GO BLUES!
...and GO St Louis, such a deserving town!
9
As a lifelong NYR fan (57 yrs and coiunting), I had a special affinity for the Blues as there was quite a bit of a shared genetics with that "Next Six Team" and our own Broadway Blues. Emile, JD, Red Berenson, Ron Stewart, Mike Keenan( poached), and others.
My own college team (Quinnipiac) wore the Blues jerseys early on in that program.
I 'm glad to see that all the 67-68 expansion teams have had their opportunity to hoist the cup. Congrats to the"St. Louis Booze " (courtesy of Brett Hull's TV spots).
6
A hearty congrats to the St. Louis Blues and all their devoted fans.
Gosh I love an underdog!!
7
Even Canadians know that goon-filled hockey is no match for skillful, civilized (usually) basketball playoffs. Hockey, with its built-in violence, is no role model for kids.
2
@Jack Noon No way you are being serious! You're calling guys running around more "skillful" than guys skating on ice!?!? Hockey teaches kids the best in sports...and life. And yeah, its physical and tough but the fighting is nearly all but out of today's style of play. Just admit your bitter that another US team won your Cup!
3
I always liked the Blues. They were my favorite expansion team from 1968. They made the finals their first three years in the league and pull it off 49 years later.
And now a round of boos for Gary Bettman ...
7
They won those first three years in existence because of the way that playoffs were conceived in those days. They got to the Stanley Cup Finals because they were the best of a poor lot from the Western Conference.
Don't kid yourself.
And yes, boo Gary Bettman, who played a really lightweight Robin to David Stern's Batman for many years. Totally unprepared to manage hockey's affairs.
1
This was incredible, and a spectacular gift to our city. The stories that came out of this reminded me so much of the amazing St. Louis Rams Superbowl win back in 1999-2000 season, where a grocery store employee became the backup quarterback, and took the world of football by storm.
I celebrated that amazing win and two decades later - last night, it was really emotional seeing Alex Pietrangelo hoisting that Cup, thinking of the incredible heart ache the Blues players and fans both past and present have felt when the season just slips away. I know I did - so many years. Finally, redemption. From an instantly likable Coach Berube, an ice-cold backup goalie Binner, and an astounding group of hardworking players. Not stars, just great players, and that grinding style. I would hate them if I were a fan of any other team.
And I just wanted to say kudos to Bruins (and to Backes who led St.Louis so many years, and is beloved here) for a well played series. They were fair, and they were quick, and played with heart.
This is why I fell in love with hockey. This is why it is so hard to win the Cup. Go Blues!
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Pity they are from Missouri where the war on women is the sport of the state government. Maybe when hoisting the cup they will take a stand on protecting the rights of women. And I am not a Bruins fans partial to Rangers and Islanders.
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@`Maureen
Penalty call!
We voters in MO are not a monolith. Millions of us are independents and democrats, but thanks to decades of heavy gerrymandering (mostly by republicans) and voter suppression (all republicans) our local and state elections are no longer representative of the voting citizenry.
We aren't the only state crippled by these law-skirting actions.
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The Blues also flew Laila, a young fan with an auto-immune disorder to the game in Boston so she could watch them win the Stanley Cup.
https://kmox.radio.com/articles/st-louis-blues-taking-laila-anderson-boston-game-7
8
This is sports writing at its best, equal to the monumental nature of the event.
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I heard on a local radio show that The NYT did a good job covering this series, and they did. On another show someone said the reason we love the Blues and this sport so much is because they remind us of us. Unlike the other pro leagues, hockey isn't rampant with mega-star players with personalities to match. They play with broken bones, shattered teeth, covered in bruises and stitches without missing a shift versus a month on a DL. The NHL has an uncanny tradition of weeding out men with the kind of character flaws (ultra-ego, rude treatment of fans and media, taunting) that plague the other majors. When a season ends for one team, the other lines up to shake the hands of the vanquished before anything else. Hard-working, modest and mannered. That's what defines our Blues and our fine city.
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This would seem to be a redemptive 12 months in sports. The Caps, UVA, and the Blues. It was really nice to see.
8
52 years in the NHL and I've never heard of them before. Interesting.
2
@Eve Waterhouse. You live in the People's Republic of the East Coast. The Blues are in flyover country. Why would you have heard of them. The east coast doesn't think that any part of the country is for real EXCEPT the west coast.
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Congratulations to the Blues, from a lifelong Montréal Canadiens fan. Last year, Washington won its first cup, this year, it’s St. Louis. It’s always great to see a team with its first Stanley Cup, especially a team that was part of the 1967 expansion and has waited so long to win it all. And the Blues logo has always been a favorite of mine, ever since I was a little boy!
14
A Cup series for the ages...
Bravos & Kudos, Blues.
11
Congratulations to the Blues for winning the hardest to win team trophy in sports. I am a life long Bruins Fan but I am fan of sports first. As much as I hate to see my beloved B's lose, I am happy for the long suffering fans in St. Louis. Nobody gave the Blues the Stanley Cup, they really earned it...enjoy!
