GDT #14: 11/8/11 > Blues vs. Blackhawks > 7:00PM > FSMW/KMOX

[DaDitka]

Yeah, tame crowd....but while wile I guess we 'controlled' the game we never really appeared to control anything on the ice. Not that we were out-of -control at all, but wasn't like is was a firm azz whooping. Both teams really struggled to sustain anything really (at least that's the way it appeared at the game). Lots and lot's of missed passes on both sides and tons of dumping the puck in the other end.

I'm really not complaining about the the game...just pointing out why the crowd never really got into the game.

On a side note.....why was Oshie wearing an old pair of Paulie's skates? He couldn't keep a blade to save his life. I counted 5 times he lost the puck and stopped counting when he feel down for the six time. I was happy as hell he got that goal because he had to be getting frustrated.

[abc789987]

On a side note.....why was Oshie wearing an old pair of Paulie's skates? He couldn't keep a blade to save his life. I counted 5 times he lost the puck and stopped counting when he feel down for the six time. I was happy as hell he got that goal because he had to be getting frustrated.

Almost looked like he was trying to be more creative with the puck when he had it...

[KC Express]

Missed the game, unfortunately. Someone has to let me know how many times Pang unintentionally misused the name "Hitchock."

[ohio BLUES]

This is a very classy ceremony, but very hard to watch.

Having three speechless Russian women huddled up with no one surrounding them was somewhat strange. But yes, it was touching. I leaked a little bit.

Tkachuk spent too much time eating and not preparing a speech. He used to call Demitra the cookie monster, for the way he'd gobble up points. But his remarks seemed to lack a personal element altogether.

Hull's speech, though, was great. Korolev was before my time as a regularly-watching Blues fan (I was 6 or so), but I felt like I got to know who the guy was from Hullie.

The game wasn't bad either. If Hitchcock gets efforts like that on a regular basis, I don't feel so bad about kicking Payne to the unemployment line.

[STLADOGG]

Great ceremony, an even better game. The defensive positioning was astounding, I hope this is things to come.
By the way, PP looked good as well.

[jchndler]

Explosions in the Sky for the pre-game ceremony. Gotta love it.

Yea! I thought it was Explosions in the Sky but wasn't sure what song. Was it "Your Hand In Mine"?

[cprice12]

The pregame ceremony was nicely done.
Tkachuk doesn't look like the best public speaker. But his heart was in the right place.
Hull did a nice job.
Great to see some of the alumni back in the building...it was a shame it had to be under these circumstances.

Good first game for Hitchcock. Not perfect...there were some things that need to be addressed...but it's hard to complain about a 3-0 win against the Hawks.

A few times the Blues were scrambling in front of their net with Halak swimming...but it worked out.

Chicago was robbed of a goal by a quick whistle, but you see that all of the time when the ref loses sight of the puck. Yay for us on that one.

Defensively we were pretty good. Chicago, while they had some pressure at times, didn't really have many great chances except for the couple scrambles in front. We did a good job of poking the puck away and keeping the play to the outside.

The first Blues power play looked nice. Real nice setup by Oshie on Arnott's goal. Hilarious that Hitchcock said he'd fix the PP in one practice...and they go out and get a nice goal on the first PP. Awesome.
The second power play never really got going.
But I'll take 1 for 2 on the PP every game.

Kane scares the crap out of me every time he enters the zone. He shields the puck so well, he's fast, and he's always stickhandling like a mad man and can move the puck in the blink of an eye.
I hate him.

We owned Toewes last night. Had him locked down pretty good...plus Backes rung his bell once.

Reaves destroyed Carcillo. Awesome.

Halak was solid. Except for a couple times where he was swimming during scrambles, he was good.

Crawford looked bad on Oshie's goal. I don't think it was tipped...but it was fluttering, so it may have dipped on him.

Chicago is now in last place in the NHL on PP%.

[DaDitka]

On a side note.....why was Oshie wearing an old pair of Paulie's skates? He couldn't keep a blade to save his life. I counted 5 times he lost the puck and stopped counting when he feel down for the six time. I was happy as hell he got that goal because he had to be getting frustrated.

Almost looked like he was trying to be more creative with the puck when he had it...

That's what I commented to thedoc....he was trying to be too cute..I said "This is the NHL, not the f'ing Ice Capades".

It's one thing to try and fail once or twice, but at some point you have to wise up.

That said, he was all over the ice and did not a goal.

[JPonder94]

Tkachuk spent too much time eating and not preparing a speech. He used to call Demitra the cookie monster, for the way he'd gobble up points. But his remarks seemed to lack a personal element altogether.

