SBNation.com User Blog: J-Mill

Game of Notes: The Quest for The Holy Chalice of Lord Stanley - Chapter I

J-Mill — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 22:26:17 -0000

This is the first installment of a planed series throughout the season, as our brave warriors in Blue sprint towards Hockey's Holy Grail.

Chapter I - The Interrupted Coronation

Suddenly, the dark fog was lifted.

As it began to clear, and the haze gave way to the sunlight once more, the people throughout the land of Shinny slowly began to move. First their fingers and toes, then their arms and legs, until all the subjects of the realm once again came to life.

In the royal court, where most of the kingdom of Saint Louis had gathered, a proclamation from the esteemed Christopher Kerber that had begun several months earlier finally reached their conclusion:

"-sent to you for the first time, King Thomas the First, of the House of Stillman!"

The crowd cheered their new King, the one who would surely lead their knights of Blue to a long sought glory - for a moment. Then, slowly, it hit them one by one. They had been frozen in limbo for months. But why, and by whom? A look of puzzlement were scrunched on each of their faces, save one.

Then the newly crowned monarch arose, with an air of confidence. "Lord Hitchcock, Hand to the King, to my quarters immediately!" he bellowed.

"What in Gretzky's name happened, Your Grace?" Hitchcock asked, as the King shut the door behind them.

"We were cursed, Kenneth. Forced by some sort of black magic to stand as still as a statue as time ran past us for months," he replied plainly. He moved to the desk to his right, leaned on it, then slammed his fist in anger. "On MY CORONATION DAY!"

"The realm was thriving and prosperous once more - who would've done this?" queried Lord Hitchcock, his jowls trembling as he spoke. King Thomas glared at the Hand. The anger blazed so brightly in his eyes that they reflected off of Hitchcock's pale, white hair.

"Three times in a generation this curse has been put upon the great realm of Shinny and you still must ask such a question?"

"Surely even the Evil Witch Bettman isn't thick enough to cast the same spell on us all again? And even if she were, she would require the assistance of other Kings."

"She is, and she would," answered the King. "No doubt the rulers of the kingdoms of New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minnesota, Detroit, and Boston have banded together to sully our day of our era's dawn."

"But why would they align themselves with The Witch, Your Grace?"

"I confess, that I do not yet know. What I do know, however, is that revenge must be served." The anger in his voice slowly melted into inspiration as he spoke. "For too long the land of Saint Louis has lived in the shadow The Witch and the kingdoms of her preference. But our knights are ready for the glory this land has to see them earn. As our revenge, we shall rip The Witch Bettman's most prized possession straight from her hands."

"You mean..."

"The Holy Chalice of Lord Stanley."

Lord Hitchcock knew what had to be done. "I shall call upon my men at once! Sir Backes, The Inglorious, Sir Pietrangelo, The Reliable, Sir Jackman, The Assertive, Sir Steen, The Long of Nose, Sir Oshie, The Rad, and Sir Perron, The French-Canadian are all ready for battle. In the names of Bernie, Brett, and the Plagers Three, the Knights of Blue shall not fail in this holy quest!"

The Hand began to leave the room, purpose filling his every move. Then The King stopped him. "The journey will be arduous, and you are sure to suffer injuries along the way. When you men are weary, and can fight no longer, tell them these words of inspiration lead your Blues to glory."

"Yes, My King?"

"Fornicate Detroit."

WILL THE KNIGHTS OF BLUE SUCCEED IN THEIR QUEST? WILL LORD HITCHCOCK FIT ON A HORSE? WILL DARREN PANG BE THE IMP?

FIND OUT NEXT TIME ON GAME OF NOTES!!!

This is the first installment of a planed series throughout the season, as our brave warriors in Blue sprint towards Hockey's Holy Grail.

Chapter I - The Interrupted Coronation

Suddenly, the dark fog was lifted.

In the royal court, where most of the kingdom of Saint Louis had gathered, a proclamation from the esteemed Christopher Kerber that had begun several months earlier finally reached their conclusion:

"-sent to you for the first time, King Thomas the First, of the House of Stillman!"

Then the newly crowned monarch arose, with an air of confidence. "Lord Hitchcock, Hand to the King, to my quarters immediately!" he bellowed.

"What in Gretzky's name happened, Your Grace?" Hitchcock asked, as the King shut the door behind them.

"Three times in a generation this curse has been put upon the great realm of Shinny and you still must ask such a question?"

"Surely even the Evil Witch Bettman isn't thick enough to cast the same spell on us all again? And even if she were, she would require the assistance of other Kings."

"But why would they align themselves with The Witch, Your Grace?"

"You mean..."

"The Holy Chalice of Lord Stanley."

"Yes, My King?"

"Fornicate Detroit."

WILL THE KNIGHTS OF BLUE SUCCEED IN THEIR QUEST? WILL LORD HITCHCOCK FIT ON A HORSE? WILL DARREN PANG BE THE IMP?

FIND OUT NEXT TIME ON GAME OF NOTES!!!

Top 11 Words or Phrases Patrick Kane Doesn't Know the Meaning Of

J-Mill — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:20:01 -0000

While I, like the rest of you, am quite happy to see the Indian Headed-menace be ousted in the first round, I must admit, a part of me was actually hoping we could see them in an epic Blues vs. Blackhawks Western Conference Final. Granted, some of my personal friendships with Hawks fans might have taken a severe blow, but it still would've been a hell of a way to spend a couple weeks!