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@Stephen Encarnacao Thank you for your kind words! We are so happy! I love Boston, my favorite city, but I am thrilled with the Blues victory! They have been waiting so long!
6
I'm a Torontonian and a lifelong Leafs fan, but I've always had a special attachment to the Blues and wanted to see them do well. I remember watching the Orr goal from the basement of my friend Ray's house in 1970, disappointed to see the underdog go down so quickly. Now I can hardly comprehend how overjoyed I feel tearfully watching the Blues celebrate their victory. Congratulations to them and their devoted fans! Why the emotion? Truly hockey is an amazing game, and, although there are now so many great players from countries all over the world, raising the Stanley Cup above your head remains a core symbolic element of Canadian national identity, something so many of us imagined doing as little kids, whether playing on the ice, on unused tennis courts, in driveways, or in our basements.
15
Speaking for all St. Louisans, this amazing victory by the St. Louis Blues is all that much sweeter because it was against a Boston team.
Our hearts broken by the Patriots in 2001 and by the Red Soxs in 2004 and 2013 are now healed!
12
Don’t forget your Cardinals beat the Red Sox in 1967 and 1946.
5
I can still see Bobby Orr in mid air scoring that OT goal way back when, taking the blues in 4 games.
Liked Orr, hated the Bruins. Still hate the Bruins.
Love the Canadian depth on this team. They just might be more Canadian than the Leafs.
Congrats Blues and their long suffering fans.
Leafs next?
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@johhnyb
Agreed on Orr & the Bruins. As a former NYer (born & raised LI) and a lifelong NYR fan I am required to root for whomever is playing the Bruins.
9
Play Gloria. We all Bleed Blue. Thank you to the Blues....now send your mojo to the St. Louis Cardinals who could use some of your grit.
7
Go Blues!
7
I'm green with envy! At this rate, I'll be dead and buried before the Sabres ever hoist the Stanley Cup in Buffalo... Congratulations Blues!
11
Congrats! I was a brief obsessed hockey fan in 1965 before the Blues were even born but quickly lost interest in hockey.
Great to see the Blues are in the category of the baseball Red Sox, White Sox, Cubs, Astros etc., long suffering fans who finally won the big one.
9
Btw, there's also a statue of Bernie Federko outside Enterprise Center.
7
It was a glorious series, and a pleasure to see the Bruins go down in defeat!
6
Congratulations to both teams who worked very hard.
As a non-hockey fan, it makes me somewhat sad that Mr. Steen, holding the trophy, is missing some front teeth. In an era when we are understanding the trauma of tackle football (at every level) and even kids heading soccer balls, I would use this as an opportunity to encourage the development and use of better protective gear.
6
@Homer S Agreed - and they do, but in many ways, it is like trying to protect against the inevitable. The effect of a slap shot puck deflected on to your face can cause the same damage as a baseball bat to the face at full swing, I am guessing. May be more.
3
@Homer S. Serveral of the Blues are missing teeth. I am more concerned about the Bruins captain who played with his broken jaw wired shut even though he was not medically cleared to play. Tom, that was irresponsible of the Bruins mgt and the NHL.
3
This is a painful shock to us spoiled Boston fans, but respect and hats off to the Blues. Their goalie Binnington was "lights out" under the Bruin's furious first period attack and St. Louis' second goal - and especially the third - were absolute daggers.
Enjoy your parade, Blues fans.
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@Jim Thank you from all the Blues fans here in Phoenix
3
Great to hear about this win for St. Louis last night! Congratulations to them, their entire organization, and the city. What a fantastic series to watch! Way to go Binnington, Bouwmeester, Steel, et al. Also happy for Brett Hull, Al MacInnis, Pronger and Bernie Federko.
8
Congrats to the Blues. They were clearly the hungrier team last night; and proved throughout the playoffs what a gritty bunch of competitors they were. Every time they had a bad game they bounced right back to win the next one. That shows heart. The fact they had more Canadians on their team than any other N.H.L. franchise did not hurt either. Hint/Hint Habs, Leafs, Etc. who have kept their fans frustrated for FAR TOO LONG. Anyway; enjoy your triumph St.Louis; you deserve in in 2019. The best team won!
14
With all due respect to Boston fans -- except for your booing last night during the Stanley Cup presentation -- we St Louis Blues fans are crazy-ecstatic about beating your Bruins.
After losing twice in the World Series to the Red Sox since 2004, and having constantly to endure the incorrigible Patriots, it was Our Turn.
2019: Year of the St Louis Tea Party!
12
@Ken It's become tradition to boo Gary Bettman when he speaks during the awards ceremony, or when he speaks in general.
4
so happy BOS lost. congrats STL
8
Great article, but to clarify one point--this win was predicted (see link below)! Proud St. Louisans everywhere, we knew it was destiny--and we know the feeling in reverse, remember the Curse of the Bambino, broken when the Red Sox swept the Cardinals in the 2004 World Series?! #Hometown Proud https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/parenting/aisha-sultan/sultan-buried-in-a-blues-jersey-a-superfan-said-the/article_3bd2d51c-3616-51ee-b299-de44479e3bb9.html?fbclid=IwAR2i3n5zFyjnkScYpZT9y_4hr1hb2bZgtbfTERI3dQcbhU2nSSdRCXwi3zM#tracking-source=home-top-story
4
@Mary Ruoff. I knew it was Cinderella's year for the Ball. May the NOTE be with you.
