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Gameday 2-18-11: Blues @ Sabres

Jeff Quirin — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:13:59 +0000

Are you ready for some Hockey?! A Friday night Party!

Can the enthusiasm? Nah. Getting ready for my Bluenatics auditions!

Anyways, I digress…

It’s been four days since the St. Louis Blues (25-21-9, 59 Points) played last. Tonight they take on the Buffalo Sabres (27-23-6, 60 Points). A match-up that should feel familiar. The Buffaslugs are fighting for the 8th spot in the East. Much the same story as the Florida Panthers from 10 days ago.

To take down the Sabres the Blues will need to emulate the successes of that victory over the Cats as well as their 3-2 win against Vancouver on Monday. Meaning effort is king, execution is queen and complacency is the jester.

The good guys will have to do it all with out Jaroslav Halak. Who left the Blues last practice early due to an “upper body injury” that turned in to a retroactive stint on the 7-Day Injured Reserve. Many fans may guess that his catching hand is to blame, but it’s actually his stick holding hand that is injured. His 7th day on IR will be Monday the 21st.

Peoria Rivermen netminder Ben Bishop was recalled for the trip to west New York and will backup starter Ty Conklin. In Conks career against Buffalo he is 6-1-0 with a 1.70 GAA and .943 save percentage.

Open Question: Will we see the Conklin who bent but never really broke against Edmonton and Tampa (save for the OT winner) or the 7 goals against allowed to Anaheim and Chicago version?

Whoever patrols the Blues crease will probably duel with US Olympic hero Ryan Miller. The usually rock solid Miller has struggled of late. Giving up 7 goals to the lowly New York Islanders in an OT loss Sunday. Although, he did bounce back Wednesday against Toronto. Yielding just 2 goals on 30 shots. One thing is for sure. Last years Vezina winner and Silver Medalist is one of the toughest competitors in the world of hockey, let alone the NHL. If anyone can stand on his head and shut the Blues down, its Ryan freakin’ Miller.

In his career against the Blues Ryan is 1-1-0 with a 3.52 GAA and .892 save percentage.

A few names should standout to Blues fans tonight.

Tyler Myers > Last season’s Calder winner is having a bit of a sophomore slump. Going from 11 goals, 48 points, Plus-13 rating in 82 games to 8 goals, 25 points and a Minus-9 in 52 games. The 6’6 (ot 6’7 or 6’8) behemoth of a defenseman is far more mobile than his counterparts like Zdeno Chara. He is a threat in all areas. In sustained possession and on the rush.

Drew Stafford > The right winger has come up in rumors to head to the Blues before. His impressive 24 goals in 35 games played rate leads the Sabres in the goal scoring department. He leads the NHL with four, yes four hat-tricks.

Chris Butler > The good ole local boy from St. Louis will not be playing this evening.

Jochen Hecht > The former Blues forward is still playing out his days in Buffalo. In parts of three seasons with the Note the German import tallied 32 goals and 78 points in 138 games. In 2000-01 11 of his 19 goals came on special teams play (8 PPG & 3 SHG).

Sadly, the number one guy to watch, besides Miller, is hurt. Center Derek Roy is out with a longterm injury and will not play.

According to the MSM, expect the Blues to dress 7 Defensemen and 11 Forwards. The linup should look something like:

McDonald – Backes – Boyes
Steen – Berglund – Oshie
Sobotka – McClement – D’Agostini
Wicnhester – x – Crombeen

Jackman – Pietrangelo
Brewer – Johnson
Colaiacovo/Nikitin – Polak

* D’Agostini could flip with Crombeen to provide a shut down line. Buffalo may not have been known for scoring under the current regime, but they are 11th in Goals For/Game in the NHL right now. Averaging 2.86/game. Getting a shutdown line worked against Vancouver. It’s highly likely to be employed again unless they fall behind early.

For those Scoreboard watching: Anaheim takes on Minnesota and Chicago is at Columbus. Sadly these four are sandwiched right on top of each other. Pitting 6th vs 9th and 11th vs. 12th. Best case scenario? Anaheim wins in regulation over Minnesota and there is no best case scenario between the Hawks and Jackets.

As always, you are invited to follow @618_STLBlues and @BlueNoteZone on Twitter and on the BlueNoteZone Facebook Fan Page for in game updates and Blues news.

Prospect Profile : Alex Pietrangelo

Randall Ritchey — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 06:47:11 +0000

Welcome to the third edition of Prospects Profile. Today we center in on the defensemen, Alex Pietrangelo.

THE BEGINNING

Alex Pietrangelo, born January 18th, 1990 in King City, ON, Canada. The kid was born to play hockey. He grew up playing for the Richmond Hill Stars, Toronto Jr. Canadiens and the Vaughan Kings. He won a championship with the Vaughan Kings in 2003 and one with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in 2005. Pietrangelo plays some high school hockey at a private school in King City at St. Thomas of Villanova College.

Pietrangelo was selected third overall by Niagara.

Going into the OHL draft in 2006, Pietrangelo was a candidate to go first overall. That honor eventually went to Steven Stamkos who was drafted by the Sarnia Sting. When it was time for the Oshawa Generals to pick second overall, Pietrangelo’s name could have been called, but the Generals went with another offensive defensemen, Michael Del Zotto.

