The Blues' roster for the 2017 NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game, which was revealed in a special one-hour pregame show on FOX Sports Midwest, is shaping up to be a great one.
Wayne Gretzky, who played 18 games with the Blues during the 1995-96 season, will wear the Blue Note once again when the Blues Alumni take on the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni on Saturday, Dec. 31 at Busch Stadium, just two days ahead of the 2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.
In addition to Gretzky, the Blues Alumni roster will include Hall of Famers Brett Hull, Al MacInnis, Bernie Federko, Adam Oates, Peter Stastny and Chris Pronger.
In fact, the entire 27-man Blues roster combined for 5,931 goals and 10,848 assists in the regular season (16,779 points).
Blues coaches include legends Red Berenson, Bob Plager, Brian Sutter and Garry Unger.
Blues Alumni Roster
Forwards
12 Adam Oates - 99 Wayne Gretzky - 16 Brett Hull
7 Keith Tkachuk - 24 Bernie Federko - 19 Scott Mellanby
77 Pierre Turgeon - 26 Peter Stastny - 48 Scott Young
10 Dallas Drake - 27 Terry Yake - 39 Kelly Chase
17 Gino Cavallini - 6 Larry Patey - 4 Bruce Affleck
Defense
Chris Pronger (#44) - Al MacInnis (#2)
Barret Jackman (#5) - Garth Butcher (#5)
Jamie Rivers (#6) - Jeff Brown (#21)
Bryce Salvador (#27) - Paul Cavallini (#14)
Goaltenders
Mike Liut (#1)/Ed Staniowski (#31), Chris Mason (#50), Martin Brodeur (#30).
19 Troy Murray - 10 Reggie Kerr - 15 Jim Cummins
19 Kyle Calder - 10 Brian Noonan - 55 Eric Daze
37 Adam Burish, 13 Daniel Carcillo, 55 Ben Eager, 26 Dave Mackey, 22 Jamal Mayers, 22 Grant Mulvey, 33 Reid Simpson
Defense
33 Adrian Aucoin - 8 Steve Poapst
5 Steve Konroyd, 5 Jack O'Callahan, 5 Brent Sopel, Gary Suter
Goalies 30 Murray Bannerman, 40 Darren Pang, 29 Jimmy Waite
Blues Alumni Roster
Forwards
12 Adam Oates - 99 Wayne Gretzky - 16 Brett Hull
7 Keith Tkachuk - 24 Bernie Federko - 19 Scott Mellanby
77 Pierre Turgeon - 26 Peter Stastny - 48 Scott Young
10 Dallas Drake - 27 Terry Yake - 39 Kelly Chase
17 Gino Cavallini - 6 Larry Patey - 4 Bruce Affleck
Defense
Chris Pronger (#44) - Al MacInnis (#2)
Barret Jackman (#5) - Garth Butcher (#5)
Jamie Rivers (#6) - Jeff Brown (#21)
Bryce Salvador (#27) - Paul Cavallini (#14)
Goaltenders
Mike Liut (#1)/Ed Staniowski (#31), Chris Mason (#50), Martin Brodeur (#30).
Blackhawks Alumni Roster
Forwards19 Troy Murray - 10 Reggie Kerr - 15 Jim Cummins
19 Kyle Calder - 10 Brian Noonan - 55 Eric Daze
37 Adam Burish, 13 Daniel Carcillo, 55 Ben Eager, 26 Dave Mackey, 22 Jamal Mayers, 22 Grant Mulvey, 33 Reid Simpson
Defense
33 Adrian Aucoin - 8 Steve Poapst
5 Steve Konroyd, 5 Jack O'Callahan, 5 Brent Sopel, Gary Suter
Goalies 30 Murray Bannerman, 40 Darren Pang, 29 Jimmy Waite
The Game Report
The weather was nearly perfect when the puck dropped at 54 degrees Fahrenheit with a bit of overcast. Busch Stadium was filled with 40,128 fans, and the St. Louis Blues alumni team won. That made the 2017 Winter Classic Alumni Game enjoyable for everyone Saturday, even the Chicago Blackhawks alumni. Pierre Turgeon's second goal of the game late in the third period proved to be the game-winner in an 8-7 victory.
