St LOUIS

Volume 6, Issue 19 GAME TIME December 28, 2010

Four Dollars Of Short Words For ‗Hawk Fans The Program That Gives More Than It Takes Established in 2005

By Brad Lee pressure to win every night. The Blues are hoping to extend their three-game winning streak. ―These are the kind of games, if you‘re on the wrong end of The Blackhawks are hoping to extend a four-win streak of their them, you look back in April and say those two points were critical own. Something‘s got to give. at the time,‖ Backes said in the postgame video. ―It‘s back-to-back wins against division opponents and three in a row. It‘s been a Here in the last week in December, I‘m not going to say any battle with the guys in here. We‘ve been putting 20 guys on the ice one game is crucial for the Blues. There is still more than three who are giving their all and we need that kind of effort here during months left on the schedule. So many games are left, so many the dog days during the middle of the . We need chances for injuries, so many chances for players to nothing different every single night. It‘s always big to return, get injured again. Who knows what the get two points every single night, and if you‘re not future holds for this team? They can only control in the Western Conference, you‘ll be sliding down the present and that‘s a win tonight against the the standings.‖ ‗Hawks. Unfortunately for the fans in blue tonight, The Blues enter tonight‘s game in eighth the Hawks are suddenly getting healthy. place in the Western Conference with 41 said after practice Monday that points. The ‗Hawks have 43 points, the he expects to dress for tonight‘s game. The same total as the Avalanche and Sharks but Blackhawks‘ website had the snappy headline in seventh thanks to the tiebreaking system. ―Kane is Able‖ on Monday night. The Hawks Doing the math for you, that‘s the final three were boosted by the return of Marian Hossa on playoff spots separated by one win. Behind the Sunday. Viktor Stalberg is also back from the Blues, Nashville and Anaheim are just one injured list giving lots of back and Phoenix and Columbus just two back. different options for who dresses and what the That means of the 14 other teams in the conference, TM lines look like. Reports from Hawks practice on seven of them are within two points of the Blues. At this point Monday have Kane playing with Serious, Jonny Toewes, in the season, that‘s crazy. And the situation adds importance to and Troy Brouwer. Blues killer Patrick Sharp practiced with Hossa any game against one of those eight teams, like tonight. and Wings‘ castoff Tomas Kopecky. Those are the guys the Blues But don‘t believe me about how big these late December will have to key on tonight. games are, take if from David Backes, the number two star from Whenever the ‗Hawks come to town, somehow the conversation Sunday‘s game (speaking of No. 42, how rare is it for the guy who almost always turns to a hope that the rivalry between the two scores all the goals in a game not get number one star?). In teams will grow into something close to what it was back in the speaking to the media after the game, Backes talked about the (Continued on page 26) Today’s Records, Injuries & News Today’s Team Records: Today’s Injuries: Today’s News & Notes:

Blues: Blackhawks: Blues: F T.J. Oshie (broken ankle), Blues sign Marek Svatos to two-way 18 -12-5 (41 points) 20-14-3 (43 points) F (concussion), LW/C contract. He first needs to first pass 3rd in Central 2nd in Central Andy McDonald (concussion) and C through waivers in order to play here. 8th in Western 7th in Western Dave Scatchard (knee) are out. Possible rain and warmer temperatures

could push back game time of Jan. 1 Last Ten Games: Blackhawks: RW Patrick Kane (left Winter Classic in Pittsburgh. Blues: Blackhawks: ankle, sandy vagina) is probable. G Corey 6-3-1 6-3-1 Crawford (illness) missed Sunday‘s Game Time staff glad this is a holiday game. week so we can do some serious Season Series: All-Time Series: drinking on a Tuesday. Ah, who are we 1-1-1 108-120-40-4 kidding? We drink every Tuesday.

CAUTION: St. Louis Game Time contains extreme sarcasm and less-than-gentle language. But it is a hockey paper, so you should just fucking get over it. Volume 6, Issue 19 December 28, 2010

This Blues-Blackhawks rivalry makes for some school Blackhawks fans. The college aged kids interesting experiences. I know that for some who don‘t even remember the days of Jeremy St. Louis Game Time fans, this is the biggest rivalry while for others, Roenick and Eddie Belfour and , Established: November 6, 2005 the Blues-Red Wings games are bigger. Myself, never mind the years of and St Louis, I became a fan literally at a Blues-‗Hawks Steve Larmer and beyond. They show up with Phone: 314-402-2266 game at the Arena, so these are the games I their bright red Kane and Toews jerseys and www.StLouisGameTime.com really love. I hate the Wings with passion, but they‘re ‗vintage‘ and ‗distressed‘ Blackhawks www.twitter.com/StLouisGameTime that rivalry is more one-sided than this one. hats that belie the fact that they were

The other big difference is that while I find purchased less than a year ago and they Godfather most of the Blackhawks fans to be talk trash that just misses the mark. Jeffio funny, I have yet to meet a Wings fan These guys‘ garbage shooters spew who was funny intentionally. forth with nothing but ripped-off Publisher & Editor-in-Chief retorts that usually revolve But I never thought that fans of Sean Gallagher the enemy would be people I‘d look around a win and our lack of such accolades. [email protected] forward to seeing. Sure, I‘m totally going to make fun of the guy here tonight On the plus side, they‘re shitty trash talkers, Coppy Editer wearing the headdress and fringy Indian so they have no recourse but to sit back down Maggie Ryan booties, but if I didn‘t see him or he stopped when someone yells, ―Sit down, Bandwagon!‖ coming to these games, I‘d miss him. Same or to just sit there and take it when someone in Distribution goes for the crusty old codgers wearing the seats in front of them turns around and John Nicolay equivalents of the celebrates a Blues by pretending to wack Amy Benoist, Becky Benoist, Cowboy‘s throwback jersey – those things off in their faces. I‘ve seen both of those Clarence Walker weren‘t purchased last year and look like old happen and they were hilarious. But these jerseys, those jerseys were acquired back in guys will get it eventually. If they can stick Columnists the days when fans didn‘t even wear jerseys to with the team when they take their inevitable Rick Ackerman, Nate the Great, Chris Gift, games. The old school ‗Hawk fans, for my dip and struggle through some of the rough Brad Lee, Answer Man & Brian Weidler money, are the best opposing team fans out times, they‘ll figure out how to roll with the there. They‘ve been through the bad times and figurative punches a little better. Besides, if Contributors they‘ve been through the near-misses. Now they stopped coming, I‘d really miss laughing Jeffio, Joe Barker, Jeff Browning, they‘ve even been through a good time or two. at all of their sideways-cocked trucker hats. Childhood Trauma, Melvin & Chris Reed

But the old ‗Hawk fans have the perspective The weirdest experience has been becoming Photographers You to talk some trash, take some trash talking and friends with the guys who run a paper like this continue to laugh and drink (and likely) smoke one up in Chicago for those ‗Hawks. But the Video Coach right through all of it. When their team is up, guys who put together The Committed Indian Patrick Shaw they‘re gonna let us know about it. When our are a lot like the guys who do the work here at team gets up, they‘ll sit there and take it. Hell, Game Time. Except that they follow an Mission: most of them can read this paper and laugh annoying team full of midget, shirtless, To rock your fucking world. about it without getting all butthurt and whiny blue-collar-worker-punching children and Failing that we hope to talk hockey and like their Detroit counterparts do. I like those too-serious-at-age-20, non-superstar, crack a couple jokes. guys a lot – their trash talk actually hurts the vomit-after-fights crybabies while we follow a Rights & Permissions: most because it‘s usually pretty good, but it‘s hockey team. But we‘ve gone up to Chicago All material printed herein is copyrighted earned. I‘d miss those guys if they stopped and seen them and bought their paper and and protected. Do not reprint without coming around too. they‘ve come down here and seen us and expressed, written permission from St. Louis Game Time, LLC. I‘m even starting to get used to the new (Continued on page 10)

Logos & Photos Team logos and pictures used herein are On The Concourse by Sean Gallagher the property of the individual teams and/or the NHL and are used solely for He was pissed that I said identification and editorial purposes. Patty Kane is a cocksucker. Today’s Weird Reference: ―Boys, you gotta learn not to talk to nuns that way.‖

Today’s Fake Name For The

Post-Game Call-In Show:

How‘d you get him to Clint Taurus

I showed him the pictures What happened with that shut up? on my cellphone. ‗Hawk fan? GAME TIME Page 3

Top 11 Conversations In The Blues Front Office

11. Just got a text from Perron. He wants his sticks First Period (True or False): to be made out of frog legs. 1. The incumbent Stanley Cup champion General 10. I talked to ‘s representative. He‘s Manager was named after the Stanley Cup. staying retired. Plus, he‘s fat. 2. A Sutter is the most recent person to have been both a 9. The guy in the big blue bear suit, he seems kind captain and a head coach of the Blues and the ‗Hawks. of athletic. How are his hands? First Intermission (T/F): 8. If you squint, it looks like a sellout. Put down 3. George Bailey‘s removal from life in ―It‘s a Wonderful 19,150. Life‖ had a weather ―butterfly effect‖. 7. Just got a text from McDonald. He wants to Second Period (Multiple Choice): legally change his name to Burger King. 4. Which player was not a Fighting Sioux teammate of 6. You get Pleau‘s latest e-mail? During our regular and T.J. Oshie: Chris Porter, Drew staff meeting, he‘s scheduled his second nap of Stafford, or Zach Parise? the day. Bastard. 5. So we recruit guys who are playing in fucking 5. Jonathan Toews is the third-youngest captain in NHL Siberia in the middle of winter and all we get is history. is the youngest. Who was second Marek Svatos? Let‘s move on to Plan N. youngest: Gary Unger, Vincent Lecavalier, Alex Ovechkin, or ? 4. ‘s agent just laughed at me and then hung up. Second Intermission (Multiple Choice): 3. We need another actor to do commercials this 6. In the movie ―Heaven Can Wait‖ Warren Beatty played season. But we have no budget. I hear Carrot a quarterback who was removed from life too soon. Top is cheap. What team did he QB: Rams, Cardinals, Bears, or 2. So I think we‘re all in agreement that the pay Raiders? half your season tickets after we make the Third Period (Know It or Blow It): playoffs was in fact not a good idea. Lesson 7. The Blues and the Blackhawks both have a first overall learned. pick on their roster. Which first overall pick is the most 1. You know Mike Danton is a free agent. recent to have played with both teams? 8. Which Blues alumnus did the ‗Hawks bring up and then From the Empty Beer Cup of Brad Lee send back down this week? 9. The Wirtz family previously co-owned which NHL team before the Blackhawks? ! 10. The ‗Hawks ended the second-longest Cup drought ever last season. Three teams now share the current active drought, which is already the third-longest in NHL

history. Name all three teams currently tied for third.

neither the Kings nor Blues have ever won it. won ever have Blues nor Kings the neither  Game Time would

10. The Kings, Blues and Leafs. The Leafs last won in 1967 and and 1967 in won last Leafs The Leafs. and Blues Kings, The 10. like to apologize in years. for Wings Red the by table, the under run, been

group, the pair would eventually take over the Blackhawks who had had who Blackhawks the over take eventually would pair the group, advance for spilling

9. Original partner of James E. Norris and his Red Wing ownership ownership Wing Red his and Norris E. James of partner Original 9. our beer on the

8. Hannu Toivonen. Hannu 8. ‗Hawks fan in front

7. , who was Detroit‘s first overall pick in 1986. in pick overall first Detroit‘s was who Murphy, Joe 7. of us. Twice.

