St Louis

Volume 4, Issue 31 Game Time Februar y 21, 2009

Four Dollars of No Respect The Game Day Guide To St. Louis Blues Hockey Established in 2005

By Brad Lee that the Blues have been better, but not a lot better than the four teams right in front of them in the standings. Over 24 games, can It‟s hard to tell where this hockey season is going for the they keep that minimal edge and keep moving up? Maybe. St. Louis Blues. We‟ve written more than once in this paper that the season was over weeks ago. Hopefully we were wrong. Thanks to a schedule that will keep most readers of this rag up at night, the Blues only have two games left against Eastern With the injuries, the uneven goaltending, the injuries and the Conference teams. That means 22 of their last 24 will be injuries, fans started talking about the team‟s chances to draft nail-biters every single night. first overall before Christmas. But it seems the Blues aren‟t ready as a group to turn the lights out just yet. It won‟t be easy. Of the teams standing between them and eighth place, the Blues have four games left. They have four games with The Blues have 24 games left. That‟s more than the Coyotes and Avalanche who have the same a quarter of the season left to be played. There number of points. So that‟s almost one-third of are four teams with more points in the the schedule against teams in their vicinity in standings than St. Louis. Ignoring the fact the standings. Add the two games against that there are two with the same number of teams in Florida from the other conference points and NONE with fewer points, it is and that means 14 of their games are against doable that the Blues pick up five points on teams in the top half of the Western the field and finish in eighth place. But Conference. don‟t write your check covering your mythical playoff bill yet. All that last paragraph says is that the Blues will have the chance to win games against In the past 10 games, they have a 5-2-3 teams they are directly competing with for the record, which translates to 13 points. That‟s the final playoff spot. But they will also have to best total over that time span for all the teams TM compete well and win against the teams that below seventh place in the Western Conference. So that have earned safe entry into the . So the means if the Blues keep up this pace, they will keep climbing the opponents are a mixed bag between now and when the schedule standings. On the downside of that equation, the teams right in ends on Easter, April 12. front of the Blues have pretty similar records over their last 10 as well. Nashville, tonight‟s opponent, has 11 points in its last 10. Of their 24 games left, 11 of them are at home counting tonight. Los Angeles has earned 12 points and Minnesota 11 while also The Blues are 15-11-4 at home, a respectable record but not that losing three games in a row. That brings us to ninth place and the good. On the road they are a disappointing 10-15-3. That will have . They‟ve lost three in a row as well and have to get better if the season is to be extended into April. And with gained only eight points in their last 10. What that all means is (Continued on page 26) Today’s Records, Injuries & News Today’s Team Records: Today’s Injuries: Today’s News & Notes:

Blues: Predators: Blues: LW (hips) and  Current NHL ironman, COL forward 25-26-7 (57 points) 27-28-4(66 points) D (back surgery) are out. Andrew Brunette may miss tonight‟s 5th in Central 4th in Central RW Dan Hinote (upper body) is day-to- game. He has played in 509 straight 13th in Western 12th in Western day. games.

Last Ten Games:  (VAN) returns to TOR Predators: D Alexander Sulzer Blues: Predators: tonight for the first time since leaving. (shoulder) and F Scott Nichol 5-2-3 5-4-1 (concussion) are out.  Game Time staff apparently hosting a Blues fan from the Netherlands Season Series: All-Time Series: tonight. 4-0-1 29-21-10-2

CAUTION: St. Louis Game Time contains extreme sarcasm and less-than-gentle language. But it is a hockey paper, so you should fucking just get over it. Volume 4, Issue 31 From The Editor February 21, 2009

Time to empty out the ol‟ Editor‟s in-box Whether it‟s because he leaves his feet so St. Louis Game Time again. Here are a bunch of little topics that I much or because he‟s caught more than a Established: November 6, 2005 need to address. few guys wearing the Note with their St Louis, head down or because he always has I don‟t mind admitting when I‟m wrong, Phone: 402-2266 such a shit-eating look on his face, he and I was way wrong on my first take on Cam www.StLouisGameTime.com makes it easy to scream out, “Kill him!” Janssen. When he was acquired in exchange whenever he‟s on the ice. for , my first reaction was that Godfather the Blues should have shopped around some Despite his reputation as a dirty Jeffio more before settling on that deal. Not that I hitter, I‟ve come to respect his game thought Salvador was going to bring some more. I think he has learned how to cut great return, but I expected more than just a down on the dangerous stuff, like Publisher & Editor-in-Chief PR scheme. the high elbows and boarding Sean Gallagher people, but has managed to keep The move looked like a simple [email protected] an edge to his game. There‟s ploy to put a hometown kid in a plenty of video of him freight- Bluenote in order to have a good Advertising training guys and the vast story to tell and to try to sell some [email protected] majority of them could have more tickets. It didn‟t help any when his first [email protected] been avoided if guys had their heads up. game was overhyped by the team and media. Sorry folks, that‟s hockey. Sometimes a The local TV broadcast even featured a „Cam borderline hit happens to fall on the legal Distribution Cam‟ that followed his every movement on side of that border. John Nicolay the ice. He was interviewed between periods. Now this doesn‟t mean that I like the Amy Benoist, Becky Benoist, His family was interviewed. It was a little Billy Cash, Clarence Walker sickening. I thought that we were being guy, and I still want to see someone played down to by the team‟s marketing punch his head clean off tonight, but I department. have to admit that he‟s one of those guys: Columnists if he‟s on your team, you love him; if he‟s Chris Gift, Duke, Brad Lee, It also didn‟t help that Janssen was kind of Answer Man & Brian Weidler on any other team, you hate him. a mess last year. He played too wild and used his head too little. He took dangerous runs at Without re-hashing the entire Manny Contributors people. He took dumb penalties. He retali- Legace saga, there was one aspect of the Jeffio, Jeff Browning, LosBri, ated. He fought at stupid times. He was situation that has been bugging me. Childhood Trauma, Dan Doke, Jeff becoming a bit of a joke. During his exit interview with the local Fahrenkrog, Jeremy Pratte & Chris Reed media he made the comment that it But this year has been a different story. I really threw him off to not be offered an Photographer have to assume that it‟s the coaching staff extension to his contract and to then Andrew D‟Angelo that got to him, because he plays with have the Blues sign a backup for him purpose now. In the last few weeks we‟ve Mission: who made more money than he did. At seen him go start fights when they needed to first I really thought, “Wow, these guys Game Time will provide prospect be started as well as decline fights when they information, up-to-date statistics, articles are really just man-children, aren‟t they? were unnecessary. We‟ve seen him play his that spark discussion and humor that You make $2.5 million and are the position and lay a big hit when the opportu- points out the best and worst about our starter on an NHL club, but you‟re favorite team and sport. We are all fans of nity arises, rather than his old modus worried about who is making 20% more the Blues and our opinions will reflect operandi of going way out of position to those of subjective fans. than you?” crush someone. Most importantly, we‟ve The paper is published for every home seen him have situational awareness and But if you look at it from outside the game, excluding the pre-season, which we refuse to retaliate after drawing a . bubble of sports, where I think egos are a all know sucks. little too big and the process of thinking He has become a valuable member of the things through rationally is often Rights & Permissions: team and I‟m glad to say it. Besides, I love neglected, he did get dirty dicked a little the fact that he‟s also the player who All material printed herein is copyrighted bit. In the NHL, salaries are not a good and protected. Do not reprint in any reportedly has the biggest entourage on the way to judge worth because what you can format without expressed, written team. Tell me there isn‟t a reality show in permission from Game Time LLC. get on the open market often has more to there somewhere. do with when you become a free agent Speaking of instigators who add value to than with how good of a free agent you Logos & Photos their team, one of the best in the business is are. If there are only two decent goalies Team logos and pictures used herein are the property of the individual teams here tonight. , who I‟ve always available in free agency, they‟re both thought of as the face of a generation of role and/or the NHL and are used solely for going to make more than if there are five identification and editorial purposes. players who can thank Tyson Nash for giving decent goalies available. them a place in the NHL, is a guy we all love (Continued on page 22) Today‟s Question: GT is on Twitter. to hate. And man do Blues fans hate this guy. Anyone know what it is? GAME TIME Page 3

Tonight’s Trivia Top 11 Signs You Got Too By Childhood Trauma Drunk At The Game

First Period (true or false): 11. You tried buying playoff tickets at the ticket window. 1. Steve Sullivan is a co-owner of the Predators‟ record for 10. When the scalpers asked “Who needs tickets? most goals in a season, but he scored more as a Blackhawk. Anybody got tickets?” you said “Are you 2. ‟s first name is really Wrigley. homeless? Cocaine is a helluva drug.” 9. You humped the Cotton Eyed Joe dancing fool. First Intermission (T/F): 8. Two beer vendors got into a fight over who 3. Hockey „great‟ Gordie Dwyer played the titular role in the handled your section tonight. television series „Hunter‟. 7. You promised to drink every time the fans Second Period (multiple choice): around you yell “Shoot!” 6. The flask you smuggled in with Wild Turkey is 4. The Predators signed JP Dumont when the Sabres rejected empty. his one-year arbitration award. How much was that award: 5. Your name rhymes with Juan Mallagher. $1.5 million, $2.2 million, $2.9 million, or $3.7 million? 4. You said, “Hey, let‟s go to Soulard Mardi Gras 5. These players are the longest tenured players on their for six hours before going to the Blues game.” current teams. Who was acquired the earliest: Saku Koivu, 3. You heard alcohol sales are down nationally and Barret Jackman, , or ? felt obligated to stimulate the economy. 2. You bought this paper. Second Intermission: 1. You‟re wearing 35 strands of Mardi Gras beads 6. “The Hunter” was the last film of which legend: Steve around your neck. McQueen, John Wayne, Lee Marvin, or Charles Bronson? Third Period: From the Empty Beer Cup of Brad Lee 7. Paul Kariya‟s 16 goals last season was the second lowest of his career. What team did Paul score 11 goals for? 8. was how many games below .500 last season? 9. What well-traveled ex-Blue, longtime Canadien and holder of one of the most dramatic goals in Flyer history was the Phony Tough first player ever traded away by the ? or Crazy Brave. ! 10. was the Predators‟ 12th selection in the 1999 draft. Their first pick that year suited up for three career www.stlouisgametime.com

NHL games in net and is now out of hockey. Name him.

groin played one game for the Predators and two for the Bruins. the for two and Predators the for game one played groin Corrections & Clarifications

10. was drafted sixth overall in 1999. He and his wonky wonky his and He 1999. in overall sixth drafted was Finley Brian 10.

even though the Flyers dropped game seven. game dropped Flyers the though even  Game Time would like to apologize for all of these

Fuhr. That was ranked the 8th greatest moment in Flyer history history Flyer in moment greatest 8th the ranked was goal That Fuhr. half-assed apologies lately. Is there a way we can sit

9. J. J. Daigneault. He forced a game seven when he scored off Grant Grant off scored he when seven game a forced He Daigneault. J. J. 9. down, talk and just start over? We feel like this isn‟t

won five more games than Mason did last season. last did Mason than games more five won too damaged to at this

6. , with seven fewer games played, played, games fewer seven with Ellis, Dan 6. - 22 -

8. Four. He was 18 was He Four. 8. point.

Colorado. 7.

