It's too cold to cancel school

On Monday many school children who attend Centerville Schools, a suburb of St Louis, were allowed to take the day off.

Why you ask?

Well it was just too COLD!

The temperature on Sunday and was around 65 degrees, and it dropped on Monday morning to around 34 degrees..

WOW, talk about freezing! Oh wait that doesn't happen until you hit 32 degrees. I'm not trying to sound like a badass because I'm from a small town in North Dakota. But 32 degrees, that's good weather.

Some even wear shorts to class when it gets that hot in the winter time! Granted those guys are still drunk from the night before, but I have seen girls going to the bars in mini-skirts at below 0 temperatures, bundled up in their car, but strip down as they run into the club... (Doesn't that defeat the point?) It's like ordering an extra large fry, a double qtr pound cheeseburger, and a DIET Coke..
Obviously people love to make fun of how cold it gets back home, and crazy we are to have lived there, but in reality I'd take not being a big pussy over getting made fun of for being from the north.


Maybe you didn't watch the movie The Day After Tomorrow where this little thing called "Global Warming" completely reverses the global climates of many countries, and freezes the top half of the globe? Turns out because of this movie there actually is a site designed when its going to happen. Ya, that's right all you babies who couldn't handle the cold, or the wolves that escaped the zoo, you all died. Meanwhile us from the North were cool with it.. We now had more places to go snowmobiling, and skiing.

Holy that looks cold, we better cancel school!

So what I'm trying to say is cheers to babying the kids of the future even more..

Employee of the month goes to...

The idiot who couldn't do the 1 job he was paid to do... Here's the picture of Manny Legace getting hurt on the carpet that some idiot couldn't keep his foot on to hold.. (For you Basketball lovers, its like the guy in charge of pregame ceremonies and his one job is to just watch the camera chords from getting in the way when Lebron James comes out, and whamo, Lebron trips, and he's now hurt..)

On a positive note I heard he just hit the un-employment office this morning... (Do they work on Saturday's?)
Thank god they cut this dudes head off the picture because there are about 20,000 people right now that are looking for his head... How tough of a job is it to put your foot on a piece of carpet!? If you read the story which is here, Manny even said the guy told him to watch his step as their was carpet layed of for Sarah P..... Why every one's so mad is that the Blues Backup who gets paid $3 Million a year is out for a week due to an emergency appendectomy, and so the Blues will be dressing 3rd string and 4th string goalies, (actually their AHL's goalies, meaning the AHL team has recalled their minor league goalies from Alaska.) Coincidence??? Gov. Palin from Alaska still is giving back to her fellow Alaskans, oh and I do believe they call that multi-tasking.

I still love Sarah P, just because I bet she gives a pretty sweet "Nosey" you know the kind of kisses with your nose... Take a minute to laugh or not, then have a great weekend!

Secret Service + ND Plates + Me = Terrorist

So last night, was kind of a bust. The Blues lost badly, but that's ok, they are a young team. On a better note I became better friends with Brandi. She sat with us at the game, and hilarious she was. I found it weird to have met a girl who knew more racial, and wittier jokes then I. Although I'm not that funny, but I do know a few good ones. Here's her showing how funny my jokes were:

Ouch, I know I'm bad but did you really need the thumb action.. Also last night was pretty sweet as I got my first glimpse of what it's like to be a Secret Service Guard/No Personality/Machine with no sense of fun. We all met at Paddy O's to pregame it up, but since I had the ticket hook-ups I had to run to the Scottrade twice to pick up every one's ticket. Therefore, every time I had to pass by the Westin, which had the priviledge to hold the Palin family overnight. To top it off that same hotel just happened to be on the same street I needed to pass through, and Secret Service was all over every vehicle that drove by. Stopping and searching vehicles (mainly trucks like mine that had North Dakota Plates on in the State of Misery--suspicious?? very) for car bombs or truck bombs, you know stuff like that.. The second time I went through they were really careful and questioned me again saying they remembered me, and wanted to know why I needed to go get "more" tickets. I told them I understand it probably looks like I'm suspicious, but really I do like Sarah Palin, and her family, I then told them to look up my blog, as I'm no Barraky fan. Still unamused I told them to lighten up, as I'll be going back this way in a few minutes.....