6. He was the Los Angeles Rams QB. Rams Angeles Los the was He 6.  Game Time printed

5. The second youngest captain was Vincent Lacavalier. Vincent was captain youngest second The 5. the wrong picture

4. Zach Parise played with Chris Porter, but not Oshie and Toews. and Oshie not but Porter, Chris with played Parise Zach 4. of fans watching

never was, which is, by definition, a butterfly effect. butterfly a definition, by is, which was, never those boring ass

3. True. It is snowing when George lives, and not snowing when he he when snowing not and lives, George when snowing is It True. 3. Predators on

Hawk player. For the Blues it was . Brian was it Blues the For player. Hawk Sunday in the last

2. False. Denis Savard was the most recent head coach to have been a a been have to coach head recent most the was Savard Denis False. 2. issue. The correct Finals. 1973 the in ‗Hawks the beat Canadiens 1. True. promised to name his son Stanley his his Stanley son his name to promised Bowman Scotty True. 1. picture is shown here. Send daypictures to your game [email protected] [email protected]

Photo courtesy of Breibird

Photo courtesy of GT reader Drew D’Angelo and see here. them printed

Photo courtesy of GT reader Breibird

Photo courtesy of GT reader Drew D’Angelo

Photo courtesy of Breibird GAME TIME Page 5

With Chris Gift

Brad Boyes has disappeared. David Perron hasn‘t played With two goals and four assists, his six points put him 16th on since the first week of November. T.J. Oshie‘s fractured the Canadiens. If he were still a Blue with those numbers, he ankle has had him out since November 10. The team has would have a point more than Barret Jackman, as many also been without Andy McDonald since the beginning of points as Winchester and one less than McClement. December. After the past two trades the Blues have made with The Blues rank 20th in the league in goals per game , I‘m wondering if Francophone Pierre Gauthier will (2.12), and 25th in power play efficiency (15.8%). The team‘s start answering the phone in French and say he doesn‘t speak 81.6% on the kill is around the middle of the pack. English the next time the Blues come a-calling. David Backes leads the Blues with 28 points. Entering Last March 3, the Blues sent Aaron Palushaj to Montreal rd Monday‘s games, that was only good for a tie for 43 in the for Matt D‘Agostini. D‘Agostini is tied for third on the Blues scoring race. Twenty-one teams have players with more with eight goals. Palushaj has five goals for the Habs‘ AHL points than Backes does. ‘s 17 points leads affiliate. the Blues defensemen, but only ties him for 30th among defensemen. The past two deals have netted the Blues Halak and D‘Agostini in exchange for Eller, Palushaj and Ian Schultz. Jay McClement is still the team‘s shut down center, and I Like Palushaj, Schultz is in Hamilton. He‘s played in 20 have all the confidence in Silent Jay to stifle the opposition‘s games for the Bulldogs and hasn‘t scored yet. top line or power play in any situation, but his minus-14 rating is the worst on the team by five (Brad Winchester is (Continued on page 10) minus-9). His five goals this season are somewhat deceiving since he is the only Blue with a hat trick this year, potting three at home against Atlanta back on October 30. The Jeffio Joke of the Day At one time the Blues were 9-1-2 and atop the NHL standings. Including this three-game winning streak, the Patrick Kane boarded an airliner, took his seat, and Blues are 9-10-4 since the inferno of a start. The 12-4-2 was surprised to find a large purple parrot in the seat record at home is pretty damn good, but the 6-8-3 road next to him. After the plane took off, a pretty flight record has to improve. After this homestand ends on attendant walked down the aisle past Kane and his Sunday, the Blues will have played half of the home seat mate. schedule, but have 24 road games left. Places where the Blues don‘t usually play all that well still loom. The Blues ―Hey, bitch,‖ said the parrot, ―Bring me a of still have to go to San Jose, Colorado and Los Angeles twice, bourbon, and make it snappy!‖ plus the normal Western trip. The stewardess looked annoyed, but said nothing. A From time to time, we run ―The List‖ on Page Six, listing minute later, she came back up the aisle, and the all the players who have ever played in a game for the Blues. parrot piped up again: ―Hey, you lazy whore; where‘s This year, we‘ve added such household names as Adam my whiskey? Hurry it up!‖ Cracknell, Dave Scatchard, Stefan Della Rovere, Nikita Nikitin, Nicholas Drazenovic and . Visibly flustered, the stewardess hurried up the aisle Want to guess which team holds the eighth spot in the and returned quickly with the parrot‘s drink. Western Conference? Impressed with the parrot‘s technique, Kane decided to get some quick service himself. I spent all these words dooming and glooming as much as possible about the state of the team. But I can‘t help but be ―Hey, slut,‖ said Kane, ―Get me a dry martini. And confident about where this team is and what might be don‘t drag your sorry ass. I want it right now!‖ happening around these digs this spring. The stewardess turned red with anger and ran to the I‘ll be a little bit of a homer here and say that Jaroslav front of the plane. In a moment she came back with the Halak has to be the best off-season acquisition in the league. First Officer and two burly male flight attendants. The While backs up Ondrej Pavelec and has a 7-6-2 crewmen seized Kane and the parrot, jerked open the record with an awful GAA of 3.69, Halak sits at 14-10-4 with four and, assuming he starts tonight, he‘ll go over emergency door, and threw them both out of the the 1,700 minute mark. Those four shutouts tie him for airplane at 20,000 feet. third in the league with ex-Hab teammate and As the two hurtled out the door, the parrot said to Blues killer Tomas Vokun of the . Kane, ―Ya know, for someone who can‘t fly, you got a With maybe the coolest middle name going, Lars lotta balls.‖ Fosgaard Eller has played in 35 of Montreal‘s 36 games. Black Hawks Suck GAME TIME Page 7

With Jeff Browning There is no point in talking about the Blackhawks without roster, and a dagger to my heart. Ryan Johnson was signed as a talking about Joel Quenneville. Face it, Chicago people, your free agent on December 19th. Although the 34-year-old has team would be nothing without him. Coach Q—paired with only broken double-digit points five times in his career, he his newly reunited assistant coach Mike always put out 200% on the ice. In 2007-08, his final season Kitchen—is arguably the best coach in with the Blues, he led all forwards in the league in blocked Blues‘ history, posting a record of 307-191 shots with 123 (the runner-up only had 70), and he was always -77-18 (.598 winning percentage) in 593 towards the top in that category in his five seasons with games. Those are all Blues records. Now St. Louis. The Hawks likely signed him because their entire he is on his way to setting some Blackhawk team was depleted by injury, but R.J. broke every bone in his coaching records in only his third season. body the past two years in , most of them in one play. Thankfully for him, none his predecessors set much of a Speaking of injuries, T.J. Oshie (also Chris Porter, don‘t benchmark. The last coach only lasted four games. forget about him) played college hockey with Jonathan Toews Now he has a Stanley Cup ring following last year‘s 52-win at the University of North Dakota, also Ryan Johnson‘s alma season. In 1999-2000, he won 51 games with the Blues (plus mater. And Patrick Kane (also Jack Skille, don‘t forget about 11 ties which wouldn‘t exist now), so we had a championship him) has a lot of international juniors team right in front of us. If only, if only, if only. . . We can‘t experience with . even blame Roman Turek anymore, because look at the You know it‘s been a bad year for football craptasic duo the Hawks had last year. when da Bears are one of the best teams in the Q isn‘t the only great coach who just wasn‘t great enough league. Seriously, have you watched them play with the Blues. Forty years ago, Scotty Bowman took the this year? If the playoffs started now, Chicago Blues to a couple of Finals in his first coaching job. St. Louis would have the first round bye, and the Rams dropped him thinking he would never amount to much, and will be taking on someone. We don‘t who, but we do know they the Blues would be right back in the Finals the next year. will be the better team (we also all know Seattle doesn‘t stand a Today, Bowman is the assistant GM to his son in Chicago, chance next week). So in the second round, after they steal one and with last year‘s win, he now owns 12 Stanley Cup rings at home, it‘s the Rams versus Bears. My early pick for MVP: Jay between being a coach and an executive. Cutler, for his four touchdown passes to St. Louis‘ Bradley The Blackhawks recently added both a former Blue to their Fletcher. It‘s time to believe, Rams fans.

With Melvin Playing at HawksSuckCentre 12-4-2 is Barely Breathing 18-12-5 Playing on the road 6-8-3 Leading after the 1st 7-1-3 Needing more Backes & Steen 18-12-5 Tied after the 1st 9-5-2 They score first 14-3-3 Trailing after the 1st 2-6-0 The other team scores first 4-9-2 "Accidentaly" spilling beer on 'Hawks fans 1-0-0 They score 4 or more goals 8-1-0 Leading after the 2nd 11-2-0 They score fewer than 4 goals 10-11-5 Tied after the 2nd 6-1-5 They score on the PP 9-5-2 Trailing after the 2nd 1-9-0 FTBH 18-12-5 Wearing the Thirds 5-2-0 They score shorthanded 3-1-0 Fight! Fight! Fight! 9-8-3 A Blues players has multiple goals 7-1-1 Concussed 18-12-5 An opposing player has multiple goals 0-8-1 They are called for 7 or more penalties 6-5-0 Vote For Silent J; He'd Vote For You 18-12-5 Other team called for 7 or more penalties 6-5-0 They played the day before 6-2-1 They take 30 or more shots 5-8-3 Playing on Sunday 3-0-0 They allow 30 or more shots 8-4-1 Playing on Monday 1-2-1 Jaroslav Halak starts 14-11-3 Playing on Tuesday 1-1-0 Ty Conklin starts 4-2-1 Playing on Wednesday 1-4-0 Playing the Eastern Conference 8-1-1 Playing on Thursday 5-1-1 Playing the Atlantic Division 4-0-0 Playing on Friday 2-1-0 Playing the Northeast Division 2-0-0 Playing on Saturday 5-3-3 Playing the Southeast Division 2-1-1 Playing in October 6-1-2 Playing the Western Conference 10-11-4 Playing in November 6-7-1 Playing the Central Division 6-5-2 Playing in December 6-4-2 Playing the Northwest Division 1-2-1 Blowing a 2 goal lead 2-0-2 Playing the Pacific Division 3-4-1 Happy RJ is back in the NHL 3-2-0 "Sorry that we hurt their feelings." ~Jackman 18-12-5 Volume 6, Issue 19 Page 8 December 28, 2010

