Trying To Stay Positive With Vancouver In Control
by Brad Lee on Apr 20, 2009 8:00 AM CDT
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PrintIn the end, the 2009 playoffs for the St. Louis Blues will at some point be seen only as a building block instead of the disappointment that has set in with Sunday's 3-2 loss at home to the Vancouver Canucks.
I've left a lot of Blues playoff games dejected and angry, upset over misplays and glaring mistakes. But this was different. After about five minutes of elevated blood pressure I was able to see a little bit of the bigger picture. This team wasn't supposed to be here. TJ Oshie, Patrik Berglund, David Perron, David Backes, Roman Polak, Brad Boyes - none of these guys knew what the playoffs were really like before this series. They know now.
At the beginning of the season, John Davidson tried to temper expectations for the team and why the front office wasn't aggressive during free agent or didn't become more aggressive with trades. He urged a little patience and that this edition of the Blues is still a work in progress. Eighty-two regular season games and three postseason games later, I'm still buying what JD is selling.
When the Blues sucked, we constantly tried to make ourselves feel better by saying, "Better days are clearly ahead." And while the run of February and March signaled that the better times are already here, but that doesn't mean this team still isn't a work in progress.
The Blues have one goal on the power play this series after finishing the regular season with the eighth-best completion percentage in the NHL. The Canucks are playing well on the penalty kill, Roberto Luongo is a tough guy to face, the Blues are missing too many shots wide and high, they're passing up too many shots and there's no real threat on the point. That about sum it up? No Erik Johnson on the point and you've got Barret Jackman playing the point on one of their failed 5-3 advantages. That is clearly the No. 1 need still lacking on this team, a scoring threat from the blue line.
Sunday night's game got off to such a great start. The atmosphere was absolutely electric and I don't remember the concourse ever being so crowded. The Blues had their first lead of the series, the team was flying. And then they came out and didn't respond to a resilient Canucks team. That was probably the most disheartening thing (other than the 5-3 advantages). It got so quiet in there with many fans saying, "Here we go again" when the Canucks started scoring.
I don't think I've seen a more physical violent hockey game in my life. While we've seen games where each team is trying to constantly play the body and send a message, but it seemed like almost every shift there was a play where one player wanted to send a guy on the other team to the hospital. Elbows were up, sticks were up. The hits were absolutely vicious. And I still want to know what's gotten into Ryan Johnson. That guy apparently hates every single player on the Blues.
Don't get me wrong, it sucks the end of the season seems a lot closer than it did last Wednesday. Yes it's really difficult to see the Ducks take a 2-0 lead on the San Jose Sharks, the team the Blues would have played if they had lost the last game of the season to Colorado. But we as fans got to go back to the playoffs too. We got a peak of what's still coming. No matter the finish to this run and that's still exciting.
After devoting hundreds of hours this season to this team, I can't think any other way.
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Well said, Brad.
Don’t get me wrong—this sucks the big one. The fact that once again, we could be knocked out in the first round does piss me off.
But I do prefer to take the long-term approach. This is just another rung on the ladder. Can’t wait to see EJ and Peitrangelo skate with this team.
"I'd I hope St. Louis feels good that they matched the offer sheet."--David Backes
Canucks are also playing an aggressive PK in this series, which I’ve noticed the Blues have wilted against during the regular season. I don’t have stats to back this up, but against teams with supposedly sub-par (but aggressive) PK units, the Blues have tended to perform much more poorly, if that makes any sense.
That still doesn’t excuse not converting on 5-on-3s.
http://www.stlouisgametime.com/
urge to kill... rising
from AP Article:
Coach Alain Vigneault said the Canucks got to this point by turning the other cheek instead of retaliating.