So we got to the game just in time for the huge amount of cheers for the Palin Family to drop the puck. Many people thought there would be boos, but I'm going to say about 90% cheers to about 10% boos, and its the 1st time in MY LIFE! Of the thousands of hockey games I've been to, never have I seen Political Signs busted out! People had Obama Biden signs, to McCain Palin.. Weird, I felt like I was at a political rally for a minute, and not a hockey game:

Sorry the picture is crappy, these are from my phone..

Another cool thing, was that the whole Palin family decided to take over the 3 suites right above my section. The only bad thing was every time you left your seat the Secret Service would raise hell, and wanted to escort you to your seat.. I understand that place was a logistical nightmare for the Secret Service..

That's her in the White Jacket. Also take note the folks in "Blue" ya that was the cops, and the Secret Service "trying to blend in" you know like a Chameleon does with a plant..

So we decided to just drink the beer the beer man brought down, since he too was searched because crazy colored guys yelling: "GET YOUR BIG BOYS!, 24's out of the Refrigerator Door!, 9 DOLLA 'make you HOLLA!!" Great stuff beer seller man... I tipped him a bone for every one, and asked if he could give us a rap too.. He said he would spitt some mad game down for Brandi, and asked her if she wanted to listen to his demo.... At that point she then asked, "Could you take our picture of us beer man?" I thought, quick witty answer to the creepy gangsta beer man..

Thanks Beer Man... As my vision has slowly become more hazy...
As the game wore on, the Blues couldn't convert or start, or hit anything. So we drank more, and more... I thought the Palin family would bail out early like they did for that Philly game, so I turned around, and sure enough she was still there...

Notice how the booze managed to take over my camera as well?

Great talk everyone, here's to knowing the Blues will come out tonight and dominate!

For those who want the hockey post scroll down, for those who want to know about the election go somewhere else.

Here's my rant on Obama:
Obama has not authored a single bill or resolution as a senator. He is a socialist. He is anti-capitalism. He wants to eliminate secret ballots for unions which will force hundreds of businesses to close or move out of the country. He wants to promote welfare and free health care which has never once worked in any other nation. He has voted present or no vote as often as yes or no since becoming a senator. He has no credibility, respect or experience in politics around the world. He is against hand gun ownership.

Thats all off the top of my head and it is all fact and it is all things I have researched before making up my mind. Tell me one good thing about him or why he should lead this country that you found out for yourself, not from his commercials or the released talking parts. I left out the stuff that is subjective like his credibility, his associations with criminals and terrorists and his anti-america as we know it stance because they arent political policy issues but they are a factor in the man himself.

The only argument Obama fans make is that he isn't Bush. Bush has become the biggest liberal president since FDR over the last 3 years and everything has gone to #### since and you want more of the same only to the Nth degree.

In 2003 George Bush proposed that more over sight was needed on the Mortgage and Banking industry, specifically Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He reasoned that there was too much leeway for too few people and the potential for exploitation and greed was too high. He was assured by Dodd and Frank that that was nonsense and his proposal was defeated by the Democrats. Had they been honest and allowed that extra over sight there would be far less of a crisis in the economy than there is now. What is the punishment that the fraud commiting Frank and Dodd were handed out? None, in fact they were rewarded and are high level Obama advisors and will have a high place in his adminiostration instead of being in jail where they belong.

My second point of distress is Obama publicly saying Health Care is a right. He does not grasp the concept that a right comes with responsibility and that rights are inarguable. This means that if someone claims the right someone else has to claim the responsibility. It also means that no person, under any circumstances can be denied that right.

So one of a million possible scenarios is this. Johnny Dogood pays his taxes and works hard and has a nice retirement account and great benefits. He works a long career but in his 60's he gets cancer and can no longer work. He files a claim for treatment but because there are only 10 available shares of cancer treatment in his block (blocks and shares are how socialized health care works but it too long to fully explain) and there are 12 cancer patients requesting help Johnny is delayed in getting his treatment because he is older and his cancer is terminal. After 40 years of paying in he gets nothing. He dies at 61 years old because the delay is more than his system can handle. Meanwhile Francois Foreigndude has been in this country for a year and never had a job but is only 21 years old. He also has cancer and his treatement is expedited because of his age and that fact that health care is a right meaning you can not discriminate. Francois has never paid a penny but gets the treatment, Johnny paid all his life and gets nothing.