by billy pilgrim

St. Louis hockey fans have truly enjoyed a very happy allowing an average of two goals a game against. holiday season with superb home victories over divisional These two glamorous teams would meet up again four and archrivals Detroit and Nashville before and after a white a half years later at the old St. Louis Arena in an exhibition Christmas. Patrik Berglund, David Backes and Jaro Halak game on Sunday, October 3, 1965. It would be the first live were Santa‘s primary helpers, gifting Blues Nation with NHL game this young high school junior ever attended. It timely goals and unbelievable saves to tough out those two filled my head with grand visions of flashing skates and hard-earned wins. The undermanned, hard-working Blues clacking sticks, speedy figures in colorful uniforms propelling have found a way to hold third period leads, execute a a rubber biscuit with amazing dexterity at a small net disciplined game plan and triumph over the protected by a stodgy, armored guardian. At adversity of injuries. They can complete the the same time, these knights of the ice would divisional trifecta with more of the same hit and bash each other with their bodies, against the visiting creating a cacophony of grace and violence tonight. unmatched by any other sport this young The Hawks are currently one of the hockey pilgrim had ever witnessed. It was NHL‘s glamour teams due to their Stanley mesmerizing, as well as addicting. Oh, yes, I Cup championship last year and a potent had seen Chicago‘s farm team, the St. Louis offense led by Patrick Kane, Jonathan Braves, for several years, but this was an NHL Toews, Patrick Sharp, and defensemen game. Naturally, I rooted for the Blackhawks, and Duncan Keith. ―The and was not disappointed as Bobby and Madhouse on Madison‖ is packed for every Dennis Hull each scored spectacular goals, as home game and tickets are hard to come by did Wharram and Len Lunde. Detroit‘s Roger nowadays. It wasn‘t always like this in Crozier was amazing in goal, making 37 saves Chicago, though. For most of their history, for the losing Red Wings. and the Blackhawks were the league‘s perennial Dave Dryden only allowed goals to the Red doormat, only winning four Cups in their Wings‘ and Billy Harris. Gordie long history. When the NHL expanded into Howe was a goal short of a ― Hat the U.S. in 1926, the owner, Chicago coffee Trick‖ as he roughed it up with Hawks‘ tycoon Frederic McLaughlin, named the club the Black defenseman John Miszuk and set up Ullman‘s goal. The Hawks after the 86th Infantry Division in which he served occasion also marked my first autographs from NHL players, during World War I. It took his expansion team eight years those of and Gordie Howe on the program I still to win the Stanley Cup, which they did again in 1938, but treasure. from there, it was all pretty dismal for more than twenty Of course I made it to a couple of games In Old Chicago at years until 1961. That was the year Bobby Hull and Glenn the Stadium during the 1970s, yet they did not measure up to Hall led the Hawks to a Stanley Cup championship In Old that first game at the Old Barn in St. Louis. And I attended Chicago. games in both St. Louis and Chicago during the 1990s when That edition of the Blackhawks would turn out to be the rivalry became a lot more frenetic and intense, especially something very special. The regular season was nothing in the playoffs. That heated atmosphere is long gone, though. much as the Blackhawks finished third, a distant 15 points It‘s just that Patty Kane is no Bobby Hull, Jonny Toews is no behind and 17 behind Montreal. They had an , and certainly is no Glenn Hall in excellent foundation on defense led by , Moose my eyes. Nor are , Jeremy Roenick, Chris Chelios Vasko, Al Arbour and Glenn Hall, yet had or Eddie Belfour around anymore to razz and curse. It‘s just problems scoring. That would change late in the schedule as not the same today. young guns Hull, Stan Mikita and Bill Hay would propel the Nonetheless, this should be a pretty entertaining game. team into the playoffs, upsetting the favored Maple Leafs. The Blues are on a three-game roll, playing tight-checking They would meet Gordie Howe and the Red Wings, who had playoff-type hockey, scoring just enough to win games behind stunned the defending Cup champion (five years in a row) superior goaltending from the Halak-ness Monster. Chicago Canadiens. Led by Mikita‘s six goals, Chicago won the series has also been playing well, currently on a four-game roll, in six games, embarrassing Detroit 5-1 to take the Cup in outscoring Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville and Columbus 15 front of a stunned Olympia crowd. Hull had a stellar series to 5 in those victories. as well, scoring four goals and ten assists in 12 games. All-Star defenseman Pilote led Chicago scoring with three Hoping to see the Blues blow by the Blackhawks on the ice goals and an amazing 12 assists. Veterans Murray Balfour, and (technically) in the standings tonight, I am: Ab McDonald and provided solid billy pilgrim, time and space traveler secondary scoring and Hall was spectacular in goal, only Volume 6, Issue 19 December 28, 2010 Page 9 The Big Johnson Joke of the Day Hey, ShitCockOh, wanna know how big my Johnson is? My Johnson is so big, it was once the Pick a numbered puck and read your fortune below! ambassador to China. My Johnson is so big, it rigged mayoral elections for years. My Johnson is so big, I have to cook it breakfast in the mornings.

The Roman Polak Joke of the Day

One night Roman Polak called in total exasperation. ―You‘ve got to come over here and help me,‖ he pleaded, ―I‘m working on this puzzle and it‘s making me crazy. None of the pieces fit together, the edges are all crooked and it doesn‘t look anything like the box.‖ ―What‘s it a picture of?‖ asked Boyes. ―A big rooster,‖ said Polak. Boyes wanted to help his friend so he drove over to Polak‘s place. He walked in, took one look at the table where the puzzle was laid out and said, ―Polak, put the 1. You will learn that security always corn flakes back in the box.‖ believes the Blues fan’s story after a fight with a ’Hawks fan. The BJ Crombeen Joke of the Day

One day in the ‗Hawks locker room, Patrick Sharp had a 2. Lucky numbers for today: $9, 16 dare for his teammates. He knew a keeper at the ounces, 6 and .08. Chicago Zoo and he dared Jonathan Toews to get a BJ from a gorilla for $5,000 cash. ―I don‘t know,‖ said Toews, ―I‘ll 3. You should have worn your vomit- have to think about it.‖ resistant clothing tonight. The next day Toews came into the locker room and said he‘d be willing to do it on three conditions. 4. Nope, you’re reading the signals ―First, I don‘t want to have to right. Bluie is fucking asking for kiss the gorilla. Second, you guys some trouble tonight. can‘t tell anyone about this. ―And third, you‘re gonna have to give me another week to come up with the $5,000 in cash.‖ Volume 6, Issue 19 Page 10 December 28, 2010 NHL Leaders

NHL Leaders Points Goals Against Average Shootout Goals 1. Sidney Crosby, PIT 61 1. , BOS 1.68 1. , DAL 4 2. , TB 50 2. , LA 1.86 2. Alex Tanguay, CGY 4 3. Martin St. Louis, TB 47 3. Ondrej Pavelec, ATL 1.96 3. Brad Boyes, STL 3 4. , VAN 44 4. Brian Boucher, PHI 2.11 4. Thomas Vanek, BUF 3 5. Daniel Sedin, VAN 43 5. Carey Price, MTL 2.27 5. Cal O'Reilly, NAS 3

Goals Save Percentage Rookie Points 1. Sidney Crosby, PIT 30 1. Tim Thomas, BOS 94.9% 1. , SJ 25 2. Steven Stamkos, TB 28 2. Ondrej Pavelec, ATL 93.9% 2. , CAR 25 3. Patrick Sharp, CHI 20 3. Jonathan Quick, LA 93.2% 3. , EDM 22 4. Corey Perry, ANA 19 4. , CAR 92.5% 4. Derek Stepan, NYR 22 5. Daniel Sedin, VAN 18 5. Carey Price, MTL 92.3% 5. Taylor Hall, EDM 21

Plus/Minus Wins Defensemen Points 1. Andrej Meszaros, PHI 20 1. Jimmy Howard, DET 19 1. , ATL 37 2. Sidney Crosby, PIT 18 2. Carey Price, MTL 19 2. Nicklas Lidstrom, DET 33 3. Dustin Brown, LA 18 3. Jonathan Quick, LA 18 3. Kris Letang, PIT 31 4. Kris Letang, PIT 18 4. Tim Thomas, BOS 17 4. John-Michael Liles, COL 29 5. Toni Lydman, ANA 18 5. Jonas Hiller, ANA 16 5. Tobias Enstrom, ATL 28

(Continued from page 5)

Was Eller overhyped? I‘m not so sure about that; (Continued from page 2) remember that Eller is still only 21, and still has a long way to bought ours. We compare notes about how shitty the weather is go before his career is all said and done. I‘m not sure where when we‘re out trying to make $17 on a Tuesday against Eller would have fit on the Blues. When all players are Nashville and about how funny it is when you make Red Wings healthy, he wouldn‘t have been a top six, or even a top nine fans upset with something you‘ve written. forward on this team. He sure doesn‘t fit the mold of a fourth- line player. On these 2010-2011 Blues, Eller wouldn‘t have A lot of the reason we continue to do this paper every season had a spot. He was billed as a flashy, top six forward. Top six is because of the experiences it brings to us. The great readers we forwards score more than six points in 35 games. get to meet who would do anything for us and the great fun it is to make someone laugh every once in a while. We‘ve met some But the Blues would be absolutely screwed if Mason was great people because of this ridiculous hobby, even if some of the team‘s goalie, or if or Jake Allen was them are Blackhawks fans. promoted to the Blues to tandem with Ty Conklin. So, tonight we hope once again to see a Blues win over our Funny how a three-game winning streak puts confidence in biggest rival. Along the way I plan to laugh at some new jacks, everyone associated with the team. But I‘m not satisfied with joke around with some old fans and ask them to please, please three. If the Blues win tonight it will be four in a row, with the help the kids with the too-tight Kane shirts and stupid trucker last three coming within the division. It will also put the Blues hats figure it all out. But if the Blues lose, somehow I think it‘ll even that much closer to the top of the conference. When still be a fun night at the rink. At the very least, I know I‘ll have a healthy, the Blues are good enough to be at the top of the funny email waiting for me from The Committed Indian. conference. When McDonald, Oshie and Perron come back, look out. Anything is possible. -Sean “No, Chelios used to play for you guys” Gallagher Contact: [email protected] Volume 6, Issue 19 December 28, 2010 Page 11

Team Comparisons

Blues Leaders Blackhawks Leaders Goals Alex Steen 11 Goals Patrick Sharp 20 Assists David Backes 19 Assists Duncan Keith 21 Points David Backes 28 Points Patrick Sharp 36 Plus/Minus Brewer/Backes 10 Plus/Minus Brian Campbell 12 PP Goals Three tied 3 PP Goals Sharp/Toews 7 Wins Jaroslav Halak 14 Wins 11 GAA Jaroslav Halak 2.34 GAA Corey Crawford 2.30 Save PCT Jaroslav Halak 91.6% Save PCT Corey Crawford 91.6%

Blues All-Time Leaders Blackhawks All-Time Leaders Games Played 927 Games Played Stan Mikita 1,394 Goals Brett Hull 527 Goals Bobby Hull 604 Points Bernie Federko 1,073 Points Stan Mikita 1,467 PIM Brian Sutter 1,873 PIM Chris Chelios 1,495 Goalie GP Mike Liut 347 Goalie GP 873 Wins Mike Liut 151 Wins Tony Esposito 418 GAA Jacques Plante 2.07 GAA Charlie Gardner 2.02 Shutouts Glenn Hall 16 Shutouts Tony Esposito 74

Blues Lookalike Blackhawks Lookalike

Adam Cracknell is new to Missouri, playing his first Sometimes you just look like an old lesbian and professional games. Poplar Bluff‘s Tyler Hansbrough sometime you are an old lesbian. Maybe someday left Missouri for college and is now playing Ellen Degeneres will have Marian Hossa on her show professional basketball in Indiana and really push the creep factor to 10.

Because Everyone Loves Looking At Numbers www.stlouisgametime.com Volume 6, Issue 19 Page 12 December 28, 2010 FightFight ClubClub By Donut King twitter.com/KingDonutI “The first rule of Fight Club is...” [email protected]

Tonight’s Matchup: It still irks me that we have to refer to the Chicago Blackhawks as the ―Defending Stanley Cup Champions.‖ So I try not to say anything about it. One of the main reasons it irks me is because this team is a shell of what they were LAST year at this time. Not even half as good, and certainly no more pugilistic. Yet, they‘re still ahead of the Blues in the standings. And that pisses me off. One thing the Blackhawks WILL do is fight against the Blues, while not really fighting against anyone else in the league. That makes my job a bit easier, thankfully. But seriously, the Blackhawks could rot in hell and die in a flaming pit of ashes and I wouldn‘t miss them.

St. Louis Blues Probable Fighters Blackhawks Probable Fighters

Chris Porter – He wants to prove his worth on this team,  – This guy, simply put, is an absolute monster. and he‘s doing so by playing a good checking role and being He‘s 6‘8, 260, and when he throws ‗em down, you just pray he defensively responsible. But the dude can fight and hang with doesn‘t kill you. Just ask about that. His last ‗em, when he wants to. I like him for PRECISELY that reason. fight loss was last year, as a member of the Wild(s), to Brad Barret Jackman – I was thinking yesterday that I had not Winchester. seen SIR JAXX fight in a while. This needs to change, and Jacob Dowell – He leads the Blackhawks with seven fights soon. Go to it, Barret! on the season, and in one of those fights, he got his shit David Backes – Maybe tonight instead of just potting two absolutely knocked in by B.J. Crombeen. Take from that what goals, he‘ll go ahead and go for the Gordie Howe Hat Trick: you will, but he‘s actually NOT that bad a fighter. goal, assist, fight. I would fucking love it if this happens. But Nick Boynton – I noted in the October 22nd issue of Game you knew that already. Time that Boynton likes to throw fists, but is not particularly good at it. Well, he‘s fought a whopping TWO times this season. TWO! Grow a pair, Nick.