6. Steve McQueen‟s last role was as a bounty hunter in „The Hunter.‟ „The in hunter bounty a as was role last McQueen‟s Steve 6.  [This apology is still deciding

was drafted in 1999, a year after Legwand. after year a 1999, in drafted was whether it will waive its

5. Koivu. He was drafted in 1993, a year before Nabokov. Jackman Jackman Nabokov. before year a 1993, in drafted was He Koivu. 5. no-trade clause or not.]

contract. million $4.5 year -

4. $2.9 million, Dumont signed a two a signed Dumont million, $2.9 4.  Game Time printed the wrong

3. False. Football „great‟ Fred Dryer was agent Hunter. Hunter. agent was Dryer Fred „great‟ Football False. 3. picture of the Blues‟ playoff

2. False. 2. chances in the last issue. The

scored 34 as a Hawk, 24 goals shy of Bobby Hull‟s Hawks record. Hawks Hull‟s Bobby of shy goals 24 Hawk, a as 34 scored correct picture is shown here. 1. True. Steve and Paul Kariya own the Preds record at 31. Steve Steve 31. at record Preds the own Kariya Paul and Steve True. 1. Volume 4, Issue 31 Page 4 February 21, 2009 Page 5 GAME TIME The Five Hole

With Chris Gift

OK homers, pick your favorite team. Cardinals, Blues, just past the Bud Light stand, if you get to the booers, you‟ve Rams, M-I-Z…, whomever. gone too far). There‟s even been talk of having a refreshment It doesn‟t even have to be a local team. I know a few or two with him after the game at a local watering hole to be people that were waving their Terrible Towels a few weeks determined. ago for their beloved Pittsburgh Steelers, and more than a Gerard has takes on the Blues, so instead of reading my few that were hoping that the Big Red won the big game too. crap for yet another issue, here‟s what Gerard has to say. A But just how dedicated to that team are you? wide angle view on the team, if you will, from the Netherlands. Are you willing to travel to see that team? “Imagine where this team would have been without all No, not seeing the Cardinals at Wrigley or taking a trip to those injuries to important players like Erik Johnson, Paul Florida during March, and not blowing a fall Saturday by Kariya and Andy McDonald. There‟s an old saying in my tailgating in Boone County before a Mizzou game…I‟m country, maybe you Americans know it as well. It goes like talking dedication. this: “Every disadvantage will have an advantage” and that‟s No matter how dedicated of a fan you are, and no matter true. Because of all the injuries we have seen other less- how many beer-induced plans you make to follow the Blues known players all of a sudden getting the chance to show their to Stockholm next October you make tonight, you still might skills and becoming better players. Guys like BJ Crombeen, not be the most dedicated Blues fan in the building tonight. Brad Winchester, Tyson Strachan. And it can all be traced back to Super Nintendo. “I see a lot of positives this season. looks like Once upon a time, Boyes and girl, there was a game becoming a real leader for the next couple of years, Walt console called the Super Nintendo Entertainment System Tkachuk has impressed me (he shouldn‟t retire yet!) and (SNES). One of the games that was sold worldwide for the (Continued on page 23) SNES was NHL 94. It had every NHL team in it, and because, as he puts it, “I really liked that Blue Note,” a 13 year old boy in Amsterdam became a life-long Blues fan. After following the team through ups, and downs for the The Jeffio Joke of the Day better part of two decades, Gerard (last name withheld in case he wins the house payment contest) decided to make a trek across the pond. As part of a two and a half week road Two Nashville fans went to a restaurant. After ordering trip that started in New York and will end up in San Fran- their cornbread and beans, they talked about the latest cisco, all by rental car, he‟s fulfilled a life long dream to addition to their junkyard business. Suddenly, a attend a Blues game here at Scottrade Center. woman at the nearby table, who was eating a sandwich, Gerard, if you were wondering what that smell was began to choke. After a minute or so, it became coming from the north as you drove through Ohio; that was apparent that she was in real distress. One of the . You get used to it after a while. Nashville fans looked at her and said, “Kin ya swallar?” But Gerard is nowhere near being hockey illiterate. He is The woman shook her head no. a sportswriter for a regional newspaper in the Netherlands. “Kin ya breathe?” the Nashvillian asked. He said it was something like the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. I told him to give his paper more credit than that. The woman started to turn blue and shook her head He knows his pucks too. Let‟s just hope he doesn‟t have a no. Towel Man-crush, yell “shooooot” on the power play, or The Nashville fan walked over to the woman, lifted heaven forbid, get up from his seat before a whistle. up the back of her dress, yanked down her drawers and Don‟t be surprised if Gerard is cheering the Blues on next quickly gave her right butt cheek a lick with his tongue. season in Sweden. “Sweden is a country me and my friends The woman was so shocked that she had a violent were planning on visiting some day. The Blues playing there spasm and the obstruction flew out of her mouth. As makes it more worth while. In Europe, Sweden is known for she began to breathe again, the Nashvillian walked their good looking women, and that‟s a good reason for a slowly back to his table. nice holiday, too.” If you‟d like to meet Gerard, he will be meeting up with His partner said, “Ya know, I‟d heard „bout that us during intermissions outside Section 306 (up the main there „Hind Lick Maneuver,‟ but I ain‟t never seed escalators, hang a left, pass the dueling Berenson jerseys, nobody do it!” Volume 4, Issue 31 Page 6 February 21, 2009 St. Louis Blues Statistics

Skater Statistics PLAYER GP G A PTS +/- PIM ATOI PPG PPA SHG SHA SOG SPCT , RW 58 25 25 50 -18 24 19:21 14 11 0 0 157 15.9 , C 56 18 17 35 -10 41 17:38 11 3 0 0 133 13.5 Patrik Berglund, C 53 16 19 35 14 14 15:47 6 11 0 0 106 15.1 David Perron, LW 57 7 28 35 5 40 15:20 1 10 0 0 122 5.7 David Backes, RW 58 18 15 33 -6 137 17:35 4 2 1 0 135 13.3 Andy McDonald, C 22 8 17 25 -11 14 19:14 2 11 1 0 59 13.6 , D * 39 3 18 21 4 21 18:37 0 14 0 0 49 6.1 T.J. Oshie, C 33 8 13 21 7 8 16:33 5 3 0 1 64 12.5 Jay McClement, C 58 8 11 19 -8 25 16:19 0 0 2 0 96 8.3 , LW * 38 5 12 17 -3 18 17:36 2 7 1 0 78 6.4 Barret Jackman, D 58 3 13 16 -13 68 23:20 1 1 0 1 66 4.5 Paul Kariya, LW 11 2 13 15 1 2 18:06 0 9 0 0 31 6.5 Brad Winchester, LW 40 10 4 14 -3 62 12:49 4 2 0 0 60 16.7 , D 42 1 12 13 -5 40 18:47 1 6 0 0 42 2.4 B.J. Crombeen, RW * 42 9 4 13 -5 99 13:12 0 2 1 0 76 11.8 Roman Polak, D 45 1 10 11 -6 29 21:24 0 4 0 0 50 2 Yan Stastny, C 34 3 4 7 -14 20 12:45 0 0 0 1 30 10 Eric Brewer, D 28 1 5 6 -14 24 26:07 1 2 0 0 49 2 Mike Weaver, D 36 0 5 5 -2 8 16:41 0 0 0 2 25 0 Cam Janssen, RW 47 1 3 4 -5 112 5:22 0 0 0 0 18 5.6 Steve Wagner, D 22 2 2 4 -5 18 15:38 0 1 0 0 16 12.5 Dan Hinote, RW 34 1 2 3 -5 45 11:04 0 0 0 1 15 6.7 Tyson Strachan, D 27 0 3 3 6 39 13:27 0 0 0 0 17 0 Jay McKee, D 45 1 1 2 -2 25 17:16 0 0 0 0 27 3.7 D.J. King, LW 1 0 1 1 E 0 8:20 0 0 0 0 0 0 Goalie Statistics PLAYER GP W L GAA SV SV% SHO TGA TSA PIM ENG Chris Mason 33 11 16 2.51 811 91.5% 4 75 886 0 7 1 0 0 0.00 3 100.0% 0 0 3 0 0 *Statistics reflect time with St. Louis only. For full season totals, see Pg 14.

Blues Leaders Blues All-Time Leaders Goals Brad Boyes 25 Games Played Bernie Federko 927 Assists David Perron 28 Goals Brett Hull 527 Points Brad Boyes 50 Points Bernie Federko 1,073 Plus/Minus Patrik Berglund 14 PIM Brian Sutter 1,873 PP Goals Brad Boyes 14 Goalie GP Mike Liut 347 Wins Chris Mason 11 Wins Mike Liut 151 GAA Chris Mason 2.51 GAA Jacques Plante 2.07 Save PCT Chris Mason 91.5% Glenn Hall 16

Where Every Day Is Playoff Hockey. St. Louis Game Time GAME TIME Page 7 Nashville Preds Stats

Skater Statistics PLAYER GP G A PTS +/- PIM ATOI PPG PPA SHG SHA SOG SPCT J.P. Dumont, RW 59 11 30 41 E 16 17:29 2 12 0 0 123 8.9 Jason Arnott, C 53 21 18 39 E 45 18:34 6 5 0 0 162 13 Martin Erat, RW 56 14 21 35 -13 48 18:43 3 9 0 1 117 12 Shea Weber, D 58 14 19 33 3 57 23:37 6 5 1 1 188 7.4 David Legwand, C 59 14 17 31 -10 30 18:36 1 4 3 1 137 10.2 , D 59 4 26 30 -8 53 23:56 1 10 0 0 105 3.8 Radek Bonk, C 55 7 13 20 -5 28 15:00 5 1 0 1 80 8.8 , D 59 3 15 18 -11 57 22:27 1 3 1 1 85 3.5 Joel Ward, RW 56 8 10 18 -1 25 14:59 1 0 1 1 82 9.8 Vernon Fiddler, C 55 8 5 13 -8 10 13:17 0 0 1 1 74 10.8 Ryan Jones, RW 33 5 8 13 -1 16 12:37 2 3 0 0 50 10 Jordin Tootoo, RW 49 4 7 11 -9 92 11:58 0 0 0 0 91 4.4 Scott Nichol, C 27 3 6 9 2 28 11:26 0 0 0 3 26 11.5 Jerred Smithson, C 59 3 6 9 -6 39 13:31 0 0 0 0 49 6.1 Greg Zanon, D 59 3 6 9 E 34 20:26 0 0 0 1 42 7.1 Steve Sullivan, RW 18 3 5 8 -5 16 17:00 1 3 0 0 35 8.6 Kevin Klein, D 40 4 4 8 -3 17 12:59 1 0 0 0 24 16.7 Ville Koistinen, D 29 2 6 8 -2 12 15:39 1 4 0 0 31 6.5 Patric Hornqvist, RW 20 2 5 7 -2 12 12:05 0 1 0 0 44 4.5 Greg de Vries, D 48 1 4 5 -15 44 16:35 0 0 0 0 33 3 Antti Pihlstrom, LW 36 1 4 5 E 10 12:08 1 0 0 0 63 1.6 , RW * 29 0 1 1 E 39 5:41 0 0 0 0 11 0 , C * 11 0 1 1 1 17 5:38 0 0 0 0 6 0 Alexander Sulzer, D 2 0 0 0 E 0 6:34 0 0 0 0 0 0 Goalie Statistics PLAYER GP W L GAA SV SV% SHO TGA TSA PIM ENG Dan Ellis 33 11 18 2.93 797 89.9% 3 90 887 2 5 31 16 10 2.31 760 92.0% 4 66 826 4 4

*Statistics reflect time with Nashville only. For full season totals, see Pg 15.

Predators Leaders Predators All-Time Leaders Goals Jason Arnott 21 Games Played David Legwand 608 Assists JP Dumont 30 Goals David Legwand 135 Points JP Dumont 41 Points David Legwand 358 Plus/Minus Shea Weber 3 PIM 544 PP Goals Arnott/Weber 6 Goalie GP Tomas Vokoun 383 Wins Pekka Rinne 16 Wins Tomas Vokoun 161 GAA Pekka Rinne 2.31 GAA Tomas Vokoun 2.54 Save PCT Pekka Rinne 92.0% Shutouts Tomas Vokoun 21

Join Project Mayhem. www.StLouisGameTime.com Volume 4, Issue 31 Page 8 February 21, 2009

Like The Photos in GT? The Big Johnson Joke of the Day Yee-Haw, Nashville! You wanna know how big my Now available for purchase Johnson is? My Johnson is so big, it has stairs up from our photographer the center like the Statue of Liberty. My Johnson is so big, it only comes to work when it feels like it. My Johnson is so big, it has a stunt double. My Johnson is so big, the Pope blessed it.

