Blues At Wild 11/30/07 Open Thread

Nope, unfortunately no game here in Schweeeden, plus it doesn’t start until 3:00am. So even if it was on it would be too late for a workin’ man as myself. I’ll read all about it/watch highlights tomorrow, though.

It’s been a long time (apparently) since I’ve seen the Blues pre-game show. Is it just better, or just better today?

Lots of interviews and interesting bits. I remember it being a lot of commercials and then some random Cardinals/Rams updates.

If you have to break up the top line (which I hate doing), at least I like the sound of a Tkachuk/M. Johnson/Backes line. We’ll see.

Tkachuk/MJ/Backes sounds OK to me as well, but I’m a little perturbed about Perron sitting in the press box yet again.

I understand that sitting him for the Buffalo game, as a punishment for being late to a team meeting, was a necessity. But against a team like Minnesota, the Blues need all the speed, youthful enthusiasm, and offensive talent they can get on the forward lines in order to beat the trap, and they’ve got an awful lot of those things munching nachos with Matt Walker up in the press box at the Xcel Energy Center tonight…

B.

After the first period, the Blues are apparently kicking Minnesota’s asses on faceoffs.

The good guys have won 3 of 4 while shorthanded, 2 of 3 when on the power play, and 5 of 8 at even strength.

Winning faceoffs is good, especialy since it correlates to control of the puck, which is handy to have if you wish to score…

B.

Early goals and late goals are killers. Nine seconds in is a brutal goal to give up, even if it was a perfect shot that Manny had no chance on.

STEMPNIAK! The Dutch Man Cometh!

I feel good for the guy, and so does Brad Boyes, who is seen on the bench with a big smile and a fist pump.

I really, really like this team.

Nice to see Stempy score a sniper’s goal. I figured that when he broke the slump, it would be a goal that deflected in off his rear end.

I love Boy(e)s!

Bradley gets the good karma goal for showing so much support for struggling Stempniak.

2-2 and it’s a brand new hockey game. Johnson and Kariya with beautiful passes to spring Bradley.

I love Boy(e)s too… and Johnsons!!!

Only a Blues’ fan can get away with saying that.

I’m listening to the Peoria/Houston game on the computer (0-0 after one period; Schwarz in goal after four straight starts and a 2-1-1-0 stretch for The Hyphenator), monitoring the play-by-play of the Blues/Minnesota game at nhl.com, and finishing up my article for tomorrow (coming your way soon, boss).

AM, if you’re around, there’s a message for you on the Sweden thread…

B.

If Stempniak and Backes could get going, think where this team could go…

I’m not one to tempt the hockey gods, so I’m not going to say anything about how well that guy with the funny-looking equipment may or may not be playing at this juncture of the game.

Jamal. Goddamn. Mayers.

Breakaway. Shot. Thud.

One point in the bag, let’s go get the second one. Chicago up huge at home, so the second point would keep the Note in front of the Hawks in the standings.

Hmmm… overtime, eh?

Based on the stats, it looks as though the Blues had slightly the better of the play at even strength, though I’d be interested in the take of someone who’s actually been watching.

Still no score in the third period in the Rivermen/Aeros game… Schwarz has been standing on his head, as has Nolan Schaefer for Houston. THIS would have been a game to watch…

B.

Bad giveaway in the offensive zone turns into a 2 on 1 the other way. Marian. Goddamn. Gaborik.

Hawks tomorrow and we’re gonna need a good game to get a win because Chicago looks to have some gas at this point.

Merde!!!

Both games end in tough OT losses for the good guys. Peoria’s penalty kill was a perfect 51-for-51 on the road before Mick Dupont took a questionable hooking penalty 35 seconds into the OT, and Schwarz was screened on a shot by some ham-and-egger to give up the first PP goal against Peoria on the road this year.

B.

all i have to say is minnesota paid the refs off tonight. that’s the only explanation i can figure on calling delay of game on manny. and i have to say ty ryan johnson for your great penalty killing skills. nothing kills a power play better than taking another penalty. and the end of the first period choke by rj was special also.

nice to see lee light the lamp and yeah boyes score again.

marcuss you should get the nhl center ice on the computer. i get to watch games all over all the time and they even archive some but not very many of them. like the sabres game, i was able to watch that one when most people were listening to it on the radio. and you can also watch rivermen games on the computer as well. so cheers all and see down at the rink tomorrow night at aka st. louis’s largest sports bar. LGB!

Tough OTL last night. However, we played a very good game and it was fun to watch. I will take 3 out of 4 points on a road trip for sure, plus we have taken 3 out of 4 points so far from Minnesota in their building. I just wish Boyes and Kariya could play the entire overtime. Those two are playing at a completely different level than most players in the NHL right now.