“Our guys have been taking a lot of cheap shots so far during this series,” Vigneault said. “To respond with three goals on the power play is pretty satisfying.”
http://www.stlouisgametime.com/
He's proven himself to be a piece of shit this series
Bitching about the officiating, bitching about the “snow showers” Luongo received, bitching about cheap shots, and sending his goon line out at the end of a game they had won
I can’t believe i’m going to say this, but I may hate Vancouver more than I hate Detroit now. If the two of them met in the next round or WCF, i’d probably root for Detroit.
MyBrute - Where tiny gladiators rule the internets
Hmm....
I do agree the Nucks coach has proven to be a real tool bag this series. I also agree that I have a new found hatred for them,…….
I dont thing anything will ever warrant rooting for the Detroit Deadwings. Just my opinion.
by TheDarkMongoose on Apr 20, 2009 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Goon line?
Andy Murray’s done his fair share of whining, too, but I wanted to correct something. You said:
and sending his goon line out at the end of a game they had won
I’ve seen this mentioned in a couple of places, and it’s dead wrong. Here are the five Canucks skaters on the ice at the end of game two, courtesy of this site: http://bit.ly/Pgc3q.
Kesler
Johnson
Bernier
Bieksa
Ohlund
Now surely if Vigneault wanted to send out his ‘goons’, he would have chosen his top fighters, right? That would be Hordichuk (13 fights this year) and O’Brien (11 fights). Those two players have twice the number of fights between them than the five guys on the ice combined (http://bit.ly/VqU3Z).
That’s not even a regular line, as it happens. Kesler and Johnson were out because they’re both decent faceoff men and defensive forwards. I imagine that Bernier (he of the one fight in 2008-2009) was out because he’s a decent defender and a big body.
That doesn't excuse
Bieksa’s actions toward Crombeen at the end of Game 2. Goon or not, that was a dick move.
"The world is getting to be such a dangerous place, a man is lucky to get out of it alive." -- W.C. Fields
Coach Alain Vigneault said the Canucks got to this point by turning the other cheek instead of retaliating.
"Our guys have beentakinggiving a lot of cheap shots so far during this series," Vigneault said.
Fixed.
B.
"If we do not prepare for ourselves the role of the hammer, there will be nothing left but that of the anvil."
-- Otto von Bismarck, 1851
http://www.tomorrowsblues.net
by Tomorrows Blues on Apr 20, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions
I hate to put the secret weapon out there, but you leave me with no choice. Use this guide to win game #4.
Blues Fanatic - A crazy person's hockey blog
by HuntsvilleBlues on Apr 20, 2009 9:32 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Oh yeah...
Extra credit for tagging him in the nuts.
Blues Fanatic - A crazy person's hockey blog
by HuntsvilleBlues on Apr 20, 2009 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Hell, that wouldn't hurt him...
They’re probably made of solid ice, just like the rest of him… damn that SOB for being so friggin’ good…
B.
"If we do not prepare for ourselves the role of the hammer, there will be nothing left but that of the anvil."
-- Otto von Bismarck, 1851
http://www.tomorrowsblues.net
by Tomorrows Blues on Apr 20, 2009 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Brilliant.
Reporter: There`s a "stamp out the Beatles movement" underway in Detroit. What are you going to do about it?
Paul McCartney: We`re going to start a campaign to stamp out Detroit.
nut shot???
see Nabokov:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBoncAdclb0&feature=channel_page
FUCK DETROIT IN EYEBALLS
"I want to fucking break it. I want to crush you from the inside."~ Static X
"Turned into a monster I'm a motherfucker!!!" ~ Static X
NICE
nice pic…lol…but cant seem to go glove side on him..he always seems to stop it…stick side please
Crystal
Blue Blue Monday here
I’m proud of our team and how far they have come this year. The future is bright.
But on the other hand I feel like the fat guy at the pizzeria. I’ve had a couple tasty slices of playoff pizza pie but now I want the whole fuckin pizza. Gimme some 2nd round slices PLEASE!!
And to the beady eyes weasels conceding after 2 losses and not even a home game played, get off our ship.
Dum spiramus tuebimur
Those asshats can't run away fast enough for me.