The Roman Polak Joke of the Day Great Rates! Mike Weaver walked out to the players‟ parking lot to catch his ride home with Roman Polak. When he got to the car, he Perfect for autographs! found Polak working feverishly with a coat hanger trying to unlock the driver‟s side Great gifts for your favorite fan! door. “I locked the keys inside,” he View the shots online. explained. After watching him work for several Contact: Andrew D’Angelo minutes, Weaver absent-mindedly pulled the passenger-side door [email protected] handle. It immediately opened. (314) 546-0369 “Hey,” he announced to Polak, “it‟s open!” “I know,” replied Polak, “I already got that side…”

Game Time Gear The BJ Crombeen Joke of the Day A man got a raise and decided to go out and buy a scope for his hunting rifle. He went to a gun shop outside of town and the clerk fitted a scope to his gun. “This scope is so good, you can read the name on the mailbox of my house way up that hill,” the clerk said, pointing out a window. The man looked through the scope and a big grin came over his face. “What‟s so funny?” asked the clerk. “I see a naked man and a naked Time to get your gear. woman through the window.” “That can‟t be!” the clerk exclaimed, taking the rifle. “My wife‟s at work.” Looking through the scope he found the man Any color. Any size. was right. Furious, he gave back the rifle and said, “The scope is yours Represent. free if you take these two bullets. Shoot my wife in the head, and then shoot off that guy‟s dick.” The man, looking through the scope, said, “I think I can do StLouisGameTime.com that in one .” G AME TIME Page 9 You Wanna Know How I Know… ...You‟re A Predators‟ Fan?

 Your team nickname is  Hate the , just less „classic‟ than it is don‟t really know why. „horrible pop-culture  Love me some Scott Nichol. reference‟.  You‟ve got your appearance on “To  Convinced yourself Catch A Predator” saved on VHS. that mustard was an acceptable color for a  Not afraid to bust out one of your jersey. famous “Yee-Haw!” greetings at family gatherings. Or any old gathering, really.  You have more teeth than the Predators will  Totally off meth. Tonight. score goals tonight. But just  You have fond memories of your team‟s playoff barely. games. All 16 of them.  Sanford and Son got nothin‟ on the place  Still pissed that Travis Tritt you live. sold out with his “Here‟s A  About 18 months away from Quarter” song. becoming a big fan of the Kansas  You don‟t know shit about City Predators. hockey.  You think the Devils play  The engine block hanging an exciting brand of hockey. from the tree in your front  Hell yeah you‟re a high school yard was a pretty good sign. graduate. You gradually got high all  You‟ve had a team for ten years and you still can‟t through school! adequately explain icing.  Pretty sure that David Legwand is going  Actually know someone named to blossom and fulfill Cletus. all the promise of a  Actually much more comfortable 1998 top-three pick any when your team isn‟t going to day now. make the playoffs.  Every stripper you know lives  Either just got out of or just about in your trailer park. to go back to jail.

TO CATCH A PREDATOR Wanna Get

Hello, Nashville. Have a seat. C‟mon. Right Away? there. Now, what are you doing here?

Nothing? Hmm. What do you have here? Some wine coolers and the 2008-2009 Blues Media Guide?

Who were you hoping to meet here? A young man named Oshie maybe? A boy named Perron? A young Swedish boy called the IceBerg?

You do realize that Berglund is basically a teenager, don‟t you? Hey, where are you going? Volume 4, Issue 31 Page 10 February 21, 2009 The Ghost of the Blues With Jeff Browning

Chris Mason always shines against his old team, and it isn‟t But then he vanished. LA is a tough place, but so is Disneyland. just his bald head. He has 110 saves, while only allowing four My money is on Eisner kidnapping him and putting him into goals, on his way to five of six points against the Predators. It’s A Small World. How many Canadian/Japanese/Irishmen to That‟s a 1.25 goals against average. Of you see anyways? Meanwhile, Colorado had just signed Kariya‟s course, he was also pretty good against pal Teemu Selanne, and they needed a way to trick more people his future team too, as he was 13-3 against into buying tickets. So they acquired Paul‟s brother Steve the Blues with a 2.01 GAA before coming to Kariya and just never mentioned his first name. That explains St. Louis. So I guess in theory, he should be going his horrible performance and the $8.5 million paycut. Steve to Columbus next as he is 10-2 with a 2.02 against went to Nashville and played a little bit better, but he disap- the Blue Jackets, and those stats would look a lot peared too. So the Preds got Martin Kariya, the even lesser nicer if it wasn‟t for that game the other day. Despite only known brother, to play for them. And that is obviously who we playing for two teams, he has been all over the country. Flor- got duped into signing. I hope Paul is doing well, wherever he ida, Anaheim, and New Jersey have all had him at times, but is. never utilized him. Their loss. Nashville‟s Kevin Kline is finally starting to score. Too bad The Blues have a few ex-Predators that may still play here. he‟ll never be as good as St. Louis‟s own Academy Award win- Vladimir Orszagh, Simon Gamache, and Paul Kariya. Upon ner Kevin Kline. further research, Orszagh hasn‟t played anything since hurt- The Predators tried to get a tradition started a ing his knee with the Blues in 2006. Gamache went back to few years back by throwing catfish on Nashville after he St. Louis, but never played there again. He the ice whenever they scored. However, is currently with Bern of the Swiss league, playing alongside they have recently dropped that and have another former Blue/Pred/guy nobody else remembered, tried starting a new tradition. Now, every Sebastien Bordeleau. And Kariya is nowhere to be found. time they score, someone buys a season ticket Paul was last seen doing great as of the Mighty deposit for the team in either Kansas City or Ducks, leading them to game seven of the finals. Hamilton.

Blues Record When… With LosBri Playing at LotsOfDrunksWithBeadsCentre 15-11-4 Rag Fag calls Bastille Bar home 25-26-7 Playing on the road 10-15-3 Leading after the 1st 9-4-4 These guys again? 25-26-7 Tied after the 1st 9-8-2 They score first 14-5-4 Trailing after the 1st 6-14-1 The other team scores first 11-20-3 Radek Bonk still has a cool name 25-26-7 They score 4 or more goals 16-2-1 Leading after the 2nd 14-2-1 They score on the PP 17-12-5 Tied after the 2nd 7-7-3 The other team scores on the PP 8-19-4 Trailing after the 2nd 3-17-3 A Blues players has multiple goals 7-2-1 Crowd Fight! Crowd Fight! Crowd Fight! 1-0-0 They take 30 or more shots 9-10-2 Fight! Fight! Fight! 13-13-3 They allow 30 or more shots 8-13-3 They are called for 7 or more penalties 10-10-2 They played the day before 7-5-1 Other team called for 7 or more penalties 7-10-3 The other team played the day before 7-4-2 Chris Mason starts 11-14-3 Playing on Sunday 1-3-1 Emmanual Legace starts 12-11-3 Playing on Monday 4-0-1 Chris "Steve Holt!" Holt works the door 4-2-1 Playing on Tuesday 2-5-0 Starts 1-1-1 Playing on Wednesday 1-7-0 Game is on FSN 11-19-5 Playing on Thursday 3-4-3 Playing the Eastern Conference 6-9-1 Playing on Friday 5-2-1 Playing the Atlantic Division 2-3-0 Playing on Saturday 9-6-1 Playing the Northeast Division 2-3-1 Playing in October 5-4-0 Playing the Southeast Division 2-3-0 Playing in November 5-6-2 Playing the Western Conference 19-17-6 Playing in December 4-10-1 Playing the Central Division 10-3-3 Playing in January 6-4-1 Playing the Northwest Division 5-7-2 Playing in February 5-2-3 Playing the Pacific Division 4-7-1 Wondering what Angellllla did to get all those beads 0-0-0 Tootoo is still a little Inuit punk 25-26-7 Page 11

Franchise Foundations

St. Louis Blues Nashville Predators Year Player Year Player 1999 Barret Jackman ~ Drafted 1st rd (17 overall) by STL 1998 David Legwand ~ Drafted in 1st rd (2 overall) by NAS 2001 Jay McClement ~ Drafted 2nd round, 57 overall by STL 1999 Martin Erat ~ Drafted in 7th rd (191 overall) by NAS 2002 D.J. King ~ Drafted in 6th rd (190 overall) by STL 2000 Dan Ellis ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (60 overall) by NAS 2003 David Backes ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (62 overall) by STL Dan Hamhuis ~ Drafted in 1st rd (12 overall) by NAS 2001 2004 Roman Polak ~ Drafted in 6th rd (180 overall) by STL Jordin Tootoo ~ Drafted in 4th rd (98 overall) by NAS T.J. Oshie ~ Drafted in 1st rd (24 overall) by STL 2002 Vernon Fiddler ~ Signed as Free Agent (undrafted) Eric Brewer ~ Acquired from EDM with Jeff Woywitka Ryan Suter ~ Drafted in 1st rd (7 overall) by NAS 2005 and Doug Lynch for Kevin Klein ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (37 overall) by NAS Jeff Woywitka ~ Acquired from EDM with Eric Brewer 2003 Shea Weber ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (49 overall) by NAS and Doug Lynch for Chris Pronger Alexander Sulzer ~ Drafted in 3rd rd (92 overall) by Erik Johnson ~ Drafted in 1st rd (1 overall) by STL NAS Patrik Berglund ~ Drafted in 1st rd (25 overall) by STL 2006 Steve Sullivan ~ Acquired from CHI for a 2nd rd pick Jay McKee ~ Signed as Free Agent (BUF) (Ryan Garlock) in 2004 and a 2nd rd pick (Michael Dan Hinote ~ Signed as Free Agent (COL) Blunden) in 2005 2004 Yan Stastny ~ Acquired from BOS for 5th rd pick in Pekka Rinne ~ Drafted in 8th rd (258 overall) by NAS 2007 Greg Zanon ~ Signed as Free Agent (OTT) Brad Boyes ~ Acquired from BOS for Dennis Jerred Smithson ~ Signed as Free Agent (LA) Wideman Patric Hornqvist ~ Drafted in 7th rd (230 overall) by Steve Wagner ~ Signed as Free Agent (undrafted) 2005 NAS David Perron ~ Drafted in 1st rd (26 overall) by STL 2007 Scott Nichol ~ Signed as Free Agent (CHI) Keith Tkachuk ~ Signed as Free Agent. Originally Ville Koistinen ~ Signed as Free Agent (undrafted) acquired from PHX in 2001 for a 1st rd pick in 2002, 2006 Jason Arnott ~ Signed as Free Agent (DAL) , Michal Handzus and J-P Dumont ~ Signed as Free Agent (BUF) Paul Kariya ~ Signed as Free Agent (NAS) Antti Pihlstrom ~ Signed as Free Agent (undrafted) Andy McDonald ~ Acquired from ANA for Doug Radek Bonk ~ Signed as Free Agent (MTL) 2007 Weight, Michal Birner and a 7th rd pick in 2008 Greg de Vries ~ Signed as Free Agent (ATL) Tyson Strachan ~ Signed as Free Agent (CAR) Jed Ortmeyer ~ Signed as Free Agent (NYR) Cam Janssen ~ Acquired from NJ for Bryce Salvador Ryan Jones ~ Acquired with a 2nd rd pick from MIN for Mike Weaver ~ Signed as Free Agent (VAN) Marek Zidlicky 2008 Chris Mason ~ Acquired from NAS for a 4th rd pick in Joel Ward ~ Signed as Free Agent (MIN) 2008 Wade Belak ~ Acquired from FLA for Nick Tarnasky Brad Winchester ~ Signed as Free Agent (DAL) 2008 Chris Holt ~ Signed as Free Agent (NYR) B.J. Crombeen ~ Claimed off waivers (DAL) Alexander Steen ~ Acquired with Carlo Colaiacovo from TOR for Lee 'Dutchie' Stempniak Carlo Colaiacovo ~ Acquired with Alexander Steen from TOR for Lee 'Dutchie' Stempniak

