Those of us too young to attend games at the old Barn just have to ask our parents or older friends about what it was like when the Blackhawks came to town. Words like "the whole building swayed" or "people always got into fistfights in the stands" are common ways to describe what used to happen when these two teams got together. It's a lot different today, in that the fistfights don't happen as often thanks to the fact that no one wants to get kicked out of a game. But Blues and Blackhawks fans don't always get along, and that's a good thing. It adds flair to probably one of the most historically vicious geographic rivalries in the old Norris Division. Heck, it even has its own Wikipedia page. We've arrived, folks!
The Blackhawks own the all-time edge over the Blues (which is interesting, because the Blues own the edge over the Red Wings), but every battle between these two teams is still life and death. If hatred could be bred, well, here you go. Instead, it has to be learned, and every child in St. Louis who grew up in a hockey family was taught to hate the Blackhawks. I, myself personally, still despise Ed Belfour, Chris Chelios, and Jeremy Roenick, and probably always will.
The Blackhawks are, of course, a good team. They're also a good team in search of a goalie, trading their 7th round pick in this year's draft to Calgary for AHL goaltender Henrik Karlsson who they hope can step up when one of their current tandem of Corey Crawford or Ray Emery goes down or has a hiccup. By "hiccup," of course, I mean meltdown. The rest of their team is pretty solid too, because regardless of if you like them or not, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, and Patrick Sharp are damn dangerous. The Blues will have their hands full for this one.
Come back later when you'll find the opposition's game day preview at Second City Hockey, some more road music from CCR, and the game preview, which should be up around 3 or 4. Game Day thread starts at 6:00. so come early, get comfortable, and get ready for some fun.