Best bet of the night: Crombeen-Dowell rematch? Sure, why the fuck not, eh? – Donut King

Date Combatants Battle Decision All of these fights come from the nationally-televised November 30th blowout in Chicago. This fight was quick and dirty with lots of punches and not many hugs. In other words, Chris Porter vs. 11/30/2010 it was a good fight. The edge here COULD be given to Porter Draw Jeremy Morin for landing more punches, but I will call it a draw because it was a pretty even bout between an AHL lifer and a hot young prospect.

Honestly, Boynton didn't have much of a chance in this fight as "The Beej" pretty much kept him at arm's length at all B.J. Crombeen vs. times in this fight. As Crombeen likes to do, he spun round- 11/30/2010 Win: Crombeen Nick Boynton and-round with his opponent, getting punches in from time to time and preventing the opposition from getting close. An easy win for Beej.

What a mismatch this one was. I mean, Janssen had absolutely NO shot at winning this fight. But to Cam's credit, he DID hang right with the big man to the bitter end. Just vs. 11/30/2010 like in the Crombeen-Boynton tilt, though, Scott was able to Win: Scott John Scott keep Janssen beyond arm's reach at just about all times, getting a charity punch in occasionally. An easy win for the massive one. Franchise Foundations

St. Louis Blues Chicago Blackhawks Year Player Year Player 1999 Barret Jackman ~ Drafted 1st rd (17 overall) by STL 2002 Duncan Keith ~ Drafted in 2nd round, 54 overall by CHI 2001 Jay McClement ~ Drafted 2nd round (57 overall) by Brent Seabrook ~ Drafted in 1st round, 14 overall by 2003 David Backes ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (62 overall) by STL 2003 CHI Nikita Nikitin ~ Drafted in 5th rd (136 overall) by STL Corey Crawford ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (52 overall) by CHI 2004 Roman Polak ~ Drafted in 6th rd (180 overall) by STL ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (32 overall) by CHI T.J. Oshie ~ Drafted in 1st rd (24 overall) by STL Bryan Bickel ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (41 overall) by CHI 2004 2005 ~ Acquired from EDM with Jeff Woywitka Jake Dowell ~ Drafted in 5th rd (140 overall) by CHI and Doug Lynch for Chris Pronger Troy Brouwer ~ Drafted in 7th rd (214 overall) by CHI Erik Johnson ~ Drafted in 1st rd (1 overall) by STL Jack Skille ~ Drafted in 1st rd (7 overall) by CHI 2006 Patrik Berglund ~ Drafted in 1st rd (25 overall) by STL Niklas Hjalmarsson ~ Drafted in 4th rd (108 overall) by Brad Boyes ~ Acquired from BOS for Dennis 2005 CHI Wideman Patrick Sharp ~ Acquired with Eric Meloche from PHI Ian Cole ~ Drafted in 1st rd (18 overall) by STL for Matt Ellison and a 3rd rd pick in 2006 2007 David Perron ~ Drafted in 1st rd (26 overall) by STL Jonathan Toews ~ Drafted in 1st rd (3 overall) by CHI 2006 Chris Porter ~ Signed as Free Agent (CHI) Jordan Hendry ~ Signed as Free Agent (undrafted) Andy McDonald ~ Acquired from ANA for Doug 2007 Patrick Kane ~ Drafted in 1st rd (1 overall) by CHI Weight, Michal Birner and a 7th rd pick in 2008 2008 Brian Campbell ~ Signed as Free Agent (SJ) Tyson Strachan ~ Signed as Free Agent (CAR) Marian Hossa ~ Signed as Free Agent (DET) 2009 Cam Janssen ~ Acquired from NJ for Tomas Kopecky ~ Signed as Free Agent (DET) Alex Pietrangelo ~ Drafted in 1st rd (4 overall) by STL Jassen Cullimore ~ Signed as Free Agent (FLA) Brad Winchester ~ Signed as Free Agent (DAL) Nick Boynton ~ Acquired from ANA for future 2008 B.J. Crombeen ~ Claimed off waivers (DAL) considerations Alexander Steen ~ Acquired with Carlo Colaiacovo Viktor Stalberg ~ Acquired with and from TOR for Lee 'Dutchie' Stempniak Chris DiDomenico from TOR for and Bill 2010 Carlo Colaiacovo ~ Acquired with Alexander Steen Sweatt from TOR for Lee 'Dutchie' Stempniak John Scott ~ Signed as Free Agent (MIN) Ty Conklin ~ Signed as Free Agent (DET) Marty Turco ~ Signed as Free Agent (DAL) 2009 Adam Cracknell ~ Signed as Free Agent (CGY) Fernando Pisani ~ Signed as Free Agent (EDM) Matt D'Agostini ~ Acquired from MTL for Aaron Ryan Johnson ~ Signed as Free Agent (VAN) Palushaj Management / Coaching Jaroslav Halak ~ Acquired from MTL for Lars Eller and Mike Haviland - Assistant Coach 2008 2010 Ian Schultz Joel Quenneville - Head Coach Vladimir Sobotka ~ Acquired from BOS for David 2009 - Warsofsky 2010 Mike Kitchen ~ Assistant Coach Dave Scatchard ~ Signed as Free Agent (NAS) Management / Coaching - Assistant Coach 2006 Ray Bennett - Assistant Coach Davis Payne - Head Coach Scott Mellanby - Assistant Coach 2010 - General Manager Corey Hirsch - Goaltending Coach What’d McGrath For These Guys? St. Louis Game Time St. Louis Blues Rosters General Manager: Doug Armstrong Head Coach: Davis Payne and Statistics Assistant Coaches: Ray Bennett / Brad Shaw Scott Mellanby Volume 6, Issue 19 December 28, 2010 Goaltending Coach: Corey Hirsch

# Player Pos DOB Birth City S/P Ctry Ht Wt S Rk GP G A Pts +/- PIM TOI/G Salary 4 Eric Brewer D Apr 17 '79 Vernon BC CAN 75 220 L 35 5 3 8 10 42 22:09 $4,500,000 5 Barret Jackman D Mar 05 '81 Trail BC CAN 72 205 L 26 0 5 5 5 18 20:51 $4,000,000 6 Erik Johnson D Mar 21 '88 Bloomington MN USA 76 232 R 34 2 9 11 -3 23 22:30 $2,200,000 10 Andy McDonald C Aug 25 '77 Strathroy ON CAN 71 190 L 25 8 9 17 3 12 19:56 $5,200,000 15 Brad Winchester L Mar 01 '81 Madison WI USA 77 230 L 30 4 2 6 -9 56 10:16 $700,000 17 Vladimir Sobotka C Jul 02 '87 Trebic CZE 70 183 L 31 4 11 15 0 31 15:23 $750,000 18 Jay McClement C Mar 02 '83 Kingston ON CAN 73 205 L 35 5 2 7 -14 10 17:05 $1,450,000 20 Alexander Steen C Mar 01 '84 MB CAN 73 200 L 35 11 13 24 3 14 19:51 $2,750,000 21 Patrik Berglund C Jun 02 '88 Vesteras SWE 76 218 L 35 8 12 20 2 14 16:43 $765,000 22 Brad Boyes C Apr 17 '82 Mississauga ON CAN 72 204 R 35 7 10 17 2 22 17:29 $4,500,000 26 BJ Crombeen R Jul 10 '85 Denver CO USA 74 214 R 35 3 5 8 -9 66 13:42 $885,000 27 Alex Pietrangelo D Jan 18 '90 King City ON CAN 75 206 R 32 4 13 17 2 13 20:46 $875,000 28 Carlo Colaiacovo D Jan 27 '83 Toronto ON CAN 73 205 L 28 4 11 15 -7 11 18:08 $1,750,000 32 Chris Porter C May 29 '84 Toronto ON CAN 73 200 L 16 0 1 1 0 12 7:18 $575,000 33 Tyson Strachan D Oct 30 '84 Melfort SK CAN 74 215 R 19 0 1 1 -7 24 12:36 $600,000 36 Matt D'Agostini R Oct 23 '86 Sault Ste. Marie ON CAN 72 200 R 35 8 6 14 1 20 14:17 $550,000 38 Dave Scatchard C Feb 20 '76 Hinton AB CAN 75 220 R 8 0 1 1 1 6 4:45 $550,000 42 David Backes R May 01 '84 MN USA 75 225 R 35 9 19 28 10 54 19:37 $2,500,000 46 Roman Polak D Apr 28 '86 Ostrava CZE 73 227 R 11 1 1 2 4 6 19:35 $1,200,000 55 Cam Janssen R Apr 15 '84 St. Louis MO USA 72 215 R 19 0 0 0 -4 44 4:46 $600,000 57 David Perron L May 28 '88 Sherbrooke QC CAN 72 200 R 10 5 2 7 7 12 18:25 $1,800,000 74 TJ Oshie C Dec 23 '86 Mt. Vernon WA USA 71 195 R 13 1 9 10 3 6 19:01 $850,000 79 Adam Cracknell R Jul 15 '85 Prince Albert SK CAN 73 216 R Y 5 0 1 1 1 0 6:34 $500,000 TOTALS 89 146 235 1 516 $40,050,000 # Player DOB Birth City S/P Ctry Ht Wt C Rk GP W L OT SO GAA Sv% Salary 29 Ty Conklin Mar 30 '76 Anchorage AK USA 73 192 L 8 4 2 1 1 3.28 88.1% $1,400,000 41 Jaroslav Halak May 13 '85 Bratislava SVK 71 185 L 28 14 10 4 4 2.34 91.6% $2,750,000 TOTALS 18 12 5 5 $4,150,000 $44,200,000

14

Legend: S:Shoots; C: Catches; Rk: Rookie (any player who has played fewer than 25 games in the previous season or fewer than 26 in the previous two years

Page and has not reached age 26); GP: Games Played; G: Goals; A: Assists; Pts: Points; PIM: Penalties in Minutes; TOI/Game: average Time On Ice per Game.

15

Page Chicago Blackhawks Rosters General Manager: Stan Bowman Head Coach: Joel Quenneville and Statistics Assistant Coaches: Mike Haviland / Mike Kitchen Goaltending Coach: Stephane Waite