What‟d McGrath Trade For These Guys? St. Louis Game Time Volume 4, Issue 31 Page 12 February 21, 2009 NHL Leaders NHL Leaders Points Goals Against Average Shootout Goals 1. Evgeni Malkin, PIT 84 1. Tim Thomas, BOS 2.09 1. Wojtek Wolski, COL 7 2. Alex Ovechkin, WAS 75 2. , CLB 2.10 2. Ales Kotalik, BUF 6 3. Pavel Datsyuk, DET 74 3. Manny Fernandez, BOS 2.15 3. Brad Boyes, STL 5 4. Sidney Crosby, PIT 74 4. Niklas Backstrom, MIN 2.24 4. Mike Ribeiro, DAL 5 5. Zach Parise, NJ 70 5. Jonas Hiller, ANA 2.27 5. Nikolai Zherdev, NYR 5 35. Brad Boyes, STL 50 15. Chris Mason, STL 2.51

Goals Save Percentage Rookie Points 1. Alex Ovechkin, WAS 42 1. Tim Thomas, BOS 93.2% 1. Kris Versteeg, CHI 42 2. Zach Parise, NJ 35 2. Craig Anderson, FLA 92.9% 2. Bobby Ryan, ANA 38 3. Jeff Carter, PHI 34 3. Niklas Backstrom, MIN 92.5% 3. Patrik Berglund, STL 35 4. Patrick Marleau, SJ 33 4. Tomas Vokoun, FLA 92.5% 4. Blake Wheeler, BOS 35 5. Marian Hossa, DET 33 5. Manny Fernandez, BOS 92.5% 5. James Neal, DAL 29 13. Brad Boyes, STL 25 15. Chris Mason, STL 91.5%

Plus/Minus Wins Defensemen Points 1. Blake Wheeler, BOS 33 1. Miikka Kiprusoff, CGY 34 1. Mike Green, WAS 51 2. David Krejci, BOS 32 2. Evgeni Nabokov, SJ 30 2. Brian Rafalski, DET 49 3. Duncan Keith, CHI 32 3. Marty Turco, DAL 28 3. Andrei Markov, MTL 46 4. Pavel Datsyuk, DET 31 4. Ryan Miller, BUF 28 4. Nicklas Lidstrom, DET 44 5. , BOS 28 5. Niklas Backstrom, MIN 27 5. , SJ 42 48. Patrik Berglund, STL 14 37. Chris Mason, STL 11 48. Carlo Colaiacovo, STL 22 Around The

Comrie Goes Back To Sens; Isles Quit On Season — Roman Hamrlik. The made a trade with the New York Island- The police reportedly recorded conversations between the ers on Friday, signaling to each fan base their intent for the arrested man, Pasquale Mangiola, and at least two of the last quarter of the season. The Senators acquired center Mike players. Pasquale was arrested on charges of drug trafficking Comrie and defenseman Chris Campoli, while the hapless and last Thursday as part of an operation called „Project Axe.‟ last-place Islanders received Dean McAmmond and San Jose‟s first round pick in this summer‟s entry draft. The pick Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey addressed the had been previously acquired by the Senators in a trade with media yesterday and admitted the team was concerned over Tampa Bay. the matter. The Senators are currently in 11th place in the East, but are “I can only go on what I know today, and what I know obviously hoping their two new players can provide some today is not good. It‟s not good for our team. It does not offensive jump and help them climb back into playoff reflect well on our team, it does not reflect well on the contention. individuals. It cannot be extinguished as a possible inhibitor to our performance.” The Isles, on the other hand, have basically told their fans to “wait „til next year.” The news is the latest distraction for a team that finished 1-4-1 on a crucial road trip and is now in danger of missing In 51 games with the Islanders, Campoli had six goals and the playoffs. 17 assists while Comrie, who returns to Ottawa for a second tour has seven goals and 13 assists in just 41 games this year. Not Great Timing, Actually — On the heels of making a Comrie is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this trade to try to bolster their offense for a playoff push, the summer, but the Senators have already said they hope to Ottawa Senators just found out that they‟ll be missing one of re-sign him. the three players they have who does score regularly. Stop Us If You‟ve Heard This One Before; Habs Daniel Alfredsson, who has 17 goals and 35 assists in 55 Connected To Criminal — As many struggles as the Cana- games this year, will be out for a week or more with a small diens have had on the ice lately, they now might have an even fracture in his jaw. The forward was hit in the face with a bigger problem off the ice. A suspect arrested last week in a puck on Tuesday against the Avalanche. police operation targeting organized crime is a close friend of Chris Kelly, who has six goals and 10 assists this year, will players Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn and fill Alfredsson‟s spot on the top line in his absence. Volume 4, Issue 31 February 21, 2009 Page 13

Fried Chicken‟s www.hockey-fights.com

Tonight‟s Matchup: The Blues face Nashville in the second game of a back to back series tonight and there were no fights in Thursday‟s game. In the five games they have played this season, two fights have resulted and both featured Cam Janssen facing off with Wade Belak. They have fought each other several times throughout their careers, so there is a good possibility of a fight happening when they are both on the ice. The Blues have accumulated 55 fighting majors this season, while Nashville has collected 32 of their own.

St. Louis Blues Probable Fighters Nashville Predators Probable Fighters

Cam Janssen – Janssen is 6‟0 and 210 pounds, and he Wade Belak –At 6‟5 and 220 pounds, Belak is a force to be currently has 16 fighting majors. He takes on guys that are reckoned with. Janssen and Belak have a rivalry going as they usually bigger than him (like Nashville‟s Belak) and he usually have fought each other five times in the NHL, including two does a good job. When he takes on guys his own size, it‟s not fights this season. Their record versus each other has been very pretty. Ask Aaron Voros. Cam pummeled the New York fairly even, but Belak caught Cam with a left that sent him to Rangers forward in his last fight. the ice in their last fight. Belak has seven fights coming into tonight‟s game. BJ Crombeen – Crombeen is a physical player who is willing to drop the gloves when need be. He is 6‟2, 212 pounds, Jordin Tootoo – Standing at 5‟9 and weighing in at 194 and he‟s been in 15fights this season. BJ knocked Columbus pounds, Tootoo has eight fights so far during the current forward Derek Dorsett into la-la land with a vicious right on season. He is an agitator who hits hard and really gets under Wednesday. his opponent‟s skin. Brad Winchester – Winchester has the size of a heavy- Greg de Vries – de Vries is a 6‟2, 215 pound defenseman weight at 6‟5, 230 pounds. He‟s proven to be an effective who will scrap every now and then. He has four fights so far fighter throughout his career in the NHL and in the minors. this season, including two in one game against San Jose He has had six fights on the year. Jody Shelley.

Best bet of the night: Janssen vs Belak IV ~ Jason Travers, hockey-fights.com

Date Combatants Description Decision

Belak nailed Perron with a big hit and Janssen came calling. Belak agreed, got in close and landed one right off the bat, Cam Janssen vs but he couldn‟t get full lockout but was using jersey jabs. 2/12/2009 Win: Belak Wade Belak Both exchanged some blows until Belak switched to his left. He threw a couple and landed a beauty that put Janssen to the ice.

Belak started out with jersey jabs while Janssen was locking him out. Janssen landed some good heavy rights, one of Cam Janssen vs 12/8/2008 which appeared to temporarily stun Belak. Janssen finished Win: Janssen Wade Belak it off by backing Belak into the boards and landing a couple shots to the side of his head.

This wasn‟t much of a fight. They dropped the gloves right Mike Glumac vs 1/19/2008 off of the face off. Weber threw a couple of rights and then Decision: Weber Shea Weber wrestled Glumac to the ice. St. Louis Blues Rosters General Manager: Larry Pleau Head Coach: Andy Murray and Statistics Asst Coaches: Ray Bennett

February 21, 2009 Brad Shaw Volume 4, Issue 31 Asst / Goalie Coach: Rick Wamsley

# Player Pos DOB 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 75 222 L 28 1 5 6 -14 24 25:07 $4,500,000 5 Barret Jackman D Mar 05 '81 Trail BC CAN 72 203 L 58 3 13 16 -13 68 23:20 $2,500,000 7 Keith Tkachuk C Mar 28 '72 Melrose MA USA 74 232 L 56 18 17 35 -10 41 17:38 $4,500,000 9 Paul Kariya L Oct 16 '74 Vancouver BC CAN 70 180 L 11 2 13 15 1 2 18:06 $6,000,000 10 Andy McDonald C Aug 25 '77 Strathroy ON CAN 71 183 L 22 8 17 25 -11 14 19:14 $3,333,333 13 Dan Hinote R Jan 30 '77 Leesburg FL USA 72 187 R 34 1 2 3 -5 45 11:03 $1,000,000 15 Brad Winchester L Mar 01 '81 Madison WI USA 77 228 L 40 10 4 14 -3 62 12:48 $600,000 18 Jay McClement C Mar 02 '83 Kingston ON CAN 73 201 L 58 8 11 19 -8 25 16:18 $950,000 19 D.J. King L Jun 27 '84 Meadow Lake SK CAN 74 228 L 1 0 1 1 0 0 8:20 $550,000 20 Alexander Steen C Mar 01 '84 Winnipeg MB CAN 73 205 L 58 7 14 21 -7 24 16:54 $1,700,000 21 Patrik Berglund C Jun 02 '88 Vesteras SWE 76 187 L Y 53 16 19 35 14 14 15:47 $850,000 22 Brad Boyes R Apr 17 '82 ON CAN 72 195 R 58 25 25 50 -18 24 19:21 $2,500,000 25 Yan Stastny C Sep 30 '82 Quebec City QC CAN 70 191 L 34 3 4 7 -14 20 12:44 $500,000 26 B.J. Crombeen R Jul 10 '85 Denver CO USA 74 212 R Y 57 10 8 18 -6 125 12:06 $550,000 28 Carlo Colaiacovo D Jan 27 '83 ON CAN 73 200 L 49 3 19 22 2 27 18:15 $1,400,000 29 Jeff Woywitka D Sep 01 '83 Vermilion AB CAN 74 217 L 42 1 12 13 -5 40 18:47 $725,000 42 David Backes R May 01 '84 Minneapolis MN USA 75 216 R 58 18 15 33 -6 137 17:34 $2,500,000 43 Mike Weaver D May 02 '78 Bramalea ON CAN 69 182 R 36 0 5 5 -2 8 16:39 $700,000 46 Roman Polak D Apr 28 '86 Ostrava CZE 73 227 R 45 1 10 11 -6 29 21:25 $475,000 55 Cam Janssen R Apr 15 '84 St. Louis MO USA 72 210 R 47 1 3 4 -5 112 5:21 $550,000 57 David Perron L May 28 '88 Sherbrooke QC CAN 72 180 R 57 7 28 35 5 40 15:20 $875,000 62 Tyson Strachan D Oct 30 '84 Melfort SK CAN 75 205 R Y 27 0 3 3 6 39 13:26 $575,000 74 T.J. Oshie C Dec 23 '86 Mt. Vernon WA USA 71 170 R Y 33 8 13 21 7 8 16:32 $850,000 77 Jay McKee D Sep 08 '77 Kingston ON CAN 76 203 L 45 1 1 2 -2 25 17:15 $4,000,000 TOTALS 152 262 414 -100 953 $42,683,333 # Player DOB City S/P Ctry Ht Wt C Rk GP W L OT SO GAA Sv% Salary 35 Chris Holt Jun 05 '85 Vancouver BC CAN 75 229 L Y 1 0 0 0 0 0.00 100.0% $475,000 50 Chris Mason Apr 20 '76 Red Deer AB CAN 72 195 L 33 11 16 4 4 2.51 91.5% $3,000,000 TOTALS 11 16 4 4 $3,475,000 $46,158,333 14 Page

