Blues beat Wild 3-1

First preseason game. First victory. First Kariya goal of the season. The Blues goals were:

Paul Kariya – assists: Brad Boyes and Brendan Bell
Chris Porter – assists: Derek Armstrong and Aaron Palushaj
Derek Armstrong – assists: Brendan Bell and Mike Weaver

As a matter of interest, Derek Armstrong also got a Gordie Howe hattrick with a goal, an assist and a fight. There was certainly no holding back in this game. Cam Janssen managed 29 PIM’s and you know things are getting interesting when even David Perron had a fight and 7 PIMs. A few points from the game:

• David Backes left the ice with an injury to his leg and had to be helped down the tunnel. He was, however, back on the ice later in the game.
• Chris Mason and Ben Bishop split the goaltending duties.  Mason made 10 saves and Bishop made 23.
• Darryl Sydor wore #44.  Chris Pronger’s old number.
• The three stars of the game were Armstrong, Mason and Bishop.

The coaches have a very difficult task now – they have to decide who stays and who goes. Armstrong had a great game but is there room for him on the Blues at the moment? Most forward positions seem pretty well locked. The defense however has two positions up for grabs. Sydor seemed a bit slow – his name wasn’t mentioned much.  Brendan Bell picked up two assists and played very strong. Would it really be any use to send Pietrangelo back to juniors? Junland and Wagner have both improved. It’s a tough one – and one you can’t really make on one preseason game. Training Camp gave the coaches one look at them. This game was another.

If it were up to me, I’d pick Bell and Pietrangelo…