Finally it was time for the Mississauga Ice Dogs to pick third overall, and it was time that Pietrangelo heard his name called. The Ice Dogs made Pietrangelo their highest drafted defensemen in more then ten years.

Pietrangelo jumped right into the OHL that next season with the Ice Dogs and after playing 59 games, he finished with 52 points (7 goals, 45 assists). In his first season in Niagara, he didn’t see much power-play time, and in the time he did see, only notched three points. It was a very successful rookie season.

The next year, Pietrangelo saw his stock rise by having another successful season. In 60 games with Niagara in the regular season, Alex recorded 13 goals, 40 assists for 53 points. The most considerable jump in his stats was probably his penalty minutes. In 59 games a season before, Pietrangelo recorded just 45 penalty minutes. During his 2007-08 season, he recorded 94 penalty minutes. A significant jump from his prior year. Most of these formed as his physical play increased and he became harder to play against as he could beat you with his skills and his body as well.

Pietrangelo played six games for the Icedogs in the playoffs, recording five goals and four assists for nine points! A very successful six games for the soon-to-be draftee.

THE DRAFT

Moving into the draft, many suspected that Pietrangelo would go fairly high in the draft. Most people had the offensive powerhouse Steven Stamkos going first overall, which he did. After him, it was a toss up of the big five defensemen in the draft, Zach Bogosian, Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, Tyler Myers and Luke Schenn, or the highly skilled Russian, Nikita Filatov could go be taken 2nd overall an on.

It was the L.A. Kings who selected second overall and they picked the kid who grew up a Kings fan, Drew Doughty with their pick.

Following the Kings, it was time for the Atlanta Thrashers to pick the second of the big five, defensemen, Zach Bogosian.

Pietrangelo was selected 4th overall in the NHL entry draft.

Next up was the St. Louis Blues. Out of the big five, only three were left. Tyler Myers, Luke Schenn and Alex Pietrangelo. Coming into the draft, they were rated in that order. Pietrangelo being the lowest ranked of the defensemen. But that didn’t stop the St. Louis Blues from selecting Pietrangelo with the fourth overall pick.

After being selected by the Blues, Pietrangelo took some time and spoke with reporters, he spoke on being drafted by St. Louis, “It feels great. I think I’m kinda still overwhelmed by everything that’s happening but its great to be apart of a great organization and I know they are certainly going in the right direction so I’m happy to be a part of it.” It’s obvious the kid is excited being drafted, but many questioned his ability to stick in the NHL the next season.

POST DRAFT AND PRO HOCKEY

They turned out to be correct. After an eight game trial with the St. Louis Blues, he was sent back to his OHL team, the Niagara Icedogs for a third season. Some believe that this is because of an injury Pietrangelo received after being boarded in his second NHL by the Toronto Maple Leafs then goon, Ryan Hollweg. He missed quite a few games and eventually was sent back to Niagara.

Pietrangelo wearing the 'C' in Niagara

Pietrangelo only played 36 games for the Icedogs in the regular season, but he had a lot more placed on his shoulders as he was named captain.

Pietrangelo finished with eight goals, 21 assists for a total of 29 points in those 36 regualar season games. Into the playoffs, Pietrangelo played 12 games, recording a goal and five assists which ended his OHL season.

After the Icedogs were eliminated from postseason play, Pietrangelo signed a PTO with the Peoria Rivermen. Pietrangelo played in one regular season game and seven playoff games for Peoria. He recorded one assists in one of his seven playoff games as Peoria was eliminated by the Houston Areos.

Coming into the 2009-2010 season, many suspected that Pietrangelo would stick full time with the Blues. But after playing hit and miss games in which Pietrangelo would play one game, then sit the next three, his total finally came to nine, the magic number for players who can’t play in the AHL. It was either keep Pietrangelo on the Blues roster, or send him back to the OHL. The Blues we’re to keen on sending him back to Niagara as they were one of the worst teams, and remain one of the worst teams in the OHL. He sat during games, but remained for NHL practices. A name on the roster and a seat in the press box wa the fate for Pietrangelo. But finally a release, Pietrangelo was selected by team Canada for the World Junior Championships. Four other Blues prospects were named to teams playing in the WJC (Jake Allen – Canada, Philip McRae – USA, David Warsofsky – USA, and David Rundblad – Sweden).

Pietrangelo playing for Team Canada.

Pietrangelo has played very well for team Canada. He’s played in five games throughout the tournament and has recorded three goals and eight assists, the most amount of points by a defensemen all tournament long.

He, along with team Canada is set to face off against team USA in the gold medal game of the WJC. In the last meeting between Canada and the USA, Pietrangelo scored the game tying goal, short handed to help lead Canada to a win in the shootout over USA.

We do not know the future of Alex Pietrangelo as of now. Will he return to the OHL or will he stick in St. Louis as they are heading in a new direction under a new coach in Davis Payne? Only time will tell, but one thing we can be sure of, Alex Pietrangelo has a very bright future ahead of him.

Thanks for reading,

Randall Ritchey

randallritchey@gmail.com