How do Blackhawks prepare for games? Sewer ball, for some

Caption Pregame rituals Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune Bryan Bickell, Joakim Nordstrom, Andrew Shaw and Andrew Desjardins warming up with a soccer ball before Game 2 vs. the Predators. In a hallway deep inside the United Center prior to a recent game, Blackhawks players are playing a boisterous contest of what many call "sewer ball."

Outside the dressing room, Patrick Sharp is sitting on the floor with his back against the wall, headphones on, bouncing a tennis ball off anything that catches his eye.

Inside the dressing room, captain Jonathan Toews sits at his stall deep in thought, visualizing making plays—good and bad—to mentally prepare himself for what lays ahead.

While pregame activities…