15

Page Nashville Predators Rosters General Manager: David Poile Head Coach: Barry Trotz and Statistics Associate Coach: Brent Pederson Assistant Coach: Peter Horachek Goaltending Coach: Mitch Korn

# Player Pos DOB City S/P Ctry Ht Wt S Rk GP G A Pts +/- PIM TOI/G Salary 2 Dan Hamhuis D Dec 13 '82 Smithers BC CAN 73 203 L 59 3 15 18 -11 57 22:27 $2,250,000 3 Wade Belak R Jul 03 '76 SK CAN 77 223 R 44 0 1 1 0 64 5:15 $650,000 4 Ville Koistinen D Jun 17 '82 FIN 71 187 L 29 2 6 8 -2 12 15:39 $700,000 5 Greg Zanon D Jun 05 '80 Burnaby BC CAN 71 201 L 59 3 6 9 0 34 20:25 $750,000 6 Shea Weber D Aug 14 '85 Sicamous BC CAN 76 230 R 58 14 19 33 3 57 23:36 $4,500,000 7 Greg de Vries D Jan 04 '73 Sundridge ON CAN 74 205 L 48 1 4 5 -15 44 16:34 $2,750,000 8 Kevin Klein D Dec 13 '84 Kitchener ON CAN 73 203 R Y 40 4 4 8 -3 17 12:59 $500,000 10 Martin Erat R Aug 29 '81 Trebic CZE 72 203 L 56 14 21 35 -13 48 18:42 $3,500,000 11 David Legwand C Aug 17 '80 Detroit MI USA 74 202 L 59 14 17 31 -10 30 18:35 $5,500,000 12 Scott Nichol C Dec 31 '74 AB CAN 69 178 R 27 3 6 9 2 28 11:26 $750,000 14 Radek Bonk C Jan 09 '76 Krnov CZE 74 210 L 55 7 13 20 -5 28 15:00 $1,600,000 19 Jason Arnott C Oct 11 '74 Collingwood ON CAN 77 220 R 53 21 18 39 0 45 18:34 $4,500,000 20 Ryan Suter D Jan 21 '85 Madison WI USA 73 194 L 59 4 26 30 -8 53 23:56 $3,500,000 22 Jordin Tootoo R Feb 02 '83 Churchill MB CAN 69 200 R 49 4 7 11 -9 92 11:57 $975,000 25 Jerred Smithson R Feb 04 '79 Vernon BC CAN 75 204 R 59 3 6 9 -6 39 13:30 $500,000 26 Steve Sullivan L Jul 06 '74 Timmins ON CAN 69 173 R 18 3 5 8 -5 16 16:59 $3,200,000 28 Ryan Jones L Jun 14 '84 Chatham ON CAN 73 206 R Y 33 5 8 13 -1 16 12:36 $920,260 29 Joel Ward R Dec 02 '80 North York ON CAN 73 220 R 56 8 10 18 -1 25 14:59 $500,000 38 Vernon Fiddler L May 09 '80 Edmonton AB CAN 71 201 L 55 8 5 13 -8 10 13:16 $900,000 42 Antti Pihlstrom L Oct 22 '84 Vanntaa FIN 71 190 L Y 36 1 4 5 0 10 12:08 $530,000 44 Alexander Sulzer D May 30 '84 Kaufbeuren DEU 73 207 L Y 2 0 0 0 0 0 6:33 $640,000 71 JP Dumont R Apr 01 '78 Montreal QC CAN 73 219 L 59 11 30 41 0 16 17:28 $4,000,000 TOTALS 133 231 364 -92 741 $43,615,260 # Player DOB City S/P Ctry Ht Wt C Rk GP W L OT SO GAA Sv% Salary 35 Pekka Rinne Nov 03 '82 Kempele FIN 77 206 L Y 31 16 10 1 4 2.31 92.0% $575,000 39 Dan Ellis Jun 19 '80 Saskatoon SK CAN 72 188 L 33 11 18 3 3 2.93 89.9% $1,500,000 TOTALS 27 28 4 7 $2,075,000 $45,690,260

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 4, Issue 31 Page 16 February 21, 2009 NHL Referee Statistics

2008-2009 Since 2007 1st O O No. Official Born Blues Blues Blues Blues Blues Blues Game W L T W L T Games PP PK Games PP PK L L 2 Fraser, Kerry Sarnia, ON 1980 2 5 12 1 1 0 7 26 31 3 4 0 3 Leggo, Mike North Bay, ON 1997 7 35 23 3 2 2 14 69 54 6 6 2 4 McCauley, Wes Georgetown, ON 2003 2 4 7 0 2 0 5 14 18 1 3 1 5 Rooney, Chris Boston, MA 2000 6 20 25 2 3 1 13 55 66 4 6 3 6 Marouelli, Dan Edmonton, AB 1984 2 9 9 0 2 0 4 15 17 0 4 0 7 McCreary, Bill Guelph, ON 1984 3 16 11 1 2 0 5 26 20 2 3 0 8 Jackson, Dave Montreal, PQ 1990 4 12 13 1 3 0 9 31 36 5 4 0 10 Devorski, Paul Guelph, ON 1989 3 13 15 1 1 1 5 24 24 2 2 1 11 Sutherland, Kelly Richmond, BC 2000 4 19 16 1 3 0 8 30 28 1 6 1 12 Koharski, Don Dartmouth, NS 1981 4 18 15 1 2 1 6 30 21 2 3 1 13 O'Halloran, Dan Essex, ON 1995 4 26 28 2 1 1 10 47 61 6 3 1 14 LaRue, Dennis Savannah, GA 1991 4 14 16 2 2 0 10 39 42 3 4 3 15 Auger, Stephane Montreal, PQ 2000 4 24 20 3 1 0 10 58 63 7 2 1 16 Shick, Rob Port Alberni, BC 1986 5 22 23 4 1 0 11 40 48 4 6 0 18 Kimmerly, Greg Toronto, ON 1996 3 11 15 0 2 1 10 35 42 3 6 1 19 Dwyer, Gord Halifax, NS 2003 2 11 6 1 1 0 7 33 26 3 4 0 20 Peel, Tim Toronto, ON 1999 6 23 26 2 4 0 12 50 45 4 6 2 21 VanMassenhoven, Don Parkhill, ON 1993 3 17 15 1 2 0 10 44 47 6 3 1 23 Watson, Brad Regina, Sas 1996 5 29 32 2 2 1 10 48 56 4 3 3 25 Joannette, Marc Verdun, PQ 1999 4 18 22 1 2 1 6 25 30 1 4 1 26 Martell, Rob Winnipeg, MB 1996 5 21 22 2 2 1 14 61 69 9 4 1 27 Furlatt, Eric Trois-Rivieres, PQ 2001 5 22 23 1 3 1 8 36 38 3 3 2 28 Lee, Chris St John, NB 2001 4 19 21 1 2 1 8 34 39 3 3 2 29 Walsh, Ian Philadelphia, PA 2000 4 16 18 0 4 0 7 25 31 1 6 0 30 Hasenfratz, Mike Regina, SK 2000 1 3 4 1 0 0 4 12 14 2 1 1 32 Kowal, Tom Vernon, BC 2000 2 5 8 1 1 0 8 35 37 2 4 2 33 Pollock, Kevin Kincardine, ON 2000 4 13 14 2 1 1 9 35 38 4 4 1 34 Meier, Brad Dayton, OH 1999 1 4 2 1 0 0 8 34 30 4 3 1 36 Morton, Dean Peterborough, ON 2000 3 13 10 2 0 1 4 20 16 3 0 1 37 Rehman, Kyle Stettler, AB 2008 1 5 5 1 0 0 1 5 5 1 0 0 38 St Laurent, Francois Greenfield Park, PQ 2006 2 9 10 2 0 0 5 19 22 2 2 1 40 Kozari, Steve Penticton, BC 2006 2 13 14 1 1 0 8 43 40 4 4 0 42 O'Rourke, Dan , AB 1999 2 11 7 0 1 1 43 Pochmara, Brian Detroit, MI 2006 3 12 13 2 1 0 6 26 33 2 4 0 44 Banfield, Steve Halifax, NS 2008 1 3 3 1 0 0 1 3 3 1 0 0 45 St. Pierre, Justin Dolbeau, PQ 2003 1 5 5 1 0 0 6 28 27 4 1 1 TOTALS 58 255 261 24 27 7 583 612 56 61 18 NHL Linesmen

# Name # Name # Name # Name # Name 17 Heyer, Shane 61 Seitz, Lyle 73 Rody, Vaughan 80 Nelson, Thor 91 Henderson, Don 47 Schachte, Dan 65 Racicot, Pierre 74 Cameron, Lonnie 82 Galloway, Ryan 92 Shewchyk, Mark 54 Devorski, Greg 66 Gibbs, Darren 75 Amell, Derek 84 Sericolo, Tony 93 Murphy, Brian 56 Wheler, Mark 67 Champoux, Pierre 76 Cormier, Michel 86 Lazarowich, Brad 95 Murray, Jonny 57 Sharrers, Jay 68 Driscoll, Scott 77 Nowak, Tim 88 Cvik, Mike 96 Brisebois, David 59 Barton, Steve 70 Nansen, Derek 78 Mach, Brian 89 Miller, Steve 97 Morin, Jean 60 Dapuzzo, Pat 71 Kovachik, Brad 79 Pare, Mark 90 McElman, Andy GAME TIME Page 17 St. Louis Game Time Scorecard

St. Louis Blues vs. Nashville Predators; Saturday, February 21, 2009

Referee: ______Referee: ______

Linesman: ______Linesman: ______

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

Preds Preds

Blues Blues

Blues Starting Lineup Goal Scoring

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

Predators 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 4, Issue 31 Page 18 February 21, 2009