I thought the exact same thing. When he took center stage I said to my girlfriend, "I'm probably going to lose it. Seeing a big guy like Tkachuk get emotional will make me cry my eyes out." I'm not saying that Walt didn't feel anything, but he lacked the ability to show it with a very dull speech. I found myself saying, "Yea, I already knew that."

This is probably just being nit-picky as well, but was anyone else a little ticked that every Demitra clip was of him celebrating a goal with Walt? I was expecting an homage paid to the Slovak Pack, but there was not one clip of those three guys together... even a nice play on a goal scored on the ice. Every clip was of Tkachuk and Demitra coming together.

Like I said, maybe I'm just trying to point out problems with the ceremony that weren't really there.

[DaDitka]

Tkachuk spent too much time eating and not preparing a speech. He used to call Demitra the cookie monster, for the way he'd gobble up points. But his remarks seemed to lack a personal element altogether.

I thought the exact same thing. When he took center stage I said to my girlfriend, "I'm probably going to lose it. Seeing a big guy like Tkachuk get emotional will make me cry my eyes out." I'm not saying that Walt didn't feel anything, but he lacked the ability to show it with a very dull speech. I found myself saying, "Yea, I already knew that."

This is probably just being nit-picky as well, but was anyone else a little ticked that every Demitra clip was of him celebrating a goal with Walt? I was expecting an homage paid to the Slovak Pack, but there was not one clip of those three guys together... even a nice play on a goal scored on the ice. Every clip was of Tkachuk and Demitra coming together.

Like I said, maybe I'm just trying to point out problems with the ceremony that weren't really there.

I noticed the exact same things. Walt came across like he was simply reading a manuscript.

[STLADOGG]

Tkachuk spent too much time eating and not preparing a speech. He used to call Demitra the cookie monster, for the way he'd gobble up points. But his remarks seemed to lack a personal element altogether.

I thought the exact same thing. When he took center stage I said to my girlfriend, "I'm probably going to lose it. Seeing a big guy like Tkachuk get emotional will make me cry my eyes out." I'm not saying that Walt didn't feel anything, but he lacked the ability to show it with a very dull speech. I found myself saying, "Yea, I already knew that."

This is probably just being nit-picky as well, but was anyone else a little ticked that every Demitra clip was of him celebrating a goal with Walt? I was expecting an homage paid to the Slovak Pack, but there was not one clip of those three guys together... even a nice play on a goal scored on the ice. Every clip was of Tkachuk and Demitra coming together.

Like I said, maybe I'm just trying to point out problems with the ceremony that weren't really there.

I noticed the exact same things. Walt came across like he was simply reading a manuscript.

Come on guys, he lost his friend...who cares about a speech.

[DaDitka]

Tkachuk spent too much time eating and not preparing a speech. He used to call Demitra the cookie monster, for the way he'd gobble up points. But his remarks seemed to lack a personal element altogether.

I thought the exact same thing. When he took center stage I said to my girlfriend, "I'm probably going to lose it. Seeing a big guy like Tkachuk get emotional will make me cry my eyes out." I'm not saying that Walt didn't feel anything, but he lacked the ability to show it with a very dull speech. I found myself saying, "Yea, I already knew that."

This is probably just being nit-picky as well, but was anyone else a little ticked that every Demitra clip was of him celebrating a goal with Walt? I was expecting an homage paid to the Slovak Pack, but there was not one clip of those three guys together... even a nice play on a goal scored on the ice. Every clip was of Tkachuk and Demitra coming together.

Like I said, maybe I'm just trying to point out problems with the ceremony that weren't really there.

I noticed the exact same things. Walt came across like he was simply reading a manuscript.

Come on guys, he lost his friend...who cares about a speech.

So we can't discuss the ceremony? Weren't not bashing him, we're simply stating how he came across.

[dmiles2186]

Explosions in the Sky for the pre-game ceremony. Gotta love it.

Yea! I thought it was Explosions in the Sky but wasn't sure what song. Was it "Your Hand In Mine"?

Yep, I believe so, from what I could hear. It was the song that was the theme for Friday Night Lights. My favorite song of Explosion in the Sky's.

[dmiles2186]

Tkachuk spent too much time eating and not preparing a speech. He used to call Demitra the cookie monster, for the way he'd gobble up points. But his remarks seemed to lack a personal element altogether.

I thought the exact same thing. When he took center stage I said to my girlfriend, "I'm probably going to lose it. Seeing a big guy like Tkachuk get emotional will make me cry my eyes out." I'm not saying that Walt didn't feel anything, but he lacked the ability to show it with a very dull speech. I found myself saying, "Yea, I already knew that."