"Being involved and seeing the crowd and it being packed and the weather, everything was right," Turgeon said. "Coming back in the locker room and going on the ice, seeing the boys again, it was just something unique. It doesn't happen too often, so I really enjoyed it."
So did the Blackhawks, though their comeback attempt fell short. Kyle Calder's second goal of the game pulled Chicago within one to set up some late-game drama. With goaltender Jimmy Waite on the bench for a sixth attacker, Steve Poapst's last-second chance from in front was thwarted by Blues goaltender Martin Brodeur.
"I wish I would have stopped that last one to make it an even game," Waite said. "But you could see the tempo pick up at the end. The guys have some pride. We got a good chance at the end. We got to beat Marty Brodeur twice, which is good."
"It's fun to be part of these guys," said Brodeur, a Blues assistant general manager. "Even though I had a cup of coffee here, they make me feel like I've been here forever."
Brodeur and the Blues are hoping they can get another win against the Blackhawks in the 2017 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Busch Stadium on Monday. The Blackhawks alumni led 3-2 after the first period with goaltender Darren Pang stopping five of seven shots. Pang, an analyst on Blues telecasts who last played in the NHL in 1988-89, said facing Gretzky, Hull and Oates, who combined for 1,976 goals, 3,692 assists and 5,668 points during their NHL careers, was still scary.
"Next thing you know, they're behind the net together and I'm like, 'Oh no,'" said Pang, 52. "When you don't play, looking over your shoulder and trying to find guys is kind of difficult. You're going post-to-post and you don't want to stumble on top of yourself."
The Blues got goals from Bernie Federko, Peter Stastny and Kelly Chase in the opening six minutes of the second period to jump ahead 5-3 before the Blackhawks answered with goals from Reid Simpson and Ben Eager to tie the game. A late goal from Barrett Jackman sent St. Louis into the third period with a 6-5 lead, but Daniel Carcillo scored on 2-on-0 rush on the initial shift of the period to tie it again. Keith Tkachuk put the Blues back ahead for good with his rebound goal on a backhand from in front and celebrated by dabbing.
"My daughter wanted me to do it in case I scored, so I had to do it," Tkachuk said.
The Blackhawks pushed hard after Turgeon's second goal made it 8-6, but could not tie it again.
"I think you saw it ratcheted up there the last 10 minutes or eight minutes," Blackhawks forward Jamal Mayers said. "Unfortunately we couldn't get it tied up, but it was fun. I'm glad we kept it close."
There were smiles and laughter in each locker room afterward, while the players soaked in the atmosphere.
"Being part of this is awesome," Tkachuk said. "Look at the guys in here. It's ridiculous. … I'm looking forward to get some rest, though. I'm done."
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The Gretzky-Hull-Oates Line
So did the Blackhawks, though their comeback attempt fell short. Kyle Calder's second goal of the game pulled Chicago within one to set up some late-game drama. With goaltender Jimmy Waite on the bench for a sixth attacker, Steve Poapst's last-second chance from in front was thwarted by Blues goaltender Martin Brodeur.
"I wish I would have stopped that last one to make it an even game," Waite said. "But you could see the tempo pick up at the end. The guys have some pride. We got a good chance at the end. We got to beat Marty Brodeur twice, which is good."
Brodeur and the Blues are hoping they can get another win against the Blackhawks in the 2017 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Busch Stadium on Monday. The Blackhawks alumni led 3-2 after the first period with goaltender Darren Pang stopping five of seven shots. Pang, an analyst on Blues telecasts who last played in the NHL in 1988-89, said facing Gretzky, Hull and Oates, who combined for 1,976 goals, 3,692 assists and 5,668 points during their NHL careers, was still scary.
"Next thing you know, they're behind the net together and I'm like, 'Oh no,'" said Pang, 52. "When you don't play, looking over your shoulder and trying to find guys is kind of difficult. You're going post-to-post and you don't want to stumble on top of yourself."
