By Brian Weidler, "Game Time" Prospect Department
PROSPECT PROMOTIONS / DEMOTIONS:
02-08-12 -- F Evgeny Grachev returned to St. Louis (NHL) from Peoria (AHL).
02-11-12 -- D Ian Cole returned to St. Louis (NHL) from Peoria (AHL).
PROSPECT TRADES:
None to report this week.
PLAYERS ON SICK CALL:
01-09-12 -- F Jay Barriball and D Jake Gannon (Peoria/AHL) remain on IR with concussions. (LINK).
01-08-12 -- C Jori Lehtrera (Sibir Novosibirsk/KHL) out for the season with a broken leg. (LINK).
PLAYERS RETURNED TO DUTY:
None to report this week.
PLAYERS ON SUSPENSION:
None to report this week.
PEORIA OFFENSE LIGHTS UP DIVISION LEADING CHARLOTTE:
The Peoria Rivermen obtained 16 points from 13 different skaters and set a season high with 47 shots on goal in a 5-2 win over the Charlotte Checkers on Feb. 11, 2012 in front of 7,306 at Carver Arena. Derek Nesbitt, Anthony Nigro, Cade Fairchild, Tyler Shattock, and T.J. Hensick each scored for Peoria while Ben Bishop stopped 22 of 24 shots on goal.
Pay special attention to the play beginning at 0:19 of this video, especially the nice drop pass by Philip McRae doing the dirty work in front of the net, and culminating in Anthony Nigro's sweet blast from the slot for his tenth goal of the season.
We also liked Cade Fairchild's one-on-two goal after streaking in down the left boards, starting at 0:41 of the video.
We're looking for some help with finding prospect videos to feature in this space. If anyone knows anyone who can provide a steady source of videos from Peoria, and especially from major junior, college and/or Europe, please have them drop us a line.
St. Louis is home to the Blues, both the hockey club and that uniquely American style of music that draws on the sorrows and pain of everyday life.
A city that can lay an even stronger claim to being the Home of the Blues, at least musically, is Chicago. For as much as we at Game Time tend to disparage our neighbor to the north, there's a grudging respect for the city and it's people here. And that respect is far less grudging and more effervescent when we're talking about the great Chicago bluesmen.
One of the greatest of those Chicago blues giants is Chester Arthur Burnett, otherwise known as the great Howlin' Wolf. Born in the Mississippi delta country in 1910 and named for the nation's 21st President Chester Alan Arthur, Chester Burnett became Howlin' Wolf in the 30's when he tried on stage to emulate the blues yodeling of country singer Jimmie Rodgers, but could do no better than a howl.
This week's blues gem is Howlin' Wolf's version of "Spoonful," lyrically based on an earlier blues jam by Charley Patton entitled "Spoonful Blues." The music, however, is all Howlin' Wolf and his legendary sideman, Hubert Sumlin.
As always, this tune goes out to someone very special. Check it out.
One of the greatest living bluesmen, Eric Clapton, leads The Cream in an excellent cover of this song on the "Fresh Cream" LP.
If you're interested in the blues, check out "Those Lowdown Blues" on the 'Net every Sunday night from 7 to midnight (St. Louis time). Your Game Time Prospect Department heartily endorses this program.
FEATURES THIS WEEK:
RIVER READINGS
The Ben Bishop trade rumors go on hold for a bit as Jake Allen suffers an injury in practice. The next seven days will be very important for Peoria's playoff chances. Details at 2:00 PM Central Time.
TRENDING UP
Jordan Binnington is the clear First Star of the week, but we have some trouble filling out the rest if this week;s Fab Five. Details at 3:00 PM Central Time.
WEEKLY PROSPECT STATISTICS REVIEW
The most complete weekly source of Blues' prospect scoring and goaltending stats available anywhere in one place on the Internet. Details at 4:00 PM Central Time.