Blues Fall, Building Continues On

Here’s to the 08-09 Blues, and to an exciting upcoming season!

Mr. Gallagher, you have a way of expressing how I feel. It’s kinda scary.

This was a hell of a ride. Maybe in a few days, I’ll be bitter and start bitching about people and stuff of that nature. But, for now, I’m just going to be happy I had a front row seat for the most fun season of hockey I’ve had in a long ass time.

cept for the refs and Luongo going for an Oscar nod.

I was the first to start clapping for the Blues in our section, and the rest of the area started right after me. The reaction from the whole buiding after they let up that goal in OT was heart warming. Seeing them stay out and salute the fans must have been a great feeling for them after the last several years of futility. A full house of 19,250 was loud as hell, especially with the thunder sticks. I’ll admit, they were very useful in being loud and annoying.

Here’s to a great 2009-10 season come next fall.

http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/customcounter.html?month=10&day=2&year=2009&hour=&min=&sec=&p0=239

win or lose, lets go blues. two words that are guaranteed to make you smile right now: next year :]. next year we will have a full run at the playoffs instead of only a half run. we will be facing the 7th or 8th seed team in the playoffs. the question is not whether the blues will win the stanley cup, but how many times. one for the road: LETS GO BLUES!!!!!!

I also really enjoyed your article about your “rink family” in the paper tonight. I might’ve really hated Leany McLeanster in front of me and “SHOOT THE PUCK!!!!!!!!!!” Susie behind me, but dammit, I’ll miss every last one of those crazies this summer.

I’m extremely depressed right now…not because I’m disappointed in our special teams, or we didn’t take enough shots, or they defense didn’t do exactly what I wanted them to do every time the puck was in our zone.

OUR St. Louis Blues fought their asses off for where we finished. Am I “just happy to have made it this far?” FUCK NO! But am I happy for the fight the Blues put on to get to where we finished? FUCK YEAH!

We are still building. We have come a long long way, and we will continue to go in that direction.

Thank you:
Mr. Checketts
Mr. Davidson
Andy Murray
(and it always goes without saying, Mr. MacInnis)

Thank you:
Keith Tkachuk
Andy McDonald
David Backes
Paul Kariya
Eric Brewer
Jay McClement
Barrett Jackman
TJ Oshie
David Perron
Patrick Berglund
Cam Janssen
Brad Winchester
BJ Crombeen
Alex Steen
Jay McKee
Roman Polak
Mike Weaver
Carlo Coliacovo
Dan Hinote
(and any other Blue I left off the list)

Most importantly, THANK YOU:
True St. Louis Blues fans. It was a hell of a ride, and win or lose, it was a blast experiencing it with you. Thank you to those that patted me on the back as I sat there with my head in my hands, saying to me “See you next year.” That meant so much, and that makes me so proud that I was there with you to experience this great season.

I don’t know what else to say…I’m again drunk and upset, and the last time I did this, it turned into a pretty big hit. Anyways, in closing, again:

THANK YOU.

P.S. LET’S GO BLUES!

glad i decided to start posting here the last two days of this ride rather than just being a lurking reader.

i just got done telling a friend who said “so how bout those blues?” that we’re gonna kick ass next year. she doesn’t believe me. after seeing us play tonight, i know i’m right.

LETS GO BLUES.

I was mad for about 10 seconds. Then I turned around and said to my seat friend behind me, “I can’t wait until next season.”

But right now, it’s weird. I almost feel satisfied.

Maybe I’m just exhausted. And my right ear won’t stop ringing.

SOMEONE PICK UP THE DAMN PHONE.

Get out of my head, because that’s exactly how I would have written the wrap for this season. There will be time in the next few months to individually congratulate the players for their achievements and conversely recommend changes to their games (a continuing series I hope to see this off-season), but tonight’s a night to celebrate the ride they’ve provided us between October 2008 and April 2009.

This game was simultaneously an example of what this team can be and what it needs to do to be it consistently. It’s a testament to the team that no one here was surprised by the effort and pasion exhibited on the ice tonight. Yes, there were mistakes and lapses, but on this occassion (and most this season) the good has far outweighed the bad.