# Player Pos DOB Birth City S/P Ctry Ht Wt S Rk GP G A Pts +/- PIM TOI/G Salary 2 Duncan Keith D Jul 16 '83 Winnipeg MB CAN 73 196 L 37 3 21 24 -5 10 26:50 $8,000,000 4 Niklas Hjalmarsson D Jun 06 '87 Eksjo SWE 75 205 L 35 1 2 3 0 19 19:12 $3,500,000 5 Jassen Cullimore D Dec 04 '72 Simcoe ON CAN 77 235 L 31 0 7 7 6 6 13:01 $500,000 6 Jordan Hendry D Feb 23 '84 Lanigan SK CAN 72 197 L 17 1 0 1 -2 4 9:59 $600,000 7 Brent Seabrook D Apr 20 '85 Richmond BC CAN 75 218 R 37 3 18 21 0 20 24:34 $3,500,000 10 Patrick Sharp L Dec 27 '81 Winnipeg MB CAN 73 199 R 36 20 16 36 -6 12 19:42 $4,100,000 15 Fernando Pisani R Dec 27 '76 Edmonton AB CAN 73 205 L 29 5 5 10 0 8 13:19 $500,000 17 Ryan Johnson C Jun 14 '76 ON CAN 73 199 L 3 0 0 0 -1 0 8:05 $500,000 19 Jonathan Toews C Apr 29 '88 Winnipeg MB CAN 74 210 L 37 15 18 33 7 10 20:54 $6,500,000 20 Jack Skille R May 19 '87 Madison WI USA 73 215 R 36 6 8 14 4 23 11:10 $600,000 22 Troy Brouwer L Aug 17 '85 Vancouver BC CAN 74 214 R 37 9 12 21 2 14 14:59 $1,050,000 24 Nick Boynton D Jan 14 '79 Nobleton ON CAN 73 218 R 35 0 6 6 3 32 16:20 $500,000 25 Viktor Stalberg L Jan 17 '86 Gothenburg SWE 75 210 L 33 6 7 13 -2 16 12:20 $785,000 28 Jake Dowell C Mar 04 '85 Eau Claire WI USA 72 199 L Y 37 4 10 14 10 45 12:07 $550,000 29 Bryan Bickell L Mar 09 '86 ON CAN 76 223 L Y 34 10 10 20 5 17 13:53 $500,000 32 John Scott L Sep 26 '82 Edmonton AB CAN 80 258 L 28 0 1 1 -2 38 6:36 $500,000 36 Dave Bolland C Jun 05 '86 Mimico ON CAN 72 181 R 30 5 8 13 3 24 17:43 $3,375,000 51 Brian Campbell D May 23 '79 Strathroy ON CAN 72 189 L 24 1 10 11 12 2 22:34 $7,142,857 81 Marian Hossa R Jan 12 '79 Stara Lubovna SVK 73 210 L 22 8 12 20 5 14 19:50 $7,900,000 82 Tomas Kopecky R Feb 05 '82 Ilava SVK 75 203 L 36 6 15 21 -7 32 16:42 $1,200,000 88 Patrick Kane R Nov 19 '88 Buffalo NY USA 70 178 L 28 11 16 27 -4 12 18:48 $6,500,000 TOTALS 114 202 316 28 358 $58,302,857 # Player DOB Birth City S/P Ctry Ht Wt C Rk GP W L OT SO GAA Sv% Salary 30 Marty Turco Aug 13 '75 Sault Ste. Marie ON CAN 71 184 L 21 9 8 2 1 2.96 89.9% $1,300,000 50 Corey Crawford Dec 31 '84 Montreal QC CAN 74 200 L Y 18 11 6 1 0 2.31 91.6% $850,000 TOTALS 20 14 3 1 $2,150,000 $60,452,857

Legend: S:Shoots; C: Catches; Rk: Rookie (any player who has played fewer than 25 games in the previous season or fewer than 26 in the previous two years and has not reached age 26); GP: Games Played; G: Goals; A: Assists; Pts: Points; PIM: Penalties in Minutes; TOI/Game: average Time On Ice per Game. Volume 6, Issue 19 Page 16 December 28, 2010 NHL Referee Statistics

2010-2011 Since 2007 1st O O No. Born Blues Blues Blues Blues Blues Blues Game W L T W L T Games PP PK Games PP PK L L 3 Leggo, Mike North Bay, ON 1997 2 4 6 1 0 1 21 84 79 11 7 3 4 McCauley, Wes Georgetown, ON 2003 8 23 29 4 3 1 5 Rooney, Chris Boston, MA 2000 1 3 5 0 1 0 20 82 92 6 9 5 7 McCreary, Bill Guelph, ON 1984 1 4 4 1 0 0 15 67 67 6 8 1 8 Jackson, Dave Montreal, PQ 1990 4 19 21 3 1 0 16 66 72 10 6 0 9 O'Rourke, Dan , AB 1999 2 12 5 1 0 1 12 60 44 4 4 4 10 Devorski, Paul Guelph, ON 1989 2 6 9 0 2 0 13 57 59 4 7 2 11 Sutherland, Kelly Richmond, BC 2000 3 9 10 1 2 0 14 46 50 4 9 1 12 St. Pierre, Justin Dolbeau, PQ 2003 3 12 8 3 0 0 14 59 55 11 1 2 13 O'Halloran, Dan Essex, ON 1995 2 11 7 0 1 1 18 87 98 9 7 2 14 LaRue, Dennis Savannah, GA 1991 3 14 12 2 1 0 17 68 66 7 6 4 15 Auger, Stephane Montreal, PQ 2000 2 7 8 0 1 1 19 91 102 9 8 2 16 Pochmara, Brian Detroit, MI 2006 4 24 17 3 1 0 20 86 97 11 5 4 17 L'Ecuyer, Frederick Tois Riveres, PQ 2007 2 5 7 0 2 0 5 16 16 1 4 0 18 Kimmerly, Greg Toronto, ON 1996 2 4 8 0 1 1 21 73 86 8 9 4 19 Dwyer, Gord Halifax, NS 2003 2 4 6 1 1 0 19 77 70 9 9 1 20 Peel, Tim Toronto, ON 1999 4 10 11 3 1 0 23 82 85 11 9 3 21 VanMassenhoven, Don Parkhill, ON 1993 15 66 79 10 3 2 23 Watson, Brad Regina, Sas 1996 1 3 4 0 1 0 17 72 85 6 8 3 24 Walkom, Stephen North Bay, ON 1990 1 4 4 0 0 1 4 18 17 2 1 1 25 Joannette, Marc Verdun, PQ 1999 3 11 12 2 0 1 15 60 66 6 6 3 26 Martell, Rob Winnipeg, MB 1996 1 5 6 1 0 0 18 78 89 12 5 1 27 Furlatt, Eric Trois-Rivieres, PQ 2001 4 14 12 3 1 0 18 70 78 8 8 2 28 Lee, Chris St John, NB 2001 3 16 11 2 0 1 21 97 97 7 11 3 29 Walsh, Ian Philadelphia, PA 2000 2 7 10 2 0 0 15 56 67 7 8 0 30 Hasenfratz, Mike Regina, SK 2000 6 19 20 3 2 1 32 Kowal, Tom Vernon, BC 2000 3 12 10 0 3 0 17 66 73 6 8 3 33 Pollock, Kevin Kincardine, ON 2000 1 6 4 0 0 1 17 64 70 8 7 2 34 Meier, Brad Dayton, OH 1999 2 3 10 0 2 0 19 74 71 8 8 3 36 Morton, Dean Peterborough, ON 2000 1 3 8 1 0 0 13 54 63 8 4 1 37 Rehman, Kyle Stettler, AB 2008 1 4 4 0 0 1 5 19 18 3 0 2 38 St Laurent, Francois Greenfield Park, PQ 2006 2 13 7 2 0 0 10 48 43 5 3 2 40 Kozari, Steve Penticton, BC 2006 3 9 15 2 1 0 19 84 85 12 7 0 41 Ciamaga, Chris Buffalo, NY 2008 2 8 10 1 1 0 43 Jean Hebert Bouctouche, NB 2010 44 Banfield, Steve Halifax, NS 2008 1 4 4 1 0 0 4 20 16 3 1 0 45 Marcus Vinnerborg , SWE 2010 46 Charron, Francis Gatineau, PQ 2010 1 6 6 1 0 0 49 Hebert, Ghislain Dieppe, NB 2009 2 6 7 1 1 0 3 9 15 2 1 0 TOTALS 35 134 136 18 12 5 1056 1118 122 ## 34 NHL Linesmen

# Name # Name # Name # Name # Name 47 Schachte, Dan 65 Racicot, Pierre 74 Cameron, Lonnie 84 Sericolo, Tony 93 Murphy, Brian 50 Cherrey, Scott 66 Gibbs, Darren 75 Amell, Derek 86 Lazarowich, Brad 94 Pancich, Bryan 54 Devorski, Greg 67 Champoux, Pierre 76 Cormier, Michel 88 Cvik, Mike 95 Murray, Jonny 55 Heyer, Shane 68 Driscoll, Scott 77 Nowak, Tim 89 Miller, Steve 96 Brisebois, David 56 Wheler, Mark 70 Nansen, Derek 78 Mach, Brian 90 McElman, Andy 97 Morin, Jean 57 Sharrers, Jay 71 Kovachik, Brad 80 Nelson, Thor 91 Henderson, Don 59 Barton, Steve 73 Rody, Vaughan 82 Galloway, Ryan 92 Shewchyk, Mark GAME TIME Page 17 St. Louis Game Time Scorecard

St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks; Tuesday, December 28 2010

Referee: ______Referee: ______

Linesman: ______Linesman: ______

Shots Score Team 1st 2d 3rd OT SO F Team 1st 2d 3rd OT SO F

Hawks Hawks

Blues Blues

Blues Starting Lineup Goal Scoring

C: Per. Time Team Goalscorer 1st Assist 2nd Assist LW: RW: D: D: G:

Blackhawks Starting Lineup C: LW: RW: Penalties Called D: Per. Time Team Penalized Player Penalty D: G:

Three Stars of the Game 1st Star: 2nd Star: 3rd Star:

Other Stars of the Game GWG: GW Goalie: Hard Hat:

Game Notes: Volume 6, Issue 19 Page 18 December 28, 2010

Dear Answer Man, This HBO show can do this for us, right? So when there is I was listening to Radio the other finally the chance to have an incredible vehicle to showcase day. They were talking about the HBO 24/7 special that is talent, characters and operations of an actual NHL team, the putting together the run up to the Winter Classic. mamby pamby players take issue because they are Apparently since the Capitals are in a nose dive right now, ―distracted.‖ This makes me throw up in my butt a little. some of the players have been complaining about all of the I can hear you bellyachers now, ―Answer, we need to access the HBO crews are getting. There are also rumors respect the players‘ game day preparation because it could that the players didn’t want to wear microphones during cause the product to suffer.‖ This lack of mental toughness is their game against the Rangers when they got beat 7-1. a problem. And, none of this should be up to the players. It‘s Apparently the microphones and prep took away from their their job. They don‘t write the checks, they cash them. The pregame focus. With all of that being said, is this potentially product will suffer? Puh-lease. Do you think I tell Fat Russell a union issue for the players? Does it seem as though the that it is too late at night for me to come to his house, pick up league is telling them to march in line a garbage bag of ―none of your business‖ to drop off at some and take it? obscure dumpster in North Co behind a strip mall? Hell no, I -Collin (Hannibal-MO) don‘t. I say, yes sir, and on the first and the fifteenth of every month he thanks me with a check. If I didn‘t do this, there are 100 other North Co tough guys who would do this. I gotta Collin, I had no idea this was even an stay fresh, tight and let everyone know I‘m all about getting‘ issue. Let me get this straight. These down and rockin‘ hard. ―professional‖ athletes feel as though I think this idea of the HBO special is a great idea. I‘m putting a microphone in their bummed that we don‘t have HBO at the Answer House. Just equipment will distract them? You like Answer Mom tells me, people who get HBO live on their mean to tell me that these grown ass own, don‘t get to take up a whole basement with their friends men are that easily distracted? Well, looking back maybe and have sit-around-fun-time chest bumping. People with they were distracted when you look at how the team played HBO can be all fancy and not spill paint in the garage or as they got ―penetrated‖ by the Rangers that afternoon. I probably don‘t take their dogs on float trips or get their dogs don‘t buy it though. Seems to me like these players are sugar gliders and name the glider after a 1980s mega pop looking for any excuse to explain a ridiculous losing streak. star (El Debarge for you not in the know). There is more at play here though. I have gone on record I just hope that HBO puts this show out on DVD so I can many times before that a players‘ union is absolute garbage have my mom buy it for me for my birthday. This is one of and such a dated idea. These guys need to realize they are the greatest things the league has ever decided to do. The employees, first and foremost. I know this notion flies in the players should be damn happy that an opportunity like this face of my/our punk rock ethos around GT/Answer Nation has presented itself. Stuff your sorries in a sack and let the but the players‘ union can suck it as far as I‘m concerned. cameras role. Bababooey to you all. The NHL is the worst marketed major professional sports league out there. At one time televised poker had higher ratings. Even the insultingly lowbrow NASCAR markets itself and its drivers better than any hockey team ever has. The Send your questions: [email protected] NHL seemingly will never, ever, get it. The league agreed to Follow him on Twitter: @GTAnswerManNoCo bring in the HBO dudes and why not, right? Unobstructed access to all things locker room. This is a fan‘s wet dream; to be ―in the room‖ is what we have hard-ons for. Just one glimpse of what happens in there. One little morsel to let us feel like we could potentially belong to the ―cool kids‘ club‖.

