Colaiacovo and Halak team up to down the Flyers: Blues win home opener.

by gallagher on Oct 9, 2010 10:33 PM CDT

Just a few quick bullets on tonight's game to give you some topics for discussion and then we've got yet another hockey paper to start working on.

Never mind the team, the crowd was on fire tonight. With the exception of the latter half of the second period, it was a wild, engaged, loud crowd. The players were clearly feeding off that energy at the outset of the game and it seemed like it gave them some extra jump in OT as well.
Brett Hull got some more camera time during the game and went un-Hull on us all, giving us some nice soundbites that weren't nearly shocking enough to make the paper tomorrow. I kinda wished he'd have said something a little less thought out. Or taken another shot at Keenan.
Keith Tkachuk in the crowd tonight and his appearance on the jumbotron got him a nice ovation too. Keith, no idea what you're waiting on, but it's time to get your teeth put back in. You're in public, buddy.
The few Flyers fans in attendance tried to be as Philly as possible, but they ain't no Eagles fans. Of course, after the OT goal they got to take way more than their share of abuse.
Eric Brewer and Barret Jackman are named the number three and number two stars of the game. Really? I thought Jackman played a solid, steady game, but Brewer didn't do anything that looked worthy of praise. With the exception of a poorly timed blowout while on the offensive point, I didn't think he did anything too bad, either. This smacks of a rig job to me.
T.J. Oshie, do us a favor and take one big step to your right. Great, thank you. Jaroslav Halak, you may now assume the number one position on the Blues Fans Popularity Chart. I don't want to go too overboard on Game One, but Halak gave his team the type of goaltending we've been pining for around here for years. He made all the easy stops and he made some really difficult stops and he did it all while looking very technical in his movements. He was excellent at seeing the puck through traffic and didn't seem to get knocked off kilter when Flyers were parked right in his crease.
Our Silent Jay McClement For Selke campaign got a nice boost today as we gave away hundreds of our free signs to people. Hopefully we'll see them popping up on the jumbotron over the next few games and people will start doing the research. This is no frivolous joke of a movement; we honestly believe that McClement is a legitimate Selke candidate and he has been in each of the last two seasons too.
Carlo Colaiacovo drops the OT bomb:

Next game is Monday at 1 p.m. Good luck figuring an excuse out for that one. Unless your boss really believes you always take Columbus Day off. Or that you like to take a delayed Canadian Thanksgiving day off.

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Nothing like starting off the season with a W. Great game Blues. Halak played well, and I was impressed with the defense. Also, great to see Boyes getting into the goal-scoring act early. Start the season off the right way. Very good.

The Once and Future King

by FlaGators on Oct 9, 2010 10:48 PM CDT reply actions

Someone should mention Janssen

The guy was having the best game I’ve seen from him in the longest time, and now he might have a concussion. Really hope the guy’s OK, he was doing great. Anyone else see the Janssen takeaway in the Flyer slot?

Best wishes for CamSmash.

by russkidan on Oct 9, 2010 11:09 PM CDT reply actions

Way to go, Brad Winchester!

I’ve got CAM SMASH as part of my PIM line with Daniel Carcillo and Colton Orr and you go and drive a shoulder into his jaw…

by Paperwork Ninja on Oct 10, 2010 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions

I guess now we know who got the DJ King Memorial Voodoo Doll.

Would someone please get that thing out of Camosaurus’ locker and send it to, oh I don’t know, Lidstrom?

by BleedBlue42 on Oct 10, 2010 3:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Not Bad start

Power Play still sucked, Penalty Kill still kicked ass, D was on. The offense needs to learn to shoot backhand.

by Both Hawks Suck! on Oct 9, 2010 11:17 PM CDT reply actions

man what a game

Huge thanks to danGNR for coming through
with the ticket at the last minute. I cant remember the last opener i was fortunate to se. Got to meet some of the slgt crew and fans, brad,sean, tyler, pcs, dooks and more. It was my pleasure. Blues looked good most of the game, i was in the john looking for blackhawk fans to harass and missed the philly goal.

The one omg moment was pedobear crashing his atv into the new boards and then watching the rink staff examine the boards for damage during the anthem. A long delay for repair would have killed the moment.

Frenchie almost won it with seconds left in reg, beautiful move to almost stuff the winner

Just a chew toy for the hockey gods

by spectr17 on Oct 9, 2010 11:20 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Listening to Brewer on the post-game radio show

He actually sounds like a Captain. Still don’t know why he got the 2nd Star, but the guy is giving off the veteran-feel and I’m liking it.

You can keep your silly letter, Brewbot.

by russkidan on Oct 9, 2010 11:35 PM CDT reply actions

few more

Hullie was known for the one timer. This aint it http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs011.snc4/33908_1598247472533_1126381876_1681371_860808_n.jpg

Saw some flyer fans trying to sneak out and they made the mistake of walking by hullies statue where everyone was congregated, they were soundly booed.

Just a chew toy for the hockey gods

by spectr17 on Oct 9, 2010 11:38 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Are the NHL.com highlight vids a big FAIL for anyone else right now?

Or is it just me?

:-\

by Washoo on Oct 9, 2010 11:46 PM CDT reply actions

I was getting the same thing.

The highlights just appeared on NHL.com, so you can go there to see them. At the top, where the scores for every game are, the Blues one has a link to the highlights.

by russkidan on Oct 9, 2010 11:58 PM CDT up reply actions

What a great night!

