Bluenotes 3-8-11: Blues Top Blue Jackets | Halak In, Bishop Down | Stewart Link
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Where Has THAT Been?
Well, that was the first exciting game the Blues have had since, well, I don’t know when.
Was it the six goal first period? The three fights? Local boy Ben Bishop coming in to stop the beach balls Ty Conklin couldn’t handle? The bus driven through Steve Mason’s 5-hole? The surprising not intolerable Bluenatics section?
Yep, it was all of that and more.
It may have taken an emotionally charged night honoring the greatest players to don the No. 7 in a blue note, but the St. Louis Blues finally played with pride and enthusiasm not seen since Brad Boyes departed (spurious correlation). Defeating the pesty Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 in a shootout.
After Patrik Berglund got the party started with a bomb past Mason just 1:24 in to the game, the defense and Conklin reverted to a hockey IQ equal to pondscum. Allowing three goals on eight shots, Conk’s night was over. Bishop came in to a nice ovation and proceeded to stop 19 of 20 shots against.
Andy McDonald was the performer of the night. Scoring two goals and netting a “third” in the shootout. Haven’t seen that much jump out of Speedy Gonzales since he came back from his concussion. You could tell the importance of the moment sunk in deep to his veteran mind. He was on like Donkey Kong.
Rick Nash deserves the facepalm of the game award. His blatant and foolish trip of Barret Jackman lead to the tying PPG from TJ Oshie. He does deserve some credit, he was pretty good otherwise. Grabbing two helpers and a goal in the shootout.
Jakub Voracek continues to be the Jacket I can’t stand the most. He is reaching a Mike Riberio level of annoyance. Though he’s played against the Blues only once as a BJ, Craig Rivert rocketed up the list. His “fight” with David Backes (where he couldn’t manup and fight correctly), high hit on McDonald and his general antagonistic play earned him some attention. Though he could have earned some brownie points had he fought Ryan Reaves when he went prodding for action. Reaves would have destroyed him, but at least he would have taken his beating properly. Just like when Inglorious met Jonathan Toews.
We also had the token “weak shot from a CBJ defensemen goes in the net” goal last night. Fedor Tyutin had the tally last night, but Jan Hejda and Kris Russel seem to excel in that department, too.
Of the Peoria Rivermen auditioning for next season, Reaves, Chris Porter, Adam Cracknell and TJ Hensick all performed well. Sadly, Hensick finally gets his head in the right place on Scottrade ice and gets hurt in the process. Chris Porter and Reaves will look very nice with Vladimir Sobokta between them next season as the 4th line.
Reaves had 6 hits and Cracknell added 5.
Ian Cole had a rough game. Patience is a virtue, the young padawan will come along.
We need a much cooler name for Kevin Shattenkirk. I propose Tiberius. It keeps the “Kirk” theme and brings in some Roman mystique. Why? Because given a little more development and maturation he will be carving up opposing defenses like the 13th Legion.
One though I have leaving this game, Berglund is trending up… and I like it. TechnoViking goes Vroom Vroom Der Party Starter! Sorry Tyler, had to borrow your line.
Welcome Back Halak
So the not catching hand is healed and Jaroslav Halak appears to be making his (triumphant?) return Wednesday in Columbus. Clearing out his locker and driving 3 hours north is Ben Bishop.
There are plenty of good reasons why Bishop is heading back to Peoria. Not going to say there isn’t. Doesn’t mean I have to like the move.
What’s not to like? The thought of Halak playing 16 consecutive games with four back to back sets in 6 weeks. Not because I think he’s a horrible goalie, but because that’s a lot of work. Rested from his injury downtime or not, that’s too much on his plate. The backup should see at least 4 more starts. With Conklin in net, let’s just say the confidence that the Blues could win all four of those is pretty low.
Ben is just a victim of the CBA. Though Conklin cleared waivers, he cannot be sent down.
Good news Peoria readers, you’re getting someone back. Too bad you need about 5 more someones as well.
Stewie Talks to Wysh
Greg Wyshynski is the editor of the Puck Daddy hockey blog on Yahoo and during the Blues eastern seaboard swing he caught up with newbie Chris Stewart.
Wysh gets some kudos for the 8 bit Nintendo reference, but loses some puckhead points for using “speedy” and “Patrick Berglund” in the same sentence with out “is not” being inserted.
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