This is probably just being nit-picky as well, but was anyone else a little ticked that every Demitra clip was of him celebrating a goal with Walt? I was expecting an homage paid to the Slovak Pack, but there was not one clip of those three guys together... even a nice play on a goal scored on the ice. Every clip was of Tkachuk and Demitra coming together.

Like I said, maybe I'm just trying to point out problems with the ceremony that weren't really there.

I noticed the exact same things. Walt came across like he was simply reading a manuscript.

Come on guys, he lost his friend...who cares about a speech.

So we can't discuss the ceremony? Weren't not bashing him, we're simply stating how he came across.

I do agree that Walt looked uncomfortable, but I give him the benefit of the doubt. You could tell that he didn't want to be front and center. It's not easy to speak in front of 19,000 + as well as a large viewing audience about something as emotional and probably still very raw to him. To me, he looked like he just wanted to read through his part without breaking down, and I can't blame him for that. I give him kudos.

[JPonder94]

Tkachuk spent too much time eating and not preparing a speech. He used to call Demitra the cookie monster, for the way he'd gobble up points. But his remarks seemed to lack a personal element altogether.

I thought the exact same thing. When he took center stage I said to my girlfriend, "I'm probably going to lose it. Seeing a big guy like Tkachuk get emotional will make me cry my eyes out." I'm not saying that Walt didn't feel anything, but he lacked the ability to show it with a very dull speech. I found myself saying, "Yea, I already knew that."

This is probably just being nit-picky as well, but was anyone else a little ticked that every Demitra clip was of him celebrating a goal with Walt? I was expecting an homage paid to the Slovak Pack, but there was not one clip of those three guys together... even a nice play on a goal scored on the ice. Every clip was of Tkachuk and Demitra coming together.

Like I said, maybe I'm just trying to point out problems with the ceremony that weren't really there.

I noticed the exact same things. Walt came across like he was simply reading a manuscript.

Come on guys, he lost his friend...who cares about a speech.

So we can't discuss the ceremony? Weren't not bashing him, we're simply stating how he came across.

I do agree that Walt looked uncomfortable, but I give him the benefit of the doubt. You could tell that he didn't want to be front and center. It's not easy to speak in front of 19,000 + as well as a large viewing audience about something as emotional and probably still very raw to him. To me, he looked like he just wanted to read through his part without breaking down, and I can't blame him for that. I give him kudos.

You guys are right. I guess sometimes I just take the human element out of these guys; you expect them to perform on and off the ice differently than us; the fact is that these guys are human.

I couldn't imagine giving a speech to 19,120 people about one of my friends who recently passed.

This is the first and last time I will ever admit I am wrong on this message board!

[DaDitka]

Yeah, I didn't mean to 'condemn' him at all.

I was merely observing the difference between his speech and Hull's.

Hell, I couldn't speak well in front of that crowd under any conditions let alone those.

On another note, I didn't realize Brett and Igor were still in such close touch. I thought it was neat that he discussed the letter Igor wrote him about coaching in Russia and hopes of eventually coming back to the NHL in that capacity.

[theohall]

Defensively we were pretty good. Chicago, while they had some pressure at times, didn't really have many great chances except for the couple scrambles in front. We did a good job of poking the puck away and keeping the play to the outside.

With Ian Cole in the lineup, 5 of the 6 Blues defenseman were 1st round draft picks (Cole, Pietrangelo, Coliacovo, Shattenkirk, and Jackman). They had better be playing pretty good defense with that kind of talent on the ice. Although one could debate about Jackman, Polak certainly makes up for that.

[DaDitka]

Although one could debate about Jackman, Polak certainly makes up for that.

Jacks actually was a bit more active last night, the problem is that despite being in the league for 30 years he has yet to learn how to handle that frozen piece of rubber.

There was one point on the PK last night where he did a good job of getting and maintaining possession on the side boards, and just as I started to speak well of him....he promptly threw the puck directly to a Hawk behind the goal.

That said, while he still has some major issues.....he's play hasn't been as bad this year compared to last year.

[JPonder94]

Although one could debate about Jackman, Polak certainly makes up for that.

Jacks actually was a bit more active last night, the problem is that despite being in the league for 30 years he has yet to learn how to handle that frozen piece of rubber.

There was one point on the PK last night where he did a good job of getting and maintaining possession on the side boards, and just as I started to speak well of him....he promptly threw the puck directly to a Hawk behind the goal.

That said, while he still has some major issues.....he's play hasn't been as bad this year compared to last year.

Hmmm... remember that Brewer played slightly better last season. Why was that?

...Contract year.

[DaDitka]

...Contract year.

our EXACT response last night