I’ve been aboard this boat since I was old enough to know what hockey is. If I didn’t run away when we were last in the league, I sure as shit won’t do it now. The point of being a fan is you go through the rebuilds and the tinkering and the success and the failures. Hell, the team has to go through it and so does the organization.
I’m living in the home of the fair-weather fan, who half of the time won’t even show up if the team is winning (see: any Braves playoff series). It pisses me off to no end… people who only want to be around for the good times are dead weight. Dump ’em.
Reporter: There`s a "stamp out the Beatles movement" underway in Detroit. What are you going to do about it?
Paul McCartney: We`re going to start a campaign to stamp out Detroit.
x3
Some of the other STH in my section were given up hope and saying how this team is a joke. All I had to say to them was I hope you don’t renew next year or find a diff section because I bleed Blue no matter what and am not gonna hear my team get badmouthed all year.
BANDWAGON FANS ARE A JOKE!!!!!
by TheDarkMongoose on Apr 20, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions
They're STHs?
Sometimes they can be the whiniest bitches. Sooo many people I know are STHs for the Thrashers (as am I), and they constantly criticize and threaten to boycott and bitch and borax because "they paid good money to see this!’
Yeah, you want to see a good product on ice. I’ve complained as well. But just because you spent money for a while year doesn’t give you the right to be an asshole about the team. I’ve noticed that these people never offer constructive criticism. They never come to the Town Halls to ask the GM questions – they just complain.
I’d rather see them sit at home than next to me.
Reporter: There`s a "stamp out the Beatles movement" underway in Detroit. What are you going to do about it?
Paul McCartney: We`re going to start a campaign to stamp out Detroit.
Hildy, if I wasn't sure before, I am now...
I think I’m in love with you… :)
I’ve been aboard this boat since I was old enough to know what hockey is. If I didn’t run away when we were last in the league, I sure as shit won’t do it now. The point of being a fan is you go through the rebuilds and the tinkering and the success and the failures. Hell, the team has to go through it and so does the organization.
I’m living in the home of the fair-weather fan, who half of the time won’t even show up if the team is winning (see: any Braves playoff series). It pisses me off to no end… people who only want to be around for the good times are dead weight. Dump ’em.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. You’re aces in my book, dear…
B.
"If we do not prepare for ourselves the role of the hammer, there will be nothing left but that of the anvil."
-- Otto von Bismarck, 1851
http://www.tomorrowsblues.net
by Tomorrows Blues on Apr 20, 2009 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I type a good type. :D
Or is that type a good talk? That involves thinking, and my brain shut off 2 hours ago.
Reporter: There`s a "stamp out the Beatles movement" underway in Detroit. What are you going to do about it?
Paul McCartney: We`re going to start a campaign to stamp out Detroit.
The Scottrade Tomb
I wasn’t there last night, but if I was, I’d be too embarrassed to admit it. Were you idiots watching playoff hockey or a tennis match? Sandwiching that game between Pittsburg – Philadelphia and Anaheim – San Jose is like putting tofu between two slices of awesome. There was no energy in the arena last night and for that, the fans are solely to blame. Guys like Oshie, Mason, Backes, Perron, and McDonald don’t deserve that. Watch the Nationwide arena tomorrow night and see how Blue Jackets fans blow the roof off and then look at yourselves and wonder when your life turned to shit.
by J.J. from Kansas on Apr 20, 2009 10:25 AM CDT reply actions
Fuckin A
I was just about to post a rant along the same lines.
STL fan is not ready for a winner with the Blues. When the camera panned the crowd the first time it looked like a fuckin golf crowd, everyone seated and smiling like it was a Sunday brunch. Where was the screaming and raving? Where were the ushers trying to restrain out of control fan? Where were the police trying to keep STL fan out of the penalty box? Hell BOS fan is taking sticks away from the other team’s players for christ sake.