The Blues got goals from Bernie Federko, Peter Stastny and Kelly Chase in the opening six minutes of the second period to jump ahead 5-3 before the Blackhawks answered with goals from Reid Simpson and Ben Eager to tie the game. A late goal from Barrett Jackman sent St. Louis into the third period with a 6-5 lead, but Daniel Carcillo scored on 2-on-0 rush on the initial shift of the period to tie it again. Keith Tkachuk put the Blues back ahead for good with his rebound goal on a backhand from in front and celebrated by dabbing.
"My daughter wanted me to do it in case I scored, so I had to do it," Tkachuk said.
The Blackhawks pushed hard after Turgeon's second goal made it 8-6, but could not tie it again.
"I think you saw it ratcheted up there the last 10 minutes or eight minutes," Blackhawks forward Jamal Mayers said. "Unfortunately we couldn't get it tied up, but it was fun. I'm glad we kept it close."
There were smiles and laughter in each locker room afterward, while the players soaked in the atmosphere.
"Being part of this is awesome," Tkachuk said. "Look at the guys in here. It's ridiculous. … I'm looking forward to get some rest, though. I'm done."
http://fox2now.com/2016/12/31/blues-top-blackhawks-8-7-in-winter-classic-alumni-game/
The Gretzky-Hull-Oates Line
A line combination of Brett Hull, Wayne Gretzky and Adam Oates playing in their prime would be lethal to opposing teams. On Saturday, at the 2017 NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks, the line, now a bit past its collective prime, got one last ride together. It may not have been like the days when they combined for 5,668 points in their NHL careers, but it was a reminder of their greatness. The Blues defeated the Blackhawks 8-7 at Busch Stadium, and though Gretzky scored the only point among the three, with an assist on a Bernie Federko goal, it was quite a treat for the 40,128 fans to see Hall of Fame players on the same line likely one final time.
"It sounded great; it didn't look great, but it sounded great," said Oates, 54, who had 341 goals and 1,079 assists in 1,337 NHL games. "A lot of fun. That's what it's all about, right? A lot of fun.
"To be able to do it in that venue with that many people, just a great thing. It shows what a great hockey town it is. To be a part of it, all the guys loved it. It was a tremendous amount of fun."
Hull, who had 741 goals and 650 assists in 1,269 NHL games, said times have changed but he was grateful for the opportunity to play again.
"You think you're OK, and you're out and skating with the guys and you feel good, and then you get out there and it was just ... every stride was agony," Hull, 52, said. "It was so fun to be with them, and to be out there with the rest of the guys. Not only from the era from when you played with, but the future eras when you were gone and the ones before you. The part was being in the locker room, chit-chatting and having fun. We get older, the bodies change."
Gretzky, who originally wasn't sure if he was going to play but was convinced by alumni friends that fans wanted to see him in a Blues jersey one more time, was more than happy to join the atmosphere that reminded him of growing up in Brantford, Ontario. Gretzky, who met St. Louis Cardinals great Ozzie Smith on Friday, owns a home in the St. Louis area, where his wife Janet Jones is from, and couldn't resist playing in this venue.
"I'd say most of the guys who played today kind of grew up in that sort of era where we grew up around outdoor rinks," said Gretzky, 55, who holds the NHL record for goals (894), assists (1,963) and points (2,857) in 1,487 games. "Guys like Adam Oates and Brett Hull and myself, [Keith] Tkachuk, that's how we started playing the game of hockey. We weren't thrown into beautiful, warm and artificial ice arenas when we were kids. We were thrown out to 30-below zero and wearing a toque and wearing a scarf and freezing and our hands numb and our feet numb when we came in. But that's what made it so wonderful, and that's what makes the game great. Each and every person to a T was the exact same way. We all loved it."
Current Blues watched the game, and Kevin Shattenkirk said there's no possible way to defend that combination of Gretzky, Hull and Oates in their prime.
"I'm lucky because [Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester] would probably have to go out against them all game, or whatever combination we have," Shattenkirk said. "I'm not sure you could. ... Especially if [Oates] has the puck, you're probably guessing 15 different ways that he's going to pass it through you and which guy he's going to give it to. Instead of like three weapons, it's like six or seven.