We’re Not Locked In Here With You... www.stlouisgametime.com GAME TIME Page 19 GAME TIME Page 19

By Nate the Great

Good to hear that Patrick Kane has recovered from Big ol‘ piece of shit number three: Fernando Pisani. injuring his ankle falling off the B-holes bandwagon. What a piss-poor, piss ant name. Fernando is a perennial Hopefully the rest of Chicago can heal just as fast. Get it? fourth-line body filler, and he‘s performing up to ability so far You‘re all bandwagon fans, Shitcago! Ba dum, cha! God, this year, with a measly five goals and five assists in 29 games. you‘re pieces of shit, and so‘s your hockey team. How terrible. Once upon a time, I attended a Blues-Hawks game in You know who‘s actually good for the ‗Hawks? That Chicago, wearing my Blues jersey. We shut them out, and I Dustin Byfuglien kid. He‘s got a booming slapper and is jumped up after every goal the Blues scored (keep in mind, scoring like a motherfucker, hits like a bull and is solidly in this was when we were still pretty crap-tacular post- plus territory as a great defender. Oh? What‘s that? You guys lockout). On the second goal of the game, I leapt up and fist hated him when he was a Blackhawk, your coach played him pumped, only to be hollered at my in the wrong position and you guys sent some inbred douchenozzle him packing when you needed to shed Chicagoan up farther in the section: salary? Stan Bowman, you aren‘t very ―Siddown, y’asshole!‖ Special in-print good at this, are you? How‘s Marty shout out to that guy: Suck on my left Reasoner looking? OH WAIT! You fucking nut, dude. Not too hard, traded him for JEFF FUCKING though. Daddy doesn‘t like it rough. TAFFE? Raise your hand if you And watch the teeth. remember Jeff Taffe, Blues fans. He was In the spirit of Chicago suckitude, I the Blues‘ first-round pick in 2000! Is he wanted to try a new take on the Fantasy any good, you ask? He posted one goal Factor today, instead talking to you and one assist in 21 games with the about the Brad Fucking Winches- Panthers last year. So in a word: no. ters of the Blackhawks‘ roster. Yep, I‘m Meanwhile, for the Blues, I think it‘s going to break down this team‘s time to go on T.J. Oshie watch in fantasy complete wastes of space and pieces of circles. We all saw the video of him shit. Why not just print the roster, you making some nice cuts on skates with say? Good point. So I‘ll pick out their both feet. Reports are that he skated ESPECIALLY SHITTY pieces of shit. There are no fantasy points about an hour. You tell me if you could do Big ol‘ piece of shit number one: awarded for vomiting, Toews. that just weeks after having a plate Marty Turco. Marty Turco has been a screwed into your ankle. His movement complete fantasy waste for several seasons now, even looked pretty fluid. If you‘ve got an extra though you might not have realized it until he started really injured-reserve spot for stashing a high-energy Oshie, you blowing dicks for the Hawks this year. He was a waste of a might look at stashing him there soon if he‘s been dropped in draft pick his past couple of years in Dallas, too. Now with a your league—and I‘m guessing he has, since everybody seems defending Stanley Cup team in front of him, including the to think he‘s out until March. Granted, that may still be the Norris-winning defenseman, the sieve has nine wins in 21 case—the Blues and Osh haven‘t said anything to the starts. NINE WINS. Let‘s put that in perspective. Nine— contrary—but it can never hurt to keep him on your radar in that‘s two more wins than there are WONDERS OF THE case word starts filtering out that he might be ready sooner WORLD. Also to put that in perspective, Turco has six than expected. penalty minutes—notice: three fewer PIMs than he has But for tonight, the focus is on bringing down the B-hawks. wins. What a complete waste of air. Not to mention dollars. Given the effort Captain Backes put into the last game Big ol‘ piece of shit number two: Niklas Hjalmarsson. against the Preds, combined with his propensity for A. Learn to spell your own fucking name correctly, asshat, pummeling Jonathan Toews, who then subsequently barfs, and B. Do something besides net yourself three points and I‘m really excited to watch the game you‘re about to see. I‘m an even rating if you‘re going to play in 35 games. calling a Gordie Howe Hat Trick from the artist formerly known as Chuck Norris.

...You’re Locked In Here With Us. St. Louis Game Time Volume 6, Issue 19 December 28, 2010

By Brian Weidler 2011 Draft: as part of Team USA‘s USHL schedule, and Gibson is 2-3-2 In the last few issues, ―Tomorrow‘s Blues‖ has focused on the in those games with a 2.84 GAA and 91.7%. top goaltending prospects available for the 2011 NHL Entry Gibson has signed a letter of intent to skate for Ohio State Draft. Tonight, we‘ll take the wraps off of our crystal ball and of the CCHA in 2011-12, which would suit the Blues to a ―T.‖ reveal our thoughts regarding the best of these prospects, With 25-year-old Jaroslav Halak in tow, the Blues are set at and how potential draft scenarios are likely to unfold. the NHL level for the foreseeable future. They also have two Round 1 quality prospects at AHL Peoria in Ben Recent trends: Since 2006, NHL Bishop and Jake Allen, plus a solid teams have tended to skip a year collegian in Paul Karpowich at when it comes to drafting goaltenders Clarkson. Gibson would slot in as Ohio in the first round. Four goalies were State‘s number one, and the Blues chosen in 2006, including two of the could afford to allow him all four years better young starters in the NHL to develop there, using the time to sort right now in (LA) out the depth chart above him. and Semyon Varlamov (Washington). Round 2 None were chosen in 2007, two in Recent trends: Only one full-time 2008, none in 2009 and two in 2010, NHLer has emerged from this draft leaving 2011 as a likely ―skip‖ year if class in recent years (, the pattern is followed. Of the eight The failure of 2004 first-rounder Marek Washington, 34th overall 2006), but goaltenders chosen in the first round Schwartz (shown in his last North several of the league‘s top prospects— since 2006, four were Canadians, two American pro game with Alaska) is likely Jake Allen, ‘s and Americans, and two Europeans (one to have long-term implications for Florida‘s Jakob Markstrom—were Russian, one Finn). recent second-round picks by NHL European goaltenders in the Blues’ This year’s model: There are, as we clubs. A total of 14 goalies have been drafting and development plans. see it, three elite goaltending chosen in the second round since prospects for the 2011 NHL Entry 2006; seven Canadians, six Europeans Draft. Two are of Finnish origin, although one is playing (four Swedes, one Czech, one Finn) and one American. major junior in the QMJHL, and one is American. Our prediction: As of Christmas, neither of the two Mock Christopher Gibson, Chicoutimi (QMJHL), 6‘1, 193, Drafts posted at NHL.com, nor the International Scouting catches left, born Dec. 12, 1992. Services (ISS) December Top 30, lists a goaltender as a John Gibson, USNTDP U-18 (USHL), 6‘2.75, 205, catches potential first-round selection. McKeens Hockey Prospects left, born Jul. 14, 1993. ranks John Gibson 16th overall in their December Top 30. This leaves wide open the possibility that Gibson, his Samu Perhonen, JYP U-20 (FIN Jr), 6‘3, 172, catches left, namesake in the QMJHL, or Perhonen may be available to born Mar. 7, 1993. the Blues in the second round. Our prediction: The Blues will most likely not buck trends— We at ―Tomorrow‘s Blues‖ would strongly consider any of neither the league-wide trend nor their own—and select a these players with the Blues‘ second-round pick, especially if goaltender with their first round pick in 2011. . . unless they the first-round selection adequately addressed the organiza- are able to obtain another first-round pick through trade. tion‘s long-term need for size and elite-level scoring ability If this scenario unfolds, we see the Blues using the latter on the wing. If the American Gibson is left on the board after of their first-round selections to draft the American, John the first round, we would make every effort to trade up and Gibson. The failure of highly touted Marek Schwarz to pan draft him as early in the second round as possible. out is fresh in the minds of the Blues‘ scouts and staff, so After the top three, none of the other 2011 draft-eligible Perhonen is an unlikely pick for the Blues in the first round goaltenders are, in our estimation, worthy of serious no matter how well he‘s playing in Europe. consideration by the Blues before the third round. There are Movement is Gibson‘s forte in the net, and his agility on more pressing short- and long-term organizational needs to skates and post-to-post movement are strong. ESPN.com be addressed, and higher-quality athletes available to concurs, giving Gibson an ―A‖ grade for his size and position- address them. ing. His glove, rebound control, hockey sense and athleticism Round 3 all grade out at an A-minus. Recent trends: Columbus starter Steve Mason is the only In 15 total games with the U-18 squad, the Pittsburgh noteworthy goaltender of the 15 drafted in the third round— native has posted a 6-6-2 record, 2.89 goals-against average eight Canadians, three Americans, two Swedes, a German and 91.7 save percentage. Eight of those games were played (Continued on page 21) GAME TIME Page 21

these years because he was a bit of a bridge player. Drafted in 2004 when the NHL was a big-body, clutch-and-grab league, Bickell had the prototypical NHL big body that was coveted. However, in the post-lockout, post-―Dollar‖ NHL, the Blackhawks built a team based on speed and skill with By Sean Gallagher virtually no thought given to size or toughness (their flirtation with Big Country Matt Walker as an exception).

Bryan Bickell However, with the post-Cup ‗Hawks suddenly Shoots: Left in need of lots (and lots) of cheap youngsters to fill Height: 6’4 their roster, Bickell finally got a legitimate shot at joining the club. Weight: 223 He has made the most of his opportunity, Birthdate: Mar 9, 1986 posting 10 goals and 20 points in just 34 games, Birthplace: Bowmanville, ONT, CAN doubling his career NHL total in goals and tripling it in points. On top of that, he has managed to

limit his penalty minutes to just 17, fitting in with Bickell was a second round pick of the Blackhawks the Chicago model and well below the PIM back in 2004, and if they hadn‘t completely dicked numbers he had been putting up in the AHL. up their salary cap situation over the last couple Bickell has bridged a gap once in his years, he‘d probably still be playing in Rockford, professional career. The question is whether he , rather than in . can do it again and go from lunkhead who could score to Bickell presumably had a hard time making the big club all power forward who will get rough.

