Beyond Checkerdome

Well, that's it folks. The season ends on a much different note than the previous one. We mull over the loss, how we got here, and where we go now. There is some drinking involved - shocker, I know.

Well, that was a bit of a let down, eh? We took a few minutes to talk about that Game 5 loss, and what we saw in that game. Turns out, not as much as we'd have liked.

It's a double shot - of Victory! The Blues skate the back to backs of Games 3 & 4 to wins, tying the series and restoring the faith of Blues fans everywhere. The timing might be a pain in the ass, but that actually might be helping the team, too. We celebrate the 2 wins and look forward to what Game 5 has in store.

The Blues played better ... kinda? We discuss our mixed emotions about a team that looked better at times, but still fell short where it matters most. None the less, a gutsy effort that forced overtime is a positive. Still too many whistles, though, and not always at the right time. Down 2 games is not ideal, but the Blues know what to do.

Well, we finally got to see what the playoff version of the Blues look like. Though the team looked better, we still didn't get the result we wanted. Darn good thing this isn't a "best out of 1" series.

Well, the Blues go winless in the round robin tournament and end up facing Vancouver in the first round. Avenge 2009!! We take a quick moment to share our thoughts on what we've seen so far, and what we're thinking about the upcoming series. Playoff hockey begins... NOW.

Rumor has it that Hockey is back. The Blues are tuning up against the Hawks and then on to the Round Robin that means games matter once again (kinda). This gives us an opportunity to sit down and catch up on what we're doing/seeing/thinking during the global pandemic and to talk a little puck ... FINALLY.

Don't know if you've heard, but there's not much hockey going on right now. Nonetheless, we took the opportunity to sit down and chat about the handful of games that took place before CoViD took over the world. The win streak ended, but then the season did, too, so that seems less significant. We talk about hockey history, disease, and hockey players of the past and future .... and one that never existed! There are still a few things to discuss, and some fun along the way.

Welcome back! We got a chance to catch up on things, including the dramatic events in Anaheim and the relief over JayBo's recuperation. We talk a little about that and then the trade deadline acquisition of Marco Scandella, Other great stories have happened, including EBUG legend David Ayers and the return of Bobby Ryan. There's good news on the Tarasenko front, and we're looking forward to some particular games - both this year and next! All that and our usual tangents.

It's been a roller coaster ride lately, with a few highs and a lot of lows, but that's life in the NHL. We talk a little about All Star weekend, and what's happened since (note: recorded before the Anaheim game). Also there's Steen's 1000 game mark, and some bad news out of San Antonio. But, big picture-wise .... still a pretty good time to be a Blues fan.

Winning streaks come and go, and here we come again. We talk about the strangeness of it all, and how hard it is to be a happy hockey fan. Also, some new coach firings (again). The ASG is around the corner, with a healthy STL representation. And another thing - expanding on last episode's conversation about what gambling would bring to the NHL, what about the officiating? This and all of the other usual tangents.

The Blues season keeps chugging along, and so do we. Since we last talked, there have been several wins including some highly satisfying ones against the Hawks. We've had more changes amongst the coaching ranks, and we talk about what that means for "capital H" Hockey. We almost landed Taylor Hall, it sounds like, but is missing out all that bad? All this and a few random thoughts as well. That's just how we roll.

The season keeps going, and so do the St Louis Blues. A 5-2-3 run that included injuries, callups, a suspension, and a HECK of a news-cycle that keeps going. What happens when you trust your players? What happens when your trust in the coach is misplaced? How do you rebuild trust? Meanwhile, the games just keep coming.

A bit overdue on this one - listen as we celebrate the 7-game winning streak, as well as other 15s of yore. We send off the latest 15 and cover Fabbri's trade to Detroit. Winter Classic jerseys, 3-on-0s, roster moves, milestones, and drug use in the NHL are also covered.

Now that we have some more games under our belt ..... we're still not sure what to make of it all. Some problems remain, but we're still holding a top spot in the division. Worth noting: this was recorded before the news broke about Tarasenko's surgery, so feel free to disregard any optimism related to that.

We're back again - a little later than intended. We talk about the "meh" start that the Blues have had to the season, the banner raising and other Cup- winning activities, and what has changed as fans of this team. Also, a few odds and ends.

The offseason that was all too short is now at its end. Training camp is upon us, and the regular season is drawing nigh. But - just as we all thought the band was staying together- Army makes a big trade that says quite a lot. We got together to catch up on what's happened and the big news of the day. Welcome Back Blues Fans!