"Maybe they're not quite the way we saw them before, but it just looked like everyone was having a blast, and I think, for us, watching it from the stands, that's what it's all about. That's what matters right now, to take these events in and enjoy them and realize this could be the last time you play in something like this and you have to cherish it."
Tkachuk pays tribute to Demitra
The power forward from Massachusetts and the skilled wing born and raised in Slovakia didn't seem to have much in common at first. But Keith Tkachuk and Pavol Demitra had the language of hockey to unite them on the ice with the St. Louis Blues. Beyond that, there was the special banter, the rapid-fire repartee between teammates, the stuff players talk about missing after they retire.
"To be able to do it in that venue with that many people, just a great thing. It shows what a great hockey town it is. To be a part of it, all the guys loved it. It was a tremendous amount of fun."
Hull, who had 741 goals and 650 assists in 1,269 NHL games, said times have changed but he was grateful for the opportunity to play again.
"You think you're OK, and you're out and skating with the guys and you feel good, and then you get out there and it was just ... every stride was agony," Hull, 52, said. "It was so fun to be with them, and to be out there with the rest of the guys. Not only from the era from when you played with, but the future eras when you were gone and the ones before you. The part was being in the locker room, chit-chatting and having fun. We get older, the bodies change."
Gretzky, who originally wasn't sure if he was going to play but was convinced by alumni friends that fans wanted to see him in a Blues jersey one more time, was more than happy to join the atmosphere that reminded him of growing up in Brantford, Ontario. Gretzky, who met St. Louis Cardinals great Ozzie Smith on Friday, owns a home in the St. Louis area, where his wife Janet Jones is from, and couldn't resist playing in this venue.
"I'd say most of the guys who played today kind of grew up in that sort of era where we grew up around outdoor rinks," said Gretzky, 55, who holds the NHL record for goals (894), assists (1,963) and points (2,857) in 1,487 games. "Guys like Adam Oates and Brett Hull and myself, [Keith] Tkachuk, that's how we started playing the game of hockey. We weren't thrown into beautiful, warm and artificial ice arenas when we were kids. We were thrown out to 30-below zero and wearing a toque and wearing a scarf and freezing and our hands numb and our feet numb when we came in. But that's what made it so wonderful, and that's what makes the game great. Each and every person to a T was the exact same way. We all loved it."
Current Blues watched the game, and Kevin Shattenkirk said there's no possible way to defend that combination of Gretzky, Hull and Oates in their prime.
"I'm lucky because [Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester] would probably have to go out against them all game, or whatever combination we have," Shattenkirk said. "I'm not sure you could. ... Especially if [Oates] has the puck, you're probably guessing 15 different ways that he's going to pass it through you and which guy he's going to give it to. Instead of like three weapons, it's like six or seven.
"Maybe they're not quite the way we saw them before, but it just looked like everyone was having a blast, and I think, for us, watching it from the stands, that's what it's all about. That's what matters right now, to take these events in and enjoy them and realize this could be the last time you play in something like this and you have to cherish it."
Tkachuk pays tribute to Demitra
The power forward from Massachusetts and the skilled wing born and raised in Slovakia didn't seem to have much in common at first. But Keith Tkachuk and Pavol Demitra had the language of hockey to unite them on the ice with the St. Louis Blues. Beyond that, there was the special banter, the rapid-fire repartee between teammates, the stuff players talk about missing after they retire.
Tkachuk apparently taught Demitra the art of verbal jabbing almost too well.
"He was an awesome kid," Tkachuk said Saturday at the 2017 NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game. "He was a special player, one of the better players. I felt like he was a little bit on his own. I wanted to bring him in. I started jabbing at him. He learned from that.
"Then I created a monster. I turned this nice boy into a maniac. Then he gave it to me. 'Settle down buddy.'"
The word "monster" was said in a fun manner, the most affectionate way possible after a postcard-type afternoon hockey game at Busch Stadium.
