The Blues have acquired Pascal Pelletier from the Blue Jackets in exchange for Brendan Bell and Tomas Kana.  Bell??  I'm surprised they've done this - seems to help the Blue Jackets more (with their defense injuries) unless the Blues have another trade in the offing and need cover in Peoria.  The full article on the Blues site reads:

St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced Tuesday the club has acquired forward Pascal Pelletier (pas-KAL, PEHL-tyay) from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Brendan Bell and Tomas Kana.

Pelletier, 26, has played in 25 games this season with the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Syracuse Crunch, recording 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) and 23 penalty minutes. Last season, the 5-11, 197-pound left winger notched 55 points (29 goals, 26 assists) and 45 penalty minutes in 71 games with Rockford of the AHL. Pelletier led the team in goals and power play goals and was second on the club in points.

The Labrador City, Newfoundland native has played in 13 National Hockey League games with Boston and Chicago. He was originally signed by Boston as an undrafted free agent on Aug. 7, 2006. Pelletier will report to the Blues’ AHL affiliate Peoria Rivermen.

http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=509091

LOL For the Ducks game on 7 January in Anaheim.  As it's my first time seeing the Blues play in the flesh so to speak (and there are only 2 of us going to that one), we kind of splurged - and got tickets in Section 210, row J.  I seriously cannot wait.  Apparently it's the Blues warm up end - so I'm going to smash my face against the glass down there.

We also have tickets for the Kings game on the 9th.  Our fantasy hockey league are going - there should be about a dozen of us - me being the only Blues fan of course.

I can't wait to visit the US - and see the Blues.  And yes, I AM driving everyone crazy talking about it...

Anyway - the point of this is...I shall be there.  And wearing a white Oshie jersey.  So, if you see me at the game - or in the Phoenix Club beforehand - then please come up and say hello.

In response to the recent fanpost with an article about Ice Hockey in the UK, I figured it might be interesting for you guys to have a bit of a look.  The UK team I support are the Peterborough Phantoms (even though I live a few hundred miles from Peterborough!) - playing in the EPL.  Last year, we won practically everything available...this year...not so good.  LOL.

I started supporting the Phantoms a few years ago, after they had a "Legends" game.  One of the legends was a certain Gary Unger - and I got a signed Blues puck.  The Phantoms staff and behind the scenes personnel were excellent - so I weighed in with my minimal support.  So, to give you a bit of an idea of the kind of hockey we get over here...check out some highlights.  This is the Phantoms winning the "Ashes"  against the Milton Keynes Lightning (and I love the fans shouting "Hit him!" and "Paste him!" when a fight breaks out):

and basically says the waiting is over.  It's time to win.  The effort in last night's game was not good enough...their results on home ice are not good enough.  The players are there.  The coaches are there.  But it's not getting done and it's not good enough.

He said he's frustrated like everyone else, fans have been patient, they've been patient and now there is no reason for the kind of effort we saw last night.  Now is the time to win.  The full 6.55min video is on the Blues website:

Checketts answers the media

This is from  NHL.com

Vancouver Canucks forward Darcy Hordichuk was automatically suspended for one game, and Canucks coach Alain Vigneault fined $10,000 by the NHL for violation of the instigator rule.

Hordichuk was assessed an instigator penalty with 4:56 left in the third period of Tuesdays' game against the St. Louis Blues. NHL rules state any player given an instigator penalty in the final five minutes of a game or at any point in overtime is automatically suspended one game, and his coach automatically fined $10,000.

Hordichuk will miss Thursday's game at Detroit; he can return for Saturday's game at Colorado.

Hordichuk will lose $4,015.54, with that money going to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. Vigneault's fine goes to the NHL Foundation.

Break out the Nelson laugh - and way to go, Cam Janssen.  Skating away from Hordichuk and making Hordichuk draw the instigator penalty.  Nice one, Cam!

According to Jeremy Rutherford's twitter, both Andy McDonald and Barret Jackman are fit and expected to play today against Atlanta.

Question is...where does this leave Lars Eller?  As he was brought up under emergency conditions, does he have to go back to Peoria before being called up again or can the Blues simply switch his status to normal and sit someone like Winchester?

I'd love Eller to stay  - although I'm really glad to see McDonald back, I think Eller has proven that he deserves to be in the NHL now.  Fingers crossed that JD & Co realise that too.

According to Chris Kerber on Twitter, Yan Stastny and Tyson Strachan have been reassigned to Peoria.  The Rivermen have a game today  and both players were scheduled to arrive in time to play.  Rivermen play again on Thursday.

I'm assuming Stastny will be called up again in time for Thursday's game as cover just in case Oshie and/or McDonald can't play.  What do you think?  Will Strachan stay down?  Is this the sign that Colaiacovo has recovered from the flu?  And that maybe...just maybe...Jackman is on the brink of returning?

I'm honestly not sure of the waiver situation as regards Stastny - can anyone help out?  If he's recalled again... will other teams be able to claim him?

In case, like me, you could only listen on the radio last night, you'd have missed the scary sight of Happy Meal crashing headfirst into the boards.

Well, here it is:

I'm so glad he got up and skated off - admittedly with help - after this.  Strickland is reporting that he went to hospital for observation but it's not believed to be serious.  This is one guy we simply can't do without at the moment.  Happy Meal is working his little ass off - let's hope he continues to do so.

If one guy is going to provide the lift needed to get the team out of its current slump then it's Happy Meal - or Perron. 

Fingers crossed that early reports are correct and that it's NOT as serious as it initially looked.  Scary stuff.

According to Jeremy Rutherford over at the Post-dispatch, TJ Oshie has been back on the ice today.  He's apparently been limited to video games and movies since last weekend.  (Poor guy...let's hope he hasn't overdone the games part...I'm currently suffering from "Wii thumb" and let me tell you it's VERY painful!).

If you read Rutherford's post - Oshie skates - Oshie hopped over the boards and skated a hard lap.  I'm impressed - not that I've ever had an op but how sensitive ARE the stitches etc?

It WILL be great if we can get him back for next Thursdays game against Calgary.  Man of Steel Oshie could be back sooner than we think...