Another scenario is this. Good old Brett works hard and pays his taxes and each week extra money is deducted for national health care. He doesn't care because for the first time in his life he has health care and it's "free". Meanwhile, Todd is out sharing needles. He contracts all kinds of illnesses and has no money. Thank goodness for the Messiah Obama and his free health care. Todd has coverage and runs up a couple $100 grand in hospital bills. Guess who has to pay for that, Brett and all the other hard working tax payers. Why? Because Todd has a right to health care and Brett has a responsibility to pay for it. Each month or so your check gets a little smaller as the debt for free healtch care gets higher.

Obviously these are simplified for lengths sake, but they are accurate portrayals of real scenarios that have happened in other countries with national health care.

That is but two of the myriad of reasons why I am so anti Obama.

Thanks for the calm and logical debate. It is appreciated.

For the Love of the Game

Hi, my name is Marian Hossa, last season my team lost in the Stanley Cup finals. It was a heart breaker. So I did what any band wagon jumper would do. When my Pittsburgh Penguins fell to Detroit in the finals last June, I turned down an eight-year, $70 million-$80 million contract from Edmonton and a seven-year, $49 million deal in Pittsburgh to take a one-year, $7.4 million offer from the Red Wings and win my 1st cup!

Obviously, when you're good, money will follow you where ever you go. But he definitely just went from being on the good side, to the dark side.

My thoughts today are about tonight's game that has last years champs facing the leagues youngest team. Anyone would agree that last years champs with the highest payroll is about a 10-1 favorite, against the leagues youngest and one of the worst teams last year...

Well it's a new year, and a new NHL. The Blues are tops in the league when it comes to goals, power play, and penalty kill. Also the Wings are currently looking up at the Blues..

A few major pieces of note about tonight's game:

1. Enforcers: Blues decided to acquire another heavyweight. They now have 2 fighters on their roster to supposedly "protect the kids". I think it wastes a spot for Rookie Chris Porter, who brings more to the table then an enforcer does. Also note the Champs don't have any enforcers because they roll 4 great forward lines, probably the most talented in the NHL. They impose the "Wolf Pack" mentality of if you decide to take liberties on us, we'll take liberties on the board.
   




2. Special Teams: I think this might be the first game in a long time the Wings don't have a better power play, or a better penalty kill then their opponent. Speaks volumes for the Blues and their young young team who was picked to be in the bottom of the basement by every media writer who covers the NHL. (Who's laughing now)
   




3. Goalies: Legace gets the nod, and the wings are starting their backup.. Hopefully the Wings will learn this isn't a bottom feeder team anymore.
   




4. Z-Factor: I'll be pretty bummed if Henrik Zetterberg doesn't play tonight. If he plays and the Blues win, the Blues will be dubbed legit. If he doesn't play, the media will blame it on him, and the fact they didn't start their #1 Forward and #1 goalie...

My prediction: 4-3 again. Blues Walt, Boyes, Oshie, Perron. Wings Liddy, Hossa, Datsyuk.

Oh ya, did you know there was an election coming up?

I recently had a discussion (now she's mad, because I told her, her vote doesn't even count) with a friend who is in love with Obama. I think we will be in trouble if he takes the White House. No I won't get into his race, terrorist ties, religion, name and its resemblance to a guy's country we just invaded, or his Anti-American stance on the pledge, and star-spangled banner routines.. I will get into his policies I read on his website.

I better just start this as its own post..

Cause Escasty's got me standing here next you..