So ... how's your summer going? Here's a bit of a catch-up episode, covering the post-parade celebrations all the way up to the RFA signings and the arbitration hearings. We talk about the add of Marc Savard and the rest of the offseason business dealings. Most of all... we're loving this offseason. Pay no attention to the fun police. Do your thing, boys.

OK, the last time was a bunch of sobbing messes. This time we still can't speak but it's because our voices were shot. Yelling a lot will do that. Recorded with friends after the Cup parade and rally, it's time we finally closed the book on this season. And what a season it was. It's a good time to be a Blues fan.

This is the raw feed - two grown men bawling like children over the fact that the 2019 St Louis Blues are Stanley Cup Champions. Sounds good, don't it? Let's Go Blues

Every was set up perfectly for a Cup win in Game 6 .... perhaps too perfectly. For whichever reason (we have a few guesses), the Blues didn't get it done. However, there remains another chance in Game 7. The same prize awaits us there. Onward to Boston. Let's Go Blues.

Is this reality? Or are we trippin' ? The Blues just never stop leaving us dumbfounded. Every game is leading us to experiences we've never had before. This one is one more example. One more win down, and one more win to go. Play Gloria. Let's Go Blues

That .... that was an emotional win. We can only imagine what it was like for the players ... but as a fan, that was SO deeply satisfying. We try to put it into words, and at the same time knowing full well that words alone can't do justice to this moment. Play Gloria Let's Go Blues

A storm blew through St Louis, and dumped a lot of rain on what should have been a lot of fans watching the game outside on blankets. Instead, the Blues took a dump and was the wet blanket on tonight's excitement. It was not good. Yet, it's important to remember that this is just one game. Game 4 awaits.

First Cup Final Win in Franchise History. Soak it in ... and then get ready for the next one. The Blues finally played THEIR game tonight, and yielded a historic win. And, just as everyone predicted, the OT hero was ... Carl Gunnarsson? Of course it was. Play Gloria, and celebrate. This was a long time coming, and there's more to come.

Not the result we were looking for, but that was not a shock either. The Blues started off great but then found themselves in penalty trouble. Most of the problems were self-inflicted, which means they can be fixed. To be continued. Let's Go Blues!

You know what happened. Listen to us try to wrap our heads around this moment... and fail.Ya know ... that's a good problem to have right now. Let's Go Blues

What a Game. We're not *there* yet, but it's pretty damn close. After just scraping by in Game 4, the Blues take charge in Game 5 and leave with a hattie, a shutout, and a 3-2 series lead. It's a good time to be a Blues fan.

That's more like it! The Blues game out blazing in the first period and. built a lead that that allowed a win to tie the series. Now we head back to SJ for Game 5. Much love to the third and fourth lines. We wander off on a few tangents, but the bottom line is - Play Gloria. LGB!

Imagine being speechless and also recording a podcast. Something like that. An otherwise pretty fantastic game that ended, well ... like THAT. Regroup for Game 4. Let's Go Blues!

Now THAT'S more like it! The Blues score 2 goals, then give up 2, but then pull things together to eventually secure the win and tie the series. We now bring things back to St Louis with a little more spring to our step... especially for Mr Bortuzzo. Who saw that coming? Play Gloria!

Well, that wasn't the outcome we were looking for, to say the least. The Blues came up short in the 6-3 loss, but there are things we can take from this game and apply them to Game 2. ... which can't come soon enough.

We took a moment to look ahead at Round 3 and our opponent, the San Jose Sharks. Yep, them again. A lot is different about this current Blues team, though, and we talk about that. There are even some notable differences in the Sharks team as well. This is going to be a good test for the boys, and we are totally ready for it. #LGB!

Has your voice recovered yet? Ours have, just barely. Just enough to chat about the series clinching Game 7 win in Double OT. Pat Maroon picked a great time to be chubby but effective, and the Blues are marching on to Round 3. Helluva series from the Stars, including that Bishop fella, but the Blues earned that ticket to the Conference Final. Now, we wait to find out who we play. Are we nervous? Naaaaaah

Well, wasn't THAT something! The Blues emerge victorious in Game 6, and force a Game 7 here at home. The Blues were already ahead 2-1 when they scored 2 quick ones to seal the win in the 3rd. One of those was a little controversial, but hell ... we'll take it. Also remarkable is the entry of Sammy Blais into the lineup. Seems to have paid off! Let's Go Blues!