Another time they panned a whole freaking section and there were 3, count em, 3 fans waving towels. The rest of that lame section were sitting on their got dayum hands. Unbelievable. I did a double take it was so out of place.
Is the new Blues fan that ignorant on how to act on a playoff game? Has it been that long since a playoff game that we’ve lost our way. I can remember watching the action in the stands as much as the game at Blues playoff games in the past. This shit I saw yesterday was flat out wrong and embarrassing. One poster on a Blues forum said it best. He was hopping around all the EMPTY seats with his baby boy and when the Blues scored, he ended up highfiving his kid because the goofs next to him were texting their buddies about their haircuts.
Dum spiramus tuebimur
Can't agree
That place was loud before the game and all the way through the first. Granted, they got down when the Nucks scored and took the lead and it became really quiet. When the Blues tied it up, it got loud again.
I’m not sure what made it through the TV broadcast, but a couple times I thought about covering my daughter’s ears because of the noise.
www.stlouisgametime.com
agree with brad
Not that craziest crowd ever, but it was pretty solid.
A few gripes I have
1) too many prolonged stoppages in play, especially just after the crowd starts roaring.. the energy was maintained early on, but later on, down 2-0 in the series and losing the lead…
1a) the ref getting injured early on really sucked too, the Blues came out the gate really strong and the crowd was going nuts, and then we had a nice 4 minute break in the action right after the start.
2) The Scottrade Jumbotron trying to start and maintain idiotic chants like “Beat Van-Cou-Ver” instead of just “Lets go Blues” and other standbys.
3) Personally, I don’t like Rally Towels. This isn’t Pittsburgh and also I hate the Towel Guy.
http://www.stlouisgametime.com/
agreed
i dont know where anyone saw any empty seats. i didn’t see one in the house.
the atmosphere from the get-go was electric and loud — the problem being that it deflated quickly when the nucks scored goals 2 and 3.
also of note: it’s really tough to chant a goalie name with nothing but vowels. luonnnnngooooo never really caught on because people couldnt get the rhythm of it like, say, oooossssss-gooooood.
Next book in the children's series: "Nate the Great figures out how the fuck to score on Greasy Bob Luongo."
by NateTheGreat. on Apr 20, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions
What?
My husband and I were in the lower bowl, about 10 rows off the ice…and even there (where I usually don’t find the best, most knowledgeable fans) it was pretty loud. It may not have been “rowdy,” but it was loud. I HATED the “Beat Van-cou-ver” business because the fans had already started in the faster “Let’s Go Blues” and it was awesome. I like they put up Jason Reitman’s picture on the tron…I liked the live noisemeter thing…I think the club did some things to keep fans loud. It was quieter in the third and during some of the down times…but if you’re like me…DAMN, you gotta get a drink and cool your chords every now and then. Give me a break. I’m still hoarse today.
meeeeeeeee too
Next book in the children's series: "Nate the Great figures out how the fuck to score on Greasy Bob Luongo."
by NateTheGreat. on Apr 21, 2009 12:21 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't think it was THAT bad
but compared to Vancouver, or even the game against Columbus, it was awful.
I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that we were down in the series 0-2.
MyBrute - Where tiny gladiators rule the internets
bluejackets r u serious
your gonna come into a blues post and talk about mighty blue jackets haha yeah good advice
WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN
Win One
Blues will win the next game in overtime. It will make a lot of people feel better. Tuesday night will be the team we knew down the stretch.
Look on the bright side guys.
The series isn’t over yet.
Didn’t Vancouver just win 3 games in a row?
Why can’t we do the same damn thing?
I absolutely refuse to give up until the final horn sounds.
Blues Fanatic - A crazy person's hockey blog
by HuntsvilleBlues on Apr 20, 2009 11:08 AM CDT reply actions
How I sum up the series so far...
Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Now there’s a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
You were caught on the crossfire of childhood and stardom,
blown on the steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter,
come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Threatened by shadows at night, and exposed in the light.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your welcome with random precision,
rode on the steel breeze.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!