After getting home late from work, I cranked on the tube, to see A&E had some documentary of Jose Canseco titled something like "Last Shot" turns out I guess it was an hour long... I only watched the part where it showed him driving his crotch rocket into a minor league baseball game which had like 100 people in the stands, and he decided to walk all the way up to the top of the stands and sit by himself in complete obscurity... He then talked about how he wasn't allowed in any other baseball stadium, in the country... Then it showed all these fans coming up and over to him ask for auto's and pics and he obliged, it was his first time ever sitting at a baseball game since the big debacle.. It made it out to seem really sad for Canseco, who wishes he would have never wrote his book, or named names... How it cost him more then anything... blah blah blah... Then the last few minutes of the show an LA County Server of Papers (I can't remember what its called right now) showed up, and served Jose his papers saying how the owners of the Team and stadium he was sitting in was suing him! lol What was turning out to be such a great day, ended with a lawsuit... ouch Jose.. "The biggest mistake I made was, I should have not written (Juiced)," Canseco says. "The more I think about it, the more I regret mentioning these players in my book."


I think Jose was a whistle blower for sure, but he also opened a can of worms, and showed the reality of what Athletes really go through on a daily basis to keep their jobs... Now whenever an athlete has a breakout year, he's ridiculed and demoralized as to the only reason he's doing a good job is because he's on HGH or roids.. Which is plain silly. Some athletes have good years some bad... I'm no super fan, but I like to think some athletes are just that good, and physically healthy..

"Not me Brett, I'm a DFL" (Doper for Life)

1,500-meter runner Yelena Soboleva

Blues Clues?

What a great game to witness. For those who don't know I went to the Blues vs Hawks game on Saturday night.. It had some definite resemblance of home. Two years ago was the last time I saw Chris Porter, TJ Oshie, and Jonathan Toews play on the same ice at UND. And Saturday night I was able to witness history that the boys will always remember. Toews is the 3rd youngest captain in NHL history, and he took the faceoff on Saturday against a line that featured Porter on the left wing. Well about 40 seconds in Toews struck first, assisting on the
goal to put the Hawks on the board..

(Sorry I couldn't find a pic of Jonny yet from the actual game)

I thought it ironic in a way. Jonny came to UND when he was 17, and was always considered the younger of the 3. Since he truly was. He also turned pro a year before Osh and Ports, and is now considered more of a veteran. Well he showed it right away. Hawks then go up another goal
2-0. Then Ports decides he's going to show the fans, he's here to stay by putting the biscuit in the oven.

"Obviously your dream in college is to make it here," said Porter, a former Fighting Sioux captain who didn't miss a game in four years of college. " I played with Jonny his freshman year quite a bit, and then Oshie his sophomore year. But to have us all three on the ice is pretty special."

Congrats Ports on your 1st NHL Career Goal

Then Osh decides to he'll help the former Sioux standouts all make the score sheets, by making a a beauty of a no look pass to Tkachuck to cut the lead to 3-2. (Tkachuck is 10 pts away from 1,000 in his career) It reminded me when he put it between his legs to Duncan for a goal.

Then the Blues tie it up with 18 seconds left in the game. Sending it into OVERTIME!
In overtime the only highlight was up in the upper bowl where a few Hawks fans decided to instigate a fight which led them to get escorted out of the building one guy was actually bloodied up, and a straggler who wasn't hand cuffed yet, decided to give the one finger salute to everyone, and right at the bottom of the stairs when he turned the corner, the police had handcuffs waiting. I also heard from a few fans later that the police had asked about 20 or so people in for questioning. Well overtime finished with the teams still at a stalemate. This is why I love the NHL, it went into the shootout! Blues go up a point on the first attempt, and Toews gets the nod, and of course he scores. (I think he can do his move with his eyes shut) Khabi, and Manny both stop 2 out 3 shooters. Sending the Shootout into the 4th. Where Andy Murray calls on the young Osh to step up for the Blues.
"Once I came in, it's my go-to move from high school, so I stuck with it," said Oshie, a former All-American at the University of North Dakota who pulled the puck back before beating goalie Nikolai Khabibulin. "It's a move I've been doing for a long time now, I actually learned it when I was a sophomore in high school and have been critiquing it ever since." But this wasn't high school hockey in Oshie's native Minnesota. This was NHL hockey between bitter rivals with a sellout crowd of 19,150 standing and roaring. "Ever since they moved to the shootouts, I've been waiting to get a chance to do it and I finally got it tonight."

