Yes, its that time of the year when the greatest of spectator sports, I'm talking about the grand game of hockey is grandeloquent in its presentation. The Blackhawks, the Rangers, the Canucks, Canadians, Stars and of course our own St. Louis Blues are skating up and down the rink faster and with more reckless abandonment than ever. Why?
The NHL Hockey Playoffs are in sight! Yep, there is nothing like it in all of sports. Once the gauntlet has been thrown and the teams, ranking in the upper eschelon have gained entrance, the playoffs signal and even greater intensity among the hockey elite.
The Bear is an admitted "hockey nut." Its the only sport I have never really physically performed but as a spectator, its my opinion, its the tops! When one enters the world of the puck, you can only say, get ready for action! On Tuesday the St. Louis Blues battled their arch rival, the Chicago Blackhawks, the hated Chicago Blackhawks in a meaningful game here in St. Louis. The puck was dropped at approximately 7:00 and by 7:00 and one tenth seconds, Dan Hynote lit into a Hawk and they were both on the ice within seconds. The 19,000 fans went balistic knowing the Blues had sent a message. Guess what? The Blackhawks shortly after, scored the first goal of the game and the Blues trailed!
But more was to come and the St. Louis Blues put on one of their finest shows as they out hustled the Hawks in every nook and cranny of the rink and put together a blistering third period, leading to a 5-1 victory. Yes, the St. Louis Blues are back after a few years of sad and crowd displeasing hockey.
The Bear wants to congratulate Versus on its television of the games nationally. This has been the first really solid effort to attract hockey fans on TV and their doing a great job with solid announcers, well versed in this game (hard to announce a fast moving game like hockey) and on solid ice with stats, players and nomenclature.
But there is no better way to enjoy the game than to be there in person and feel the atmosphere of
a hard hitting, well played match. Some of my greatest moments were spent at the "old barn" on Oakland Ave watching our Blues vanquish their opponents and of course you have those Detroit and Chicago fans, sporting their sweaters, on hand to set off Blues fans. I'll never forget son Jimmy taking on Blackhawk loudmouths, during the playoffs many years ago, following a 2-1 sudden death victory for the Blues, while I raced for the men's room, hoping not to pee in my pants from holding it, as the game went on and on. Leave my seat: Hell no! There was son five, bloodied, but supported by the St. Louis police who hammered those windy city boys out of the Arena! Wow!
The greatest athletic contest I ever witnessed took place in 1985 (I believe that was the year) when the Blues were down 3-2 to the Calgary Flames in the playoffs and trailing 4-1 late in the third period when suddenly they caught fire and caught the Flames in the last minutes of the game and won in overtime! The Arena was shaking! Blues fans were in tears. Jacque Demers was foaming at the mouth (Blues Coach) and everyone was embracing! Never have I seen such emotion, not even in a football atmosphere at the Dome, which can get very loud! It has come to be known at the "Monday Night Miracle" and will be revered by our Blues followers forever!
Hockey fans are unlike any other. They are a study in motion. If the Blues win, "we have a great chance for the cup!" If the Blues lose: "No playoffs this year!" They love their Blues like no other and recently times have been tough. But with a new owner (Dave Checketts) and a gung-ho President (John Davidson) and with a solid and brilliant coach (Andy Murray) they are now climbing in their Western Division and with some tough road games coming up, will have to reach down for an extra amount of energy to get there.
Be that as it may, on Tuesday evening on national TV, the St. Louis Blues showed the hockey world they are going to be a contender for some time to come and St. Louis is agog in hockey talk today!
Yes, says the Bear!
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