Also, I was hoping such an event would allow me to post this idea I'd been kicking around for some time. But, there's no use in waiting until next year to kick them when their down, I give you:

Top 11 Words or Phrases Patrick Kane Doesn't Know the Meaning Of:

11. Modesty

10. Tipping

9. Back-checking

8. Upper body strength

7. Designated driver (I'm sorry, that's from Top 11 Phrases Jonathan Toews Doesn't Know the Meaning Of.)

6. Designated driver (Ok, here we go!)

5. Sorry

4. Not over stick handling at the blue line so he doesn't force his teammates to go offside.

3. Moderation

2. Passing

1. No

Have any others? List them below to celebrate how we don't have to hear that goddamn song another six months!

Also, I was hoping such an event would allow me to post this idea I'd been kicking around for some time. But, there's no use in waiting until next year to kick them when their down, I give you:

Top 11 Words or Phrases Patrick Kane Doesn't Know the Meaning Of:

11. Modesty

10. Tipping

9. Back-checking

8. Upper body strength

7. Designated driver (I'm sorry, that's from Top 11 Phrases Jonathan Toews Doesn't Know the Meaning Of.)

6. Designated driver (Ok, here we go!)

5. Sorry

4. Not over stick handling at the blue line so he doesn't force his teammates to go offside.

3. Moderation

2. Passing

1. No

Have any others? List them below to celebrate how we don't have to hear that goddamn song another six months!

St. Louis Soccer Fan Desperately Seeking MLS Team

J-Mill — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:18:13 -0000

I'm J-Mill, a St. Louis sports fan who also happens to be a soccer fan. As you can imagine, that causes me daily dismay, since we haven't had a top level professional team since the old NASL. I recently read a couple articles over at Hot Time In Old Town chronicling our ill-fated attempt at an expansion team (as if I needed another reason to hate Philadelphia sports fans), and it made me realize that, while I still think an MLS team in St. Louis is too good of a prospect to not happen eventually, it'll probably take some time. In fact, barring another franchise tanking and relocating, the best case scenario would still take at least 4 or 5 years.

So I'm looking to adopt!

Based mostly on my tastes, plus some practicalities, I've narrowed it down to three clubs: Chicago Fire, Real Salt Lake, and Portland Timbers. All three are squads that I've passively rooted for in the past, but now I'm looking to pick one full-time and go all-in! At the moment, I have no leanings one way or another, which is where you guys come in.

I'll list certain pros and cons on my mind to start, but I'm willing to listen to a logical argument and/or a passionate cry. If you can convince me join your ranks, and I'll do my best to catch on, be apart of the community here on SBN, and even buy a kit and/or scarf (when I can...I'm pretty fraking broke).

PRO: Home Field Atmosphere - Having watched a couple Timbers home games last year, the intense passion of Timbers Army is definitely infectious - what a soccer game should be! And for god's sake - how can you top a fraking lumberjack?!? Also, tangentially along those lines, I could definitely catch on quickly to hating Seattle - as a St. Louis Rams fan (...I know, I know...) I'm pretty much half-way there already.

PRO: Rose from the ground up - Unless I'm very mistaken, I understand that the Timbers FC has been around for years, but was allowed to rise through the US pyramid through a combination of consistent on-field success and fan support. In a country where there's no promotion/relegation system in place, that's really quite a feat. Seeing as Jeff Cooper, the man behind the St. Louis expansion bid a few years ago, turned out to not even be able to support a women's pro team for a full year (which was the fear that, if Garber is to be believed, was the single biggest reason Philly beat us out for the 16th expansion team), that method might be our best chance at our own team - hopefully with the St. Louis Lions of the PDL, who I plan on supporting as much as possible this summer.

CON: Proximity - There's virtually no chance that at any point in the near future that I could make it to a Timbers home game. Above that, I have nothing resembling a connection to the Oregon region. Plus, most games probably wouldn't start until at least 9:00 my time.

From here, it's up to you - why are YOU a Timber supporter? Why should I join you? Or at the very least, why shouldn't I root for the Fire or RSL?

So I'm looking to adopt!

From here, it's up to you - why are YOU a Timber supporter? Why should I join you? Or at the very least, why shouldn't I root for the Fire or RSL?

St. Louis Soccer Fan Desperately Seeking MLS Team

J-Mill — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:42:35 -0000

So I'm looking to adopt!

PRO: The 2011 CCL Run - Last year, I followed and rooted for RSL during the run to the Champions League final. I even called in sick to work one night to listen to the 2nd leg of the final online! Through that trek, I got to become a fan of Nick Rimando and Kyle Beckerman (good to see them getting USMNT call ups under Klinsmann, btw), and it's always nice to root for a contender.

PRO: Dave Checketts - While he may have really dragged his feet in selling my St. Louis Blues to an owner with the pocketbook to up the payroll, he's done very well as the head of the Blues and spearheaded the effort not only to bring the fans back to the arena, but also to rebuild with the young talent and diamonds in the rough that have allowed us to take the NHL by storm like we have this year. If he's done as good of a job with RSL, it'll be easy to root for another team of his!

CON: Proximity - There's virtually no chance that at any point in the near future that I could make it to an RSL home game. Above that, I have nothing resembling a connection to the Utah region (other than a couple Mormon friends I had in high school).

From here, it's up to you - why are YOU an RSL supporter? Why should I join you? Or at the very least, why shouldn't I root for the Fire or the Timbers?