(Continued from page 20) experiences the mother of all collapses, but the more realistic expectation is that one of these three goaltenders will be hearing and a Russian—since 2006. Indeed, third-round goaltender his name called by the Blues somewhere around 75th overall. selections have been almost ―throwaway‖ picks in the last five Binnington, a tall and lanky butterfly goalie with a quick glove drafts, with only Mason having made ―The Show‖ and only four hand and mature puck-handling skills, has an 11-8-2 record in of the other goalies selected in the third round since 2006 even 22 games played with a 3.07 GAA, 89.4 save percentage, and a advancing as far as the AHL by this season. 25-save at home versus Sudbury on Nov. 27. McKeens The Blues, for their part, have had mixed success in the third Hockey Prospects noted that Binnington has an ability to make round. They have drafted more goaltenders (five) in the third numerous saves in succession while maintaining a cool round than any other round in their draft history, but only one of demeanor and expending little energy in doing so. those picks—John Garrett in 1971—has made any impact in the Steen moved over from the Leksand organization to Skellefteå NHL. Ben Bishop was a third-round pick (85th overall in 2005), over the summer, and in Superelit play this year has managed to as was Konstantin Barulin (84th overall in 2003), but only place himself in the top five in goals-against average (2.58), save Bishop is expected to play in the NHL; Barulin has good percentage (90.4) and wins (9) through this point of the season. numbers in Russia‘s elite leagues (50-30-18, 11 SO, 2.12, 91.7% An athletic goalie with good side-to-side movement and butterfly for his career), but his insistence on a ―guaranteed‖ NHL roster technique, Steen gets low to the ice and plays his angles well, but spot has kept him out of the Blues‘ plans. is not an accomplished puckhandler. This year’s model: We expect both Gibsons and Perhonen to be Wilcox, a native of South St. Paul, , has posted a 7-3 long gone by the time the Blues select in the third round. We -1 record in 11 games with a solid 2.15 GAA and 92.7 save expect at least one to be taken in the first round, at least three in percentage. McKeen‘s Hockey Prospects notes that Wilcox the second round and another three in the third round, so we‘re ―maintains a compact butterfly (and is) able to go down and up, looking at essentially the numbers five, six and seven prospects: and close the five-hole, quickly.‖ His rebound control on low Jordan Binnington, Owen Sound (OHL), 6‘ 1.75, 160, catches shots is good, as he has an ability to direct kick saves and left, born Jul. 11, 1993. butterfly saves to the corners; high shots off of his chest Stefan Steen, Skellefteå J-20 (SWE Jr), 6‘ 1.5, 169, catches left, protector can handcuff him, however. born Jan. 6, 1993. Next time in ―Tomorrow‘s Blues,‖ we‘ll look at how Blues‘ Adam Wilcox, Green Bay (USHL), 6‘ 0, 171, catches left, born prospects are doing at the World Junior Championship and at Nov. 26, 1992. other holiday tournaments. Until then, remember. . . ―If we do not prepare for ourselves the role of the hammer, there will Our prediction: John Gibson is our priority goaltending target at nothing left but that of the anvil. Auf wiedersehen. ―Tomorrow‘s Blues‖ Draft Central, and will be all year unless he Volume 6, Issue 19 Page 22 December 28, 2010

By Chris Gift

Heading South: Not Much Chicago in exchange for Danny O‘Shea. Six months later, Going North: You get what you pay for Bordeleau was purchased by the Blues from Chicago. The NHL Waiver Draft is a thing of the past, as is its precursor the Intra-League Draft. The Blues took Brian The Blues‘ first transaction happened back on June 6, Ogilvie from the Hawks in 1974. Three 1967. In the 43 and a half years that the seasons later it was Dick Redmond Blues have been in existence, there coming in exchange for Pierre Plante have only been 11 transactions going. involving the Blues and the Blackhawks. While big trades with one Eddie Johnston was sold to Chicago— of the team‘s archenemies isn‘t Dollar Bill Wirtz probably got a price he completely taboo, they are just harder couldn‘t turn down. Rik Wilson was to do. For example, the Blues sent the acquired for Craig Coxe, Bobby Bassen original Red Berenson and Wayne was claimed in the 1990 Waiver Draft, Connelly to Detroit for while Richie Sutter was lost in the 1993 Hannu Toivonen was the last Blue to and . However, none of Waiver Draft. Most recently, Hannu be sent to Chicago in a trade. You’re their deals with Chicago have had the Toivonen and were welcome, dickheads. type of pizzazz that trades with Detroit sent to the Blackhawk organization in have featured. exchange for Joe Fallon. The Blues plucked Glenn Hall, Bill Hay and Gerry Fallon played goal for the Rivermen last year with Ben Melnyk from the Blackhawks in the expansion draft. It Bishop. He is now a member of the San Antonio Rampage would be another six years before another Blues- where he is 2-1 in four games after starting this year with Blackhawks swap. The Blues sent Chris Bordeleau to the of the ECHL.

By Chris Gift

First worn by Frank Spring have had their numbers retired. Currently worn by Carlo Colaiacovo Steve Larmer is about as close as it‘ll come to either of Notable Blues who have worn 28: Greg those happening. Larmer appeared in 1,006 career games, Paslawski, Ralph Klassen, Bob Bassen, Steve 884 of them consecutively—take that, Cam Duchesne, Keith Osborne, Ricard Persson, Janssen. Brad Shaw, Todd Rierden, Matt Walker As far as Blues are concerned, Matt Other notable 28s: Philadelphia‘s Claude Walker was the toughest 28, Greg Giroux, Washington‘s Alex Semin, Boston‘s Paslawski was the highest scoring, Keith , Dallas‘ Mark ―The Bird‖ Fistric Osborne was the one with the most promise and the most disappointing. Famous 28s: Steve Larmer, Kjell Samuelsson, Reed Larson, , Donald Audette Yes, the Brad Shaw who is behind the Blues bench is the same one who played for the Blues. His career as a Blue Want to make it to the ? was 12 regular season games with the How about getting your number retired? You Blues in the 1998-1999 season, and four do? Then don‘t wear 28. more in the 1999 playoffs. He didn‘t have Looking back on the numbers that have any points in any of the games, and took appeared in this feature, the ―Famous‖ part is two penalties. He isn‘t a candidate for usually reserved for players who are either in the Hall, or Remember Me? because we don‘t. GAME TIME Page 23

St.St. LouisLouis GameGame TimeTime Top 11 Signs You’re Drunk At A Hockey Game

11. You lament the fact that the Blues didn‘t draft that Toes guy from the Hawks. 10. Your name sounds a lot like Bobby Plager. 9. You tried spending your Best Buy gift card with the beer man. 8. You already called in sick tomorrow telling your boss you plan to be throwing up by 2 a.m. 7. You insist on celebrating New Year‘s Eve Eve Eve Eve tonight. 6. You think Sucky McSuck is a misunderstood comic genius. 5. Your ―I Bleed Blue‖ tattoo is starting to fade. 4. Every time the beer man stops by you say, ―Well there goes the Christmas bonus.‖ 3. You‘re wearing an Indian headdress and buckskin booties with fringe on them. ShirtsShirts areare 2. You try starting the chant ―Bellll Four.‖ 1. You just signed Marek Svatos and his seven goals scored last year to help the Blues. overrated.overrated. From the Empty Beer Cup of Brad Lee

Conn Smythe Trophy, one Hart Trophy and eighth- overall ranking on the NHL all-time scoring list probably Keith Osborne won‘t hurt his chances of making it. DOB: April 2, 1969 in Toronto, But, alas, the Blues took Osborne. The idea was to Played for the Blues: Five have Osborne become the gritty, hard-working third games in 1989-1990 fiddle on the Brett Hull and Adam Oates line. Plus, he had the name to match the

―Rock ‗n Roll‖ line. Hull and Oates and The Blues were in dire need of a ―Ozzy‖ Osborne formed the Blues‘ top line power forward entering the 1987 entering the 1989-1990 season. NHL Draft—some things never The line lasted all of five games. change, do they? When they drafted Because of injuries and, frankly, not being 12th overall that season, with only very good, Osborne played in Peoria for their second first-round selection two more years until being shipped to since 1981, Toronto native Keith Toronto for Darren Veitch. Osborne was selected from the North Bay Centennials of the Ontario Hockey He was an original Tampa Bay League. Lightning, and wasn‘t very good in the eleven games he played in Florida. Still available in that draft were Bryan Marchment, John LeClair, His NHL numbers can be counted on Stephane Matteau, Mathieu Schneider and the hand of a four-fingered cartoon character: a goal and Andrew Cassels. drafted somebody named three assists. three spots later. Sakic hasn‘t entered the The Swiss Elite League was where he made his last Hall of Fame just yet, but his 1,378 games played, stop, playing for the Zurich Grasshoppers. 625 goals, 1,016 assists, two Stanley Cups, one Volume 6, Issue 19 Page 24 December 28, 2010

Eastern Conference GP W L OL PTS PTS% Western Conference GP W L OL PTS PTS% Atlantic Division Central Division 37 24 11 2 50 67.6% 36 23 9 4 50 69.4% 35 22 8 5 49 70.0% Chicago Blackhawks 37 20 14 3 43 58.1% 37 21 14 2 44 59.5% St. Louis Blues 35 18 12 5 41 58.6% 34 9 19 6 24 35.3% 35 17 12 6 40 57.1% 35 9 24 2 20 28.6% 36 18 15 3 39 54.2% Northeast Division Northwest Division 36 20 14 2 42 58.3% 34 21 8 5 47 69.1% 34 19 11 4 42 61.8% 36 19 12 5 43 59.7% 37 16 17 4 36 48.6% 35 16 14 5 37 52.9% 36 14 18 4 32 44.4% 37 16 18 3 35 47.3% 34 13 17 4 30 44.1% 34 12 16 6 30 44.1% Southeast Division Pacific Division 38 21 12 5 47 61.8% 36 21 11 4 46 63.9% 36 21 10 5 47 65.3% 35 22 12 1 45 64.3% 38 19 13 6 44 57.9% 36 19 12 5 43 59.7% 34 15 15 4 34 50.0% 39 18 17 4 40 51.3% Florida Panthers 34 16 17 1 33 48.5% Phoenix Coyotes 34 16 11 7 39 57.4%

Rk Team GP W L OL PTS GF GA TG/G PP PPO PP% PPA PPOA PK% SH 1 Detroit Red Wings 36 23 9 4 50 121 100 6.14 34 151 22.52 25 138 81.88 2 2 Pittsburgh Penguins 37 24 11 2 50 119 86 5.54 26 155 16.77 20 157 87.26 6 3 Philadelphia Flyers 35 22 8 5 49 117 87 5.83 24 144 16.67 26 155 83.23 6 4 Tampa Bay Lightning 36 21 10 5 47 112 116 6.33 37 155 23.87 21 139 84.89 0 5 Vancouver Canucks 34 21 8 5 47 115 88 5.97 33 138 23.91 18 124 85.48 2 6 Washington Capitals 38 21 12 5 47 114 105 5.76 27 138 19.57 24 153 84.31 5 7 Dallas Stars 36 21 11 4 46 102 96 5.50 25 145 17.24 26 139 81.29 4 8 Los Angeles Kings 35 22 12 1 45 106 78 5.26 23 137 16.79 18 129 86.05 2 9 Atlanta Thrashers 38 19 13 6 44 120 111 6.08 29 138 21.01 26 132 80.30 6 10 New York Rangers 37 21 14 2 44 115 97 5.73 24 135 17.78 23 127 81.89 8 11 Chicago Blackhawks 37 20 14 3 43 119 105 6.05 33 132 25.00 26 120 78.33 3 12 Colorado Avalanche 36 19 12 5 43 125 117 6.72 29 126 23.02 34 141 75.89 4 13 San Jose Sharks 36 19 12 5 43 106 100 5.72 34 152 22.37 22 125 82.40 2 14 Boston Bruins 34 19 11 4 42 96 71 4.91 21 117 17.95 14 108 87.04 5 15 Montreal Canadiens 36 20 14 2 42 93 83 4.89 23 121 19.01 19 144 86.81 3 16 St. Louis Blues 35 18 12 5 41 92 96 5.37 21 133 15.79 25 136 81.62 4 17 Anaheim Ducks 39 18 17 4 40 99 115 5.49 28 133 21.05 32 156 79.49 3 18 Nashville Predators 35 17 12 6 40 85 87 4.91 17 125 13.60 20 125 84.00 1 19 Phoenix Coyotes 34 16 11 7 39 91 97 5.53 21 125 16.80 29 140 79.29 3 20 Columbus Blue Jackets 36 18 15 3 39 93 105 5.50 17 139 12.23 30 154 80.52 3 21 Minnesota Wild 35 16 14 5 37 86 100 5.31 29 132 21.97 27 144 81.25 3 22 Ottawa Senators 37 16 17 4 36 86 108 5.24 23 115 20.00 28 143 80.42 2 23 Calgary Flames 37 16 18 3 35 100 107 5.59 25 154 16.23 30 151 80.13 4 24 Carolina Hurricanes 34 15 15 4 34 94 105 5.85 22 142 15.49 27 122 77.87 4 25 Florida Panthers 34 16 17 1 33 93 89 5.35 11 117 9.40 17 110 84.55 2 26 Buffalo Sabres 36 14 18 4 32 94 106 5.56 23 141 16.31 27 143 81.12 2 27 Edmonton Oilers 34 12 16 6 30 89 116 6.03 20 124 16.13 36 129 72.09 4 28 Toronto Maple Leafs 34 13 17 4 30 79 103 5.35 23 141 16.31 25 107 76.64 1 29 New York Islanders 34 9 19 6 24 78 114 5.65 22 142 15.49 28 146 80.82 4 30 New Jersey Devils 35 9 24 2 20 61 112 4.94 18 113 15.93 19 123 84.55 1 League Average 36 18 14 4 40 100 100 5.61 25 135 18.28 25 135 81.72 3