Well said, and lets hope this season, since the Blues were picked to finish at the bottom of the entire League can be somewhat of a Tampa Bay Rays story.. Lots of youth, and lots of talent that has been given no respect. Well the Blues are at the top of almost every stat column in the NHL. Here's to a great year, and maybe a dance with her??? :


Oh ya, and the Rams have a losing record, but beat the Cowboys, so all of a sudden they are good?? Ah, they'll finish with a losing record... They are 2-4, and I think they'll still chalk up more in that right side column.

Saturdays in St Louis

Quick thoughts going into tonight's excursions:

Thursday Recap:
I went to the game, and of course why wouldn't I be sitting next to a bunch of Wisc. Badger fans, who drove down... Who does that?? Also I had the privilege of sitting in front of the drunkest student (It was student night, where college students showed their id and paid $20 for a $119 ticket) and he wouldn't stop yelling.. It wasn't like he was yelling cool stuff like at the goalie, he was yelling stupid stuff like a guy 2 rows in front of me was wearing a cowboy hat, and he was mocking him... Finally he was escorted out. I attempted to write down cheers for him to shout out instead of acting like an idiot, but it was too late.. Security had enough...

Well after the 1st period I was shocked to see Coach Osh was in town, and so we reminisced about the good times we had at UND games. We then went back to his seats where I met up with Berglunds sister and Father who were in a great mood having just flown 19 hours to get to the hockey game that night. I don't know about you, but I'm going to take up Swedish... It's a pretty sweet language..

Notice the tongue out, its because I'm drinking the white
wine, after all that beer.. wine not a good choice!

The game went well for the Blues 6-1 Stomping of the Stars. After the game we went down to congratulate the boys on a job well done. The 1st player in the family room was Manny, and then it was the bday man Paul Kariya, whom no one knew or remembered it was his bday, so scrambling for a moment, after he was done talking with his wife, I went over with a bottle of wine I picked up off the table said happy bday, and he smiled and laughed I told him I hadn't planned on meeting him tonight, so I just grabbed the bottle from over there... After that the rest of the room went over and wished him a happy bday.. Everyone was in a great mood since they won so we decided we better celebrate the win by heading out to the bar!!

Well needless to say I'm not 21 anymore and I'm now just feeling a lot better! BUT JUST IN TIME FOR TONIGHT!! As its going to get even rowdier tonight!!

Well I feel kind of bad, because there was a big race going this weekend at the dirt track, and I was torn between the 2, but one can't pass up hockey, and the partying that goes on with it!

So here's my prediction for tonight:
Oshie vs Toews might get into their 1st NHL Fights tonight. As close as they are I don't think either one of them wants to fight anyone else. I think the Blues will win in a good battle 4-3. Osh (1st on his career), Tkachuck, Boyes, Brewer or McD get goals for Blues, and Hawks will be powered by Toews (1st on the year), Kane, Havlat.. Also Skille will get thrown in the box, and Blues capitalize (that one just for fun)

Also for tonight:
1.) Hopefully the Sioux Hockey team rebounds and gets a win tonight.. They got thrashed pretty good last night by Mankato. They have plenty of talent its all about chemistry, and Hak will find it, even if it takes half the season..

2.) Steve Arpin starts on the pole for the big mod race as does Will Vaught in the Super Lates. I'd enjoy seeing them both win, as I won't be there tonight, my guess is they will win.

3.) Poker night has returned for Sunday nights, so now I'll be able to watch football, Napcar and gamble as if I wasn't happy with the status quo! This is my happy dance....

4.) Still debating on going to the Cowboys vs Rams game..... Still debating... Well we'll see how I fare at the bars tonight... And if my energy level is up to it... it might just happen..

Starting is always half the battle...

Well the NHL season is 2 weeks in, and NCAA hockey is a week into what hopes to be a great fulfillment of my time untill March. March is the month of my birthday, also its the same day the St Louis Blues will be honoring all in attendance at the Scottrade Center for my birthday FREE FOOD!!!!!! I repeat if you go to my birthday party at the Scott, food's on the house!! lol

Well my new team: St Louis Blues, and my old favorite team: UND Fighting Sioux got off to great starts in the 1st games. Both won, convincingly. They both went on to lose their next... (Not so great, especially since I watched the Blues lose on tv, and watched the Sioux lose on the net.. )

But the 3rd game is what sets these teams apart. The Sioux were playing in an ice breaker tourney out in Boston, and completely dominated in shots, with over 40+ shots on net they only managed to score twice.. Oh well it's their 2nd game, and only 1st week working together with their coaches.. In the NHL they have preseason for that. In NCAA, they have an exhibition game. Many Sioux fans went hysterical at the thought of their beloved team losing 2-in-a-row.. But I don't worry as Coach Hak loves to turn his teams into momentum builders for the second half of the season. I wonder if he actually hopes they lose and are sparatic at the beginning of the year, so he can then build momentum for the end??? Consiparcy?? Anyone?? Buehler??