So I'm looking to adopt!

From here, it's up to you - why are YOU an RSL supporter? Why should I join you? Or at the very least, why shouldn't I root for the Fire or the Timbers?

St. Louis Soccer Fan Desperately Seeking MLS Team

J-Mill — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 21:50:56 -0000

I'm J-Mill, a St. Louis sports fan who also happens to be a soccer fan. As you can imagine, that causes me daily dismay, since we haven't had a top level professional team since the old NASL. I recently read a couple articles here on Hot Time In Old Town chronicling our ill-fated attempt at an expansion team (as if I needed another reason to hate Philadelphia sports fans), and it made me realize that, while I still think an MLS team in St. Louis is too good of a prospect to not happen eventually, it'll probably take some time. In fact, barring another franchise tanking and relocating, the best case scenario would still take at least 4 or 5 years.

So I'm looking to adopt!

PRO: Proximity - With the possible exception of KC, Chicago is the closest MLS city to me. Not only do I have countless friends and family members in the Chicagoland area, but it's conceivable that I could drive up myself and go to a Fire home game (again, when I can afford it).

CON: Other sports - As a devoted and proud St. Louis native, I have a very keenly developed inferiority complex when it comes to all non-baseball things Chicago (11 in '11, baby! :-) ). While that doesn't mean all that much when we don't have a team in the sport, it does of course mean that all of those rivalries will transfer to the beautiful game on that glorious day that we do get a team to call our own.

From here, it's up to you - why are YOU a Chicago Fire supporter? Why should I join you? Or at the very least, why shouldn't I root for RSL or the Timbers?

I'm J-Mill, a St. Louis sports fan who also happens to be a soccer fan. As you can imagine, that causes me daily dismay, since we haven't had a top level professional team since the old NASL. I recently read a couple articles here on Hot Time In Old Town chronicling our ill-fated attempt at an expansion team (as if I needed another reason to hate Philadelphia sports fans), and it made me realize that, while I still think an MLS team in St. Louis is too good of a prospect to not happen eventually, it'll probably take some time. In fact, barring another franchise tanking and relocating, the best case scenario would still take at least 4 or 5 years.

So I'm looking to adopt!

From here, it's up to you - why are YOU a Chicago Fire supporter? Why should I join you? Or at the very least, why shouldn't I root for RSL or the Timbers?

My New Blues Blog: Play Like the Plagers

J-Mill — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:44:21 -0000

My New Blues Blog: Play Like the Plagers

Inspired by reading GT online and in paper form for the last few years, I've decided to start my own hockey blog: Play Like the Plagers! My newest entry deals with the All-Star Draft, so drop by and give it read - I'm open to criticism on both content and layout.

Marshall Faulk Went to My High School (...kind of)

J-Mill — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 06:15:04 -0000

First things first: long time/first time! Big fan of the site! Keep up the great work!

Don't know if you guys have heard, but apparently Marshall Faulk is supposed to be getting some sort of yellow-ish jacket thing this weekend. Since it's kind of a big deal (I heard Jim Hart had one once, until people realized he just dipped a blazer in mustard and added an NFL sticker to it), I thought I'd share a kind of unique story I have about him - unless you're from Edwardsville, IL too, then it's not really that unique.

First things first: long time/first time! Big fan of the site! Keep up the great work!

I was in my pre-teens during the Greatest Show years, and was not only a football player in the St. Louis area, I was also a bit of a football stat-head. I was pretty much a 12-year-old Bill James - there was even a point in time where I could actually calculate a QB rating in my head (although that was a pretty short-lived parlor trick). Add to that a move from Missouri to Illinois in the summer of 2000, a very slow capacity for making new friends (especially at the time), and the final, silent seconds of Super Bowl XXXVI being the last moment my family had together before my parents finally split, and it's easy to see why the Rams were very much my life during those years. For a good two or three years, I didn't miss a single snap of unashamed entertainment from Mad Mike's squad. And even though my two favorite Rams of all time would be Kurt Warner (obvious reasons) and London Fletcher (I played middle 'backer for a while), the feats of Marshall Faulk never failed to amaze and dazzle me every Sunday (or Monday - remember when we played on Mondays almost once a month?).

But when I wasn't rooting for my Rams or playing myself, I had another favorite gridiron team - the Edwardsville Tigers! Although I wasn't in high school yet, I would never miss a Friday night under the lights, and as a player for the middle school team, I got to get in free. And although Tiger football as a whole lot different than the Turf Show (there were meaningful, closely contested games where we'd literally not throw a single forward pass), we were nearly as successful, making the state title game in both 2001 and 2002 (unfortunately losing both years to Mt. Prospect - DAMN YOU, PROSPECT!!!)

But one memorable Friday, those two worlds somehow collided.

It was a mid-season conference home game in '01, I believe against one of the Bellevilles, and we were winning pretty comfortably early in the 2nd half. Then all of a sudden, a couple men in street clothes came walking towards the Tiger sideline. Usually security was quick to escort anyone outside of recent football playing alumni from the area, but these men were clearly not just out of high school, and no one seemed to bother them. One man was wearing a thin white sweater and jeans that were loose fitting, but not baggy. Not only could afford to dress stylish, he clearly knew how to. And he looked frighteningly familiar, too.

"...That's not......it couldn't be...could it?......there's no way that he's.........oh my god, it actually is!"

