Welcome to another edition of the “Since 2000” series! Today, we are taking a look at when the St. Louis Blues played overseas and outdoors.
A Different Installment
This version of the “Since 2000” series will be different from others. Instead of ranking the games, we are going to chronologically review the games and their significance to the history of the Blues.
Since 2000: Overseas and Outdoor St. Louis Blues Games
Games in Stockholm, Sweden
Before the Global Series was the big event that it is today, the Blues participated in some overseas fun to start the 2009-10 season. The Blue Note traveled to Stockholm, Sweden to face their then-division rivals, the Detroit Red Wings, in two games to start the regular season.
It was a significant honour for the Blues to be chosen to play in these games. For starters, the Blues had just completed their miracle run to the Stanley Cup Playoffs the year before after being in last place in January. With a core of former first-round picks settled into their NHL roles, as well as multiple veterans on the roster, the Blues were looking to make more noise in 2009-10.
However, the Blues were still considered the “younger brother” to the powerhouse Red Wings. The Red Wings were coming off back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final. With future Hall of Famers all over the roster, the Wings were clearly the team the NHL was marketing in Stockholm. The Blues were just supposed to be along for the ride.
Overseas Upsets
The Blues were the road team for the first game. Of course they were. The NHL wanted to showcase the Red Wings and their memorable red home jerseys right away. In goal for the Wings was Chris Osgood. For the Blues, Chris Mason.
The game started as many would expect. By the second period, the Blues fell behind 3-1 to their rivals. No surprise, right? Detroit was just too good. Or so it seemed.
The Red Wings had some legends on their team, but the Blues had a hockey legend of their own by the name of Paul Kariya. After the Blues scored to make it 3-2. Kariya struck twice. He tied the game then score the go-ahead goal minutes later. In the blink of an eye, the underdog Blues were ahead. Mason shut down the Red Wings in the third period. Just like that, the Blues had stolen a win in Sweden.
The Blues were the home team the next day for the second game. The team was able to showcase their second-year third jersey. The beautiful logo of the blue note inside the Gateway Arch made it’s overseas debut. However, the Wings got to another hot start, scoring two quick goals against newcomer and former Wing, Ty Conklin.
Once again, a Blues legend would take over. Keith Tkachuk scored a late first-period goal to bring the Blues within one. In the second period, after the teams had traded goals, Brad Boyes and Patrik Berglund score ten seconds apart to the give the Blues the lead. In the third period, Tkachuk scored another goal as the Blues won 5-3.
The underdog St. Louis Blues went overseas and won both games against the mighty Detroit Red Wings. The Blue Note certainly made a global impression.
The 2017 Winter Classic
The Blues were awarded the 2017 Winter Classic. The game would be played at Busch Stadium, home of Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals. Fittingly, the Blues would face the rival Chicago Blackhawks. The rivalry was already a historic one. However, it had grown the previous season. The Blues eliminated the Blackhawks from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, ending the Hawks title defence.
The game was the Blues first outdoor. The fans and the franchise had been hoping for one for a few seasons. For the Blackhawks, there were no strangers to outdoor games. However, they were winless in their two previous Winter Classic appearances.
The weekend included an alumni game where the Blues alumni defeated the Blackhawks alumni. Two days later, the Blues defeated the Blackhawks 4-1. Leading the way was Vladimir Tarasenko, who scored two goals. Furthermore, Jake Allen was outstanding in goal. At the time, the win was only the third time the home team had won a Winter Classic.
The 2022 Winter Classic
Originally, the Blues and Minnesota Wild were supposed to play in the 2021 Winter Classic at Target Field. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed plans, as it did with many others. As a result, the game was moved back a year. Regardless, the announcement of the Blues participation in the came during a high point in franchise history. The team was in the middle of their Stanley Cup defense. Furthermore, there atop the Western Conference, prepared to win Lord Stanley Again. The news of yet another outdoor game was just another honor among the many.
On a night where the term “freezing,” was a major understatement, the Blues took the ice outdoors once again. Behind two goals from Jordan Kyrou and a five-goal second period, the Blues beat the Wild, 6-4. As a result of the win, the Blues became the third team to play in multiple Winter Classics and have an undefeated record.
The 2025 Winter Classic
The Blues will participate in their third Winter Classic. The Blues and Blackhawks will play at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Eve. The game will be historic for a few reasons. First off, Wrigley Field will become only the second venue to host multiple Winter Classics. In addition, it will be the first rematch from a previous Winter Classic. Lastly, because the game is being played on New Year’s Eve as opposed to New Year’s Day, it will be the first time two Winter Classics are played in the same calendar year.
The game will serve as another chapter in the Blues and Blackhawks rivalry. Furthermore, it will be an opportunity for the games young starts like Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and Connor Bedard to shine on the big state.
4-0
If you have been keeping track, you will notice the Blues are 4-0 when playing games outside of a traditional NHL arena. These unique locations for games seem to favour the Blues. We will see if Wrigley Field agrees with the Blues come December.
Main Photo: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
