Hi. It's almost 2 a.m. Some of the staff of St. Louis Game Time had a few pitchers of...diet soft drinks after the game Friday night at a certain establishment in Brentwood where about five Blues players, some radio broadcasters and other people assocciatteedd with the team happened to show up. Honestly, it was more fun watching the people stare holes through us to get glimpses of members of the newest team in the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs. But I digress.
When the fans stood up with about 90 seconds left in the game and yelled the loudest hello to the postseason in franchise history, all I could do was smile. How the hell did we get here? And how long can we stay because frankly, I don't want to leave.
The team sprinted on the ice and had a mini mosh pit around goaltender Chris Mason. They celebrated around healthy scratch Cam Janssen who came out for the celebration. Their salute to the fans at center ice seemed pretty darn genuine. Compare that to last few years during the final home game where players would skate to the middle of the ice and raise their sticks and thank the fans for coming even though the team played like shit much of the season. Holy change in fortunes.
At this point I'm just rambling. What a night. Gallagher called this his favorite Blues team since he became a fan. My wife bought us playoff tickets for the entire postseason. People are losing their damn minds.
To put it in perspective, a lot of crap has happened since the Blues last appeared in the playoffs and were eliminated in April 2004.
Top 11 Things That Have Happened Since The Blues Were In The Playoffs:
11. George W. Bush was re-elected.
10. The Cardinals tore down the old Busch Stadium, finished building a new one and won a World Series.
9. The Blues were dismantled, sold and rebuilt.
8. The TV show "Friends" ended its original run on NBC.
7. The state of Missouri has had three different governors in office.
6. Three "High School Musical" movies have been released.
5. Andy Murray has won 100 games as Blues head coach.
4.The Blues have drafted 44 players in the NHL Draft.
3. TJ Oshie appointed King of St. Louis.
2. A big chunk of Highway 40 was closed, torn apart, rebuilt and re-opened.
1. Chris Pronger, arguably one of the best defensemen in the NHL, was traded. Twice.