It was Marshall Faulk.

As I would later hear through the grape vine, the Tigers all-state running back was at a major mall in St. Louis earlier that week, and happened to meet Superman himself, Marshall Faulk. After talking a bit, he asked Marshall if he would like to come to his game that Friday - where he got the balls to think he'd even consider it, I'll never know. But he had the balls, and that Friday night, the then reigning NFL MVP was there on our sidelines - the same sidelines I hoped to one day stand on myself!

The best part about seeing him was that everyone in the stands were all thinking the same thing I was. By this time no one was paying much attention to the game, it was all about Marshall. Why was he there? (See above.) Who was with him? (Still don't know - one younger kid next to me thought one of them was Isaac Bruce, but it clearly wasn't.) Would the Rams get back at the hated Saints this year? (I'll be honest, I really miss that rivalry, as short lived as it was.)

After the game - which we won going away - I started to leave through the main gates. From the other side of the parking lot, I saw Marshall and his posse getting into a car. I thought about running over for an autograph, or at least a closer look at one of my heroes, but I completely froze with shock, even with the hour or so I'd already had to absorb it. I heard on Monday that he refused autograph requests that night, anyway. But even if I had been rejected for a signature that night, I don't think it would've diminished my astonishment.

Throughout his career, Marshall Faulk made the TransWorldJones Dome turf into his personal plaything. He didn't just revolutionize how a running back could be utilized, he spoiled my expectations of what a back SHOULD be able to do on a football field. But one of my favorite memories of him will always be in street clothes on the sidelines.

And not one where I was complaining about Trung Candidate playing either.

-J-Mill

Federko and the HHOF

J-Mill — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 20:52:39 -0000

Thing is, the "eyeball test" is a test for some other Hall of Fame that isn't the current incarnation of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Dino Ciccarelli wouldn't pass it. Glenn Anderson wouldn't pass it. Bernie Federko wouldn't pass it. It's the standard that should exist but never has.

This was in Puck Daddy's post about Chris Osgood's Hall of Fame chances, and it struck me for obvious reasons. I'm too young to have ever seen Bernie play, but I'm curious as to what some of the more veteran GTers thought about that. Of course, that opinion's seen through Wysh's Patrick Division googles, and obviously he's been in since 2002, so there's no real debat if he IS in, but...should he be?

BTW, if Chris Osgood ever gets in, I will boycott Toronto. Not just the HHOF, but the whole damn city!

Thing is, the "eyeball test" is a test for some other Hall of Fame that isn't the current incarnation of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Dino Ciccarelli wouldn't pass it. Glenn Anderson wouldn't pass it. Bernie Federko wouldn't pass it. It's the standard that should exist but never has.

BTW, if Chris Osgood ever gets in, I will boycott Toronto. Not just the HHOF, but the whole damn city!

Blues vs. Blackhawks GDT: Fake Round 2

J-Mill — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 22:19:19 -0000

Audio feed via WGN radio - if you can handle this much 'Hawks homer-ism.

After the Rams beat the (Sea)hawks today, let's hope that Official Fuck the 'Hawks Day continues!

FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS

FUCK DETROIT

FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS

FUCK PRESEASON

FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS

Audio feed via WGN radio - if you can handle this much 'Hawks homer-ism.

After the Rams beat the (Sea)hawks today, let's hope that Official Fuck the 'Hawks Day continues!

FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS

FUCK DETROIT

FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS

FUCK PRESEASON

FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS FUCK THE HAWKS

Looks like he's still available?

J-Mill — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 21:34:00 -0000

Looks like he's still available?

That, and we're probably in for a strike in a couple years. Enjoy hockey while you can.

Possible Match for Jaden Schwartz's Sister Found

J-Mill — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:01:37 -0000

Possible Match for Jaden Schwartz's Sister Found

Although it's not a 100% match, so they're still on the look out. She's currently scheduled for the transplant on August 26th.

News like that just makes you feel (cautiously) good, doesn't it?

Tarasenko interview from after the combine. "If I have choice, score goal or give pass, I...

J-Mill — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 06:43:15 -0000

Tarasenko interview from after the combine.

"If I have choice, score goal or give pass, I think I score goal."

Patrick Kane is the Justin Bieber of hockey.

J-Mill — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:13:29 -0000

Patrick Kane is the Justin Bieber of hockey.

My friend Garrett during tonight's game 5. New GT meme? New GT meme.

A loving hating tribute to the Blackhawks fanbase. Trust me, you won't gauge your eyes out!

J-Mill — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 22:14:19 -0000

A ~~loving~~ hating tribute to the Blackhawks fanbase. Trust me, you won't gauge your eyes out!

Introducing Oshie, my new kitten! No word on if the dog across the street with his tail...

J-Mill — Sun, 23 May 2010 01:39:13 -0000

Introducing Oshie, my new kitten!

No word on if the dog across the street with his tail between his legs is named Nash.

Teen Goalie Wins Title with 4 Broken Ribs and a Punctured Lung

J-Mill — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:13:13 -0000

Teen Goalie Wins Title with 4 Broken Ribs and a Punctured Lung

Hey, TB - when's this kid draft eligible, and will he fall to the Note?

The J-Mill Story: How Disappointment, The Trap, YouTube, and My Father Made Me Love Hockey

J-Mill — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:12:44 -0000

In the thread of Carnie's post last week, Brad brought up the idea that everyone on the site should post their stories of how they became fans, even if they weren't as purely awesome as hers - which mine surely is not, but still. No one else has posted theirs yet (that hadn't already), so I thought I'd go first.