Ask Game Time’s Answer Man

Dear Answer Man, just like you‟d judge women based solely on appearance and How does a team stay focused on an entire season while alcohol tolerance. playing against 29 other teams with 29 other systems and When you enter the bar put out the vibe because the ladies top players? There just seems to be so much to keep on the are watching. You‟ll see the drunks at the big table or face radar that it would be really tough to make sure nothing down on the bar. We call them “low hanging fruit” or the falls through the cracks. What’s the secret? “expect to win” games. These chicks are the ones you know -Walter (Sikeston-MO) will put out but you don‟t want to lower your standards just yet. Save that for the end of the night when you have struck out a few times (never happens to AM. I‟m awesome and Gator, this is a good question man. Short answer is don‟t totally ripped). worry about it and enjoy the games, you jerk. The long The next group is similar to teams like Anaheim, Ottawa, answer follows now. New Jersey, Montreal and Toronto (sometimes). This group Some coaches implement a “Season is usually out to have some fun and will need to be coaxed Plan.” This takes into account the into lovin‟. They were once the top team but have faded yet divisional matchups along with have enough swagger to be tough to play against. When it is a inter-conference games and breaks group of skanks, they might be pushing 40 but have enough the season down in to smaller mileage on them to still be a tough win. These can be won manageable chunks. Teams will also over. Just tell them they still look young enough to be in group their opponents together their 20‟s and feed them martinis. based on style of play and also base a Now for the group I call the Stuck Ups. These are the lot of things off of exaggerated skanks that only go after the Frat/Yuppie guys but will leave stereotypes. Teams need to monitor the one they are with for the next guy with a bigger BMW current hot streaks along with injury and a smaller dick. These broads remind me of teams like reports. This information is readily available in the media Vancouver, Philly and Detroit (I‟d include Boston and San guides and through the due diligence of the coaches and Jose this year). You can‟t stand being around them but you scouting departments. know you want to get down with them and have their For example, when the Blues have a run of games against success. How do you beat them? Stick to your strengths Nashville, Phoenix and Columbus they should go with a (mine would include tight pants, fanny packs and knowledge more aggressive and “attack” style of play. Take the play to of pork rinds). You are not going to win them all but you will these teams because these teams basically suck. On the snag a few. When you do win one of these games/skanks rub flipside when you face the Penguins, Edmonton and Detroit, it in their face and treat them humiliate them at every a team needs to base their game plan on speed and puck chance. This will show them karma can be a real bitch. possession. Just as in life, the season is better understood if broken With the roster limits you only have certain pieces you into smaller parts. Do your homework, lift mad weights and and rotate in and out. Basically like using different tools in a be on the prowl. I also like to write in my private journal tool box. It is very similar to using various love oils and much like how scouts keep a database of notes. Tracking lotions while you make sweet, sweet love with your lady historical data is crucial to keeping a good line on things. Me, friend in the basement of your house in North County and I like to open up my “Magic Journal of Feelings” (complete try to ensure you don‟t wake your mom from her drunken with unicorn embroidered cover) and relive the events that slumber. Malt liquor makes Answer Mom angry. Then really make it all worthwhile. The Season Plan is important and if sleepy. you play your cards right you avoid the rashes and win some Often times I write about picking up skanks and partying. championships. Go Blues! AM Out. This column will be no different and I hope it helps drive the point home. Send your questions on hockey (NHL or rec league), Think of putting a season plan together as being similar to Busch beer or any other thing that keeps you awake at night going to a crowded bar cruising for Trim. When you walk in, to: [email protected] and have them you have high hopes and you are looking to score. When you answered here. get in, you need to survey the area. Put teams in categories Because You‟re Kinda Twisted, Too. St. Louis Game Time G AME TIME Page 19 The Fantasy Files By Duke

Just as the Blues are starting to pick up some playoff steam, position by becoming a key part of the new and improved Blues the fantasy season is quickly drawing to a close. With just power play. Just like the mysterious new power play dance, three and a half weeks to go in your head-to-head formats, all Patrik Berglund has offered bystanders something that felt like of the 2008-2009 stars have been born and players have a new pair of underwear at first, but he quickly and completely established themselves as fantasy commodities to be became a part of the man-advantage routine. When Tkachuk is discussed this summer in preparation for next season‟s on a streak, he‟s worthy of a plug-in here and there – otherwise, drafts. he‟s simply got a name that carries him further than his output But where do your does. favorite Blues fall into the Tkachuk also holds eligibility at the left wing position, where picture here? Nobody he is also a fringe player. Again he‟s edged out by an outside of St. Louis outstanding Blues youngster, and this time it‟s No. 57. David expected any of these Perron has given all of us plenty of reason to forget that we took guys to really play above time out of the middle of the fucking week to show up for Paul their draft position, which Kariya‟s initial press conference after signing last summer, and means that a number of he‟s shown that the future is now for the Blues at left wing. pleasant surprises have On the other wing, Brad Boyes has been a little bit streaky emerged from Coach but has delivered at the end of the day. The big mover here is Murray‟s squad. Although David Backes, who has been discussed extensively in this I try to completely ignore column, this paper, and on every message board on the jerseys (and names, if Internets. He‟s a legitimate No. 1 RW in a 12-team league, and possible) on draft day and he‟s easily the No. 1 Blue in fantasy. Enough said. instead focus on num- bers, trends, ages, health, On defense, Carlo Colaiacovo stands alone as the lone ownable commodity on the blueline by being the best weapon He may have had a great and playing time, it‟s a from the point since Pronger. We all bitched and moaned when rookie season, but The Osh great thing to be able to Dutchie was shipped to the Maple Leafs, but Carlo has become isn‟t quite valuable enough take a look at your fantasy the key part of that deal and has stayed healthy enough to to draft for your fantasy roster and see a few of the establish what he‟s capable of offensively. team yet. same names that you enjoy watching out on the Finally, for every messageboard thread about why David ice here at the DrinkScotch. Backes should be the team‟s Captain, there has been five That‟s part of the reason that I try to mention any and different discussions about the state of the goaltending every Blue that emerges throughout the course of the season situation. We all know the end of that story, and it‟s translated and might provide some value to your fantasy team. If the into Chris Mason being a legitimate No. 2 fantasy goalie. While standard of player value that we‟re looking at here deals with his 11-16-4 record is a reflection of the inconsistent team in whether or not they‟re “ownable” in a standard 12-team front of him, his 2.51 GAA, 91.5% save rate, and four shutouts league, then we‟re simply multiplying the number of teams by have been indicative of a solid overall performance. Behind the number of players that need to be rostered by each team Backes and Boyes, Mason ranks a close third overall for fantasy at a particular position, and determining whether or not your relevance. guy falls within that range. Typically, we‟re looking at the TJ Oshie, BJ Crombeen, and Barret Jackman each deserve top-36 at each forward position, the top-50 blueliners, and special mention for having strong individual seasons, but the the top-36 keepers. fact that their efforts on the ice don‟t translate into fantasy Starting at the center position, Andy McDonald and Keith value serve as a reminder of why we should cover up the names Tkachuk were clear front runners to lead their squad, but an and jerseys on draft day, and follow the numbers instead of our ankle injury for one and a drastic winter cool down for hearts. another opened the door for a young Swede to take over. The Go Blues! technoviking has earned his fantasy relevance at a very deep

Tired of „Journalistic Integrity‟? Us Too. www.stlouisgametime.com Volume 4, Issue 31 Page 20 February 21, 2009

Tomorrow‟s Blues By Brian Weidler

European Prospect Update that the Blues‟ policy is not very pro-Russian in general; he Since the big news of the last week has been that the Blues told the interviewer that only two Russians had ever played will be opening the 2009-10 season with a pair of games for St. Louis -- Alexander Khavanov and Sergei Varlamov -- against Detroit in Stockholm, Sweden next October, this and had to be told that the Blues had employed lots of seems like a good time for your Game Time Prospect Russians in the past, from Alexei Kasatonov to the Russian Department to update Blues Nation on what‟s happening Three (Igor Korolev, Vitali Prokhorov, and Vitali Karamnov), with the various European prospects whose rights are owned from Igor Kravchuk to Timofei Shishkanov. by the Blues. Peoria head coach Davis Payne was apparently aware a Lemtyugov: “Maybe A Mistake” To month in advance that Lemtyugov was Leave AHL contemplating a return to Russia, according to Recently, a Russian website (allhockey.ru) ran the interview, and Lemtyugov also notes that an interview that they did with ex-Peoria he hasn‟t burned his bridges with the Blues Riverman Nikolai Lemtyugov. and would like to come back to North America. Thanks to the magic of the “myWorldLingo His contract with Severstal runs only through Text Translator” website, we can give you at the end of this season, and as for next season... least the gist of what Lemtyugov had to say, “I cannot answer.” and what he had to say was interesting, to say Be watching the Game Time website for a the least. For those who remember the translation (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) Magnus Kahnberg debacle of 2006-07, in of the entire Lemtyugov interview coming in which he went back to Europe and started bad the next few days. -mouthing the Blues, suffice it to say that Lem- “Czech-ing” Up On An Old Friend tyugov is being a lot more respectful. The Blues may not own his rights any In Russian, “команды,” or “command,” Lars Eller has separated longer, but ex-NHLer Petr Cajanek seems to means “team.” So anywhere the article refers himself from the pack as have found a home in Mother Russia. to the command, they‟re referring to a team, the Blues’ top European The Zlin, Czech Republic native played 269 either Peoria or St. Louis, or Lemtyugov‟s prospect, and may well be current command, Severstal Cherepovets. games in the Note from 2002 to 2007, scoring the top prospect in the 46 goals (nine on the power play) and adding Essentially, the introduction to the article system, period. 107 assists, and was assigned to Ak Bars Kazan notes that Lemtyugov had a decent first season (Game Time photo by by the Blues in the 2007-08 season, where he (the translator program says, quote, “in the scored 13 goals and 33 points in 33 games. first season he knocked on 22 washers, after Brian Weidler) becoming the fourth sniper of command”), Cajanek has signed with Dynamo Moscow and had played well in the pre-season and at Traverse City. this season, and in 51 games with one of Russia‟s premier Despite his best efforts, however, Lemtyugov failed to get the clubs, the six-foot, 193-pound forward is 9-22 31 with a call from St. Louis. plus-10 mark and a whopping 123 minutes in penalty time. Lemtyugov is an optimist, the article continues, and he Inside The Numbers hasn‟t given up on his dream to play in the NHL; he simply There are statistics, and then there are statistics... needed to take some time and re-evaluate his situation, and Following are some of the numbers you don‟t always see in felt he would be more comfortable doing that at home in these periodic recaps. Russia instead of in Peoria. 2007 selection Simon Hjalmarsson (39th overall) leads The article also notes that Lemtyugov is such an optimist, his club (Borås HC) in scoring with 13-18-31 totals in 38 and so confident in his own abilities, that he wears the games played, and 2008 draftee Jori Lehtera (65th overall) number 66 in Russia in honor of Mario Lemieux; by is also leading his team (Tappara Tampere) in scoring with removing the „t‟ from his name, Lemtyugov becomes 8-32-40 totals in 53 games played. Lemyugov, which is essentially the Russianized version of Danish LW Lars Eller is having a very solid all-around Lemieux. season for Frölunda HC in the Swedish Elite League. Not Lemtyugov goes on to say that the hockey in the AHL and only has the 2007 first-rounder (13th overall) hit double NHL is more dynamic, and much faster, than in Russia, and figures in goals (11) and assists (11) in his first full year at the that playing at the faster pace was very agreeable to him. He top level of Swedish hockey, he also has three goals on the thinks he may have made a mistake in deciding to leave, but power play, and is winning 53% (55 of 103) of his faceoffs. says that the only way to learn is from your mistakes. Eller is the leading scorer among junior-age (U-20) players

One mistake that he can learn from, is his expressed view (Continued on page 21) G AME TIME Page 21

than the average at 6‟5, and solid at 207 pounds. His size and strength give him the stamina to lay a lot of minutes, as his 65 games and 3800-plus minutes played last year in Milwaukee (AHL) prove. Rinne played 25 games in the Finnish Elite League (SM- By Brian Weidler ) from 2002-03 to 2004-05, putting up a 13-5-5 record with a 2.64 GAA and 90.1% save percentage, before crossing the pond in 2005-06 to assume the starter‟s role in Pekka Rinne Milwaukee. Catches: Left In three seasons at the AHL level, Rinne established himself as one of the top goalies in Height: 6‟5 the league. The big Finn won 81 of 145 games Weight: 207 played in three AHL seasons, a 55.8% winning percentage, and racked up ten shutouts on his Birthdate: November 3, 1982 way to a career 2.56 GAA and 90.9% save Birthplace: Kempele, Finland percentage. In 31 games for the Predators this season, The big goalie from Finland has had cups of Rinne is 16-10-1 with a nifty 2.31 GAA and a coffee with Nashville in 2006-07 and 2007-08, 92.0% save percentage. He has started seven of but has finally arrived in Music City to stay this Nashville‟s last 10 games, going 4-2-1 in that season. span and allowing 16 goals on 222 shots against for a 2.26 GAA and 92.8% save percentage. Like Blues‟ prospect Ben Bishop, Rinne is much taller

