Cubs’ championship a stressful, motivating experience for Hawks

Jonathan Toews has won three Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals, the World Juniors and the World Cup. He knows what it’s like to win a championship. He knows what it’s like to rally from 3-1 down in a playoff series. He even knows what it’s like to deliver a title to a championship-starved city after decades of waiting.

But even Toews could only wonder what it felt like for the Cubs to win the World Series on Wednesday night after 108 years of waiting.

It was 49 years for the Blackhawks, but this is just on another scale,” said Toews, sporting a Cubs World Series hat after Thursday’s morning skate at the United Center. “There’s almost no comparison.”

The Hawks were as wrapped up in the World Series as the rest of Chicago, and got a taste of how their fans have felt during those roller-coaster triple-overtime games over the years.

“It’s hard to watch,” Toews said. “[In] baseball, there’s so much intensity and suspense between every play. I can imagine now [why] families and friends say that watching our games in the playoffs are harder than playing them. I can definitely attest to what they’re talking about. Pretty cool, pretty emotional to watch those guys celebrate after winning last night. Pretty amazing.”

It was particularly special for Scott Darling, a Lemont native and a lifelong Cubs fan. After the final out, he called his dad, a die-hard fan who was “through the roof.” Darling said watching Game 7 of the World Series from home was nearly as stressful as watching Game 6 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final from the bench.

“I think [2015] was a little bit more stressful for me, but it was close, man,” Darling said. “When [Cleveland] tied it up, I couldn’t believe it. Then the rain delay might have been the best thing that ever happened to us. It was a great game. So happy for those guys. I’m just happy for the city.”

Rocky Wirtz released a statement congratulating the Cubs on rewarding Chicago fans “with yet another team being crowned world champions.” Brian Campbell was particularly happy for David Ross, who homered in the last game of career. And Joel Quenneville said the win was “great for everyone.”

But above all else, beyond the stress and the fun and the brotherly affection the Hawks have for their Cubs colleagues, the historic championship simply whetted the Hawks’ appetite to have their own raucous celebration again.

“It just brings back that feeling and that memory and it’s so exciting to just watch the city erupt,” Toews said. “I’ve been here almost 10 years now, and you really start to grasp how much it means to people that have been waiting for this their entire lifetime.”

Roster report

Vinnie Hinostroza’s return to the lineup lasted just two games, as he was replaced by Ryan Hartman. Hinostroza was scratched for four straight games before returning Sunday against Los Angeles. Michal Kempny was back in the lineup, with Michal Rozsival the healthy scratch in his place. Quenneville said Andrew Desjardins is still on target to return Sunday against Dallas, and Trevor van Riemsdyk is still on his original timeline, meaning he’s still a few weeks away.

Giving back Toews launched a Prizeo campaign — an online fundraiser that rewards donations with a chance to win prizes — to support The Kitchen Community, which builds gardens in schools and teaches kids to eat healthy and engage with the community.

“It’s been a big part of why I joined social media, to leverage that following and Blackhawks fans and people I can reach out to try and bring some awareness to causes that mean a lot to me,” Toews said. “Nowadays we see a lot of charities that are into cancer and disease for children and hospitals and all that stuff, but I think there’s something to be said as far as programs that are [about] prevention, as well. Health and wellness is a big part of that. So it’s pretty special.”

Email: mlazerus@suntimes.com

Twitter: @marklazerus