WARNING: It's kind of long - deal, bitches.

Like I'd imagine many of you guys, my sports fandom was kindled by my father. Unfortunately, I have grown farther and farther from my dad in the 8 years since he and my mother split up (though mostly through the 7 that he's been re-married), which is especially sad when you consider that my mother was the one with the 9-5 job in our household while he was a stay-at-home dad for me and my sister with the occasional midnight job in shipping. But I still remember most of the good times growing up, doing community theatre with him, playing N64 and watching Dragon Ball Z when I got home from school, and of course, playing and talking about sports.

WARNING: It's kind of long - deal, bitches.

~~Maybe Mike Keenan Did Something Right?~~ Never mind - fuck that guy.

However, while I've lived in the St. Louis area most of my life, I was born in Dallas, where my dad was born and raised LONG before the North Stars migrated south. So needless to say, hockey wasn't on the radar too much, especially compared to football, which I played and was pretty much obsessed with for a good four-five years. So the first time Blues hockey came into my life was when the Blues traded for Wayne Gretzky, who - even though I was only 7 and knew nothing about hockey - was one of those names that I knew were famous, but didn't really know why (like Madonna or Princess Di). I remember watching his first game on TV, and the seeds were sewn. Everything about the game was fast and unlike anything I had seen much of before. Also that night, my dad told me about this guy who had been a great hockey player for the Blues for a number of years and was kind of a big deal...perhaps you've heard of him? I think his name was Brent Hell or something?

But that was pretty much it for me and hockey for a few years - I tried to follow the Blues in the postseason that year, but wasn't allowed to stay up late enough to watch most of the games. Then a few years later I went to my first Blues game late in the 2000 season. I went with a group from my school spear headed by our two PE teachers, and my dad came along. I don't remember who we played or if we won, but I do remember the pleasant chill in the arena, the goal horns and organ playing, and especially me and my friends obnoxiously yelling "I WANNA DRIVE THE ZAMBONI!!!" during the intermissions. On the way home, my father and I rode with the two PE teachers, who were listening to a sports show talking about the upcoming playoffs. One of the talking heads mentioned how the big favorite for The Cup was the Dallas Stars, to which PE teacher #2 took offense. His reasoning: "I understand why they'd be the favorites, being defending Cup champions and all, but the Blues should be favored since they've been the best team in the league all year!" This told me two things my Rams-Super Bowl-saturated brain didn't know at the time: 1) the team from my birthplace were defending champs, and 2) the Blues were actually pretty damn good! Between the game and that knowledge, I decided I HAD to follow the Blues in the playoffs that year!

The Never-Ending ~~Story~~ Games: The 2000 Playoffs

Unfortunately, we all know how that turned out for the Blues. I remember watching the first period of Game 7 with my parents, being told that I had to go to sleep at first intermission. After Owen Nolan "scored" his fluke goal at the end of the first, I begged to stay up for the rest of the game, to no avail. To this day, I still say if I had stayed up we may have come back!

Having been unsatisfied with the end of the Blues season, I still had an itch to watch the playoffs. Being from Dallas, I easily picked up the Stars as my back-up team, but I watched whoever was on, especially the overtime games - that was probably THE year to be a fan of multi-OTs. I remember catching on towards the end of the 5 OT game between the Penguins and Flyers, though I don't remember off the top of my head who won that night. Then it got to the finals - Stars and Devils. By the time they got there, I had moved from Bridgeton, MO to Edwardsville, IL, so we were still adjusting to our new house, but since it was summer, I'd stay up as late as I needed to catch the games, which that year meant pretty late. I know a lot of people complain about The Trap and how boring Devils games are, but I sat there by myself in the basement glued to the TV for hours, afraid that even my slightest movement would be death for my adopted team. Around the fourthor fifth intermission I'd move upstairs to the living room to watch the next OT with my dad, who was usually up late watching Hogan's Heroes or Howard Stern or whatever. Even though I couldn't get enough of the sport, I was still rather iffy on all the rules - I remember one night my dad and I tried to figure out what exactly offsides was. Eventually, Jason Arnott scored in Game 6, and while my father and I were disappointed, I remember all the ceremony, pageantry, and pure, unadulterated joy throughout the Cup presentation. I didn't like who was doing the raising, but I loved everything else. I knew that I wanted to be there one day - preferably with the Blue Note underneath The Cup.

CAAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!!!

I started really getting into street hockey with a few friends down the street - we'd usually play as much as four-five times a week. Sometimes, it'd just be me and one other kid, in which case we'd take turns playing goal and have a best-of-7 shootout, the winner getting to skate around with our make shift Stanley Cup - a Blues souvenir cup taped to a plastic bowl. Every now and then, this guy who lived next door to my friend - and who used to play for the River Otters - would come out and join us!

I followed the Blues closely the next year. I remember The Greatest Comeback in NHL HistoryTM in Toronto. I remember the Tkachuk trade. And I remember where I was when Bryce Salvador scored in OT of Game 5 against the Sharks in the first round (once again watching alone in my basement).

