The Springfield Jr. Blues beat the Michigan Warriors 3 to 1 tonight at Nelson Center in a well-paced and balanced match.

The State Journal-Register writeup is here.

The box score is located here.

The top half of the Blues' defensive zone was dangerous tonight not because of the play but because of the ice. Three players and the referee each tripped around the same spot during the game. Play continued without any inspection of the ice, so they must have accepted the rut as part of the surface and continued.

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This might not be news to anyone else but I didn't see it posted so I'll post it, I haven't had internet for about a week. While playing 4th line minutes majority of his time after the Sibir-SKA trade our favorite Tank scores his 1st, 2nd, and 3rd goals in an SKA uniform for his first goal and hat-trick with his new team. I really can't wait for this kid to come over.

People packaging him in their fantasy trades should keep dreaming.

Tarasenko Hat-trick SKA 1/26/12

Ladies and gentlemen, here is the baby brother of our favorite pantsless blue bear, himself A Vengeful God... heeee-eere's Barry !!!

Read Barry's story HERE, and let's make sure to give Barry as much love as we give his big brother Louie.

What: Watching the All Star Game and drinking a few cold ones.

Where: Buffalo Wild Wings on Hanley in Brentwood (click for directions if you are like me and don't know your way around STL yet, woo)

When: 3:30 PM Sunday January 29

Who: this should be self-explanatory

Why? WHY NOT. Because Brian Elliott is awesome, and what better way to get through a NHL mid-season festival of shenanigans than by having one of our own?

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE.

The Springfield Jr. Blues are playing a two-game series against the Michigan Warriors at the Nelson Center in Springfield, IL. The games start at 7pm with each night being a slightly different promotion night. Friday night, local NASCAR driver Justin Allgaier will be in attendance as the Jr. Blues have their annual Polar Party. While I've never been much for partying outside in the winter, hey, it's an excuse to drink. (Note to CrossCheckRaise: 16-ounce cans of Stag will be available.) The party starts at 5pm. Tickets to the game are $8 for adults, and $5 for kids, seniors and military personnel.

Saturday night's game is Firefighter's Night. Firefighters and their families will receive reduced ticket prices to $4 each. Regular prices are $8 for adults and $5 for kids, seniors and military personnel.

Please note that I have no formal connection to the Springfield Jr. Blues organization except as a fan. I'm providing this information because I know people here like hockey. I also love seeing the team play in front of a packed house. The kids seem to play even harder in front of a good-sized crowd.

Here's the link to the Jr. Blues website. Further details are provided there. Come on in if you can make it and cheer on some kids who are playing to get a foot in the door of pro hockey.

Anyone else road tripping to Nashville Feb 4 for Blues game? This trip has been on the books for a while and can't wait!

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This is a decision that was painful for me to acknowledge. After watching the game last night and discussing in detail with my friend the legality of the hit by Stuart on Pietr, I have decided that I will no longer be pissed at the refs for their consistently terrible work on the ice. In addition, I feel the same way about Shanny now that I did when I saw him in a redwing jersey for the first time, indifference bordering on laughter. We know that his position in the disciplinary system is monkey on an organ grinder and that he is only the face of the proverbial wooden paddle. Officiating and discipline have become a joke in the NHL, you did not hear it first here.

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via p.twimg.com

While watching the after game interviews of tonights game against Buffalo, the first appearance of The Weenie Hat is made atop David Backes' head. Of course now I am curious what qualifies a player the privilege of this honor. My first thought was Backes received it for leaving the ice for a shift during the first period after he fell hard into the end boards. But after listening to the interviews, Halak said he received the honor after his 1-0 shutout during the game against Dallas. It was also added that the hat has only been around for 5 games now and that D'agostini started this practice.

So, what does qualify a player to earn The Weenie Hat Honor after each game and who else has won this honor?

v. Vancover, 3-2 OT: ?; v. Minnesota, 2-3 W: ?; v. Dallas, 0-1 W: Halak; v. Edmonton, 0-1 W: ?; and v. Buffalo, 2-4 W: Backes.

You can also buy your own Weenie Hat, if so inclined, at Amazon.com.

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Good time to be a blues fan itnit? The points are saying we are one of the top teams in hockey. The best part is were looking to be even better. Steen, McDonald, and Russel, are all due to be back sooner rather then later. And I know you remeber the surge this team got when DP57 came back, then think what we could accomplish when two of our offensive leaders and another reliable d-man return.

The true test of the Notes metal will come after Jan. when we will be forced into the role of roadworriors. From then (knock on wood) you have the playoffs to think about, needless to say its gunna be a 2point war every night. I dont see the lack of playoff experience on this roster being a big problem. The blackcocks didnt have much experience when they won- However thanks to his years in St. Louis, Joe Q sure as shit had enough xp for the whole team. I have all the faith in the world in Hitch and our captain and I have no reason to think that we can't contend for the cup with the way the entire team (including ells and jaro) are playing right now. Personally I still want to see Chris Stewart be the guy he was last year, and I belive if for some reason we were struggling down the stretch that GM Armstrong wouldnt hesitate to bring in whatever we would need.

My main point after the jump..

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"A good time was had by all" is a frighteningly cliched statement. Last night, it was true for the Springfield Jr. Blues fans who showed up to watch the home team face the St. Louis Bandits. The series between the two teams hasn't been much of a rivalry, but a rivalry is indeed there. The two teams are only a little more than 100 miles apart from each other, compared to the 200+ miles to the other teams in the Midwest Division. In the 2010-2011 season, St. Louis handily beat the Jr. Blues in all but two games. This season, the current record vs. St. Louis for Springfield is at 3 wins, 6 losses with three games left to play.

With that said, let's jump into the game reviews:

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