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St. Louis Blues: Five Things Fans Should Be Thankful For

By Todd Panula

Nov 17, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz (17) is congratulated by defenseman Petteri Lindbohm (48) center Kyle Brodziak (28) and right wing Ryan Reaves (75) after scoring his second goal of the game against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz (17) is congratulated by defenseman Petteri Lindbohm (48) center Kyle Brodziak (28) and right wing Ryan Reaves (75) after scoring his second goal of the game against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; A general view of Gillette Stadium during the National Anthem before the Winter Classic hockey game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; A general view of Gillette Stadium during the National Anthem before the Winter Classic hockey game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

4. The Winter Classic

Over the last few weeks, we’ve taken a few shots at the upcoming outdoor game. Our initial reaction to the jerseys wasn’t overly positive (though I’ve warmed to them), the announcement of the alumni rosters was underwhelming from the opponent and the game seems like it has taken a back seat to other festivities.

All that said, it’s still a big deal. Blues fans have been wanting to have an outdoor game for years.

Most Blues fans would have been happy with a Stadium Series game. Any game played at Busch Stadium would have been quite an event and given the fans and city a boost.

Instead, the league awarded the city the showcase game. The 2017 Winter Classic will be played in the shadow of the St. Louis Arch.

We can hem and haw over whether this is the priority game for the league, given they are having another outdoor contest to celebrate the league’s 100th year. The Blues have only been around for half that time after all.

When it comes down to it, it is still a big deal. It’s going to be nationally televised.

You’re still going to get all the bells and whistles. The Blues will be the focus of the documentary leading up to the game, NBC will be there with all their pageantry and St. Louis will be the focus.

Given all the bad things that have happened over the last few years, it will be good for St. Louis to be seen in a positive light. Once the game gets here, all our worries will disappear.

It will be nice for us to just sit back and enjoy something totally our own. If you aren’t Chicago, these games only come along so often.

We may never see another Winter Classic in St. Louis in our lives for all we know. It is a spectacle and something we’ll all remember and be thankful for.

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