As soon as the Cubs game ends, I am driving to Milwaukee for Game 6 of the Bucks playoff series versus the Atlanta Hawks. However, if the Cubs game runs long, I will not be able to complete the 90 minute drive from Wrigley Field to the Bradley Center in time. Plus, Chicago traffic could be a nightmare keeping me from driving to Milwaukee.

If I cannot attend the Bucks game, then a backup plan would be to attend the Chicago Wolves playoff Game 1 of the West Division Finals versus the Texas Stars. Puck drops at 7:30 pm at Allstate Arena.

1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators Game 5 at the United Center at 2 pm.
2) Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks Game 3 at the Bradley Center at 6 pm.
3) Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs at Miller Park at 6:10 pm.
4) Chicago White Sox vs. Seattle Mariners at U.S. Cellular Field at 3:10 pm.
5) Chicago Fire vs. Houston Dynamo at Toyota Park at 7:30 pm.

The wife is busy this weekend with the annual McFetridge Sports Center Annual Ice Show. Thus, my original plan was to attend the Chicago White Sox game followed up by the Chicago Fire game.

But, that was before the Blackhawks and Bucks playoff games were also scheduled for Saturday – playoff games always take a top priority. At first, I debated between attending the Chicago Blackhawks or Milwaukee Bucks game. I also thought of attending both games, but did not think I could make the 90 minute drive from the United Center to the Bradley Center within the allotted time. The Blackhawks game would have to end at exactly 4:30 pm in order to get to Milwaukee for the Bucks 6 pm tip off. And playoff games usually run long.

Finally, I decided that a playoff game is a playoff game. So by attending the Blackhawks game this afternoon I can also attend the Chicago Fire game this evening.

I usually prioritize the stature of the event over the cost of the event. Thus, I will be attending the Chicago Bulls playoff game versus the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight. Currently, ticket prices are $20 for upper level seats on StubHub. That’s cheap for a playoff game. But these low prices mean Chicago fans are predicting the Cleveland Cavaliers will sweep the Bulls in four games. I am expecting to pay a fraction of the price for lower level seats as I did this past winter on a couple of nights in February.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators:
Friday, April 16 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 18 at 7:30 pm
*Saturday, April 24 at 2:00 pm
*Wednesday, April 28: TBD

Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers:
Thursday, April 22 at 6:00 pm
Sunday, April 25 at 2:30 pm
*Thursday, April 29: TBD

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks:
Saturday, April 24 at 6:00 pm
Monday, April 26: TBD
*Friday, April 30: TBD

* – if necessary

As usual tickets for the Bucks game are cheap. StubHub is currently listing upper level seats for less than $20. Bulls’ tickets are also cheap – upper level seats between $20 and $30. Be sure to use the everyday ticket buying strategy to get lower level seats outside of the arena for the same price.

Your next best bet (or if you live in Milwaukee and do not want to drive to Chicago), is the Milwaukee Bucks game versus the Washington Wizards. Tip off is 7:00 pm at the Bradley Center.

Depending on timing, you could also attend both the Marquette and UW-Milwaukee games tonight. UW-Milwaukee hosts UI-Chicago at 7:00 pm at U.S. Cellular Arena. If that game ends quickly you could walk across the street and catch the start of the Marquette game.

If you want to see the Connecticut women’s basketball team continue on their undefeated season (they are two wins short of their previous Division I record of 70 consecutive wins), drive over to South Bend, IN to see them play Notre Dame at the Joyce Center.

Other than that you could watch the Northwestern women’s basketball team host Illinois at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Another option is to attend the DePaul women’s basketball game at 7:00 pm tonight. McGrath Arena is in a great area of Chicago and will give you a lot of pre-game or post-game dining options.

If you are in Milwaukee the Admirals (AHL) are hosting the Rockford IceHogs at the Bradley Center at 7 pm.