Tkachuk honored his former teammate by wearing Demitra's No. 38 Blues jersey in the second period of an 8-7 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Demitra, who played eight seasons in St. Louis, died in a 2011 plane crash in Russia with his teammates from Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League. He was 36. His best NHL days came in St. Louis; he represented the Blues in three NHL All-Star Games, won the Lady Byng Trophy in 2000, and had an NHL career-high 93 points in 2002-03.
"Pavol was like one of my sons," the 60-year-old said. "We spent a lot of time together. My wife was very good friends with his wife. I basically discovered him. I convinced [Mike] Keenan to bring him in here and he was an incredible talent.
"What a talent. A nice, generous person. He had nerves of steel. Great soft hands. Great anticipation and vison, always made the right decision.
"… An immense tragedy. For him and for ice hockey. (Lokomotiv) was like a United Nations hockey team."
Tkachuk wanted to do something to honor his friend but kept his plans quiet in the lead-up to the alumni game.
"It was something we just kept to ourselves," he said. "We wanted to do something to remember our buddy … I'm getting choked up.
"It meant everything to me. He's such a great person. I'm going to always miss him. I always think of him. He should be here. He was a great Blue and a great friend."
Tkachuk said he felt overwhelmed by the entire experience of the alumni game and the setting.
"I'm so happy I did this," he said. "It's going to be one of my best memories ever. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. I don't want it to end."
"She was watching, so I had to do a dab after I scored for her," he said. "I don't know what it is. But I had to do it because she told me."
The postgame atmosphere was like a family affair for the Blues. Paul Stastny joked around with his father Peter in the dressing room.
"It makes him smile when he wins," Paul said. "Thank God we won. It'd be a bad New Year's party."
Brett Hull and his famous father Bobby Hull held court for the cameras in another part of the room.
"I'm 78 in three days," Bobby said.
Brett: "I think you're a bad counter."
Naturally, Brett had the final word when asked if he was getting his father a birthday present.
"Those days are over," he said, adding, "This is his birthday present."
Hawks View
Despite a valiant effort by the undermanned Blackhawks, the overpopulated St. Louis Blues won the Winter Classic Alumni Game 8-7 on this shiny New Year's Eve afternoon before a packed Busch Stadium. Despite the outcome, the visiting former athletes took heart in the fact that all of theirs were still operating normally.
"At this point in our lives, winning isn't as important as surviving," offered Murray Bannerman, who faced the music during the middle period for Chicago, succeeding Darren Pang and preceding Jimmy Waite. Frankly, none of the three took the job and ran with it. Good thing they all have other jobs. Pang is a Blues broadcaster; Waite expertly coaches Corey Crawford and Scott Darling. Otherwise, this would bear all the ingredients of a goalie controversy. Then again, the ice did seem tilted slightly toward the home forces. The Blackhawks suited up 21 players, the Blues 27. Among them was Barrett Jackman, 35, who retired 20 minutes ago. The Blues were loaded with the rich and famous, none richer or more famous than Wayne Gretzky. He played 18 games for the Blues, but wife Janet is from here. Meanwhile, the scrappy Blackhawks depended on grinders. Kyle Calder scored twice; Jim Cummins, Brian Noonan, Reid Simpson, Ben Eager and Dan Carcillo had one each. Unlike many of the taffy pulls back in the day when results counted, this rematch was fist-free. Then again, to fight is to require energy. But even though these onetime boys of winter took the fastest game in the world and slowed it down a notch, the audience loved it.
"He was an awesome kid," Tkachuk said Saturday at the 2017 NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game. "He was a special player, one of the better players. I felt like he was a little bit on his own. I wanted to bring him in. I started jabbing at him. He learned from that.
"Then I created a monster. I turned this nice boy into a maniac. Then he gave it to me. 'Settle down buddy.'"
The word "monster" was said in a fun manner, the most affectionate way possible after a postcard-type afternoon hockey game at Busch Stadium.
Tkachuk honored his former teammate by wearing Demitra's No. 38 Blues jersey in the second period of an 8-7 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Demitra, who played eight seasons in St. Louis, died in a 2011 plane crash in Russia with his teammates from Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League. He was 36. His best NHL days came in St. Louis; he represented the Blues in three NHL All-Star Games, won the Lady Byng Trophy in 2000, and had an NHL career-high 93 points in 2002-03.