It’s time for the Blues to shine once more
-special thanks to Pink Floyd (even if roger waters is a douchehat)
You say 'Tomato', I say 'FUCK DETROIT', so lets call the season off
Great song!
"The world is getting to be such a dangerous place, a man is lucky to get out of it alive." -- W.C. Fields
Absolutely, positively, 110% fuckin' A righteous, RFJCC...
Of course, I’m also a big fan of the following one-line lyric from “Meddle:”
“One of these days, I’m going to cut you into little pieces…”
B.
"If we do not prepare for ourselves the role of the hammer, there will be nothing left but that of the anvil."
-- Otto von Bismarck, 1851
http://www.tomorrowsblues.net
by Tomorrows Blues on Apr 20, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions
oh shit heres a better one from meddle
You say the hill’s too steep to climb
Just climb it
You say you’d like to see me try
Climbing
You pick the place and I’ll choose the time
And I’ll climb
The hill in my own way
Just wait a while for the right day
And as I rise above the tree lines and the clouds
I look down
Hear the sound of the things you said today
Fearlessly, the idiot faced the crowd
Smiling
Merciless, the magistrate turns ‘round
Frowning
And who’s the fool who wears the crown?
And go down in your own way
And every day is the right day
And as you rise above the fear-lines in his brow
You look down
Hear the sound of the faces in the crowd
i gagged when i typed ‘fearless lyrics’ into google and got taylor swift
You say 'Tomato', I say 'FUCK DETROIT', so lets call the season off
You, sir, are Da Mang...
Pink.
Floyd.
Rules.
B.
"If we do not prepare for ourselves the role of the hammer, there will be nothing left but that of the anvil."
-- Otto von Bismarck, 1851
http://www.tomorrowsblues.net
by Tomorrows Blues on Apr 20, 2009 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions
blues fanactic
I agree with him. The series isn’t over until someone wins four games. Its obvious who jumped on the bandwagon at the end of the season. We believed in them when they were making theyr’e impossible run to the playoffs, what do we have to lose by believing they will find a way to do it again?
Also ,
i dont know what game you were watching but with the exception of like two mins when van. tied it and then took the lead, the crowd was pumped. Calling it a golf crowd is absurd.
I wasn't at the game, had to watch it on TV
I’m just relating what my impression of the crowd was coming through the TV. I posted in the GDT thread our initial momentum was killed when that ref when down. Fuckin Fickle Finger Of Fate I guess.
I can see the crowd being silenced by a lousy Nuck goal but christ, we gotta pick it back up if we want to win a game in our house. Right before our second goal I could hear the crowd and feel the momentum pick up.
The panning TV shots in the 2nd and third showed the crowd that horribly silent. I haven’t been to a playoff in the new Drink Scotch so maybe my game goggles are colored but at the ole barn you could hear the Arena several blocks away. If you put your hand on the side of the building it actually swayed about 10 inches like in an earthquake. You would see several fans being cuffed and drug off every game. STL City PD would transfer prisoners to the County PD to make room for the arrests after a Blues playoff game. Was anybody even arrested yesterday?
Then there’s the big blue rat on the roof for a week just to get a sellout. WTF is that? People shot each other for playoff tickets back in the day, and that wasn’t even on the East Side.
What happened to my city and my fellow Blues fans?
Dum spiramus tuebimur
One question for games 4 (then, hopefully, 5, 6, and 7):
Perron on a line with McDonald (and Backes/Boyes)…
Would ya?
I once shot a man just to see him die...then I got distracted and missed it.
Looks like you're on to something
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/morning-skate/uncategorized/2009/04/murray-shakes-up-lines/
Perron/AMac/Backes
by Poor College Student on Apr 20, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, good call on me! I just saw that too and came back to gloat of my coaching mastery.
It makes so much sense – especially with Backes rather than Boyes. Perron seems to be the only player willing to work the puck in right now and with the Nucks trying to pokecheck and dance with him some space ought to open up.