And then, just after Christmas in '01, my mother had a talk with me and my sister. She told us that they'd be trying a separation. I was rather blank for a while, but I escaped by watching the Blues and the Rams (luckily it was a good time to be a Rams fan - I don't know what I'd do if it'd happened today). He did move back in on New Year's Eve, without much fanfare, and stayed for a while. I remember sitting as a family stunned when the Rams lost Super Bowl XXXVI - all five of us (my father, mother, grandma, sister, and I) were completely silent for nearly fifteen minutes. That may have been the last real moment we ever had as a family.

I've Always Depended on the Kindness of Strangers

Before he did eventually move out for good, though, we went to Game 5 of that year's first round series with the Blackhawks - we clinched that night, booed the out-of town updates of the Sharks and Redwings winning, both Prongs and Mac scored, we got tacos (god, I miss those 35 cent tacos!), Brent Johnson's nearly three-game shutout streak ended to a standing ovation, and the Hawks fans in the building went home with their tails between their legs, having to sit in traffic listening to a few thousand cars honking in the streets! (I tried to convince my dad to join them, but he wouldn't) But what I remember most about that game was a woman sitting next to my dad. He was still having trouble understanding the game (especially offsides and icing), so this woman tried to explain it to him. She wasn't very successful, but she tried. I have a feeling someone at a Rams game wouldn't have wasted their breath, and though a Cardinals fan might have, they'd be just as likely to simply turn to the person on their other side for their in-game conversation. Hockey had already captured my heart - now hockey fans had, too.

Darkest Before the Dawn

A few years later came the dark times. The Lockout was hell for me at first, until I sadly got used to the void left by the NHL. But the biggest blow to my fandom came in August of 2005. It was appropriately a dreary, rainy day when I picked up the paper that day - the Blues had traded Chris Pronger. Once I read that - especially the quote in the article where Pleau had admitted he had just traded away "the best defenseman in the league" - I knew harder days were ahead. I still followed the team in the standings, but rare was the day that I'd watch a game on TV.

Until one summer night in '08. I was up late watching TV and was about to go to sleep, when out of nowhere, I had a strange urge to watch and/or play hockey. I started watching old Blues highlights on YouTube: The Monday Night Miracle, Dan Kelly calls, Hull and Oates, 50-in-50, CuJo vs. Cheveldae, the St. Patrick's Day Massacre, BEELLLLLL-FFFOOOOOUUURRR, everything! Next thing I knew, it was almost 7 am! That fall, I bought a ticket to the home opener against the Preds, a 5-2 domination. I knew that the Blues were probably still at least a year or two away from contending, but I kept watching them every chance I got through thick and thin last year and this (and, as we all know, there were a lot of both the last two years). Along the way, I discovered SLGT, and have been a devoted reader for nearly a year now.

Unfortunately, I'm unable to share this new found love with my dad. I did get to go to a game with him last year (Stempniak's last home game as a Blue, btw), but he still seemed as lost as ever. He's had some health issues the past few years, but he's still going. I only get to see him a few times a year, now, since I'm away at college and occasionally travelling around (last summer I spent two weeks in China and most of the rest in North Carolina) and he has trouble just paying his bills. In fact, in the past 10 months, I've gotten more chain text messages from him than I have actual, face-to-face conversations.

All in all, it may have taken me a while, but I love hockey. I love the chill in the arena. I love the crisp sounds of the game - the cutting of the blades on the ice, the smack of the perfect slapshot, the crash of a great check into the boards. I love the bonds between the fans, even of different teams. I love the pure hatred in a great rivalry - "Fuck" and "Detroit" were among my most common words used in my Facebook status updates in 2009. I love the history of the game, even if I'm still learning (what the fuck's a 'rover?'). I love the speed of the game, which even at it's slowest still brings back memories of The Greatest Show on Turf, which conversely brings back memories of my family being together and happy. But most of all, I love the Blues.

PS - I swear to Plager ~~when~~ if we trade away Erik Johnson, I won't leave the team again.

Oh, the San Jose Sharks and their Cubs-like moments...

J-Mill — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:07:49 -0000

Oh, the San Jose Sharks and their Cubs-like moments...

Cam Smash had the two best fights of the year; Deej gets love too!

J-Mill — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:17:30 -0000

Cam Smash had the two best fights of the year; Deej gets love too!

Most of you probably read Puck Daddy and saw this, and it's based on Hockeyfights.com, not the official, St. Louis Game Time approved hockey fights website, but it's still pretty great - I remember watching the Jannsen-Rypien fight and nearly pissing my pants!

Top 11 Things "New" Blackhawks Fans Say on their First Trip to DrinkScotch

J-Mill — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:56:30 -0000

11. "44 is scratched? I thought Chris Pronger was your captain?"

10. "You know what this place needs? More hot chicks in pick jerseys!"

9. "Wait, didn't Brett Hull play for the 'Hawks in the '60s?"

8. "Who's that guy with the Towel counting goals? I wish we had that!"

7. "The biggest key to the game will be shutting down Paul Kariya - he's a beast!"

6. "What do you mean you don't have Old Style on tap?"

5. "You guys should thank Patrick Kane for playing so well in the Olympics!"

4. "I don't care that the Blues are kicking our ass - blahblahblah Jay Cutler!"

3. "I just got back from my anger management class with Ed Belfour."

2. "What are you talking about? What does Jonathan Toews have to do with puking?"

And number 1...

1. "Fuck this is boring - anyone know the Cubs score?"

11. "44 is scratched? I thought Chris Pronger was your captain?"

10. "You know what this place needs? More hot chicks in pick jerseys!"

9. "Wait, didn't Brett Hull play for the 'Hawks in the '60s?"