Legend: GP: Games Played; W: Wins; L: Losses; O: Overtime/Shootout Losses; PTS: Points; PTS%: Points Percentage (points divided by maximum points); GF: Goals For; GA: Goals Against; G/G: total goals scored per game (GF and GA); PPG: Power Play Goals; PPO: Power Play Opportunities; PP%: Power Play Percentage; PPGA: Power Play Goals Against; PPA: Power Play Opportunities Against; PK%: Penalty Kill Percentage; SHG: Short handed Goals; SHA: Short Handed Goals Against; *: Clinched playoff spot. G AME TIME Page 25

October January (continued) WINNING/LOSING WINNING/LOSING DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD GOALIE GOALIE Oct 9 Sat Flyers 2-1 OT 1-0-0 Halak/Boucher Jan 12 Wed @Ducks Oct 11 Mon Ducks 5-1 2-0-0 Halak/Hiller Jan 13 Thu @Kings Oct 14 Thu @Predators 3-4 2-1-0 Lindback/Halak Jan 15 Sat @Sharks Oct 16 Sat @Stars 2-3 SO 2-1-1 Lehtonen/Conklin Jan 18 Tue Kings Oct 18 Mon @Blackhaw ks 2-3 OT 2-1-2 Turco/Halak Jan 20 Thu Red Wings Oct 22 Fri Blackhaw ks 3-2 3-1-2 Halak/Turco Jan 22 Sat Blue Jackets Oct 23 Sat Penguins 1-0 OT 4-1-2 Halak/Johnson Jan 24 Mon @Avalanche Oct 28 Thu @Predators 3-0 5-1-2 Halak/Rinne Jan 26 Wed @Flames Oct 30 Sat Thrashers 4-3 SO 6-1-2 Halak/Pavelec

November February WINNING/LOSING WINNING/LOSING DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD GOALIE GOALIE Nov 4 Thu Sharks 2-0 7-1-2 Halak/Niemi Feb 1 Tue Avalanche Nov 6 Sat @Bruins 2-1 SO 8-1-2 Halak/Rask Feb 4 Fri Oilers Nov 7 Sun @Rangers 2-0 9-1-2 Conklin/Biron Feb 6 Sun @Lightning Nov 10 Wed @Blue Jackets 1-8 9-2-2 Mason/Halak Feb 8 Tue @Panthers Nov 11 Thu Predators 2-3 SO 9-2-3 Rinne/Halak Feb 11 Fri Wild Nov 13 Sat @Coyotes 3-5 9-3-3 Bryzgalov/Conklin Feb 12 Sat @Wild Nov 15 Mon @Avalanche 3-6 9-4-3 Budaj/Halak Feb 14 Mon Canucks Nov 17 Wed @Red Wings 3-7 9-5-3 How ard/Halak Feb 18 Fri @Sabres Nov 19 Fri Senators 5-2 10-5-3 Conklin/Elliott Feb 19 Sat Ducks Nov 20 Sat Devils 3-2 11-5-3 Halak/McKenna Feb 21 Mon Blackhaw ks Nov 24 Wed @Predators 2-1 12-5-3 Halak/Rinne Feb 24 Thu @Canucks Nov 26 Fri @Stars 2-3 12-6-3 Lehtonen/Halak Feb 25 Fri @Oilers Nov 27 Sat Stars 1-2 12-7-3 Lehtonen/Halak Feb 27 Sun @Flames Nov 30 Tue @Blackhaw ks 5-7 12-8-3 Craw ford/Conklin

December March WINNING/LOSING WINNING/LOSING DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD GOALIE GOALIE Dec 1 Wed Capitals 1-4 12-9-3 Varlamov/Halak Mar 1 Tue Flames Dec 4 Sat @Oilers 1-2 OT 12-9-4 Khabibulin/Halak Mar 3 Thu @Capitals Dec 5 Sun @Canucks 3-2 13-9-4 Halak/Luongo Mar 5 Sat @Islanders Dec 9 Thu Blue Jackets 4-1 14-9-3 Halak/Garon Mar 7 Mon Blue Jackets Dec 11 Sat Hurricanes 1-2 SO 14-9-4 Ward/Halak Mar 9 Wed @Blue Jackets Dec 15 Wed @Red Wings 2-5 14-10-4 How ard/Halak Mar 10 Thu Canadiens Dec 16 Thu Kings 6-4 15-10-4 Conklin/Quick Mar 12 Sat Red Wings Dec 18 Sat Sharks 1-4 15-11-4 Niittymaki/Halak Mar 16 Wed @Ducks Dec 20 Mon Canucks 1-3 15-12-4 Luongo/Halak Mar 17 Thu @Kings Dec 21 Tue @Thrashers 4-2 16-12-4 Conklin/Mason Mar 19 Sat @Sharks Dec 23 Thu Red Wings 4-3 17-12-4 Halak/Osgood Mar 22 Tue @Coyotes Dec 26 Sun Predators 2-0 18-12-4 Halak/Rinne Mar 24 Thu Oilers Dec 28 Tue Blackhaw ks Mar 26 Sat @Wild Dec 31 Fri Coyotes Mar 29 Tue Wild Mar 30 Wed @Red Wings

January April WINNING/LOSING WINNING/LOSING DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD GOALIE GOALIE Jan 2 Sun Stars Apr 1 Fri Flames Jan 6 Thu @Maple Leafs Apr 3 Sun @Blue Jackets Jan 8 Sat Rangers Apr 5 Tue Avalanche Jan 10 Mon Coyotes Apr 6 Wed @Blackhaw ks Apr 9 Sat Predators Volume 6, Issue 19 Page 26 December 28, 2010

(Continued from page 1) minor league agitator. So Scott may year deal to go to Detroit where he lost look cool on the ice, but his value is again in the Finals, this time to his most day when the Blues were making questionable at best. recent team, Pittsburgh. Then he signed the playoffs every year and fans When I think of this year‘s version of a long contract that helped question the could sing ―Belllllllllllllllllllllllllllll the ‗Hawks, I can‘t help but think how strength of the salary cap and collective Four‖ when Chicago was in town. inferior the team is compared to a bargaining agreement, made the Finals Back in those days, the Blues and season ago. When the Stanley Cup for the third year in a row and won his ‗Hawks had a lot of similar players. bonuses kicked in for players and they first ring. While all that stuff is still at St. Louis had , the pushed well past the salary cap, the the front of our memory with him, he‘s ‗Hawks Jeremy Roenick. Now I front office had no choice but to ship kind of faded into a supporting role know they weren‘t carbon copies some of the key players out of town with the ‗Hawks. This is Toews‘ and of each other, but for the sake of (mostly to Atlanta). And while people Kane‘s team. The youngsters are comparison they were both natural goal who watch this team on a regular basis driving the bus and the others are scorers who weren‘t afraid to pretty much along for the ride. For

play a physical brand of hockey. Hossa, that seems like the best possible They banged, they fought a little, Captain situation. they used the physical part of the game Serious When the ‗Hawks were to create space and chances for still dumping players in the warm themselves. While I hated gets months, there was hope among Michel Goulet and Steve Larmer, if down Blues fans that Sharp would be they had Sutter stitched on the during one of the guys in a new uniform back of their jerseys, they might the this season. Some of us even have been just as ugly and played game. hoped he‘d land in St. Louis, as a similar brand of hockey. They odd as that sounds. Alas, Chicago matched up well, these two teams. And Call me! realized that he had the potential to they hated each other. Each lead the team in goals, which he‘s team knew they had to get past now doing. In 35 career games the other to advance in the have said the ‗Hawks don‘t have a against the Blues, he has 10 playoffs. That led to some epic games problem with depth, I didn‘t believe goals and 15 assists, which with fans fighting fans, players them until I actually looked at the according to my memory, is way fighting players and a buzz that numbers. too low. During his career he has couldn‘t be matched. At the top are Sharp and Toews: 36 15 shorthanded goals and 15 So when this generation‘s Blues and and 33 points. There are seven other shorthanded assists. Three of Blackhawks get together, I‘m players 20 points or more. To remind his shorty goals and assists have not certain the matchup leads to you, only three Blues have 20 points or been against the Blues. Bastard. the same intensity. While the Blues more with Backes leading the way with At the beginning of the game, turn to don‘t have an answer for Kane or Hossa 28. Duncan Keith has 24 points. Brent the guy next to you and make a bet of (maybe a healthy David Perron and Seabrook has 21. Both of those guys are one stadium beer (high stakes, man!) Andy McDonald on their best days), the defensemen. That sucks. Some guy that Marty Turco will play the puck a Hawks don‘t have a response to David named Bryan Bickell has 20 points, for lot and turn it over to the Blues creating Backes or Barret Jackman. fuck‘s sake. It‘s insane. Bickell has a scoring chance by the middle of the The Blues have the goaltender played parts of three seasons before second period. And then enjoy your of the future in Jaroslav Halak this and had a total of 23 games and six beer. while the Hawks have stop-gap points. This year he‘s played 34 games. Marty Turco. Chicago is the There‘s no way that Quenneville defending Cup champion, the I‘m thinking the ‗Hawks hoped to get would have lasted through the rebuild Blues not so much. I will say that more out of Kopecky when they signed the Blues have gone through since the if Dustin Byfuglien was still a him two years ago. His career high in lockout. He would have pulled his Hawk, there might be points in Detroit was 19. He only bested mustache out whisker by whisker something there. Sure the that by two points last year, his first in before coaching guys like Mike ‗Hawks have the towering John Chicago. This season he has 21 already. Zigomanis and Glen Metropolit. So Scott, but it‘s not like he‘s a part of the It‘s all about the roles that have needed being all nostalgic and halfway wishing game often. He‘s out-sized his to be filled this year with the offseason for him to still be the coach isn‘t competition in the NHL with talent dump. The worst part? He‘s still realistic. But I still think it‘s odd when I fewer teams fielding heavyweights only 28. So he could be just hitting his see him behind the Chicago bench. I much less many guys who will go prime. Dammit. saw him going to a Rams game one toe to toe with a guy who is listed at 6‘8 It‘s interesting how Marian Hossa time with his family. At least I can take and nearly 260 pounds. The was such a lightning rod when he solace in the fact that he probably now Blues had a giant in D.J. forced a trade from Atlanta to has Cubs season tickets. The poor King and they traded him away for a Pittsburgh where he lost in the Stanley bastard. Cup Finals. Then he signed the one- Let‘s Go Blues. GAME TIME Page 27 Game Time Bingo! Get five in a row in any direction and you win!

Red Berenson Who‘s a girl gotta You give another Cowboy sends his Halak that blow to get an ‗A‘ on GT-carrying guy a I love Boyes! old lady on a beer save. run. her skirt? knowing nod.

Trade for Sobotka Jonathan Toews Boo the dick wearing Beej crashes (into) looking pretty vomits again. a Red Wing jersey. PTMFUS! the goal. good. Horn. Backes goes for the Towel Boy Cam shows us Brad Winchester Gordie Howe Hat gets an attention Guy. does something. Trick. boner. his tits. Sucks.

A goal is scored in Jay McClement Someone asks Tom PedoRat‘s eyes The ―Ref You the first minute of Calhoun, ―How much betray his dead Suck‖ chant is any period. for Selke. time is left?‖ soul. required.

Fight! Apparently ―wait Another $200 stick A goal is scored in You tipped your GT for a whistle‖ too breaks at the wrong the last minute of vendor today. Fight! difficult a time. any period. Fight! concept.

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