The jersey tribute also resonated with Peter Stastny, who played six games for the Blues in his final NHL season in 1994-95, was born in Bratislava (then Czechoslovakia), and is now a member of the European Parliament for Slovakia.
"What a talent. A nice, generous person. He had nerves of steel. Great soft hands. Great anticipation and vison, always made the right decision.
"… An immense tragedy. For him and for ice hockey. (Lokomotiv) was like a United Nations hockey team."
Tkachuk wanted to do something to honor his friend but kept his plans quiet in the lead-up to the alumni game.
"It was something we just kept to ourselves," he said. "We wanted to do something to remember our buddy … I'm getting choked up.
"It meant everything to me. He's such a great person. I'm going to always miss him. I always think of him. He should be here. He was a great Blue and a great friend."
Tkachuk said he felt overwhelmed by the entire experience of the alumni game and the setting.
"I'm so happy I did this," he said. "It's going to be one of my best memories ever. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. I don't want it to end."
Tkachuk, 44, scored a goal and managed to earn some credibility points with the younger members of his family, specifically his 14-year-old daughter, Taryn.
The postgame atmosphere was like a family affair for the Blues. Paul Stastny joked around with his father Peter in the dressing room.
"It makes him smile when he wins," Paul said. "Thank God we won. It'd be a bad New Year's party."
Brett Hull and his famous father Bobby Hull held court for the cameras in another part of the room.
"I'm 78 in three days," Bobby said.
Brett: "I think you're a bad counter."
Naturally, Brett had the final word when asked if he was getting his father a birthday present.
"Those days are over," he said, adding, "This is his birthday present."
Hawks View
Despite a valiant effort by the undermanned Blackhawks, the overpopulated St. Louis Blues won the Winter Classic Alumni Game 8-7 on this shiny New Year's Eve afternoon before a packed Busch Stadium. Despite the outcome, the visiting former athletes took heart in the fact that all of theirs were still operating normally.
"At this point in our lives, winning isn't as important as surviving," offered Murray Bannerman, who faced the music during the middle period for Chicago, succeeding Darren Pang and preceding Jimmy Waite. Frankly, none of the three took the job and ran with it. Good thing they all have other jobs. Pang is a Blues broadcaster; Waite expertly coaches Corey Crawford and Scott Darling. Otherwise, this would bear all the ingredients of a goalie controversy. Then again, the ice did seem tilted slightly toward the home forces. The Blackhawks suited up 21 players, the Blues 27. Among them was Barrett Jackman, 35, who retired 20 minutes ago. The Blues were loaded with the rich and famous, none richer or more famous than Wayne Gretzky. He played 18 games for the Blues, but wife Janet is from here. Meanwhile, the scrappy Blackhawks depended on grinders. Kyle Calder scored twice; Jim Cummins, Brian Noonan, Reid Simpson, Ben Eager and Dan Carcillo had one each. Unlike many of the taffy pulls back in the day when results counted, this rematch was fist-free. Then again, to fight is to require energy. But even though these onetime boys of winter took the fastest game in the world and slowed it down a notch, the audience loved it.
"I thought there might be 6,000 people in the stands," Adam Burish said. "What were there, 50,000? I was blown away."
Gretzky opened on a line with Brett Hull and Adam Oates. Yet Chicago captain Troy Murray, who carried two microphones, was not wearing No. 99. Gretzky lists Murray as one of the two or three best shadows ever, but the Blackhawks' popular radio analyst expressed no desire whatsoever for a reprise of assignments. He did, however, request a stick from "The Great One" after 60 minutes of running time ran out.
"Wayne said I always held onto his stick, anyway," recounted Murray. "So I might as well have one I can hold onto for good."
Tony Esposito, the Blackhawks' Hall of Fame ambassador, was back behind the bench for another try after co-coaching last February's loss to the Minnesota North Stars Alumni with Hall of Fame broadcaster Pat Foley. Cliff Koroll, president of the Blackhawk Alumni, replaced Foley, who was not fired. The Blues had four coaches, for goodness' sake, including one who is not only legitimate, but legendary: Red Berenson, who has been at the University of Michigan forever. He's got more than 800 wins there.