8. "Who's that guy with the Towel counting goals? I wish we had that!"

7. "The biggest key to the game will be shutting down Paul Kariya - he's a beast!"

6. "What do you mean you don't have Old Style on tap?"

5. "You guys should thank Patrick Kane for playing so well in the Olympics!"

4. "I don't care that the Blues are kicking our ass - blahblahblah Jay Cutler!"

3. "I just got back from my anger management class with Ed Belfour."

2. "What are you talking about? What does Jonathan Toews have to do with puking?"

And number 1...

1. "Fuck this is boring - anyone know the Cubs score?"

Blues announce Jewish Heritage night

J-Mill — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:53:14 -0000

Blues announce Jewish Heritage night

Sunday, March 28th at 5 against the Oilers.

"'Jewish Heritage Night is catered to the entire Jewish community of St. Louis, Blues fans and non-Blues fans alike,' says Lesser. 'It is conveniently scheduled towards the end of the season yet before the start of Passover in order to allow the entire community to come out, whether it is for the excitement of our playoff run or just to experience Blues hockey for the first time.'"

Plus cheaper tickets, in case you can only afford it by Je-...never mind.

Eh, oh, Canada BLOWS!!!

J-Mill — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:24:13 -0000

Eh, oh, Canada BLOWS!!!

Image FanShot

J-Mill — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:47:11 -0000

One (1) Free Ticket for Tonight's (Fuck) Detroit Game: CONTEST

J-Mill — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:54:29 -0000

Okay, a few of you may remember about a month or so ago, I made a FanPost about how I had gone through some turbulence in regard to my ability to attend tonight's game. However, due to the benevolence of a certain someone here who requested anonymity, I was given two tickets! However, my friend had to cancel on me last minute, and the rest of my crew be trippin', yo! (That's right, I'm gansta!) So I have an extra ticket, and so I figured the only fair way to decide who gets it is by way of trivia contest!

These questions all pertain to things OTHER than hockey (some are sports related, others not so much) that I personally have interest in (for the record, I'm a theatre major with a music minor - ~~search Wikipedia~~ think accordingly). I will ask ten (10) questions, which you can answer VIA EMAILING ME at jmilldramadude@yahoo.com. Feel free to answer in the comments for fun, but I don't want to give someone who takes this at 2 pm to have an unfair advantage over someone who checks it at 10 am because other people have been answering all day (hopefully). ANSWERS IN THE COMMENTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

The contest will end at 3:00 PM central time today, at which time the winner (the one who gets the most right, obviously) will be notified via email.

Good luck, and...uh-go!

The contest will end at 3:00 PM central time today, at which time the winner (the one who gets the most right, obviously) will be notified via email.

Good luck, and...uh-go!

1. Going into today's first round of the NCAA FCS playoffs, the Southern Illinois Salukis (GO DAWGS!) are ranked #1 in two of the three FCS polls. What year was the last - and only - time that SIU has won the National Championship in football? A) 1993 B) 1983 C) 1973 D) 1987

2. When he first entered America, this famous playwright was asked "Do you have anything to declare?" and simply replied "Only my brilliance." A) Oscar Wilde B) Anton Chekov C) Arthur Miller D) George Bernard Shaw

3. Coldstone Creamery - the single greatest ice cream store in the world (and I will fight you if you disagree) - was founded in this southwestern state. A) New Mexico B) Texas C) Arizona D) Oklahoma

4. Which Arena Football League team did AFL great Barry Wagner play for? A) Orlando Predators B) Albany/Indiana Firebirds C) San Jose SaberCats D) A and C E) none of these

5. What famous Broadway song did The Beatles record a cover of on their first American album? A) "Tonight" from West Side Story B) "Everything's Coming Up Roses" from Gypsy C) "Luck Be a Lady Tonight" from Guys & Dolls D) "Till There Was You" from The Music Man

6. True or False: The St. Louis Cardinals have never been involved in a pitcher's perfect game.

7. True or False: The Godfather won the most Academy Awards in 1972.

8. True or False: The Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running musical in the history of New York City.

9. True or False: The forward pass in American football was first developed in St. Louis.

10. True or False: The Brandenburg Concertos were composed by Mozart.

TIEBREAKER (in the event of a tie, the most creative answer to this question gets the ticket):

What will be the name of the sequel to Snakes of a Plane?

Times up - please email me your answers at jmilldramadude@yahoo.com - once again, answers in the comments are welcome, but will not be considered for the ticket.

Oh, and...

FUCK DETROIT!!!

Fellow Detroit Haters: Assemble!!!

J-Mill — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:22:57 -0000

I'm usually one to stick to my SBN home over at St. Louis Game Time, but I come with an offer you can't refuse!

Over at Game Time, we like to mix things up as much as we can, via Project Mayhem. Currently, our efforts are being focused on ESPN America's current internet vote. The topic: which game they will air live on Friday November 27th. The options: Redwings vs. Flames and Thrashers vs. Hurricanes. Now, we Blues fans have a saying that we like to use quite often. However, since I'm a guest here and don't know PensBurgh's stance on language, I'll translate it to Swedish: "Fan Ta Detroit!" Which is exactly what we're trying to do. This poll was pretty stacked in the Evil Empire's favor (when we found it last weekend, it was about 78-22), but we still have a bit of ground to make up: last time I checked, it was 59.58-40.42. My fellow GTers and I have already posted this at Canes Country, The Copper and Blue, Mile High Hockey, Anaheim Calling, Second City Hockey, Fear the Fin, and Defending Big D (and possibly Birdwatchers Anonymous and Pension Plan Puppets, I’m not 100% sure on those), but we still ~~want~~ nay, NEED your help, Pens fans! We know you guys love to hate the Redwings just as much as us, and while we’re in different conferences and our interests don’t coincide very often, this is the perfect time for us to come together fight a common enemy: the European Redwing fan!

