Beat 'Em Blue and Blackhawks

An unwritten law of St. Louis Blues hockey lore says, "Thou shalt never, ever root for the Blackhawks, for they are of Chicago, and Chicago is of Satan's loins." To which we reply: Kerblooey, the heck with that stale bologna. This Blues fan cheered the Blackhawks as they won the 2010 Stanley Cup finals. Chicago that year had an excellent squad playing top-notch hockey; plus, they were up against Philadelphia, for Pete's sake (we'd be pulling for the Taliban if they took on the Flyers) . But, if it's a Hawks vs. Blues scenario? Only one proper way to skate there, Pete -- the hometown 'Note way. Get to Scottrade Center (1401 Clark Avenue) tonight at 7 p.m. and cheer on the Blues as they play the Chicago Blackhawks for the first time this season. It's a classic NHL rivalry, a perennial, dependable Midwestern beef that's settled -- but only temporarily -- via the scoreboard at the end of three periods of hard skating and harder checking. In other words: successful, adult conflict resolution. Tickets range between $47.30 and $356.65 at www.ticketmaster.com.
Tue., Nov. 8, 2011