The Chicago Health Department has found critical food safety violations at the United Center, home of the Chicago Blackhawks and my personal hero, goaltender Tony Esposito, along with some basketball team.

After a CBS 2 investigation, the city began inspecting food vendors at sports venues during games — something they had not done before.

2 Investigator Pam Zekman has previously reported on the potentially dangerous food temperature violations at Wrigley Field, Soldier Field and U.S. Cellular Field.

Now the results of inspections at the United Center are in and violations found at eight different concession stands resulted in the United Center getting an F, a failed inspection.

The inspectors found 12 critical temperature violations similar to violations they found at other Chicago sports arenas.

Food safety expert Kantha Shelke reviewed the inspection reports and was alarmed at the findings.

“I’m surprised that the enterprises operating at United Center did not pay attention and follow the simplest rules of food safety.”

Dr. Bechara Choucair, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health,
said the unannounced inspections on game day have proven to be valuable, adding, “I am very happy with this program. We’re going to continue operating under this policy in 2012.”

Choucair added that with education of workers and continued spot inspections, they hope to end food temperature problems. All violations at the United Center were corrected at the time of the inspections.

A full report of health inspection results at the United Center is available at http://chicago.cbslocal.com/inspection-report/.

Note the Tony O jersey on the dude ordering at a game. Best goalie ever.