To be sure, this team will give me the end-of-season ‘sadsies’ more than any other in any year in any sport I have watched – but not because I’m pissed at the effort or the strategy or the end-result; it’s simply because I want to keep on watching, but I can’t.

One more time from the cheap seats: Let’s Go Blues!

.

Seriously thinking ahead, with legitimate reasoning, who is out there and who do the Blues have a shot of getting?

Hey … good ride you guys had. Sorry to see it end. But as I always say, there is always next year. :)

It’s really easy for a Blues fan to be dissapointed today but i think all Blues fans should be very proud at this moment. Just a few months ago some Blues fans were discussing the possibility of picking up Tavares or Hedman in the draft. When the Blues head to Sweden next year to take on the Red Wings it will be a different team…..a better team.

I live in Houston so Monday night i was lucky enough to attend Riverman-Aeros playoff game 4. Barely 19, Alex Pietrangelo earned the 2nd star of the game. You could actually see this kid improve as the game went on and he became more comfortable with the ice and his new teammates. He’s the real deal folks. There’s a lot of Chris Pronger in this kid’s ability and size. He’s very smooth on the power play and the Blues could have used his or Erik Johnson’s presence to improve the power play. The future for hockey in St. Louis is very, very bright. Keep your chins up.

what a season.

Who could have expected this?

Who in their right mind could call this “another playoff failure.”

This was one of the best games ive ever attended (any sport), they played hard and gave it all they had and took em to overtime. Didnt work out the way we wanted, but when does it really ever for the Blues?
I stuck around and clapped and cheered for them after the game. They deserved it, they earned it.

I’m taking a step over from Nucks Misconduct to tip my hat to a good team. This was the most fun I have had watching a series (albeit delayed) in quite a while. Up and down action…passion…hard hitting. If the NHL wanted to package what playoff hockey is all about, this was it.

And we move on…and we continue to peer over our shoulder at the juggernaut that is being built in St Louis. Canuck fans like to ponder how they were 13 points behind Calgary in January…but STL was dead, friggin last in January and they crawled all the way back. That amount of work, maybe did them in.

It won’t happen next year…and we’ll be looking over our shoulders to see what we might be up against.

I feel like I’m getting drug off the wildest ride at the amusement park.

I’m so dayum proud of the Blues players, fans and the front office, it’s such a great feeling to have good hockey back in San Louie. There’s nothing more insane than to be part of the playoffs and the cleverly named, “sudden death.” Even though I know my ticker wouldn’t take it, I could enjoy playoff hockey forever.

To come oh so close again is tough for this old timer so bare bear? with me if I kick and throw a few things the next week, month, year, decade, it’s something I’ve learned to live deal with since the late 60s.

The Blues were a long shot, but we did earn a miracle shot with that Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in the 2nd half. The sweep was a bit of a surprise to me, I anticipated us gutting out a win at home or two. We sure seemed snakebit at times. I think JD knows much better now who has the fire in their belly and who doesn’t. Whatever it takes.

We snuck inside the big dance, stole some finger food and got a look at the bitches in the fine dresses. Next year I want us to be the John Travolta of the show. The Gene Kelly as we dance across that beautiful stage to glory. Some day, I just wanna kiss the cup.

Finally, I can only laugh at this as it sums up the screeching halt to this great quest for the cup.

“Intent to Blow”? You’re shitting me right?

The nightmares have already started again.

Ok, I think I finally have my voice back. Being in Section 122, I’m blessed to be able to speak to many of the Blues’ wives, gf’s, family members on a game-by-game basis. The support shown by these individuals is unceasing and they deserve a “thank you”, too. I sit 3 rows behind the glass, and sure I could go on and on about the bad calls (see: disallowed goal; BJ being called for “roughing” Sunday night with 3 minutes left in Intermission, etc.), but I am not. I did not sit down at all during OT. And nobody in our Section did. Even the Canuck fans in front of me turned around many times and said to me, “Wow…you have some talented kids”. When the end came, they shook my hand and said, “Great series…you guys are all ready for next season and are going to be dangerous!” We made the NHL take notice, and this team/organization will only gather momentum for the next 5-10 years. I’m so proud of this organization I could just burst.