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Tomorrow‟s Blues (continued)

(Continued from page 20) 2673 minutes (28.71 shots against per 60 minutes) for Tampere in Finland. In 14 games played for three different in the SEL, just ahead of 2009 draft eligibles Victor Hedman Swiss Nationalliga-A clubs, Reto Berra has faced a total of 462 of (5-13-18), Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson of shots in 861 minutes, an average of 32.20 shots against per 60 Timrå IK (7-10-17), and Jacob Josefson of Djurgårdens IF minutes played, while Czech prospect has been (4-10-14). bombarded with rubber since returning home this year, facing At age 19, 2008 draftee (125th overall) Kristoffer Berglund 323 shots in only 490 minutes played, or 39.55 shots against is 11th among defensemen in SEL scoring with 24 points in 48 per 60 minutes. games. Ex-NHL'er Marcus Ragnarsson of Djurgårdens IF All four of the Blues‟ Euro goaltending prospects have save leads the SEL in scoring from the blueline with percentages well over 90 percent; Berra‟s is lowest at a 10-25-35 totals in 45 games played, and Berglund‟s teammate still-respectable 90.69%, followed by Schwarz at 90.71%, (and ex-Blue) Jaroslav Obsut is sixth with an 8-19-27 stat line Barulin at 90.76%, and Toivonen at 91.16%. Three of the four in 50 games played. have losing records, while Barulin‟s won-lost record is unavailable. Toivonen has won 18 games for Ilves, but has lost There is an obvious correlation between shots against and 19 and tied nine, while Berra is 5-9-0 in his many travels save percentage; goalies that face a greater number of shots around Switzerland this year, and Schwarz is 2-6-0 in his brief tend to have higher save percentages. The stats of the Blues‟ time back in the Czech Republic. Euro prospects go a long way towards establishing the truth of that statement. Join us next time for more of the latest on the Blues‟ prospects, and until then, remember... “if we do not prepare Konstantin Barulin has faced 790 shots in 1,770 minutes for for ourselves the role of the hammer, there will be nothing left CSKA Moscow, an average of 26.78 shots against for every 60 but that of the anvil.” minutes played, while has seen 1,279 shots in Auf wiedersehen. Volume 4, Issue 31 Page 22 February 21, 2009 From The Editor (continued)

(Continued from page 2) And finally, I want to address this power play dance craze. I admit it; I‟m as confused as anyone about this thing. What‟s However, if your boss were to come to you on Monday and worse is that everyone kinda assumes that Game Time is let you know that they were bringing in a new assistant for you behind it somehow. I‟ve gotten a bunch of email about this and you were to also find out that the assistant was getting paid thing and the best answer I have for people is that I have no 20% more than you are, wouldn‟t that screw with your head- idea how it started or why it has grown, but I know that we space a little? didn‟t start it. I have a couple theories on who it is we should be I‟m not saying that could even happen in the real world work pointing our fingers towards, but they‟re just theories. place, but I am saying that the Blues should have handled this Here‟s my offer: email me and let me know how you started better. Maybe it was a matter of more open conversation with this thing and we‟ll add to your legend. Want to be written up Legace or maybe it was a matter of admitting that they though in the paper? No problem. Want a story on our website? Fine. Chris Mason was the better goalie and either making Legace You‟ve got momentum, we‟ll help you get some more. the backup or just outright trading him. At this point there‟s no Basically, I just gotta know, for sure, how this started. way to know what would have been best, but it‟s pretty clear that there needs to be better communication between the levels of management and the players. -Sean “see how I didn’t call it rambling?” Gallagher Hopefully the lesson has been learned.

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Remember Me? By Brad Lee & Chris Gift

Jeff Brown game when he scored 78 points in 70 games played that regular season. His 214 assists ranks him 12th all-time in Born April 30, 1966 Blues history. His 294 points rank him 16th on the team. Played for Blues 1989-94 In the 1993-94 season, Brown had 60 points in 63 games before he was traded away with Bret You can still find a few folks walking Hedican and Nathan Lafayette for Craig around the Drinkscotch Center on any Janney. Still playing at a high in Vancou- given night still wearing the No. 21 jersey ver, Brown scored 15 points in the playoff of former Blues player Jeff Brown. During run to the Stanley Cup Finals for the his time in St. Louis, Brown was one of the Canucks in the 1994 postseason. He would top offensive-minded defensemen in the go on to play for Hartford and make the NHL. transition to Carolina. He spent a short time with Toronto and Washington before He was drafted 36th overall in the 1984 retiring during the 1997-98 season. He NHL entry draft and entered the NHL finished with 747 regular season games during the 1986-87 season with the and 584 points. His career was marred . He played parts of four with post-concussion syndrome and some seasons north of the border before a trade sort of flesh eating disease, according to sent him to St. Louis early in the Brett several sites on the wacky Internets. Hull era of the Blues. He was traded for the Tony Hrkac Circus and goaltender Brown is now the head coach of the . He immediately made an St. Louis Bandits in the North American impact. In 48 games his first season in Hockey League. According to Wikipedia, St. Louis he scored 38 points. He made the 1992 all-star his favorite food is fish and chips. G AME TIME Page 23

Top 11 List Of Top 11 Lists -2009 We Never Finished The 2008

Lucky Skate Shuffle Tracker 11. Top 11 Things We Like About Jordin Tootoo. 10. Top 11 Emotional Moments In Eric Brewer‟s Career. 9. Top 11 Golf Tips From Erik Johnson. Times Occurred 8. Top 11 Favorite Red Wings Players. Finishing Point This Year / 7. Top 11 Blues Playoff Moments The Last Four Years. Percentage 6. Top 11 Things We Miss About Bill & Money Laurie. Puck finishes in same 5. Top 11 Reasons We Love A Recession. 21 / 72.4% skate as starting point. 4. Top 11 Things Said At The Unemployment Office This Morning. 3. Top 11 Favorite Blackhawks Players. Puck finishes in skate one 2. Top 11 Organs We‟re Going To Donate To Pay place lower than start 8 / 27.6% For Plane Tickets To Sweden. point. 1. Top 11 Reasons To Love Towel Boy.

Puck finishes in skate one From the Empty Beer Cup of Brad Lee place higher than start 0 / 0.0% point.

Like Education, But With Drinking. St. Louis Game Time The Five Hole (continued)

(Continued from page 5) nice guy on TV. And I thought he was really unlucky with that injury he got thanks to that carpet... ouch!” Barret Jackman as well. I think the rebuilding of the franchise So there‟s Gerard and his views in a nutshell. Come up, starts to pay off this season already. I know this team is in introduce yourself, explain to him what a toasted ravioli is, ask the lower regions of the standings mathematically, but look at him where he went to high school, if he saw Kurt Warner play how many young future stars there are (TJ Oshie, Patrik for the Amsterdam Admirals way back when, and point out a Berglund, David Perron, Johnson) and how many there are yet Bloosier to him. to come to the Blues full time (Ben Bishop, Lars Eller, Alex Pietrangelo etc). And look at how they have played at times. But even if you don‟t, the next time you anoint yourself a There‟s even a playoff run going on. Of course it‟s not always true fan and plan a roadie to see your boys, remember unless great, but let‟s not forget: these are young guys. They will only you possess blind trans-Atlantic loyalty and are a sucker for a get better and learn along the way. fairly mediocre team, your trip won‟t compare to the one Gerard is taking. “I read and heard about ‟s contract issues. But what I didn‟t like is the way he complained about Mason making more money. Legace makes less… OK. But still Contact Gerard: [email protected] millions of dollars, many people dream of the job and the Contact me: [email protected] money he has. Don‟t get me wrong though: he seems like a Volume 4, Issue 31 Page 24 February 21, 2009 NHL Standings—Going Uphill

Eastern Conference GP W L OTL PTS GF GA PP% PK% HOME AWAY L10 1 Boston 58 40 10 8 88 197 131 22.8 83.0 19-4-4 21-6-4 5-2-3 2 New Jersey 59 38 18 3 79 182 147 19.8 82.1 19-10-1 19-8-2 7-3-0 3 Washington 59 37 17 5 79 196 170 23.8 79.3 23-5-1 14-12-4 7-2-1 4 Philadelphia 56 31 16 9 71 185 164 23.7 83.0 17-7-3 14-9-6 6-4-0 5 NY Rangers 59 31 22 6 68 147 163 13.7 87.2 18-9-3 13-13-3 2-6-2 6 Montreal 59 30 22 7 67 179 181 17.1 82.0 17-6-4 13-16-3 2-7-1 7 Florida 58 29 21 8 66 164 159 15.6 82.5 16-8-5 13-13-3 6-4-0 8 Buffalo 59 30 23 6 66 175 166 21.1 83.1 16-11-2 14-12-4 5-4-1

9 Carolina 60 30 25 5 65 157 174 16.0 78.9 15-13-1 15-12-4 6-4-0 10 Pittsburgh 59 28 25 6 62 178 182 16.3 80.5 16-12-2 12-13-4 4-4-2 11 Ottawa 57 22 26 9 53 141 163 18.6 83.2 12-10-5 10-16-4 5-3-2 12 Toronto 58 21 26 11 53 175 214 19.9 73.5 10-11-7 11-15-4 4-3-3 13 Tampa Bay 59 19 28 12 50 148 188 16.7 79.9 10-12-8 9-16-4 2-6-2 14 Atlanta 59 21 32 6 48 175 208 20.3 75.2 9-17-2 12-15-4 4-5-1 15 NY Islanders 58 17 35 6 40 140 198 17.3 81.8 11-13-4 6-22-2 3-6-1 Western Conference GP W L OTL PTS GF GA PP% PK% HOME AWAY L10 1 San Jose 56 39 8 9 87 196 139 23.9 83.7 25-2-3 14-6-6 4-2-4 2 Detroit 59 39 12 8 86 226 172 28.1 77.7 22-4-3 17-8-5 8-1-1 3 Calgary 58 34 18 6 74 184 171 18.1 85.3 20-7-4 14-11-2 4-4-2 4 Chicago 56 33 15 8 74 190 140 21.2 80.9 15-4-5 18-11-3 7-3-0 5 Vancouver 58 29 21 8 66 178 168 19.2 78.8 14-11-4 15-10-4 7-2-1 6 Columbus 59 30 23 6 66 163 164 12.6 81.6 19-9-2 11-14-4 6-3-1 7 Dallas 57 29 21 7 65 173 176 17.1 79.5 17-7-4 12-14-3 7-3-0 8 Edmonton 58 29 25 4 62 163 179 17.7 77.2 13-11-3 16-14-1 4-5-1

9 Anaheim 60 28 27 5 61 168 175 22.0 80.8 15-13-3 13-14-2 4-6-0 10 Minnesota 56 28 24 4 60 144 132 20.9 87.2 17-11-4 11-13-0 5-4-1 11 Los Angeles 57 25 23 9 59 152 164 20.0 81.6 13-12-8 12-11-1 5-3-2 12 Nashville 59 27 28 4 58 141 168 13.3 83.6 16-11-2 11-17-2 5-4-1 13 St.Louis 58 25 26 7 57 165 177 21.2 82.3 15-11-4 10-15-3 5-2-3 14 Colorado 59 28 30 1 57 163 181 17.2 77.8 17-14-0 11-16-1 5-5-0 15 Phoenix 59 26 28 5 57 150 181 14.8 78.3 17-12-2 9-16-3 2-8-0

Wish You Had Game Time When You Watch The Blues At Home? Subscribe! [email protected] GAME TIME Page 25 St. Louis Blues Schedule and Results