Here's the poll (right side of the screen, might need a little scrolling).

Fan Ta Detroit!

PS – I hear other than the recent injury, Jay McKee has been a bit of a hit at The Igloo – glad that worked out well for the both of us!

I'm usually one to stick to my SBN home over at St. Louis Game Time, but I come with an offer you can't refuse!

Here's the poll (right side of the screen, might need a little scrolling).

Fan Ta Detroit!

PS – I hear other than the recent injury, Jay McKee has been a bit of a hit at The Igloo – glad that worked out well for the both of us!

Fellow Detroit Haters: Assemble!!!

J-Mill — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:56:18 -0000

I'm usually one to stick to my SBN home over at St. Louis Game Time, but I come with an offer you can't refuse! And as one who was born in the greater Dallas, TX area (21 years ago, today, as a matter of fact) and one who still roots for the Cowboys, I feel it is my personal responsibility to let you guys in on this!

For those of you who don't know, ESPN America is an international channel, so no one in North America will be affected, but if any Detroit fan in Europe has a terrible evening because they don't get to watch their team play, then really, don't we ALL win? Besides, remember when we didn't re-sign Brett Hull and you guys did? Remember what happened then? I think you owe us one!

Here's the poll (right side of the screen, might need a little scrolling).

Fan Ta Detroit!

PS – No matter how much we need your help, Steve Ott is NOT welcome in this effort. Unless it’s to murder Zetterburg, then we’ll consider it.

Here's the poll (right side of the screen, might need a little scrolling).

Fan Ta Detroit!

PS – No matter how much we need your help, Steve Ott is NOT welcome in this effort. Unless it’s to murder Zetterburg, then we’ll consider it.

Fellow Detroit Haters: Assemble!!!

J-Mill — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:47:01 -0000

I'm usually one to stick to my SBN home over at St. Louis Game Time, but I come with an offer you can't refuse!

Here's the poll (right side of the screen, might need a little scrolling).

Fan Ta Detroit!

PS – Thanks again for Andy McDonald!

I'm usually one to stick to my SBN home over at St. Louis Game Time, but I come with an offer you can't refuse!

Here's the poll (right side of the screen, might need a little scrolling).

Fan Ta Detroit!

PS – Thanks again for Andy McDonald!

Fellow Detroit Haters: Assemble!!!

J-Mill — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:35:15 -0000

I'm usually one to stick to my SBN home over at St. Louis Game Time, but I come with an offer you can't refuse!

For those of you who don't know, ESPN America is an international channel, so no one in North America will be effected, but if any Detroit fan in Europe has a terrible evening because they don't get to watch their team play, then really, don't we ALL win?

Here's the poll (right side of the screen, might need a little scrolling).

Fan Ta Detroit!

PS - Paul Stasny is on my fantasy team, so thanks for being awesome so far this year!

I'm usually one to stick to my SBN home over at St. Louis Game Time, but I come with an offer you can't refuse!

Here's the poll (right side of the screen, might need a little scrolling).

Fan Ta Detroit!

PS - Paul Stasny is on my fantasy team, so thanks for being awesome so far this year!

Fuck Detroit. And My Life.

J-Mill — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:25:23 -0000

Story time, GTers: my 21st birthday is 11/20, and the one thing I was hounding my mother for as a birthday gift (since it'd be weird to ask my mother for tequila) was tickets to the Blues/Fuck Detroit game on the 28th.

For those of you who don't know (which is probably everyone), I'm an aspiring actor at SIU-Carbondale, where I was cast this semester in Lysistrata (which, for those of you who aren't familiar, is a Greek comedy with more dick jokes than an issue of Game Time). But then I find out that our first Cue-to-Cue rehearsal - the most important technical rehearsal - was scheduled for November 28th - 10 am-11pm (yeah, they usually take that long). I then tell my mother to disregard my requests for Blues/Fuck Detroit tickets as I wouldn't be able to use them anyway.

Yeah, she had already bought them.

So I then had to go about selling them via StubHub. It took a couple weeks, but I finally got a buyer a week ago - at about 30% off of face value. I put them in the mail one week ago today.

Flash forward to tonight's rehearsal. We got a new rehearsal schedule with changed dates for tech week.

We no longer have rehearsal on November 28th.

FUCK DETROIT!!!!!!

Yeah, she had already bought them.

So I then had to go about selling them via StubHub. It took a couple weeks, but I finally got a buyer a week ago - at about 30% off of face value. I put them in the mail one week ago today.

Flash forward to tonight's rehearsal. We got a new rehearsal schedule with changed dates for tech week.

We no longer have rehearsal on November 28th.

FUCK DETROIT!!!!!!

Fuck Dallas - they're the reason JFK was mentioned in "We Didn't Start the Fire!"

J-Mill — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:27:13 -0000

Fuck Dallas - they're the reason JFK was mentioned in "We Didn't Start the Fire!"

Text message my friend got while we were at last night's game.