3
A great playoff series for the coolist game in the world. The photograph illustrates perfectly the key to the final game.
Boston can beat any team when allowed to play their standard game: focus, alertness, skill, and unmatched teamwork. But sustained checking by the Blues negated that approach by Boston for 90% of the game by forcing the Bruins to devote extra attention instead to the opposing players (photo).
Both teams are saluted for showing respect for the game by curtailing dirty play in game seven.
10
From a long suffering fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, congratulations to the St Louis Blues, the players, coaches and most importantly - their fans. Enjoy this moment!
Special congrats to Jordan (Do I look nervous) Binnington for a fantastic run and incredible first period last night. Even Don Cherry had to walk back his prediction of a Boston win after he saw your first period performance.
Thanks for being one of the best sports stories of the year and taking down the Bruins.
Now I am going to lock myself in a dark room and contemplate the fact that both Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak have raised the Cup (deservedly so) after leaving the Leafs.
13
Shpigel really captures the Blues achievement. For Blues fans everywhere, His understanding of the history and journey is appreciated.
18
This is really a true cinderella story from last place to winning the championship in one single season. The Blues is the miracle team on par with the 1980 miracle on ice US hockey team. Congratulation!
16
Hat's off to Boston and their hard-fought series. It seems that St. Louis and New England are life long competitors! St. Louis is such a great city and our Blues promote the same grit and defiance that St. Louis has. One City, One Nation is our mantra, no other city will fill two stadiums to watch an away game and come together the way we have. Gloria!! Congratulations to the Blues, the City of St. Louis, and to Boston for being an exciting part of our journey! LGB!!
16
St. Louis Blues, the team with the most Canadians on it's roster. No stars, just hard work and grit and a coach, Canadian, who cracked the whip when he took over in Jan. and installed a rookie goalie as his starter. MVP Craig Berube.
16
I've got the Blues.
And they feel so good.
Congratulations, St. Louis!
12
Quite a mixed up series. Home advantage turns out to be no advantage. One goalie gets hot and things happen. Congratulations to St. Louis. I never dreamed Boston would lose.
13
Heartbreak for us but so well deserved for the Blues--what a series!
Going from zero to the absolute top in hockey in six months is phenomenal and says volumes about the heart of the team and how risk taking changes can pay off. Not to mention the fans in St. Louis sitting in the rain watching...Congratulations!!
40
First-time Stanley Cup winning teams for two years running!
I think it's great for the sport.
Congrats to the Blues!
31
Great win for a great TEAM. They came together with a new coach and a new goalie, climbing up the charts from the worst record in the league to the Cup. Hockey playoffs are by far the best in all of sports (along with the NCAA men's tourney). Already looking forward to next year... when it's my Rangers turn.
14
@Ted
I wore my Rangers jersey to the sports pub for last night's game.
6
St. Louis Blues fans packed the Blues' arena last night and when that filled up, they packed Busch Stadium... in a thunderstorm! Does that happen anywhere else? This is such a great gift to my beloved, much misunderstood City. Thank you to the Blues!
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@Anne in St. Louis
And Stan Kroenke couldn't wait to pack up the Rams and leave St. Louis. They are some of the best fans in sports.
St. Louis doesn't really ever change. If you turn KSHE radio on while driving around there you might think you are back in the 1970s. But from a sports perspective, once they love you, they will always love you, they will never give up on you if you never give up on them.
When it comes to sports, few come, even fewer leave.
1
A beautiful tribute to a gritty, talented and resilient team. I became a hockey and Blues fan in the late 70’s as a student at St. Louis University. I will never forget watching Bernie Federko, Garry Unger and the rest of the Blues at The Arena (later named the Checkerdome). That squad didn’t win a lot of games, but they gave me a lifelong love for the game. I wondered if I’d ever see this day and am so happy for this team, it’s fans and the city of St. Louis.
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@Brad Campbell
I don't know why, but there was something incomparable about watching the Blues in the atmosphere of the rickety old Arena.
18
@nom de guerre
Agreed. When the Blues were losing, you could always lean back and marvel at those massive wooden rafters.
4
@nom de guerre
The sight lines in the Arena were great - you were right on top of the ice there - provided you weren't behind a pole. One thing I will say, you really didn't want to have hole in your shoe if you were standing in line to use the men's bathroom during an intermission.
2
Congratulations to the Blues! I can't imagine the Toronto Maple Leafs ever doing something like this. They last won in 1967 and I think because they continue to sell out every game regardless of their inability to win the Stanley Cup keeps them from having the hunger to win the Cup!
17
@Savita Patil
Thank you, here's hoping the Maple Leafs win the cup next year. From one city of unflagging fans to another, we know how you feel.
Fans are ecstatic on this beautiful day in St. Louis. :o)
21