By Brian Weidler, "Game Time" Prospect Department
I CAN'T DRIVE 55:
...or 47 either, apparently.
Because your Game Time Prospect Department has a lead foot, and because the Mesa (AZ) Police Department likes to use hidden spy cameras to boost their town's revenue, I wasn't around during the Blackhawks GDT while your GTPD attended traffic school in lieu of paying a $200 ticket.
Costs and fees for the traffic school are $205, but you don't get points on your license if you attend the traffic school... so it's the lesser of two evils, but costs more.
We were delayed today with the matinee game, however all the regular features will run this evening.
PROSPECT PROMOTIONS / DEMOTIONS:
02-15-12 -- F Evgeny Grachev and D Ian Cole assigned to Peoria (AHL) by St. Louis (NHL). LINK.
02-18-12 -- G Ben Bishop called up from Peoria (AHL) to St. Louis (NHL). LINK.
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.
SWEDISH GOALIE PROSPECT LUNDSTRÖM EXCELS IN SEL DEBUT:
Goaltending prospect Niklas Lundström, the Blues' fifth pick (132nd overall) in 2011, was brought up to the AIK Solna senior team from their J20 Superelit squad this week. Lundström got a cup of coffee with the Elitserien club earlier in the year, but spent all of his time on the bench; this time up, however, the Pride of Värmdo would get a chance to strut his stuff in league play... and he delivered.
On Thursday vs. crosstown rival Djurgårdens IF, in front of over 10,000 people at the Ericsson Globe arena in Stockholm, Lundström turned aside 37 shots to lead AIK to a 4-1 win. Then on Saturday, Lundström stopped 31 of 33 shots to lead AIK to a 4-2 victory over a Linköpings HC club fighting with Djurgårdens IF to keep from being relegated to the Allsvenskan for 2012-13.
Direct links to SEL video are, unfortunately, not available... but HERE is a link to a page on AIK's website that features an interview with Lundström following the 4-1 win over Djurgårdens IF, and HERE is the page that has highlights of Saturday's game with Linköpings HC.
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.
Since your GTPD has had some issues with his car recently, we thought this would be a good week to do some automotive-related blues. Without further ado then, give a listen to one of the masters of the blues, the great Robert Johnson, doing the Terraplane Blues.
The Terraplane was a car brand and model built by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan between 1932 and 1938. In its maiden year, the car was branded as the Essex-Terraplane; in 1934 the car became simply the Terraplane. Terraplanes were inexpensive yet powerful vehicles that were used in both town and country, as both cars and trucks bore the Terraplane name.
Have a listen:
In a special double feature this week, here's a more rockin' version of this tune done by one of the most under-rated blues-inspired bands ever, Foghat featuring the late "Lonesome" Dave Pevrett on slide guitar.
As always, today's lonesome blues are sent out to touch the heart of someone very special. I've been drivin' my Terraplane for you since I been gone...
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
Three wins in four games have given the Rivermen a little breathing room in the AHL Western Conference playoff hunt. Details at 6:00 PM Central Time.
TRENDING UP
A strong week for Peoria means a good showing for Rivermen players in this week's Fab Five. Plus, Ty Rattie closes in on the century mark. Details at 7:00 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 8:00 PM Central Time.