And for god’s sake - INSPIRATIONAL SPERCH TOMORROW!
I once shot a man just to see him die...then I got distracted and missed it.
To be honest
I also didn’t mind the line of Walt/Winchester/Janssen too much… delivered some of our better hits… need more janssen in general
http://www.stlouisgametime.com/
They were together at the very end of last season
They did pretty well then, too. I was a little disappointed they weren’t together again this year, just to try ’em out.
Let BL write whatever he feels is appropriate tomorrow
As the last three months passed,, we were reminded day after day and win after win of just how remote the probability of the Blues qualifying for the postseason
The percentages have been stacked against the Blues all along, so why should I expect any difference now?
Win the next game and go back to Vancouver from there.
Let’s at least take advantage of the next hour to check Canucks, especially that nauseating rat Kesler
Well...
…I keep telling myself I’d much rather have the Blues organization/talent than just about anyone’s in hockey. The core of this Vancouver team will never, ever, win a Cup. (Talent will out in the end, and they just don’t have the needed depth. Luongo can steal a series, but you can’t steal a cup unless you are Brett Hull.) I’m not sure what the ceiling is on the core the Blues have put together, but good God our best hockey is ahead of us.
Vancouver can laugh all they want now, because they will be looking up as us for years to come.
Blues not out of it
I’m a total Vancouver fan — I’ve been following the ’nucks for over 30 years.
Canucks fans always feel doomed. Somehow the wheels come off every time.
Now, heres a fact. I watched the players arrive at Vancouver for game two. Andy McDonald of St. Louis didn’t fly in with the team. He drove up in his own car, which he has left parked in Vancouver. Do the math. McDonald needs the series to go either five or seven games for his car drop off to make sense. McDonald has been playing great, making the three stars after each game.
Losing in the playoffs is one thing. Making an extra trip out of town to pick up your car is extreme…
That’s inspiring stuff.
Did you just happen to catch the team on the way in or are you privy to insider info that inspired you to camp out and stalk (and I mean “stalk” in the most respectful of ways) a little bit.
by Poor College Student on Apr 20, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions
That should be a question mark instead of a period.
-Poor Dumb College Student
by Poor College Student on Apr 20, 2009 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Now THAT'S confidence...
Now, heres a fact. I watched the players arrive at Vancouver for game two. Andy McDonald of St. Louis didn’t fly in with the team. He drove up in his own car, which he has left parked in Vancouver. Do the math. McDonald needs the series to go either five or seven games for his car drop off to make sense. McDonald has been playing great, making the three stars after each game.
Losing in the playoffs is one thing. Making an extra trip out of town to pick up your car is extreme…
I think Happy Meal’s on to something… let’s hope the Blues are as inspred by that little story as I am…
B.
"If we do not prepare for ourselves the role of the hammer, there will be nothing left but that of the anvil."
-- Otto von Bismarck, 1851
http://www.tomorrowsblues.net
by Tomorrows Blues on Apr 20, 2009 3:19 PM CDT reply actions
of course
if Polaks twitter account is real, then the team might be seeking revenge on Andy Mac for farting in polaks helmet…
You say 'Tomato', I say 'FUCK DETROIT', so lets call the season off
My friend n I
went up to a group of Vancouver fans that had a Stanley cup blowup…we took it n held it up yelling “LETS GO BLUES” on the concourse…it was awesome…lol….n fun
Crystal
I have to agree. I’m not out until someone loses four. Like you said at the beginning, if you look at it, we aren’t even supposed to be here. Now, I am the first to admit, having made the playoffs we’re looking for so much more, but even if we get eliminated in round one, its still icing on the cake. However, I get the feeling that tonight they are going to break through and get one. There is just to much pride on the team to get swept. So gentlemen,
Cry HAVOK! and unleash the dogs of war.
Barret Jackman is my hero.
Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun.
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