My thanks to the fans I’ve met during the year. My thanks to Sean Gallagher, John, Brad, Adam and all the other untiring volunteers of GameTime who proved what gamesmanship is all about…like the Blues…they never gave up! To their untiring work, their great friendship and support of me during the year in allowing me to be their GT Photographer (as well as during my recovery from major surgery)…I lift my glass! Can’t wait to continue on to next year!

Most of all, thanks you Mr. Checketts (and your crew, Mr. JD, Mr. MacInnis and everyone in the Front Office and Executive Staff. You kept telling us to be patient…well we were…and you delivered. You had our backs all season, and we thank and congratulate you for bring the St. Louis Blues back to life! Gassoff, Barc Plager and all the past Blues who couldn’t be here in person…you made them all proud I’m sure.

I THINK THE CITY SHOULD THROW A PARADE/PARTY/RALLY for this team/organization real soon. Each one of them are Champions in my book! I have already re-upped my season tickets for this coming season, so I’m ready. I haven’t given up on this team in the 42 years I’ve been attending Blues’ games and I don’t plan on it now…and neither should any one of us. To those fair-weather fans…DO YOU BELIEVE NOW??

Thank you everyone for their support, their gamesmanship, their comraderie, their passion and their dedication. I’m proud to be a St. Louisan and most proud to be a fan of the St. Louis Blues hockey club now and forever…Amen!

Let’s all go out to Bobby’s Place and toast the Blues!!!

Yours truly,
Andrew D’Angelo – GameTime Photographer (and hopefully next year, too).

you guys at the game see a bearded fellow holding up a “Let’s Go Blues” sign and a GameTime issue about 5 minutes into the second period on the scoreboard? for those at home, was it on tv?

I often answered K10Patel’s “Let’s Go Blues” cheer (2 sections over) and tried to get an “O-SHIE!!” chant going in the third, but only had about 10 or so followers. there were 2 near fights in my section too.

I can’t believe they closed the concession stand before OT. we’re yelling, screaming, cheering, chanting and whatnot, and hoarse! (I know I was/am) and they denied us more soda/water (no beer is understandable). what if they game had multiple OT’s? we’d been dying out there

luckilly I sit in the section if the GT intermission meetup™ (305) so I was able to get out there relatively quick (though tricky since I sit in the middle of the row) and claim our spot. it was nice to finally meet Donut King, and it’s always great to see the guys. and thanks for the ride home Gift. see you all next season (unless there’s some meetup before then)

Before Manny Legace tripped on Sarah Palin’s carpet.

i must say, although the series lasted only the 4 games, you guys sure did put up a hell of a fight. you gave us a good run for our money.
thanks for a great series, and we’ll see you next year. (and i do realize you guys plan to come out as an even greater source of trouble next year.)

How well would other teams do:

1) without their top 2 (yes, the Robot is) defensemen for the 2nd half of the season and playoffs?

2) With their #1 goaltender exiled to the minors?

3) without one of their best power play guys for almost the whole season and playoffs?

4) with your second defensive pairing consisting of a 5’9" stay-at-home guy, and someone who hasn’t “been able to stay healthy”?

5) With some of their key players in uncharted territory just as far as number of games played during the season goes?

LOOK OUT NHL! This year, we knocked on the door. Next year, we’re going to KICK IT IN!
And the year after that, it’s going to be OUR house.

great year, next year will be even better. thanks checketts, jd, pleau, armstrong, jarmo, mac, murray and the team. helluva job. can’t wait for next year.

but I seriously doubt that I will ever be prouder of a Blues team than the one I saw THIS season.

Just fucking amazing what this team was able to accomplish with what little they had. Unbelievable. Indescribable.

With that being said . . . fucking pissed about last night’s outcome.

And I still fucking hate thundersticks.