured crowing them Stanley Cup champions are like no other. The trade acquiring Khalil Mack represented the Bears new thought that winning the Super Bowl was the goal and it could happen now. In that Thursday night game Bears fans got exactly what they paid for: greatness from their new star player. 

3) Derrick Rose buzzer-beater vs Cleveland in 2015 playoffs vs 6) Devin Hester returns opening kick of Super Bowl for TD

One of the most iconic shots since the Jordan Era for the Bulls’ franchise could not have come from a better person. A homegrown kid, grew up a Bulls fan and an MVP award winner to beat Lebron’s Cavs was what Bulls fans needed to give hope to a potential NBA championship caliber team. Hester’s return was something straight out of a movie. One of the most dangerous kick-off/punt return men in history, on the opening kick-off of the Super Bowl. Although the Bears did not win the game, it is one of the most iconic plays in Bears’ history.