I was at work on Monday, Thanksgiving day.. Oh I forgot to mention that I told all my colleagues at work that since I used to live in Grand Forks, ND, were so close to the border that we celebrate Canadian National Holidays.. My boss actually bought it, but I decided to work anyway, I mean its monday, and I have a big vacation coming up.

So I'm pumped that my computer at work is able to listen to the hockey game on the net. Most things are firewalled for me. But sure enough the Blues find themselves down 3-0 in the first period. I went over to the Blues 'Boards, and sure enough there are like 100 posts under the game day thread about how the 'old Blues are back, and a bunch of garbage, I just started to laugh.. How quick everyone was to jump ship, and bail to make themselves sound smart!! Well with incredible plays, and defense by former Sioux, TJ Oshie shows how incredible he can be.

They eventually go on to win the game in an OT shootout 5-4, and media scribes here in STL are calling it Monday Afternoon Miracle.

This week it's going to be a great week for me. I get to watch the Dallas Stars, with Sean Avery, who everyone thinks is gay, but he's not, he definately likes chicks, and gets many models all guys dream of, but I wonder if he'll sign my ex-girlfriends Coach purse I never gave her?

According to the New York times he's quoted as saying his fantasy career would be:

"I’d like to be an editor of a fashion magazine. Creatively and artistically, it is something I’d like to do, and I think I have a lot of ideas that would be good on paper."

Also on Saturday I get to see my man-crush from UND, no not Zach Parise, no not Travis Zajac, no not Matt Greene, but Jonny T! As Abar knows, I've been preaching that this kid is the real deal, and everyone should have worshiped the ground he walked on at UND. Remember Abar, when we saw him at REA doing our routine walk-around, and he was just standing there in his Suit, chatting it up with some players moms? LOL, good times....
Here's to him going up against Oshie and Porter, for the first of hopefully many for me!

Ask me if I'm still bitter that Duncan won the Hobey? No, I'm not, he benefited from those two lads to his right in this picture, and all 3 know it..

Till I'm BLUE in the Face

Well preseason is over for my new team I will be following, the St Louis Blues. This franchise has a great storied past, but like all things that's the past, and this is the present.

Having moved here about a year ago, this town I've come to realize is all high and mighty on pro teams that are winners, and when you're a loser, they'll heckle you until you leave. How you can come to this town, and like a different baseball team other then the Cardinals is almost an impossibility. As if you don't admit your a Cards fan, you might get "wacked" (ya there is a mafia here.)

Last winter I was able to attend a few NHL games, what I saw was eye-opening. I come from a small town of about 50-65,000. I also was able to attend the great UND for the best 5 and half years of my life, where I fell in love with watching UND Fighting Sioux Hockey. Week in and week out, the greatest palace on ice fills up with 11,000+ giddy fans ready to watch their team pummle their opponent. I don't think I've ever walked into that building thinking my team is going to lose. NEVER, as weird as that sounds, and you can call me a "Homer" all you want, but its college hockey, anything and anyone can win, and therefore never have I walked into that building expecting a loss. Especially the talent that has went through their the last 6 years.

Well on to my story, last winter I had the privilege of watching the Blues play Dallas, Colorado, Chicago, Nashville, and a few others. What I saw is what was so shocking..
1.) The Scottrade Center is nice, but the Ralph Engelstad Arena truly is in a league of its own. I knew it was nice having been to the Excel Energy Center, and the Pepsi Center. But still I was expecting more then that.
2.) Attendance at some NHL games last year the crowd was as low as 7,500 people! (Capacity is 19,150) Where are the season ticket holders?? I just couldn't believe how since the team was on a skid their fans would give up so quick. (Granted this team hasn't been to the playoffs for a looooongg time, but still)
3.) Crowd energy, and music was nothing to what I was accustomed to in college. Maybe its just me, and I've been graced with so many great thrillers in college, but most games I went to even the MC, and the music is depressing. Granted they stay with tradition, and an organ, but still. I think people like a little bit of a change, but mainly their music just didn't seem to get me or my girlfriend pumped up..