Hull statue, home opener is opening night, OT win! Glad I went with my wife and son! We saw some real brilliance out there, but there were many flub-ups, it was kinda schizo out there. But I’ll take it! GO BLUES! I guess I didn’t get my ‘toon in on time. I’ll get the next one in on time. I’ll post it here, though.

- a Tale from my Creased Mind

by jpratte on Oct 10, 2010 12:08 AM CDT reply actions

Missed the game and ceremony tonight...

Was “Mike Keenan Sucks” Guy there again?

I know it's time for hockey because I've started singing "Don't Stop Believing" with the words "...born and raised in FUCK DETRIOT!!!"

by J-Mill on Oct 10, 2010 12:22 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

the very last and I gotta git to bed

The loud freakin fireworks to start the game and at the game winner, jesus holy fuckin christ. I’m glad I’m not sitting next to them things when they go off. Military flash bangs aren’t even that god dayum loud.

The puck seemed to be bouncing a hell of a lot tonight on everyone. Poutine had a couple sweet chances and the thing hop skipped on him bad. Seemed to be worse in the Blues end.

CamSMASH. When they lead him down the runway there still was a trail of tweety birds around his head. Ding dong the wicked Cam got lit up. He crunched the shit out of one Philly D on his first shift. Dude makes my ribs ache 3 section up from the ice. Him and Teej were the fan faves in introductions.

I’m still pondering WTF happened to Hullie’s statue??? No smirk, no one timer with the knee on the ice. I say saw-all that thing down and start over.

Just a chew toy for the hockey gods

by spectr17 on Oct 10, 2010 12:26 AM CDT reply actions

1 rec for Happy Meal

for absolutely wrecking Hartnell

by PersonalJustice on Oct 10, 2010 12:34 AM CDT reply actions

We played a little sloppy at times, but its early in the season so that shit will be tightened up. Importantly we got the win so fuck and yeah are the two words that will be used to describe last nights game.

Hatred Walking

by Doc Whiskey on Oct 10, 2010 7:14 AM CDT reply actions

If brewer can play like he did all season

This will be fun and the Brewer haters in sec 106 can SHUT….THE…FUCK…UP

by I_AM_SPARTACUS on Oct 10, 2010 8:42 AM CDT reply actions

worse part of the night

was the blues ribbon board welcoming us fans to the start fo the 2009-2010 season. siiigh

also they appear to have removed the local micro brew and guniess from the place. have to do a more thorough and more sober (thanks brad!) search monday. ended up drink “pils”. eh.

the radio three stars did not match the tv wones :) driving home i think cola got one and halak got one and perhaps the other was boyes. you know sane choices..

but all in all brewer and jax looked good, the blues defense looked good. they were not perfect, but they looked like a unit that with some basic consistancy and chemistry can shut people down. the flyers should be a good team. last night they were a dreadful, undisciplined, fustrated, loser

how can that not start with the blues net out?

so congrats to brewer and jax and polak and COLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, and petro, and ej

I recognized my kinship with all living beings, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on earth ... while there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a criminal element I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.

by Childhood Trauma on Oct 10, 2010 8:45 AM CDT reply actions

It was there last Saturday

for FanFest. Guinness tap was ready to go, along with several other imports.

by Tasialue on Oct 10, 2010 12:13 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

also

did no one mention what angellllla was wearning

or that the blues tried to do a “betty white” commercial with charles glen as betty white?

or they discovered gunpowder?

honestly i can do without the fireworks. i hope that was an opener only thing.

by Childhood Trauma on Oct 10, 2010 8:48 AM CDT reply actions

Brewer played real well last night...

…and was a big part of the reason the Blues PK killed the 5-3. Plus he was obviously pissing Hartnel off.

Both good things in my book.

by Rich of GASL on Oct 10, 2010 10:05 AM CDT reply actions

I was drunk in a parking lot

How did Pietrangelo look?

Not afraid to nitpick

by joker24 on Oct 10, 2010 10:06 AM CDT reply actions

Pretty sharp.

Pinched in A LOT—he looked like a forward at times. No major errors. I was pretty satisfied with his performance.

by Ferociousaurus on Oct 10, 2010 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions

I thought he looked great

was quite possibly our best defensemen last night, although I thought everyone played pretty solid

by dicktrickle on Oct 10, 2010 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Haven't seen any mention

of the almost-own-goal during a delayed penalty. The puck slid in slooooooooow motion nearly the whole length of the ice toward the goal, wasn’t quite on target but close enough to rile the nerves.

by BlueMonday on Oct 10, 2010 11:27 AM CDT reply actions

Oh yes

That was certainly some drama there. It made the game that much more interesting. :)

- a Tale from my Creased Mind

by jpratte on Oct 10, 2010 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions

I hope you're right about Halak being the new fan hotness, Gallagher.

This is some Miklasz-level parsing, but I think being “replaced” by Halak could have the following effects on Teh Osh:

1. The first time he hears the crowd screaming “Ha-lak! Ha-lak!” instead of “Osh-ie! Osh-ie!” he realizes how much he misses it, and might get a fire lit under his ass to grow up and start training & practicing like a professional.

and/or

2. The kid gets out from under the microscope a little bit. Not that there was every any New York or Philly-esque fan pressure on him to perform, but the guy has to know he’s the fan fave and might put pressure on himself. Maybe if Halak steals the spotlight Osh can loosen up and just play his game.

by Washoo on Oct 10, 2010 12:51 PM CDT reply actions