The Blues sure don't make it easy on themselves, do they? Like Tina once famously said, "We never, ever, do nothin' Nice And Easy". The main takeaway from this is "Thinking is bad" , so let us tell you what we think. See you in Game 6!

Well, the game started off OK, with the Tarasenko power play goal .... but it all went downhill from there. Another example of too little, too late from the third period as the Blues allowed the Stars to tie the series. We talk about this loss and how we saw things. See you Friday !!

Well, there's nothing like a little playoff panic to get the heart racing, eh? After a rollercoaster of a 3rd period, the Blues emerge victorious in Game 3. The Stars kept coming back, but the Blues took the hits and kept getting back up. That's what it takes to win. Maybe the Stars players should focus on getting up and not falling down so much, eh?

A little low energy in this one - due to the morning chat and also for the loss in Game 2. Not that it was all bad, but the Blues came up short where it counted most. We discuss the game and our reactions to it, and look forward to Game 3.

That's a helluva start! We celebrate the 3-2 win over the Stars, and talk about the game overall. Strong showing by the Blues, but some room for improvement. How about that Fabbri and Tarasenko, eh? LGB!

Are you ready for another round? We take some time to note a loss in the family and then take a look at the NHL playoff picture. Round 2 should be quite the challenge. Lets Go Blues!

Play Gloria! What a way to wrap up a series, eh? The boys in Blue put up a solid defensive game, Jaden Schwartz provided ALL of the offense, and Binnington was (calmly, natch) ready to shut the door on the Jets. We talk about all the twists and turns that this game took, but we're ultimately just happy it ended the way it did.

Holy Crap! What an ending! Believe it or not, you can be speechless and still crank out a podcast mini-episode. Here is living proof. Celebrate the gutty win, and prepare for a real tough test in Game 6.

You kinda knew that was going to OT, didn't you? That was a late one, so we waited until today to get our Quick Shot done for Game 4. An exciting game with a very unfortunate result, but that's part of what makes them entertaining. Can't wait til Game 5!

So, it turns out that we CAN lose a game after all. It isn't nearly as much fun though. They should probably try to not do that as much. Regroup, and play better boys.

Despite it all, the Blues take game 2 as well. Some postgame thoughts and reactions from us, as well as a possible explanation for Binnington's success. Our boys come back to St Louis with a 2-0 series lead, and ... that's pretty good.

Well well well .... how about dem Blues, eh? Our boys pulled off a tough road win in Game 1. Jordan Binnington did NOT look nervous, and Tyler Bozak sealed the win with a late game-winner after coming so close earlier. One down, more to go!

Well, we've finally made it ... the end of the regular season and the beginning of the postseason. We got together and got caught up on the 4-1-1 ending to the season, including the 2 games on the East Coast that CCR got to see live. We talk about the trip and also the how the Blues closed the season. We also talk about the foe ahead, the Winnipeg Jets. They bring a lot to the table, but have they met THIS Blues team? It should be a fun series.

It's a family affair on this week's edition of Beyond Checkerdome, and not because DK's son wandered onto the podcast! (He didn't.) We dive into a perfect Blues 4-game home stand which included Alexander Steen joining elite company with his father and Ivan Barbashev netting a hat trick in front of his parents and brother. With our beers of the episode, we discussed sustainable six-pack holders. We also covered the possible pending playoff spot the Blues could lock up soon, Jaden Schwartz's hat trick, how we were both wrong about when Vladimir Tarasenko was going to come back, Carl Gunnarsson's return to the lineup, a goal streak, some point streaks, how Steen and Jay Bouwmeester are "gray beards" without growing beards, CCR's upcoming trip to NY/NJ and so, SO much more . . . including our usual tangents. It is indeed a great time to be a Blues fan.

Another week in the books, and not the results that we expected. We take a look at the 1-2-1 run of games with Arizona, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo. Even with that record, there were plenty of positives to take out of those games. Some of those positives were off the ice. We also speculate how long Vladdy's injury might last - and totally whiff. That'll happen.

This California road trip yielded better results than we expected: a 2-0-1 run through Anaheim, LA, and San Jose. We talk about the oddities of those games and the continuation of the injury woes. Also, another Best of/ Worst of conversation. This upcoming schedule could be either helpful or not, depending on a few factors. Either way, it's going to be grueling. Buckle Up!