But Tony O was undaunted.
"Another tough loss," he sighed. "But I like our team."
Esposito noted that although everyone is getting older, his roster was younger. However, his fellow Hall of Fame ambassador, Denis Savard, was absent. He would have helped. Nor were Dave Manson or Scott Stevens in the building. Both have probably mellowed, anyway, but on March 17, 1991, they were featured heavyweights atop an ample undercard in the fabled "St. Patrick's Day Massacre" at the Stadium.
The Blackhawks and Blues have a history of disagreements, and that game nourished it. There were 278 penalty minutes-24 minors, 17 misconducts and 12 ejections, six combatants per side. After a series of grouchy preambles, Manson and Stevens cut to the chase and squared off at center ice, all the better to provide a clear view for everybody.
But it has been that way for decades. Since 1970, three years after the Blues were born, these two franchises have resided in the same division. The labels have changed, from West to Smythe to Norris to Central-but not prevailing attitudes. The Blackhawks and Blues have met 12 times in the playoffs, the last being one April ago when St. Louis advanced after a typically edgy seven-game series.
Although the Blackhawks, by popular demand, lead the NHL in outdoor appearances, their only victory remains a 5-1 rout of the Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2014 at Soldier Field. Jonathan Toews registered two goals and an assist, defying a wintry mix at night on the lakefront. Maybe that's the problem. The Blackhawks don't mind weather, as long as it's foul.
By all accounts, there an excellent chance of that for Monday's Winter Classic.
Gretzky opened on a line with Brett Hull and Adam Oates. Yet Chicago captain Troy Murray, who carried two microphones, was not wearing No. 99. Gretzky lists Murray as one of the two or three best shadows ever, but the Blackhawks' popular radio analyst expressed no desire whatsoever for a reprise of assignments. He did, however, request a stick from "The Great One" after 60 minutes of running time ran out.
"Wayne said I always held onto his stick, anyway," recounted Murray. "So I might as well have one I can hold onto for good."
Tony Esposito, the Blackhawks' Hall of Fame ambassador, was back behind the bench for another try after co-coaching last February's loss to the Minnesota North Stars Alumni with Hall of Fame broadcaster Pat Foley. Cliff Koroll, president of the Blackhawk Alumni, replaced Foley, who was not fired. The Blues had four coaches, for goodness' sake, including one who is not only legitimate, but legendary: Red Berenson, who has been at the University of Michigan forever. He's got more than 800 wins there.
But Tony O was undaunted.
"Another tough loss," he sighed. "But I like our team."
Esposito noted that although everyone is getting older, his roster was younger. However, his fellow Hall of Fame ambassador, Denis Savard, was absent. He would have helped. Nor were Dave Manson or Scott Stevens in the building. Both have probably mellowed, anyway, but on March 17, 1991, they were featured heavyweights atop an ample undercard in the fabled "St. Patrick's Day Massacre" at the Stadium.
The Blackhawks and Blues have a history of disagreements, and that game nourished it. There were 278 penalty minutes-24 minors, 17 misconducts and 12 ejections, six combatants per side. After a series of grouchy preambles, Manson and Stevens cut to the chase and squared off at center ice, all the better to provide a clear view for everybody.
But it has been that way for decades. Since 1970, three years after the Blues were born, these two franchises have resided in the same division. The labels have changed, from West to Smythe to Norris to Central-but not prevailing attitudes. The Blackhawks and Blues have met 12 times in the playoffs, the last being one April ago when St. Louis advanced after a typically edgy seven-game series.
Although the Blackhawks, by popular demand, lead the NHL in outdoor appearances, their only victory remains a 5-1 rout of the Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2014 at Soldier Field. Jonathan Toews registered two goals and an assist, defying a wintry mix at night on the lakefront. Maybe that's the problem. The Blackhawks don't mind weather, as long as it's foul.
By all accounts, there an excellent chance of that for Monday's Winter Classic.
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