October January (continued) WINNING/LOSING WINNING/LOSING DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD GOALIE GOALIE Oct 10 Fri Predators 5-2 1-0-0 Legace/Ellis Jan 17 Sat Blackhaw ks 1-2 OT 17-23-4 Huet/Legace Oct 11 Sat @Islanders 2-5 1-1-0 MacDonald/Mason Jan 19 Mon @Bruins 5-4 SO 18-23-4 Mason/Thomas Oct 13 Mon @Maple Leafs 5-4 SO 2-1-0 Legace/Toskala Jan 21 Wed @Blackhaw ks 2-0 19-23-4 Mason/Huet Oct 16 Thu Stars 6-1 3-1-0 Legace/Turco Jan 24 Sat All-Star Skills/Young Stars Game Oct 18 Sat Blackhaw ks 4-3 SO 4-1-0 Legace/Khabibulin Jan 25 Sun All-Star Game Oct 22 Wed Red Wings 3-4 4-2-0 Conklin/Legace Jan 29 Thu Senators 1-3 19-24-4 Elliott/Mason Oct 24 Fri Kings 0-4 4-3-0 LaBarbera/Legace Jan 31 Sat Flyers 4-0 20-24-4 Mason/Niittymaki Oct 25 Sat Panthers 4-0 5-3-0 Bishop/Anderson Oct 30 Thu Hurricanes 0-1 5-4-0 Ward/Mason

November February WINNING/LOSING WINNING/LOSING DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD GOALIE GOALIE Nov 1 Sat Penguins 3-6 5-5-0 Fleury/Mason Feb 2 Mon @Red Wings 3-4 SO 20-24-5 Osgood/Mason Nov 5 Wed @Ducks 2-5 5-6-0 Giguere/Mason Feb 3 Tue @Blue Jackets 4-2 21-24-5 C.Mason/S.Mason Nov 6 Thu @Sharks 4-5 SO 5-6-1 Nabokov/Bishop Feb 5 Thu Oilers 1-2 SO 21-24-6 Roloson/Mason Nov 8 Sat @Kings 3-5 5-7-1 Ersberg/Legace Feb 7 Sat Avalanche 4-1 22-24-6 Mason/Budaj Nov 12 Wed @Sabres 3-4 5-8-1 Miller/Mason Feb 10 Tue Canucks 4-6 22-25-6 Luongo/Mason Nov 14 Fri @Blackhaw ks 4-3 OT 6-8-1 Legace/Khabibulin Feb 12 Thu @Predators 3-4 SO 22-25-7 Rinne/Mason Nov 16 Sun Canadiens 2-3 SO 6-8-2 Price/Legace Feb 13 Fri Blackhaw ks 1-0 23-25-7 Mason/Huet Nov 21 Fri Ducks 3-2 OT 7-8-2 Legace/Giguere Feb 16 Mon Rangers 2-1 24-25-7 Mason/Lundqvist Nov 22 Sat @Wild 2-1 8-8-2 Mason/Backstrom Feb 18 Wed @Blue Jackets 3-4 24-26-7 S.Mason/C.Mason Nov 25 Tue @Predators 1-0 SO 9-8-2 Mason/Ellis Feb 19 Thu @Predators 2-1 25-26-7 Mason/Rinne Nov 26 Wed @Avalanche 1-3 9-9-2 Budaj/Legace Feb 21 Sat Predators Nov 29 Sat Oilers 2-4 9-10-2 Roloson/Legace Feb 24 Tue Coyotes Nov 30 Sun @Thrashers 4-2 10-10-2 Mason/Pavelec Feb 26 Thu @Stars Feb 28 Sat @Coyotes

December March WINNING/LOSING WINNING/LOSING DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD GOALIE GOALIE Dec 3 Wed @Wild 0-4 10-11-2 Backstrom/Legace Mar 3 Tue Red Wings Dec 5 Fri Flames 3-4 OT 10-11-3 Kipprusoff/Mason Mar 6 Fri @Lightning Dec 6 Sat Coyotes 4-3 11-11-3 Legace/Bryzgalov Mar 7 Sat @Panthers Dec 8 Mon Predators 6-3 12-11-3 Legace/Rinne Mar 10 Tue Stars Dec 10 Wed @Ducks 2-4 12-12-3 Giguere/Mason Mar 12 Thu Sharks Dec 11 Thu @Kings 2-6 12-13-3 Ersberg/Mason Mar 14 Sat Red Wings Dec 13 Sat @Sharks 4-5 12-14-3 Nabokov/Mason Mar 15 Sun Wild Dec 16 Tue Flames 3-6 12-15-3 Kipprusoff/Mason Mar 17 Tue @Oilers Dec 18 Thu @Capitals 2-4 12-16-3 Varlamov/Bishop Mar 19 Thu @Canucks Dec 20 Sat Wild 4-2 13-16-3 Legace/Backstrom Mar 20 Fri @Flames Dec 21 Sun Bruins 3-6 13-17-3 Fernandez/Legace Mar 24 Tue Kings Dec 23 Tue @Red Wings 1-4 13-18-3 Conklin/Legace Mar 26 Thu Canucks Dec 27 Sat Sharks 3-2 SO 14-18-3 Legace/Nabokov Mar 28 Sat Blue Jackets Dec 28 Sun Ducks 3-4 14-19-3 Hiller/Mason Mar 29 Sun @Blue Jackets Dec 30 Tue Devils 3-4 14-20-3 Clemmensen/Legace

January April WINNING/LOSING WINNING/LOSING DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD GOALIE GOALIE Jan 2 Fri @Hurricanes 2-3 14-21-3 Ward/Mason Apr 1 Wed @Blackhaw ks Jan 3 Sat Blue Jackets 5-2 15-21-3 Legace/Mason Apr 2 Thu @Red Wings Jan 9 Fri @Canucks 6-4 16-21-3 Legace/Labarbara Apr 4 Sat @Stars Jan 11 Sun @Oilers 1-2 16-22-3 Roloson/Legace Apr 7 Tue @Coyotes Jan 13 Tue @Flames 1-3 16-23-3 Kipprusoff/Mason Apr 10 Fri Blue Jackets Jan 15 Thu Avalanche 5-2 17-23-3 Legace/Budaj Apr 12 Sun @Avalanche Volume 4, Issue 31 Page 26 February 21, 2009

More Like Muzak City (continued)

(Continued from page 1) they need production. They need tough- coach of the year. ness. Big Walt is still dangerous on the To take that next step towards the more than half the schedule away from power play. And as he showed playoffs, the Blues have to win in St. Louis, that might be the biggest Thursday night in the overtime, the regulation against Nashville, a team factor in determining if the Blues will dude still knows how to take up space they‟ve enjoyed playing this season. make it. in front of the net and take out the trash Mason‟s former mates have struggled If the Blues want to make a realistic in the crease. Sure, a prospect or draft against him. Better yet, the big bald push for the playoffs, they have to pick or combination there of would be goaltender apparently enjoys playing accomplish a short list of tasks. Of nice. But that doesn‟t help this month. against them as much as any team in course it‟s just my opinion and the If the Blues want to the league. In three games played he‟s 2 Blues could do the opposite and still -0-1 with a 1.24 goals-against average win. But I doubt it. make a realistic push and 96.4 percent save percentage. 1. The Blues need to win in for the playoffs, they The Blues have a 4-0-1 record regulation and not in the overtime or against the Predators this season. Quite shootout against the teams around have to accomplish a a contrast when just a few seasons ago them in the playoffs. These fucking short list of tasks. the Predators dominated the Bluenote. three-point games are what is keeping Upstart pricks are getting it handed the standings all bunched up. When the And don‟t think for one second that this right back to them. And it feels good. bottom eight teams in the playoffs are team would do almost anything (except If you look at the Predators‟ website, separated by five points, it says the trade picks or prospects) to make the they‟ve declared this much a Fangtastic Western Conference is deep and playoffs for the first time under the new February. Well it‟s come back to bite dangerous. And it also says the 39 ownership. Keeping Tkachuk would be them right in the ass. After starting the points those eight teams have earned by the first decision this team has made month hot with four straight wins, they losing in overtime and the shootout for just the short term, but it would be are 2-4-1 since. Oops. have only added to the clusterfuck that the right one because making the post- is the standings. The brittle and oft-injured Steve season definitely helps in the long term. Sullivan has been the best player for the 2. Chris Mason has to keep playing 4. The team needs to take fewer Predators this week. Nashville has like he‟s been playing. He‟s 5-2-2 since penalties and remain strong on the scored three goals in their last two being installed as the starter after a 4-3 power play. The loss in Columbus games. Sullivan has them all. They are shootout loss at Detroit Feb. 2. Includ- relates directly back to Barret Jackman the only goals he has scored this season ing the 13 saves on 13 shots when he getting whistled in the first minute and along with five assists in the 18 games took over that game, he‟s stopped 231 of the Blue Jackets scoring quickly on the he‟s played this season. His back injury 249 shots, a save percentage of 92.8 power play. If they can manage to stay sidelined him for almost two years. percent. Over a full season that would out of the box, that will only help them rank third in the NHL. In his nine starts JP Dupont somehow leads the keep the other team off the scoreboard. Predators in scoring. I guess without in that span, including the 6-4 loss to The Blues have been potent with the Vancouver (which included an empty- Peter Forsberg and Paul Kariya around, man advantage all year. They have to somebody has to lead the team. Dupont netter) and the 4-3 loss to Columbus keep it up down the stretch. this week where he was pulled, he‟s has 11 goals and 30 assists. He had two allowed 18 goals, or just two a game. 5. Andy Murray has to find a way to helpers Wednesday night against Every game the Blues have been in a win. The Blues have faded badly down Detroit, his first multi-point night since position to win. Mason has one the stretch under his watch. Injuries Dec. 1. Ouch. this month, a 1-0 win over the Black- and deadline deals have played a part in The Preds have a pecker in net, a hawks in an uninspired game from that, but to have it happen this year French-sounding guy leading the team Chicago. They won Thursday 2-1 at would be a trend instead of an excuse. in scoring and a guy whose name th Nashville, a team Mason plays Murray, who just won his 300 game in sounds like a female country singer as extremely hard against. In other words, the NHL as a head coach on Thursday, the leader on defense. How is this team Mason hasn‟t really stolen any games is hard-charging guy. The danger is that one point ahead of the Blues in the for the Blues in recent weeks. He may his message gets lost at the end of a standings? After tonight, they might have to do that for the Blues to make long, grueling season. He has to keep not be. the playoffs. this team plugged in, fresh and hungry. They make the playoffs, Murray Let‟s Go Blues! 3. The Blues cannot afford to trade deserves the Jack Adams Award as Keith Tkachuk. They need leadership, G AME TIME Page 27 Game Time Bingo!

You love Boyes so A goal is scored in No. 18 earns some Spot the first fan Bobby Plager is on much that the first two more of your Steen jersey. the jumbotron. NAMBLA is minutes of any respect. recruiting you. period.

Barret Jackman Red Berenson Cowboy Perron has Angelllla can‟t tell if gives someone the stackin‟ cups like it‟s his received the 75% of the Horn GT is making fun of „you‟re an idiot‟ job. We hope it actually message loud and Guys suck tonight. or just stalking her. look. is his job. clear. Pretty sure that Hear people in the Someone passes Cam Janssen Towel Boy‟s shirt No call on a blatant wrong jersey you a bag of candy shows us his tits. lights up to say Mite penalty. getting booed on after a Blues goal. 8LUES. the concourses.

Cotton-Eyed Joe Spot someone else Bluie gyrating way The Beej playing guy makes an filling out the GT Legace who? too close to some like he‟s the Teej. appearance. Bingo card. poor kid‟s face.

Another $200 Fight! Andy Murray calls stick breaks at the Charles Glenn rules Fight! I miss Deej. a time out in the worst possible all. first period. time. Fight! Get five in a row in any direction and you win!

Tales From The Crease

By Jeremy Pratte Like A Swift Kick To The Nuts.

St. Louis Game Time

www.stlouisgametime.com