billy pilgrim's Excellent Adventure

by Ackermania on Dec 13, 2009 4:59 PM CST

What do these people all have in common?

Marc Bergevin, Rob Ramage, Neil Komadowski Jr, Rich (or was it Ron?) Sutter, Scott Mellanby, Ken Morrow, Tom Wheatley, Dave Eminian, Brendan Brooks, Nick Drazenovic, Tyson Strachan, and Jonas Junland...

Well, they all played a part in my road-trip to Peoria to see the Rivermen defeat the San Antonio Rampage Saturday night at Carver Arena. And what an excellent adventure it was! Finally, I was able to see a game in which a team wearing the Note (on the shoulders anyway) took an early lead and managed to win the game, 3-1. Barry Tallackson(9), Brett Sonne(4), and Yan Stastny (7) scored and Hannu Toivonen made 34 saves in leading the Rivermen to the victory. Toivonen was easily the star of the game, although Sonne, Tallackson, Lars Eller, and Julian Talbot played well, as did Jonas Junland and Tyson Strachan on defense. At times, Toivonen was spectacular, snagging pucks with a quick glove hand and playing his angles extremely well.

The real highlight, though, was being able to talk with scouts Morrow, Mellanby, Sutter, and Bergevin in between periods, as well as talking some hockey with Ramage, Komadowski, and Wheatley. Ken Morrow was surprised I actually recognized him; I told him I had followed his career starting at Bowling Green (I attended Miami U.) and then with the Islanders. I was able to reminisce about Fantasy Camp with Bergevin and Ramage; they both remembered some of the good times we shared on and off the ice in Chesterfield. And I could listen to Tom Wheatley talking hockey all night; what a fount of information about what's going on with the Blues from his perspective. I also took time to meet Dave Eminian, the premiere sportswriter for the Peoria Journal Star, who was very appreciative of being recognized...and complimented. And meeting Brendan Burke, the voice of the Rivermen on Hippie Radio, was also great fun, finally able to put a face to the voice I have heard doing the pbp on the internet feed.

On the way up the escalator to hear the post-game show, I asked the young man behind me (since he looked familar) who he was, and it turned out to be Blues prospect centre Nick Drazenovic, who I had previously met out at the Mills. He was the guest on the post-game show with Burke. And then who should turn up but Jonas Junland! He got word I was in town and graciously came up to visit and chat (and sign my Linkoping and Swedish national team Junland 44 sweaters, hehe). Jonas talked a bit about what it's like to play in Peoria and how he is working hard to earn a trip to St. Louis soon. I told him it's probably best if he can wait a month or so until things settle down here; he wanted to know what's going on with the Blues...and I told him the best I could. He just laughed and said he'd rather be a Blue no matter the problems! What a GREAT guy! And then Tyson Strachan walked in and sat with us to chat some. We told him surely he wanted to get home after such a grueling road trip to Texas (they didn't get back to Peoria until Saturday afternoon), yet he stayed to talk some hockey, saying it was great to meet fans from St. Louis. He, too, wanted to know what in the world was going on "down there"...and again, I did the best I could filling him in on the situation here.

What an excellent adventure it was! I would highly recommend visiting Carver Arena soon for any and all Blues fans looking to have some hockey fun (and wait til you see the prices for tickets, beer, and food! ). There isn't a bad seat at the rink there and the fans are quite vocal in their support of the team...and quite friendly, too.

Urging everyone to take advantage of the short drive (less than 3 hours) and enjoy the ambience at our farm team's rink, I am:

billy pilgrim, time and space traveller

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Cool

Whos Billy Pilgrim?

by Icion on Dec 13, 2009 7:19 PM CST reply actions

Thanks for the story Billy!

My mother used to live in Peoria . . . she lived less than a handful of blocks from Bradley University, which I’m pretty sure isn’t too far away from Carver. I’ve told myself repeatedly that I need to visit that place one year for the state basketball title weekend(s) . . . perhaps when my Alma Mater ever makes it back there, I guess . . . but I certainly want to make it up for the Rivs at some point too.

Sounds like they bend over backwards to show their appreciation to their fans. And that’s a GREAT thing!

And Icion . . . Billy Pilgrim writes for the paper version of this website.

One day, David Backes and Albert Pujols will combine forces to become the most awesome piece of violent force known to man.

by Donut King on Dec 13, 2009 7:35 PM CST reply actions

Rock on

I thought it was just Bills last name from Bill and Ted, wasnt sure though.

by Icion on Dec 13, 2009 7:53 PM CST up reply actions

and...

it’s a deeper reference, too. Google knows all….

SWYD

by gallagher on Dec 16, 2009 1:39 AM CST up reply actions

I guess pop culture references are lost on some people.

Billy Pilgrim is the timetravelling main character from Slaughterhouse-Five.

Sometimes, I wonder why hockey came south of St. Louis, and then I realize, I'm south of St. Louis. Coincidence, I think not.

by Will in STL on Dec 13, 2009 8:54 PM CST reply actions

How did Palushaj look?

I have a Michgan jersey my wife bought me while going to Ave Maria Law school up in Ann Arbor and I can’t wait to get his name on it and wear it to a Blues game. Ideally he makes the Blues team before he gets traded. We took as many chances as we could to watch him on the ice up there and he never disappointed. Just wondering how he looked tonight and if anyone has any info on his development in Peoria?

by Whatablue on Dec 14, 2009 12:41 AM CST reply actions

About Aaron:

mostly played on a line with Julian Talbot and Brett Sonne; he earned the secondary assist on Sonne’s goal and ended up a +1 for the night with 3 shots on goal. Earlier in the season, he skated with Cam Paddock at centre and Chris Porter on the port-side. I cannot say he really stood out, yet he certainly does not look out of place in the AHL. Good skater who can bang in the corners; he can shoot the puck with the best of them. Having a pretty good year despite a slow start; the adjustment to the professional game takes time, and Aaron’s coming along nicely with 2 goals and 10 assists in 26 games. Obviously he needs to pick up the pace in goals scored, though.

aka billy pilgrim, time and space traveller

by Ackermania on Dec 14, 2009 9:59 AM CST reply actions