That's hopefully in the past, as the 2008-2009 Year for the Blues has been labeled by their Managements Promotion as: "WHATEVER IT TAKES" :
1.) Whatever it takes to win- The Blues are one of the youngest teams in the league, and have been pinpointed by every writer and "expert" in the sport as the worst team in the league. And as high as 3rd worst in the league! Laughable I say, its time to prove the doubters wrong.
2.) Whatever it takes to fill the stands- Great promotions of name your price for whatever seat you'd like to sit, and if it's reasonable they'll accept! Also add in free ticket giveaways for Meet the Team events, and thats Free tickets to anyone who shows up their! I give mgmt big props in their efforts to reduce ticket prices down to the same price of going to the movies! The more people watch this sport of hockey, the fights, the plays, the ridiculous goals, the more they'll realize how great it is to watch.

Also check out March 15th my birthday, they're going to honor my birthday by giving away FREE food to everyone in attendance!!! How many places do that for a fan!?!?!?! lol

Onto my predictions for the team:

Biggest Breakout Rookie:
It'll be tough between Oshie and Berglund, but like the story in Shytown last year between Kane and Toews whoever stays healthy wins it. I'd like to see Oshie win it as he'll play against the opponents best line night in and night out, and also is the #2 forward on the penalty kill. Whereas Berglund is positioned against the opponents weakest scoring line, and also plays on the Power Play.

Darkhorse: Chris Porter, even though he originally was cut at the beginning of the year (I think it was due to the Salary Cap) he'll eventually win over Murray, as he played with his son Brady back in college (Come on Andy that should mean something, I know Brady didn't pan out the greatest but that doesn't mean you have to take it out on all the current and future Sioux players). Chris always seems to impress me with his work ethic and the drive to want to play the game. I mean after all he holds all them NCAA records for longest streak of playing in every college hockey game throughout his whole career. Plus all them Ironman awards beating out other NHLers back in college. This kid will be a great power forward grinder in the NHL.

Goalie:
Manny Legace, and Chris Mason (former starter for Nashville) will be the 1-2 goaltenders, the brass signed Mason this off season for $3Mill for the next 2 years. Meanwhile Manny's on his last year and gets paid less, and has been the best goalie for STL over the years he's been here. The writing on the wall doesn't look good for Manny, as the Blues also claim Ben Bishop is ready down in the AHL, and will most likely get signed next year. I feel bad for Manny, but hey its opportunity time for him, he plays extremely well, he can look at a lot of great offers to go elsewhere and put the Blues in a pinch.

Vet Forwards:
Paul Kariya has 2 years left on his big $6Mill/yr contract. Last year he didn't play up to his potential. Keith Tkachuck is on his last year of his contract. Rumor is he might retire, and move into the Blues Office somewhere. I think if they do well, all the kids on this team will invigorate him into maybe playing another year or two. Brad Boyes will need to keep his goal production up, having a breakout year last year, they just don't want him to fall into a slump. Andy McDonald is looking to breakout of his slump he endured last year at Anaheim, and I think the small (For you Sioux Fans, he reminds me of Ryan Duncan) forward can maybe get er done.

Defense?:
The biggest question mark. Not because every ones man crush on Erik Johnson is so overly depressing. (If you didn't know he's hurt again, and my guess he'll be one of those NHLers who are valued as a commodity, but are always fighting to stay of the IR) EJ's out for the year, but even with him on the Blue Line this year, they still only have about 3 good D-Men.

The Future:
It's bright, because when you're in the leagues doghouse at the bottom every year for 3 straight years you tend to get high draft picks. Hopefully all those draft picks come through, if they do this team will make the playoffs this year, and hopefully contend for a Stanley cup in the next 2-4 years.